MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari experience
I have done a 7 days tour with my guide Joseph going through Amboseli, Nakuru, Naivasaha and Masai Mara. The tour was initially contracted with Papio Africa Holidays but was actually operated by Baboon Budget.
Let me start by talking about travel arrangements, I was served by Tabitha who was very easy to reach and replied to all my questions quickly, she helped me with the process of changing dates given the COVID-19 circumstances.
On arrival I was received at the airport terminal by our guide Joseph who spent the entire safari with us, he is very knowledgeable and tried his best to provide us with the best picture and viewing opportunities. Our guide also explained many details of wildlife and animals behavior that helped us later with our spotting and overall enriched our Safari experience, during our Safari we were able to spot most of the animals present in the different sites with the exception of leopards. We had great rides 6/7 days as one day we tried to visit a tea factory instead of repeating Naivasaha visit but we were not able to get in, I would strongly advise you stay away from tea plantation or factory visit as you may be surprised and not let in.
In terms of accomodations we had a good experience in the camp sites and hotels, it has to be noticed that these camps and hotels are in rural areas or very small cities so the cleanliness is not great and facilities are slightly old or not very well maintained, in our case that did not stopped us from having a good rest and good meals.
The transportation was very comfortable and the van had a nice roof that can be opened for great views during safari time. I have to say that we were only 3 persons in a van for 8, so if you will be traveling in a group of 8 persons your experience will be very different and I imagine it will not be very comfortable specially during safari time as some seats in the back are not very comfortable to stay standing for long periods of time.
Overall I had a great time and would recommend you to book with Baboon Safari, I would advise for people that like to have a comfortable space to ask for options of less crowded vans as that could make a great difference.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Expectation Surpassed!!!
We had a brilliant plan to visit Kenya Mara and the great Serengeti National park in Tanzania and pass by the Kenya-Tanzania boarder to see this amazing and tallest mountain … Kilimanjaro. The world is beautiful and you just have to travel to see it all. I was dreaming for a long time about this game drive, taking my partner out there spending some great moment.
I was looking for a local travel agency which provide best itinerary for a suitable price and i found one which was beyond excellent to us!! Silver Spark Africa is a great service provider. Even more we were very surprised how the team were mindful and patient to all of my hundreds of question and remarks!!!
First visit to Kenya with my friends, had a wonderful time thanks to Silver Spark team and Kepha -our safari guides. When we were in Tanzania, we successfully conquered the Kili summit! We also spent time and did some fantasticate drive around Kilimanjaro National Park. Our guide was so helpful and very informative! Thanks a lot, to him, we didn’t miss any moment. We got more than we expected! We will never forget these fantastic tour journey! We got unforgettable memories and of course we will get back to you soon!
I recommend Silver Spark Africa Safaris!!!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
WARNING! $ 14,000 fraud and embezzlement
Almost a year in advance, we had booked an almost three-week safari via GATATU for five people in July / August 2019. The trip should cost a total of around 35,500 US dollars. As agreed, US $ 20,000 were transferred in advance. The rest should be handed over on site.
We were promised 2 safari vehicles, which should accompany us on the almost three-week tour, when we arrived at the airport there was only an old and neglected mini-bus that picked us up at the airport in Kigali in the late evening and then did not pick us up agreed boutique hotel but moved to another hotel.
After long discussions I was able to convince the otherwise very nice driver to take us to the agreed boutique hotel. We couldn't reach Richard, the manager of GATATU.
The next day we met the manager Richard in the office of GATATU Safaris in Kabale. It turned out there that not a single one of the agreed lodges was reserved. Richard received from us $ 1,500 for a 5th Gorilla Permit.
Since the owner of the first lodge warned us not to give Richard more money, we agreed that I would pay for all the lodges within the next three weeks on site and use the remaining US $ 14,000 for it.
The next evening it turned out that everything else was not paid for, e.g. the chimpanzee permits, entry to the national parks, accommodation and food for the driver, fuel, costs for the rented minibus etc. etc.
Of the 21,500 US dollars that GATATU received from us, only 7,500 US dollars were used for the gorilla permits, the rest (14,000 US dollars) was pocketed by the manager for no consideration. Richard could not be reached by phone, so on the third day we had to file a report with the tourism police in Kabale.
Richard was on the run, arrested three weeks later and jailed for three weeks. With one of his representatives, who visited us together with a senior officer, we agreed that Richard would repay the embezzled money in payment installments, which has not yet happened. At this point I do not want to report anything about our very negative experiences with the police in Uganda.
I can only warn you strongly against making any deals and especially advance payments to GATATU.
https://www.softpower.ug/tour-operator-who-defrauded-german-tourists-of-shs-81m-arrested-in-kabale/
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
From Airport back to Airport.
Silver Spark Africa Safaris arrange for our tour in Kenya. The Conservancies are owned and staffed by the amazing Massai people and are exclusively for gamewatchers clients. The Land Cruisers were rugged for the terrain. At the end we were again whisked from Wilson to our hotel at Jomo Kenyata which was arranged by Silver Spark and then they picked us up at 5:30am and took us to our gate. It was flawless and the service was over the top.
