50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Be very careful booking with this company.
I rarely write negative reviews, but I feel obligated to share our experience with Shadows of Africa.
My 15-year-old son and I booked a safari and Zanzibar vacation with the expectation of a premium, well-planned experience. We communicated our expectations clearly before booking and trusted that the itinerary would reflect what was promised. Unfortunately, that was not our experience.
With the exception of our final safari stay at Tembo Tembo Camp and our outstanding guide, Gerald, this trip was a tremendous disappointment.
At our first lodge, we were forgotten at dinner. No one came to pick us up, so my son and I went without dinner that evening. The room was also not clean. At another lodge, the accommodations were so cold that we left within minutes because they were simply not suitable. Throughout the trip, when we reached out to our travel advisor for help, we felt our concerns were not taken seriously and were not resolved.
Our current resort in Zanzibar has been the biggest disappointment. In our opinion, it is far below the standard that was represented to us. The property is unclean, the food has been poor, and it does not reflect the quality of vacation we believed we had purchased.
My son and I travel internationally many times each year, including to developing countries, so our disappointment is not based on unrealistic expectations. It is based on the gap between what we were promised and what was delivered.
The one bright spot of our trip was Gerald, our safari guide. He was professional, knowledgeable, kind, and truly exceptional. Tembo Tembo Camp was also excellent and demonstrated the level of quality we expected throughout the trip.
I sincerely hope Shadows of Africa takes this feedback seriously. We invested a significant amount of money in this vacation and expected much better planning, accommodations, communication, and customer service. Unfortunately, based on our experience, I cannot recommend the company.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An adventure to Remember!
Our stay in Green Fire Lodge was a very special experience. From the start logistics with Kruger Safari Co. were handled professionally and efficiently. Everything worked as planned, without surprise issues to deal with.
At the lodge, the staff was very welcoming with nice touches throughout the day. The meals were delicious, often with multiple courses. Our individual cabin had a lovely view of the river bed with elephants sometimes congregating just near our balcony.
We had two excursions per day, and were surprised that it was a real adventure! Animals were often not waiting to entertain us, but our expert guide/driver Victor, had to do some tracking to locate them in their natural settings. He was entertaining, informative and accommodating. While maneuvering through the bumpy bush roads, he quipped that we’re being treated to a free “African massage!”
This Reserve is not highly populated so it felt like we honoured the area as the animals’ home. It certainly gave us more respect for the Earth we share and how we should preserve as much of it as we can in its natural state. All around it was a wonderful experience!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari Trip with Geeman
Our 5-day safari tour through the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Hell’s Gate National Park was absolutely overwhelming and unforgettable. The landscapes were breathtaking, and we were incredibly lucky to see not only all of the Big Five, but also many other animals in their natural habitat.
The entire tour was very well organized from start to finish. Everything ran smoothly, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience without any worries. Our tour guide, Geeman, was exceptional. He has deep knowledge about the wildlife, nature, and the country itself, and he explained everything in a clear and engaging way. Thanks to him, we learned so much about the animals, their behavior, and the land.
This safari exceeded all our expectations, and we can highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic and well-guided safari experience in Kenya.
LU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience that I would recommend without hesitation — with just one accommodation caveat
Highlights
The decision to do a private tour was absolutely worth it. The flexibility, personalised attention, and pace made a real difference compared to group tours. The hotels in Nairobi and Nakuru were excellent — well above expectations in terms of comfort, cleanliness, and service.
The One Exception
The camp arranged for the Masai Mara leg — Enchoro Wildlife Camp — was a significant step down but it's not fault of the tourist operator
A Word on Local Vendors
Be aware that in certain stops, locals will approach you aggressively trying to sell crafts at wildly inflated prices — think $30 for items you can find at Nairobi airport for a fraction of the cost. This is not the operator's fault, but worth knowing so you're not caught off guard. Smile, decline, and move on.
Bottom line: A well-organised, worthwhile private safari experience.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Safari and Great Service
We had a great safari with Mountain Warriors Tours and Safaris. Everything was well organized, communication was easy, and the team was always helpful. We had a small issue during the trip, but it was resolved quickly and professionally, which we really appreciated. Our guide was knowledgeable, and we saw an amazing variety of wildlife. Thank you to Ruth and the team for making our Tanzania safari such a memorable experience.
A tour operator that goes above and beyond to make every guest feel welcome and valued
Casper was our guide and driver for our Chobe National Park day trip, and he was absolutely outstanding. From the moment we set off, he made us feel safe, comfortable, and welcome. His driving was excellent, and his knowledge of the area and wildlife made the journey even more enjoyable.
Casper was professional, friendly, and always happy to answer our questions. He went above and beyond to ensure we had the best possible experience, making the trip smooth, enjoyable, and memorable from start to finish.
If you’re planning a trip to Chobe National Park, I highly recommend the Fuhara Safaris. They are exceptional guides and have amazing drivers who truly cares about their guests’ experience.
Amazing experience at a fantastic price + free upgrade
Our gorilla trek experience was very smooth! Our driver was very efficient, getting us from Kigali to Uganda in about 4 1/2 hours. We were also kindly offered a free upgrade, which allowed us spend a night whereas we had originally only booked a one day option. The trek was amazing—seeing the gorillas was so worth it and our guide was very experienced and professional. It was certainly a hike, but the landscape during the hike was gorgeous.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fun and thrilling
We were staying in Dar es salaam and the transport arrangements were well organised, picked up at 5am to catch a train were another transport awaited our arrival. The safari was a great experience and the tour guides were very knowledgeable in the animals and wildlife providing great detail and facts about everything. They also had amazingly good vision and would spot animals from afar which gave us a great opportunity to see them too. We saw 3/5 of the big 5 which was still good and would recommend.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Well-Organized, Memorable Family Safari in Kenya & Tanzania
Morning Star Tours did an excellent job customizing our safari exactly to our family’s wishlist. Dennis was easy to work with throughout the planning process, communication was always clear, and making payments online was simple and secure.
Our guides—Joshua, Tony, and Alex (we had different guides in Kenya and Tanzania due to local regulations)—were all fantastic. They were knowledgeable, flexible, and especially patient with our two young children, which made a huge difference. We saw an incredible amount of wildlife, and the private safari was absolutely worth the price.
The accommodations arranged for us were all good and suited for a safari experience.
The only part I would mention for families with young kids is that the drive from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater can be very long, rough, and dusty. By that point in the trip, our kids were already quite tired, so that section was the most challenging.
The Maasai village visit is also something I would consider optional. Some travelers really enjoy learning about the local culture and interacting with the community, and I can certainly see the value in that. For our family, however, it felt like a bit much since we tend to keep to ourselves. Seeing the living conditions made us want to support the community, especially children’s education, through donations. Because of that, I didn’t feel any pressure to purchase the souvenirs being offered.
Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would happily recommend Morning Star Tours to anyone looking for a well-organized, reliable, and memorable safari.
A special shout-out once again to Joshua, Tony, and Alex for making our safari so memorable. Their knowledge, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm made the experience truly exceptional. We couldn’t have asked for better guides!
NP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They are the best, specially the people coordinating like Tabitha and Kelvin, our guide.
Overall, I and my friend were accomodated with all our requests and the team ensured timely and clear communication, the service was great at all fronts - including the booking and the safari itself. Our guide, Kelvin was very knowledgeable, kind and really determined to show the most of both the national parks, he is a star. The trip was a great value for money in terms of accommodation, commute and safari. Really enjoyed the trip!
