20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional service from start to finish!
From the first message we sent, Christina was fast to reply and answered all of our concerns. She gave us all of the relevant information and helped make the booking process simple. The programs offered by Christina were tailored to our liking and she spent time and effort to make sure we got what we wanted on the tour.
On arrival our guide Fano met us at the airport with a smile and helped us change our money. Over the next 9 days of our tour we were treated with the best service we could have asked for. Fano was always on time, ready and prepared to take us on our adventures, he was very good at giving us the information about the places we visited and gave us different options to explore. His local knowledge was invaluable and his driving skill made us feel very safe and comfortable. Our tour included many long journeys by car, but they were always pleasant thanks to Fano. He would tell us all about the local culture and point out interesting things as we passed by. He was always very positive and has a great sense of humour.
Christina was quick to react to a change in circumstances when our departing flight changed. She arranged a driver for us on our last day so we could continue to explore rather than waiting in the airport all day.
To summarise we don’t think it’s possible to find better service as they really went above and beyond. We loved Madagascar so much, we will visit again and we will not hesitate to book with 261 EXP.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Kruger safari experience
We have ve appreciated the great experience and passion of the guide that makes our safari experience unforgettable. He was able to show us animals that which would have been impossible to see without an expert guide. We also learnd a lot about animals habits and curiosities related to the park and the species that live there. Thanks also to flexibility of the agency, we have been able to re-arrange our safari schedule despite the issue faced with our flight schedule. On top to the Kruger park Safari we did, with the same agency, a very well organized and complete tour of the panoramic route!
MY
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Legitimate trustworthy company. Peter is an extraordinary guide, a walking dictionary!
First of all, this is a legitimate company with TRA license (tourism regulatory Authority). If you are traveling from other country, you have my confidence that you are not scammed.
Pre trip booking (1 year prior to my trip)
- Came across this company via safari booking. Their review was 5/5 perfect. The person in charge Denis was very responsive. He was very patient and attentive. He offered very good opinion on the places that I plan to go considering that I am bringing my young kids. We also did almost 40min of video call. As a traveller from another part of the world, that really gave me a good confidence in their company.
- I made the booking and paid $2000 as booking fees.
Within 6 months prior to trip
- I intermittently communicate with him to ensure everything went well. Denis even updated me that the government had increased park fees. Minor changes made to the accommodation given prior to that. No big issues for me.
1month prior to trip. (This is where conflict arose)
- I constantly messaging him and asking him for confirmation. Despite completed the deposit, I was not given a proper invoice. I asked him whether things had been confirmed and demanded a complete finalized itinerary, however, Denis was not as responsive as before. He would ask me to calm down and relax as everything is going well. However, he doesn’t understand that as traveller, we want black and white confirmation, not verbal confirmation.
- At one point, I couldn’t get Denis to reply me even though he had read my message for more than 24hours. I thought I was scammed. I googled everything about the company, (TripAdvisor, google, safari booking), nothing seems to be wrong except that the last review was in 2023. I tried calling him and couldn’t get through. I was so agitated and angry. I even engaged other company for new qoutation and to help contact Denis with local phone. However, they couldn’t get him as well.
- After about a day, (around 3days prior to my trip), he replied and apologized for his mistake that he didn’t prioritize my request. However, I lost trust in him. I requested him to show me all invoice of accommodation and personally called to the hotel to confirm it. After confirming that the bookings are made and payment done, then only I could relax and trust the process.
During the trip.
- I was personally welcomed by him at Paul’s cafe beside the airport. He introduce me his driver Guide Peter. Everything went extremely well after that.
- Denis promised me that he will make my trip memorable with Peter as my guide. And he did! Peter was the best we could ever had!
- Denis even helped me to convert some of my USD to KSH. He tried to get me a bean bag (photography) and ensuring every goes well.
- Denis even suggested to change one of our mara accommodation to Julia’s river camp (cheaper, more authentic Safari tent) to reduce cost as he thinks we will spend most of the time in safari rather than camp. I totally agree!
About Peter, our beloved guide.
- I call him the walking dictionary of Kenya wildlife and history. I’ve never met such a knowledgeable guide. He practically knows so much about kenya birds, facts about animals and he always confirmed with his book.
- He has an eye of the eagle. He spots small animal from far. He relentlessly try to find new species of animals especially birds to show us as he knew I was a photographer.
- He would always find a good spot to park so that I could get a good shot of the animal. Most importantly, he could anticipate where the animal will move.
- Even though we were almost late to get out of the park, he would purposely drive to another site to show us leopard (although rush) as he knew leopard was difficult to be found.
- By day 5 of trip, we already completed our big 5, special 5 and many other animals. However, still he would try his best to show us other species or try to find the other big cats.
- He is very humble, kind to my kids (whom they love him so much). He shares a lot of his past experience and many facts about Kenya.
- Whoever gets Peter as a guide is really fortunate!
Final thoughts: (at the point of writing)
- African vacation Safaris is a legitimate company. Definitely not a scam. They are registered under TRA.
- Peter is an extraordinary guide. He is a gem.
- Denis is a reliable person in charge. However, there are many things he could improve to gain the confidence from consumer.
