IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
unforgetable memories
We had an amazing time. Thank you for everything. Our guide Jackson was incredible. The communication and the service are excellent. Email replies were prompt and all questions answered accurately.
Jackson was our fantastic guide. He is very knowledgeable about the animals, helpful and has a great sense of humor.
Jackson has amazing eyes for spotting wild life and it was a pleasure to be able to learn from him and feel able to ask as many questions as we wished.
We will not forget the fantastic game drives, delicious food and the vast experience of our guide Jackson. One of the most incredible experiences of our lives. Claws of Africa is highly recommended
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Europian Professionalism and warm African heart
We spent 5 safari days in Kenya (Masai Mara, Lake Naiwasha, Chyulu Hills, Tsavo East). This agency was recommended to me by some friends who made a safari with them last year.
Everything was simply perfect : Simon, "the boss", is always present by web site, Whatsapp, email, with African geniality and great professionalism. Everything was clear and simple from the beginning of our relationship to the end of it, and during the trip as well : he sent to me a quotation in advance, with prices and accomodation proposals, we chosed the most suitable for us and he booked everything and everything worked perfectly. We also asked him to book a hotel in Nairobi for the night of our arrival and a restaurant in Nairobi for the night of our departure, and he arranged anything.
Our guide and driver Moses maybe is not the "always on time man", but he's really experienced, very sympathetic and a very good driver.
So thank you all, guys! We hope we can meet you next time we'll come in your amazing country.
Katia, Lino, Linda & Gianpiero
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya and Tanzania trip report
An incredible trip that worked out very well, considering the number of us and all the logistics like transport and flights that was involved. We learnt that wild animals are very unpredictable and that patience is the key if you want to have a great game viewing experience. I would recommend spending a little more time in one spot instead of rushing to the next sighting. Take for example a sleeping lion. We did and saw them mating after the safari vehicle left. The river crossing in Maasai Mara took a lot of patience. I am pretty much sure that we would have witnessed a croc attacking had we spent a little more time in the same spot. Pure luck helps too as does being in the right place at the right time- our leopard Kill for example was luck, also my finest moments of the safari are not the finest sightings but rather those silent moments in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti plains waiting for action but at the same time being in absolute awe of the natural beauty unfolding in front of our eyes. Saving the best for last did not work for us, the best was front loaded in the Maasai Mara and the presumed sure thing-the Ngorongoro Crater turned out to be a bit of an off day for us but even down there I realized just how fortunate we were and the incredible scenery. We had no idea however that the Migration would be so early in the Mara this year and the Western Serengeti was supposed to be the best chance of seeing the Migration.
We saw the animals in the wild and hoped for more except a cheetah. The leopard kill , the morning with the pride of Lions and zebras in the Mara and the river crossings with thousands of gnu in the Serengeti, the misty sunrises amidst the acacia trees will stay with me forever.
I hope in some small way we contributed to the continued sustaining of the ecosystem and that the private conservancies will continue doing a great job employing the Masai and other local people and making them realize the animals are definitely worth saving.
We hope to return.
Asante sana.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
We had a great experience with Hekima despite some initial difficulties that were sorted out perfectly. The company helped us to modify a tour to make it more suitable for us and they were always in direct contact with us in case we needed anything. I would recommend it.
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best holiday memories
We searched the internet for best safari offers and we finally settled on kenya real tours and safaris,because of resonable offer and precise replies to our emails from Paul Nzuki,our safari in went well without a hitch and we managed to see all bid five,we highly recommend this company to anybody wishing to do a safari
US
35-50 years of age
best trip ever
From Airport pickup to return to airport was professional, superb, and was an indication of the thoroughness and planningDriver Mabu picked me up and was my friend for the next 6 days. I had a time of my life and the highlight was an early morning visit and an unexpected opportunity to see a cheetah without any other human/vehicle pres3nt. Probably the best trip of my life
US
20-35 years of age
amazing
Booked with clara who handled everything smoothly . Kept us in the picture all the time and answered every question we asked. Recommended for anyone
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
DO NOT USE - THIS COMPANY IS DANGEROUS
I used Budget Holiday Safaris and I have to say not only do I not recommend them, I would warn you from using them. I booked an 11 day safari with them in Kenya and Tanzania. They did not tell me that they don’t handle the Tanzania part but partner with a different agency, Sandlands Tours. I only found out while on the tour and when I googled Sandlands, I found there were a number of customer complaints about them. If they had told me upfront I never would have used them.
In Tanzania, Sandlands switched drivers while we were staying in the Serengeti. The original driver took all our paperwork and didn’t pay for our time in the park, and when we tried to leave, the park tried to get us to pay over $2500. Sandlands was refusing to pay. Rather than pay ourselves, we called our embassies, who had to put pressure on Sandlands . We had to stay an additional night without food or lodging, and had to sleep in the car with water buffalos and lions roaming around the car.
When I contacted Budget Holiday Safaris about this issue, their response was just that they would speak to the manager. I emailed them several times after that and they never bothered to respond. It was only when I emailed them that we had contacted the embassies and that I was going to report them as a scam to my credit card company did they bother to message me back, asking me to not do any damage to them. No concern over the situation at all.
The next day, because of the pressure that this was turning into an international incident, Sandlands relented and paid. However, Budget called me and wanted me to continue on the tour with this company. I told them I no longer felt safe and refused. Other people in my tour got calls from their agencies demanding they continue the safari or else they would be breaking their contract and would be held liable. One woman burst into tears from this.
Other problems:
• When we tried to check into our hotel in Arusha, they claimed we hadn’t been booked in and wanted us to pay for our rooms. They claimed we would be reimbursed. When we showed them our forms, they magically found our names in the registration book. This hotel also is the office for Sandlands.
• They would consistently put more people in the cars then the maximum promised for the tour.
• The vehicles lacked most seatbelts. We had several break down while on the road. The final car had broken windows and no seatbelts and felt extremely unsafe.
• We weren’t given meals several times during the trip.
• When concerns or issues were directed to Budget, they were dismissed or ignored. Once they just straight up lied to me.
While Sandlands was the primary agency in Tanzania, they were acting in full cooperation with Budget Holiday Safaris. Neither agency has made any move to apologize for the experience or to make any kind of compensation or restitution. I believe Budget to be fully aware of how Sandlands conducts business in their name, and therefor they must approve or condone their actions. I believe that the actions of these two companies are dangerous and if people continue to use them, someone is going to be seriously injured.
FR
Wild endless plain have ever seen before
Amazing Place to visit in Dry season, we managed to see wildebeest migration in Northern Serengeti it was wonderful time to see hundreds to wildebeest risking their life to cross the river while Crocodiles are on the base waiting any one will stack at the middle. We saw all big five animals except Rhino who will see in Ngorongoro Crater during our Safari
It was amazing for sure, you never regret to do a tour in Serengeti.