Safari Reviews

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Ariel Sanchez   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2021 Reviewed: Jul 7, 2021

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Amazing experience!!
5/5

I recently went on my first ever safari and I’m so happy that the crew at Samora explorers made this experience a memorable one. They made sure that we saw 4 of the big 5 and went out of their way to be very personable and funny! I will definitely book with them again when I go back to Tanzania in the future. If you’re unsure about which safari company to book, please go with this one as they will make you feel like family and will take care of you from beginning to end.

Michael Smith   –  
Netherlands NL
Visited: April 2021 Reviewed: Jul 15, 2021

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

best trip
5/5

We were amazed by all that we saw and experienced during the safari. We were very lucky to see the “big five“ and to preview the jungle scenes.
We were received in very great accommodations, all comfort in the middle of the savannah.
Our guide Tom is really great, experienced, very helpful and super friendly.
It was truly a dream experience to be repeated !

PJ   –  
Australia AU
Visited: September 2020 Reviewed: Jul 22, 2021

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Poor service and morals
1/5

Unfortunately we did not make it to our tour due to Covid. My review is in relation to the companies poor terms and conditions and handling related to the company being unable to provide its services due to Covid and the associated international travel bans. My partner and I booked Holiday with Rhino Africa early 2020 before Covid was even a known or recognised issue. Our holiday was for September 2020 which obviously could not go ahead. Rhino Africa have refused to refund us our $10,000+ deposit and only offer to give alternate dates. Given this option we went for September 2021 which we are still unable to travel therefore this company is holding a large some of our money.

The contradiction is that the CEO David Ryan has spoken about SAA not providing refunds to Rhino Africa stating "The right thing for government and SAA to have done, both at the time and now, was to refund all tickets they had received payment for, especially where they knew they were unable to deliver the service, then or in the future, Rhino Africa CEO David Ryan said, as quoted by Tourism Update". Yet Rhino Africa are not providing refunds for services which they know they cannot provide now, or in the foreseeable future.

They then asked to pay the remainder of our outstanding balance which is over an additional $10,000+ even though they know they still cannot provide the service due to the international travel ban and current strict Covid regulations in SA... being another $10,000+ which they do not refund.. what a joke.. There are other operators in SA that have provided full refunds for people that booked at the same time we did that do not brand themselves as 'luxury' providers.

Vrushali   –  
United Arab Emirates AE
Visited: July 2021 Reviewed: Jul 26, 2021

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

BULL'S-EYE!!
5/5

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS.

Our trip to Kenya was an impulsive decision made by me and my husband. We went through many packages but happened to choose Martin's/Earthwing's tour package of 5 days safari (Also, after reading such great reviews). And I can say we really hit a bullseye!!

Trust him with your journey, and he will make sure you get to experience the best of Safari. He is amazing with his instincts and judgments and is very quick with his decision which is really important for Safari. We not only saw the BIG FIVE but also witnessed the great migration and much more wildlife. Martins's timing was perfect; he is really blessed with this!!! The stay he booked us with was equally fabulous. He has been around like a friend who looked out for us throughout our trip.

Every day was full of surprises. It has been quite an overwhelming and mind-blowing experience.

Martin is a very genuine, sweet, humble, and fun person. I wouldn't recommend anyone else!

Thanks a lot, Martin/Earthwing Tours, for making this a beautiful adventure for us.


Hiba   –  
Tunisia TN
Visited: July 2021 Reviewed: Jul 28, 2021

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Amazing safari experience with our guide Dennis
4/5

We did a six-day safari tour with Dennis as our guide:

Days 1 - 3 we were in Masai Mara, staying at Mara Lenchada camp.
Day 4 we went to Lake Nakuru, staying at Lanet Matfam Resort
Days 5 and 6 were spent in Amboselli national park. As there weren't enough people interested in this portion of the tour, it ended up being a private safari. We stayed in Amboselli AA lodge.

Planning and communication with Lennox by e-mail and Whatsapp were smooth and timely. We booked at the last minute, but it was reassuring that Lennox was highly responsive to our questions, requests for modification, and concerns.

We arrived in Nairobi and although we had planned to take an Uber to the tour meeting place (far more affordable), Lennox insisted that we go with his driver who would avoid the congested main airport road. He promised that we can pay the same price that we saw on Uber; however, upon arrival, the airport driver demanded far more - $25 USD - which is definitely overpriced. If you do some straight from the airport, I definitely recommend using Uber or Bolt, which are closer to $11 or $13 USD.

Now for the safari itself. Although our original safari was supposed to be in a van, Lennox informed us on the day of that he gave us a free upgrade to a Land Cruiser. Even if you don't get a free upgrade, having seen both vehicles I DEFINITELY recommend going for a Land Cruiser. The experience would be completely different as you can really go offroad and see more animals that way. We were very glad that we ended up in the 4x4.

