50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The wildlife was plentiful and stunning, so much local knowledge in this small company.
We have used this company many times, each time the 'personal' service was fantastic. We had game drives and added experiences by visiting local community projects that gave us fabulous insights into how people live. We are so pleased we found Cherokee Tours and we highly recommend them.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible experience with the guide Stephen !!!
On the day of our arrival in Nairobi, the guide was over 1.5 hours late at the airport. Then we had to walk and wait another time 20 minutes because he had parked his car outside the airport parking lot.
Barely on the road leaving for our safari he stopped to fill up with gasoline (couldn't he do it before picking us up when we had 12 hours of theft in our legs?).
On the way he said to us "why are you coming when it is raining?" January is not a good time to come (contrary to what we can read on the net).
Are we responsible for the weather? He replied that we had to call before coming! How then to organize a 15-day trip with hotels planes...
Finally at the arrival of the 1st park (Tsavo) before doing our 1st game drive, he asks us if we can take 4 people (Poles I believe) with us because they have a problem with their Jeep. To that we answer no because a little tired of his attitude and not to mention that we had arranged a private safari just for the 2 of us. Suddenly he does not like much and it was the climbing ...
He didn't like to repeat himself (we are not specialists in the animal world and even less English speakers) and allowed himself to think about us or downright hikes of your "I already told you!" Style. or "Close the open roof now and don't discuss!"
I forgot ... We had a problem with the police because he had not updated his car insurance (3 hours to wait at the police station)
His Jeep did not have the 4 * 4 system either (supposedly broken on the way) and he had lent his tools (shovel and bars) which would have helped us to get out of a stuck in the mud instead. we had to clear it by hand. After getting dirty, no thank you from him ... In short, a horrible experience with this guide probably close to retirement age and who did not want to take this tour but are we responsible for it?
No compensation or commercial gesture on the part of Tekko tour despite the kindness of Carole with whom I was in contact for the organization.
Finally one thing shocked me: the guide lied about the number of game-drives made by his replacement (a freelance massai) who was not paid as he should. I learned about it a few months later and I made a complaint by mail and the problem was resolved without Tekko Tour ever acknowledging their fault.
Lamentable...
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful Excellent and
Excellent and timely communication from Maria - Ciata branch. The trip was worthwhile. Thanks bonfire.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most incredible trip of my life! Every detail was perfect! Service was safe and first class!
Experienced guide and driver and luxury accommodations!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safari of a Lifetime!
Despite COVID-19 we took the plunge at the end of September and travelled. This was our sixth safari vacation, but accounts of an empty Serengeti were too much to resist. Luckily, we found a safari operator, Mama Savana, who was willing to work with our last-minute requests and assure us of ultimate flexibility should flights cancel or our COVID test turn out positive. Alex was great to work with—always professional and friendly and he went over and above regarding prompt responses; at one point I asked him if he ever slept since I’d receive responses in Tanzania’s late evening hours. Alex put together an excellent trip for us that included, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Central and Northern Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. Camps ranged from amazingly luxurious to good—I asked for the range of accommodation to balance cost and luxury, and Alex listened.
Our guide Allen was one of the best we’ve encountered during our safari experiences; a true safari master. Often once guides learn we’ve been to Africa they stop educating us, even though we ask them to share their knowledge. Allen was awesome, lots of information!! He has great overall knowledge and great bird knowledge. We loved that he carried bird field guides so that he could show us the bird in the book. I’d take a photo of the page right after the bird photo so It’d be an easy ID a month later when I started sorting through photos. Allen was great at making sure we got good photos and has a keen eye for lighting and composition. Allen is also an amazing “spotter” which certainly provided experiences we may not have had without him. Allen understands animal behavior and was able to time our approaches to increase the likelihood of seeing a specific behavior. For instance, in the Ngorongoro Crater we witnessed a male ostrich executing a courtship dance to an interested female. We watched from a distance until the female laid down and the male quickly ran over to receive his prize. Only once the male started running toward the prostrate female did we maneuver closer—if we’d have moved too soon, the pair may have changed their minds and we’d have missed the mating. We also saw a large group of wildebeest crossing the Mara on Oct 5th! Allen hung back from the riverbank for that one too and encouraged patience explaining the likely behaviors we would witness prior to a potential crossing. After two hours it happened, and it was an amazing experience that will forever be etched in our memories. Lastly, Allen has a fun sense of humor and was a great traveling companion, we gained a friend on that safari!
Every safari is a once in a lifetime experience but having the wildlife essentially to yourself in one of the world's premier safari destinations is an unparalleled experience unlikely to ever be repeated again. While this experience was certainly unique, having an expert planner and an expert guide, like Alex and Allen, will set a solid foundation for your safari. Thanks Mama Savana!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
We did a 4-days safari to Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro crater, Serengeti National Park and Lake Manyara national park. We had a wonderful, relaxed and amazing time with Didas, our driver guide, and with the company Furaha Tours that organised everything very well and smoothly. The recommended lodge and tented camp were great. Our guide Didas was extremely nice, very professional and experienced. We saw many different wild animals, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, he knew all the places where to go, We really had a great time together. We highly recommend Furaha Tours.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Experience
Memorable Safari experience, Suricata safaris showed a total professionalism from the first email we exchanged with Hilary he replied emails quickly, sometimes in minutes. Adapting the trip to our needs, finding solutions to any request. The guide Ezekiel was fantastic, attentive to everything we needed, always smiling, friendly, speaking a very good English and able to take us to the right place just at the perfect time. We saw the big 5, with Leopard walking very close to us, elephants, hippos, cheetah, leopard, crocodile, giraffes, baboons, zebras ..... Unforgettable experience and we recommend the experience to anyone wants to visit Tanzania.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful
We received good treatment from the staff. They are true professionals and we couldn't ask for more.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari Experience
Memorable Safari experience, Suricata safaris showed a total professionalism from the first email we exchanged with Hillary he replied emails quickly, sometimes in minutes.
Adapting the trip to our needs finding solutions to any request. The guide Ezekiel was fantastic, attentive to everything we needed, always smiling, friendly speaking a very good English and able to take us to the right place just at the perfect time. We saw the big 5, with leopard walking very close to us, Elephant, giraffes, baboons, cheetah, Hippo, Zebras..... Unforgettable experience and we recommend the experience and to anyone wants to visit Tanzania.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic trip to Hwange - Nehimba & Bomani Camps
A big thank you to the Off2Africa team for the Hwange recommendation and for facilitating our booking at Nehimba and Bomani Camps. Service was prompt, professional and lots of questions were well answered - making sure all our needs were met!
The trip itself was incredible. The camps facilities, meals, activities and staff were of a high standard and we had a wonderful time. Highly recommended!