DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
We embarked on a 4-day budget safari adventure to Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru as a group of six. Our overall experience with Jocky Tours was truly outstanding. From the outset, their communication was swift and courteous through email, and they provided invaluable assistance, especially thanks to Minneh, who helped expedite our last-minute e-visa approvals.
Upon arrival, our driver, Jimmy, proved to be a remarkable asset. His exceptional driving skills, which I had underestimated previously, were crucial for a flawless 10/10 safari experience. Jimmy was not only a skilled driver but also exceptionally polite, dedicated to showcasing the "big five" and other wildlife, and always striving to secure the best vantage points for animal sightings.
Regarding accommodations, the camp option, specifically the Lenchada Deluxe Tent, exceeded our expectations. The food was surprisingly good, and the tents featured private bathrooms and reasonably comfortable beds. It's important to remember that this is still a budget tent camp, so expectations should be adjusted accordingly. In contrast, the hotel option at Lake Nakuru offered a more conventional hotel experience with commendable food.
The only area for improvement we identified was the quality of the two lunches we had during our journey, particularly the one on the way to Nakuru, which was subpar.
In summary, I wholeheartedly recommend this company for a budget-friendly safari experience.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari experience
We did 4 days of budget safari at Masai Mara and lake Nakuru as a group of 6 and it was our first time doing safari. Our overall experience with Jocky tours was absolutely great. Before going there, the communication was always fast via email and they were very polite and helpful (special thanks to Minneh). When we tried to handle our e-visas in last minute, they helped out to speed up to approval process which was very important.
When we finally got there, our driver was Jimmy and we were very happy to have him. He is an amazing driver in every sense- I didn’t really get the driving comments before this experience but this skill is very much needed to have 10/10 experience and he is very good about it. He is also very polite, did his best to show the big 5 and others and always tried to get the best possible spot to watch the animals.
Facility wise, I think the camp option (lenchada deluxe tent) was definitely better than expectations, the food was really ok and tasty even, you have your own bathroom and beds are comfortable enough.Of course it’s still a budget tent camp so you should really set your expectations accordingly.The hotel option at lake Nakuru is more proper hotel option and also had good food.Food wise we didn’t like the 2 lunches we ate along the way, especially on the way to Nakuru was really bad, so those can be improved.
All in all, I would totally recommend this company.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
June at Ongeri was AMAZING! She gave us as many options as we wanted and tried to fit all our ideas
Ongeri is doing an incredible job at showing us where to go next!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour operator
I booked a solo 3-day mid range Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater tour with Suricata Safaris in Sep 2023. Communication was prompt and smooth. I was met by the driver at the JRO airport as promised and taken to Arusha. A staff was assigned to brief before the tour and debrief afterwards at the hotel. The guide (Edgar) was excellent and very experienced. I had an amazing time and saw some incredible sights. I highly recommend this tour company for their reliability, excellent communication, good value, and quality service. I would recommend booking at least a mid-range option unless you are on a tight budget and enjoy the camping experience. The incremental cost to better lodging was well worth it in my opinion.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional and friendly team
The team was very friendly and helpful.
We have encountered lots of animals and had a blast doing this safari
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, unforgettable and unique places
3 days lost in the savannah, more than 1000 km traveled without meeting a house or a man, in search of the "Big five" I saw all the animals you can imagine or that I had seen as a child in the Re Leone or in the millions of documentaries that I regularly watch and watched dreaming of one day going to see them live. I expected to see a lot of them but it was truly incredible. The guide hadn't seen a Leopard for more than 3 months because they always hide, You are so lucky guys, he kept repeating all the time, I have a surprise for you! I was lucky enough to see two of them, a cub on a tree devouring another animal and a female who passed us a meter away and looked me straight in the eyes, I saw Lions eating a buffalo at 8 in the morning and others hunting of the gazelles that escaped, zebras that to migrate have to cross the Mara River infested with crocodiles and hippos, unfortunately of the 5 that I saw pass 2 were devoured by the crocodiles...which keep them under water until the end of the rains so as to have a good supply of them.. an incredible rush of emotions, thousands of buffaloes, wildebeests, impalas, elephants, gazelles, zebras, giraffes, jackals, birds as tall as me, vultures, Timon, Pumba, Simba, Rafiki, the hyenas that at sunset they chased two baby cows, attacked them and tore them to pieces while behind them about twenty giraffes ran away, cruel and at the same time truly incredible images. I slept in a hut in the village of the Maasai tribe where they live, fenced in and in the evening they have to keep watch because hyenas and lions come close to attack them or the livestock. All surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and incredible colors. I have traveled a lot and will continue to do so, but I believe that this experience is truly the most incredible I have ever had. I'm still thrilled and I think I will be for years just thinking about these 3 days, however few but truly unrepeatable. A population of smiles, songs and dances where the most famous saying is without problems, HAKUNA MATATA !! Asante Sana Kenya see you soon
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Experience
Overall, we had a great experience. Zedius is a good driver and an attentive guide. The Buhoma Community Haven Lodge was excellent, and the bird guide that AGS engaged, Nicholas, was excellent as well. Doreen was very responsive and tailored the trip to our needs. Would recommend AGS to anyone looking for quality and affordable organized travel options in East Africa.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
S Africa should be on everyone's bucket list!! Amazing animals, Amazing scenery, and amazing people
S Africa has always been #1 on my bucket list. I planned a trip to visit as much of S Africa as I could in 25 days. Johannesburg, Kruger, Port Elizabeth, and the garden route to Cape Town.
