US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Disorganized. On the edge fincially.
The itinerary was changed from beginning to end. I had to ask what was going on. Driver didn't speak English. 2nd guide didn't inform me about the changes. At the crater gate waited for hours and Brayt blamed it on the IT guy in the office. Disorganized.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Cars completely uninhabited and in need of repair. Too many and long car breakdowns.
We were picked up from our accommodation, but in a very different place from our hotel, dropped off by zhe driver on the road. Despite our please to help us, he drove off on the grounds that he had to pick up people from the airport. This situation was NOT safe for us as women, especially as we had all our luggage with us.
The following has to be mentioned about the Tour: The trip with our jeep on the first two days was very pleasant, that the driver was very familiar with the road holding and conditions. His driving style was extremely professional. The problem is that we had a 45 minute breakdown after only a short time after the departure, because the radiator was defective. This took away precious time from our Masai Mara Tour.
We liked the accommodation in the ENCHORO WILDLIFE CAMP because of the very good and personal service very much. However, we are not sure if it really was this camp!
Day 3: Masai mara/L.Nakuru: We were assigned a new driver, another car, other people who had already established a friendship in the previous 2 days. It made you feel like an outsider. The bus was completely overcrowded. All the seats were occupied and far too much luggage was loaded. Sitting was possible only to a limited extent, even though we do not have long legs! The drinking water that was booked was distributed only after repeated demand, after many hours. 500 ml over that long period of time, after so many hours of waiting, just not correct. Why does the driver moult the drinking water like that?
Day 4: Day Lake Nakuru/Nairobi: On our way out of the Maasai area, our bus got stuck, so the passengers had to push the bus out of the mud, as the two buses were blocked. The entire day had to be spent with dirty clothes and smeared skin. It also happened that we had a broken axle on the way. During these, over three hours of repair, we stood by the road in sunnier heat. That time was missing from the Lake Tour.
In hindsight, it should be noted that the cars provided do not match the conditions for such trips. The cars are too old and too fragile. As travellers, this cost us a lot of time from our holiday.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Barry
The park is experiencing the effects of global warming with a lack of flamingos.
ES
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Recent Visit
The lodge facilities were excellent as was the area surrounding the compex. Fabulous views from the hotel room and an excellent staff who were very helpfull with any requests. The safari was a big disappointment as there is no such thing as the guaranteed viewing of the big 5, there are no leopards. Very view animals to view, 3 giraffes visiable from 200 mtrs, 5 elephants,5 rhino, 1 lion and 3 lioness, 5 hippos, 3 eland and a handful of sprinboks was all that was seen during the 3 days. The animals all appeared be fed by the staff and appeared relatively tame, certainly not wild. The terrain they live in is not really their natural habitat as there is nothing for them to eat or hunt. It you want to see the animals in their natural habitat then go to Kruger or Chobe and see the animals in the real world.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor alignment on expecations.
We booked 1 day safari with Steven. However, our experience fell short with the expectations that were created by Kima Safari. Much to our surprise, the trip from DAR to Mikumi starts with the safari car so that means limited airflow due to no AC throughout the trip. This was rather difficult to endure during our 7 hour drive back in 40 degree heat. Moreover, we were promised a breakfast at the arrival which in the end was not offered. On our way back, the car broke down which caused a 2 hour delay in our trip back. We also wanted to pay in 2 parts and we were overcharged with the second payment.
Once we explained the situation to Steven, he told us that the 'driver forgot the breakfast' and that overcharge was 'his mistake'. Initially we were promised a minor refund for this but now we have been waiting for a response for a week and have not yet heard from Steven. On a positive note, we were able to see most of the animals which was definitely a memorable experience.
I believe better alignment on expectations from Kima Safari's side would have made the day trip more enjoyable and I recommend going over the itinerary with the driver prior to the trip in order to avoid any misunderstandings.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Avoid January
We went to Gombe NP (amazing chimps) and Selous Game Reserve. As it rained during all of our stay, the second safari experience was terrible. No animals, roads in the worst of conditions possible. 7 hours from Far Es Salaam are too many for this park. next time I would spend more and go to Serengeti, at least the money would worth it more.
