DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful safari with minor organizational shortcomings 🦁🐘
We had a fantastic safari with many unforgettable experiences! The airport transfer went smoothly, and we were always picked up right on time.
Our safari guide, Othman, was truly excellent! He took care of providing delicious meals and did everything he could to ensure we saw as many animals as possible. Thanks to him, we were lucky enough to witness both the "Big Five" and the Great Migration—a huge thank you for that!
Unfortunately, the internal organization of the tour was not entirely optimal. We had booked a "shared safari" and were, of course, aware that participants might be staying in different accommodations. However, this was the case every single evening, and some of the accommodations were located very far apart.
As a result, we spent an extra 1–2 hours each day dropping off or picking up other participants at their respective lodges. We often arrived at our own lodge only after dark, and the next morning, we had to head out again shortly after sunrise to collect the other guests. Consequently, we had hardly any time to enjoy our own accommodation or get some rest.
For the future, we would appreciate better planning in this regard. When multiple guests are grouped together for a shared safari, it would be ideal to ensure that their accommodations are located as close to one another as possible. This would avoid unnecessarily long travel times and allow all participants to enjoy their safari even more.
Overall, it was still a wonderful experience, thanks in large part to our fantastic guide, Othman, and the impressive wildlife! However, the coordination of the accommodations could definitely be improved.
(automatic translation from German)
CL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ok
We chose Meru Slopes for our 6-day budget safari after reading many excellent reviews, so we expected a well-organised and smooth experience. Overall, the safari itself was good, but our experience with the person who sold us the tour, Almanchius, was quite disappointing.
Our guide was good. He knew exactly where to take us to find the animals and we had a great time with him. He was not very talkative and gave only brief explanations, so at times he felt more like a driver than a guide, but overall we were happy with him.
Our chef was excellent. He was professional, always on time and prepared delicious food throughout the safari.
Unfortunately, communication with Almanchius before and during the trip was the biggest problem.
Even before booking, communication was not very professional. We asked for a call to get more information, but the call lasted less than five minutes and he was clearly distracted, talking while getting in and out of a car. We still decided to book because of the many positive reviews.
After paying our deposit, things became even more concerning. Almanchius stopped replying to our messages and emails, and at one point we genuinely thought we might have been scammed. Eventually, he apologised and gave us different explanations for the lack of communication.
There were also several things that should have been communicated before the safari. For example, we were never told that we would have a chef travelling with us or that we would be expected to tip him. We only found this out once the safari had started.
Before the trip, I also asked Almanchius if it would be possible to arrange a small cake or candle for my husband’s birthday. He told me it would not be a problem, so I assumed this had been arranged. However, on the day, neither the guide nor the chef knew anything about it. I contacted Almanchius again, and once again received an apology and an explanation for why it had not been arranged.
We had a similar problem with our airport transfer after the safari. We had to send several messages and reminders to get this organised. Again, we received apologies and different explanations for the delays.
To be clear, we enjoyed the safari itself and were happy with our guide and chef. The problem was the organisation and communication from the person who sold us the tour. When you are travelling internationally and have already paid for a safari, you need to be able to trust that your questions will be answered and that arrangements will actually be followed through.
Meru Slopes has good safari staff on the ground, but based on our experience, the communication and organisation from Almanchius need significant improvement.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kind, professional and respectful of wildlife.
We had a wonderful first safari experience with Savanna Sojourns Safari. Our guide was kind, professional, and attentive to our needs, while always showing great respect for the animals and their natural habitat. We appreciated his calm and considerate approach, which allowed us to observe the wildlife without disturbing it. If we had one small suggestion, it would be to share a little more enthusiasm and commentary along the way, as this could have made an already memorable experience even more exciting for first-time safari-goers. Overall, we really enjoyed the experience and would recommend Savanna Sojourns Safari.
Also the suggested lodge was great.
