US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spectacular safari to Rwanda to visit the mountain gorillas and their national parks
In planning my trip to Rwanda I communicated frequently with Frank Benoit KANYAMUTARA, the Founder/Owner of Golden Rwanda Safaris, who answered my questions thoughtfully and promptly. He put together a 12 day safari that included my priorities of seeing the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees and added so many beautiful sites that I could not have imagined, such as the Nyanza King Palace. With the longer safari, I had time to see so much of Rwanda including a gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park, lions and many other animals in Akagera National Park, the crafts market in Kigali and a local village. My guide Taufique was very knowledgeable about Rwanda and offered me the option of by-passing or adding destinations to the safari, as well as time to relax. He was pleasant, patient, reliable and thoughtful of my interests, especially in selecting a gorilla family that could be reached by a pleasantly challenging trek for me as a 69 year old. The lodging at every stop was outstanding and far exceeded my expectations, including the Hotel Five Volcanoes, the Governor's Residence and the Akagera Lodge. I was very satisfied with my safari to Rwanda and feel that the price was well worth the memories of this extraordinary experience!
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent company. Vehicles and drivers always impeccable
We traveled from Nairobi to Masai Mara, passing by Lake Naivasha and other destinations along the way without any problems. Efficient, comfortable and clean vehicles. Knowledgeable and friendly drivers. Highly recommended!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari
My wife and I went on our first safari and booked through Spirit of Kenya based on positive online reviews. Spirit of Kenya organised every aspect of our trip including our accommodation before the safari and a once in a lifetime hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara. We spent 2 days in the Masai Mara, 1 day in Lake Nakuru and 1 day at Lake Naivasha before finishing the trip at Hells Gate national park. Lenny, our guide, was excellent. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the animals, answered all our questions, and his passion really shone through. Thanks to Lenny we saw all of the big 5 and many other interesting animals, and our first safari beat all expectations.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
We had the most excellent time on our safari! The itinerary Off2Africa created for us was in perfect balance. Good rest and relaxation coupled with high excitement! The places we stayed were splendid and had the kindest and most knowledgeable teams. We made lifetime memories on this trip and really appreciate Off2Africa crafting it for us :)
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, something everyone should experience!
The contact with Alan and Coosje about all logistics was very friendly and adequate. Our guide Steve and cook Nico made the experience even more impactful, as they spotted the coolest animals and prepared the best dishes for us. Would definitely recommend "Somewhere in Africa" to anyone planning a trip to Tanzania!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Get ready for the safari of your dreams!
Our safari experience was AMAZING from start to finish! My husband, sister, and I booked a six-day adventure from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli, before looping back to Nairobi. It was the trip of a lifetime! Our guide, Alex, was superb—so knowledgeable, fun, and beyond dedicated to helping us capture incredible memories (and photos) we’ll treasure forever!
Seeing the "Big Five" up close was just the beginning! Alex's sharp eyes also led us to hidden landscapes and some rare animals we’d never even heard of. He was super well-connected with other guides too, so we always had the inside scoop on where to find animals—making every day a new adventure!
The hotels and lodges were comfy and well-equipped, with cell service and Wi-Fi available pretty much everywhere. The buffets offered all the favorites to keep our American stomachs happy and fueled up for the road! With all meals covered by Jocky Tours, we just had to bring a bit of extra cash to tip the amazing locals and Maasai villagers who shared their culture with us.
We can’t recommend Jocky Tours enough; it was truly a 5-star experience that will stay with us forever. Ready for adventure? Go for it—you won’t regret it!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
fantastic 3-day tour to see the gorillas!
Did a 3-day gorilla tracking trek through Rwanda->Uganda->Rwanda with Isaac. The gorillas were amazing, Isaac was very knowledgeable whenever you asked him a question, the hotels/lodges were beautiful, and the everything was very smooth. i would recommend doing a longer tour, because for the 3 day option it is a bit of driving back and forth from Kigali, but I would definitely recommend Isaac and Authentic Africa Safaris in the future.
HU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Luxury price, budget experience with plenty of lies and excuses (AVOID!)
I want to share my disappointing experience with the 5-day Kenyan safari my wife and I went on. To put it bluntly, it was far from the “luxury” experience we were promised. I’m sharing this to hopefully save others from the frustration we went through.
