IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very kind and happy to help us
Isaia was the best tour operator. It was always ready to help us not olnly with the tour itself but also with our lost luggages and other requests.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best tour operator Isaia!He guide us and he helped us for everything.
The tour was fantastic.
The organization was perfect, camps, safari, masai village.
Real experience, I recommend this tour!!
KR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Outstanding Safari Led by an Exceptional Guide, Despite Operational Issues
The four-day, three-night safari tour was truly breathtaking. Being able to witness animals living their lives freely, exactly where they belong, with my own eyes felt like a profound blessing and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
My driver, Moses, had deep knowledge of both the safari and the wildlife. He was exceptional at tracking animals and always attentive to their movements. He also thoughtfully considered the direction of the light and positioned us in the best spots, allowing me to photograph the animals in the most beautiful way possible. I was genuinely impressed by both his professionalism and his considerate attitude.
The safari experience itself deserves a 10 out of 10. However, there were significant issues with the lodges where we stayed. In both lodges, internet access was not available in the rooms and could only be used in the communal areas, which was frustrating. Neither lodge provided a hair dryer either.
More disappointingly, the staff at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge repeatedly made mistakes and behaved rudely, despite this being a service-oriented environment. There were no apologies offered unless I raised strong complaints, and only then were the issues addressed with delayed apologies. Staying there felt unpleasant and uncomfortable.
In addition, the tour payment was split into two parts, and there was a serious issue with the second payment. The amount communicated to me was incorrect, and as a result, I almost overpaid by 500 dollars. This caused unnecessary stress and should not happen in a professionally managed tour.
The contrast between the wonderful safari experience and the disappointing lodge stay was quite stark. If these issues, including accommodation and payment accuracy, were properly addressed, this tour could truly be an outstanding experience overall.
BG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect
We had an amazing safari experience in Kenya with Morning Star. Our guide, John, was outstanding from start to finish. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and always knew where to take us so we could see the animals up close. Thanks to him, we saw lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many more. He made us feel safe and well taken care of throughout the trip. The organization by Morning Star was smooth and professional, and everything went perfectly. We are very grateful for this unforgettable adventure and highly recommend both Morning Star and John.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommend!
Everything was organized perfectly. The staff was extremely customer-focused, answering all our questions, helping us choose and book other transfers, and providing all the information we needed not only about the safari but also about Kenya in general. The guide and car were excellent, we saw all the animals up close, and everything always went according to plan. These were people you can trust and feel safe in a foreign country! The accommodations and food were good, there was always water, and the guide was there to answer any questions we had and made every effort to make everything comfortable for us. The drives between parks were long and tiring, but that wasn't the organizer's fault. Thank you very much! I highly recommend!
(automatic translation from Russian)
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Generally good, but a couple of major misfires undermined my trust in them
We booked a mid-to-premium priced 9-day safari with Touch Africa and they selected and handled all lodging arrangements. The Ilala in Vic Falls was gorgeous (though we did specifically request and pay for that upgrade). Tlou Lodge was modest and comfortable. Planet Baobab had a few issues that disappointed us, but no showstoppers.
But Mochaba Crossing was a DISASTER. There were rodent droppings on the bedsheets and in the room; the shower was barely a trickle; paint was peeling on the shower walls; numerous large spiderwebs were everywhere; the room floor was dirty; lunch and dinner each consisted of a single, non-vegetarian option, despite weeks of advance notice that one of us was vegetarian. Perhaps Touch Africa didn’t do enough due diligence choosing this place? When we notified them, they offered to move us to the Maun Lodge, whose online reviews were positive so we agreed. That should have been the end of the issue - a misstep that was quickly fixed.
But when we returned from the day’s activities, the Mochaba manager, Alec, told us that we’d instead be transferred to Mochaba’s “sister hotel” nearby, the Parkview, rather than the Maun Lodge. This was bait and switch: the same websites that confirmed our negative experience at Mochaba had similarly negative things to say about Parkview.
This was the moment we lost trust and confidence in Touch Africa: they reneged on what they had promised us without notifying us, instead making an arrangement that saved face with their vendor and simplified their accounting.
