US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unfortunately, Can’t Recommend
This review is long but explains why we would not recommend GoodEarth after two weeks and two excursions with them. We were on back to back safaris with GoodEarth; we did the Kilimanjaro Machame Route Hike and Serengeti to Masai Mara safari from June 25-July 10. We really REALLY wanted this company to work out for us as we spent collectively nearly $12k (USD) on everything and it seemed promising. However once the tour was handed over to the Arusha based team - things quickly fell apart.
It started at the airport for pickup. We landed 4:30pm on a Sunday and were told we’d be greeted by our driver with our names on a sign. We waited and waited and reached out to all the WhatsApp numbers we were given multiple times before we were informed the hotel driver had the wrong name on the name plate. So we waited for nothing. That was our first impression.
We had sent an email to the Arusha office a week prior to landing about renting gear for Kilimanjaro but they weren’t prepared at all. We had to scramble at 9pm Sunday for our Monday morning climb. The morning of the climb - our tour guide, Fredy, forgot to bring some of the gear with him. On our way to the trailhead he asked US to purchase the gear he forgot to pack. We gave him a stern “No”, then he went and found the cheapest gear possible and it leaked our entire climb. Fredy was nice enough, but an EXTREMELY lazy guide. He needed to make frequent stops, was always late, and didn’t want to do anything for himself. At every meal he would call a porter from across the camp to come serve him food that was right in front of him. The entire time on the mountain we listened to him whining and ordering the porters around. It was deplorable, honestly. The last straw for me was when we missed our highly requested and once-in-a-lifetime sunrise on summit day by an hour because Fredy “didn’t want to be cold”. Luckily, Nestory was the assistant guide and respected our time on the mountain. Most of our hike up and the entire hike down was led by Nestory, as Fredy was too tired, too late, or too slow to meet our needs. We were so grateful Nestory was there and we should’ve insisted on him being lead guide on summit day to make the sunrise. The porters were great, especially Reuben and Ola. And Paul, the chef, was amazing - he even went out of his way to make us local food when we requested it. We were extremely grateful to reach the summit and for the rest of the climbing team.
As an apology, the company paid for our laundry and gave us free hats, which was really nice, but the time and opportunity lost (and money spent) were gone forever.
On our safari we ran into issues with the office apparently not paying the park entrance gate fee, causing an hour delay on our game drive at Serengeti. (Luckily the ranger in the gate office eventually had mercy on us and let us in.) At another gate, GoodEarth somehow didn’t realize the gate didn’t accept cash. So I had to use my personal credit card to pay our entrance. ($320 USD.) We were also delayed at that gate for an hour.
We did send our issues to Ndashy (the manager), but he only referred us back to Rose in the office. Rose was incredibly sweet but perhaps was overworked, hence the disorganization and mistakes.
No matter which company you choose, the type of guide you get is the luck of the draw. Your guide makes or breaks your experience… During our Serengeti safari we had Elias, who checked in with us frequently and made sure we were ok. He wasn’t quite as charismatic as other guides we’ve had, but he’s good. If you’re the quiet type, he could be a nice fit. Elias also helped me surprise my husband with the hot air balloon ride I had secretly booked to celebrate our anniversary. He was so clever in helping me convince my husband we were going for an late night/early morning game drive and I’m forever grateful to him for that! My husband had no idea and the surprise was priceless. We can’t recommend our Masai Mara guide - I’ll leave it there.
Maybe we were just very unlucky with GoodEarth. But it was significant enough for us to not choose them again or recommend them to loved ones. Beside that, obviously the animals and nature were absolutely unforgettable and we hope to visit Serengeti again…
PT
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Nicholas J D'Anna
Ngorongoro Crater was a bit dreary because of the overcast. Even the animals, which were not many, seemed uninspired.
PT
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not as great as the first time
Returned to Tanzania after 18 years hoping to recapture the magic. Not quite. The first time was during the Great Migration and it was glorious. Huge herds with hungry predators picking them off. This time in June it rained both days in the Serengeti, there were no real herds, and I didn't see a single kill. It didn't help that my tent was leaky or that our guide was more interested in yelling at other drivers and on his phone than being a guide. The overloaded vehicle didn't help nor did the fact that he seemed uncertain who he was supposed to take on which tour.
Also getting into and out of my Airbnb in the center of Arusha was an adventure in itself because of the awful roads, one of which was blocked, forcing us to reverse a long way.
The one highlight was Zanzibar. I stayed in Kiwengwa at The Kichwa House, a locally-owned place, for three glorious nights. The beach was gorgeous, the locals friendly, the food great.
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good but Unprofessional & Disrespectful
I joined the group as a solo female traveler. Day 1 as we waited for the others, the tour guide asked if I had a bf & that if I moved to Tanzania he would marry me because I’m so beautiful etc. On the last day, the others had to leave early so I was alone with the tour guide. He kept pressing me if I had a bf & said foreign women come to Africa to have sex with African men. He also asked me if my bf & I like to have fun & have sex.
The tour guide also kept watching YouTube videos out loud as we observed animals. It was annoying. I loved the safari but I was extremely uncomfortable with the guide.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Arva Abbas
If you have done the Masai Mara reserve and see wildlife sighting to heart content then Lake Nakuru may not be as exciting. For us the plus point was we missed sighting Rhinos in MM and lake Nakuru gave us the oppurtunity to easily sight the Albino Rhinos
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Arranged relatively smoothly
The safari and lodge were excellent. I would highly recommend Umkumbe Lodge. The tour company staff lacked attention to detail and customer care (forgetting to send vouchers among othe things). The itinerary I was given before the trip was slightly off by 30 min here and there and things weren't well communicated all the time. However, overall we had an amazing experience and everything worked out!
US
Experience level: first safari
Driver was the tour guide and he was great!
Game drives were reduced from promised package, informed upon arrival to Nairobi and after full payment. Vehicles were not in best conditition, owner was rude and arrogant as communicated. Radio in vehicles was not working, however driver was well experienced to talk to other drivers and show us animals.
Lodges were great and Kenya safari is a lifetime experience overall.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Image travel have a good tour guide John.
The company changed the schedule one day before the tour. I need to stay in different hotel or camp site with my friends. But John is a professional tour guide and driver. He give us a good experience to explore the Kenya life. He is so funny and informative. I am very recommended John as your tour guide on your safari trip in Kenya!
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Image travel have good tour guide john
This company suddenly changed my hotel and route of my journal. However, thanks to our professional and funny tour guide john, i enjoyed this safari trip. He is very helpful and imformative. He also shared a lot during the long drive between parks. We would love to find him again for next game drive.
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Under average accommodation arrangement
The company have some messy arrangement on accommodation, and change or cancel the accommodation on last minutes.
Actually I enjoy the safari tour with the excellent tourist guide - John, who is knowledgeable and funny guide, and the driving skill is excellent. During the whole trip, he is willing to share his information to us , I really enjoy with the tourist guide.