Dennis, our guide throughout the six days was knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating, and eagle-eyed with the animal sightings. He ensured that we saw the "big 5", and also listened to our requests for specific animals that we were hoping to see. We got lucky to see some cheetahs playing with a gazelle before eating it, birds feeding on an animal, a sleeping leopard, and other cool sightings. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see a migration across the Mara River even though this is supposed to be the season for it. Dennis informed us that the migrations don't happen every day; they can occur sporadically at unknown times, and it is hard to anticipate them. We found out that there was a big migration the day after we left Maasai Mara.

On the way to Lake Nakuru, we had a quick stop at Lake Naivasha, where we did the "boat safari" to Crescent island at extra cost ($20 per person). This was totally worth it, as we got to see more hippos up close at Naivasha, along with so many birds and other wildlife.

Lake Nakuru National Park is beautiful. The landscape is lush and varied, and we had a long morning game drive there, which still felt far too short. We missed the rhinos in Maasai Mara, but we did see one here. If you have the time, I really recommend spending a full day in Nakuru. It's totally worth it.

Amboselli Park was also so nice. During our full day there, it was too cloudy to see Kilimanjaro. However, we got to see plenty of elephants and giraffes, along with various other wildlife. Lunch at observation hill was lovely. The following morning we set out for a sunrise game drive, which was totally worth it, as we caught a glimpse of Kilimanjaro during the brief half hour when the sky cleared up, and we got to see a family of lions feasting on a wildebeest. It was an incredible sighting, and one only possible in the early morning I would imagine.

Now some notes about the planning of the safari:
1. The "3 days in Maasai Mara" thing is misleading. The first day is spent nearly entirely on the road. There is time for a two-hour game drive in the evening, but given the vastness of the reserve, this meant that we couldn't go too far in, and didn't get a chance to see much. Likewise for the third day, where we just had two hours in the reserve in the early morning before hitting the road to Lake Nakuru. One full day in Maasai Mara was nice in that we saw a lot; however, because our accommodation was so far, we didn't have time to make it to the Mara Triangle, which is arguably THE place to be during migration season. In fact, we spent very little time by the river. I recommend that you emphasize this as a priority from the start.
2. Mara Lenchada camp was very basic. Our tent didn't have hot water at first; after we reported it to management, they fixed it and instead we got brown murky hot water. The tents were clean, food was acceptable, and there was enough time with electricity running for us to charge our devices. However, it is about 20 minutes away from Maasai Mara gate, and the road is absolutely terrible in between. Be prepared for a very, very bumpty ride
3. Lanet Matfam was an adequate resort. They did not inform us of this ahead of time, but they cut the electricity at 9pm, so ensure you charge your devices beforehand. The food wasn't too bad, and they did have hot water; however, I am not sure how safe it is. When I had the shower running, I felt electric shocks every time I tried turning the faucets. In the end I used a towel to turn them on and off. Be careful. Also, there were far more mosquitos here than in Maasai Mara.
4. AA Amboselli Lodge was very nice. It is close to Amboselli gate, the rooms are spacious, clean and very comfortable, and the food is varied and delicious. This accommodation was midrange and we thought it was excellent value for money. We had a great time here.

Overall, the safari was good value for money. Communication and service were excellent, nearly everything went as originally planned, and the guide made it all worth it. I highly recommend Axis (and definitely Dennis) if you're looking for a budget tour and want to maximize your safari experience!

MS   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2021 Reviewed: Jul 31, 2021

Absolutely fabulous
5/5

Sudi was outstanding. He was incredibly knowledgeable, polite, considerate, and focused. He made sure we got to experience local culture in addition to doing game drives. He brought in a local guide in one area to make sure we had the right thing experience. I would use him again and would really commend him to everyone I know. Thank you for such a terrific journey.

Matthew   –  
Canada CA
Visited: July 2021 Reviewed: Aug 3, 2021

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Owner is awful
1/5

Sekanawo Gondwe did not spend one penny of the money we sent him on our safari. First, he tried to get us to send him the full amount for the safari 6 months in advance of the safari. Then he tried to add people to our private safari. Finally, we sent him the other half of the money 1 month before the safari. He never made reservations on our behalf. He never sent any of the accommodations our money. We even gave him extra money to book our PCR tests and he failed to make those reservations. He continued to lie to us and say he would make the reservations and they never materialized. He lied to us all the way up to the moment the Diplomatic and Tourism Police arrested him Arusha and charged him with obtaining money by false pretences. Every word that comes out of his mouth is a bold-faced lie. Steer clear of this unscrupulous operator.

