US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari experience
It was sort of a last-minute decision for us to book this 7-day safari trip. We did a lot of research online and eventually went with Shemeji. The owner Emma was a breeze to work with. Despite the time difference between the United States and Tanzania, I find it rather easy to communicate with emails. The payment was done via international wire transfer without any issue. Our guide Adam was a courteous driver and very knowledgeable. We covered Tarangire, central Serengeti, northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara before departing to Zanzibar. The road conditions can be challenging, but we felt lucky that we didn't skip northern Serengeti. It was amazing to witness the wildebeest migration. Serengeti is the place you won't be disappointed and won't forget for a long time. The tented lodges we stayed in were fantastic. Special praises to Tortillis and Savannah. Nice breakfast, friendly staff, and excellent service.
A percentage of the Shemeji income is going to the volunteer work to improve living conditions for the local people. I didn't know that beforehand but felt very happy that I made my small contribution.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
All that we could have hoped for and more.
I would recommend Spirit of Kenya without hesitation. Great communication from the first email enquiry right up to the day of departure. Met by the charming and efficient Moses late in the evening at the airport. Charles was our superb guide for the safari: calm, efficient and knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble. Managed to make every safari day special and memorable. I hope to return to beautiful Kenya for another adventure and would definitely rebook with Spirit of Kenya.
MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect service and management on the steps of booking; nothing to see and to do on place.
I booked 3-day-2-night mokoro trip, and it was the most expensive and the most disappointing part of my 16-day-travel. To start from good, the manager, Nobantu, was nice and helpful, she replied to my emails fast and for details. Also, the camp was designed in a wise and nice manner: every tent is spacious and equipped with en-suite portable shower, bio-lavatory, bed, and blanket. The food was good, and the cook did his best to please us. But this is where good points end.
On the first day, we were sailing on a motorboat for about one hour and then on a mokoro, the little canoes, for about three hours. Under the baking sun. But all of that would be fine enough if we could see at least something except a couple of birds...
Then we came to the camp and spent the afternoon doing nothing. After we had a 'Nature walk' seeing a lot of excrements of different animals and some insects. The local guides could tell 3-4 sentences as maximum about each species, and we were lucky to have a professor of zoology in our group. From him, we received 90% of information about the Delta and its wildlife.
During the night, in the camp (or village, I don't know) that was not far from us they had a kind of party till 3-4 AM and they make such a bad noise, that if I would have been an animal I would run away as far as I could.
Next day we had a 'safari walk' on another island, where we saw a herd of zebras and a heard of antelopes. It was early in the morning and from 10 AM to 4 PM we were just sitting in the camp. We were not allowed to walk around because of the 'dangerous wildlife'. I walked a bit at my own risk and saw heaps of rubbish and plastic. Probably that was why it is not allowed to walk around because there is simply NO wildlife in this area, I didn't see there even one simple impala. And I don't think that any wildlife will come there if they won't stop night orgies and pollution.
Coming back I found that my bio-toilet is not working. I asked the staff to do something.
In the evening, we had a mokoro cruise to the lake with the hippos. They were far away to make good photos, but at least we've seen something - I thought. But at that moment people from this camp/village came on their mokoros shouting so loudly that my group mates started to worry about our lives since hippos are not so tolerated to that crazy sounds as people are.
When I came back to my tent I found my toilet clean, but it was still not working.
Next day after the breakfast we just went back to Maun, without any morning activity.
Honestly, I was expected from Okavango Delta much more. Before that safari, I went to Chobe National Park, for the 3-days-2-nights tour, too. But there we had two safaris every day and just a couple of hours to rest, the staff was experienced and did their best to make us see as much as possible, and we've seen a great number of different animals. In comparison with that, this trip was just for wasting time and money. For this amount, I'd better book a flight and I'm sure I would be impressed much more.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Couldn't be better!
Great customer service! It couldn't have been easier to plan and book-Andre was very, very helpful. We also SAVED money by booking through Gems of Africa vs. directly through the game reserve. We enjoyed the safari tour greatly and my parents (who were initially skeptical about everything) were very, very pleased and impressed.
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They were most accommodating to meet my private tour needs adding surprises and a good tour guide.
Out of all the Tour Operators on SafariBookings.com, African Sunset Safaris was the most responsive, making the extra effort to communicate and ensure that they could do private tours to both Kenya and Tanzania.
And after that there were 100 over emails, at planning stage and later we kept touch through whatsapp. They were responsive and able to provide well needed advice at planning stage as to which National Parks were worth visiting for the unique experience. Prior departure advice on inoculation, currency and trip costs gave me the confidence that they knew their business.
On the word go it was obvious that they cared, from picking us up at the airport to courtesy vehicles and responding to requests immediately, they far exceeded expectations and made us feel totally at home.
Our Tour Guide/Driver in Kenya had 19 years experience and was knowledgeable of all the 7 National Parks we visited and more importantly how to locate the elusive cats. He even went out of the way to include other locations if he thought it would interest us.
He showed his true nature, when I came down with food poisoning, taking me to the hospital and staying with me there and even missing his meal.
We had a very interesting trip, having lunch surrounded by wildebeest, under Acacia trees and taking breathtaking shots.