PR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful experience
Beautiful in morning was very nice the weather but in afternoon was very hot, you can brough your shorts. We see Elephants, zebras, hippopotamus, rhinos and far away a cheetah.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice experience
Everything good organized.
We Just have to enjoy.
Lovely stay, good food and very kindly and helping People.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Hakuna Matata
We had a good experience we have seen a lot of animals our guide made sure we always had a good view.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Access to Amazing Africa
This is the second time I have used Safari 365. The first was for a trip to South Africa in 2018 (fantastic trip) and this summer to the Masai Mara, another wonderful experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a very enjoyable 5 day safari
It was well organised from the beginning
Reservations Sales team and then a smooth handover to the coordinator
Safari driver was good as well
It certainly was very expensive and the one thing that we didn’t like is the high expectations from your company to give the drivers a tip of more then 100 USD per day for a family of four
Nowhere else in the world does that exist
Aren’t you paying them enough when your company is already charging a lot for the actual Safari ??
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The ZOO of the world
The big five, the ugli five and lot more in a 7 days-safari. Marvelous safaris at NP Masai Mara, Lake Nakaru, Lake Naivasha, Hell's gate and NP Amboseli. Kenya is the giant ZOO of the world. You can see it all.
It was a superb trip. Because of the animals we could see from close, but also the tour it self. Even the budget variant offers comfortable accomodations with tents (including beds, toilet, shower) and middle class hotels. The Jeeps are handy on the off the road paths of the NP's. The roof goes up, standing you get a perfect view on the animals. The driver is also the guide. He had al lot of knowledge about the wild.
Food is good, but not that varied. The roads are busy with slow trucks. So it demands a careful driver and it takes time to go from A to B. Nairobi is nice to visit for one day, in my opinion. Most come specialy for the wonderful world ZOO Kenya offers and you won't be disappionted!!
CA
Be sure You Bring New US Currency If You Are Paying Your Balance To Shian Tours In Cash
Albert was our guide through Shian Tours and he was the consummate professional, incredibly well versed in all of the places he brought is, sharing relevant facts and personal anecdotes, all laced with humour. He was prompt and prepared for each of our days and both flexible and attentive in considering our needs and preferences. We would give him 5 stars!!
As far as the Shian Team goes we worked primarily with Jackie and only occasionally with Jane. Although they were both professional and responsive, Jackie neglected to inform us of a very significant piece of information involving the fact that any US dollars dated prior to 2017 or having any marks or tears are considered illegal tender in Kenya. She texted us this information while we were boarding in Frankfurt for our second flight on our way to Nairobi. Impossible for us to do anything about it at that point. Upon arrival in Nairobi at our meeting with her she informed us that 700 USD of payment was unusable and that we would have to come up with it again. She was unwilling to eat the cost within the company, or to share the cost of the mistake, she insisted on dumping it fully on us. As Canadians it involved yet another transaction changing our money to American, again at a cost to us. This should have been something she told us well ahead of time when we were still in Canada and could have easily been appropriately prepared. It was a debacle. We had to come up with our own solution as she handed us the “old” currency and threatened to cancel our safari. At one point she messaged and told us to use that $700 as our gate entrance fee yet she told us noone would accept it only at a great loss to us. Seemed like a 4 hour drive to find they would not take our money was a risk she wanted us to take. There were other instances of misinformation, but that being said, our hotels were booked, transportation mostly on time and communication available throughout our trip.
She came and presented us with a Shuka and wanted a photo op in front of the Shian Tour marked vehicle which we obliged her. She also upgraded us to 2 inclusive breakfasts before all the problems even started. , A big shout out to the Hilton Garden Inn near the airport in Nairobi. Again 5 star! They took fabulous care of us in all ways possible; transportation, flexible check-in and check-out, great rooms, tasty food and warm, welcoming staff. We believe we received good value for what we paid.
Can’t wrap this up without once again saying Albert is an exceptional guide. Ask for him!!!!