50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
From giving us a good quote package to ensuring that we were comfortable, Mella was epic.
The communication was on what’s up between me and the travel advisor Mella. She made it clear, what was covered in the package and what I needed to do about extra services such as park entry fees and others as detailed. Once we were allocated our driver, he picked us from our house to the destination and back. The driver mr. Alex Mutua was quite amiable, respectful and ensured we were comfortable the whole time.
The rooms were fairly good. However, the children complained about the food. No variety to pick from. We had to do lunch elsewhere. I also observed that the pathway to my room was dark and being in the wilderness, I was a bit scared but I explained that to the hotel manager.
Overall, Bonfire made my Christmas holiday memorable. My regards to Mella and Alex mostly.
PT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SAFARIS AND CULTURAL EXTENSION FOR PHOTO ADDCTS ! :)
A program based on the offer in Safaribookings by Hekima Safaris but with the capacity of adaptation to my personal interests (mainly photos of wildlife, landscape and people).
5 Stars program, and 5 stars the guide (Fred) the staff of the company (Hekima) and to the staff of all hotels and lodges.
The program it’s very good and balanced, allot of wildlife and the people… so nice, educated and friendly.
So amazing trip that I ask for future for make a program “Photo Safari” with Hekima Safaris, in Portuguese and Spanish (for my groups of photographers that are mainly from Portugal, Spain and Brasil, and others that want join us).
Take a look of some notes about the trip, me and photos -» https://safarisfotografia.wixsite.com/site
Or see some of the photos in Flickr -» https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulosa7274/collections/72157720757299117/
CA
Mixed experience with Soul of Tanzania, likely would not use them again.
We booked a lengthy safari through Soul of Tanzania that included gorilla trekking in Rwanda and a 12 day safari through Kenya, Tanzania and back through Kenya. This review will focus on the role of Soul of Tanzania - i.e. planning, communication and execution of the actual logistics of the safari. Accommodations will be reviewed separately (with 1 exception) on their own merits. Every segment had a different operator, which in and of itself was an issue, but ultimately I worked with, and paid, SoT, so feel there is a role of overall accountability with them.
The Good:
Communication, responsiveness and professionalism with Luis throughout the planning process was excellent. Looking back, I think this is the "hook" that people look for. Our assumption was that the execution on the ground would have that same level of professionalism and this was simply not the case, for reasons mentioned below.
All our guides were there upon our arrival point - pick up at the Kigali airport, Nairobi hotel, border transfers between Kenya/Tanzania/Kenya, which was a welcome relief.
The guides were mostly good, with one horrible exception. Our itinerary meant we had 4 different guides. 3 were generally good but 1 in Kenya was very poor. As mentioned on SoT website (and it's true) that guides make the experience. So to have a very poor guide is not acceptable to me. All were good drivers and we always felt safe when in the vehicles. Mugabe in Rwanda was very personable and Shafino in Tanzania was excellent.
When I shared my concern/frustration with guide/vehicle in Kenya, Luis did offer a Land Cruiser and different guide for the second Kenya portion.
The Not So Good:
One of the first transfers arranged through SoT was from our hotel in Nairobi to the airport to fly to Kigali. They no-showed. It meant us hastily having to connect to wifi to WhatsApp SoT on a Saturday morning. The woman who answered sounded half asleep and rather annoyed and I had to coordinate with her and the hotel to have the hotel drive us and be paid by SoT. I was not happy. When I emailed Luis his eventual response was "sounds like it worked out". Yes but it was ME doing the legwork, otherwise I would have been waiting forever, as the driver had not communicated that he was not there.
The hotel for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge - was awful and should not be offered. We had no hot water for 3 days, it was dated and run down. Not the responsibility of SoT, but just should not be an option. In Rwanda the day of the gorilla trek there was no lunch provided on the trek. It was absolutely required, we were hiking in difficult for conditions for most of the day. All 6 others in our group had been provided a packed lunch. Thankfully I sourced some of my own snacks. The Ibyiwacu Cultural Village was listed as optional on our itinerary and we expressed our desire to go. The guide said we'd have to be pay $20/each entry. I questioned this given it was listed in our itinerary. It should have been included. Again Luis was responsive and suggested an alternative, but it shouldn't have happened in the first place.
