US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
For the money I expected more
I did a mid-range safari and the other people in the group were camping. We saw many animals and we all got along well, but we were always the last people to leave camp each morning. I feel like we missed a lot of the best viewing. We all wished we could've gone out early in the morning and then come back to break camp down. There were also some communication issues with our guide and cook. I felt bad. I overall had a decent trip, but the other people in my group had a terrible time (no pillows, not warm enough blankets at night, etc).
DE
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything except the food and the service in the hotel restaurant was gigantic
Everything except the food and the service in the hotel restaurant was gigantic. The guides from the safari tours and the panorama route were super nice and we saw 4 of the big five. Also the hotel was very comfortable and the staff at the reception very accommodating. Unfortunately, however, the dinner was not completely included as stated in the description, but only up to a certain amount. The food was not very tasty and often not warm. In addition, the buffet was not replenished both in the evening and in the morning, even if the buffet was still open for more than 2 hours (an example was the fruit plate, which was already empty at 8 o'clock and was not replenished, although there is breakfast until 10 o'clock in the morning.) In addition, the staff in the hotel restaurant was very rude and did not give good service.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SA 3 day safari
I spent a week in SA just outside Johannesburg. If you don't feel concerned regarding personal safety the constant reminders with adverts re safety and electric wire around everywhere - you soon do. It rained for 9 days constantly!
Everyone I dealt with was really helpful and very nice but - ask yourself would you want to live in a hugely wealthy country and be reduced to performing handstands at red lights, or asking customers at the restaurant is it ok repeatedly because some white guy is watching them like a hawk! There feels little dignity for the majority of the population in the Joburg, Petoria area. For which reason I will not return.
The Safari was great - if there is a dentist from Asia who has not taken their new partner on Safari - I rather doubt it! At the weekends- white SA arrives for Safari with their "special children". In short this country needs visitors and the money we bring and everyone was so welcoming. It has a huge amount to offer but until it equalises ownership, equality and opportunity!!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A get what you pay for Safari…
We just finished the six day Masai Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli tour. We booked the budget tour with upgraded accommodation. The views and the animals were incredible, and we saw so much even though it was the off-season! Animals were our focus and this was achieved. However, the “custom Safari minivan“ was terrible! It had no suspension, no four-wheel-drive, no air conditioning, and no power. We spent hours on teeth rattling, bone jarring, hot bumpy dusty roads! This is not the option to choose if you have neck back or hip problems, or any breathing issues. Our guide provided facemasks at the beginning of the journey to protect somewhat from the dust. We got stuck a total of four times on our game drives, and had to help push the van. The last time we were stuck, it was approximately two hours before we were finally able to be towed out! The drives from Lodge to lodge took hours longer than other companies. Partly due to multiple stops picking people up or dropping people off and partly because the minivan just couldn’t keep up. Part of a reason for upgrading the accommodation was to have some relaxation and pool time. The first day we did not arrive at Jambo Mara until 245pm and they stopped serving lunch at three. The two nights at AAmboseli, we were originally dropped off at the camp instead of the lodge And it took some time to sort that out, not arriving at the correct lodge until 8:45 PM. The second night was also late because of the van getting stuck. Our luggage had to ride in the backseat because the back door of the van wouldn’t latch. We spent an hour prior to the game drive one morning while the locals repaired that. The roof top barely opened and closed that by the end of the trip we weren’t sure we would be able to get it up and then weren’t sure we would able to put it down.
We intermittently traveled with three other people that booked through this company. Each of them had their tour altered in someway mid tour. Thankfully that did not happen to us. So many things, but overall we did see a lot of amazing animals, but I would not book this trip again because of the minivan. The ride was just to rough, hot, bumpy, dusty, and miserable..
KR
The satisfaction of the tour is disappointing.
