20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent for a mid-range safari
Axis was recommended by a coworker and I can see why! I contacted many safari companies and a lot of them made me feel bad about my budget. Axis, however, was completely understanding and willing to give me multiple options as I tried to plan a last-minute trip. Jackline always replied to my questions promptly and worked with me until the itinerary was exactly what I wanted.
Safari itinerary: 5 days/4 nights, three nights in Masai Mara, 1 night in Lake Naivasha
Accommodation: Mara Maisha Camp was huge but still had the high end camp look you imagine for a safari. The buffet meals were good but you may struggle with the meat options if you dont like bones, gristle, and toughness (I think this may be common for Kenyan food and chose the vegetarian options most of the time). I was also disappointed that our booking didn't include any water or soft drinks at meals, but I guess that's how they keep the price down. We didn't have much time at our hotel in Lake Naivasha, Enashipai Resort, but it was very nice and reminded me a bit of resorts in Hawaii.
The Safari itself was fantastic and that is fully due to our amazing guide, Peter Ngigi. His passion for being a Guide really showed as he took us to areas other safari trucks weren't going to and told us all about the different animals. We managed to see everything except leopards and black rhino, but that was not for lack of trying! I particularly appreciate how much Peter thought about creating an experience we would remember; he made sure I got the best photo angles and even took photos of my husband and me so that we'd always have the memories.
My only suggestion to Axis is to include more transparent guidelines/suggestions for tipping and incidentals not included in the trip cost. I brought the recommended amount of cash to tip our Guide and accommodations, but did not factor in 1) being highly encouraged into doing the Masai Village tour ($30 USD per person plus tip) 2) tips for Lake Naivasha boat driver and guide on Crescent Lake 3) gorge hike in Hell's gate ($75 USD plus tip). I researched prices and tip suggestions a lot before the trip and didn't find specifics like this anywhere. So my recommendation to anyone reading this review is to bring a lot more cash than you plan on, or be good at saying no.
If you are looking for a reputable and reliable mid-range safari option, book with Axis!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Enthusiastic
Lambs is energetic and informative. We enjoyed our day with him very much.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super organised and factful
The safari was well organised and the consultant , Michael was very responsive. The management welcomed us at the airport and brought us some souvenirs . The drive with our guide , Sami, turned out to be the best and we felt safe all the way . Everything was beyond our expectations and we managed to see all the African big 5 and many more. We also learned a lot and felt the real value for our money.
The guide was excellent and made sure we understood everything he taught us about Kenya and it's people , culture and wildlife and each animal's individual behaviours.
We can't say everything here but highly recommend Leopard orchids safaris and Sami to anyone who plans to travel to east Africa.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best guide I’ve ever had with more knowledge about nature that you can ever imagine.
This Safari was well organized. I never had to worry once about the arrangements or accommodations. The guides that they had were wonderful. We really appreciate it our guide Felix. I would recommend him to anyone. He is the best guide we’ve had on any of our safari’s.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
Our safari trip in the central Serengeti and ngorongoro crater with jambo masai tours was an absolute dream come true. We visited as part of our honeymoon and we feel so privileged to have had this experience.
From our initial booking, we had excellent communication from the team updating us regularly and answering any questions we had. There was changes to our accommodation due to renovations however this was all explained and didn’t effect our trip at all.
The whole trip was incredible value for money compared to other companies we had enquired with and we definitely did not feel there was anything missing.
We had transport arranged from our hotel to Zanzibar airport where we then flew to Arusha to board a tiny plane to the Serengeti (seronera airstrip). The small plane was such an experience, we saw giraffes whilst landing at one of the stops which really started our safari off on a high. We were then collected in our safari vehicle which transported us throughout our safari and took us to Arusha airport at the end of our trip for our flight home.
Our accomadation was amazing especially safari heaven. Being right among the animals in the Serengeti was such a beautiful surreal experience and one of the highlights of our trips was lying in bed hearing the hyenas calling just outside.
