20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I had the time of my life
Everything was just on point. The service was an A+
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari - Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli
We have just returned from a fantastic trip to Kenya and Zanzibar, without a doubt our highlight of the trip was our six day safari with African Challenge. Our trip started in Nairobi where Kennedy booked us two nights in the Best Western Meridian Hotel, it was a good mid-range hotel with all the amenities you required and friendly staff. Kennedy provided one of the nights complementary.
We met Kennedy the day before our safari and he was most welcoming. We asked about the Carnivore Cafe and he provided us a 40% discount and arranged a driver. The meal was fantastic - it's not hard to tell why this is a well recommended tourist restaurant!
The next day we headed out on our safari, Kennedy met us in the morning to introduce us to our driver for the safari (who was also called Kennedy!). Our driver was fantastic, knowledgeable and did an impeccable job of driving us over long distances to different reserves. His expertise and intimate knowledge of the parks meant we had no trouble at all finding the big five - we achieved it on day two! He was patient, friendly and accommodating.
We were also lucky enough to be a family of three in a van to ourselves. The vehicle was comfortable and the pop up roof gave us 360 views across the parks. A lot of tour operator vans (TUI, Hayes&Jarvis, KUONI etc) had full vans and you would often see people scrambling over each other to get a view - we didn't have that problem at all. Plus we benefited from ratio of 1 guide to 3 guests so it was much easier to negotiate and plan our drives.
The accommodation AfricanChallenge arranged was excellent. We stayed in SOPA Masai Mara, SOPA Lake Nakuru (which had amazing views from your bed) and Kibo Amboseli. The lodges were luxury and given the option I would highly recommend paying for a good nights sleep as the safari can be very tiring.
We could not list a single bad thing about African Challenge. Orchestrated perfectly by Kennedy - he even rounded off the trip by arranging a free of change transfer to the airport at 5am for us!
Two Top tips:
1. Bring a pillow and entertainment for the long drives between parks.
2. Get Kennedy's WhatsApp - he'll message you during the trip to check you're OK!
Thank you very much to both Kennedy's for their excellent guidance and making the trip as special as it was.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable experience
We appreciate a lot how much the staff helped us in everything they could to provide us with what we suggested,needed or willing to do. The logistics, communication, information provided...everything was well organized and on top. They thought about every detail from the pick up to the drive back to the airport so that we could just be worried about enjoying the safari. They were very open to listen and try to accommodate what we wanted in order to get as much as possible from it. Thanks a lot to Olivia and Lucas for being cheerful and understanding! We loved it!!!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of a kind agency - incredibly knowledgable, welcoming and devoted hosts and tourguides
Mpairo (John) and Corinna were extremely professional in organising our Kenya trip. While planing the tour, it was always very easy to get a hold of them. They had an answer for every question (even the ones I wasn't even aware of having) , were open to any wishes, were full of recommendations and, knowing our budged, literarily customised our tour just for us.
Both picked us up from the Airport in Nairobi. We turned the corner and there they were, smiling and waiting for us. Communication was easy as John speaks english very well (so does Corinna) and since she is german - no problems there.
We started our trip at Lake Naivasha (loved the lodge there) and visited crescent island Game Sanctuary, a peninsula where you can literarily just walk on your own past Zebras, Giraffes, antilopes all of which just freely roam around there and are not shy at all. I even saw pelicans (they are huge!)- so a lot of firsts on that very first day. Next day, we also went to hells gate, rented some bikes to cycle through the park and then went on a guided hike through the canyon (must do!! but sound shoes are a must). The great thing about traveling with these two is that everything is so very relaxed. They simply know everything and everyone, explain lot's and lot's, about the culture and the animals - we simply fell into rhythm with each other. Especially, when we arrived at "their" Maasai Village.
We had decided to stay in their guest house throughout the rest of the stay (10 days). Best decision ever, as we got to experience the Maasai culture from within. Everyone, from Johns grandmother to his small nieces and nephews were just great.
