65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Switched lodge from mid-range to budget without letting us know until our arrival in Victoria Falls.
I want to express my disappointment in this tour operator. We had reasonable accommodations in Victoria Falls but on arrival in Zimbabwe we were given a “new” itinerary stating that we would be staying at a place called Lions Kraal Lodge in Hwange instead of the Hwange Safari Lodge which was the place in our original itinerary/invoice. We didn’t initially protest this change because we assumed the two lodges would be equivalent however when we arrived at Lions Kraal we soon found many issues.
There was not nearly enough hot water for even short showers for all people, no heat, very poor lighting, in some rooms just one lightbulb, no shower curtain. The rooms had open air with screens that didn't go all the way down, so were very cold and not insulated at night without heat, and very exposed to bugs and animals, such as 3 lizards found in the rooms. One bathroom had no mirror over sink for shaving. Bottled drinking water was only provided the first night but never replenished after that. We had to pay for bottled juice/soda at meals. Wifi was spotty, didn't work in some rooms. There were no locks on doors.
The Lions Kraal Lodge is in a beautiful area and has great potential but is clearly not quite ready for visitors. Other issues, we were supposed to see the painted dog reserve but the day this was planned – the reserve was closed.
There was also a misunderstanding about meals at Hwange. We were told that meals were extra at Lions Kraal but on our departure were given a bill for $700 which we had to pay in cash and were told we were being charged $25/person/meal for very basic no frills meals with no options. There was no menu – we were given food without ability to choose.
There are 4 restaurants at the Hwange Safari Lodge where we were supposed to stay, we could have chosen our own meals and price range. We also thought that most lodges in isolated areas would include meals and our original quote for Hwange Safari lodge actually included meals. The amended itinerary said breakfast only, but this was not associated with a decrease in price. We would have spent less on food had we been fully aware of its cost and marginal quality. Hwange Safari lodge looks like an excellent place online with ac and heat enclosed rooms and tea making supplies in rooms, hairdryers, desk, laundry service and multiple restaurants and a bar. Hwange Safari lodge is also closer to the park.
In our original invoice we were quoted at $250 per night per room at Hwange, which aligns with online prices, but online we can see that the chalets at Lions Kraal are $60 per person on their website, so $120 per room. This is a difference in price of $390 per night for the 3 rooms, and $1170 for the three nights.
Before this switch we were very pleased with the service, itinerary and attention to our comfort, so were extremely sad and disappointed. I wanted to write great things about the company ASM, but this has left a very bad taste in my mouth.
When we voiced our concerns to the tour operator Arthur he replied “Thank you for reaching out and providing us with valuable feedback. We appreciate you sending us your feedback and i would like to apologize for the bad services you encountered in Hwange and all the mis communications, we have learned something from your message and I will take up on the management do that in near future for other guest not to go through this, communication is vital, we should have communicated all the changes .
Once again kindly accepts my apologies 🙏 for everything happened. “ [SIC]
ASM is Arthurs company so stating will take this up with management is BS. He did not offer any compensation.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magical experience
We went to Kenya and spent a week with Dalili on Safari and at the beach in Mombasa. The entire experience was magical for everyone from the grandparents on the trip all the way down to the six-year-old. We saw animals in their natural habitat, we stayed in beautiful places, we ate amazing food, we explored new places, we spent time on the beach, and so much more. And the whole time Kevin took us exactly where we needed to go and told us all about the things that we could see, and we were always so comfortable in his vehicle. He was so knowledgeable about the animals and the local places where we visited and was such a pleasure to spend time with. We can’t wait to go back and have another amazing experience.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience with a totally personalized service
We are extremely happy with the service provided by Bamboo Ecotours, its manager Edison and our guide Herbert. The trip was amazing, everything went far beyond expectations and we felt completely safe and cared the whole time.
Herbert was so great, very good driver and also a fantastic guide and animal seeker, he did an amazing job with us.
Communication with Edison has always been fast and he answered all our questions in detail, as well as being flexible with the itinerary.
Accomodations were far beyond expectations, we were completely surprised with some of them. In all of them everyone was completely great with us and made us feel at home.
And, of course, we had plenty of beautiful and unforgettable experiences such as gorilla, chimp and golden monkeys tracking, many game drives, as well as horse riding at Lake Mburo.
Thanks for everything Bamboo! Hopefully we get back soon!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Their actions speak louder than words, they tell you and show you!
I tried to book a vacation to Zanzibar several times on my own but became overwhelmed with the amount of tours being offered, that I put off this trip several times. I was referred by a colleague to try 'Psam tours and travels company', I was a bit skeptical at first but it ended being the best decision I've made. Sam was able to narrow down the tours to what really interested me and my son, take the stress out of staying somewhere affordable but decent, and from the moment I got there everything went smoothly. From Airport pick-up, to hotel, clear water beaches, my favorite tour was taking a boat-ride to go snorkeling at a place called Nakupenda along with the extra-large seafood platter they provided, the food was delicious. The tour guides Sam provided for us, Clay and Momo were exceptional, they went over and beyond to make sure my son who is autistic was well taken care of. He even had less temper tantrums due to the warmth they provided.
MA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
IT
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The safari professionals
The safari we enjoyed with Kiliclimb was perfect, starting from our first contact with Janeth, who immediately explained to us in detail the various options available.
