IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not the experience I expected.
During the trip, we encountered a rather serious car breakdown. Our driver sent us to the planned lodge with another company, and we lost our entrance to Ngoro Ngoro Park for that evening.
Although we had paid for the park entrance, we were not reimbursed, and above all, our driver and the person who helped us organise the trip not contact us with a phone call or a simple WhatsApp message to tell us how we would be organised the following day. We didn't know if and when the car would be repaired, and we received no information from either of them, even though I contacted them several times to ask for information. They repeat that they will let us know. But no news, till the following morning when driver literally knocked on our door at 6 a.m. while we were sleeping.
He came to pick us up saying he was very tired, and although I fully understand the difficult night he had, I expect the company to send someone else if the driver feels, rightly, tired.
In the end, after we lost our ticket, even though we had paid for it, and received no explanation from the company, the driver asked us for a tip, which would have been perfectly acceptable if he hadn't asked for a specific amount per person per day. It was basically a fee.
I thought it would be useful to talk to Wilberth on the phone and explain that communication with customers is important, especially after entrusting our trip to their company. After a round of explanations, the organizer blocked me on WhatsApp.
I don't think I would ever recommend this company, where the human aspect is completely overshadowed by money.
For me, these aspects are very important. When I travel, I want to be informed about what is happening around me. I don't want to be treated like a piece of luggage.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safe, friendly, informative and fun!
My best friend and I booked our safari with Steve, and all communication was handled smoothly via WhatsApp prior to arriving in Kenya. From the moment Steve picked us up with our driver and guide, Samuel, we felt completely at ease. They spoke excellent English, assisted us with currency exchange, and provided a very comfortable vehicle.
We spent three unforgettable days in the Maasai Mara with Samuel, who went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible. His knowledge, patience, and dedication allowed us to see the Big Five, making this safari truly memorable. We are so grateful for the care and effort put into every detail and highly recommend this team.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fabulous way to visit Kenya is with Magical Retreats and Adventure Tours!
Working with Pamela at Magical Retreats and Adventure Tours was so easy as she communicated well, made super helpful suggestions, and ensured each and every detail was taken care of - the result was a seamless and amazing time visiting Nairobi and Masai Mara. Pamela arranged for everything from the moment we emerged from the customs hall at NBO. Her team provided transport to our Nairobi hotel, to Wilson Airport the next morning, our flight to the Mara, our Camp (Pride Inn which was exceptional), the game drives and an exceptional guide (Edward), the flight back, Nairobi hotel, and a wonderful morning at Nairob National Park and the Sheldrick Trust elephant orphanage. She providing full details on each aspect, complete communication of what was included, and was availabe during the trip for any and all questions. When we return to Kenya, Pamela will be my first call!
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very welcoming, and everything under control.
We had a trip through the Serengeti and into the ngoruguro crater. It was an amazing experience. And the guide and company made the experience even better. Would highly recommend this company any day of the week.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Cheneso strives to package your experience to provide optimum benefit for the least cost possible..
We were thoroughly impressed with the tour guide's intimate knowledge of the Victoria Falls resort, who expertly tailored our itinerary to match our expectations. The operator, Cheneso Safaris, demonstrated exceptional communication skills, keeping us well-informed about our bookings and daily activities.
Their service exceeded our expectations, going above and beyond to cater to our needs. From assisting with shopping to sourcing unique local cuisines, including traditionally prepared wild dishes like guinea fowl and Zambezi bream, they showed a level of dedication that was truly remarkable.
Despite our limited budget, Cheneso Safaris packed an incredible array of activities into our itinerary, showcasing the best of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia. Their attention to detail and commitment to delivering an unparalleled experience left us with unforgettable memories.
We were impressed by their ability to surprise and delight, often going beyond what was included in the package. The cherry on top was their timely shuttle service to the airport, ensuring we made our flight with ease.
We wholeheartedly recommend Cheneso Safaris to anyone seeking an exceptional experience in Victoria Falls and the surrounding region. Their dedication to customer satisfaction, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering value for money make them a standout tour operator.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
The Mugenyi Eco Tours it's the rigth agency to travel all Uganda and be able to live great experiences.
Very professional team of tourist guide, with a lot of knowledge of their country Uganda, the program it's well done that permits you to experience the wild life, the culture and the history of the country. With Mugenyi Eco Tours you feel like you are among the people, the communities.
For me it was an amazing experience a journey into the roots of the Ugandan people and culture and also a Great Africa Experience. I definitely recommend all people to book Mugenyi Eco Tours and just enjoy a wonderful experience.
GR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable Mount Kenya experience. Tillmans Safaris truly exceptional!
From the very first exchange, we felt completely at ease. Communication with Charles, the director of Tillman Safaris, was excellent from start to finish — thoughtful, clear, and reassuring. He consistently made us feel that everything was under control and carefully planned. And that feeling proved absolutely right. From our pickup in Nairobi to the very last moments of the trek, everything was flawlessly organized and ran smoothly.
Tillmans Safaris is the ideal company for people who genuinely love the mountains — those who care about the experience itself, not just reaching a summit. What also mattered deeply to us is that this is a truly ethical company. The guides and porters are treated with real respect and fairness, and this is not just something said — it’s something you feel every day on the mountain. For us, that made the experience all the more meaningful.
The equipment provided was excellent: very warm sleeping bags, a solid tent that easily withstood a full night of rain, and high-quality walking poles. Everything felt reliable and well chosen, allowing us to focus fully on the beauty of the climb.
And then there is the team, who turned a great trek into an unforgettable one.
