CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Greatest Safari ever!
From A.. to ...Z we are over happy to have had this wonderful safari experience through Pangolin Safaris and our driver / guide Yunus! The clarifications before the start of the safari went absolutely smoothly, your English is clear, easy to understand and they left no questions unanswered. Every detail of our trip was perfectly organised and carried out with equal efficiency. Even on the longer trips to the parks it never got boring as there was always something to see somewhere and also questions about the different places or animals were answered immediately clear and understandable. We were lucky to see new highlights of the wildlife every day - from wild dogs to leopards, which were very close by. This was clearly only possible because Yunus has loved his job for years and enjoys sharing it with his guests. We can only recommend Pangolin Safaris and Yunus without hesitation!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing opportunity to see African wildlife in their natural environment.
It was very easy to set up the private tour. I was able to easily contact the company and communicate through WhatsApp. Our guide, Mr. Soloman was amazing and very knowledgeable about the animals.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Can't recommend them enough
Everything about my safari experience was incredible. All my safari inquiries with the company were done via email and I booked within 3 days because all my questions were answered in great detail and in a timely manner. I booked with 2 other friends and as female travelers we felt safe with and trusted Bartho, Carlson and the rest of the team pretty quick. We had more than enough water and food during our safari, and Meshak made excellent meals with enough proportions for all of us. Our driver Stanley kept us safe and was fantastic overall, especially at spotting and identifying wildlife. He even had binoculars, mammal and bird guidebooks for us. The 4-day safari price was very good given the experience we had - airport pick-up/drop-off was included, accommodation before/after our safari was taken care of, we saw the big 5 and more, didn't rush through any areas and everyone on the team was great and easy to chat with. Very reliable folks doing great tours that I 100% recommend booking with!
BG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above our expectations!! With BEACON and our guide EUSTUS we would go to a safari even on the moon!
With Beacon and with our guide Eustus we had unforgetable 4 days, 3 nights in Maasai Mara & Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate.
* chased and found all the big 5 in one full day!
* and much more: male lions, cheetas with babies, the whole f***g black rihno (this one only depends on luck) and many many more.
* EUSTUS our guide has 16 years experience + six sense finding wild animals! He finds them in many cases before the other guides and tells them on the radio stations to come. He appears to be one of the most experienced in the field. Judjing from the results and also from the way the others talk to him. Smiling, ambitious, passionate.
* Eustus as a driver he has no competition. Period. He turns any vehicle into a 4x4.
To start from the begining: Robert was great in the logistics to customize our trip (we had some specific inquiries) and fast in comunication, he tries to get you what you want (some other companies would avoid an answer, or say a camp of your choice is not good for you if they don't work with them). With Robert, we had the camps we wanted plus at a great price.
I made the reservation quite late (I don't recommend that, it was just because I had an injury). Robert never puts a pressure on me for the payment and confirmation. Some other companies I have contacted (the site requests you to write to at least 3) kept insisting for confirmation and booking. When you have a healt issue it's not nice. Eustus found our hidden accomodation in Kisumu the evening prior to our departure as to make sure the next morning we depart on time.
When Ilkeliani appeared unavailable for our second night there, Robert booked another maasai camp, called Maji Moto Eco camp on our way to Naivasha lake and we had an amazing encounter of Maasai culture there: dances, warrior fights, talks about their medicine and life around the fire in a stunning setting.
Places we stayed in:
+ Ilkeliani Camp - "ilkeliani" means young maasai warrior, the camp is run by maasai and is right across the river facing Maasai Mara. Scary and great! (Please note, it makes contribution to the local maasai culture)
+ Maji Moto Eco Camp - go there, really! For all those interested in the Maasai culture, you might have an encounter you will never forget. Plus a great view and a sunset you won't forget. It's almost half way from Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha. (Please note, it makes contribution to the local maasai culture.)
+ Kongoni Naivasha Lodge - by the lake Naivasha - it's fancy architecture, a bit worn out, with a pool, but after the above mentioned, it was least favourite for us. Plus you share a living room.
1st day we made one evening game drave in Maasai Mara with a stormy rain and many happy and playful anymals + 11 lions after the rain. Don't get scared by the rains, stay in the field :) 2nd day - a full day game drive in Maasai Mara with all the big 5, really fun time! In Naivasha lake region we have skipped the lake tour, because we've seen already many hippos in Mara and we used the last 4th day to go to Hell's Gate. It's probably the only reserve they allow you to actually WALK between animals like zebras, Thompson, Bufalo, juraffe, because there are no predetors. So, we walked 1,5 hours to the Gates (one can also rent a bike, but walking is more fun!) and Eustus waited for us in the van on the road only where there were buffalos arround - for our safety. Than it's a one our walk on the bottom of the Gorge with a maasai guide. We had Daniel there, who is also an actor!
Overal: for 4 day and 3 nights we felt blessed to encouter more wild life we than we expected. Days we won't forget. We are looking for our next trip with the same company and guide. Thank you, guys!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, professional, friendly service which made such a perfect trip.
The details of the itinerary made sure that the trip met all expectations and beyond. Everyone invioved gave an incredible service and we felt teally looked after. A truly wonderful experience!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent customer service, professional and reliable.