We customized a 5-day safari that would include Tarangire, the central and northern Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Our contact with Janeth continued with a wealth of information, allowing us to fully prepare for the safari.
Upon our arrival in Arusha, we had a pre-safari briefing with Janeth, during which the itinerary we would be following was explained in detail.
We began the safari with our highly trained guide, Logan, who accompanied us for 5 days with great professionalism and patience, allowing us to spot numerous animals and birds of the savannah, including all the Big Five.
Unfortunately, when we reached the Mara River, we were unable to witness the crossing; there were many wildebeest and zebras, but they decided not to cross.
Ultimately, we can say that the safari was organized and conducted with great preparation, precision, and professionalism. The lodges and tented camps where we stayed were excellent, even though they were in the savannah (it has been thrilling to hear the lions roar during the nights in the savannah).
Thanks to Janeth, and a special thanks to Logan.
After our experience, we would recommend Kiliclimb to anyone looking for a memorable safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Friendly and knowledgeable guides who did everything they could to make our school trip a success.
I led a three week school trip with 18 teenagers from the UK. CKC provided Landcruisers and three drivers, Geoff, Simon and Robert who could not have done more to make our expedition a success and they were great with our kids. John also provided superb backup from the CKC base throughout. In our first week we were volunteering in Kipsaina village, Trans Nzoia and the CKC team were there to give us logistical support from driving us to rural schools and nipping in and out of town to get us urgent supplies. We then stayed on Mt Elgon and the drivers were intrepid in their mountain driving and knowledgeable about the mountain fauna. This was followed by safari in Ol Pejeta and again the team were fantastic guides, playing along with inter-vehicle rivalry and in on the jokes.
John had then fixed up our final four days at Muwe Zuri Resort in Watamu - amazing location, beautiful accommodation and friendly staff.
I would not hesitate to recommend CKC to another school group or any other travellers.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A company you can trust with your eyes closed !
We highly recommend this safari company without hesitation! From start to finish, everything was absolutely perfect.
Donald helped us plan and organise the itinerary for our honeymoon, and he went above and beyond to make sure our trip was magical, unforgettable and truly incredible, while keeping everything at a very reasonable price. He listened carefully to what we wanted, gave us great advice, and made us feel confident from the very beginning.
And what can we say about our guide, Nelson? He was simply amazing. Extremely conscientious, professional, and always eager to do his very best, he followed our itinerary perfectly while also taking us to the best spots to see the animals, often far away from all the other tourists. It was clear that he genuinely cared about giving us the best possible experience.
We were incredibly lucky to see 4 of the Big Five on our very first day ! And we are convinced that Nelson’s professionalism, experience and incredible eye played a huge part in making this possible.
This safari will undoubtedly remain one of the most beautiful memories of our honeymoon. Everything was perfectly organised, our guide was exceptional, and we experienced moments that we will never forget.
A huge thank you to Donald and Nelson for making our honeymoon so extraordinary. If you are still hesitating, go for it — you can trust them with your eyes closed !
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Safari
I organised my safari with Sereland and everything was perfect! I personally chose the two-day safari – one day in the Serengeti and the other in Ngorongoro – and I couldn’t have made a better choice, because despite the limited time we had available, it was just the right combination that allowed us to see all the animals! The whole Sereland team were fantastic! Right from the start, they helped me through every stage of the booking process and organised everything perfectly… I was really excited about this safari and they more than lived up to my expectations… and our guide, Mr Baraka, was wonderful too! My wish was to see the big cats, and he made that come true in full… he was an exceptional guide, very professional but, above all, very kind and helpful! I would absolutely recommend this tour operator wholeheartedly for all the support they provide and the passion they put into making your dream!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Safari Experience Across Kenya
We recently completed an incredible safari with Axis Africa Safari covering Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli, and it was truly magical.
From the outset, Jackline made the entire experience seamless. She put together an excellent itinerary, selected outstanding lodges and camps, and managed every logistical detail flawlessly, including our airport pickup. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
A special mention must go to our guide Peter Kapino, who was nothing short of exceptional and played a huge role in making this safari such a success. Peter combines deep knowledge, experience and genuine passion for Kenya's wildlife and ecosystems. His understanding of animal behaviour patterns, keen eye for spotting wildlife, and profound respect for the rich and sensitive biodiversity of the parks were evident every day.
Thanks to Peter's expertise and determination, we were fortunate enough to see the entire Big Five, including the elusive leopard not once but twice. His vehicle positioning was consistently outstanding, ensuring we always had the best possible views while remaining respectful of the animals and their environment.It was his persistence and tenacity that helped us spot a big cat in Amboseli, something we know is far from guaranteed.
Travelling with my elderly father, I particularly appreciated Peter's patience and thoughtfulness. He was attentive to his needs, coordinated effectively with local guides, and ensured activities were conducted at a comfortable pace without compromising the experience.
The itinerary was well planned, maximising game-drive time while still allowing us to enjoy the lodges and camps without feeling rushed. Axis and Peter were also highly flexible and accommodating whenever we had special requests.
If you're considering a safari in Kenya, I highly recommend Axis. The combination of initial planning and Peter Kapino's outstanding guiding made this a truly unforgettable journey
Highly recommended