20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A once in a lifetime honeymoon for my wife and I with the best tour operator around!
Paul organised a once in a lifetime honeymoon for my wife and I this year and it is something that we will never forget!
We have dreamed of visiting Africa for a safari for a long time but deciding just where to go is not easy with so many options. We contacted Paul about organising a trip for us that would be a little bit more off the beaten tourist track of places like the Serengeti. We also liked the conservation projects that Paul Tickner Safaris supports and that helped us decide which tour operator to go with.
From the first day of contact with Paul and even after we returned he was attentive and provided a fabulous worry free trip.
We worked on a package together for a couple of weeks to find something that suited what we wanted within the budget we could afford.
We finally decided on Ruaha National Park in Tanzania and the Ikuka Safari camp. This would be followed by 5 days on the beach on Zanzibar.
After this decision was made the only thing we had to organise our self was our flights to and from the UK (although Paul did also advise us on this as well). We found KLM to be great for this flight.
Paul arranged everything flawlessly in country for us. Every pick up at every airport and anything else you can possibly imagine.
Ikuka Safari camp is a very special place and we could not recommend it highly enough. Paul’s wonderful relationship with the camp also immediately makes you feel very welcome on arrival.
The game viewing in Ruaha National Park is incredible. A short list includes: 6 leopards, 12 lions, Wild dogs, python, buffalo, elephants, giraffes and bird life that there is enough time to type out the variety. Truly a special place and a trip organised by someone that obviously cares a great deal for it!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Richard my tour operator was courteous, respectul and very helpful
I enjoyed the tour tremendously, everything was very well coordinated, the staff at the camp were very hospitable and communication was well relied. For a solo traveler, my needs were very well catered for. I would recommend Karibu Safaris to anyone weather you are alone, with family or friends. They will make your safari memorable for a budget camping safari.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Some things were good and others not so good!
Edith was great about getting back to us with any questions we asked, but she often didn't have correct information. For example, she told us that all of the lodges would have Wi-FI, and this was not correct. Often the lodges did not even have electricity and operated only on generators so charging electronics and camera batteries had to be done in the main lodge and not in our rooms. Paul, our guide, was very knowledgeable and he took good care of us. He operated on Uganda time, I guess, as he was often fashionably late from the time he indicated that he would pick us up so often he would be 30 minutes late. Some of the lodges did not have screens on the windows, so if you are concerned about a mosquito bite--oh well! We stayed at one particularly horrible place which I would certainly not recommend and this place was Trekkers Tavern! The food was ok and the staff was friendly, but the rooms had no lighting so it was impossible to see in suitcases without a flashlight. The water coming out of the tap was muddy for the first 10 minutes and had no water pressure. The rooms were cold! Very cold, but they put water bottles in our beds and mine leaked and got the bed all wet! The water lines are run across the walkways and you have to step over them. The curtains don't completely cover the windows. So cold and dark! Not a place where I would keep my dog! The road up to Trekkers is long and terrible! Make sure you don't go there! We saw lots of animals and the gorilla trekking was fabulous, so all in all we had a good time, but lodging needs improvement.
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Axis made everything easy for us, even with a last minute change to dates.
Axis made everything easy for us, even with a last minute change to dates. Our driver John was great, gave great insights throughout the Safari and took care to make sure we were all comfortable. Especially appreciated his driving skills after seeing other cars get stuck as well as his patience with all the requests for better angles to take pics. Will recommend to friends.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great driver. Great safari.
My girlfriend and I went to the Serengeti, Ngorogoro crater, and Tarangire. Ngororo crater was our favorite, Serengeit was great, and Tarangire was our least favorite. It was the last day so were were exhausted, and there were a lot of trees that prevented us from seeing more animals. But overall a great experience. We saw so many animals, and I got some lovely pictures. Our driver (Haleefa) was fun to talk to, and knowledgeable about the area / local people / animals. We learned a lot from him.
I have two small complaints that definitely did not ruin the experience, but I hope it can be addressed in future safaris.
