IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Be careful to avoid a trip from a nightmare
Tl Dr: If you dare to book with Glory, confirm your exact itinerary, find out who delivers the services, whether she takes responsibility for anything at all from what she sells to you and then cross your fingers to not end up like me.
I was recommended Glory by the manager of the Shoki Shoki hostel in Zanzibar city as I was looking for a last minute safari. At first she had nothing available but a few days later she contacted me on WhatsApp with an offer to join two other travelers to Mikumi on a three day trip. She sent me a picture with an itinerary, the price and the starting date.
I gladly accepted, paid on her website after checking her reviews here and looked forward to the trip to Mikumi with a visit to a Masai village teh first evening, a full day game drive the second day, a dinner show the second night and a sunrise walk up a hill the third morning with private transfers between Dar and Mikumi and meals included.
My "guide" Joseph met me at the ferry in Stonetown and put me into a car with two other people in Dar waving me goodbye after exchanging only a few sentences on the ferry.
I felt that this was a bit weird but went with it, thinking that the other man in the car is my new guide.
Our driver dropped us at a bus station outside Dar. Ar this point I started asking questions and found out that we had no guide but rather Joseph gave some cash to my fellow traveler who happened to be a very nice local man to help me get to Mikumi and to cover my share of the safari car. The agent told him that another man will pick me up at the bus stop.
This was followed by a 7 hour drive on a local public bus.
Unfortunately there was nobody at the bus stop and Joseph was not answering the calls of my fellow traveler.
At this point I contacted Glory and asked her what is happening with the visit to the Masai village, why didn't I get a private transfer and why don't I have a guide?
She told me that she never saw the itinerary she sent me. She only forwarded that as she simply outsourced me to Joseph. She didn't organize my trip ( only took a cut) and told me that the itinerary I received was never achievable from the price I paid. At this point I was fuming.
She did not want to take responsibility as in her view Joseph was the one that owed me the services.
Eventually she organized to pay for my park entry fee and my packed lunch but I had to pay my second night of accommodation, organize another bus ride back to Dar, sit on a crowded, uncomfortable bus for another 7 hours, get my own transfer from the station outside Dar to the ferry and pay for my meals on the 2nd and third day.
At the end I got a 4hr game drive in a car from around 1980 and spent 2 full days traveling there and back on some horrendous buses, spent the whole time worrying about how will I make my way back, spent an extra $50-100 on top of what I paid up front and got a lower back pain that took me two weeks to get rid of.
And what was Glory's response? It wasn't her responsibility. She trusted the wrong people but that is not her fault.
What about the fact that I paid her, based on an itinerary that she never intended to fulfil? - you may ask. She thought that was not her fault either. "I should have known that this itinerary was not achievable. "
She reassured me that no matter how I feel about this trip God understands that she is a good person and thus all is good. Let's just say that I didn't quite agree.
Would I recommend Glory's glorious travel agency? Not this time. Thanks.
Similarly, I would not pay a penny to Joseph's wonderful agency, Jodari Expeditions either.
Stay away from these people if you can.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
People's Choice is a great tour operator.
I've planned safaris to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Uganda was the best and most memorable one. People's Choice has been my go to agent for all my safaris. They are very attentive and responsive. I have always had a great time and felt very safe. I recommend them to anyone looking to have a fantastic time in Africa. Review: People's Choice is a great tour operator. I have booked several safaris with them and have always had a great time. They pay attention to detail and always make sure that their customers are well taken care of.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
10 d safari in Kenya & Tanzania at Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire
My wife, daughter and I just got home from a 10 day safari in Kenya and Tanzania, including time at Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Parks.
We had a FANTASTIC TRIP!!! It was unbelievable. They helped us design such a great Safari and then delivered. They exceeded all of our expectations. Both of our drivers were great but in Kenya, Joseph really stood out and we are so grateful for all his efforts. He was really amazing and knowledgeable. All accommodations were incredible as was the balloon ride and champagne breakfast out in the middle of the Masai Mara.
