US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
good lodging
We had a 11-day safaris. Booking was easy. Easy to communicate with the company owner Noah over email. Good lodging arrangement. In Masai Mara, there was a 3-hour drive one way to the river from the hotel, but the hotel was good. The hotel at Ngorongoro provided a spectacular view that's one of the very best we have ever had in our trips around the world. We made a scheduling mistake and as a result we had to book, through the company, one extra day at Masai Mara at a different hotel. It was an expensive booking and the quality of the lodging that day was SO BAD that it got me sick and was not able to do much the next day. The lesson: don't change schedule in the middle of it.
I have mixed reviews on our guides. Our first guide, Geoffrey, was an experienced guide and an excellent driver. Boy, he knows how to drive on the rough roads! He was assertive, a little hard to negotiate - we were totally inexperienced with Safari so we basically took what he offered, and he indeed, most time, tried his best in searching for things for us to see. In Samburu, at one point he was driving like crazy in order to get us to the spot to see a lion. It was a beautiful seeing. Another day he was trying really hard in searching for cheetahs in Masai Mara - although it was not successful in the end we were happy with his effort. His English was good and we had many good conversations. He was a caring and responsible guy - insisting that we call him back after he handed us to our next guide to assure him we were okay all the way. We did and had a good good-bye conversation. That's professional.
Our next guide, Hans, was less qualified to be a good guide. He was inexperienced as a safari driver and he messed up with some documentation things - as a result, we basically wasted our only day at Serengeti. Serengeti has been always a dream land for us. It was a disappointment. I am not sure whether this had anything to do with the location of the hotel. Hans was basically driving us back and forth on the only road near the hotel area. The Serengeti hotel itself, for the lodging quality, was very good. We had our best dinner of the whole trip there. During our Serengeti trip, we met a guide of another safari company, who was with a couple of guests who obviously were of hard-to-please type and who spoke very little English, and we talked with both the guide and his guests. He was such a wonderful guide (enthusiastic about and in doing his job, super friendly, easy to talk and very accommodating) that made us feel that we should have done a better job in researching and getting good guides for our safari.
Our third guide, Nicolas, was okay until at the end at the airport, when, perhaps due to inexperience and a long, tiring drive, he dropped us off in the middle of somewhere in the area and let us find the departure terminal ourselves. We were not thrilled about that, especially after we gave him good tips for the drive. We had to ask several people for directions in a long walk to the terminal. On Safari, though, he was mostly patient, willing to oblige our requests on the way. He took us up to the Observation Hill in Amboseli. We appreciate that.
Overall, that's a wonderful and unforgettable trip to East Africa.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Very Special Trip!
We chose Ker & Downey after extensive research on safari tour companies and they did not disappoint. From the initial contact to planning our trip and throughout our entire journey, they were fantastic. We were taken care of from the moment we stepped off the plane in Nairobi. Every detail was organized perfectly for our safari at Ol Donyo Lodge in the Chyulu Hills and at Angama Mara Lodge in the Mara Plains. Both lodges were exquisite – the staff, the rooms, the food, the setting - unbelievable! And of course, the game viewing. Not only were we fortunate to see the Big Five but we also witnessed the migration, truly magnificent! And we can’t say enough about the Masai people – words cannot capture their beauty and kindness. The highlight of our special trip was an Exchange of Vows Ceremony in celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary. To be surrounded by Masai warriors and maidens and receive blessings from the elders will forever remain in our hearts. Thank you to Angama Mara for hosting such an unforgettable event. What better way to finish off our celebration than to spend a few relaxing days in the Seychelles. Thank you to Terri-Ann and Ker & Downey for organizing such a wonderful trip. We look forward to having you plan our next one – we can’t wait to be back in Africa!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Had the most awesome time away with the itenerary they planned for me!no regrets just loads of fun!
No regrets,just satisfied and unceasingly grateful, will definitely recommend their services to every visiting tourist who wants to have an awesome time in Uganda!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
We just returned from a 3 1/2 week trip to South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana. Michelle Astbury of Sun Safaris organized an amazing itinerary for us. Our trip included numerous transfers, pick-ups and flights and Michelle's attention to detail ensured that everything went smoothly. Working with Michelle to design our trip was a pleasure. She was knowledgable, responsive to our concerns, and helped us make the best choices for a trip of a lifetime. We had a wonderful experiences at four lodges (Motswari and Arathusa in South Africa and Ngoma and Machaba in Botswana). Each lodge was a different experience, but all included luxurious accommodations, friendly staff and delicious food. And the animal viewing at all locations was terrific. Michelle also used her expertise to create great experiences for us in Cape Town, the Winelands, and Johannesburg. And uur stay at Oliver's Lodge in White River was a highlight.
We highly recommend both Michelle and Sun Safaris. We hope to plan another trip with them in the future!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Superb! Amazing! Exceptional! Fabulous!
UBON Safari's Umang and Beena organized a breath taking and mind-blowing African Safari and Taznania tour for us. From the moment I contacted Umang to the time we got home, they provided us with impeccable and " platinum" level care, attention, and customer service. They truly are masters of safaris and planning! We are in awe of their attention to detail and customer service. UBON Safari company is a gem and will be using them again most definitely. Umang and Beena, YOU GUYS ROCK!!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Amazing, Gorgeous Safari!!!
My husband and I went on a 6 day safari with Emmanuel, which included visits to Lake Maynara, Central Serengeti, North Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. The safari was simply breathtaking, gorgeous, and life-changing, and we couldn't have gone on a better safari than with Regional Tours and Emmanuel. From the start, Maturaf (the owner) was flexible, communicative with my husband in planning our safari. Through multiple emails, we planned the ideal itinerary for us. The best part about the planning process was that Maturaf was very accommodating about our requests, and the safari was quite cost-effective despite the fact that we stayed at luxury lodging accommodations. The safari itself was seamless because of Emmanuel (our guide). Emmanuel was the perfect professional. He was very knowledgeable, communicative, and flexible. He shared his vast knowledge of the Serengeti and the history of Tanzania, and answered my ceaseless questions about anything and everything. He was a safe driver and was exceptionally courteous, balancing his role as a guide and giving us space when we needed it. Emmanuel took many extra steps to make sure that we had our belongings and that we were comfortable in Tanzania. There were a few unexpected hiccups during the trip that could have put a damper on our trip. Nevertheless, Emmanuel was an excellent problem solver, who calmly reassured us and resolved all of our concerns. I could not recommend this company and Emmanuel more. I can't wait to return to the Serengeti again!!!
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very well organised tour. Good care taken to serve vegetarian food in all places. A memorable tour
Okoa Africa tours is a reliable tour operator taking care of all the minute needs of the customers.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari Experience!
We didn't know exactly what we wanted from a safari, having never done anything like this before, but Daniel helped to put together an itinerary that worked perfectly and fulfilled all of our requirements.
Thanks to our drivers (Peter) expert knowledge and the good planning we saw all of the big 5 on numerous occasions as well as a huge selection of other wildlife. A fantastic mix of tented camps and lodges were selected by Daniel, all of which exceeded our expectations, with fantastic service and luxury.
Transtrek and the Mara Bush Camp even helped to keep a hot air balloon flight secret from my girlfriend until we reached the launch site, and she even agreed to marry me on the flight!
All in all an unforgettable holiday, I would recommend Transtrek to anyone!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safai and Maasai village
I went to Ngorongoro and Maasai village with Kilimanjaro Vikings. This was my second safari with them, and everything was perfect as last time. The guide took many pictures of us in Maasai village, and explained about animals or environment so much. I'm sure I'll go to safari with them next time.