LT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The really great safari tour
The best part of our safari was our guide/driver Albert. He was doing more than expected to get to the best places and provide as a possibility to see the animals up close. Always with a positive calm mood, he managed to bring us to the most amazing places and see the lions or cheetahs so close, that I could never imagined.
The place to stay is nice, the staff is very helpful. They also have hot water [what was really appreciated after a long day in Safari] :)
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wow...Wow...WOW! Talk about an EXPIRIENCE of a LIFETIME!!!
Three individuals made my first trip to Africa an experience of a lifetime: Jacob, Mazingira owner, and Solomon and Simon, our guides. Initially I wanted to book with an American owned tour company due to time differences and ability to clearly correspond with English speaking personnel. However, many of those I reached out to could not meet the constraints of my budget or they just simply weren't timely enough in their responses. After I sent a quote request to Mazingira, it was clear to me, that I had been limiting myself by doing the aforementioned. Despite obvious time differences, Jacob's communication with me was absolutely seamless and responsive! He and his guides spoke perfect English so correspondence was super easy over the phone and through messages on WHATSAPP. He utilized his resources and was able to make my dollar stretch (to the most incredibly accommodations might I add) and was extremely patient with my questions; he often stayed overnight in his office to ensure he addressed any concerns I may have had on our working itinerary. Jacob also ensured that we didn't get the typical Serengeti adventure. Everything we took part of was truly the AUTHENTIC version of Tanzania, from our personalized dining experiences and cultural visits, to our inexpensive shopping trips for souvenirs. Although I had done some research, I incorporated a few of Jacob's recommendations for particular locations, and I was extremely happy I did because they were the highlight of my trip! Mazingira also spoiled us with their tour guides. Often we ride by other companies outfitted with one tour guide, but we had TWO, Simon and Solomon; one to look out for game while the other traversed the tough terrain and also looked out for wildlife. This really enhanced our game drive experience because it can be a task alone to maneuver through areas with thick brush and look for wildlife simultaneously. However, for typical safari tours, I think two may be the exception, rather than the rule. Regardless, Solomon and Simon were so skilled, that I know they could do the guide individually, drive with their feet, and still spot wildlife! I was so impressed with the knowledge of animals and culture of Tanzania that they possessed. Both natives of Tanzania, were a walking/ talking National Geographic pair, that really made you feel like you were in the middle of some exciting Serengeti documentary film. They understand the patterns of the animals and spotted them rather easily. Often we were the first to spot wildlife and radio to their other guides to come join us at our location. Simon, our mighty driver can traverse through the toughest terrain there is, and in the wet season, that can keep you from getting stuck countless times throughout your journey. Mazingira is not just a safari guide company, but they are a FAMILY company, meaning they welcome their customers into the fold like they are brothers (caca) and sisters (dada). They have some of the BEST guides you will find in Tanzania (ask for Solomon or Simon if you can!). Once it was time to go, I found myself truly missing the Savana and missing our new Mazingira family. There are a ton of safari guides out there, but if you want a truly personalized, authentic ADVENTURE, look no further; MAZINGIRA is it!!!
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience
Our guide Oussie is nice, cheerful, talkative and possesses a lot of knowledge about animals. We saw big 5 in our tour several times. Everything from accommodation to guide is beyond our expectation.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Tsavo East National Park by Andrew Ahn
Lovely park, but less visible animals.
I think it's a nicer park than amboseli, but if the aim is to see wildlife, then amboseli works better.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Amboseli National Park by Andrew Ahn
Clear views mean you can see loads of animals from a great distance.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic
A fantastic experience. We booked 6 full days, but fortunately for us one day was cancelled (we hiked up Kilimandscharo instead), because it's hard to spend more than 5 days in the jeep just sitting all the time. Nice thing is to combine different parks, because the scenery is so different and it brings variety in the experience. Ngorongoro was unbearably our favorite. Don't miss it, especially if you are travelling with children. The concentration of different animal types is really high, so you'd probably see as many on one day as anywhere else on 2 or 3.
