US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari with kids!
We're a family of five (three boys, 15, 13 and 12) living in the US and I'd been trying to arrange a safari that encompassed the Masai Maara and finding that many of the tour operators here in the US thought our budget was just not enough to accomplish that. I came across Transtrek and had a quick email exchange with Daniel and he felt that our budget was absolutely enough for a few days there and, with kids in tow, visiting other parks would keep the kids engaged anyway. What great advice! Daniel managed to create an itinerary that allowed us to travel around Nakuru, Naivasha, the Aberdares, Laikipia, Nairobi and the Masai Maara and then finish off with a couple of days in Malindi to unwind. While the driving was long (and I wish we had followed Daniel's advice of taking more internal flights!), we saw everything that we had heard about and more besides. He really took the time to find out what we wanted to get out of the vacation and worked other excursions and parks into that list. As it turned out, our highlight was probably Ol Pejeta where all three boys (and us 'rents) loved the conservancy excursions (and we saw a leopard and her cubs!). We would not have considered that as a destination had Daniel not recommended it.
I would not hesitate to use Daniel and Transtrek again, or to recommend them highly to anyone considering a safari. He was always responsive via email or video call and obviously has a wealth of personal experience traveling in Kenya so was able to answer all of our questions, make great recommendations and create an awesome experience for all of us.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional...value for money.. Good service
Quite satisfied.. in fact went out of the way to accommodate further expectations
CA
great safari and wonderful Hocking mountain
I have been travel with this great campaning and its so good services at all ,I enjoyed much their safari and mountain hiking and its so wonderful and full enjoyment.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I recommend the AAA Express Adventure
Everything was good about the company, but I don't understand why safari in Tanzania is much more expensive. We prefered much safari in Kenya (Tsavo, Amboseli, Masai Mara) or at least in Namibia (Etosha). There was much more animals there than in Ngoro Ngoro or Serengeti this time. We prefered the landscape (green) in Kenya and Namibia as well and camps were beter there.
However the company is reliable.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Africa
We had a fantastic time, seeing the wildebeast migration and seeing all the animals up close. Amos our driver was very nice and knowledgeable and was always happy to answer questions with a smile. The tents were cozy and functional and we were really happy to see all the animals in their natural environment. Maggie was also very helpful with the bookings and all the arrangements. Overall we had an unforgettable time
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Tour Company, Great Guide, Wonderful Visit to Akagera and Gorillas
Pre-trip service:
- We corresponded with Nicholas initially and with Nelson when Nicholas was not around. Both were very prompt and helpful in giving information and giving us a quote for the trip. Information provided was to the point and complete with packing lists, etc.
- There was a moment of anxiety for one individual in our group of 3 when his receipt for the deposit placed with Rwanda Development Board had only his first name and not full name. Nelson assured us that this would not be a problem as it was only the receipt and not the permit and that they have given the full names and passport numbers to the RDB. Indeed there was no problems at all.
On-trip:
- Our guide was supposed to be Eric; we had asked for him after reading reviews although Nicholas had told us that all their guides were very good.
- Nelson advised with apologies at the last minute that due to some personal problems he wouldn't be able to come and our guide would be Enos instead.
- Enos is a great guide; very punctual, patient and professional with fluent English and most importantly with so much charm, humility and politeness. His calm but confident demeanour put us at ease from the very beginning. We were super impressed by his nuanced answers to our queries and he, at our request gave us a Rwanda genocide 101 - the context of the madness and how it built up to what it was starting over a 100 years ago.
- There were 3 of us and on the 2nd day in Volcanoes National Park, one of us was doing the gorilla trek the 2nd time and two of us were going to do the golden monkey trek. And we had to go in different directions to two different starting points. Enos was very resourceful and ensured that we reached our destinations in time.
- I also need to mention that Enos was very sensitive to every one of our individual needs and ensured that all of us had a great time.
Trip Itself:
- We went to Akagera National Park where we did a boat ride and a game drive the next day. Lovely experience not because the animals were very close by (except for the zebras, buffaloes and impalas, topis) but because of the solitude. It was like it was just the 5 of us (3 of us, Enos and the park ranger Didier), the wide savannah and the animals. The silence in such a large place with so many animals was complete! We had a good time spotting animals which were generally far away for most of the drive but in the end we came to a huge plain which had a lot of zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, topis etc. We also got to see two herds of elephants but they were pretty far.
- The Volcanoes National Park is a beautiful place with the misty mountains peaks and the jungles. We had a great time on the gorilla visit - the apes were very close by so we had good views and it was the same for the golden monkey visit. Both the treks through the dense jungles of central/east Africa were very enjoyable and unique experiences. I am not writing much about the gorillas because they are widely covered elsewhere and this is a review about the tour company.
Overall
- Very impressed by Gorilla Trek Africa.
- We had found them from the TripAdvisor reviews and they are #1 amongst 26 tour companies doing the gorilla trekking in Africa and it is totally justified.
- Booking directly with Gorilla Trek Africa is highly recommended.
- They also have another website by another name (i forget the name); the reason is nothing other than to increase reach.
- Thanks to Nelson, Nicholas and Enos for a wonderful experience.
- If we do the gorilla trek or Akagera National Park again, I am going to use this company.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience with Yala Safaris
Great experience with Yala Safaris
I am happy to have found the right tour operator. I thank the management of Yala safaris for the great opportunity of showing me around together with my family at Muchsion falls national park through game drive, accommodation at Pakuba Lodge was so wonderful and the caterers were great, it was amazing to see elephants and giraffes as I have never seen so much of them together. I really couldn't believe that this tour guide offers free wifi on transit. That was so great. Thank you Stanley and Godwin our tour guide all courtesy of Yala Safaris
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I saw Paradise with incredible abundary animals: thanks to Clever game-driver :Emmanuel Bildad!!!
I think This Safaris operator is excellent... I ate very well and I spend memorable days ; I wish to thank Emmanuel Bildad again for his brave; I saw animals of every kind and in short time! He is gentlemen, nice and sure game-driver! He drives very well and knows african territory very well...!!! I hope to return in Tanzania with your Siafu Tanzania Safari! I 'm interested to receive yours communications at soon!
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing place and team
An amazing place, nestled in the bush and surrounded by dozens of animals (impalas, warthogs, wilderbeasts, zebras, giraffes, hippos...). The bungalows overlooking the river have a magical feel.
The cuisine is excellent and the team is great, always here to help and very friendly.
A true dream place.
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excelent guide great experience!
We had an excellent guide Emma Bildad that made sure all our requests were met. We got to see a lot of wild life including cheetas hunt and leopards. Hotels were excellent and overall was great.