35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Quick and committed
I was planning for our second safari (after Serengeti in June) and managed to get contact with Karina of Safari Online. Nonetheless, i cannot deny that I am a bit underwhelm with the choices and etc (there are so many). Karina helped us with ease. She understood my budget, what we want to second and went to extra length in explaining my queries (all regarding the trip to animal sightings). We nearly confirmed our South Africa arrangement with Safari Online if not for an eleventh hour inclusion into a safari photography (which are few in between and fully booked as well as my wife's interest in photography). I apologise to Karina for her hard work and dedication and she understood well and wishing us well. A shame that we can't utilise the tree house that she already booked us for that particular tour but if you are thinking to have a full detailed of arrangement, Karina of safari Online is one of the very best consultants out there.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded Our Expectations - Seven Day Tour, Rift Valley Lakes and the Masai Mara
My wife and I took a seven day private tour which included Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley, the Masai Mara, and the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Our trip spanned the end of June into July. From the outset, Daniel’s (with Transtrek) communications were prompt and helpful. He addressed all our questions and concerns, while offering suggestions without pushing to up-sell. Once in Kenya, we met our main guide, Peter, when he picked us up from the Nairobi airport Hilton. The tour was conducted in a seven seat Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop up canopy for 360 degree viewing. Peter was friendly and professional throughout the trip. He was always more than willing to talk about the country, people, and wildlife, make arrangements, and keep us well stocked with bottled water. Daniel made planning and booking our first trip to Africa as painless as possible and Peter saw to it that the tour went smoothly. We hope to return to Kenya in the future and fully intend to book with Transtrek again.
Parks:
The tour began with a roughly four hour drive from Nairobi hotel to Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru National Park is a pretty park consisting mainly of wetlands and forested areas. In contrast to the tan savannah of the Mara, Lake Nakuru was vibrantly green. In addition to many other species, we saw both black and white rhinos. After two nights, we traveled a bit over two hours to Lake Naivasha National Park. At Lake Naivasha, we took a private boat tour to an island which allows bush walks due to its lack of large predators. The lake is home to an impressive array of bird species. For the final three nights of the itinerary, we drove the five plus hours the Masai Mara region. While we enjoyed the Rift lakes, the Mara region was the highlight. The national reserve, with its grand sweeping grasslands and wild abundance of life, is rightly iconic. It can get crowded (particularly around big cats) but it was not nearly as bad as I feared. In early July, it was still possible to find areas with no one else in sight. The Mara Naboisho Conservancy, lacking the vast open spaces of the national reserve, is mainly covered in groups of shrubs and smallish trees. The conservancy offers a different experience in several respects because it is privately operated and visitor numbers are controlled: night game drives and bush walks (with armed guides) are permitted and it does not get crowded. In addition, it has one of highest concentrations of lions in East Africa. The cost to stay in the conservancy is higher than the nearby national reserve; however, once we saw what was offered, we did not regret the expense for a moment.
Accommodation:
We stayed at five properties while in Kenya: Hilton Garden Inn Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Basecamp Explorer Masai Mara, and Basecamp Explorer Eagle View. The Hilton was our airport lodging before and after the tour, which we arranged separately. Daniel did offer to book on our behalf but my wife had Hilton points to burn. The hotel is new, clean, comfortable, operated by friendly and efficient staff, and has a very good restaurant. The two Sopa properties were similar. Both consisted of a restaurant/reception area and chalets with two to four rooms. The rooms were spacious and well appointed. The bathrooms were clean but hot water is limited by design. The food, mainly served buffet style, ranged from fine to good and there was variety. The Nakuru Sopa Lodge is situated on a ridge and has a lovely view over Lake Nakuru. The Naivasha resort has zebra, giraffe, impala, waterbuck, several species of monkeys, and (at night) hippopotamus on the property. The Basecamp Explorer properties are both tented camps, though with electricity and showers in every room. Basecamp Explorer Masai Mara sits in a wooded area just over the Talek River from the Mara, within sight of the national reserve. The tents are a bit spartan but contain what one expects in a hotel room, with two odd exceptions: there are no mirrors or trash cans. Basecamp Explorer Eagle View is arrayed along a ridge with the Naboisho Conservancy. The dining/reception area has a fantastic view over a lightly wooded valley, regularly populated by herds of zebra, wildebeest, water buffalo, and impala. In contrast with Basecamp Explorer Masai Mara, the tents at Eagle View are certainly not spartan. This is a luxury camp. Both Basecamp properties serve excellent food, usually in 3-4 courses. Lunch and dinner typically consisted of soup, bread, entrée, and dessert. There are no options, you receive what they prepare for a given meal but we were never disappointed. I bought head chef’s cookbook.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent and reliable tour operator
Quick and responsive, efficient handling, reliable service
KR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Warm-hearted and leisurely safari
My husband and I went to a private safari tour(lodge) for six days in between June 27 to July 4 with Shemeji Safari. It was a satisfied trip that fits to our expectations to see the wild nature of Tanzania. I recommend Shemeji Safari.
