PT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fabulous
Memorable trip. We visited Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Seringueti. We managed to see the Big Five thanks to our guide Daniel Mkojera, whose quality and professionalism is worth highlighting. A trip that will remain in our memory forever!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
With Mateys Tours I found my expectations on a Safari.
Knowledge, experience, passion and Hospitality as the core values Mateys Wild Tours make them a unique and yet dependable Tour operator.
We went on a safari with Mateys Tours in July 2022 and it was the such incredible experience in lifetime.
Our private trip from Arusha, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater was super amazing. We were lucky to see the African big five from 3 Leopard, 2 Rhino, several buffalos, Elephants and more than 15 Lions.
Swahibu was a very passionate guide, flexible, funny, and willing to listen and answer all the questions openly and friendly.
I highly recommend Swahibu and Mateys Tours to be your guide. One amongst profound values of Mateys Tours charity commitment that supports disabled children and Albino kids in Tanzania making them special and unique, that's to say choosing them is to choose responsible Travel.
Let's go Safaris, let's go responsibly, let's take hope to Tanzania's disabled kids and Albino with Mateys Tours and Swahibu tours guides.
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional Safari experience
Our trip was truly incredible! I cannot thank Seremara Safaris enough nor recommend them enough. From the very get-go the whole experience was smooth and hassle free.
We travelled the second week of February and did the Private Luxury 3 night package. We did a lot of searching on Safari booking trying to find the best offer and quality and are very glad that we went ahead with Seremara. We requested a quote through the site and received a response within 24hours, Benson was then very attentive to take note of special requests to create a bespoke experience for us. Up until we landed in Kenya, Benson was always at hand to answer any question we had and made sure we had all of the information we needed for our trip.
When we landed, we were picked up at the airport by our guide, Erastus, in a fantastic Toyota Land Cruiser which would be our car for the duration of our trip, and got us excited from the get-go! Erastus was fantastic! Friendly, knowledgable, and patient with all of our questions and requests, taking us to necessary banks to withdraw money and stopping to get a data card for our phones, making sure we were always comfortable and happy, teaching us about the animals and Kenyan culture.
From the airport we drove to our first stop in Lake Nakuru at the Cliff Hotel. A truly magical setting! Luxury tents set up high on the lake where the hotel team comes and opens up your tent curtains so that you can wake up to the sunrise. The food was spectacular and the staff incredibly friendly. We only stayed one night and wish we had booked to stay at least two! We did a game drive the afternoon we arrived and another the following morning and saw so many animals despite it being low season!
The next day after our game drive we drove to the Maasai Mara National Park, stopping at some "Curiosity Shops" to buy souvenires on the way. We did a game drive as we entered the National Park and headed towards our camp which was in the middle of the national part! We got to the park in the afternoon and it started to pour with rain as we made our way to the camp. The tracks were muddy and rivers beginning to rage but Erastus was calm and composed the whole time, ensuring that we made it safe and sound to the camp. We stage at the Mara Ngenche Safari camp and were, again, blown away by the experience. The camp sits on top of a cliff by the river where hippos dwell so you can see them as you have breakfast and hear them as you have dinner. The camp is also unfenced meaning that animals are free to roam, but don't fear as there are Maasai guides that take you to dinner and back to your room, and keep watch over the camp over the night. But it's great to hear the animals so close and hippos rubbing up against the tent's steal structure in the night. Truly breathtaking and we never once felt in danger! The tents were also incredibly comfortable, with large beds, roll top baths, outdoor shower and exceptional service from the staff.
The following day was my friend's birthday and we set out early for a game drive and spent the whole day in the park. The camp chef prepared a picnic for us to take so that we wouldn't have to return to the camp for lunch. Erastus picked it up and we stopped for lunch on top of a hill and had a picnic from the car bonnet, admiring the beautiful landscape around us and animals in the distance. Erastus was fantastic in driving us to all corners of the park to try and show us all of the animals! As it was low season there were few and all very spread out, even so we saw everything except leopards! Erastus was incredibly respectful of the animals, never encroaching on them or disrupting their peace but always placing the car so that we could get the best view and pictures.
In the evening when we returned to the camp, Benson had arranged called in advanced and arranged for a birthday cake for my friend so all of the camp staff came and sang him happy birthday. It was such a special gesture and made his birthday truly memorable. We watched the sunset as the hippos roared in the river and enjoyed some fantastic conversion with the Maasai members of the staff about their culture and lives and experiences with the animals.
The next day we checked out and drove out of the park, viewing the animals as we went. We stopped off at a Maasai village and paid to receive a guided tour and learn about their culture. A once in a lifetime experience of a very special tribe. Fascinating to learn about how they live an self sustain. From here we made our way back to Nairobi to catch our flight for the next destination. We met up with Benson to say goodbye, Benson and Erastus dropped us off at a hotel near the airport and we passed the time until our flight there.
It was a whirlwind experience and our only regret is that it was so short!! I honestly cannot recommend enough and I am already looking forward to returning and exploring more of Kenya's National Parks with Seremara and Erastus. However, going by Benson's judge of character in hiring Erastus, I am positive that all guides at Seremara are exceptional!
