IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING
We had the pleasure of booking a tour with Bencia Africa for our adventure to Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara, and it was nothing short of exceptional. From start to finish, the organization was flawless. The team was incredibly professional, attentive, and went above and beyond to ensure we had the best possible experience.
Our guide, Ahmed, was knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife and landscapes, providing us with fascinating insights throughout the journey. The accommodations were comfortable, well-located, and offered breathtaking views of the surroundings. Every detail was carefully considered, making us feel safe, informed, and entirely immersed in the beauty of Kenya.
Lake Nakuru’s flamingos and rhinos were spectacular, and the Masai Mara delivered on its promise of incredible wildlife sightings, including the Big Five. The seamless organization, combined with the awe-inspiring destinations, made this tour an absolute highlight of our trip.
If you’re looking for a well-organized, personalized, and genuinely memorable safari experience, we highly recommend Bencia Africa. We can’t wait to return!
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari, Zanzibar and unforgettable moments
Our experience in Tanzania was incredible, the Safari and the days in Zanzibar.
On the Safari we were lucky enough to see the migration of zebras, buffaloes and elephants, as well as seeing many other animals in the 4 parks we visited, moments that we will never forget, after all the lion was one of those animals.
In Zanzibar, in addition to getting to know the local culture, we did the Blue Safari and relaxed on a quiet beach, with a so beautiful sunset.
All the moments organized by Zanzi Trekking and Safaris Limited, which exceeded our expectations, due to the care and preparation of the schedule for the 10 days we spent in Tanzania.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream trip
Both the Safari in Tanzania and the Safari Blue in Zanzibar were amazing, the staff is fabulous.
Everyone was very friendly and attentive, I would like to highlight Honest's organization, Ludovic as the Safari guide who was always concerned about our safety and well-being, and Abdu's friendliness as the driver in Zanzibar.
Everyone was very punctual.
US
50-65 years of age
Review about Red Chilli Tours by Ken
Very efficient, reasonable, and competent. Accomodations and food were excellent.
CA
20-35 years of age
Review about Serengeti National Park by mpotechin
Serengeti during the dry season is the image the people have when they think safari. It is The Lion King brought to life. Brown grasses as far as the eye can see, sometimes with a tree breaking the monotony.
We decided to spend a morning viewing the Serengeti from a hot-air balloon. It was expensive, but well worth the money we spent for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Everyone’s experience in the Serengeti will be different. Some will see a kill. Others may see a stampede, or a display of dominance, or a cheetah running, or a lion cub playing. We saw a juvenile elephant discover three lions stalking him, and then turn the tables on them. But everyone will see something that few other people in the world have seen, and that’s what makes Serengeti so fascinating.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Customer Service and superb tour!
We were recommended to use Basecamp by fellow travellers and it was the best piece of advice we had on out trip. We were looked after superbly by Achmed Philips (the Half German/Half Brummie co-owner), who must be one of the characters of Africa. They were happy to create a safari that catered to our lowish budget, but even so the company policy was not to mix groups so we got our own driver/cook and guide and 4x4 to ourselves. Awesome!! We heartily recommend using Basecamp if you want a great safari in Tanzania.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional wildlife and expansive landscapes.
It's hard to beat the wildlife, biodiversity, and expansive landscapes of Tanzania. From the highest peak on the continent to Ngorongoro wildlife rich crater, from the expansive Serengeti to vibrant alleyways of Stonetown on Zanzibar, Tanzania has it all and then some. If you're short on time and want to see big game, head straight to Ngorongoro. You'll see everything but giraffes here - they can't climb down/up the steep crater walls. There's so much wildlife it almost feels like a zoo. If you're more into the search and discovery style safari, and have the time, the Serengeti is for you. Better yet, do both. Climb Mt Killy to brag that you bagged the continent's summit, but for my time and money, I'd climb Mt Kenya - more beautiful and fewer traffic jams on the trail. Finally, the rich swahili culture, white sand beaches, and the alluring alleyways of Stone Town on Zanzibar are not to be missed.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Adventure of a Lifetime
Planning a trip to Africa is daunting for a woman going solo and after months of researching tour companies on the internet, I settled on Safari Partners due to the great reviews from fellow travelers.
They did not disappoint. Jen found the tours -Tanzania and Rwanda- to suit my budget, time frame and trip expectations and Chris took over from there and became the "guru" for all things Africa. Everything was arranged from airport pickups, meals, lodging, money guidance, help with booking, airfare...on, and on. Every single detail was arranged before arriving in Africa. It went off without a single hiccup and I had the trip of a lifetime. Tanzania will fill your senses with the big 5 wild life (especially the elusive big cats and magnificent elephants)and sleeping in amazing tents with Masai scouts on point to keep the wildlife at bay. But Rwanda is so very very special. Beautiful country, beautiful people, the genocide museum will leave you humbled and shaken but as my driver said, you must start with it to get the "sadness" out of the way before you meet the glorious Silverback gorilla and his family. Truly the most unforgettable experience of my life...trekking gorillas. I encourage you to go because the money you spend on the permit goes to the gorillas 24/7 protection of the species and their habitat. It is a reverent experience -gorillas allowing humans into their "living room" to share an hour with them. You can trust Safari Partners to handle all the details so you can experience Africa the way it is meant to be experienced and savored.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya Turacos Safari is a company i highly recommend
Kenya Turacos Safari is a company i recommend in all service...I learned to know Elijah when he was our guide on a safari tour I made with my family in Kenya in 2009. The tour operator he was working for at that time is specialized in birding safaris and custom-made safaris, both important issues for us. In a very natural way he succeeded in becoming friends with my children; they still are in contact with him.The two following years I made a safari tour with Kenya Turacos Safaris again: 2010 with a friend and 2011 alone. The last tour I asked him to organize it from begin to end and he did it wonderful. I was aware of his excellent knowledge of bird- and wildlife but I learned he was in good physical condition, climbing the second highest mountain in Kenya.