We arrived in S Africa and spent 1 night before being picked up for our first safari camp the next morning. I found Viva Safari online and they provided everything I wanted in a 6 night safari trip. They picked us up on Johannesburg, and a driver takes you the 6 hrs to the greater Kruger area. You stay in a lodge (tent, luxury tent, cabin, or room lodge) right in the middle of beautiful wildlife. You have all your meals, and 2 game drives per day; except the 2 full days that you have in Kruger Park. The employees are friendly, the drivers are excellent at finding wildlife, and you meet people from all over the world. At the end of your safari, the company drives you back to Johannesburg.
Johannesburg isn't safe to explore on your own so we took a tour to the Apartheid Museum and to Soweto Township.
Next we flew to Port Elizabeth, rented a car, where we drove to our next safari camp in the Amakhala area. Bukela was a luxury resort much different than Viva Safari (but also more expensive - *check out TravelZoo.com for great deals). Here we spent 5 nights with 2 game drives every day. Beautiful, beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife.
From there we're spent a day at Addo Elephant Park. *All of our overnight stays from here, down the garden route, and to Cape Town were booked through Airbnb.
We then took 9 days to travel down the garden route. We stopped at Tsitsikamma National Park, went bongee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge, spent at day with the elephants at an Elephant Sanctuary, visited Monkey land and Birds of Eden, went through the Cango Caves, visted an ostrich farm, and saw beautiful views of the coast while driving.
In Cape Town we went to the District 6 Museum, took a free informational tour of the City (guruwalk.com), visited Bo-Kaap, and did a township tour of Langa. *We really wanted to visit Robben Island, but tickets sell out days in advance so plan accordingly.
Overall, we had an AMAZING trip. All of the people that we met were welcoming and friendly. We will definitely visit again.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The safari was an incredible journey! From start to finish, it was a joy.
The safari was an incredible journey! From start to finish, it was a joy.
Our guide, Peter, was amazing knowledgeable, welcoming, and attentive to our wishes.
The lodging was fantastic, with wild animal encounters in the tented camp and elephants visiting us at Rhino Lodge.
Communication regarding pick-up, lodging, and costs was clear. Lunches were delightful, and dinners offered a buffet with plenty of options, including vegetarian.
Peter expertise enhanced our safari experience significantly.
It was a worthwhile investment, and we'd do it again without hesitation.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra Safari arranged the trip of a lifetime for our family of four
Dancing Zebra, and in particular Jessica Matthews, did an outstanding job ensuring that our Africa trip was truly the trip of a lifetime. Our family of four, including two teens, traveled this Summer to Tanzania and Rwanda. In Tanzania we visited the Tarangire National Park and two areas within the Serengeti National Park. We then travelled to Rwanda, where we visited the Five Volcanoes region and saw gorillas and golden monkeys. The gorilla experience, which involved hiking with a small group into the misty jungle and spending an hour within steps of these amazing animals, was a highlight of the trip.
All of our accomodations were outstanding, and exactly what we needed for our family. The lodges in both the Serengeti and Tarangire, which were all part of the Lemala group of resorts, were in settings that allowed us to take in the beauty of the park while experiencing all of the creature comforts of a luxurious resort. In Rwanda we stayed at the Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, which was also very nice, well-located, and had extremely attentive service.
Dancing Zebra arranged for outstanding guides to escort us on our adventures in both countries. In Tanzania we had different guides for the two parks - - Malekia (aka Thompson) in Tarangire and Edson in the Serengeti. Both were superb. They were extremely knowledgable, engaging, and absolutely committed to making sure that we got the most out of our experience. They took us up close to a long list of wild animals, including elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, monkeys, wildebeest, ostriches, hippos, warthogs, various antelopes, and many other animals and exotic birds. In Rwanda, our guide (Sam) was also excellent, and skillfully helped us navigate both the capital city of Kigali (where we stayed for one night), as well as the national park.
In summary, we could not more highly recommend Dancing Zebra, and Jessica in particular. She used her encyclopedic knowledge of the area to help us understand exactly what we wanted, and she delivered a vacation that was beyond our expectations.