- 1. He needs to be more responsive with his message no matter how busy he is. Don’t ever blue tick your costumer and go MIA for 24hours especially 72hours prior to trip. It’s very stressful. Pick up your calls, even Peter couldn’t contact you during the trip. LOL
- 2. Provide your company licensing, proper detail invoice, confirmation letter from the accommodation booked. If you could do that, I am sure you can gain much confidence from your costumers.
- 3. Prioritize your costumer especially the trip is near. Don’t confirm things at last minute. Do it a month before.
Overall, I still strongly recommend African Vacation Safaris as your trusted company for Kenya Safaris. 5/5 despite some minor unnecessary miscommunication.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Very resolutive, they make you an affordable route of safaris with the best guides, the experience was really incredible, and we were very satisfied.
Honour mention to our wonderful guides, Francis and Brian, who came with us in every moment. They located the animals in the wild really quick, even if they were far or almost impossible to see. They carried us to the animals as near as permited, and they explained us a lot of interesting data about the the animals too. Also they were really nice and helpful, specially with some managements as the check in in the hotels, changing money to dollars in Nairobi or buying a sim card for having internet in the tour.
We loved all the parks and reserves, they all have incredible views and a lot of animals living their lifes and in general very easy to see. It was amazing. Specially the reserved we enjoyed the most was the Masai Mara, it was absolutely stunning, and we loved every moment we stay and every animal we saw.
In the other hand, we accorded some hotels to complement our stay in the several parks, and they changed us all but one the 4 hotels, in general the changes were not so bad but in one case it was a camp hotel wich we didnt like as much as the one we have accorded with the company; said that, the hotels were in general amazing, with all the facilities needed, and the guides helped us a lot with the incidence previously commented.
In conclusion, an incredible experience. Dont hesitate about taking Francis and Brian for guiding you, because they transformed a very good experience in the best tour that you can experience.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Worst car company of the world
Horrible and dangerous car, and lire about all the answer for advise ! Don’t book with this company! In my experience, I felt scammed and ended up losing my money.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well educated and nice
So we booked our safari and got on tour with Justin and Joël, 2 guides who knew where the animals where located and had Lots of Information about them an they both could answer all of your questions. The communication went really smooth and every day after the trip they Will tell you when they Will pick you up and they Will be there on time. Me and my girlfriend have had a very good experience and would reccomend them to everyone.
CN
jungleroam and francis are top notch
We finished our 7 days and three 6 nights Safari today with our tour guide Francis .The Safari was a 10/10 experience and we were amazed by how well organized everything was handled. We were picked up by francis who whisked away to our first Safari on day one at Masai Mara park where we saw leopards,lions, elephants,and multiple buffalos, crossings among many other animals on our first ride. We also visited the Masai cultural village and It was incredible. I also did the hot air balloon and it was once in a lifetime experience. Francis knew how much we wanted to see a sunset and found the perfect spot (among zebras) to watch the sun go down in the park before heading to our lodge. The rides were absolutely spectacular and now understanding the hard job.I am so happy we chose a very experienced guide. The terrain in all parks is very difficult and we felt safe at all times and that francis could navigate any situation whether it was the roads or animals. He was incredibly informative answering our every question about animals, plants, the park and kenyan history. The lodges that were chosen for us were out of this world. It was amazing that after a long dusty driving day we could get back and feel pampered at each lodge and one lodge tent that was beautiful and so spacious in Amboseli national park .The food was also great-it’s impressive how the lunches are organized and you will never go hungry (or thirsty with plenty of water and also outlets in the vehicle). I searched through many providers before choosing full package and I will recommend this trip to all of my friends. Thanks so much Jungleroam and Francis for making my dream come true.
Professional
I contacted Didas @ Serengeti Sunrise Safaris a while before hand and as soon as we started planning our safari with him I just knew I was going to be looked after.
Didas took time & put together a tailor made private for us from flights to beautiful accommodation to very tasty food .soon as I asked him any questions I had answers within minutes of my watsap.
Didas arranged our flights & transfers from Zanzibar and met us at the airport.
The vehicle was extremely comfortable and the driver / guide got us up close to all the amazing wildlife .
This trip with this company was everything we had hoped for and more from the moment we arrived everything was perfectly organised
You can trust them 100%
Didas and his team are Professional & passionate about what they do and we just felt so well looked after .
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfekt
The tour guide was very kind, lovely, and extremely professional at their job. This is why my family had such wonderful and unforgettable moments on this trip. Thank you again for making these happy days possible.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommended tour operator
We highly recommend entrusting your safari to Tanzania Pilgrimage!
Joel was available at all hours of the day and night to answer our questions and assist with the planning. He put together a phenomenal tour for us, and the lodges he selected were beyond our expectations, offering excellent food and wonderfully friendly staff. Every evening he checked in with us to hear about our day and to make sure everything had gone well.
Our driver was fantastic—kind, helpful, always punctual, and eager to share his deep knowledge of the animals. He made sure we spotted the Big Five and even tracked down every other animal we asked to see. Truly an outstanding guide.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were always plentiful, with water and drinks readily available. Compared to other tours, we felt the value for money was unbeatable.
A safari is an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime—words simply can’t capture the feeling it gives you.
We absolutely recommend booking your trip with them!