What makes him better than others is the way he asseses the demands of his clients and come up with ideas or suggestions.
When I will come back to kenya I will surely contact Elijah.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A good one-day safari if you are on the coast
This is a good mini-safari for anyone who is staying on the Kenya coast, especially the South Coast. However, I would not recommend traveling to the coast just to visit this reserve. If you are in Nairobi, you have better options within 3-4 hours of the capital.
What is so nice about Shimba Hills? It is a lovely patch of forested hills only 30 minutes' drive from the beach hotels. That means you can spend the day viewing animals in an authentic African setting, and still squeeze in a sunset swim on the beach before dinner.
It is also a pocket-friendly safari, at least by today's standards. The reserve's low entrance fee allows the tour operators to keep the cost of a full-day safari to around US$100, and that includes a gourmet lunch at Shimba Hills Lodge (drinks extra).
On to the animals: You should be aware that this reserve does not host lions or cheetahs, and there are no rhinos. So you will not see all of the "big five" species here. The occasional cat may sneak in, but they are officially banned because of the presence of the sable antelope, a majestic, large antelope with a purple-ish hide that is exclusive to this reserve. Come to Shimba Hills, and you can boast that you have been to the last refuge of this species.
Elephants are quite numerous both inside and outside the reserve, so numerous that the Kenya Wildlife Service has had to remove some of them in the past, driving them to Tsavo West National Park a hundred km away. However, because of the plentiful forest in Shimba Hills, spotting them is not guaranteed. I have seen at least one on every visit, but I have met people who did not. The elephants love the shade and tasty fruits on offer in the forest, and they come from far and wide for this perk. You could pass very close to an elephant loitering in a forest without even knowing.
There is a small giraffe population, but they are easier to spot as they tend to stay in the more open savannah near the main gate. They are of the Maasai sub-species, and I was told they had been imported from Amboseli National Park. But since this is an authentic ecosystem and not a zoo, that fact didn't seem to detract from the safari experience. Transportation of animals between parks is not uncommon these days.
Buffalo are another attraction here. Their still, lump-like forms, usually seen from far away, don't stimulate me as much as an elephant with its complex personality. There are probably a handful of buffalo herds in Shimba Hills, and their tendency to stick to large, open fields means you will definitely see them on your visit.
There are many warthogs! Normally pathologically shy, these beasts graze in large groups just a few metres from your vehicle. I have heard a few people comment that they had never seen so many warthogs in one place. The exceptionally lush grass may have something to do with this.
Of the other hoofed animals, I liked the sable antelopes if only for the fact that they are extremely rare. Huge bush bucks, almost the size of moose, make a tremendous noise when they smash through the forest after being surprised. The other well-known gazelles and antelopes are also found here in good numbers. I have, however, seen so many Thompson's gazelles around Kenya that my eyes seem to pass right over them.
It should be noted that the safari drivers will make every effort to ensure that you see the animals you want to see. They are radio-dispatched, and if elephants are scarce, for example, they will call other drivers to try to locate them for you. But as in any other park, there is no money-back guarantee!
The roads in Shimba Hills Reserve are well maintained and are passable in any weather. You can enter with your own two-wheel drive car if you wish, as long as it is in good condition and the KWS staff don't think it will have to be towed back out. Drivers cannot leave the roads to go cross-country. The road network is so good, in fact, that it gives the reserve a slightly artificial feel, akin to the "safari parks" in the UK with their excessive signposting. That is the only reason I don't give Shimba Hills 5 stars for "bush vibe". But it does make a do-it-yourself game drive a breeze.
Feel like swimming in a waterfall? Shimba Hills is one of just a few parks in Kenya where you can peel off and bathe in a pool under a crystal-clear waterfall, with no need to worry about crocodiles or hippos! To visit Sheldrick's Falls (named after the conservationist David Sheldrick) you must be prepared to walk for 45 minutes in fairly hot, humid weather, so bring a large water bottle. But the idyllic 15-metre waterfall, surrounded by lush forest, is well worth the effort. The escorted walk is offered with every day-safari, normally after the morning game drive and before lunch.
As mentioned above, the midday meal is served at Shimba Hills Lodge, which is also inside the reserve. It is a treehouse-style lodge - actually resting on piles, but with several large trees growing right through the middle. No one could say that it is not a very enchanting place, at least to eat. The dining tables are arranged on a covered veranda that overlooks a small pond and the forest beyond. This is not a Tsavo-style waterhole that attracts elephants, lions and other large animals. Here you may see gazelles sneaking a drink, and you can always watch the resident hawks swoop down to pick up balls of ugali (Kenyan maize cake) thrown by the waiters. There is also a large monitor lizard living right under the lodge amid the supports!
Aside from a few rarely-used campsites in the reserve, Shimba Hills Lodge is the only tourist-quality accommodation in or near the reserve. For details and reviews of the hotel rooms, it is best to consult Tripadvisor or similar sites.
Shimba Hills Reserve is not Africa's greatest wildlife park. But its convenience, coupled with a few unique charms such as the waterfall, have made it my "local" when it comes to safaris. Offering a real African bush experience a stone's throw from the beach, it waits there for me whenever I crave a change. I have not yet tired of it.