US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Two week trip included visits with several local tribes and scores of animals in three parks.
Wilderness Legends Africa staff was superb - professional, knowledgeable, friendly, kind and patient with American travelers. By the end of the trip we felt like family. They knew park territory well and where animals might be so we saw endless numbers of a great variety of animals and birds. Visits to several tribals people were fascinating and accomplished with respect for local culture. Accommodations and food were excellent. We tell anyone who will listen to visit Tanzania and to go with Wilderness Legends Africa.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very efficient & well organised company to deal with
We booked the 7 Day Namibian Odyssey and overall were really very happy with the holiday. The communications & service and the information provided before leaving were all excellent and allowed us to feel very confident and excited for the holiday to come, and everything ran as was scheduled.
The guide, Augustine, was excellent in many ways: very informative, polite, helpful with individuals needs, and we felt relaxed in his company.
The accommodation was very good overall with some being excellent, however Etosha Safari Camp, whilst interesting in many ways, was let down by very poor accommodation as the rooms were very poorly equipped, the shower did not work & the windows creaked all night. Sadly we felt that this was below the standard of accommodation we expected for this holiday. I would have given a 5* rating if it had not been for this.
The itinerary was well thought through and we had many excellent experiences.
I would suggest that half way through the tour you may consider letting your guests have a couple of hours more free time to 'catch-up' so to speak as with so much to see and do, and so much travelling, we were quite tired at the end and pleased we had booked a couple of days in Cape Town before we flew back to the UK.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic experience!
One of the hallmarks of a professional, well-run company that puts the customer first is its ability to handle the mistakes and challenging situations that will inevitably occur.
In our case, when our driver failed to show up at 7 AM as agreed for our 2-day Mikuni Safari, I called and reached Kanuth. When he realized our tour had been mistakenly booked in for another date than the agreed upon on one, he dropped everything to make things right. Since no driver happened to be available, he personally drove us out to Mikuni for what turned out to be an absolutely unforgettable safari experience. In spite it being the in-between season (mid-August) when often less wildlife can be seen, we saw an incredible wealth of wildlife, including a lion pride with very playful cubs very close up and a trio of lions out hunting the following day. Kanuth is very knowledgeable and a warm and friendly travel companion. He did everything he could to ensure my daughter Zoe and I had the best possible safari experience.
I chose Kanuth because I wanted to use a locally run and staffed safari company. I highly recommend Kanuth and his company, not only for his professional attitude, but above all for the fantastic customer experience he provided us. Thank you Kanuth.
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and excellent tour operator!
Our experience with mamasavana is very positive. The service level is very high. Every detail small or big mamasavana made our vacation to the best. The first contact took place with John which gave us detailed information about the safari tours and helped us decide which period suits us best to go. So John thank you so much for everything and administrative tasks before our trip. The guide we had, Allen, was a perfect guide with a lot of experience and so much knowledge about the environment. We had so much fun during the time we spent together. Thank you for all the laughs! We will miss you!
And Alex thanks a lot to you too! The dinner last night will be unforgettable!
I can from my heart recommend mamasavana to anyone thinking of going on a safari trip.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
great tour with lots of tayloring to our wishes
We are a family of 4 and stayed for vacation in Tanzania for 18 days. Pick-ups from airports and hotels were always on time and as expected and drivers and guides had good English skills and could explain a lot about the country and its wildlife and plants. The 3 days game drive in Selous was the deepest impression. Mansoor did a great job in driving, finding animals even Eland antilopes and told us a lot about Africas mamals but also about birds and plants. The first day in our lunch break an elephant went direct in our direction but turned slightly 100m away but this was a little bit scarry since we already were ready to get all food back in the car and interrupt our lunch but Mansoor stayed calm but observed the animal very good and concluded there is no need for action and he was right. So this became one of the most impressive events but also lions with a giraffe what they got just shortly before we found them. Lodge pick in Selous and hotel choice in Dar and in Stonetown met our expectations as well and communication before travel and during an interruption due to a self organized beach stay was working excellent by whats app and even after our arrival back in Germany we were still chatting a bit. Thanks Alex and Leina for organizing everything very well. We looking forward to met you in Germany when you come to Berlin for ITB- all in all we highly recommend Mama Savana
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent planning and organisation.
Great planning and prompt communication from the word go. Answers e-mails within 24 hours. The service is personalized and lives up to our expectations. The safari experience was out of this world. saw the Great Migration and a successful but scary lioness hunt in Samburu National Reserve, could't ask for more.
The itinerary was coherent with great landscape viewing too
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
6 days Kenya safari and 4 days Tanzania group joining safari
First of all we would like to thank Paul Kariuki, manager of Simpa Paka Safaris agency, for amazing organizing of our Safari. Even when things weren’t going smoothly he always had will to help and showed availability in all situations.
My partner and I decided to do our Safari in Kenia and Tanzania, and since our experience with it was practically none, we started looking on the internet and we came across with Simba Paka Safaris. I contacted, first time, Paul by email in order to find the suitable safari within our demanding (duration, locations and budget).