Our vehicle broke down and we were stuck for about two hours. This wasn't a catastrophe, because we were near a rest stop, and got help / spare parts easily. But it definitely made us nervous about if it would break down again. I don't know if this was something that could have been avoided or not, so I can't really blame anyone. I just want to make sure the safari people are using the best equipment on the truck that they can.
Our cook on the safari made great food, and always made the same thing for breakfast- omelettes, with toast, fruit, and pancakes. The omelettes were WONDERFUL. The pancakes.... not so much. In the future I hope the cook can make more eggs and fewer bland pancakes.
Aside from that, I really can't think of anything I would change. The game drive was so much fun, and Haleefa did such a good job of getting us close to the animals.
Here are some of the animals we saw on the safari: lions, hyenas, a cheetah, serval cats, a python, hippos, zebras, elephants, wildebeasts, antelope, gazelle, buffalo, lots of birds, monkeys, giraffes, lizards, and a few others I forgot.
TR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Decent return for the price
we really enjoyed our 5 day safari in masai mara, naivasha and nakuru. it was more than our expectations. the accommodation was satisfactory for a budget tour. raymond is an excellent driver. the roads were awful but he drove very careful. before the safari, whenever i wrote an e-mail, i got a quick answer. bref, karibu safaris is a fantastic tour operator.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru trip with John
We booked a 4-day safari trip to Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru. The trip was beyond my expectations; we saw every animal I could imagine (plus more!), learnt so much about birds, stayed in nice places and had good food. Our driver John was an excellent driver, never got stuck in the mud, was very patient and knowledgeable. I'd happily do this again with the same company.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The man is a thief---he did not provide what I paid to receive---got less than 1/2 of my services
DO NOT book with MY Friend in Africa---He is not friend and detrimental to the tourist business of Tanzania. I was pond off on other tours
and they expected me to pay---but I had my proof of payment with me. I had to pay for some things again in order to get there---operators
say he is NOT A GOOD GUY---
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good communication, great animal safari for the budget - but lots of travel and a moving itinerary.
I travelled with my sister on the 12 day safari in Kenya and Tanzania.
David is an excellent communicator, which made booking informative and simple.
Collection from the airport prior to the safari was a nice complimentary service.
When we were collected to pay our itinerary was changed.
Our driver in Kenya, Stanley (Stano), was fantastic. He knew where to go to find the animals and was always happy to pause so we could take photo's. The accommodation in Kenya was varied from very nice to functional. Keep in mind its a budget holiday so manage your expectations on the temperature and volume of water in your shower.
Do take a power bank to recharge your phone - electricity access is variable. I took a solar charger and power bank and didn't need any mains supply.
Minivan transport in Kenya was fun as we shared with 6 other people, who helped make the holiday. The roads are bumpy and some of the driving styles are not what you might normally expect - but its fun.
We did the hot air ballon, which is very expensive for an hour's ride and it is hit and miss what you drift over. The champagne breakfast is also nice and we were glad we took the opportunity.
The transfer from Kenya to Tanzania was lengthy and involved a series of transport changes. The shuttle bus is public transport to Arusha and would have been improved by a dedicated tour operator vehicle.
We were issued a revised itinerary in Tanzania, same places but in a different order - which was fine. It appearered this part of the safari had been subcontracted out to another company. Our booking of tents with bed and bedding was downgraded to tent with mat and blanket. We did ask for the original but when we got to the camp we still got the mat and blanket.
Accommodation in Tanzania was mixed, some very nice and some a basic tent which you take with you on the 4x4.
More great travel mates - 6 of us plus the driver, Gervas - who was excellent and the cook.
The food is mixed but good considering its travelling with you and cooked on site.
The trip back from Arusha to Nairobi is again very long after a long safari, but I must say both companies were very helpful in adjusting our travel arrangements after my sister was unwell and unable to travel.
Overall I would probably just stick with Kenya for safari. I'm not sure adding Tanzania added to what we saw but did significantly add to the travel time. As long as you can go with the bumpy roads and 'flexible' itinerary its a great budget holiday.
SK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Rashid is the best
We visited Safari Tsavo East. Our guide was Rashid. We had great experiences with him. We saw the best in our lives. Rashid was great, fun, human. Big smile. Next time with with Rashid!