US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly fulfilling and breathtaking experience
I am so happy I decided to book my safari with LEM Carnivores.
Our tour guide was Samwell, who has 12 years experience. He was a great driver who kept us safe and lead our little clan of 6. His passion for wildlife was clear, as he taught us about each animal we spotted throughout the national parks. We had so many breathtaking experiences, including animal interactions, baby animals, animal families, and territories. We saw a group of elephants scare off three lions, we saw hyenas digging their teeth into gazelle flesh, we even saw cheetahs playing around and relaxing... Two of them JUMPED on the back of our truck (and many others) on top of the spare tires! Not to mention seeing how fast a cheetah can run to chase and catch its prey!
Samwell was also a great guide to life in Tanzania. For example, we were able to learn so much about many tribes within Tanzania (I believe there are 120), such as the Maasai tribe whose people live off the land, including within Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks! You will see many members of the Maasai tribe throughout your safari!
Throughout the camping trip we were provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner by our wonderful cook, Benson. Dinners always included tea and coffee, popcorn, soup, bread or rolls, a vegetable dish, a meat dish, rice or pasta (or ugali), and fruit. Everything (including the breakfasts and lunches) was so delicious!!
Overall, my experience on safari was indescribably beautiful and I am so thankful to LEM Carnivores!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari
I took the five-day safari and it was amazing. I got to see so many magnificent animals (Elephants, Zebras, Lions, Cheetahs, Hippos, Giraffe, etc). Seeing the animals in their natural habit is something everyone should do at least once. Mohammed was super responsive and even picked me up and dropped me off from the airport. He arranged for Lucas to show me around Arusha. Both thought me some basic Swahili, which was really useful for the trip. The Swahili langue is really fun with words like Mambo and Jambo meaning hello. I highly recommend this safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
THANK YOU for a wonderful experience
We wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip you organised for us.
All the accommodation was fantastic, clean, great food, exceptional service in all the lodges, although Victoria falls hotel service, was a bit of a let down in the dining areas. Everything was organised exceptionally well with transfers and we had zero issues as first time travellers to Africa. Everybody was super friendly, with lots of great advice, knowledge and experience. I must say we thoroughly enjoyed the Houseboat in Chobe National Park and we consider this a highlight of our trip. Thanks for influencing our decision to go Victoria Falls (Magical) and the BOMA dinner (my daughter and Bill really got into it) as it would have been a shame to miss out on this.
Thanks for putting up with all our questions, changes and for us THANK GOD we had an experienced Safari specialist that consulted with us, had a point of view to help us make the right decision.
The recommendations and insights you gave us really made the perfect trip for us as first time visitors to this beautiful country and we cannot wait to return.
Thanks again
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The office personnel will rip you off here!
Let me first stop off by saying that the climbing team (Guide, cook, waiter, and 6 porters) was incredible. They were hard-working, fun, and were always positive.
I'm leaving a one star review because of the Emmanuel in the office.
At my hotel room the night before the climb, we went through what I had packed (even though he never sent a packing list beforehand). He stated that I couldn't wear the shoes that I brought and would need to rent shoes and a mattress to put under my sleeping bag for an additional $65 (extremely expensive). I gave him $70 and never got change back. He said he would be bringing the mattress. The next day we went to a small shop and searched the pre-worn boots (about 8 pairs) and left with one pair that fit. The first red flag was that we didn't pay for them. We just left with the boots.
A few hours later when we arrived at the park, another red flag went up. The office didn't send enough porters to carry the weight of all the bags, tents, kitchen stuff, etc. so when we got to the Kilimanjaro National Park gates, the park made us hire 2 additional porters to carry everything. The Unique Jungle office should have weighed the bags before they picked me up. Additionally, Emmanuel said that he didn't have any way to pay for the additional porters so he asked if he could borrow the $100 USD it would take to hire the 2 additional porters to get us into the park and start the climb. Once in the park, he asked me for a tip for the driver, which seemed odd. I've never tipped the driver in all my travels...its always included.
We finished the climb earlier than expected so there was an additional day to spend in the area. I had asked my guide about a safari and Emmanuel came to my hotel that night with the costs. A boxed lunch was going to be $50! Even lunch in the USA isn't that much! Needless to say, I declined his entire offer and found my own way.
I would love to hire the climbing crew again if I return. They were great. However, I will not work with Unique Jungle again because of Emmanuel. He is a thief, liar, and lacks any knowledge of true customer service in the travel industry. People are traveling to a new country where many don't speak the native language and because of this there's a certain vulnerability. Emmanuel will take advantage of this situation and of you. Its been a month since my trip, I've asked numerous times and have yet to receive my $105 refund from Unique Jungle.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Reserve: Full of Animals, Not Full of People
Selous Game Reserve is a real jewel, full of wildlife and birds and intriguing flora with the added bonus of very few visitors. I stayed at Asilia Africa's Roho Ya Selous and it could not have been better. As a solo traveler, I look for places which allow me to be on my own (for meals or individual safari vehicles) and Roho was very accommodating. I could do as I pleased.
Selous' geography, with its river, plains, and abundant flora was a completely different experience than the Serengeti. I saw many hippos, giraffes, lions, and baboons there, along with the always-charming impalas. You will see almost all the great predators (if luck is on your side!).
The Northern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater are fantastic to see; but if you are looking for a safari that does not resemble a drive-through 'zoo', with countless other vehicles surrounding a beautiful animal, Selous is worth visiting.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Juergen Fichtenau
Just AMAZING
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Juergen Fichtenau
Plenty of Buffaloes and Rhinos, Flamingos nearly all gone
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fantastic experience
The wildlife and the landscapes were amazing, the weather was colder than we expected, the accommodation was fine. Our guide and cooker were so kind and they knew a lot of things. The food was so good!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A must see once in your life
This was my second time to Kenya, after a 23 year break, and the wildlife experience was terrific and amazing as experienced already in 1996. The Masai Mara is a life time experience, I cannot imagine a better place for such an experience. The flamingos though have moved away from Lake Nakuru, most to be found at Lake Bogoria now, another life time experience. My first trip to Kenya did not include the beaches, this time we spent a week at Diani beach south of Mombasa, another amazing experience........such a long stretch of white sandy beach along the Indian Ocean (it must be around 80 km) is amazing. Downside in Kenya are safety issues (one is advised not walk around after dark), lots of traffic jams in Nairobi and Mombasa, lots of bad roads in dire repair and the precautions for diseases like Yellow Fever, Malaria and such. Bottom line however is, that Kenya truly is a wonderful and unique destination.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely fantastic! The trip meets and exceeds our expectation. Highly recommended.
Our guide from Bee Eater Safari was excellent. First class driving skills and sharp eyes to find wild animals. We were lucky to see several dozens of lions, two sightings of leopard and cheetah and wildebeast crossing the Masa Mara, although we did not manage to see any Rhino. The lodges and camps we stayed in the national parks were very comfortable with good food and services. The weather was also very kind to us. All in all, an excellent safari trip!
