US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Custom luxury safari designed for you at $$, not $$$$. Reputable & reliable.
Very responsive, excellent recommendations... Like a dear friend developing an itinerary, not a safari consultant. The execution of the itinerary was excellent... The hotel-5 stars; the pick ups were timely; guides friendly and accommodating; and the tours awesome! The wife and i, without hesitation, would use falcon safari again, and encourage our family and friends should they desire to visit south africa to use them.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent expereince again!
This was the second year we used Tanzania Serengeti Adventure to plan our trip in Tanzania for our university. This year we had 3 drivers total; Philemon, James and Bryson. All of the drivers are excellent! First, they are all very friendly and are very willing to share their vast knowledge about Tanzania culture, landscape, history and wildlife. Second, they are very safety oriented and want to make certain that you have a very safe and enjoyable trip. Depending on the weather, road conditions can quickly change and they were always able to handle everything without problems. Third, they know where to find the wildlife!!
We had safari tours in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. We were able to see the Big Five through our travels as well as the zebra migration in the Serengeti. We saw so many animals it is impossible to list them all here. It is safe to say that there was not one animal that I wanted to see that I didn't have the opportunity to see.
While in Tanzania, we also were able to stay at the TSA owned Coffee Farm. The accommodations there are good and it is very nice to stay at a site that is completely solar powered and eco-friendly. In addition, the staff at the Coffee Farm was AMAZING! Rosie is the best cook you could ever encounter and you will be delighted to try the great food that she cooks for you. In addition, all of the staff was very helpful. The director of the Coffee Farm Blaise made certain everything was perfect for our time there and was even able to take us on a tour of the Coffee Farm and show us how coffee was made. It was amazing.
If you are looking for a great tour company to work with, this is your best bet!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya - Simon is the best!!
My wife and I went on our first ever trip to Africa through Odyssey Safaris through a Groupon deal and it couldn't have been better. We were taken care of the whole way and never felt unsafe at any point. We didn't get to see all of the Big 5, but it was the trip of a lifetime. It couldn't have been better with panoramas of Mt. Kilimanjaro and an all-inclusive end at Diani Beach. Simon was the ultimate guide - he was very friendly answered every legitimate and ridiculous question that came up and was a heartfelt professional. We would love to go again with Simon any day. I highly recommend Odyssey Safaris to anyone who is the least bit intimidated (like I was, but not my wife) in taking a trip to Africa. Maeshi marefu!
I expected so much more
I had been on a Safari in Kenya about 10 years ago. It was fantastic. This time my friends had decided to travel with Safari Legacy. I had been thinking about a safari with my wife as she had not been to Africa before, so we decided to join them. The sales team was very good and provided us with all of the perfect answers. We were quite confident and felt good until we got to Tanzania.
On the ground the only thing that was above average was the vehicle. It was a very new Land Cruiser. Much better than the safari bus I had used years ago. Our driver was not very motivated and seemed to be in a rush all the time. The camps, particularly Kikoti Camp at Tarangire was just average. This camp was very far from the park and there was no sign of wildlife. Due to the high price tag I was expecting a whole lot more. I understand that prices are much lower in the off season, thus we expected to get a little more for our money. Just to be fair, my wife was quite satisfied with the trip, but I think that it is because it was her first time and she did not have anything to base the experience on. She did feel that the guide was not nearly as friendly as the Tanzanians we met in the camps. He was rather push and often talked about how low his salary is. We have no idea what he is paid, but based on what our trip costs, he should be paid well. And if not he should take it up with his boss and not with us.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great company, great crew, amazing experience!
