50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go local and you will have the best hike for the lowest price.
My comments pertain to Tanzania safari and hiking Kilimanjaro. When I started the process of planning to hike Kili with my daughter, I did what most people do - go to Google and search. What you find is that all of the "big name" companies pay Google to be first on their search page and the small, local companies are hard to find. In encourage you to look carefully and consider a company that has an office in Moshi and is staffed by local people. They grew up in the shadow of the mountain and know more than any British or American firm that has a flashy website and persuasive marketing materials. We were lucky to find Oinoth Sirikwa, founder and owner of Sirikwa Travel. He grew up and lives in Moshi. In the earlier days of this company, they did not have a significant presence on travel review sites, but now they are killing it with well deserved 5-star ratings. Some tips for first timers: (1) Give yourself an extra travel day on the front and backend of the trip. We were supposed to hike with two other people, but they missed a flight. The mountain does not wait. (2) Rent the sleeping bag, tent, etc. from Sirikwa. It is low cost and very high quality. (3) The food is over-the-top with Sirikwa and we had no issues with water, but make sure you do not start eating too much. (4) Local companies have the best local guides. The guide is essential to get you to the top of this mountain. Some tours will go cheap and not hire the extra "summit porter". This is the person that carries support oxygen and will jump in to carry your pack if you struggle and they bring hot water, which was essential after everything we brought froze immediately. (5) The best money you will ever spend is to have a private bathroom. (6) Bring cash and envelopes to "tip" the guides and porters. I put tips in parenthesis because your tip is really their pay. The system is a very low base pay and then commission. Your tip is the commission. Be generous. These people have very little compared to the tourists climbing the mountain. (7) If you do not need the extra day on the front and backend of your trip, Sirikwa will organize a safari. They have their own vehicles and they are top notch. They even sent along an extra person to translate and make sure everything was OK. They provided water and food. Enjoy your hike and safari. Go Sirikwa!
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazingly professional, knowledgeable and affordable
I couldn’t have expected more for a “budget safari” as it in no way felt like one. It beat my every expectation by far. Bartho was always quick to answer any questions or concerns that I had. Malissa was our driver and made us feel like family, we absolutely loved him. This is the company I will forever recommend to anyone wanting to take a safari trip.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 days olpejeta/Lake nakuru/ masai mara
This was the best short safari ever and i wouldlike to thank Martin and his safari company as within short i and my four friends we enjoyed the tour to the very best.
I wouldlike to tell the world that dont hesitate to book with earthwings tours as the guide is very friendly and martin is very honest and accomodative.
if you want the very best of services choose earthwings as they are most reliable and the best safari company.
my last word is extremely the best safari company ever to have on African Safari.
PH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best decision ever
The 3 Days safari to Masai Mara was the best as we saw the most searched big five in three days. My fiance and I were very happy to see all the the wildlife in a span of three days. After contacting several companies earthwings emerged with the best affordable rate and reliable on email correspondence. Am so happy to choose earthwings and the guide who worked tireless to show us the very best of Masai mara despite the covid 19 situations. Thank you to Martin and earthwings. I recommend it to other companies.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
Was an amazing trip, really enjoyed the place, the family that own the camp were very hospitable and would for sure recommend this place.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful
Wonderful experience. Wonderful food. Wonderful campings. Great guide.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
3 Days to Amboseli National Park
We were delighted to be hosted for a second time with Explorer Kenya Safaris, We communicated with Robert and he Provided us with one of the best driver guide Jonathan.
Our Safari was a memorable one ,we were picked from our house and proceeded to Amboseli National Park arriving in just before Lunch .we relaxed and did a 4 pm game drive for three and a half hours, during our evening game drive we were lucky to see Elephants grazing in swamps ,lots of Flamingos and many more different species of local and migratory birds. Amboseli is just a Paradise of Bird watchers.
Our second day was amazing too, started an early morning game drive at 6: 15 am, until around 8:40 am when we went back for Breakfast and had a wonderful time relaxing at our luxurious Totilis Camp. That evening at 4 pm we embarked for a game drive and our Guide Jonathan took us a very nice evening sundowner spot at the observation Hill to have a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro and watched amazingly the sun setting toward the West. Our Evening was awesome too with lots of Elephants, hippos, and different kinds of Gazelles. we went back to our Luxurious Camp for overnight.
Last Day at Amboseli; We woke up as usual on this day at 6 am went out this time hoping to see the cats, surprisingly we were able to find lions relaxing few meters beside the road, these crowned our Safari experience. Our gratitude's goes to Robert of Explorer Kenya and our very knowledgeable Guide Jonathan, answering our questions and for his knowledge and history of this great park and history about wildlife and behaviors. Asante Sana Explorer Kenya Management.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
exceptional
We had very enjoyful days,kikutu our guide was very informative and a very funny person ,he made the trip more lively and he was very patient ,alert and self discipline, he made sure we saw all the animals at a close range
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We dealt with Tshepiso Maganga from the start, an amazing, friendly and highly effecient person.
Tshepiso Maganga suggested we stay at Vumbura Plains and once we decided to do it, she took over and did the bookings, she assisted with Air Tickets and when we were concerned staying in Maun on the way to and from from Vumbura Plains, she found us a beautiful lodge called the Royal Tree Lodge and finalized our bookings there. Her constant WhatsApp messages and emails kept us in the loop and up to date. VUMBURA PLAINS was an absolutely fantastic experience, Thsepiso and the staff at Vumbura assisted our family in organizing a 60th Birthday surprise for my wife which turned into an experience of a lifetime. The Royal Tree Loodge was amazing and we had an amazing stay, they even kept the lodge open for an extra day as our flights were postponed by the airline and Tshepiso sorted this as well and kept us up to date all the way. I would recommend Tshepiso and her company to anyone who is looking for a fantastic holiday experience as well as a highly effecient person /company.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very accurate and serves are above any expectations. I can’t wait to travel soon
All was perfect save for only one issue, I hard travelled with Friend from France who wasn’t familiar with English.