SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Alex is a very proactive driver/guide, we saw alot of animal encounters because of his hard work.
We had a fantastic experience with Beacon Safaris! The itinerary was well planned out by Robert and it was not too rushed. Though we felt that we could have skipped Lake Nakuru and spend one more night in Masai Mara but we would not have known that before we went on the tour.
The accommodations were all very comfortable and have excellent service except for Samburu Sopa Lodge as it could get very hot during the day and there was no electricity during the afternoon. There was also no fan provided in the room.
We felt that the price we paid for the trip was well worth it as there were no nasty surprises and everything was well planned with a driver/guide to bring us around.
As for the tour itself, Alex, our driver/guide was very proactive and did a wonderful job in letting us catch rare animal encounters. He went the extra step and put in extra hours just to locate the leopard in Samburu. He has also managed to maintain safe and efficient driving even though he has been driving for many hours. He also shared many informative snippets about the wildlife. On the second day of Masai Mara, he also put in the extra effort so that we could have a higher chance of witnessing the Great Migration - and the beautiful sunsets.
On the final day, on our request, he also brought us to a restaurant in Nairobi to have our dinner before boarding our flight as it would be difficult to travel around the city with luggages. We really appreciate it as he has to put in extra hours too.
Thank you Beacon Safaris for organising a wonderful tour of Kenya for us and allocating us such an experienced and wonderful driver/guide!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect for Multigenerational Families
We loved working with Blends of Africa. From beginning to end, they were professional, kind, and very communicative. Mary, in particular, was a huge help and never failed to answer our questions in a timely manner. She even checked in with us several times while we were on safari. As a multigenerational group (ages 11-65+), we had a wide range of needs and expectations. Blends of Africa ensured all our needs were met and set us up for an exceptional experience. We also had two guides during our safari, Chris and Isaack. Both were phenomenal and felt like family by the end of our experience. The tour itself exceeded all expectations; we saw thousands of animals across our 12 days. We even saw cheetahs, leopards, and lion cubs. Every lodge was comfortable with friendly staff. Each lodge on our tour also had en suite bathrooms with warm showers. The food across all of our lodges was fantastic too! As an American family, we highly recommend booking with Blends of Africa.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing
From the moment we were picked up in Zanzibar to the moment we returned, we knew we were in great hands. Everything was so well organised, and we never had to worry about a thing. We were safely guided onto the ferry, train and throughout our journey to Mikumi National Park, which made travelling so easy and completely stress-free.
The whole team at Imara Tours were amazing. They were so friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable and always happy to help. We felt safe at all times, and their passion for Tanzania and its wildlife really made the experience even more special.
The safari itself was beyond anything we could have imagined. Seeing lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, crocodiles and so much more up close was simply incredible. It truly was the experience of a lifetime, and one we’ll never forget.
We booked our holiday through our UK travel company, Holiday Dukes, who arranged everything with Imara Tours. The communication from Imara Tours was excellent, especially through WhatsApp, where any questions we had were answered quickly and nothing was ever too much trouble.
A huge thank you to everyone at Imara Tours for giving us memories we’ll treasure forever. If you’re thinking about booking a safari in Tanzania, don’t hesitate—you’ll be in the best hands. We would recommend you to anyone and hope to be back one day! 🦁🦓🐘🦒🐊
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Poor organization
The organization was a complete disaster. On the day we arrived, a driver picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel at 1:00 p.m. He told us that someone would come later that afternoon to give us a briefing. As soon as we arrived, I sent a WhatsApp message to our contact person, but they never replied. We found ourselves stuck at the hotel with no idea what time the safari would start, who would pick us up, or what the plan was.
Eventually, at around 7:00 p.m., the hotel reception managed to get in touch with them, and they told us that the briefing would take place the following morning. It never happened. They simply picked us up from the hotel and drove us straight to the parks.