My mother and I went looking for a budget safari company that would allow us to see 4 parks, the Big 5 and have an amazing time at a price we could afford. Jackpot Safaris delivered on all fronts exceptionally well! The staff were friendly and beyond helpful (we had a mix up with our money transfers!) and went above and beyond our needs. We thought that being on a budget safari, certain luxuries would not be available but the food was exceptionally prepared and we didn't seem to be lacking anything that the other safari companies were offering their guests. Our guide was incredibly knowledgable and took us to all the spots where he knew the animals would be and waited there as long as we wanted to watch. We chose the camping option but were upgraded for two nights which was nice but unnecessary as the tents were sound and the mattresses and sleeping bags were adequate. Without a doubt, if you're looking for a decent, fun and enthusiastic company without paying the sky-high prices other companies are asking for, this is the company for you! Thanks to the team (especially Jeff, Omar and David) at Jackpot Safaris for a once in a lifetime experience!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded all expectations on all fronts!
First time in Africa,of an older age group, travelling with my daughter and wanting to experience a Safari on a budget.Jackpot Safari fulfilled every request from price, duration,accommodation,food,number of parks to visit and animals possibly to see. The driver/guide was experienced and knowledgable, aware of where animals would be and patient enough to allow numerous photo's to be taken. He seemed to understand the animals behaviour and patterns which allowed us to see the complete Big 5 all of which crossed the road in front of our vehicle !!!! He was knowledgable in all we saw from animal life,bird life, the ever changing landscape, flora and fauna.
Our cook was efficient and obliging serving 3 meals per day all of which where delicious and most welcome after exciting and exhilarating animal viewing.
Both the guide and cook were polite and engaging adding to Safari experience.
If you are looking for a budget priced experience that doesn't skimp on things, gets you the best viewing of the animals, provides new and awe inspiring times together with hearty meals and a good laugh Jackpot Safari's are the ones to use.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nairobi National Park, Elephant orphan, giraffe centre and city tour were all very amazing!
Sami was a good guide while visiting Nairobi National Park, Elephant orphan and giraffe centre. He communicate very well with the three of us.
After the safari we went to a café and we drank typical tea from Kenya. We liked that very much! It was nice to talk with the employees of Termial Tours Kenya!
Ndavi was also a good guide during the city tour. He told us a lot about Nairobi.
We enjoyed Nairobi, thanks to you!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Mixed Experience
I booked with Charles from Mwema Africa Safaris since his response time was great and he was easy to communicate with. He answered all my questions and was upfront what was included and what was excluded. I did a 3 day safari to Masai Mara with a visit to a Masai community and then onward to Lake Naivasha instead of returning to Nairobi.
Since I booked on short notice Charles met me at my hotel on time and took me to his office to complete our paperwork seamlessly and then onward to meet the Safari van. The van was old and a little worn but appeared serviceable. Charles had me join a group that various agents had booked and assured me that we were all staying at the Sopa Hotel in Masai Mara. We ended up going all over Nairobi to pick up various people which was fine since we were getting an early start. We ended up leaving one couple who were not ready on time and they joined us later.
The road into the Mara is terrible and unfortunately the safari van had holes in the floor boards so the dust just wallowed into the van which was worse than when It rained and the water ran down the windows and doors inside the van. It was pretty miserable since we kept the windows rolled up and no AC. When we got into the Mara there was a huge dispute since half the group had been unknowingly booked into a backpackers tent camp while the rest of us were staying at the Sopa Hotel. We all felt bad and while we were together during game drives it was a bit uncomfortable to have part of us staying at a different place. Our evening game drive was delayed while sorting out the accommodations, so some of us were not able to wipe the dust off or get a cold drink prior to the evening drive but the vote was to go on the evening game drive and it was well worth it. Amazing variety of animals and a magnificent sunset. We got back to the Sopa after dark and were greeted with hot towel and a glass of juice as we checked in. Nice accommodations with plenty of hot water, great buffet dinner and staff were wonderful.
