CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!!!
All over it was an amazing experience. Sam and Joseph ( our guide and driver) were very friendly, funny, knowledgeable, helpful in every possible way. We booked a trip for 6 days and we saw and experienced so much during these days ( countless of animals, different parks, different adventures etc.). Camps we stayed at were nice and clean, food was good and plentiful, people were very friendly and helpful everywhere. There was no problem ever. Everything went smooth and we had a lot of fun. I will definitely recommend them to my friends. I will remember this trip for the rest of my life. Asante sana Sam and Joseph!!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent and professional with everything
I have never been so happy about this dream trip, everything was over my exception.
My tour guid was service minded and had a really good knowledge of the tour and the animals.
I would do it again!!!
LV
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beautiful experience and perfectly organized a littlebit complicated tour.
We started plan our tour 1 year ago.The communication was exelent and very qick.We and Bebjamin finded the best decisions,how to see the Cape Town,winerys,Victoria falls,Botsvana safari and Kruger national park.We saw a lot of animals,big five and the leopard too.In these days national avio company was on strike,but Benjamin solved all the problems.Beautiful safari,beautiful excursions and great time whith Siya Phambile Expeditions.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Wonderful!
This was my first African safari, but I've traveled extensively all over the world (including hiring private drivers) and this is an excellent operation. All of my communication prior to the safari with Patrick was personalized and thorough and he was willing to work with us to find the right itinerary and lodges to fit our budget.
On the trip itself, we traveled with Kenny. He was an excellent game-spotter, very skillful driver (including in some mudslides and flooded roads, on account of unpredictable weather), always punctual, and always smiling. He was fun to chat with, and during drives from one park to the next, we got to know more about his life and hobbies, Kenyan culture, different types of animals and birds, local foods, holidays, customs, etc.
The van itself was in great shape, with comfortable seats, working seatbelts, and the pop-up roof was great. There were only 3 of us traveling, so we had plenty of room to spread out (it could seat 8 + driver, although I'd recommend a maximum of 6 for your own comfort and maybe less if you have lots of luggage). We had no engine issues, just had to refill the air pressure in a tire along the way, which was a quick fix before it was a major problem and Kenny had a spare tire AND a donut tire just in case, so no worries there. Kenny also kept the van spotlessly clean. He must have washed and vacuumed the car every evening!
On our 5 day/4 night safari, we spent one night each in Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Taita Hills, and Amboseli. All of us agreed that Tsavo and Amboseli were fabulous; all of us thought Taita was "just okay". I think 1 night at each was fine, but then again, I like seeing the changing scenery and habitats. If you want to spend two nights somewhere, Amboseli is the obvious choice. We (independently) did Naivasha & Nakuru after our official safari and both of those are lovely as well if you are looking for additional inspiration. We skipped the famed Masai Mara because it was still wet/flooded from rainy season; in dry season I'm sure it's fabulous!
Overall, we saw TONS of wildlife. You'll want a set of decent binoculars and a camera with good optical zoom, but you'll also quite a bit up close. Some of my favorite sightings: 11 lionesses in a row at Tsavo East at sunset, elephants playing in a watering hole at Tsavo East, Somali ostriches running in Amboseli, red zebras (from the dirt) at Tsavo West, jackals in Tsavo West, male bushbucks challenging each other in Taita Hills, gerenuks in Tsavo East...
Quick thoughts on our lodges:
- Voi Safari Lodge in Tsavo East had great views from the room/restaurant/pool/hide but abysmal food.
- Lion's Bluff Lodge in Taita Hills had great views overlooking the valley, good nighttime game drive (operated by the lodge), but since there's no pool and no wi-fi in the rooms, there's nothing to do between lunch and the evening game drive.
- Ngulia Safari Lodge in Tsavo West...there are probably better options in this area. I didn't like that the lodge baits a leopard outside the lodge for nighttime viewings (unethical) and since the food/rooms were nothing special, I'd ask about alternative lodges.
- Kilima Safari Camp in Amboseli had a great observation tower, beautiful property, massive rooms, and fabulous staff.
We ultimately had to skip one of our game drives in Amboseli because roads were closed (flooding) and Kenny was incredibly apologetic about this change in plans. It was obvious that neither he nor any other driver knew about this in advance -- a whole bunch of groups were in the same predicament. Kenny kept us safe from potential problems and did as much as he could to ensure we still saw wildlife outside of official park boundaries. Hakuna matata; we still had a wonderful visit.
We contacted a few operators before our trip and PD Tours was middle of the price quotes we got. For the incredible service and quality of vehicle, I am very pleased. Payment was made fully in cash while in Kenya. I would budget an extra 1500 shillings (US $15) per person per day to cover bottled water at meals, a daily sundowner or two, and tips for lodge staff like porters, bartenders, servers, and housekeepers. I would also budget generously for tips for your driver...they earn every penny!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great communication and accommodating
YES, I'D RECOMMEND YOU TO SIGN UP WITH BERNARD FOR THIS TRIP. HE TAKES GREAT CARE OF THE PARTICIPANTS and is very helpful. It was a good experience overall. Bernard arranged me with "Big5voyages" tour guys with driver/guide being Usman/Othman.
I went on a 3 days Safari to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro (conservation area but not the museum). 1st night was in a lodge (Fig tree lodge) which had hot water in private restroom. Remaining 2 nights were in camps out which second night also had access to hot water in common restroom shared by other campers. Now coming to Safari; although we were told that we'd have no less than 6 hours of game drive each day/drive but it didn't happen, not at least the 1st two days. 1st day we only had about 2.5-3 hours (partly due to late arrivals of other 2 guests but still partly due to the tour operator leaving late from Arusha). Same goes for 2nd day where we had about 3.5 hours of game drive in actual. Although we were able to spot big 5 yet this was something I needed to point out as was done by one another reviewer as well. The food during the safari, I must admit, was great though.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent day safari
Went on a 1 day safari to Nairobi National Park as well as the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre. Lawrence the driver was excellent and went to the ends of the earth ( or all over the National park) to find all the animals for my 3 YO daughter. The entire day went well and the communication between Stella and myself from booking to completion of the safari was exemplary.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari
It has been a great safari. They adhered to what we had asked for, with a fairly tight price and the professionalism of Daniel, the guide, was 10 out of 10. Great accommodations, and the program was exactly what we had been proposed. It was a success to hire him with them.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Out of the world experience!
The planning was hassle free though over email. Right from pick-up to drop off everything was well arranged and they went the extra mile to see no discomfort is experienced.
Out driver and guide had good knowledge of the park and good sense where game was or can be spotted. He was polite and helpful.
We got to see all animals in a matter of 3 days plus it was great weather (no rains in wet season- so lucky). This kind of destination requires someone like Shemeji to make it all worth it.
GR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommended!!
I contacted Mufasa Tours and Travels -only 2 weeks before my arrival in Kenya-requesting a customized 4 day safari in Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru while staying in specific lodges in both destinations.
Joseph's communication was excellent all the way. He helped me create my dream holiday in this beautiful country and was quick to answer all of my questions in a professional and friendly way.
Kevin was my guide and I have to say that he is the best guide I could ever have asked for. Highly knowledgeable, kind, professional, friendly and with a clear love and respect for nature/animals and his job. He truly turned this trip into a once in a lifetime adventure.
I will definitely book with them again, the next time I will get the opportunity to visit Kenya.
Thank you for everything !
IT
It was fantastic
Excellent communication. They gave me their telephone number for any problem. Very nice service, they picked me up at the Nairobi airport. The tent was a bungalow with nice shower. The trip into the savanna was fantastic I saw lions, buffalo s and the others animals.