The guide and vehicle in Kenya for the Lake Nakuru/Masai Mara portion were not good. When he picked us up at the hotel in Nairobi to start the safari there was no welcome, no overview, no introduction - just get in the vehicle and go. Within 3 minutes of leaving, the guide asked for $20, which was an apparent shortfall in the amount paid but had been resolved prior to even leaving with Luis. Very poor first impression. We were surprised that the vehicle was a minivan. I guess this was in the fine print somewhere when we were booking, but it is a very poor vehicle for a safari. I could not see out the side window without slouching down. Imagine being on safari and not being able to look out the window properly... This guide was actually just a driver. He provided almost no information on flora or fauna and did not spot one single animal on his own. We just followed the masses of vehicles or would go to a location based on the radio chatter. At picnic lunch, we mostly set up and packed up ourselves. He was eating before we were and at one point was burping in front of us. It was entirely vulgar. At the end of the first Kenya portion on they way to the Tanzania border, he started asking for the $20 again! I was so frustrated by this point, it resulted in raised voices. For the amount we paid AND that the issue was resolved and documented via email, this was entirely tone deaf. When I provided my feedback to Luis on the guide his response was that the guide would be immediately suspended, but guess who we saw on the first night at second time in Kenya. Just saying what they think the customer wants to hear.
The food. The SoT website really markets their food as a differentiator. It was not. At all. Of the 12 days, we had "hot" lunches twice. And they were cold by the time they were eaten. Trust me, there was absolutely no food envy by any other safari goers. And not ONCE was a table and chairs set up. It was either on a blanket on the ground or at park site concrete picnic tables. Most days were cold lunch boxes like every other person had. In fact when we enquired about hot lunches at some of the accommodations (including the Four Seasons), they said they will not provide them due to food safety issues.
There was too little information provided on the details. With a trip of this magnitude, I would have expected more details than a 1 page summary of the itinerary. There should have been much more information provided prior to departure on what to expect, how to prepare, etc. We had to source all of this entirely on our own. As previously mentioned, when we started the safari in Nairobi, there was ZERO information provided, just get in and go. I had to ask if he was going to be our guide or is he a driver, etc. The accommodations provide varying inclusions in terms of beverages with meals. Some offer full open bar, some offer beer and wine, some you even have to pay for water. There should have been a short summary provided on each place and what to expect, inclusions/exclusions, etc. We learned we had to ask about this at each check in. Other travelers had professional looking folders full of information provided by their tour operators, luggage tags, etc. We were not provided with one single item.
Soul of Tanzania appears to be a marketing name only. The providers (even in Tanzania) were not SoT. They seem to just be an organizer who then contracts to guides, vehicles, etc. In Tanzania alone, the guide and vehicle was actually branded Exclusive Africa Safaris and another vehicle was branded Gosheni Safaris. This seems to result in an overall lack of cohesion and accountability.
Drive times were understated by up to 50%. This became a running joke, and not in a good way. 4 hour drives as stated in the itinerary would become 6 or 7 hour ordeals. There needs to be transparency and honesty in drive times based on the (very poor at times) road conditions.
For us the animals and some the accommodations we chose made the trip. Would I do a safari again? Absolutely! Would I choose Soul of Tanzania again? The answer is, unfortunately no.
