20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Would NOT recommend Savannah Explorers
We went on a private safari in Tanzania with Savannah Explorers. The wildlife was amazing, but unfortunately, our guide Felix seriously affected the experience.
1. Extremely slow driving
He drove ridiculously slowly. Other safari vehicles would constantly pass us. Once, we were trying to catch a river crossing, but by the time we arrived, it was already over and everyone else was driving back. We specifically asked him to drive faster, but he refused. A 2-hour drive would often become 3 hours.
2. Wasted our full-day permit
We paid for a full-day Serengeti permit on our last day, but Felix took us to the airstrip very early. We ended up waiting there for about 4 hours before our flight. Earlier that morning, wildebeest were already gathering near the river, so we could have potentially waited for another crossing, but he chose to leave.
3. Got lost in Serengeti at night
One evening, he got lost on the way back to camp and spent around 3 hours driving around in the dark. At first he insisted he knew the way, and only later admitted he was lost. Eventually we found out he had been going in the wrong direction from the beginning.
Based on our experience, we would not choose Savannah Explorers again.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly and well willing
We enjoyed our time in Kenya very much. The Safaris were world class and we have seen more animals than we could hope for. Some things which could be improved; the amount of different drivers (4 in 8) days were a bit much. Also the changing of people in the Safari jeeps during the days. For example the first day we had to change people 3 times, this did not give the idea the combination of people in the jeep was planned before and had to change because of different itineraries.
And last, sometimes the driver asked where to go as if they were not told exactly what to do, so we had to look it up multiple times, or another example, they dropped us at the wrong hotel. After checking the itinerary we told the guides and it was no problem and they fixed it right away and dropped us at the right hotel.
And that was the thing, it got fixed every time, which was good. But we felt that if they got a little more information in beforehand of which people to bring to which place. It would feel more streamlined.
Overall the experience was great, thank you for this.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
KIRICHE safaris met all of their commitments during our Safari Trip
The safari was the trip of a lifetime. We saw fantastic scenery and wildlife, including all the major species. Our guide Francis showed tremendous knowledge of the landscape and animals. He is also very knowledgeable of birding which delighted my birder partner. The KIRICHE luxury lodges were of outstanding quality and comfort. We visited 4 national parks in 5 days. KIRICHE was very helpful with our transfers from Kenya to Tanzania.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip!
Willy was a great guide! He gave us a very fair rate of 24000 for his services to take us around Nairobi national park, and was able to use his experience to make sure we saw all the different animals there! It is hard to control all the factors of safari but finding a guide that can think quickly of different plans to give you a phenomenal experience is the most imprtant and Willy was able to do this!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
fantastic 4-day safari tour!
Had an amazing time on a 4-day safari adventure in serengeti, ngorongoro an tarangire national park with crater explorer!
The communication with Emanuel before and after booking was great and uncomplicated and everything was well organized. So crater explorer is highly recommended!
Thank you Emanuel, I had the best time!!!
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not a normal Safari experience
I had an amazing 7/8-day safari with Serengeti Smile and can highly recommend them!
I booked the trip quite last minute, but they still managed to organize everything perfectly and make the whole safari possible. All of my wishes were taken into consideration and fulfilled, and the communication from the beginning was very easy, friendly, and reliable.
A very special thank you to my driver and guide, Gama, who was absolutely amazing throughout the entire trip. He took such good care of me, was always helpful, patient, friendly, and did everything he could to make sure I had the best possible experience. I was traveling alone, and I always felt safe, comfortable, and well looked after.
What I especially loved about this trip was that it was not only about seeing so many incredible animals and learning more about them. I also had the chance to experience more of the local way of life and culture, meet kind and welcoming people, and enjoy very good food along the way. That made the whole journey feel much richer and more meaningful.
From airport transfers to the safari itself, the accommodation, meals, and all the organization in between, everything went smoothly. Everyone I met from the Serengeti Smile team was friendly, welcoming, and helpful.
It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience, and I am very grateful to Serengeti Smile and especially to Gama for making this trip so special. I would definitely book with them again and highly recommend them to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania!
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Masai Mara Experience ❤️
Our experience with Shades of Africa Safaris in the Masai Mara was honestly something very special. From the moment we arrived, we felt so welcomed and looked after. Everything was organised so well, which allowed us to simply relax and enjoy every moment.
The Masai Mara was absolutely breathtaking. Seeing the animals in their natural surroundings, watching the sunrise over the Mara, and being surrounded by such incredible scenery are memories that will stay with us forever.
Our guide made the experience even more personal. He was friendly, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable, and he always took the time to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and getting the most from every game drive.
We went to the Masai Mara hoping for an unforgettable adventure, and that is exactly what we got. We came home with amazing memories, so many photographs, and a little piece of Africa in our hearts.
Thank you to the whole team at Shades of Africa Safaris for making our Masai Mara experience so wonderful. We would absolutely love to come back one day! 🇰🇪❤️
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great support and communication throughout the booking process and very quick response times,
The accommodation and game tours at Inyati were excellent. Games drives managed really well and we saw so much - our guide and tracker were amazing. Food was excellent and plentiful with friendly service.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superior Experience in Tanzania’s and Kenya’s Great Parks
Anything can happen on a safari. Our first guide, Ebe, guided our group of five through Mynyara NP,and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. He willingly shared his knowledge of the animals and the geology, and had an amazing sense of humor. Our Land Rover was charged by a male water buffalo and Ebe skillfully drove us away from harm’s way. We saw a phenomenal crossing of wildebeests and zebras. He made two game drives a day truly memorable events.
Emanuel welcomes us with champagne before we explored Serengeti NP. By then we had seen four of the Big 5. His job was to locate a leopard for us. We were successful and even spent an hour watching female lions prepare for, but not execute a kill.
Our third game driver, Jackson, a Masai, guided us across the dirt roads and faint paths of the savanna. How he managed to find his way amazed us daily. He fully understood the Masai Mara NP and showed us the best of it!
All safari visitors should prepare for rough rides on dirt roads with many crevices. Dust is as abundant as the animals. Wearing a gator across your face is advisable.
Ranger Safaris’ guides enhanced our experiences daily. Excellent value.
