HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It simply couldn't be better!!
From the day I contacted Matoke Tours, they always replied me swiftly and with a very high level of professionalism. I am not used to book and pay on line so I really had to feel that Matoke was totally trustworthy. Matoke was able to answer all my questions in a very efficient way. The best was to come: the trip itself. We were lucky because I believe we had an exceptional driver (his name is Abdallah). He was always on time, drove safely, checked some roads beforehand to guarantee we would always be on time. Cherry on the cake, he is not only a very responsible and committed guide but he is also very interesting and entertaining. We managed to see a Leopard in QENP, we managed to see the Gorillas in Bwindi, actually see is not the right word...we were actually sitting two metres away enjoying an amazing moment. We explored Western Uganda to its fullest but in a very comfortable way. With Matoke Tours, it was simply all about enjoying the trip with no organisation hassle! We want to thank Matoke Tours for this trip of a lifetime. Webale nyo! Weraba!
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent in every phase
I joined 3nights 4days safari. During the safari, we saw many animals and learned a lot about them through a ranger. All crew in the tydon safari bush camp were very kind and nice. And the camp was very clean and good. Also all the meal was excellent. Thank you for having me a beautiful experience. Especially thank you for Karah, Joe, Laggie.
CN
Great safari experience
Our safari in Selous national park was very professional from starting up to end, Ndamungu is very responsive . They picked us up from the hotel on time and the safari followed the agreed pattern. Our guide,Ernest, was fantastic and very knowledgeable. He knew where to look for the various animals, had great vision to spot them, went off-road when needed to, great driving and fantastic spirit, funny and friendly all the way through our 3-days,really is very joyful never had that before.
We strongly recommend to book you safar with Mercury Zanzibar Safari
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing!
I have been on 4 previous game safari drives in the Masai Mara, but never have I seen so many lions, cheetahs and even 2 leopards. I had never seen even 1 leopard in the previous 4 combined. We were amazed by everything we were able to see. Knowledgeable uide and driver.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya Walking Tours is the only way to go!
We just returned from 20 days on safari with Kenya Walking Tours, which included Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was absolutely beyond words! We were a party of 6 and we were ALL 100% satisfied with all aspects of our experience. From the planning stages where we negotiated itinerary, accommodations and pricing with OT who was more than willing to work with us, through the actual visits to his office during our stay to give him first had reviews of the adventure, we couldn't have asked for a more organized and comprehensive client-oriented adventure. Our package included all of our transport (including airport transfers!), meals, accommodations, English-speaking drivers, and park admissions. We visited Samburu (our favorite!), Navaisha, Amboseli, Nakuru, Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Manyara, Ngorongoro, and finally Zanzibar! Be prepared for long and dusty car rides if you select an itinerary like ours, but keep an open mind and be patient -- pole pole (swahili for slowly)! Hakuna Matata! Everything you will see and the people will meet will be well worth the time spent in rough transit! Our driver, Anthony, was fantastic! Personable, knowledgeable -- and always interested in keeping us safe and happy! Our accommodations ranged from upscale lodges to low budget hotels to tented camps (our favorite being the unfenced camp in the Serengeti!!). Other than the unpredictable availability of hot water, we were always pleasantly surprised with our stays. The food was plentiful and decent; the staff bent over backwards to make your stay unforgettable. We suggest you bring lots of small bills and items to trade. Enjoy the bartering with all the native Kenyans and Tanzanians. It's half the experience! And bring along an extra tote to cart home all the things you'll find yourself not being able to resist purchasing in the heat of the bargaining! I just can't say enough about this trip! Already hoping to book a gorilla trek to Uganda with Kenya Walking Tours!
PS -- I almost forgot the animals! We got glimpses of the Big Five and took thousands of photos of some of the most sites ever! It often times felt surreal to be in such close proximity to animals I thought I's only ever see in National Geographic! Take the Hot Air Balloon --- it's amazing...and the breakfast is unbelievable as well! Finally, we loved our time in Navaisha where we did a walking tour in Crescent Island, as well as a boat ride to spot Hippos galore! I could go on and on, but you get the point.
