Our Operations Manager
Mama Savana Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Lanae Gabert | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safaris where all the guides went above and beyond to make sure you had a great experience
My husband and I had an ambitious plan to see 5 parks and reserves in what amounted to 8 days all done in the Mama Safaris Toyota land cruisers with a switch of guides at the border of Kenya and Tanzania. We are first time travelers to this area but have worked in the airline industry for our careers. My desire was for my tourism dollars to go directly to the people there not some US tour company.
From the moment I contacted Mama Savanna Safaris Alex was patient and thorough in answering all questions. Always prompt to respond
especially when I had to figure out the process of wiring a deposit to Tanzania. The emailed tour itinerary was detailed with pictures and answered much of my questions. However be forewarned that the traveler needs to check for the documents need to enter these countries since it can vary by your citizenship. Ran into that with Tanzania where I thought I needed visa only but in reality I also need yellow fever vaccination certificate however you can buy an exemption at the border so I was able to rectify that.
Our driver Sinita with office staff met us at the hotel to exchange funds and arrange a plan to set out. We did view the Toyota Land Cruiser which was comfortable and had charging ports for your phones.. From Nairobi we ventured to Lake Nakuru to see the rhinos and flamingos, Masai Mara to see lions hippos zebras cheetahs and then at the suggestion of our driver Ellie we toured the Masai village which was interesting, next stop two days at Serengeti where we went to the Mara River and after waiting a couple hours was able to see many thousands of wildebeest cross the river in search of better grazing area with Nile crocodiles looking for their opportunity for a meal.
Words just cannot describe how special that was. On Ngorongoro Crater to see lions and hippos. Last stop was Amboseli park in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro to view the herds of elephants that passed within feet of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Our driver Vincent carefully navigating the Landcruiser so se could get the best views.
All the drivers Sinita, Ellie and Vincent were constantly asking if we were enjoying ourselves, and what more they could do for us. thank you to all of them. While with any travel there can be the unexpected, stuck in a stream, nail in a tire, the roads are rough the drivers did stop at repair garages a few times to head off any problems down the road.
oh and to speaks of the accommodations.. Our stays was for a mid range safari which included many tented camps and only two hotels. The tented camps were as good or better than a 4 star hotel. Complete with your own bathroom and hot shower. Meals had something for everyone, good, and even a bar for alcohol purchase. Just really comfortable and so neat to hear the animals with their unique noises at night.
I would highly recommend Mama Safaris without hesitation. Thank you all Alex, Sinita, Ellie and Vincent for a unforgettable trip.
GR
Email Anastasia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Kenya trip and poor experience in Tanzania
We booked a 7-day safari with Mama Savana for August 2026, which included Nakuru Lake (1 night), Masai Mara (2), Serengeti (2), Ngorongoro Crater (1) and after we were supposed to arrive to Moshi.
As we had never visited Africa before, we had so many questions and so many options to consider (for example hot-air-balloon). Alex answered all my questions and made everything clear. Our payments were confirmed fast and generally during the preparation phase everything was okay.
Our journey in Kenya was excellent, we saw Africa’s Big 5. Our driver Sanita did his best, he was always discreet but there for us and did his best for sure. During our transportation from a location to another, he was stopping every 2-3 hours for WC and was careful while driving. Also, Sanita knew every single road in Masai Mara. He went us around the park and stopped for every single animal we wanted to see. Despite his English was poor, we could communicate and understand each other well.
The vehicle was in fair condition. The lodges and camps we stayed in Kenya were good, with kind and helpful staff. The food was delicious and the nature just amazing!
Unfortunately, as to Tanzania, I can’t say the same good words. There were so many things which made us upset. Initially, the vehicle was in a very very bad condition: the seatbelts were useless, the windows couldn't open, neither the doors (from inside), the screenwashers didn't stop working making that terrible irritating noise, the front glass was cracked, the roof was leaking after the rain and control panel was out of order. Altogether the vehicle was unacceptable and even dangerous for such trip like this one.
The day we crossed Isebania borders, we got a flat tire in Serengeti. This didn't happen out of the blue. Since we were trying to get to Serengeti as soon as possible, we were going very fast and our car was fishtailing in gravel road, which was really scary btw, given the condition of both roads and vehicle. Then I told to our driver Joseph to stop for toilet, in order to cool down the speed and because after borders no station was made for this purpose! After 10 minutes we reached Serengeti gates and then we realized that we don't know where we are going! Thus, we were driving back and forth across the Serengeti trying to find our place until we got that flat tire. As a result, we arrived really late and slept a few hours before our flight with hot air balloon and all-day safari! Many thanks to the driver of the hot-air-balloon office who showed us the road that night.
