GT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good budget safari with Dickson, a great guide
The experience was made memorable by our guide Dickson. He made sure we saw all the animals (missed just the elusive leopard but not for lack of trying) and patiently moved the car around so everyone could get a chance to see the animals and take a good shot. Dickson was knowledgeable about the species we saw and easily answered all our questions. He was patient with our group and requests. If I came again, I would ask for Dickson.
In terms of accommodations and food, upgrade if you can. The camps are fine but it is a lot like camping. If you don’t like camping, you won’t like the camps. Food was the same every day and…okay. A little more care here would make it be 5 stars.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They were amazing
My time with holiday abroad in Zanzibar was great, I had the opportunity to tour almost the whole of Zanzibar in Just four days, the driver, tour guide, boat captain were nice, Zena was always communicating with me and was responsive, she answered all of my questions to my satisfaction, I recommend your holiday abroad 💯 to anyone planning to visit Zanzibar
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good
It was a great safari seeing all the big 5 and so many more. Stayed in some amazing tented lodges and our guide was pleasent and knowledgeable
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very easy to work with.
Very easy to communicate with. Fast responses and quick to trouble shoot any issues. Great visuals on website and app for a clear description of the itinerary. Over all the trip ran very smoothly and lived up to expectations. Excellent value for money. The only downside is that most of the accomodation was booked a bit far from the national parks/ game reserves. Would have been better to be given an option between cheaper accoms vs convenience of location. I am more inclined to pay more and stay closer. However this was only an issue in Namibia with long driving distances and petrol stations being 30-60 mins away. All accomodations were otherwise great places to stay!
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Decent budget operator, out of the world game drive experience
The experience of booking with Charity was excellent with superb support and coordination for customisation to our needs, online payment and documentation. There was a slight error on pricing which she honestly admitted. During the actual tour, the office seemed very deserted, and we didn't have adequate facilities to freshen up as we reached it from airport. Though we had booked midrange tour, we were packed with a bunch of budget traveler, so every time they driver had to pick up and drop from different hotels. On one of the nights in Amboseli, we were told the place was overbooked and were put up in an absolutely pathetic dormitory which was unacceptable and no refund was given. The Kenya experience itself was wonderful and the driver was brilliant during the game rides. The group of co-travellers were nice company. The quality of hotels was great in Mara and Naivasha, but average in Nakuru and pathetic in Amboseli for one night. The next night was good as the tented accommodation was nice. The food was great at Mara and Naivasha. We had some local delicacies at Nakuru. Amboseli was average and crowded. Overall, an average operator that promised more than it delivered. The Kenya national park and game drive experience in all the destinations compensated for everything else so to speak.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A challenging but beautiful Mount Meru hike
We organized a 4-day Mount Meru trek with Safari Soles, including a briefing day and three days of hiking. Overall, our experience was positive, and Patrick’s communication made planning easy. Our guide, Antipas, provided a clear and thorough briefing, and we could rent any extra equipment on-site, though some rented items weren’t as clean as we’d hoped. The hike itself offered incredible scenery, with diverse landscapes changing as we ascended, and we were lucky with the weather—just a bit of rain on our descent.
The accommodations were comfortable, with a nice lodge the first night and private four-bed rooms in each hut along the trail. We were also provided with a private chef, and the meals were consistently warm, tasty, and energizing—truly appreciated after each day’s hike! The first day’s route was very manageable, with the second day a bit more challenging. Our guides were supportive, friendly, and spoke English well, helping us at every step.
For future trekkers, we’d recommend considering a four-day hike (rather than three) to make the summit attempt more comfortable. Our schedule required us to either summit just after arriving at the second hut or start at midnight, leaving little time to rest. An additional day would allow for better acclimatization at 3,500 meters. In our case, two group members felt mild altitude sickness above 4,300 meters, but our guides ensured we descended safely, despite the challenging descent in the dark.
For context, we were a group of four 30-year-olds in good shape with low to moderate hiking experience. We suggest discussing your fitness level, trip expectations, and each day’s route (including altitude, distance, and hours of hiking) with Safari Soles to ensure a well-suited itinerary for the best experience possible.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All in all a great experience!
The booking via the website worked really well. Peter from Kima Safari always responded quickly. We would recommend asking again shortly before the start of the safari when, where and how exactly it starts, as we had a communication problem between the agency and the guide. In general, you should not approach things with the German punctuality, because the Tanzanian clock ticks differently :)
In the end, we had a great safari and our guide Fikiri was super nice and pleasant. He patiently showed and explained everything to us and we had an unforgettable experience. We can highly recommend him as a guide. The long drive from Dar es Salaam to the national park was also interesting and you could see a lot of the life of the locals. Fikiri always had good music on!
MA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
This was an unforgettable trip made special by our guide Charles who took great care of us. He was super professional, safe and was determined to get us to see the big 5- and we did. I wish the company had explained the need for a tourist ETA and other options for accommodations. You definitely need to ask lots of questions and they are very good about responding but perhaps things get lost in translation. Overall, an amazing experience!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nice budget trip
It was a memorable safari on budget,guide dalton was spot on when it came to various wildlife analysis
Though have taken out 1 star because we missed top of the falls in murchison and we also had Afew issues with the vehicle
Generally it’s a highly recommended company when it comes to customized tours and budget travels
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Value Northern Tanzania Safari (June Visit)
Our June budget safari through Tanzania's northern circuit (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro) with Claws of Africa was quite an adventure that exceeded expectations, despite some challenges.
The Good:
- Fatuma's booking process was exceptional - professional, transparent, and refreshingly non-pushy
- Excellent Spanish translator (Vincent) and a skilled cook who made delicious meals
- Wildlife viewing was fantastic across all parks
- Great value for money considering the comprehensive itinerary
- June timing was perfect - comfortable weather and good visibility
The Less Good:
- Several vehicle breakdowns (though company handled them well)
- Very basic accommodation (as advertised)
- Some adventurous driving moments
Worth Noting:
This was a budget safari, so expect basic camping facilities. However, the wildlife experience matches any luxury tour, and the food was surprisingly good. The company managed all challenges professionally, ensuring we didn't miss key experiences.
Tips:
- Consider accommodation upgrades if basic camping isn't your style
- Pack warm clothes for June mornings
- Bring a flexible, adventure-ready attitude
Overall:
Despite vehicle issues and basic accommodation, Claws of Africa delivered excellent value. Recommended for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize experience over comfort. The June timing offered ideal safari conditions with mild temperatures and good wildlife viewing.
