BG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best safari ever – Kapande made it perfect!
This safari exceeded all expectations thanks to our guide Kapande. He went the extra mile to ensure we were comfortable and got the chance to see every animal possible. Always cheerful and kind, he created a wonderful atmosphere while teaching us fascinating facts about the wildlife and Tanzania’s nature. I can’t imagine a better guide – simply outstanding!
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great driving, very kind and he talked a lot about the animals
we had a great experience, we really loved and it was very well organized
IR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
the good experience
Francis was our tour leader, very experienced and friendly. He chose the best time and the best place. And because of his connection with the local guides, he chose the most pristine places for the safari
He drove with excitement and precision and had the best suggestions.
BR
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very wonderful experience
We had a very impressive trip along with our driver Dickson, he's very patient and kind, we saw many beautiful animals in Masaimara because of him. I sincerely recommend Dickson as the guide of safari.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable safari experience thanks to Kapande!
Kapande made our Nyerere safari absolutely unforgettable. His deep knowledge of Tanzania’s wildlife and nature is impressive, and he always shared it with enthusiasm. He drove us safely everywhere, making sure we spotted incredible animals, and kept us comfortable the entire time. His smile and positive energy made the journey even more enjoyable. Truly above and beyond!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family Safari Experience - 6 nights/7 days
Ernest Magic Tour Review
I am turning 40 and wanted to do something special to celebrate. My mum (from Canada) has been wanting to go to Africa on safari and I realised this would be an awesome experience. Since my family and I live in Australia, Tanzania seemed like the perfect middle ground and safe country to do our safari in.
It was overwhelming when trying to pick a company to do our safari with. There are so many to choose from but after weeks of research, I learned more about Ernest’s background and decided to choose his company for our 6 night, 7 day safari with my mum and two children. From start to finish, the process was so smooth thanks to Regina who was exceptional with communication and ensured our trip was exactly what we hoped for in terms of our activities and accommodations. We could not fault her choices.
Whilst Ernest wasn’t our driver, Erick, our guide, was incredible. He is an Arusha local and has been guiding for over a decade. He was so patient, professional and was great with my kids. He made us all feel so safe and comfortable. Erick’s experience on safari had us spotting 4/5 of the Big 5 animals on our first day, within our first hour or two after landing (we flew into Northern Serengeti from Arusha - best idea ever with kids to eliminate some of the driving).
Erick made the trip a once in a life time experience for our family and something that we will never forget. He was a wealth of knowledge and answered the never ending questions that my kids had. We are SO happy that we chose Ernest Magic Tours for our family safari trip in Tanzania. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a small, tailored experience where the staff go above and beyond to ensure you have a great time.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Extremely Disappointing and Unsafe Rental Experience
We rented two vehicles from Kofi Travel Safaris this summer for a self-drive trip in Tanzania. Unfortunately, our experience was extremely disappointing and at times unsafe.
Due to mechanical issues, one of the two cars we had booked was unavailable upon arrival, so the company had to find another vehicle for us, causing us to miss the first day of our itinerary.
According to the company’s own Terms & Conditions, the vehicles were supposed to be “well-maintained”. However, the car that arrived late was in very poor condition and suffered from numerous mechanical and safety issues throughout the rental period.
Land Cruiser 78’s problems:
- Brakes weak, later completely broken
- Rear right wheel missing one bolt – then two – from the axle flange
- Rear right wheel deflated overnight
- Roof rack broken (welds detached)
- Rear tent unbolted
- Rear tent with broken floor + water leaking inside
- Rear right door could not be opened
- Gas stove not working (we repaired it ourselves)
- Power steering broken twice (we drove one week without it)
- Rear-view mirrors loose, right one broken
- Co-driver and right passenger seats unstable/moving
- Driver’s seat belt could not be pulled out
- Co-driver’s seat belt difficult to unfasten
- Faulty battery (hard to start the engine)
- Front headlight not working
- Reverse light not working
- T-belt warning light on
- Handbrake not working
- Drive belts frayed
- Excessive oil consumption (1L every 300 km)
- Water tank unusable
- Secondary fuel tank unusable
- Front tent ladder could not lock
- Starter motor not working correctly
- Windshield wipers not functioning
- Speedometer not functioning
- Battery bracket broken
- Windows hard to open and scratched
- Differential oil leaking from right rear hub
- Hood latch system broken
- A/C not working
- Radio not working
Land Cruiser 76’s problems:
- Radiator blown
- Missing lower bushing from rear left shock absorber
- Missing upper bushing from rear right shock absorber
- Front bumper detached
- Windshield wipers not functioning
- Ignition problems (battery terminals)
- A/C switched on made the engine stall at idle
- Handbrake not working
- Missing tourism permit
- Unpaid fine
These issues caused significant delays, additional expenses (e.g. we had to sleep in hotels close to the mechanics), and constant stress during our trip, putting our safety at risk.
We repeatedly reported these problems and formally requested a partial refund to reflect the poor condition of the vehicles and the inconvenience caused. Although the company reimbursed us for the mechanical repair costs we incurred (with a four-day delay), they refused to compensate us for the time lost due to the breakdowns and the vehicles’ repairs.
Vehicles in such poor condition should never be rented out, especially for long trips through remote areas where reliability is crucial. For these reasons, we cannot recommend this company and strongly urge other travelers to consider alternative providers if they value safety and peace of mind.
IT
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They’ve been attentive and always available to provide thorough answers.
The tour experience was amazing, the guide was very nice and gave exhaustive explanations about the Kenya National Parks. I chose a private tour, which, even though more expensive, was very satisfying, as was the accomodation.