Friendly, helpful, welcoming and curious - I still see this little girl (4) asking John to translate whether she can touch my (many) birthmarks and after having been given the permission by me, hopping with here tiny finger from dot to dot, giggling all the while. The guest house is very cosy and nice. It offers a little more comfort than the traditional maasai houses that are surrounding it (matress, couch, a terrace, a basic bathroom) - and there is the possibility of charging your electronics.
In total we went on two Game Drives with John and Corinna. You couldn't wish for a better driver and guide than John, as he is a Massai himself and simply knows the Mara like the back of his hand. He seems to have this gut feeling were to find the most extraordinary sights and always found all the animals, we wanted to see. We saw the big five and the ugly five and - to my ever lasting delight - lot's and lot's of animals in between, crocodiles, giraffes and even came across a cheetah with her three babies. John even made it his mission to find some more meercat for me, as he saw my fondness of them.
During the days that we didn't enter the national park, we went hiking, visited other villages, made BBQs in front of the huts and learned a lot about the every day workings of the massai culture and how every member is valued and an important part of the community.
I for one left Kenya with wonderful impressions, the feeling that every cent was worth spending and in awe of how immeasurable beautiful the Maasai Mara and the people living there are.
Thanks again, Corinna and John, for these incredible two weeks. It was a pleasure and a gift traveling with two people who are both so fun and genuinely excited to share their life and surroundings. I'll be back ! Next on my list - a ballon ride. I can only imagine how the Mara must look from above, at sunrise, bathed in gold.
I can only recommend Namayiana, you won't regret it for a second!
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had a fantastic time!!
They tried for a fantastic tour. Safe driving, delicious meals, great campsite. I had the best experience at Serengeti. I recommend it to everyone.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a great few days thanks to our guide, we saw animals no one else saw
Our guide made our safari. Thanks to him we saw animals other people didn't see - he was able to spot animals other guides were driving past. He would ensure we always had the best position to take photos and he even made the right animal sounds to get their attention so we could take photos of their faces every time - literally he would talk to the animals :)
We stayed in wonderful accommodation - the comfort, hospitality, food and professionalism was superb.
Our guide's safari knowledge was first class, he combined this with wonderful stories and a genuine care for our experience - all this with a lovely sense of humour - even on early game drives.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Out of this world
The service is excellent and the staff is Friendly and helpful.z
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our trip to the most Coast, lly exceeded our expectations. It truly was a once in a lifetime trip.
My wife and I hardly travel, when we do she does all the booking. A good friend of us recommended Nqaba Township and Safari tours to us. I must start saying that the Tourism industry can do with thousand other Mr Lukhanyo Bloko, the company owner.
This guy is truly awesome, forever willing to bend over backwards for his clients. Everything he and his team planned went off without a glitch. Our pickups were always on time he listened to what we wanted to do and made excellent recommendations.
To Mr Bloko and your team thanks a million times Sir
So, our trip started off from a very beautiful yet less talk about Sunshine coast. We slept over at a small coastal town Kenton on Sea, with its beautiful sunsets and lovely weather. Mr Bloko and team took us to places such as Port Alfred, Alexandria (Chicory city) and Barthust to see a Pine house. My wife loved every minute of it.
We then travelled the breathtaking Garden route. Sleeping over at Jeffersbay. We drove through small towns like Humansdorp, got to see the majestic Van Stadens bridge. Mr Bloko would take time to tell us about the history of each town we drove past.
We slept at Knysna. The highlight of our day was feeding elephants at Knysna elephant park.
My trip and indeed the Hospitality and efficiency of NQABA township and Safari tours really exceeded our expectations.
This was truly was a once in a lifetime trip.
We would definitely recommend this tour company to anyone planning a trip to to the South.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a dream come true. I had the time of my life.
I was very happy with the service. The staff was very welcoming.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lots of fun was had guided by great professionalism and service
The safari tour is an amazing experience. The accommodation was wonderful and the food was lovely. But the highlight was driving with the Ranger, he was extremely welcoming and friendly throughout our visit, every time he was more than happy to try and find whatever animals we hadn’t seen and provided us with such in depth knowledge about the animals, birds and plants. He was super knowledgeable and well trained because for someone who is afraid of the wild, I felt safe. Actually the whole staff involved was friendly and professional. I’m ready to go for another visit :).