Abongo and his team of enthusiastic guides are the most professional and skill tour operator I have ever encountered. Our driver Kepha could not have done more to make this Kenya- African experience any better. His knowledge and ability to spot the animals was amazing and we encountered so many of everything. The Landcruisers were comfortable and easy to take photos from. Accommodation and food was excellent. Thank you Silver Spark team , highly recommend the company!!!
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic 3 days Masai Mara Safari
We had a Great time on our 3days days migration safari at Masai Mara. Benson on the company organized our safari very professional and ensured our safety during the Safari and also in the camp we were booked in. Michael, our guide was very patient and answered all our questions in a polite manner. He took us to Mara river during the full day to witness Wildebeest migration as this was main purpose to visit Masai mara, we saw thousands of wildebeest crossing the River. We also saw the four of the big five; Lions, Buffaloes Leopard and elephants. Wildlife and nature of masai mara Wasa amazing. We recommend twinkle star tours for any visitor to Kenya as they organize and offer amazing experience professional. Many thanks to Benson and Michael.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best services and very Proffesional
My Trip to Lake Naivasha was perfect, Thanks to Silas who organized Everything from hotel choice to driver Guide. I stayed at Lake Naivasha sopa Lodge thanks Dominic their Chef and Waiter Zack, i really enjoyed my stay. I highly recommend Safari Update Travels and looking forward to travel with you.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very well organised and awesome guide
I went on 11 days safari in Kenya and Tanzania in August 2020 and had a really good experience!
All the communication by email and messages was replied efficiently and schedules worked as agreed.
Our guide was very professional and had huge amount of knowledge about the local culture and nature. Thank you Joseph for making Kenya experience amazing!
Tanzania safari was a separete trip but transfer from the border to Arusha went well and Tanzania crew took good care of me :)
Overall im very happy with the experience and the company.
Thank you!!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It Was Just Amazing
Florent the director Snow Africa Adventures was very helpful when planning our safari, he gave us great options and we settled on the private 6 days Great Migration Safari because we wanted to experience the greatest spectacle and see other animals as well. Chiba our guide did not disappoint, he made it his duty to keep us comfortable in the jeep as well as ensure that we had an unforgettable safari. By the end of the safari we had seen the great migration, elephants, zebras, antelopes, lions, hyenas, jackals, vultures, flamingos, pelicans….. as well as the beautiful landscapes of Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
The lodges were another great experience as well, located in the middle of the bush where animals roamed in and out of camp at will yet you get excellent bed, food and service! It was just amazing!
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything was perfect! Great people and beautiful country
Snow Africa Adventures are the best tour operator in Tanzania. Florent was patient with me when planning this trip, explaining different aspects of the various activities. We finally created a perfect itinerary after very many emails and skype calls.
The actual trip to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire was a great adventure, the guide was very good, smart and very professional. He taught us a lot about Tanzania’s people, wildlife and nature. He kept us safe at all times.
Hotels were perfect……… I could go on endlessly because it was perfect!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Private 16 day Best of Kenya and Tanzania reduced to 15 day for airline covid schedule
Our Tour was a private 16 day Best of Kenya and Tanzania that was modified 2-3 weeks before departure due to Flight being cancelled due to airline Covid schedules.
Twinkle modified itinerary and removed Lake Victoria from safari.
We visited Samburu, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Amboseli National Park.
What Twinkle Star Tours doesn't mention anywhere on there site is that they sub contract Tanzania portion of tour out to a Tanzania company. I would suggest if travelling both countries to do more research. Lucky for us Tanzanian guide from 7 Wonders was Excellent.
We went from Sept 8 to Sept 22 2020, we had booked last year and were uncertain with all the Covid travel bans, Kenya opened up August 1 to international travel and they have done a great job with all the covid protocols.
The driver wore a mask all the time, all the lodges had masks, sanitizer, hand washing stations and plated service.
The Safari itself was really good, lots of wildlife, the lodges were all excellent, the food even with a condensed covid menu was all really good.
I would modify itinerary and remove Lake Nakuru and spend that day in the Mara or Ol Pejeta , the Sweetwater tented camp is amazing there.
I would skip Lake Manyara its flooded and about 4-5 m higher than normal and add a day to the Serengeti due to its sheer size .
The Safari would have been a 4-5 star rating except for some things that detracted from everything that was great overall.
The driver/guide Willie took us to a convenient Masai village near the gate , I think there are better examples of a Masai Village available.
The driver/guide Willie was inconsistent in his driving ability, sometimes too slow on highway and too fast in the park, he also seemed to use same path twice in some parks and struggled with time management. Willie was very friendly and chatty and always pointed out all flora and fauna and birds and all species of animals we passed.
James the Owner/Manager of Twinkle Star promised us a $ 350 refund for dropping Lake Victoria off the Safari which was very nice due to the last minute changes beyond both our control.
Unfortunately he didn't deliver on that promise and gave a bunch of excuses before finally giving us a third of what was promised.
He doesn't understand the way to be successful in a service industry is to Never Over Promise and Under Deliver... Always Always Under Promise and Over Deliver and you will have Happy Customers.
Date of experience: September 2020