If you're trying to decide whether to book a tour or not..think no longer! Just do it! You wont be sorry!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
STOP thinking about it -- and just GO!
Where do I even begin? As a group of 6 travelers from the United States, we spent 16 incredible days traveling around Kenya and Tanzania, under the exceptional guidance of Kenya Walking Survivor Safaris. The trip was easy to organize, and through communicating with OT (the owner), we were able to negotiate an itinerary that was ideal for our interests and our budget. Our trip included airport transfers, comfortable accommodations, meals, an English speaking guide, all transportation (including flights to Zanzibar), and and all safari associated fees (i.e. park entrance fees). The accommodations featured a wide variety of choices from an unfenced tented camp in the middle of the Serengeti (Our favorite!), to low budget hotels, to beautiful top-notch lodges. We enjoyed the variety and the uniqueness each place had to offer.
We began our trip in Kenya, where Anthony (request him--he is fantastic!) lead us through Samburu, Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli. Within those parks and areas we were able to see the Big 5 (along with so many other animals), take in the breathtaking surroundings of the African landscape, and enjoy the hospitality of the warm Kenyan people, which is unlike anything we have experienced before. Our favorite park was Samburu, where within the first 30 minutes of our very first game drive, Anthony took us to get within a few feet of a leopard! In Lake Nakuru, we saw both the white and black rhino, which was a real treat. Despite the very bumpy road leading to Maasai Mara, we were able to see lions up close and take an amazing hot air balloon ride with breakfast served right in the middle of the savannah. The balloon is expensive, but not to be missed. While visiting Lake Naivasha, we were taken on a walking safari of Crescent Island and on a boat safari to see the hippos and fish eagles. While visiting Kenya, Anthony was an expert guide, often spotting things we would have never seen, answering all of our questions, and adding to the spirit of our trip with his humor and great personality. It was a true joy to spend two weeks with him.
Crossing the border into Tanzania was an easy and painless transition thanks to Anthony, and our Tanzanian guide, Abbas. We began in Lake Manyara, traveled to the Serengeti, and finished our Tanzanian safari in the Ngorongoro Crater. Each place allowed us to continue to get up close to animals and see them in a variety of settings. We loved Ngoronogoro for the views and awesome chances to see lions. Abbas was a great guide, with a special eye for spotting leopards and we were sad to leave him after only a few days. He transported us to the Arusha airport, where we flew to Zanzibar.
Zanzibar was a great way to unwind and "dust-off" after our safari. We enjoyed the incredible beaches, snorkeling, Stone Town, and a spice farm (fascinating!). Make sure you this to your itinerary!
Do Not Miss: Samburu, hot air balloon safari, walking safari, unfenced camp in Serengeti, Zanzibar
Things To Skip: Maasai village (go to the Samburu village instead---less touristy and more authentic)
Tips: Bring trading items (clothing, pens, shoes, watches, etc.) as they will help you barter for goods along the way. Take Pop Rocks with you (trust us...). Do not overpack, as nearly every lodge had laundry available. Plus, you will want extra room in your suitcase for all your souvenirs! Airline pillows are helpful to sit on while traveling on some of the bumpier roads.
We learned a new phrase while in Africa, TIA (This is Africa). Remember to keep an open mind about schedules, timing, road conditions, hot water availability, Wifi, etc. Instead of letting these small inconveniences ruin your trip, embrace the phrase "Hakuna Matata" and have fun!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jambo -- you will love this vacation!
The most beautiful things in the world can't be seen, you feel them. This truly sums up our expericece with Kenya Walking tours this past July. During our entire excursion, we were awed, amazed, pampered, trusted, guided, assisted and cared for to make our trip one unbelievable experience.