Breezy tours made every arrangement to our expectations for our 5 days safari.The communication all through was prompt and we got all the information we needed to book our safari.The best experience was with our guide Sam who was very professional & knowledgeable and got us to see all the big 5 and much more.Thanks to this courteous guide for taking good care of us while on our safari and game drives.The accommodation at Mara sopa &Lake Nakuru was great.Will surely return and Thank you Jacinta for all thus good programme.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Initial nerves when deciding to go to Uganda? You're in good hands with Intek Travel
Diana, the travel agent at Intek Travel was exceptional in making our holiday a truly positive experience.
She came recommended to us, but she exceeded all expectations in every respect.
Diana dealt with us in such a friendly and professional manner, that my whole perception of what good customer service entailed, has been reset. All of our emails, our questions, even our doubts... Diana always responded, even if it was only to acknowledge that she had received our email, and let us know how long before she got back. Her advice proved to be spot on, and our tour was everything we could hope for. As it turned out, we never met Diana in person, just via email but I can't speak highly enough of how professional and helpful her responses were.
Together, we customised a tour to suit our needs and wishes, and it did that and more. Things were clearly set out in writing which allowed us good preparation and peace of mind.
With Wilson as our guide and driver, we had an excellent time. We particularly appreciated that everything was included in the price (apart from a few tips), and Wilson always kept us informed and prepared for what was coming up. He handled things with a calm, courteous and fun manner. It is a pleasure to recommend Intek, Diana and Wilson... and Uganda too is a lovely country to travel!
SK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very reliable, all we agreed tour operator fullfill on 100percent.
The safari was wonderful. Our guide Fred was very experienced and explained us a lot about animals and their habits. We saw basically all of them. Big elephants herds, lions, leopard, hippos, zebras, giraffes etc. And food was excellent. Very tasty. I can really recommend.
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our brilliant driver spotted "The Big 5" within 3 1/2hrs of commencing our 8D Safari in Masai Mara!
Preliminary investigations for our safari commenced one year before we actually arrived in Nairobi. I spent much time searching for recommendations, especially in TripAdvisor to which I have personally contributed for several years.
It soon became apparent that Natural World Kenya Safaris had gained a justified excellent reputation over many years.
My next step was to search the company website for a standard private safari for my wife and me before initiating contact, bombarding Duncan with a myriad of questions, and then fine-tuning results to suit our personal requirements. All my queries were answered in a prompt and professional manner, and nothing was too much trouble. Final choices came down to the level of accommodation i.e. Economy, Standard, or Luxury. We settled on the latter and were pleased that we did so. Also, in Kenya, the type of vehicle. We had the choice between the more basic, but albeit satisfactory Toyota pop-top mini-bus/van in Kenya and the more popular and slightly more expensive 4x4 Toyota jeep, which was the only choice across the border. We chose the former but would recommend paying that little extra for the jeep, especially if travelling in the rainy season. Having convinced myself that I had made an inspired choice of operator and safari all I had to do was to persuade my dear lady (this was the toughest part!) and shortly thereafter I proceeded with a confirmed booking.
Our 8D/7N safari was a round-trip from Nairobi encompassing Masai Mara, a brief visit to Lake Victoria, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
The first 3 days were spent in Kenya, with our vehicle being the standard mini-bus. Our driver/guide Peter, was brilliant at spotting wild-life, and within 3 1/2 hours of our very first "Game Drive" in the Masai Mara we had not only seen "The Big 5" but a cheetah as well. Peter was also a very safe driver and stuck to the speed limit unlike many other operators who smothered us in dust as they "flew" past!
We farewelled both driver and vehicle at the border as is customary, and the formalities and changeover proceeded smoothly.
For the next 4 days in Tanzania, our driver/guide was Milton, another true professional spotter and careful/safe pair of hands, and the vehicle the ubiquitous "Toyota" pop-top 4x4 "jeep".
One major benefit of being on a private safari was that we had the final say with regard to the length of game-drives and on more that one occasion we called "time" early to return to our lodge for some much-needed rest and recuperation, having first satisfied our variety of wildlife for the day. Being on safari is hard and thirsty work! Our drivers were both tough champions and never once suggested that we end the day prematurely!
Our final driver for the last leg from the border to Nairobi was "Mzee" and we knew instinctively that we were in a good and safe pair of hands.
On the outskirts of Arusha we had a pre-arranged road-side meeting with Emanuel from "Comfort Holidays" who operate the Tanzania business on behalf of Natural World Kenya Safaris. Emanuel queried us on our feedback for our safari and assured us that any comments, positive or negative, would be followed up by senior management.
I'm pleased to say that we were extremely complimentary about all aspects of our safari with one exception, which was our final night's accommodation in Tarangire. We felt it did not measure up to the "luxury" standard we paid for. Later it was confirmed that Management most certainly do take notice as Humphrey, one of the Directors, personally contacted me and apologised.
As we neared Nairobi we were reminded as the traffic volume increased and traffic came to a crawl at times but Mzee was far more patient than I would have been had I been at the wheel.
The bottom line:
Would we recommend arranging your safari with Natural World Kenya Safaris?
Absolutely without any qualms at all!
Don't waste time thinking about it. Do it now. You will not regret the decision!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Well organized, guide with eyes like an eagle and a really good cook
There is nothing more to be said about Serengeti and Ngorogoro wildlife, it's amazing.
Shemeji-Safari did everything to perform a wonderful safari for us.
Everything was perfect, even we booked a low-budget-Safari.
(big thanks for the second matress!)
Our guide (Seleman) had eyes like an eagle and Festo (our cook) prepared delicious meals for us.
We had 4 amazing days!