IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect experience
Our safari was organized by Axis. Our organizer was Tabitha, who was extremely kind, helpful, and quick to respond. Everything was perfect, including our guide, Collins Sampele.
It is definitely an experience everyone should have, and with Axis, you will certainly have an unforgettable one.
Thank you
Elena
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Racist remarks during our safari — and no direct response to our complaint
Unfortunately, what should have been one of the highlights of our family trip to South Africa became a deeply upsetting experience — not only because we were subjected to what we experienced as explicit racist remarks during a safari, but also because of the way our complaint was handled afterwards.
During a game drive in Kruger, another guest sharing our vehicle complained loudly throughout the safari, repeatedly criticized the guide and tried to control where the guide should drive. When I asked her to stop complaining and allow the guide to do the job, her behavior towards us became aggressive.
She repeatedly told me, “Get out off my country,” and then said, “That’s why I don’t like Asian people.”
As Asian travelers, there was no ambiguity in how those words made us feel. We felt targeted because of our ethnicity. It was humiliating, offensive and deeply uncomfortable, particularly because we were traveling with our child.
The same guest was also vaping throughout the game drive while our child was in the vehicle. I do not know whether vaping is permitted in safari vehicles, but as parents we found this inappropriate and uncomfortable.
I want to be fair: many other parts of our trip were well arranged, and we understand that a tour operator cannot control everything an individual guest may say or do. Our greatest disappointment with Nhlalala Travel is therefore not simply that this incident happened. It is how we experienced the company's response after we reported it.
I personally sent the tour operator a detailed message explaining what had happened, including the racist remarks directed at us and how distressed and uncomfortable the experience had made us feel.
The message was read.
We received no direct reply.
We received no direct acknowledgement, explanation or apology, and no one contacted us directly to ask whether we and our child were okay after what had happened.
Because we were so uncomfortable with the lack of a direct response, I eventually asked a South African friend to contact the company on our behalf. My friend received a brief apology, but the company still did not contact us directly. To this day, we have not received a personal apology or any meaningful explanation regarding how our complaint was handled.
For us, this is the most disappointing part.
I do not expect a tour operator to be able to prevent every conflict between guests. I do, however, believe that when a guest reports what they experienced as explicit racial abuse, a professional tourism company should take the matter seriously. At the very least, I would have expected an acknowledgement, some concern for our wellbeing, an apology for the experience, and an explanation of how the situation would be addressed.
Instead, after telling the company that we had been repeatedly told to “fuck off” from the country and that the other guest explicitly said she did not like Asian people, our detailed message was read without any direct response to us.
That silence made us feel that what happened to us did not matter.
We traveled a long way to experience South Africa and Kruger as a family. We did not expect special treatment. We simply expected to be treated with dignity and, when something this serious happened, to feel that the company responsible for our tour cared enough to respond to us directly.
I am leaving this review because I was invited to share my experience. I believe reviews should reflect not only how a tour operator performs when everything goes according to plan, but also how they respond when something goes seriously wrong.
There were enjoyable parts of our trip, and I appreciate the people who worked hard to make those parts possible. But unfortunately, when we genuinely needed care, communication and support, we felt that we did not receive it.
For that reason, what could have been a wonderful memory of our family safari has instead been overshadowed by both the racist remarks we experienced and the disappointing lack of a direct response that followed.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very Knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile
Recently did the 6 days 5 nights shared safari from coast to crater.
All tour guides where great very accomodating and knowledgeable, shout out to Luca especially for the 5 days and bilgates & shedrack for the 1 day.
Only issue on the trip was due to an aging land cruiser causing us to lose about half a day. Newer vehicles would definitely be worth the investment. No fault of the guides
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable 14-Days on Safari in Kenya and Tanzania 🤩
We had a wonderful safari and a truly amazing time! From the very first contact through the entire trip, we were taken care of exceptionally well. Lina was always easy to reach, patiently answered all our questions, and responded very quickly to any concerns. That put us at ease and made the trip enjoyable from the very beginning.
The organisation of the safari also went very smoothly. Our guides/drivers were friendly, reliable, and made many wonderful experiences possible for us. We’ll especially cherish the memories of our game drives together. The accommodations even exceeded our expectations and were consistently very nice. The food was also good and, overall, we enjoyed it very much.
