US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very unprofessional tour
Out safari guide showed up at our hotel with no paperwork or verification who he was. No uniform, no ID. He had to call Kanuth to verify. The vehicle was not in great shape and it appeared his license plates were expired. When ever we stopped at a checkpoint, he took about an hour in each office. All the other drivers showed their paperwork and they were off in 5 minutes. Our vehicle had a dead battery and no Air conditioning. Driver had to get a push start or start on a hill to get going. Very dusty ride. The guide was knowledable about the area and animals though. The guide and the cook did not seem to work well together,, just seemed to be business arrangement.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good lodges amd gamedrive. Thanks Anatol!
We loved the tour. Gamedrive amd lodges were great!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Amazing, Unforgettable Experience
We just returned from an awe-inspiring private six person photography safari throughout Kenya with Africa Celebrity Tours & Travels. Muli Muema, the owner/operator, helped us craft an amazing itinerary of National Park highlights with nights at some of the best lodges in the country.
I was initially hesitant to book with them because the price came in considerably lower than what other companies had quoted us; to the point that it seemed suspicious. But they are KATO bonded, which was very reassuring. And Muli more than earned our trust. He was wonderfully communicative throughout the entire process, despite the ten hour time difference; from our initial exploratory emails, through our booking and up to the day of our departure. He let us completely customize our itinerary (we wanted more time at Masai Mara) and add last-minute excursions like a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and personal adventures like trips to Karen Blixen Museum and the elephant orphanage. He took care of everything on our behalf. He booked our additional lodging in Nairobi the night we arrived. He made reservations for our dinner before we returned home. He even dropped us off at the airport, helped us unload our luggage and explained the unique Nairobi airport security system. It was like visiting a city where your friend lives. He is extremely responsible, trustworthy and courteous. I cannot recommend Africa Celebrity Tours & Travels highly enough.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, we found that the airline left our bags behind when we changed planes in London. With our group embarking on our safari the next morning, Muli stayed on top of everything in Nairobi. He ensured that our trip could continue on schedule without any added stress. He arranged for our driver to take us shopping for replacement supplies and ensured that our bags were delivered to us by bush plane at a remote airstrip in Amboseli National Park. It was an amazing effort. Muli truly went above and beyond. He is a top-notch, responsible professional and Africa Celebrity Tours is first-rate organization (which is not something I would say about British Airways).
Our amazing and friendly driver Joseph was incredibly skilled at everything from navigating the white knuckle Nairobi traffic to the muddy roads in the Masai Mara. He is more knowledgable about wildlife than many naturalists I have encountered at American parks. He explained intricate animal behavior, recognized bird calls, and spotted naturally camouflaged big cats while safely driving us through the parks. Joseph knew the exact times and places to be for animal viewing and put us in better positions for photography and video than any of the other vehicles we encountered in the parks. We saw "The Big Five."
All in all, it was a wonderful, unforgettable adventure. I already have friends who have seen our photos of some of the jaw-dropping sights of Kenya and want to do similar journeys of their own. I haven't hesitated to recommend Africa Celebrity Tours & Travels.
Asante sana.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mike and team excellent,proficient, and accomodating in all that they do.
Excellent in all aspects, and our guests for AKS were treated extremely well.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
AA Africa provided my group an amazing safari seeing incredible wildlife with cultural experiences.
Earlier this month I took a photographic safari group to Tanzania. While taking another group some years ago I met Augustine Minja at one of our safari camps. I ran into him in 2015 at one of the safari camps and learned he has his own company, Augustine's Adventure Africa (AA Africa). I was impressed with Augustine and said I would consider using him in the future. I didn't take a group in 2016 but did check out reviews of AA Africa. Late in 2016 I contacted Augustine about a group safari in June of this year.
He presented me with an itinerary that I knew was excellent--I had 10 previous safaris to Tanzania--and at a very attractive price. Based on my review review searches, and our conversations and how he answered all my questions, I decided to use his services. The safari was amazing in terms of wildlife seen and the accommodations that Augustine had arranged. However, what was as equally outstanding was the service Augustine provided my group. He is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife, habitats, and local history and culture. The itinerary not only focused on wildlife but also exposed the group to life in Tanzania with visits to a school, medical clinic, village markets, and a Maasai village.
Behind the scenes he kept in touch with lodges to make sure there would be no surprises down the road. He attended promptly to any issues raised by my group--there were few-- and paid attention to the smallest detail.
I am already planning another group with AA Africa next year and would whole heartedly recommend AA Africa contemplating s safari to Tanzania whether it be a group, family or couple.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari with Travel Partners
We had a wonderful and unforgettable Safari with Travel Partners and can absolutely recommend them!
Our Safari was a six day private 4x4 tour through Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire with mid-range/mid-range+ accomodation (seemed pretty luxury to me...).
Tavel Partners was already at the beginning very professional and easy to communicate with. They could also arrange a quite late booking and came to our hotel for payment. We were lucky to get a Landrover suitable for 6 people for only the two of us and Mbonea, our wonderful driver and guide. He was very polite and helpful, a safe driver and he told us a lot about the parks, the animals and Tanzania and its people. All in all the company was our perfect travel partner and worth the price!