Beth Dinowitz   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2021 Reviewed: Aug 10, 2021

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Joshua with JAFRICA is an EXTRAORDINARY guide and host with IMPECCABLE service and knowledge!
5/5

Joshua with Joash Africa Wilderness Insight was referred to us by friends who have been to Tanzania multiple times. We did our due diligence and received quotes from Joash and two additional safari outfits who were also referred to us. Joshua responded to our requests very promptly and with thorough questions to help guide us as we planned our safari adventures.
We had never been to Tanzania and he immediately gave us a sense we were in great hands. We spent two nights in Tarangire and four in the Serengeti. His quotes were thorough and straightforward. We worked together on budget and landed on magnificent safari tented lodging that was everything we hoped for. We ended with a fancier lodge in the western Serengeti and it was exciting to mix it up.
His knowledge of the terrain and the animals and their behaviors provided us with an extraordinary experience. We can say it was extraordinary as we "compared" our sightings and activities with friends and family who have been on safari before and they were all in awe of how many sightings we had throughout our travels. The only animal we did not see was the black rhino and that's because we didn't go to the Ngorogoro Crater. Otherwise, we saw them all and up close and enjoyed lingering, unforgettable moments with the elephants, lions and even cheetas and hippos and so much more. He also knew so much about the birds which were stunning and he knew where and when to go for sightings and migration activity. I felt like we were always more than a step ahead of the other travelers. We had so many sightings alone!
Also, the staff that we met upon our return to Arusha airport were nothing short of professional and kind. Everyone from the welcoming to our departure made us feel very safe and comfortable.
Joshua is kind, respectful, funny, curious, spontaneous, smart and a friendly, knowledgeable guide.
I will recommend Joash Africa Wilderness Insight to anyone and everyone I know that is going to Tanzania for a safari. They are the best!

MK DeGraeve   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2021 Reviewed: Aug 14, 2021

35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Look no further! You could not find a better safari operator, guide, and trusted friend.
5/5

Based upon a recommendation from two sets of dear friends who have both traveled with Joshua Monah, we hired Joash Africa Wilderness Insight Limited ("JAfrica") for our Serengeti safari and could not be more pleased with our choice or experience for a number of reasons, including Joshua's:

- KNOWLEDGE: His intelligence about the park and animals is extraordinary, and he has a "sixth sense" on where and when to find them, even the most elusive! He knew the answer to every question we asked him about the animals and we -- both the teens and the adults in our group -- learned far more than we ever could have imagined. This was my 4th African safari and by far my most favorite!

- GEAR: JAfrica's safari vehicle is very comfortable and it outfitted with everything one could need, including a charging station, guide books, a cooler of cold drinks, and so much more. Joshua's camera was far better than our own and he helped us to capture images on a memory card he gave to us that we will treasure forever.

- AUTHENTICITY: At our request, he helped us to plan a safari that was a true Tanzanian experience; other operators who proposed itineraries seemed to pitch only the properties with surface-level gloss; Joshua had recommendations that were lesser known gems; just what we were looking for but could not have found without him!

- HOSPITALITY: Joshua went above and beyond to ensure that we were taken care of at every step of our time in Tanzania -- from the moment we landed at the Kilimanjaro airport until the moment we left to return home. And we knew that, in Joshua's very capable hands, we were not only safe but that every detail of our journey and adventures had been thoughtfully and thoroughly attended to, both in advance and in the moment.

- FLEXIBILITY: When our arrival in Tanzania was nearly 3 days delayed affecting our planned itinerary, Joshua jumped in to the rescue. While we were (finally!) en route to JRO, he made dozens of calls to properties and airlines on our behalf to help us modify our plans and make up for the time we had lost. We could never have accomplished this without JAfrica; it required a trusted partner on the ground with established and mutually respectful business relationships, who was fluent in Swahili, and who was looking out for our best interests.

- TEAM: Joshua is amazing, and his team is also. This includes his business partner and brother, Moses, who took very good care of us pre-safari. His team member, Richard, served as our excellent driver and guide in Karatu post-safari. Everyone on the JAfrica team is top notch, reliable, and trustworthy.

- FRIENDSHIP: It was impossible not to become fast friends with Joshua immediately and, over the course of our time together, he became a dear friend.

If any or all of the above are important to you when hiring a guide in Tanzania, I highly recommend hiring Joshua and/or his company. You will be in the best of hands and will not regret it.

Aldona   –  
Poland PL
Visited: July 2021 Reviewed: Aug 22, 2021

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

About: Fede Tours
Do it with Fede Tours. :) Trust me.
5/5

Fantastic days with fantastic friends in the world of fantastic animals. So, as you see this was Triple Fantastic trip.

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