All in all, it was a wonderful and unforgettable trip. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and would definitely recommend the safari and the organisation to others!
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari and Customer Services
I need to give a huge thank you to our travel agent Whisly, not just that he answers to our questions before the trip and tailor made the itineraries, but also when the airline miss-sent my bag to Mombasa, and then after 2 days they sent it to NBO (long story) and Whisly carried it all the way to Naivasha to give me the bag so i can have clothes to change and stuff to use. It’s not his usual duty but he still delivered! So a huge thank you!
To our driver and tour guide Thomas, he’s always happy and knowledgeable, answering all the Qs that we had about Africa and the animals, he has really good driving skills, and good eyes to spot the animals.
Overall, we had a really good private tour in group of 2 and visited 4 national parks, good value for money, and seeing many many animals even leopards for 2 times and cheetah!
I would recommend this to all of my friends and will definitely come back again.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Honeymoon Safari with Jackson Masong
We just got back from our 3-day honeymoon safari with Safari Soles, and it was the trip of a lifetime. Flying in and out of Zanzibar made the travel so easy. We visited the Central Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, and every single day was perfect. The absolute best part of our trip was our tour guide, Jackson Masong. We cannot say enough good things about him! He did everything perfectly. Thanks to his great experience and sharp eyes, we saw all of the Big 5 (and all of them multiple times) and so many other amazing animals. He knows exactly where to look for wildlife and always got our jeep into the absolute best spot for photos. Jackson is also very funny, easy-going, and just a lot of fun to be around. Our camps were amazing. We stayed at the Serengeti Safari Haven and the Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp. Both places were beautiful and gave us the perfect romantic setting for our honeymoon. Every person we met along the way was so warm and kind. We will never forget this trip. We already told our friends and family to book with Safari Soles, and our biggest piece of advice is to make sure you ask for Jackson to be your guide! <3 <3 <3
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgatable
The agency Balu travel is highly professional and well-organized, offering unbeatable prices! I obtained at least 15 quotes, and believe me, this was the best deal—without compromising the quality of the safari. They really listened to our needs, which made a huge difference to the experience. We went on a 5-day safari, and thanks to the guides selected by the agency (we specifically requested a French-speaking guide, and they provided one), our trip was sensational, wonderful, and magical—it felt like time stood still. The landscapes, the people, the animals, the accommodation, and even the food were all truly incredible. We are seasoned travelers, and quite honestly, this was certainly one of our best trips—if not the absolute best. Ben and John made the experience truly breathtaking; they were incredibly kind and impeccably professional—10/10. We absolutely loved the guides, and they will remain a cherished part of our memories for a long time.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great experience
I was picked up by friendly driver John and transferred in a safe and pleasant drive with lots of chatting to the lodge just outside Hwange park. The lodge was small and family-run and I felt at home right away. I had a permanent tent accommodation on the upper floor overlooking a waterhole which was frequented by lots of elephants. There was also a nice deck right next to the waterhole. The safari guides were great - highlights we spotted were my favorite sable antelope and a cheetah resting in a tree. Pick-up worked the same flawless way, and here I would like to mention the special efforts of my driver John: my luggage didn’t get delivered when first I arrived and I was hoping to pick it up in Vic Falls when returning from Hwange - but it wasn’t there! So John went on a shopping tour with me to get the most necessary things in case the luggage wouldn’t make it to me in my next destination. I also needed to visit a doctor so John took me there and after all that he even took me on a short sight-seeing tour in Vic Falls! Inbetween Brian, the owner of Customise Travel, came to greet me. All in all - service and taking care of the guest much beyond any expectations!!! Memorable experience because of that and the great safari experience in Hwange. Thanks to everyone involved!!!
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best! Pilipili was amazing
The safari offers excellent value for money, combining an unforgettable experience with a very reasonable cost. The organization was perfect, and the tour was exciting and well-planned. We especially want to highlight the guide, who was professional, friendly, and attentive, sharing his knowledge and ensuring we enjoyed every moment of the trip to the fulles
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful experience with Lazaro
Excellent and well organised. Lazaro was a brilliant guide!