Our guide was just great, he spotted with bare eyes the animals we could hardly see through binoculars! A real professional! We were spending nights in the tent camps, and if you choose this option don't expect much hygiene in the washrooms... But the personnel there is friendly and the general atmosphere very amicable. We had one rainy day out of 6, it was tolerable. If it rained all the time, it would have been a really bad experience. I wouldn't recommend a safari during the rain season.
BG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya - a fullfiled Dream!
It was an amazing experience perfectly organized by Pride of Africa Adventures (the organizer) and Big Time Safaris (the provider).
I travelled with a friend of mine and booked the trip in November to start on 4th January.
The transfers to and back the airport are included in the package.
The hotels are decent and nice having in mind we have booked a budget to mid-budget safari. The camps in Masai Mara and Amboseli - they are nothing more to wish for in the middle of nowhere. Warm to hot water - everywhere - enough to wash your hair and electricity in the tents not only for charging digital devices but also for a hairdryer.
The food - I missed the real sugar and chocolate hahaha. However, the food is pretty OK. There is always something to choose from the buffet. There is always meat (beef and chicken), rice and beans, mandazi - my favourite, their kind of bread, as well regular bread, salads - cabbage+carrots, potatoes. There are always fruits - pineapple, watermelon and mango. The milk is the most delicious natural eco, bio milk in the world - always served on breakfast for instant coffee and cocoa. There is always on breakfast mango juice too.
Never forget to bring for 1 week at least 2 repellents - you will definitely need them.
The program itself was pretty interesting at least for people for 1st time on an African Safari. We saw absolutely every animal in the Lion King :D except for the cheetahs.
There are long drives between the parks itself but they are pretty bearable and you never miss a game drive in the morning or in the evening.
2 litres of water per person every day.
I should mention and our Guide-driver-ranger - KEN - we were soooo lucky to have him. He did his really best to find all the animals for us, to keep us save, to make us happy with fulfilling every wish. He answered absolutely every question and we learned a lot of things from him. He was very patient and never complained that he is tired because of the long and difficult driving and never cut off from our time of visiting the parks. We woke up early to see the real wildlife and he really took care for our safety even when stuck in the mud, which was a great fun for us. For him maybe it was exactly the opposite from fun but we enjoyed it :) It was him who managed to keep all of the described program so as never miss a thing!
Remember - ask all your questions in advance and read the answers carefully. As well you should always have in mind that you receive the service you paid for : if it is a budget it IS budget, as well mid-budget etc.
And one more thing - remember that it is nature out there - and if you do not see any kind of animal you wished, it is just because you were not lucky. My next time - I really hope I will see the cheetahs. :)
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Clutch Adventures and its Founder offer you individual, autenthic and fun travels!
Wonderful experience: Fun, authentic, individual and adventurous trip through Uganda and Sambia! Juraj knows everything, from budget to upper class rooms, wildlife epxerience and hiking trails (Rwenzori Mountains). He knows both the desires of Tourists but never forgets the local people! He knows the African culture from his extensive experience of travels and working through all of Africa!
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice and comfortable
It really liked, the drivers are very professional and friendly, the safari is very impressive and memorable.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A perfect, professional tour that exceeded all expectations in all aspects.
Our tour was tailored perfectly to our specific requirements in terms of what we hoped to see and do. From our first enquiry and contact Vincent always replied very promptly to my many enquiries and even came to meet us at the start and end of our tour.
Peter, our driver and guide was simply exceptional. His knowledge is astounding and he took us the places other drivers would not visit so that we saw animals and scenes only we witnessed. It was clear other drivers looked up him, he rescued 3 of them stuck in mud! His driving was first class and safety conscious.
If there is a better company or tour guide out there they must be really something.
Thank you so much Vincent & Peter!
PS I don’t normally write reviews but these guys deserve the best I can write.