During all-day safari we didn't explore Serengeti at all but were driving around the camp the same roads again and again and again. I imagined that our vehicle was in such bad condition that our driver was afraid to move away and tried to stay near to the camp. Eventually we told Joseph to drive us back to the camp. The safari had already been ruined.
The day we left Serengeti the vehicle had another damage. This time it was fuel tank. So, we were late once again and didn't have enough time to explore Ngorongoro Crater.
The last day instead of Moshi we were going to Arusha despite I told Joseph a thousand times that we were going to Moshi! Still can't get those spontaneous changes in the schedule 🤷🏼♀️ As we were told, we were supposed to go to the office and then change the driver 🤷🏼♀️ If so, why I wasn't informed prior?
And last but not least. In Tanzania we ate privately with my husband just once in Coffee Lodge due to the lodge policy, while all the other days there we were having our breakfasts, lunches and dinners together with our driver. In my opinion, drivers should be discreet as people come to Africa for holidays and seek private time with their family.
All these things happened in Tanzania degraded the whole experience which in my opinion doesn't correspond to the cost of $ 7,240.00 for 2 pax.
CN
Email Lin Zhu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once a life time experience
The whole trip was just absolutely amazing and beyond my expectation. Our trip was postponed to September from June due to the Middle East war. The flight was also rescheduled and canceled several times. Gladly we have Naomi, our main contact from Mama Savana Safari, who kindly and patiently helped with the rescheduling, updating the itinerary, changing accommodation, etc. And also our safari guide Livinston, who is kind and knowledgeable, with absolutely sharp eyes. We have not only seen all the animals of interest, but also learnt a lot regarding the whole Savannah wildlife. In short, we visited several national parks and ended the trip at Zanzibar. We have priceless memories from every single place! Will absolutely recommend Mama Savana for everyone!
NZ
Email Rick | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Fantastic !!
An Unforgettable Kenya & Tanzania Safari with Mama Savana
Our safari through Kenya and Tanzania with Mama Savana was simply outstanding — easily one of the best holidays and tours we’ve ever experienced.
From our very first enquiry to being dropped at our final destination, the team were bloody brilliant! Communication, organisation and attention to detail were first class, meaning all we really had to worry about was keeping the cameras charged and remembering which pocket we’d put the binoculars in.
A huge thank you to Alex and Naomi, who organised our adventure so seamlessly, and to our fantastic drivers and guides, Sanita and Hassan. Their knowledge, professionalism, patience and good humour made them a massive part of our experience. They continually managed to get us into the right place at the right time — sometimes ridiculously so!
From the incredible landscapes and wildlife of Kenya to the endless plains of the Serengeti, the Great Migration and some truly unforgettable wildlife encounters, we were constantly blown away.
We arrived expecting a great African safari. Mama Savana delivered !
Thanks from two extremely happy Kiwis,
Rick & Michelle 🇳🇿
Email Jennifer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was excellent and our trip ran very smoothly, could not have been better.
The tour group is excellent. The guides and accommodations were amazing, we saw and learned more than expected, and the company was very responsive and accommodating. The staff went above and beyond to ensure a great and personalized experience. Excellent value and an outstanding trip all around. Highly recommend!
HK
Email sjm | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable 7-Day Masai Mara & Serengeti Safari with the Best Guides!
From initial planning to the final drop-off, our 7-day safari through the Masai Mara and Serengeti was flawless. Communication during booking was fast, clear, and reassuring—they listened to every single request and crafted an itinerary that perfectly matched our dream trip. You can instantly tell how reliable, professional, and easy to work with this company is.
The true highlights of our journey were our incredible guides: Sammy in Kenya and Isaya in Tanzania.
Calling Sammy and Isaya "guides" feels like an understatement—they are absolute master naturalists, sharp-eyed trackers, and helpful workers on the road! Their depth of knowledge about the parks and wildlife behaviour was astounding; we learned more than our brains could hold. They always knew how to find the best spots, positioning us perfectly every time for unforgettable, up-close views of the animals. Thanks to their relentless, eagle-eyed effort, we didn't just spot the "Big 5," but saw even the most elusive creatures hidden in the brush. Beyond their expertise, they genuinely listened to what we hoped to see each day and went above and beyond to make those dreams a reality.