From our arrival in Nairobi to our final departure over 2 weeks later, we never once had cause to question our decision to travel on safari, especially with our new friends, KWSS. Our driver and guide for our time in Kenya was the amazing Anthony. His attentiveness to our needs was second to none. He was punctual, helpful and always cared for our safety (with the vehicle and on safari). He really made our trip unforgettable. When you are with someone 24/7 for 10 days you need to connect and with Anthony we absolutely did so. We talked about families and life most of the time when traveling. As a great treat to us, we passed through Anthony's hometown and were able to meet his wife and endearing son, Ryan.
In Tanzania we were met at the border by another guide who continued our terrific experience. Abbass made sure that we maintained our successful journey. He always allowed us to modify our day as we wanted (more time for shopping for the ladies!). His patience with us and knowledge of the parks was remarkable.
We noticed that in the evenings at the lodges, most of the drivers/guides met up with and ate with other safari drivers....ours did not--they always spent time with us and had a Tusker as well. This was wonderful! We knew then we had the best guides!
The hotels/lodges that we stayed in were wonderful. We did not want luxurious accommodations but requested places that were close to the animals. Our wants were completely met with great places to stay in the evenings. Every person at every accommodation were so friendly. Again, the great people made the difference!
As we were in the planning and preparation stage, our host, OT was so accommodating to our wants and needs. We knew specific parks and areas that we wanted to visit and he custom built a vacation that would top anyone's bucket list. He worked exceptionally hard to keep us within our budget without compromising the experiences. Communication with OT was great...he always responded to my queries in short order--even given the 7 hour time difference.
We only splurged on the hot air balloon ride over the Maasi Mara---with absolutely no regret. We were all completely awestruck and could not settle our emotions while we ate a champagne breakfast in the bush with our pilot. Words again are not enough for the feelings.
I can not recommend KWSS highly enough. They made our once-in-a-lifetime experience unforgettable and so much more than we could have expected. We are already planning a return trip. If you are questioning wether or not to go on safari, contact me and I will make sure that you do not let this opportunity pass you by.
We noticed many other companies while on safari, but KWSS is not the biggest, but from our experience they are the best.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professionalism with personal touches: Kudos Baboon Safaris
I would highly recommend Baboon Safaris to anyone who is looking for a great safari experience within modest budget. The savings does not mean one needing to compromise on the safari experience though. While safari experience often depends on ones luck, being in the right neighborhood at the right time depends on guides' experience. The drivers/guides are very knowledgeable and experienced with the game reserves flora and fauna. The accommodations were comfortable and our individual needs were looked into with great care. My kids are still talking about our guide after coming home. Right from the moment of receiving at the Airport till the send off, I felt Baboon Budget Safari took it upon them to ensure that me and my family (with us travelling with young kids) had the most memorable vacation.
US
Beauty beyond belief
My experience with Adventure Backpackers Tanzania was extraordinaire. Not sure why they call themselves "Adventure Backpackers" because there were backpacks insight? They used vans with open roofs for great access (360 degree view) of the vast Savannah. Nelson, the senior coordinator, was well organized, fair and dedicated to making sure our group's travel experience was fun and enjoyable. Celestine Mueni, sales assistant, was helpful and friendly. Debbie, travel consultant, was knowledgeable about lodging and resorts, she was very helpful. Cyrus, the safari driver, was knowledgeable and made sure we saw plenty of wildlife and explained many things about the animals living in their natural habitat. I loved my experience and plan to go on more safaris to other parts of Kenya and Tanzania--booked by Adventure Backpackers.
CN
Great safari experience
Our safari in Selous national park was very professional from start to end, Ndamungu very responsive . They picked us up from the hotel on time and the safari followed the agreed pattern. Our guide,Ernest, was fantastic and very knowledgeable. He knew where to look for the various animals, had great vision to spot them, went off-road when needed to, great driving and fantastic spirit, funny and friendly all the way through our 3-days,it is very joyful for me never had that before.
We strongly recommend to book you safar with Mercury Zanzibar Safari