A tour that is disappointing for the price. It was 3 days and 2 nights in Ambossell, but the well-made tour was only one day. And the disappointment about the accommodation. The Ambosselli accommodation is too small for two people to sleep. At the Masaimara dormitory, it rained heavily and the floor of the dormitory was wet. I asked for one more indoor shoes (2 people), but I was refused, saying that I would pay one indoor shoes per tent. I feel disappointed in many ways in terms of service.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Disappointment
First day, during the transfer I ask the favor of stopping at the shop to buy a sim for the internet. We stay in the car, a boy from the shop comes and activates the card in the car cost? 20 euros for 5 Giga. Draw your own conclusions (card that cost 5 euros from the stories on the internet). Second day.. they come to pick us up at 8.30, they stop us at a market (all the operators stop tourists there) with the excuse of a delay and in the end we start the safari at noon. I get quite upset because you don't start a safari during the hottest hours when the animals hide from the sun so I demand that the next day we leave at 6.30. I'm satisfied and fortunately in fact we see some animals. The safari is very short, the parks are open from 6.00 to 18.00, a good 12 hours, the safari lasts 4 (5 with lunch break). Last day waterfalls and coffee plantation (they describe it as a walk). Steep climbs and steep descents under the scorching sun and very little shade and, in my opinion, it's absolutely not worth it (unless you've never seen a waterfall). After the walk fever due to the sun.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Disappointment
Having seen several countries in Africa I was disappointed by what I found in Tanzania. Beautiful landscapes but much more exciting Safaris in other places, all ruined by those who work with tourism and try to squeeze everything they can from tourists. I had a very bad experience with the operators (delays, overcharges, lack of seriousness) and unfortunately this is Tanzania too, you can't ignore this. The sea of Zanzibar is beautiful.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
5* safari in terms of the nature and 3* in terms of organisation
The natural reserves and all parks we visited were amazing, lots of wild animals and beautiful African savannah and nature! Highly recommended! 5 OUT OF 5!! As well our guide was a very helpful person and was sharing a lot about the nature, animals and local life. This was very helpful during the safari. On the other side the organisation of the trip was 3 out of 5. We had problems with every accommodation we stayed like no warm water or no water at all, electricity shutting, bathroom and sewage flooding etc. In every place we had to spend lots of time fixing all of this instead of enjoying the rest after long hours of safari. As well some of the activities were not super well organised like visiting the Hell's gate park, it was very unclear till the moment we arrived there, that we had to pay extra for the bicycles to go through the park, as well to pay extra if we wanted to go to the canyon in that area. As well we were highly advised by our guide to go in the boat tour at Lake Naivasha. It was operated by "The Savannah park" boat company. The sales lady at that place described the trip where we would see giraffes in the 5-10meters distance, almost feeding-from-the-hand experience, as well see a big local snake, lots of other promised things. We paid $100 extra for that trip and we received only 25mins walk within 200 meters distance next to the local cafe with a loud music in it and saw literally few zebras, antelopes and nothing which was promised by that sales lady. We came back from that trip to the sales office and explained the whole situation to the owner of that place and he didn't want to meet us mid-way and compensate us this awful experience for which we paid $100. I WOULD HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED TO USE "THE SAVANNAH PARK" BOAT COMPANY AS THEY MISLEAD AND SELL YOU BAD EXPERIENCE FOR LOTS OF MONEY!!!
Besides of all these organizational problems the safari trip was amazing and memorable for a long time -).
MY
Good
We had a 6 days tour in Kenya and 4 days in Tanzania. Visited Masai Mara, lake Nakuru and Amboseli. Or Guide Dennis is very aggressive and fast driver in looking for animals. We have saw all the big five animals in the first and second day. Accommodations in tent is preliminary as we are on budget tour. Local food here is a bit salty and dry here. In Tanzania we cover Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We had our guide Hozza is a very experience guide and has eagle eyes in spotting for animals. He shares his knowledge on animals’ habitat. Our Chef Kisaodi cooks according to our taste. Tried Ugali for the first time. Recommended for a try for local food. Toilet is clean in all parks. Sleeping bags were not so clean as we slept in the tent, preferable to bring own sleeping bag. Overall, we have good view of animal’s habitat in different parks with diverse scenery for photography.
JP
The safari itself was amazing, but there were issues with other administrative matters.
Good Points:
• The safari experience
Bad Points:
• The most shocking issue was that no one came to pick me up at the airport. A person named Ali was responsible, but instead of apologizing, he kept making excuses about the traffic.
• Jackson, the person I had been communicating with via email beforehand, is completely unreliable. Whatever you tell him, assume that no one on the ground will be informed.
• In fact, I had clearly discussed via email the remaining balance to be paid, the change of accommodation, and the need to prepare change. However, none of this information was conveyed to the staff on-site. As a result, I had to spend my nights in the hotel lobby in Tanzania explaining everything all over again.