RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience in Kenya
We had a lovely 4-day safari trip at Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. Dickson, our guide, was super friendly, extremely helpful and did whatever he could for us to have a trio of our lifetime - from spotting the leopard to having picnic lunch in the bush. Accommodation was great, especially Loyk Mara Camp - where else can you have zebras view at lunch or hear lions roar at night! Everything was very well organized - highly recommend it!
CL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good experience and recommendable but not liked expected and with many objections
We are a couple that booked a group joining safari of 11 days in Kenia and Tanzania with Pride o Africa. We booked it in advance from our country. Below I describe first all the positive things of our experience with this company and then all the negatives:
Positives:
- All the staff is very friendly and are nice persons.
- Stephen was very fast in reply all our inquiries before and during the safari. He was very attentive and was always concerned about us and our satisfaction.
- Jacktone and Deo, our drivers in Kenia and Tanzania respectively, were very good guides, they knew good the visited parks and made a big effort for giving us a great time.
-We could see the big fives (but leopard just one time and it was the last today and from afar).
-Both drivers cleaned the vehicules everyday.
-In general good organization (except the problems mentioned below)
In general I think the people of Pride of Africa is serious and very reliable.
Negatives:
-As soon as we arrived at Nairobi and were picked up by the people of Pride of Africa (the managers), they persuaded us to change our group joining safari for a private safari (only for the Kenia’s part). We agreed because they recommended it strongly and we didn’t have much time to decide (we were under pressure). They said that the only way to keep the original accommodations was making the private tour. We had to pay an important extra cost not considered in our original budget. It would much better if people of Pride of Africa had talken about this before arriving there, so we would have time to think about it without pressure. Besides the group joining safari in Tanzania was as good as the private option in Kenya, we were only three persons in total, and finally we didn’t see real advantages to make the private safari in Kenya, specially considering we like to share with other people.
- We didn’t all the game drives indicated on the original program. I think this happened because the program was very optimistic. Is not possible to do all the game drives offered because of the timings.
-We were cheated in a shop where we stopped for resting on the way to Masai Mara. I think that the guide should not stop on bad reputation places or at least he or/and the company should aware the tourists of this bad practices.
-In Tanzania the Safari was made by another company from that country (I think that they are partners of Pride of Africa, but we were not informed in advance). They changed an important part of our program without asking or telling us. Luckly and casually we realized this the day before thanks to a conversation with the driver. We were just at time to talk the managers of both companies and claim for maintaining the original program. They solved it quickly, but if we didn’t see this the day before we would loss an important time in Seregenti.
-We liked all the lodges and campsites we stayed, except one because it was a campsite in a town and not in a park or in the wildlife as expected (Jambo Lodge, Lake Manyara). Also the staff there were not very friendly and we were almost the unique tourists there. We didn’t feel comfortable in that place. Unfortunately we spent three nights there(more than in all the other places).
- Again, without asking us, they changed 1 night in Nogrongoro for 1 night in Lake Manyara (Jambo Lodge, the place we didn’t like)
-The Land Cruiser in Tanzania didn’t have radio (important tool for communication between guides and to find animals). This was offered in the original program. The vehicle had also the windshield broken and seat belts were not very good working.
In brief we still recommend this company, but we suggest to be aware checking everyday the program in advance to have time to claim is anything is changed or wrong. Take care with the shops where you will stop for resting. If you visit Lake Manyara, ask to not say in Jambo Lodge, is not a comfortable place. Is better to stay on campsites inside the parks with the wildlife and sharing with more tourists.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Magical Kenya Safari
My Family and I entrusted our Christmas holiday tour with this company and have no regrets at all. The team ensured that we got a five star treatment. We got a good special deal and the logistics team delivered a timely and money’s worth service.
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Amazing Experience
My wife and I have just returned from Kenya having done the 4 day Joining Group Budget Safari (Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru). It was perfect and more than what we could have imagined.
First, when looking at operators I inquired with many, but reasoning to go with Axis Africa Expeditions was the reviews and Lennox's quick replies. The company was responsive quickly and transparent to the many questions (as it was my first safari) so I felt comfortable that everything was organized and they would be quick to act should there be any issues that may arise. Should you require certain things (dietary) or requiring upgraded accomodations, I am sure they can arrange to meet your specifications. For my wife and I, the Lenchada camp and the budget hotel were clean, safe, and met our needs.
Driver and Guide may ultimately be the most important part of the trip. You need someone well versed in the location, so that you can see everything you want, be safe, respect the environment, and also ensure coordination of the trip is smooth. We had Jack (Jackson) who was incredible. He knew the Mara inside and out. You can tell he had the respect of everyone in the community, from other company guides, rangers, villagers. He worked non-stop and made sure each guest were safe, comfortable, and had an enjoyable trip. I don't know if there could be any better guide to have, even if you had endless amounts of money. He was perfect!
We saw all the big 5 and many more. The trip was executed to perfection, on time and without any hidden costs. It was well worth it.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience starting with the booking to the goodbyes at the end of the climb.