We took so many awesome pictures. We saw the big 5 many times over and so much more. At one game drive we had over 25 lions come out of the grass and paraded in front of us in the Mara. INCREDIBLE !!! We had a trip we will never forget!!! WOW!!
We would highly recommend booking a safari with Spirit of Kenya. They are a great company to work with!
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mwanje was attentive to our needs, and provided a tour that exceeded our expectations.
We booked Image Travel's 9 Day Kenya Classic Luxury Sky's Escape. The parks we visited, Meru NP. Loisaba Conservancy, and Masai Mara NR, were excellent choices to experience three different habitats and numerous mammals and birds. The lodging for this trip was beyond expectation! Mwanje was attentive to our wishes for this trip, and communication was prompt and detailed. The value for the price was excellent. The tour proceeded as stated in the itinerary. Thanks to Image Travel, we had a trip that will be remembered as one of our best,
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Safari!!
It was great! the tour guides were great! We saw the big 5 after 2 days because the guides are very well trained and shared their knowledge with us. it was extremely exciting to listen to them. It was breathtakingly beautiful and we can only recommend it!! We ate in the Serengeti and saw zebras, giraffes, hyenas, gazelles, elephants, leopards, lions and more! Seeing the animals in the wild was amazing. It was the best and most exciting vacation we had. To see the nature of Africa like this was very impressive! We spent the night in the middle of the Serengeti and heard the roar of lions and hyenas at night, how impressive! Thanks again to Dave and the team!
brilliant
great service friendly staff
would recommend to anyone really good experience
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!
Good day!
I wanted to send a huge shout out to Peter, who led our recent safari trip in Kenya. He was extremely knowledgeable of all the flora and fauna and went out of his way to share his wealth of information with us. We felt safe in his capable hands and he always had our safety in mind when we were with him. Peter was plugged-in with the other guides and was always in the communication loop when animals were nearby. We could not have asked for a better experience - as we looked back on the trip we talked about how great he was and that we were lucky to have had him as our guide. My brother and his wife live in Nairobi loved the great feedback and hope to use your company again for future guests.
All the best from Texas , USA , 5 happy guests- ages 13 to 74!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible
African big cats stood out for their reasonable price and extensive itinerary they provided. After multiple emails (on my part), Justice obliged my every request and gave extensive information, making the process so much easier to go ahead to book. The Safari itself was an incredible experience! The hotels and lodges were great, with lovely staff and environments. We were fortunate enough , to have what we believe to be the best guide, Ernest. He is extremely knowledgeable about EVERY animal and bird and was so welcoming and friendly. We became great friends. He went out of the way to make it such a precious and exciting experience for us and we are eternally grateful for that! Emmanuel at the company was incredibly kind to see us before for a pre safari briefing and after for a debrief. I think this was such a lovely touch to make sure we got everything out of the experience we wanted. I would highly recommend African Big Cats, not only are they a local company, they have exceptional service at a great price
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing trip
Mwanje was the best , he arranged for us everything within one day only and it was amazing trip ever .
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip and great holidays
This was once in a lifetime experience and one of the best vacations I ever had. My wife (29y) and I (34y) spent six days on Safari in Kenya.
We went to Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. In Maasai Mara we loved the nature and we were so lucky to see lions mating, leopards napping in trees and cheetahs having a great lunch (poor gazelle). In lake Nakuru we watched rhinos grazing and arriving Amboseli, Kilimanjaro greeting us with an amazing sunset. At Amboseli we came so close to so many elephants and felt in love with the gentle giants.
All accommodations were carefully picked and our hosts did everything to give us a wonderful experience. The food was always delicious and reflected local cuisine very well.
Although we spend a lot of time in the car, I was not bored for a second. Our tour guide Jimmy kept us entertained and safe throughout the journey. In general Jimmy was the best guide one can imagine and did everything possible for giving us the best time. For example he helped us to get a SIM card and set up a M-PESA account (mobile payment).
Axis Africa Safaris was a great choice and we are so thankful for all the efforts put in this wonderful trip.
