US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A Happy Week with Happy World!
Happy World Safaris was a great experience for my friend and I. We went in early June 2018 on a 5-day trip to Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti NP.
Managing director Joseph was very communicative and adaptable. He even went out of his way to help try to find my phone which was stolen while traveling to Arusha. Only issue was that we budgeted off a 'shared trip' rate, which later went up because there were no other travelers during our selected date. We did get the Land Cruiser to ourselves though.
Driver guide was Toni and he was awesome. He knew my main goal was to finally see a leopard, and he sought out the best hiding spots until we saw one! We all became good friends by the end of the trip. Serengeti Safaris can be expensive, but definitely a once-in-a-lifetime, must-see trip!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall very good, some logistical issues.
Pros: 1. Allan from Back of Africa was great and delivered on everything he promised within his power.
2. the parks and animals in both Kenya and Tanzania were amazing.
3. the camps for the most part were as or better than expected in almost every instance.
4. the employees of Back of Africa were all very friendly and helpful.
Cons: 1. because Back of Africa can't operate in Tanzania they subcontract out a tour company in Tanzania to complete the trip there. That company (SouthSand Tours) was also perfectly fine. The only issue was the communication between the two companies. Our itinerary in Tanzania was changed multiple times because the tanzanian company informed us the way that Allan and I agreed to it was not possible based on park rules. Also, when we were dropped off back in Nairobi on the last night we were told by SouthSand Tours that someone from Back of Africa would be waiting for us at the bus stop to take us to the hotel, however, when we got dropped off in the middle of the night on the street no one was waiting for us (luckily a hotel was nice enough to let us borrow their wifi to uber to our hotel).
Recommendation: My overall recommendation would be to use Back of Africa for your Kenyan trip and another company individually if you leave the country, I think it would result in a smoother and less frustrating process. If not for this I would have given Back of Africa 5 stars and westerners should feel completely safe using them in the future.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My sincere recommendations to anyone!
I found this company after going through hundreds of different ones. Still a relatively new company, but already had very good reviews on both safaribookings and tripadvisor. We also were on a very narrow schedule, as we booked our safari only about two weeks before and wanted to have our safari on particular dates. It also seemed to have very reasonable price compared to many others. After initial email, I found it convenient to chat with Hilary, the manager, in whatsapp. We had lots of conserns, such as my wife's restricted diet due to celiac disease, which ultimately was taken on to account unbelievably well. On every meal she could get her stomach beyond full, as could the rest of us, thanks to our brilliant young chef. Our crew was of good size, six tourists in one car. Our wonderful guide, Fred, felt more like a friend than a guide to have around in a good way. He would tell us anything we'd like to know, about Tanzania or related to safari. He sincerely seemed to enjoy his work. Also, when our car's spring once inevitably broke down, it could be fixed with a piece of wood in no time, and our itinerary would still hold. On our game drives in Ngorongoro and Serengeti, we were able to see every animal we could have imagined seeing (cheetah, leopard, rhino and heeps of lions, hyenas and so on). Only thing I would even consider changing is that due to my and my wifes busy schedule, we joined the group and went first to Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and after having seen all the animals in world class safaris, Tarangire NP felt a bit empty. This was also due to the season, as we went just after the rainy season, which is not the best to see big game. Luckily we could still get very close to a big pack of elephants. All in all, our safari exceeded our expectations, and I found it to have excellent price/quality ratio and brilliant for anyone looking for a five star experience on tight budget. Thank you Hilary and the crew!
AE
Experience level: over 5 safaris
All spot on
I did the 3 days Murchisson falls tour with the company. The tour was really great, I enjoyed it a lot. Everything was perfect.
Richard (my tour guide) was really nice, friendly and organized and we had some good chats on the way. The vehicle was good and suitable. Kabalega lodge in Murchisson Falls NP is amazing, I never wanted to leave. The staff at the lodge were also very attentive and nice- complete relaxation. The rooms are so big and have all you need for a nice luxury stay in the bush. The tour in general is very well planned as just enough time to do all and not just waste time sitting around. The walk to the top of the falls is 100% worth it and the people who do not do it, miss out a lot.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
When it went well it went well but when it didn't....