Our guide Isaya (Isaih) was just the loveliest guide we could have asked for. He really made our trip. He was so friendly and kind and so incredibly knowledgable about the areas we visited on safari and all the animals. We learned so much from him. Couldn’t imagine our trip without him. Thanks to Isaya’s knowledge and experience we had so many amazing encounters with so many animals and he made sure we seen everything we wanted to prioritise. For us it was elephants and lions and we fortunately seen both several times. Please pass on our gratitude to him again.
We also booked a hot air balloon ride as part of our package. I don’t think I will ever be able to get over how utterly magical this was. Flying in a hot air balloon seeing all the animals below was so special and definitely the highlight of our trip.
We already are wishing to come back one day maybe with our children when they are a bit older and wouldnt hesitate to book with jambo again. We will be recommending jambo masai tours to all our friends and family.
Thank you so much for giving us a trip to remember forever
CN
A journey with new surprises every day
A delightful trip with unique hotels, each featuring different animals and distinctive themes. Our guide Sami was very friendly, helping us find all the animals we wanted to see and providing detailed explanations about them. He had excellent driving skills, ensuring both safety and a smooth ride at a comfortable pace. Overall, the trip offered great value for money, and we were very satisfied with the hotel environment and dining experience.
DE
Once in a lifetime experience
Our safari was absolutely incredible, and it was all thanks to our amazing guide, John! From day one, he went completely out of his way to ensure we had the perfect experience. His knowledge of the wildlife, tracking skills, and ability to spot animals we would have completely missed was mind-blowing. But what truly set John apart was his warmth and dedication. He anticipated our every need and made sure we were always comfortable, safe, and having fun. If you get the chance to go on safari with John, you are in for the trip of a lifetime.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Seamlessly managed Safari... Our dream vacation made a reality by Sunnycreek, James and John
Sunnycreek safaris did an amazing job customising the itinerary as per our liking. Recommended the best locations and booked in the most amazing properties.
Right from the airport pickup to drop, everything was pre arranged and on time.
Our guide John needs a special mention, he explained about the history of Kenya, the animals, ensured we don't miss out on the big 5 and we were lucky enough to see all the animals at close quarters.
Absolutely recommend them for your Kenya safari.. This is once in a lifetime experience and Sunnycreek definitely ensured that you enjoy every minute of it...
Going back as a happy and contended customer..
SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trust, Professionalism, and an Amazing Ethiopian Adventure
I had an unforgettable experience traveling with Ethio Top Land Tours. As a solo traveler, I faced difficulties making advance payments because international bank transfers are very complicated in my country. When I explained my situation to Lamesgn, the owner, he showed incredible trust and kindness by confirming my booking and allowing me to pay the full tour cost upon arrival in Ethiopia.
During my two-month journey across Africa, I also encountered problems paying visa fees for Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda. Once again, Lamesgn and the Ethio Top Land Tours team went above and beyond by using their own card to pay the visa fees on my behalf. This level of trust, support, and professionalism is something I have never experienced before, and I am deeply grateful.
When I arrived in Ethiopia, the team welcomed me warmly and made me feel like family from the very beginning. My tour started in Addis Ababa, and I stayed at the Capital Hotel, which was very comfortable and offered excellent service. Over the next 13 days, I visited incredible destinations including Lalibela, Abune Yemata, and the Omo Valley. Every part of the trip was perfectly organized, and the experiences were truly unforgettable.
The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing Ethiopia’s history, culture, and traditions. The landscapes, ancient churches, tribal communities, and cultural experiences exceeded all my expectations.
To make the experience even more special, the team invited me to a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant before my departure. It was the perfect ending to an amazing journey.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Lamesgn for believing in me and helping me throughout the entire process. His trust, honesty, and dedication made my trip possible. I highly recommend Ethio Top Land Tours to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, and caring tour company in Ethiopia.
Thank you, Lamesgn, and thank you to the entire Ethio Top Land Tours team. I will never forget this wonderful journey and hope to return to Ethiopia again in the future.
BR
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent choice of Camps
Leisureway arranged all plane and camp reservations for our trip, and the choices were excellent.