Leonard, our lead guide, was simply outstanding. He is kind, calm, deeply knowledgeable, and always smiling. He has that rare ability to make you feel both safe and inspired at the same time. His pacing was perfect, and thanks to his experience and attentiveness, altitude issues were minimal and we summited comfortably. He genuinely went above and beyond every single day.
Taylor, the chef, amazed us daily with generous, hearty, and delicious meals — far better than we ever expected on a mountain. On top of that, he was a joy to be around: warm, friendly, and always positive.
Nelson, Alan, and Jacob, our porters, were wonderful people and fantastic companions on the trail. Strong, kind, and full of good humor, they made the long days lighter and more joyful. By the end of the trek, it truly felt like we were climbing with friends — and we are proud to now call them exactly that.
A heartfelt recommendation: book the full 5-day trek from Chogoria to Sirimon. It makes a real difference for acclimatization, and the Chogoria Bandas, where you spend the first night, are absolutely magnificent — one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever slept in the mountains.
Without hesitation, this was the best trekking and climbing experience we’ve ever had. If you want an authentic, ethical, and deeply rewarding Mount Kenya experience, Tillman Safaris is the company to choose.
We also booked a 3-day safari in Samburu with Tillman, which was equally wonderful. Samburu turned out to be the perfect park to visit at that time of year, Sopa Lodge was excellent, and we saw an incredible number of animals — including a truly magnificent leopard. Our driver was also fantastic.
We are deeply grateful to the entire Tillmans team. If Mount Kenya is on your mind and you want an experience that is beautifully organized, genuinely human, and unforgettable, book with Tillmans Safaris. You will be in the very best hands.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellence service, knowdge and dedicated staffff
My Son and I had all we need for oir Mt Kenya Hike. The Guide was knowledgeable and supportive . The 5 support were freindly
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor communication, unclear terms, and inconsistent service
We communicated with Frank prior to booking the tour and initially everything seemed fine. We tailored the itinerary together and eventually agreed on a trip. Before paying the deposit, we specifically asked for the cancellation terms and conditions. These stated that cancellations made more than 120 days prior would incur a maximum fee of USD 300 per person cancelled. There was no mention of hotel cancellation penalties. Based on this, we paid the deposit in March 2025 for a trip scheduled for the end of December 2025.
Originally three people were travelling. On 19 August, before the 120-day period, I informed the agency that one person had to cancel. When the revised pricing was eventually provided, it included a hotel cancellation penalty that had not been mentioned in the original terms. It also took several months and repeated follow-ups to receive the revised price, which only arrived on 8 December, just weeks before departure. By then, we felt uncomfortable but had already paid a substantial deposit and could not change plans.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, Frank picked us up at the airport, though there was no sign displayed by Destinations Kenya Safari. The safari itself was outsourced to another company, Super Eagles, and our driver/guide was Derick.
In Amboseli, we were supposed to stay three nights at Sopa Lodge but were instead taken to Penety for the first night due to an alleged overbooking. We were not informed of this change in advance and only learned of it from the driver. Penety is a lower-standard property than Sopa, with an approximate price difference of USD 100, which was not refunded.
On the morning of 27 December, just before starting the trip, Frank informed us that our Masai Mara accommodation needed to be changed due to an issue involving snakes, we did not fully understand, but we were flexible, provided the replacement was a tented camp. It took three days to receive an alternative, which we did not find suitable. We then researched options ourselves on Booking.com and suggested two camps. One of these was discouraged by our guide due to access and flooding concerns, and we selected the other. Because the booking had to be handled by the agency, we could not benefit from the discounted rate on booking.com. We were informed that the hotel cancellation fees of the first hotel were refunded to the agency; however, we did not receive any corresponding refund.
We later learned that typical safari schedules include both early morning and afternoon/dusk game drives as these are the peak times to see the animals. In our case, we were often back at camp by 2–3pm with no late afternoon drive. On our third Masai Mara day, after the hot air balloon activity, a full day game drive was part of the programme but initially not offered until we specifically requested it.
Derick was generally punctual, a capable driver, and the vehicle was decent. However, there were instances that raised concerns about transparency, including having no change very conveniently and charges that seemed high. For example, we paid USD 120 for two people in Lake Naivasha for a one-hour boat ride and a one-hour land tour (not Crescent Island) - because no official prices were displayed, we had no way of verifying whether these charges were standard - and USD 30 for a simple roadside lunch. We were only informed after eating that the lunch was not included.
While we enjoyed Masai Mara, we frequently observed vehicles going off-road and large numbers of cars surrounding single animals, including situations where rangers were present. We observed money being exchanged between drivers and rangers. This gave us the clear impression that enforcement of reserve rules was inconsistent. Sometimes 10 vehicles would be surrounding one animal or following them to the point of disrupting what they were doing. We would ask our driver to leave that animal in those cases.
Positively, the food quality was good, accommodations were generally comfortable, and the wildlife and landscapes were exceptional.
We also noticed after our trip that many of the agency’s high-rating Google reviews come from profiles with only one review and limited detail, which made it difficult for us to assess their reliability.
We doubt this review will change any of the quality of the services provided, but we wanted to leave an honest review regardless.
In conclusion, while the trip itself was interesting and we saw everything we hoped to see, the organisation and communication - particularly on the agency side - were poor. Only because we saw everything and had good accommodation and food this is a 2-star review rather than 1.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great guidance with loads of knowledge and providing comfort and safety
The safari was great. We went for 6 days, saw Amboseli, naivasha, Nakuru and masai Mara. Josh (our guide) was incredibly friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He answered all of our questions, gave clear agendas, showed flexibility and showed us everything we needed. We saw the big five due to Josh ‘ great planning and communication within the parks. Travel organization was smooth and lodges were great, better than expected! Would definitely recommend’