AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good Operator, Yet need Correct Guide
Good Points
1. All mid range accomodation they arranged are very good.
2. Best payment terms - I paid more than 80% just day before starting of Safari.
3. They arranged well for my birthday - Celebrations and Gifts.
4. Prices are also reasonable.
5. Northern Tanzania national parks are amazing which will take your breath away.
Bad Experience
Our initial guide driver KeiC spoiled the trip. He has big attitude problems since beginning. Our vehicle broke down multiple times in an easy path where hundreds of other vehicles passed, he didn’t even have any clue what to do next. Luckily other Safari drivers helped over and again. KaiC arranged some one who dropped us in wrong camp. Utter confusion.
For last 2 days they changed driver, but we lost previous time which is key in Safari. Substitute driver was better, Guide Abdul is average.
Do I recommend Rafiki Tembo
Yes, but they need to improve their selection of guide drivers because customers are spending so much money for this experience, can’t afford a driver guide like KaiC.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
Reliable company and punctual according to the scheduled times with nice lodges. A great experience with all the animals in the different national parks. I would recommend Wagatil for a safari!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very knowledgeable about the parks and animals, patiently answered questions & went above and beyond
The tour was great! Clean jeeps, good driving, knowledgeable guides. The food wasn’t the best, all the served meals were the same and the box lunches included chicken that had been sitting in a car for 6 hours. At the Masai Mara camp the food was uncovered with flys swarming around and at one point a beetle was observed crawling in the rice.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Dorothe
A very beautiful valley with special views and so many animals living close together.
BG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Lazar Bazlyankov
Great place, huge, many animals. We saw lions, buffalo (several millions of these), chita, crocodiles, hippos, wild pigs in many sizes, etc. Very well preserved, magnificent place.
BG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Marvelous wildlife, terrible slums and trash everywhere
We visited 3 national parks - Masai Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli. It was a 6-day safari, well organised, jeep travel. The driver was also our guide and Jackson was a very experienced and knowledgeable guy. The thing which we did not take into account in advance was that travel distances are quite big and rather tiresome. Inside the national parks roads are dirty (red all-sticking dust) and very uneven, while the riding lasts 6 to 7 hours. Between the parks distances are 200-300 km or more, some parts of these also on dirty roads. In 2 words - lots of jeep riding. This, plus early wake-ups (5:30 am) to catch the rhythm of the animals equals to tiredness. People should be prepared for this - we were not, which was our fault only. Nothing to do with the guide and the company. For those seeking to observe lots of birds and some animals, I'd suggest going to Nakuru only; for elephants - Amboseli is the perfect place.
We slept in so called "budget" accommodations - a hotel in Nakuru and tents in the other 2 parks. Tents were spacious, something like 30 sq.m. with private toilet and a shower stand, comfortable beds, etc. Mosquitos are endless and invisible, be prepared. The food was basic but tasty, only lunch boxes were rather boring - every day there was 1/4 of fried chicken. In general - great experience, fascinating wildlife, everybody pushes you to give away some money ... walking wallets syndrome.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Strong communication, and knowledgeable guides provided an enjoyable trip
My partner and I went on a custom trip with Madagascar natural tours for most of the month of February, and despite it being the low season the itinerary was able to be flexible and enjoyable while working around a cyclone that hit during the beginning of the trip. I recommend being very direct if there are specific things you want to do that aren't included in an itinerary you're given. I also recommend if you want to get more off the beaten path that you are forthcoming with this to both Harilala, who created our itinerary and was very helpful communicating through the whole planning process, and with the guides you are assigned when you arrive.
There were two guides we had for different sections of the trip, Nambinina and Lala, and both were flexible and great conversationalists if you have cultural and wildlife questions to ask them. Their openness to conversation even on controversial topics made this trip really memorable as Madagascar has a very diverse and interesting cultures. At one point during the trip we asked to change hotels and both Madagascar natural tours and the guides were extremely accomodating and the move was convenient and had no difficulties. I definitely recommend Madagascar natural tours for those planning a custom small group trip to the island.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Easy to deal with, provides what have been promised.
We had a good safari with Bush craft safaris where we did everything according to the itinerary. Pick up and drop off were easily organised and the trip went smoothly.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The driver was good and knowledgeable.
The safari was good, the vehicle was well maintained. Only bummer is they fill it with all 7 people and during Safari no-one wants to sit in the back seat as the view is limited.
Otherwise, we could see most of the big five except the rhino and buffalo
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good safari
The safari was very good, both in Serengeti, Ndutu and Ngorngoro. We saw lots of wildlife! The driver/guide was knowledgeable and friendly, but sometimes a difficult to communicate effectively in English with. There were some logistical shortcomings in the beginning and the end of the safari, but the middle days were great. The lodges we stayed at were good, particularly the first one, Tukuone.