US
Extremely awesome and luxury safari experience in Tanzania and Zanzibar Beach
We recently did a 12 days Luxury Tanzania and Zanzibar safari with this operator. The folks at Moonlight Tours Expedition put together a great itinerary for us, and were flexible when we wanted to change some things. Once we started our experience, we met our safari guide Regy. Let’s just say over 12 days we got to not only experience an amazing Tanzania Safari and zanzibar beach, but Regy taught us about their culture, was full of wildlife information, and taught us some Swahili. At each lodge, he made sure we were well taken care of. We saw the big 5, and wildebeest migration, some hunts, and many cats. I attribute this to how well of a guide Regy is. He knew where to be, when to be, how to position the truck, and when or when not to move. If you’re looking to book a safari, Moonlight Tours Expedition will not let you down, and ask for Regy to be your safari guide! You’ll be in for a GREAT experience! I definitely recommended Moonlight Tours Expedition , and will definitely use them again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A breathtaking experience in Africa
Thanks Moonlight Tours Expedition for a fabulous holiday in Tanzania and Zanzibar in August 2022. We were a family of 6 (3 adult boys!). The safari was for 7 days and 4 days in Zanzibar. The whole package was outstanding from accommodation, food and our superb guide Mtina. We visited Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, where Mtina shared his knowledge of the area, the animals and the local Masai tribes. His patience is second to none when looking for the elusive cheetah, leopard and other animals. He managed to spot a cheetah lying under a tree on our way back to camp. We were the only ones there, it was an absolutely amazing experience. The car was well maintained and kept clean with the fridge fully stocked. We were pleasantly surprised by the hot lunches which were served with wine during the game drives, completely different to other companies with their boxes of cold lunch. His skills at taking photos using binoculars was very impressive and we have some fantastic shots. Mtina was so amaizing and funny all the time, he took us to a Masai village. Here we got to visit a school and give out some goodies to all the children. As mentioned earlier, Mtina taught us a lot over the trip, and on our final drive with him to the airport, he tested us on what he had taught us, which was real fun to see whether mum, dad or the kids picked up the most across the trip. We also met Mr Fredrick the Founder of Moonlight Tours Expedition. We had to defer this trip by years in that time we were kept updated that our original booking still stood and was willing to make changes nearer the time. We would highly recommend Moonlight Tours Expedition if you are looking to do a safari. Thanks So Much Fredrick and Mtina
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was such a great experience I will never forget
We had a really great safari, we have seen a lot of animals - even the big 5 on one day!
Will never forget this and the contact was really good.
So if you think about doing a safari, do it wigh Crossriver Safaris - they do a really good job!
MY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a Lifetime safari adventures (23- days safari adventures) with Salimuu Abuu Bakari Safaritou
Before arriving to Kenya or even After paid Deposits, Honestly!
I was very pretty Scared, Nervous, Afraid and had many Uncertainties as well as Paranoid that something bad might happen about the Tour and about Salimu A. Bakar & safaritoursafrica, the Company as Whole!
but as Time goes by, I'm starting to feel more Comfortable and pretty relax as the Tour goes, from Masai Mara National Reserve to The Serengeti! Salimu A. Bakar had accompany me throughout my **23 days Safaris adventures Tour** together from day (1), arriving in Nairobi, Kenya to the Last day, departuring from Zanzibar, Tanzania!
I know I had chose the Right Tour
RS
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience I'll never forget
One of the offers I got through Safari Bookigs was from Crossriver Safari. It was the most affordable one and after reading other reviews, we decided to pick that one. We weren't wrong!
The communication was efficient and easy going. The driver and Erick came to pick us up on time. The accommodation was nice and safari van was comfortable. The tour itself (Tsavo West and Tsavo East) was spectacular. Lifetime experience! We saw so many animals and the driver gave his best to show us everything we wanted. We have no complaints about anything. 100% recommended!
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Make it private
Kenya, savannah, wild animals and endless bush. We did it private, only my family and experienced driver in 4x4 land cruiser (still working 43 years old).
Nothing worry about. Hakuna Matata.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Honest and reliable travel planners
All of the details in the itinerary was accurate and to the point. The methods of payment were secure and simple.
In particular, Jackson, our tour guide, comes highly recommended! He was a fantastic travel partner for us as we visited Murchison falls NP, Sempaya hotsprings, and the Queen Elizabeth Np which was actually not in our plans but reccomended during the planning process. He was very considerate of our individual interests and needs. He was also highly knowledgeable and skilled at locating the ideal locations.
Thanks for a wonderful experience!