*Regarding the tour: 6 days was perfect. Enough to see the 4 Parks without a hurry. We strongely recommend to do a private tour, as you can not only enjoy the nature quietly, talk with the guide and decide yourselfs what you are doing next. I would prefer a shorter but private tour.
*Regarding the parks: Do all 4 if you can. If not, skip Lake Manyara (if you are not interrested in birds) or Tarangire (if not interessted in big elefant groups in green environrment with baobabs).
*Regarding the accomodation: mid-range mid-range plus is very comfortable. We strongly recommend Serengeti Heritage Camp, Lobo Camp and Bougainvillia.
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
unforgetable
almost everything were ok.
We had a problem with the transfer from Joannesburg to Pretoria (Blue Train Station)
The driver was confused about the way and made some mistakes.
After all , he took us to Rovos station.
The traffic was hard and we were concerned about miss the train.
Fortunatle we got de station in time.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Customer Service Ever - Thanks Ines!
Ines put together an amazing itinerary for our college aged daughters within our budget and with complicated travel timelines. She made arrangements for one to travel solo for over a week and then rendezvous with her sister in Maun. They continued traveling jointly on safari and exploring the Okavango Delta. Every accommodation, tour and transport was as described and often exceeded expectations. Ines even noted and alerted us to an air transport discrepancy on a reservation, that she did not make and was not responsible for, averting a travel crisis. Ines even called our home in the U.S. on a weekend to make sure we understood the error that needed to be corrected. She responded promptly to every email and was a delight to work with. My husband and I will use Ines and Indigo Safaris when we book our own trip in the future.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
seamless efficiency and flexibility in giving you the experience you want.
exceptional company. I had a situation where I may have had to cancel in the last month and they were willing to work with me. I went as planned.
The accommodations were even better than I expected, food good and our guide friendly and responsive to our wish list. By the end of the trip we had seen all that the six of us had wished.
It was a glorious trip and I would use them again without hesitation.
EG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Breathtaking Safari Experience!
I’m a thorough trip planner, so I did my research when organizing our 3 day/2 night Masaai Mara safari. I had contacted several different companies before settling for Bigmac Africa Safaris. The main reason for my choice was that while all companies offered identical packages (right down to the camp sites you can stay at), Bigmac Africa offered the most competitive price (I mean, why pay more for the same services when you’re on a tight budget?) and I found Magdalene very helpful and professional when replying to my (very numerous) emails and requests!
In retrospect, the only thing I might have changed in our safari was the campsite which we stayed at (which is of no fault to Bigmac Africa), but even that was a unique and interesting part of the safari experience. At Magdalene’s request our driver allowed us the chance to look at Lenchada Camp and Rhino Camp 5 minutes away before deciding which to stay at. Both campsites were conveniently located minutes away from the Masaai Mara National Reserve Oloolaimutia Gate, and had almost identical less-than-luxurious accommodation options with the only advantage of Rhino Camp being that it had the option of a room with walls instead of just tents. Of course, if you don’t prefer roughing it out, and would enjoy hot showers at night and fewer bugs under your pillows, I would suggest staying at a lodge instead of a camp (if you can afford the extra cost)! To be fair, the staff on campsite was extremely friendly and welcoming, and the food, although lacking in variety, was really quite edible, particularly the breakfast!
The Safari itself was a spectacular experience! Our driver and guide, Richard and Dennis, were very friendly and good-natured and incredibly intent on helping us get the best possible angles and views of the plethora of wildlife the Mara has to offer, and always willing to go the extra mile for that perfect shot. We had a setback at the beginning of the trip, where a 1.5 hr delay at the rest-stop waiting for the rest of our group to join us set us behind schedule. Despite this late start, we were on the reserve at 5 PM and before sunset at 6:30 PM Richard and Dennis had managed (in record time) to take us to see wildebeests, antelopes, impalas, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, hippos, ostriches, elephants, and lions on just our first drive! The other days were equally fascinating where we spotted many of these animals again as well as buffalos, warthogs, crocodiles, vultures, guinea fowl, hyenas, and jackals, and even came within meters from lions and cheetahs!
The highlight of our trip was a mother cheetah and her two cubs we saw on the second day which casually strolled beside our car as if we were simply part of the landscape! We held our breaths for 30 minutes as the mother inched her way towards her prey and we were lucky enough to witness a breathtaking albeit unsuccessful chase which ensued!
The only suggestion I would have for Bigmac Africa would be to supply more drinking water (at least a bottle per day). We were provided water bottles on the first day and were under the misconception that this would be a daily occurrence and so we did not bring our own water the next day. We were quite dehydrated to say the least, but this actually came to our advantage since we spent a full day on the reserve (we didn’t need to “take a walk in the bushes”!).
On a final note, kudos to Richard for his punctuality everyday and his crazy driving skills! Also, Magdalene proved to be as professional in person as she was in correspondence. She met us both before and after our safari, and even helped us to arrange airport transfer the next day at a very reasonable cost (our driver here was also very punctual and reliable). Thank you Bigmac Africa Safaris for this very special experience of a lifetime!