0. Lies and Excuses: I first shared my review back in September, and we eventually reached an agreement with the agency for compensation. They claimed to have transferred the funds, but guess what? It never arrived. For nearly a month, we were strung along with endless excuses. Safe to say, our trust in them evaporated.
1. Guide (or rather, driver): We had a “driver-guide” who seemed to only focus on the “driver” part. We expected a knowledgeable guide for the price we paid, but instead, we got someone who could barely tell us the names of animals. We learned more from Google and ChatGPT than from him. His English was poor, and he couldn’t answer basic questions. To top it off, on the first day, he was 20 minutes late, and the vehicle’s fuel tank was empty, so we had to stop for gas. Water for the trip? Had to pick that up, too. Not the best start to a “luxury” safari.
The worst part? The guide didn’t even know the way around. He managed to get us lost in the Maasai Mara on Day 1, and we arrived at our hotel over two hours late. He wasn’t particularly attentive either—no door-opening, lots of time on his phone (without a headset, mind you), and some reckless moves, like speeding through a busy market.
2. Dietary Disregard: Both my wife and I are vegan, and I also need to avoid gluten. I made this clear to Silas multiple times on WhatsApp. He assured us everything was in order. But of course, neither the guide nor the hotel staff had a clue. We had to re-explain at every meal. For three days, we ended up searching shopping malls for vegan food to eat on the go. The “picnic” lunch we got on the last day? A random assortment from a supermarket that cost them maybe $3 per person. Luxury, indeed.
3. Ignored Anniversary Request: I’d told Silas several times that our wedding anniversary would be during the trip, and we’d like a special dinner. He promised to set it up, but the lodge staff had no idea when we arrived. We eventually arranged a bush dinner ourselves, costing us an extra $180.
4. Payment Surprises: Initially, we planned to pay the balance with a card, only to be told there would be an extra 4% fee—something that wasn’t mentioned when we paid the deposit. We ended up doing a bank transfer instead, but the lack of transparency was frustrating.
5. Lack of Pre-Trip Info: There was no pre-trip info about the country, packing tips, or what to expect. While it might seem minor on its own, given the other issues, it was just another sign of how little they cared.
There were other smaller annoyances, but these were the main issues. Right from Day 1, it was clear things were going downhill. I messaged Silas immediately, requesting a different guide. His response? The guide “knew the park” and “breakfast wasn’t typically provided on Day 1” (so why was it on the itinerary?).
All in all, this was a complete letdown. The agency is responsible for hiring competent guides and ensuring dietary requests are communicated, especially when they’ve been assured in advance. My advice? Avoid this agency. Find a reputable company that delivers on its promises.
The cherry on top? We’re still waiting on that “compensation” that never arrived.
HU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor Service, Unprofessional guide, and lies about compensation
I would like to share my experience with the 5-day Kenyan safari my husband and I went on. Unfortunately, we were both extremely disappointed with the services, and I feel it’s important to share this feedback so others can avoid similar issues.
0. Lies all around: First of all, I shared my review in September. After writing this review on September 1st, we reached an agreement with the agency for compensation. They claimed to have sent the money, but it never arrived, and they continued to give us excuses for almost another month. This only deepened our disappointment and frustration, and we find the entire situation outrageous.
1. Guide: The driver-guide we had throughout the safari did not meet our expectations at all. He acted mostly as a driver, which was disappointing given the price we paid for this trip. He barely provided any information, and when he did, it was limited to just naming animals. We didn’t receive any insights into their behavior, reproduction, or diet, nor did we learn anything about Kenya’s cultural or natural highlights. At one point, we resorted to using Google and ChatGPT for information. I asked many questions, but the guide often couldn’t answer, and sometimes he didn’t even understand due to his poor English skills. We were also left in the dark regarding the itinerary and how to prepare for the next day.
On the first day, the guide arrived 20 minutes late, and the vehicle had an empty fuel tank, so we had to stop for gas and even had to pick up water for the tour. These could have been arranged beforehand, and it felt unprofessional to have our experience delayed this way.