Generally speaking Tanzania is quite expensive
TN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Its fantastic and magnifique
For me its a New expérience and fantastic but whe have a problem with masaraii people Always u need to pay them ???
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Chaotic and not according to plan
Would absolutely not recommend doing a shared tour with this company or its sister companies.
Whatever company you book with (there’s a large number of them under the same umbrella), it doesn’t seem to matter, they all send you off with drivers where you’ll be flip flopped to different groups and drivers every day based on where they can fit you. Everyone in the groups were given different itineraries that were never followed. Usually you picture joining a shared tour where you and the other few passengers all get on the bus doing the same itinerary, for the most part. But no. I felt bad for the drivers having to juggle so many ppl with different plans and most ppl were frustrated as they didn’t get to do the itinerary they were given, and the drivers have to deal with all the frustrations when it’s not them who planned everything so poorly. And it got annoying being moved constantly to different vehicles and groups, sometimes twice a day, or waiting so long in roadside stop places to meet with other vehicles to switch passengers.
Your itinerary will change from what they tell you, and when you inquire about it they just say too bad you’re on a shared tour, no flexibility. Also they just seem to put random things in the itinerary that they must know are untrue. Like a few times writing “you will arrive at your next hotel in time for lunch”, yet the drive is double that time and lunch is on the road and we don’t arrive till evening. Unless the driver takes much longer routes than needed due to dropping different passengers off places etc. either way, receiving accurate info in the itinerary should be made a priority. Itinerary said arriving in Nakuru hotel in time for lunch then evening game drive. We didn’t even make it in time for game drive, and arrived at hotel at 7:30pm. No possible way with the route we took would we have made it in time for lunch at hotel. We left Masai around 8am. It also says this about amboseli but we didn’t leave till late morning and arrived at 7pm. And it said game drive in amboseli in afternoon yet we got no drive. Just drop to hotel. When I asked they said we’d make up for it by doing drive on last morning, since we paid $60 park fee, yet the “drive” was just racing from gate to gate lasting an hour and barely stopping for animals we briefly saw in our speedy exit.
They pack the vans to the max, despite website saying max 7 pax. It’s so cramped and sweaty, there’s not enough room for everyone to see out at the same time to see the animal sightings. So some will sit while others sweaty armpits are pushing into your face. One will sit in front with driver so not even having the option of standing to see out the pop up roof. The only way I’d do a shared tour again would be if the company guaranteed max 6 passengers.
The 12 hour days in the van are not ideal. Most lodges and everywhere I went in SA was sunrise, and sundowner drives. Leaving you some nice time at the lodge to rest and enjoy lunch. Even if your itinerary says different (like mine did), you will be doing 12 hour drive and not returning to lodge mid day. Mid day is so hot so it’s sweaty in that van with 8 ppl and the animals are often not out in the open when it’s that hot mid day.
There were a small amount of ppl I talked to on the trips that were happy with the way they organized. Well maybe not happy but they just were chill and didn’t mind. So if you’re very easy going and don’t really care about sticking to the itinerary provided, and don’t mind the constant change ups, and aren’t picky about personal space in the van and better viewings, then it would be fine for you! I know some backpackers and travellers who aren’t fussy and it would work out great for. I’m just not one of those people, as were many ppl on the trips. In one of the instances where we had to leave our vehicle to join another group as ours had to drive half the group elsewhere, we got into a Jeep. That was a much more comfortable vehicle, so I’d definitely recommend spending the extra to go in one of those.
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari was ok.
Poor communication between tour operator and driver. Timings for the 2nd day was messed up. Did not stay in the Lodge that was promised
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
reliable operator, even if the choice of certain accommodations leaves something to be desired
reliable operator, even if the choice of certain accommodations leaves something to be desired both in terms of comfort and food, as well as the fact of bringing together people from different lodge which leads to wasted time and stress and luggage which also accumulates inside the car.