Once we were there, I think your experience depends entirely on the driver you get. Ours was terrible. He barely explained anything, rarely stopped at good photo spots, and although we were very lucky to see all the animals we hoped for, it certainly wasn’t because he was actively looking for them. In fact, he spent most of the drive using his phone.
On our first day in the Serengeti, he picked us up 1 hour and 15 minutes later than the agreed time. Even worse, on the day we visited the Ngorongoro Crater, we had been told it was essential to leave early to make the most of our permit before it expired. Instead, we left the camp two hours late because our driver was waiting to help one of his colleagues.
The parks themselves are absolutely incredible, but the company’s organization leaves a lot to be desired. After the trip, we sent them a WhatsApp message with detailed feedback so they could improve their service. They never even replied with a simple “thank you.”
I would never book with this company again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive , knowledgeable and helpful
We had really great experience from the get go. All minute details of the trip were managed well. The choice of hotels and lodges was great. We never had to plan anything it was all provided by goldfinch.
Brenda was available all the time.
Sabri was a great guide
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable Serengeti Experience
Our tour organiser, Namayani organised a very well planned 9 days Serengeti safari. Her communication prior to, during and after the safari was excellent. She was very good with responding all our queries timeously. She booked very good to excellent accommodation. Her service was excellent. She was a very reliable, knowledgeable tour organiser who also offered great advice on internal flights.
Our professional guide Hatibu(Ally), is a very experienced and well-respected safari guide. He went out of his way to ensure that we had a very memorable and unique safari experience. He was very patient and knowledgeable. In addition to mammals, he could identify various plants, trees, flowers and birds. He also has a very good historical background of the Serengeti and the surrounding areas. there was not a dull moment with Ally. he ensured that we were well taken care of all the time. We fully recommend him as the first choice for a tour guide.
The tour was reasonable value for money.
In general, the tour was excellent and unforgettable.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Just amazing
No words to describe the amazing hospitality shown by the professional and good hearted Jackson and his brother Benson throughout our journey. Jackson with his best driving combined with Bensons amazing guiding skills provided us the best safari experience. They are the best in business. Amazing spotters and professionalism. Wildlife safaris and travel was comfortable. Stay camp was amazing with superb staffs food. 5/5 recommend this travels. Definitely coming back for more with Balu travels
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari fun
Had a great time in Pilanesberg national park getting up close to the wildlife including giraffe, zebra, elephants and rhinos. Our driver / guide Martin was very knowledgeable and ensured we got great photo opportunities. Lunch was served at a lovely hilltop location with excellent views.
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The price is reasonable.
The company itself does not provide safari, but is an intermediary, so I think the quality of the tour will change depending on the guide.
The guide was a kind person, but I didn't know the departure time or details for the next day, and I learned about it for the first time after I asked other participants.
He guided me by car to see the animals, but there was no explanation about the animals and he was just driving.
I was able to book at a relatively reasonable price, but I can't guarantee the quality of the guide, so I need to be aware of it. However, I don't think there is much difference in the number or types of animals that can be seen in any guide.
It can't be helped, but it was cramped because the tour was full of 8 people. Some luggage must be placed on the car, and there is a high possibility that it will get dirty with sand.
I wasn't very satisfied with the guide, so I didn't plan to pay tip, but I paid a little because I was billed.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had an unforgettable trip thanks to our guide Amani.
Our guide, Amani, took us through various national parks in Tanzania over the course of nine days. I personally hoped we would encounter lions; that alone would have made the trip complete for me. We didn't just come across a single lion—we saw dozens of them. They were so close you could almost touch them. Right from that first day in the truck, we were absolutely amazed by what we saw: lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs. Oh man, we enjoyed it so much.
Our guide was key to those unforgettable impressions. He knew where to look and had a wealth of information to share about the animals, speaking with great respect for the parks and their wild inhabitants. This is important, because the Serengeti does not exist for us tourists; it is the animals' territory, and one treats it with respect.
Every evening, Amani would come by to go over the itinerary with us. No request was too much trouble, and he took all the time needed to show us the most beautiful spots. His love for nature has been an inspiration to us.