I know people rave about this company. And, I guess, if you didn't have any problems with them then they were good. But if you do experience a problem with them, they don't really want to hear from you with the what the issue was. I had a 6 day safari booked with them and it was good until I got to the Masai Mara and then things went off the rails. They gave me an incorrect park permit which the rangers would not honor. I contacted the person in the US who did my booking and she wanted to know why I was calling her about this. I mean, she did take my money for the trip so I thought she could quickly contact the Nairobi office for me and get this straightened out but no. After spending over an hour on a desolate air strip in the Masai Mara arguing with park officials and in order not to be sent back to Nairobi on the next plane, I had to pay the entrance fees again even though it was included in my safari payment. When I did speak with the head of customer service for Gamewatchers, she wouldn't confirm to me that I would be refunded for something I had paid for twice (ultimately about a week later I did get a refund). But then, because of this debacle at the park entrance, I missed a game drive which the hotel blames on me for not showing up for (because I couldn't get in to the park due the Gamewatchers giving me an incorrect permit) and neither the hotel, Mara Serena, or Gamewatchers will refund that. As a matter of fact on this issue, Gamewatchers has gone completely silent. So no, this is not a tour operator I would recommend.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable on time and flexible in adapting to changing plans. Able to get good deals!
Communication was good and personal. Dirrect reaction to requests. Friendly staff.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not just a tour operator...a friend. A golden friend that you always want in your life.
Who do you trust MOST in this world.....a parent? A sibling? A best friend? Remsi quickly felt like that person in my life. Conversation prior to my trip was easy and felt like I was talking to my best friend. I was so excited for my first trip to Africa and, as opposed to it being just another trip for someone, he was just as excited for me. I never felt like he asked a million of personal questions because it always felt like i was talking with a friend but he knew what to ask to make sure our time in Tanzania was geared just to us. He chose a guide who was so perfect for us. Edwin was our guide and I wanted to make sure our guide had a good sense of humor yet was knowledgeable. Edwin was a young man who was amazingly knowledgeable about the animals in the Serengeti and was an awesome spotter/tracker. He wasn’t just a walking encyclopedia about the Serengeti and the animals but he was a part time comedian and the keeper of all our things and kept us on schedule and organized. What was important to us was just as important to Remsi and Edwin. I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Afrikakukaye Safaris and Tours Ltd, Remsi and Edwin. Before I was even done with one day in the Serengeti I was already planning my next trip to Tanzania. I loved every single minute of my trip.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent and professional safari
The safari was awesome, we saw the big 5 and we enjoyed the view. I really recommend drones Africa safaris
FR
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great comprehension resulting in a tailor-made journey that met all our expectations.
Communication by mail and skype with Thierry was always uncomplicated. Our questions were never too much for him and if he was going to be unavailable he gave us advance notice. He fully understood the kind of safari we were hoping for, the animals we wanted to see in particular and the kind of lodgings. The journey was smooth with someone waiting for us at every stop. Nearly all our transfers from one place to the next were by light aircraft, a first and memorable experience! The lodges and camps we stayed at in Zimbabwe and in Botswana all had charm and were well integrated into their environment. We started off in Zimbabwe with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi river and a visit of Victoria Falls. Gorges lodge, where we spent one night is set on the cliffs of the Zambezi gorge, a spectacular setting. From there we were transferred to Somalisa Camp, a beautiful place in the heart of the Hwange bush, where elephants come to drink in front of the camp. From Somalisa we moved onto Kasane, Botswana where we also went on a sunset cruise on the river Chobe and a safari by the river where we spent a night in a small chalet at Kudu Lodge. Our next stop in Chobe was Savute where we stayed at the Savuti Camp, another camp beautifully set in the heart of the bush, and our final stop was at the Okavango delta where we stayed at Oddballs Camp, perhaps even more integrated into its environment where the safaries are by foot and mokoro (wooden canoe) only. Each place offered two safaries per day with friendly and competent guides who enabled us to see a big variety of faun and flora. Last, but not least, the food was delicious! Thanks Thierry, no doubt you'll be hearing from us for another African experience.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The safari was great,we were able to see all the big 5 . The driver was great. We will come again!!!
Everything was great we will be back for sure .
The accomodation was great and the staff was helpfull