On top of being fantastic hosts, they are elite drivers. Navigating the notoriously rough, muddy, and unpredictable park roads is no easy feat, but Sammy and Isaya handled the terrain effortlessly. They managed to give us a rather smooth ride imaginable while still getting us everywhere quickly and safely. They were constantly checking on us to make sure we were completely comfortable, happy, and well taken care of at every moment. Their warmth, kindness, and infectious enthusiasm made every game drive pure joy.
Thanks to them, we witnessed bucket-list moments we’ll never forget:
A jaw-dropping wildebeest river crossing in the Masai Mara, complete with a crocodile strike!
A group of lionesses in the Serengeti teaching their young cubs how to hunt.
Thrilling, close-up sightings of leopards right in front of our vehicle!
Everything was handled seamlessly from start to finish. This trip offered exceptional value for the money, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. My wife and I recommend them 100% to anyone looking for the ultimate African safari!
Email Mindy & Mama Sarah | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mama Savana is THE best!
I cannot recommend Mama Savana ENOUGH! Both of our guides were excellent. Kombo, our Kenyan guide, was both knowledgeable AND fun. He masterfully manipulated our safari vehicle so we could get the best photos of the big 4. Only the leopard evaded us. No worries...our Tanzanian guide, Hassan, made sure we were able to take beautiful photos of the elusive leopard!
The management team with Mama Savana went way beyond the ordinary in helping me with a Tanzanian Visa issue. Naomi communicated with me directly before leaving the USA that she was working on the issue. She then sent word that our Tanzanian guide, Hassan, would meet us at the border to help me acquire the needed Visa. Without his assistance, I'm not sure I could have managed without his help. At the end of our Mama Savana tour, Hassan made sure my daughter and I had a chance to personally meet Naomi and thank her for her extraordinary effort. If an African Safari is on your bucket list, I strongly suggest you check out Mama Savana!!!
Email Becky | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime, 10/10
I started planning my trip about 6 months in advance and Naomi made planning extremely easy. She helped me curate the perfect 10 day safari. I will never stop talking about this Safari. It was truly the trip of a lifetime and Mama Savana was 10/10 all the way. Our driver Erik was awesome. He was super knowledgeable and hilarious. We thoroughly enjoyed hanging with him throughout the whole safari.
We also hired a photographer, Didah, that was with us for the 6 days as well. I do not have enough good things to say about Didah and his work. We initially wanted a photographer to do a wedding shoot at some point on the Safari, however, Didah captured all 6 days of the Safari in addition to our wedding shoot so we got to enjoy everything while he captured the experience. He was very professional, did an insanely great job, and we enjoyed his company. I would highly recommend hiring him if you are planning on doing a safari in Tanzania. His what’s app number is +255 763 113 177 and his Instagram handle is goodluckdidah. All of my shared photos are all photos he has taken.
Erik, Didah, and Naomi were the dream team and I would recommend mama Savana to anyone looking to do a safari in Tanzania. I plan on returning and working with them again on my next trip to Kenya. 10/10 experience. Thank you Mama Savana for such an incredible life changing experience.
IL
Email Bismut Linor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, caring, and made our safari feel easy, safe, and unforgettable.
We were in contact with Mama Savana Safaris for almost a year before our trip, and all the planning was done via email.
Throughout the entire process, the communication was excellent- always polite, patient, and attentive to every question or concern we had. Since we were a group of different family members, including older travelers, it was important for us to find a solution that truly offered good value for money, and Mama Savana delivered exactly that.
Once we arrived, we met our guide Hassan, who exceeded all expectations. He was kind, friendly, flexible, and above all- an extremely professional ranger. With his 9 years of experience, he was able to spot the most unique animals in the savanna, and we truly felt how knowledgeable and trustworthy he was. I felt completely comfortable letting him slightly adjust our route along the way to better match our safari schedules and check-in times.
We couldn’t have asked for a better safari experience.
Thank you, Mama Savana Safaris, for an unforgettable trip- we truly hope to meet again!
Excellent
Mama Savanna Safaris was absolutely excellent. The owner Alex Kenga, Naomi, and our guides for the Kenya and Tanzania portions, were very professional. In advance of our trip Alex provided detailed information. He also assisted with us obtaining our Kenya visas. They are locally owned and operated. I highly recommend them.