- Communications and services
Froukje kindly consulted and reflected our requirements to the itinerary, which had changed a lot. We exchanged more than 10 mails for about a month. Froukje even struggled to get a room in one lodge that we choose where there was no room for agencies left.
When we had to send the balance, Emma came back from maternity leave to deal with us. She even offered us the transportation to Seronera Airstrip in our final day in Serengeti, saying that the drop service of the lodge was too expensive. I felt very warm consideration. At the end, they gave us a Masai souvenir.
- Safari car and stuff
We rode in a pop-up roof car that can holds six persons. The car had a small fridge and a charging station that we requested. It was very useful. There were cushions and blankets in the car, so I could feel their thoughtfulness. The car looked a little old, but there was no big problem throughout the safari. A binocular was available in the car, but we had our own thing that performs better. There was a animal dictionary with pictures, so it's very helpful to refer to them.
- Guide
Our driver and guide, Edward, had 14 years of experience as a guide and was very friendly and professional. Every day after the safari, he asked us how was the safari and checked that he meets our expectations. He communicated with his guide friends face-to-face or via radio to show us the animals we want to see. And he knows where the animals would move, so we could stop at the best place and see the animals very close. There was even a magic that showed up the animal that I told to want to see that day! We saw Big 5 except the rhinos.
He tried to find rhinos for 2 days, but that's just my luck.
During the six day safari, we became friends.
On the last day, he saw us off to the airstrip and helped to check-in. Thank you so much, Edward. I already miss his smile.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime!
Rose planned an absolutely epic city, bush and beach honeymoon for my wife Christina and I. The itinerary included 5 nights in Cape Town, 3 nights at Tanda Tula Safari Camp, 2 nights at Makanyi Private Game Lodge and 6 nights at Constance Le Prince Maurice in Mauritius. The trip was perfectly balanced, seamlessly organized and we felt completely relaxed and spoiled the entire time. All of the accommodations were first class! Thank you so much for planning an unforgettable trip!
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience, great support, great driver, great animals in Maasai Mara
Joyce from CATS Africe answered all our question promptly by e-mail before the booking. The payment by wire transfer to the CATS bank account was completed without problems in one day and Joyce confirmed immediately.
As agreed in the contract, Moses, our guide and driver for the next 3 days, picked us on time with a Landcruiser from Karen little paradise, were we've been pampered by a wonderfull staff for the last 3 days. Moses is a very experienced guide and driver, we never felt unsafe during the trip, neither on the 4.5 hrs way to Maasai Mara nor in the Natl Park itself. Moses answered all our questions very professionally and he found all the spots where we could see hyaenas, lions, cheetahs, hypos and even a leopard and of course elephants and so on. At the mara river we finally witnessed the migration of thousends of animals which was a very magnificient nand unique spectacle. All things considered, we really can recommend CATS Africa, everything was perfect, from the booking until the return to the hotel in Nairobi. Thanks again to Joyce and Moses, we always felt to be in good hands.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Prime Safaris provided an excellent safari experience.
I can’t say enough good things about the 5-day safari organized for me by Prime Safaris. From my initial email exchange with Cate right through until my guide dropped me off at the airport, I felt that their first priority was providing me with exactly the kinds of activities and accommodations that I would most enjoy. My guide, Arshley Brian, was extremely knowledgeable about Uganda’s abundant wildlife. His patient willingness to answer my many questions and his ability to spot birds and animals made the Safari a rich, exciting, unforgettable experience.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing service
we had an amazing experience with an amazing guide Peter Mugogo. we are used of travaling solo around the world and we usually don't use an agency but this time we did and we are glad that we did. The service of African big five is a 5 stars experience. The email exchange were fast and Maria was so nice and she proposed a really good personnal itiniarery. The guide was nice, respectful of the environnement and people and animals and we could'nt have asked for more. He loves his country and gave us so much information and local stories. He brough us to local places and we felt secure. we had quite an adventure out of the ordinary (we got attacked by elephants) but he kept us safe and knew what to do and we are so glad we chose to go with a company. we highly recommand african big five and you can contact us in private for more information if you want. and please bring school material for the orphelinas and do community treks. Uganda is a great country, less touristic and that is what we like don't hesitate book with them :)
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had a wonderful and satisfactory safari with SG tours.
the comunications , services are excellent and I got what I expected.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great city-daytour on our way home from Africa
My friend and I had a 24h stopover in Nairobi on our way back home from Zambia. We decided that we should spend the day on a city-tour, so that our day in Nairobi was not wasted. The tour-suggestion we got fra Simon had really good variety and with interesting spots. We were met by our excellent driver James at the airport, and he took us to Karen, UNEP HQ, city centre, Kenyatta twr, and then back home to our airport hotel. I would absolutely recommend James, Simon and UNIGLOBE! :-)