It was no different in the Serengeti, we changed Tour Guide/Driver who was so clued on because he had a two way radio and shared information on the game with other operators. It was so exciting. My bucket list ticked.
I would rate them 10 out of 10.
FI
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Active communication. They assured that we get everything we need for the family.
In mid-June 2018 our family - two adults and 9 and 8 years old children - joined the Chobe Overnight safari.
Booking and pre-safari arrangements worked fine and we got all the time relevant status information and guidance what to pack etc.
The journey started when Zamsato driver picked us from our hotel at the agreed time. He took us to border crossing, from where we continued across the river. At the other side another person were waiting for us and the drive with safari vehicle started.
We saw lion, leopard, elephant, hippo, giragge, etc. Just rhino and hyeena kept out of our eyesight. At Chobe you can see some animals almost all of the time - we had hardly any time just dricing around. Mid-June seemed to be good time to visit the park. Just notice, that night can be cold. Luckilyin the car we had blankets in our use.
We highly recommed to spend the night in the park. Dining table under the dark sky was great experience. Facilities (tents) were good and service excellent.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Efficient
Everything about our tour was handled beautifully. We were well cared for and had a marvelous time. Our driver/guide was very knowledgable and friendly and accommodated our desire to start about before sunrise. He went the extra mile for us to see 5 lions. We enjoyed our trip to Amboseli very much.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful trip of a lifetime!
My husband and I were part of a large group who travelled together to Uganda - the 3 day safari with kombi tours was part of the trip.
We were picked up at our guest house in Kampala by mini buses and deposited back there 3 days later. From start to finish the 3 days were a real full-on adventure! All the drivers were amazing but particularly Tom and Paddy who drove us personally during the three days. They were all excellent, careful drivers and proved to be very knowledgeable about the animals we were to see during the 2 game drives. I was particularly keen to see the grey crowned crane (featured on the Ugandan flag) and Tom took me straight to it - we were delighted to see a breeding pair with their 2 babies grazing by the lakeside - a real highlight! Other highlights are too numerous to mention but I will never forget standing up in the minibus looking out of the open top at 2 bull elephants not 3 metres away munching on leaves from a tree, appearing to be oblivious to us taking photos. Tom also looked for and found a lion napping in a tree quite a distance away although one of the minibuses had apparently rounded a bend and came upon a pride of lions by the roadside!
As well as the game drives the trip to Murchison falls was such an adventure. The falls are awesome to see, even from a distance but the boat dropped some of us off someway from the base of the falls so we could walk to the top. We were accompanied by a guide although the way was clearly marked. It was a very steep incline in parts with stone steps and there was one steep downhill slope to bring you to the top of the falls. After a very hot walk it was lovely to reach the top and stand on a walkway where we were showered with spray from the falls! The buses met us at the carpark at the top to bring us down and we were welcomed by the drivers who showed a genuine delight that we had achieved our goal of reaching the top.
Our accommodation at the Murchison River lodge was excellent and everything we could have wished for. Food and facilities were very good.
The culmination of our safari adventure was a visit to the Ziwa White rhino sanctuary. This was an amazing experience and we were so lucky to see 5 rhinos grazing together. Being so close to a wild animal was a real privilege which we all appreciated.
Finally, from not really knowing what to expect from our holiday it turned into a trip of a lifetime. This was in no small part due to the marvellous safari we embarked upon - I would certainly recommend kombi tours.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Can't ask for more or better
My wife and I spent 13 days around Uganda. Ambroise from African Encounter Safari was our driver and guide. He was not only nice and friendly but he was very knowledgeable about his countrie's history and fauna. He was not only concern for our well being but also made sure anything we might need was taken care of and we had only to worry to enjoy everything else. We set up our tour and hotels before arriving to Uganda but his suggestions for activities were often better options than ours inicial Plans. Overall it was a great experience and we feel lucky we got ambroise to become part of our trip and everlasting memories. Always greatful.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable 6-week African Honeymoon - South Africa, Victoria Falls, Tanzania and Uganda
After some Internet research and getting ourselves very overwhelmed with 'where to start planning this trip to Africa?!' we came across Tailormade Africa. From our first email response from Rob it was clear this was a different service to the others. No generic email or pamphlets were sent to us. Straight away Rob really just wanted to get us on the phone to understand who we were and what we wanted out of our holiday. Our first phone call went for over an hour!
The phone calls and planning kept going for months and months but were always enjoyable. The communication was always prompt and professional, close to 12 months of changing and refining our plans. The end result was a 6-week honeymoon that had so many complex, moving parts. So many internal flights and countries and transfers but all ran so smoothly and not one hiccup. A real credit to the planning and support we received from Rob.
We had such an amazing range of experiences. Starting with a 2-week self-driving trip along the Garden Route in South Africa, through to Victoria Falls for a few days and then onto Tanzania for our 6-day safari through Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. We had a week of sun and relaxation on Zanzibar Island before heading to Uganda for the final leg. Here we went on another Safari and experienced the truly unforgettable and surreal gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
We truly had the most amazing holiday and are dreaming about planning another trip to Africa. We have already got two of our friends planning their honeymoon with Rob next year and couldn't recommend him and Tailormade Africa more!