Notes of advice:
- Stay at least 2 nights in Lake Nakuro - the Cliff, one night is not enough to fully enjoy and experience the camp (they have a spa) and the surroundings.
- Stay at least 3 nights in Ngenche - for the same reasons! So that you can relax in the camp and take the whole experience in
- Take out more than you think you will need for tipping as once you leave Nairobi, ATMs are hard to come by. We definitely didn't take out enough for the exceptional service we received and weren't able to tip as much as we would have wanted.
- Don't buy everything in the first souvenir shop you stop at! You will stop at MANY, and they all sell similar things! Beautiful national crafts and you will want to buy it all... and it's hard to say no! So my advice is to buy a little bit at each stop :)
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
For us it was only 2 days and 1 night package and this was amazing! Our guide Michael was so passionate about his job and animal… he was so caring! And we got so lucky to meet some Lions, crocodiles and 1 leopard. My 5 years old son could not dream about a better safari. Seing animals in there natural environment and life. Elephants, Girafes, Antelopes, Gnu, Birds, Monkeys… Mikumi is Amazing and worth it to drive 7 hours to get there… Michael again millions thanks to make our dream come true. I will never forget this moment. Magalie
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stunning experience
We had an amazing time there with Alpine Chat adventure. We saw all the animals we wanted and most of them really close. I can recommend everybody to go to Tanzania at least once in there lif.
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If you go to Africa , go with big life safari !!!!
Everything was excellent ! Nanyaro is one of the best guides before between and after was the best !!!!
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Worst Safari Ever
I have been on other safaris in other African countries and this has been the worst by far! Look elsewhere for a safari company.
ITINERARY
Our original itinerary looked good on paper, however, we found out, while on safari, that it involved backtracking which meant the safari had to be changed causing us to miss 2 half day game drives in Masai Mara (which was supposed to be the highlight of the trip!)
DAILY “ROUTINE”
We were told by PRIDE OF AFRICA that we would be starting at 7:00 AM each morning so we would be able to get the most of our safari while in Africa. In reality our normal start was 8:30 AM. We also noticed that other guides brought their clients back from game drives to their accommodation around 6:30 PM. Our guide brought us back at 3:30 PM. This timing was the worst possible! Wildlife is active in the mornings and evenings while we were still at our hotel! We were out at the time when most wildlife is sleeping so we saw much, much less! Our game drives were 4.5hrs shorter everyday.
The only day we did not follow our “daily routine” was the last day. On the last day we started at 6:30 AM. That was the day we were to be “Arriving in Nairobi late in the evening“ (as our itinerary stated). We went on our game drive that morning, but only for 1.5 hours so that the guide could get back home early. We asked him about it and he told us that we could have a longer game drive but we would have to pay him extra for that! A 1.5 hr game drive!!! Our guide wanted to just get home early!
GUIDE & DRIVER
We had an excellent driver. As a guide, however, he did very little communication in letting us know about what was happening and only told us about the wildlife when we asked. He was knowledgeable about the wildlife but chose not to communicate that knowledge with us.
VEHICLE UPGRADE
When we arrived we were taken to the office of PRIDE OF AFRICA and were asked if we wanted additional day tours. After not purchasing an additional tour we were told that we could upgrade our vehicle to a LAND CRUISER. We were told that it would be more comfortable and better able to handle the wet trails in the Masai Mara, We went for the vehicle upgrade and paid US$800.00 for it. When we began our safari there was no Land Cruiser but the standard (2020/21 Toyota Hiace 4x4) instead. A vehicle that was uncomfortable with poor suspension and both side doors could not be opened from the inside (the guide had to open our doors every time we wanted to get out of the vehicle). We felt scammed out of US$800.00 and were never compensated for it.
SHORTFALLS & EXTRA CHARGES
Our original safari outlined several key points that were eliminated in our actual safari.
The first paragraph of our safari description stated:
- Includes "pre and post accommodation"
(We only received pre-accommodation)
- Tour Price Includes “All park entrance fees”
(We were charged an extra $40 to enter Maasai Mara)
- Game drives as detailed in the itinerary.
(There were ignored by the driver)
The itinerary changed and we missed out on several highlights because the original itinerary involved backtracking – A poorly designed itinerary that they changed in the middle of our safari
FOOD
The food was fine. That was not the reason we went on safari in Africa.
OVERALL
Overall a badly run safari.
I would never book again with PRIDE OF AFRICA!!!!!
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best tour operator in Tanzania
Good afternoon, everyone!
We went on a Safari from Zahar Safaris in December and I can say this is the best safari tour organiser in Tanzania.
We saw a lot of wonderful animals in the Serengeti Park. We also got a small Zohar gifts (water bottle etc).
We are very grateful for organising an individual tour for us. And the hotel was wonderful!
Thank you again and we would recommend it to all people!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Organised, friendly and helpful!
Sandra was great in coordinating my safari trip, arranging for transfers, and clarifying any questions we had at short notice. Would recommend :)
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
The tour was very good , highly organized everything in place.. had a fantastic moment at Mombasa . The experience was a memorable that you can never forget.