It was extremely easy to book a climb with the company. The main contact person was very responsive, easy to deal with and sensitive to all my requests.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip of our lives
Our 12 day trip with Home to Africa was the best travel experience we have ever had. The trip planning with Elias was extremely efficient and he was quick and helpful with his responses. We were able to tailor our trip exactly as we wanted, including varying times of arrival and adding in a fishing trip for a couple of us. We originally planned a trip for 7 but 2 people had to cancel 30 days before and they were refunded appropriately according to the refund policy. The accommodations were fantastic but I should note that we upgraded them from the base accommodations (for a very reasonable price difference). In particular we really enjoyed the Marafiki Lodge, Arcadia Lodge, Isunga Lodge, and the 2 Friends Beach Hotel. We used a pop-up van which was very comfortable for 5 guests plus our driver and made it through some pretty rough roads without difficulty. Our guide, Derrick, was absolutely awesome. He fit in great with our group and we always wanted him to join us for meals and drinks so we could hang out more. He went above and beyond to help us try foods and pick up souvenirs that weren't readily available. When we stopped in crowded areas or were shopping he was always there acting in our best interest and looking out for us. Can't recommend him enough. The wildlife was fantastic. We had great experiences with the chimp trekking, where they sat on the ground with us for the entire hour, the gorilla trekking, and with the shoebill stork sighting. We also were able to get much closer to much of the wildlife than we expected and got some awesome photos. Our only disappointment was not seeing the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha but they had just done some burning there and the lions probably moved away for a short period of time. Certainly not the fault of the company. The food on the trip was way beyond what we expected. Every meal was fantastic, usually with multiple courses for dinner, and reasonably priced alcohol at the lodges. Considering how remote the lodges were, we were very surprised by how good and varied the food choices were. Staff at the lodges were all fantastic and with a much higher level of service than just about anywhere else we have traveled. One last piece of advice- make sure you stay at Arcadia Lodge on Lake Bunyonyi. I did not think there would be much of interest at the lake and almost wanted to cut it out of the itinerary but it ended up being one of the most mesmerizing views I have ever seen. But the beauty of the lake can only really be appreciated from the top of the mountain where Arcadia Lodge is located. Definitely worth the upgrade. I really can't say enough about our experience with Home to Africa. Everything was way beyond our expectations and for a very reasonable price compared to what many companies are offering.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari experience
I went to Kenya with my boyfriend. We were supposed to go on a safari first, and then spend 10 days on the beach in Diani. We had booked a 6 day safari with Karibu Safari, which included Masai Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli. The last month before the trip, we had alot of contact with the safari agency. Robert answered all our questions quickly. We really appreciated that and it made us secure and informed. The plan was to be picked up at the airport in Nairobi as soon as we arrived, and start the safari the same day. Unfortunately our flight got delayed from Oslo, so we arrived one day later. When I contacted Karibu to reschedule the safari for the next day, the agency was really helpful.
The van we used was a bit run down, but the seats were comfortable. We were 6 people in the van in Masai Mara, plus the driver Aron. Thereafter we were 4 in the van, plus Aron. The roads are dusty and bumpy in many places, but Aron made us feel safe and well taken care off by him. Arony seemed to be a very experienced driver and he had much knowledge about the animals we saw, In Masai Mara we were very lucky and saw the big 5. Aron ensured that we got the best out of the game drives. We had plenty of time to take pictures. Aron was driving us as close to the animals as possible, and at the same time respecting them and their space. The wildlife in Masai Mara and Amboseli was amazing.
The only negative part was that the agency could not take us to Nakuru right after Masai Mara, as planned. They said that the reason was because of our flight delay and that they had to reschedule it this way. After Masai Mara we went to Amboseli. Karibu safari offered us to go to Nakuru afterwards or bring us back to Nairobi. The trip from Amboseli to Nakuru involves several more hours of driving than from Masai Mara, and we decided not to go there after all. Because of this, Karibu Safari gave us some money back. Allthough we were a bit disappointed, we appreciated the deal, and it seemed fair.
In Amboseli we stayed in tented camps where we had our own room with private bathroom. The standard is budget, but the camps in Masai Mara and Amboseli were okey. They served buffet for breakfast and dinner, and we were able to charge our cameras and phones. All in all; we had a great safari experience and will highly recommend Karibu Safari. Make sure you ask for Aron as a driver :)
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It’s amazing and a perfect paradise
Everything is good.It’s amazing and a perfect paradise
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable safari trip!
My driver, Lucky is a very experienced guid! We saw many wonderful views with Lucky. The hyena hunting, lions hunting, and Sharubu! We are so lucky this time!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Maasai Mara- the great wildebeest migration breath taking!!!
The Safari was absolutely epic. The wildlife wilderness was breath taking wildlife were easily spotted thanks to the great expertise of the tour operator. Great service,good communication skills and lovely staff who are very professional. I had a very nice experience when I visited Masai mara and I surely am looking forward to doing this again with I recommend any other person who would love to tour around to try Kenya Budget Holiday trails and they won't be disappointed.
the Masai Mara trip totally worth every dollar.I highly recommend!!