After a few emails we decided to take a 6 days Kenya safari and 4 days Tanzania group joining safari and in order to book it we needed to send 20% of the total amount. Here was a trick one. After trying to make an unsuccessful bank transfer between Europe and Kenyan banks, we came with the idea of sending the money by Western Union agencies (to be honest, we were a bit afraid of a fraud).
Anyways, that was the only option we had, since we lost a lot of time with failed transfers and receiving the money back, so after a bit more of searching for Simba Paka Safaris name as an organization and veracity, we crossed our fingers and sent the money through Western Union directly to Paul Kariuki (manager of the Simpa Paka Safaris agency). After 2 days we received the invoice that safari was booked. Perfect.
Paul was always really friendly, e.g. asking if we already have stay before and after safari, pick up from the airport, etc. Since we already have booked the first night in Manyatta Backpackers by ourselves (btw I don’t recommend this hostel at all, big mistake. Believe me, if you don’t have any experience in Africa staying, it’s much better to have someone known (e.g. Paul Kariuki) booking the hotels/hostels, at least on the first days, for you.), we decided to agree with Paul to pick us up form Nairobi Airport until there. It felt nice to have someone waiting for you in such different place.
So the real safari started and we joined a group of 4 people, we were 6 people in a Toyota van driven by Laurence the driver and guide. So we stayed with the same group in Masai Mara on the game drive and in a really nice camp near to the natural preserve park, followed by Lake Nakuro where we were only 3 persons, and finishing Kenya safari in Naivasha, where we were only the two of us.
Finishing the Kenya part, we headed to Tanzania. Where we joined more 2 couples to do Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, followed by Lake Manyara, where again it was only the two of us, with a 4X4.
We noticed that management of tourists in Tanzania differe from ones in Kenya. We had some personal issues with the manager in Tanzania side, but to make things clear this had nothing to do with Simba Paka Safaris. As I understood, Tanzania Safari was requested by Simba Paka but handled by a different company, related to Arusha Center Inn Tourist, which is led by rather disrespectful director in a lot of ways.
I don’t want to be so detailed with this because is part of the personal experience, being in some place completely different, you will encounter many things that you might consider problems if you are not used to, but it’s all part of the package.
All I want to say is that Simba Paka Safaris did a really great job organizing this Kenya/Tanzania Safari for us, it was really good conditions on logistics and supplies, organizing groups and places visiting. We were also able to do some special enjoyable activities, e.g. bicycling game drive, ranger game walks.
In resume, if you are looking for really nice safaris, no matter how many are you, how much budget you have and which places you want to visit, I totally recommend Simba Paka Safaris, Paul Kariuki will be there to help you with your demands and even if you don’t know where you are heading to, you will not regret it.
BH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Experience!!
To begin with, We had no real expectation when we'd decide holiday to Africa; so it was one of those trips we prepared ourselves not to be surprised if it turned out to be an Average holiday! Well we were pleasantly Surprised to say the least - Kenya is Beautiful, Clean and the most Friendliest and Polite people on the planet.
To top it all, we gave the entire Safari tour of 7 days to "Right Choice Tours and Safaris " and must say they stayed true to the word and the Brand Name - Certainly was the "Right Choice" .. We had a fantastic and importantly a Safe Trip!! The family was amazed by the professionalism offered by this Tour Group and the Tour Guide and Driver Jacob was a true gentleman who was well read.. Right Choice Tours and Safaris is a Family tour guide .. Wonderful People.. Mr. George Oketch Director of the Tour Company was an experienced professional and man of his word! We had such an amazing experience that we would like to return to Kenya.. We've traveled across the Globe but Must say Kenya does holds a special place. We truely recommend if you're thinking Safari and a Holiday in Kenya - then think Right Choice Tours and Safaris..
We would like to take this opportunity to wish Right Choice Tours and Safaris the very best and keep up the good work!
From a satisfied Customer
The Concesso and Family...
LU
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience, very good support from Blue Crane, excellent guide .. Now a friend, Raymond
A fantastic adventure in Namibia! 18 days and more than 4000 km on the road, well organised by Blue Crane and his excellent guide Raymond.. Now a special friend! Accommodations were all good/excellent, most of them in stunning locations. Meals always in good restaurants. Interesting activities and unforgettable safaris, the desert and the coast, the canyon and the sunsets/sunrises... Everything in our heart forever.
Thanks Derek and especially our Raymond for all of that!!
I hope it is the first of many other tours together!
Betty
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever!
Thank you again for such an amazing adventure. We booked a 9 day safari tour from Arusha to the central and northern Serengeti ending in Ngorongoro crater. We really appreciated your assistance with organising our trip, catering to our specific needs and of course locating my bag. Hilary was the perfect tour guide for us. He was very knowledgeable about the geography, animals, especially the birds, flora and the history of the land and country. Part or our trip was to see the migration and Hilary absolutely delivered by showing us 2 crossings. He was very professional and courteous, easy to travel with and we won't forget his humour. We could not have had a better guide and will absolutely be recommending Hilary to others for a Safari tour. We really enjoyed the ruggedness of camping and the luxury tent stay. It gave us an opportunity to see all this tour had to offer. We both also like the fact that this was a small local company and enjoyed our private group.
This trip definitely met and exceeded our expectations.