We held our ground and insisted on the original offer of the Maun Lodge, having to become uncomfortably assertive to do so. When we did arrive there, we had to wait over 30 minutes during check-in while Alec was on the phone (with Touch Africa? we don’t know) before we could get into our room. (The lodge staff felt bad and let us use the pool in the meantime.)
Mr. Mashanga (our guide/handler at Touch Africa) was otherwise very good, all the guides were excellent, and once we did get into the Maun Lodge, it was lovely. But it should not have taken frustration and energy just to get what we had paid for in the first place. When one books a multi-day tour in an unfamiliar place, one places a great deal of trust in the tour operator. Missteps are definitely forgivable, but the disingenuous handling of the Mochaba misstep was not. We hope this information helps Touch Africa do better for future clients.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional, competent, safe - and so much fun!
Economic Adventure Safaris were a great tour operator for our visit to the Maasai Mara. The office support were kind and communicative and not at all pushy as we were trying to decide on what to do. Our driver, Edward, was amazing - he knew exactly how to position is to see the animals and he was also very knowledgeable about the animals and the park. He was able to spot animals we could barely see with binoculars! It was astonishing. I have no complaints at all. If we ever make it back to Kenya, we will definitely go with them again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, Reliable & Truly Exceptional
Their communication was impeccable from start to finish. They shared a well-planned itinerary in advance, which made it easy for us to prepare and know exactly what to expect. Every update was timely, clear, and thorough..no guesswork, no follow-ups needed. Just smooth, professional coordination.
They kept time to the core; every pickup, every drive, every schedule item was executed with precision. They also ensured we followed the itinerary exactly as planned, without rushing us or causing any delays. Their commitment to time and structure made the trip smooth and completely stress-free.
The service was top-tier. James, our guide, was exceptional, knowledgeable, warm, patient, and deeply passionate about the Mara. He gave us a safe, seamless, and enriching safari experience. We saw 4 of the Big Five and even the notorious Ugly 5. We enjoyed breathtaking sunsets and experienced the serenity of the Mara River. The journey was beautifully curated, and the entire experience surpassed my expectations.
From the scenic road trip to the expertly guided game drives and the seamless coordination with Zebra Plains Camp, we truly received value for money. Every part of the experience felt intentional and worth it.
Morning Star Tours & Travel is, without a doubt, a highly professional, reliable, and client-focused agency. We highly recommend them for an unforgettable experience!
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
We had the most incredible trip, organised by Julieth who was really brilliant and made many personalisations to our itinerary, and guided by the incrediblly knowledgeable, kind and patient George.
We stayed in Heart and Soul Lodge for Tarangaire and Ngorogo Crater, in Into the Wild for our time in the Serengeti- which was the best accommodation we have ever stayed in- and Nungui Beach Resort for our time in Zanzibar. All great places to stay, with a wide variety of food both for me who is very picky (think beige, think chicken) and my husband who is more adventurous with his food!
We got to see so many animals up close. George made sure we got to all our favourite animals as well as the Big 5, with a highlight being a 2 hour old baby giraffe, two hippos who chased eachother right in front of our jeep, and a pride of lions including 3 males.
Our time in Zanzibar was also great, we especially enjoyed learning about how so many different spices and day to day producted like chocolate and coffee are grown. The staff at the hotel were amazing, teaching us how to weave, organising volleyball tournaments, and bringing us on a lovely walk of the town including to a turtle sanctuary.
An absolute trip of a lifetime, but if we were to do another safari we would not hesitate to book with Brilliant Safaris!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
My Kenyan safari with Horizon Hunt Safaris exceeded all expectations. From seeing the iconic red elephants of Tsavo East to taking in the breathtaking views of Amboseli’s savannah with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, every moment was unforgettable. Visiting the Masai Mara in September was truly special. My partner and I were fortunate to witness the wildebeest migration and the dramatic Mara River crossing, a lifelong dream come true.
I would highly recommend Horizon Hunt Safaris and their entire team, especially our tour guide Francis, whose excellent navigation and deep knowledge of the wildlife enriched our experience from the moment we arrived in Kenya to the day we departed.