The next morning we were to leave at 7:30 AM for an early all day game drive. Our driver was picking up the other group first and was 1 hour and 20 minutes late picking us up. Evidently one of the couples was not ready on time. Not OK and while his apology was sincere it was a loss of our only early morning time out in the Mara. I called Charles who apologized but frankly not much he could do. While our driver was fine he did not know any of the animals and really didn't know his way around the Mara. Since the drivers all have shortwave radios they are in constant communication and can get to where the animals are fairly quickly. We saw cheetahs hunting and a pride of female lions going out for the hunt . It was an amazing day with a picnic lunch under a tree while zebras and giraffes grazed nearby. It was surreal, animals everywhere! the wildebeest migration was just starting and from the overlook we could imagine what it must be like during the main part of the migration.
The next day I was to trade vehicles and meet up with a group going onto Lake Naivasha while the van I had been riding in returned to Nairobi. Unfortunately the van to Naivasha had brake problems so we waited a few hours while they were fixed and off we went over the hills and again with brake problems and another long delay. Finally arrived at Lake Naivasha Sopa hours late, just before sundown. The cottage at Lake Naivasha was great, staff were friendly and the hippos on the grounds in the evening and early morning hours were unreal. Who knew hippos make noises.
If I had to do it again. I would make sure that the agent owns their own van and employs the driver. While Charles was great once I was in the van he had no control . Being placed in a group is the luck of the draw, in regards to driver knowledge and van condition. While Charles assured me we were all staying at the Sopa hotel the other agents who booked clients on our van had obviously lied and told their clients they were staying at the Sopa hotel and when we arrived were told they were actually booked at a backpackers tent camp. I would skip the visit to the Masai community, very uncomfortable and certainly not culturally appropriate. Also our driver dropped two of us off in the village and told us we would be walking back with the Masai, when I protested he said it would be fine. I didn't feel unsafe and was tired of arguing. Unfortunately no one wanted to walk us back until we had bought the required amount of goods from community members.
Overall an amazing experience and I would go again. Hope someone else can benefit from my experience.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an awesome time with lots of great experiences and fun :)
Last year I travelled the first time with African Suburbs Adventures during my volunteer time in Kenya and I can highly recommend the whole company because they did an excellent job. Sububrs adventures offered custom-made affordable tours for us. It was great, that we got a chance to see the "real african life" and the culture of this Country, because the tour guides and also the drivers were always really keen to show us places, where not every tourist comes around. We could talk to inhabitants and see how kind and friendly kenyan people are.
It was great to get many different experiences (game drives in Nairobi National Park and Lake Nakuru, bicycle tour with a Massai at Hells Gate Nationalpark, Fourteen falls at Thika, relaxing at Paradise lost, swimming and nightlife in Mombasa South Coast, City tour in Nairobi).
All in all I was more than satiesfied with the job African Suburbs Adventures did. The communications, the services during our tours and the knowledge of the tour guides and drivers were highly professional.
Wishes and expectations we had before were beated by reality! Looking forward for many and many more great trips with African Suburbs Adventures :)
Kind regards,
Tanja
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari with Terminal Tours!
We used Terminal Tours for our 3 day Masai Mara Safari in mid June and had an excellent all around experience.
Firstly, Terminal was great during our planning phases, and was very easily accessible by phone an email. Nelson Nyami, the main contact, was especially helpful. When we needed to switch the date of our trip last minute, Nelson worked with us and was flexible in arranging a safari that worked for us. Terminal tours was also very helpful in arranging accommodation in Nairobi, and gave us contacts for reliable drivers and suggested restaurants to us.
The safari itself was excellent. Our driver was informative and polite. We saw all the big 5, among a host of other animals. We got lucky as the migration period started early while we were on safari, and had 3 great game drives. The truck had a raised roof to allow for easy viewing, and we were able to get very close to animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, and more.
The accommodations during the safari were very nice as well. The sleeping arrangements were comfortable, and the buffet style dinners (and 2 of the lunches) were very good.
All in all, Terminal Tours provided an excellent safari experience at an incredible value. I would highly recommend using this company!