The guide also wasn’t familiar with the locations, which resulted in us getting lost in the Maasai Mara on the first day, causing us to arrive more than two hours late at the hotel. His inexperience was further evident in his driving—he didn’t open the door for us, spent too much time on his phone without a headset, and even made dangerous maneuvers, like cutting through a crowded market.
2. Ignoring Dietary Requests: Both my husband and I are vegan, and I also follow a gluten-free diet. I informed Silas multiple times via WhatsApp about our dietary needs, and he assured me there would be no issues. However, neither the guide nor the hotel staff were aware of these requests. We had to explain our preferences at every meal, catching them off guard. For three days, we had to spend hours looking for vegan options in shopping malls for our "picnic" lunch, only to end up eating in the car. On the last day, we were given ham sandwiches, eggs, and milk, which the driver later replaced with supermarket food costing only $3 per person. This was far below what we expected for a "luxury" trip.
3. Ignoring Anniversary Dinner Request: I had informed Silas several times that our wedding anniversary would take place during the trip, and we wanted a special dinner at the lodge. Silas assured us it would be arranged, but when we arrived, the lodge knew nothing about it. We ended up organizing a bush dinner ourselves, which cost $180.
4. Payment Issue: We initially planned to pay the balance of the trip by card, but Silas informed us of a 4% card fee, which was not mentioned or charged when we paid the deposit. This hidden fee only became apparent when we had no other option, and we felt this was unfair. Instead, we opted for a bank transfer, but this situation further eroded our trust in the agency.
5. Lack of Pre-Trip Information: We received no information or briefing about the country, what to pack, or other important details before the trip. While this might not seem like a major issue on its own, given all the other problems we encountered, it reflected the overall lack of care from the agency.
There are many other small details I could mention, but what was most disappointing was that these issues were evident from the very first day. I immediately informed Silas and requested a different guide. Unfortunately, his response was minimal—he simply stated that the guide was familiar with the national park and that breakfast is typically not provided on the first day (so why was it included in the itinerary?).
Overall, we are incredibly disappointed with the service. It is the agency’s responsibility to provide a competent guide and at the very least communicate special dietary needs to the accommodations, especially when these have been promised in advance. I strongly recommend that others avoid this agency and find a more reliable and established travel company.
The "cherry on top" is the we were scammed about receiving a compensation which never happened.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Secret Namibia Team was amazing to work with, giving us a memorable journey throughout Namibia!
We gave Chrizell a tall task in planning our self drive Namibia trip. She was quick to connect with us and was thorough in understanding our travel requests, as well as lodging requirements. We were late in our request, but somehow, she was able to put together an amazing trip that had all the key places we wanted. The cost she gave us was very reasonable, and the payment process was very easy to complete (not always so easy with African vendors). We received an initial itinerary that we adjusted a couple of times (due to our requests), and Chrizell and Johan sent us updated agendas as the day approached. We were all set!
When we arrived in Windhoek, we were met in the airport by Secret Namibia, and given a packet with maps, hotel vouchers, some animal and bird identification books. We met with our vehicle provider (Samuel), and he explained the how-to's of driving the (brand new!) vehicle. That was great, as we went through even how to change the tire(s) (we had 2 spares). However, thank goodness, we had zero issues with the vehicle, which also had a cooler in the back for items that needed to be kept cool.
The route we were given optimized our time and travel. Accommodations were great to good, though the latter is all that is available in some remote areas we went to (and likely impacted by our late planning). We had an amazing time in all the places we visited, and would not suggesting skipping any of them. We visited Windhoek, Kalahari, Fish Canyon, Klein Aus (wild horses), Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Palmwag Etosha NP, and Waterberg. The 3 weeks went very fast, and we truly enjoyed the self driving aspect of the trip. We specifically enjoyed doing the self drive safari in Etosha, where we went where we wanted, as well as stayed as long as we wanted, in the park. Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei (you gotta climb Big Daddy Dune, and then the rush of going down it!), and Kalahari also stood out for us.
Watchouts on the trip are the number and locations of gas stations, lots of unpaved roads (we enjoyed this actually), and poor cell/wifi coverage in remote areas (which is to be expected). We actually had some wifi coverage in our vehicle, which was really helpful!
We have already recommended Secret Namibia to friends who have inquired. The excellent service, the freedom of self driving, and excellent pricing, make them an easy referral for us!