The Safari Soles Team
Safari Soles
- Offices In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2018)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, TTB, USTOA, KPAP & TAT0
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Rachel Hayes | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari specials
Venessa at SafariSoles was absolutely brilliant at arranging our tour. Efficient, friendly and going through every aspect to ensure we got exactly the experience we wanted. From liaising with me by email in UK, meeting us at my friend’s home in Nairobi to responding to messages whilst we were traveling, Venessa never failed to provide advice and support. Our accommodation was excellent at all 4 locations (Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli), giving us the holiday of a lifetime and seeing the Big Five.
Biggest praise and appreciation must go to our driver/guide (new family member) Joe. Joe totally made our whole trip. An excellent driver, with immense knowledge of Kenya and its wildlife, funny and kind - it was like travelling with a son rather than having a guide. He knew everyone and had a sixth sense for getting us in front of the most amazing wildlife (mating lions, leopard with kill in tree, herds of elephants and more giraffes than you could imagine). By the time we had to leave Joe we were family and wishing he was continuing on to Watamu with us!
Cannot recommend SafariSoles enough - and if you can get Joe you will have the most incredible experience (just so long as doesn’t clash with our next visit as he’s our driver now!!!!)
NZ
Email Claire | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memorable safari, but disappointing guide behaviour
We spent seven days on safari in Tanzania with Safari Soles. The game drives were rewarding, and we were fortunate to see many incredible animals, including lions and leopards.
However, our experience with our driver-guide, Lucas, was let down by his attitude and communication.
On one morning, there was a misunderstanding about the breakfast and departure times. I had misunderstood the timing, and I acknowledge that this was a communication issue. However, when I greeted Lucas that morning, his immediate response was, “Why do you do this?” He then raised his voice at me in front of several camp staff, angrily insisting that he had already explained the schedule.
I found this behaviour inappropriate and unprofessional. I had no intention of delaying the departure, and I believe a simple, respectful explanation would have resolved the misunderstanding.
While Lucas did a good job spotting wildlife, a safari guide's role involves more than finding animals. Respectful communication and professional conduct are also important, particularly when guests are spending several days travelling with the same guide.
Unfortunately, this incident affected our overall experience.
BE
Email Ayoub & Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent guides and a well-organized safari, making the experience truly unforgettable.
We were able to make our dream come true by travelling to Tanzania to see the wildlife. We booked our safari through Safari Soles.
We were lucky enough to have two highly qualified guides: Jastuce and Maiko. They were willing to do everything they could to help us see as many animals as possible and make sure we had an excellent experience.
Thanks to their determination, we were able to see some very rare species. Thanks to their experience, we also had the chance to witness the Great Migration right in front of our eyes.
We highly recommend these two guides if you want to have a memorable trip. Jastuce speaks French and English very well, which was a real plus for us as French-speaking travellers.
The trip was well organized overall. Some of the hotels were not quite up to our expectations, but this did not take away from the exceptional safaris and the amazing moments we experienced with our guides.
Email Pat | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect first safari experience in the Serengeti
It was just an overwhelmingly positive first safari experience. We were able to customize the trip however we wanted, and they gave us the specific camps we requested. They were responsive to questions leading up to the trip by email and whatsapp. Our guide Hamisi was like an encyclopedia of animal species and behaviors. He also knew when to wait for things to happen, and we witnessed a cheetah hunt and multiple Mara river crossings because of his expertise. The service at all the camps was delightful (we stayed at the Safari Havens and Ang'ata) and we wished we could have stayed longer. The package we customized is considered mid-range but to us it felt higher than mid-range- the service at every stop was so attentive and friendly, and the facilities were so nice. There's nothing we would have changed and will definitely use the same operator and request the same guide whenever we return to the Serengeti.
Email Pam | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime experience!
We recently completed the 8-Day Great Migration Safari with Safari Soles and had an amazing time exploring Tarangire NP, Northern and Central Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater - finishing the experience with a day in the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro. Jamal at Safari Soles was extremely helpful with planning the itinerary from our first contact, and everything was taken care of, the accommodation, food and drinks in the vehicle. We saw a huge variety of wildlife, far more than the Big 5, and had some remarkable up-close experiences. The vehicle was comfortable and well cared for, and our guide, Raymond, was extremely knowledgeable and a great driver who couldn't do enough for us. Couldn't recommend highly enough!
Email Erica | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Local and professional
We had a great experience with Safari Soles from start to finish. Julieth was prompt and communicative from initial contact. She helped us customize the perfect, private safari for our group. The actual safari experience was also great. We were fortunate enough to have Baltazary as our guide. His positive, friendly and flexible demeanor set the tone for the trip. He shared his deep knowledge of the wildlife and nature and went the extra mile to keep the truck super clean after some very dusty days. He did his very best to give us ideal viewing positions and is an excellent driver. Safari Soles truly fulfilled a once in a lifetime experience! I highly recommend and would 100% choose Safari Soles for future trips to Tanzania!
Email Teri | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Abdul was absolutely amazing!
My husband and I went on an 8-day Safari with Safari Soles Tours. We could not be happier with our Safari and the experience we had.
Our sales representative, Theresia, was very responsive and ensured our journey included everything we wished.
The accommodations were clean, had hot showers, and served great food.
Our safari guide, Abdul, was absolutely amazing! He was very friendly, had a great sense of humor, but most importantly had an excellent knowledge of the animals and knew just where to find them. We had so many excellent experiences! We were able to see a leopard hunting and catch his prey, we saw a river crossing at the Mara River as part of the great migration, and SO MUCH MORE. We are so grateful for Abdul. His knowledge and expertise gave us the best experience we could ever hope for.
CN
Email Mandy Ya | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serengeti has the strongest healing power.
• Why We Chose Soles
Among the many safari companies, we chose them because: 1) They responded to emails very quickly and were highly efficient, perfectly matching the information-processing schedule of the UTC+8 time zone. 2) The itinerary was very well designed, with no wasted time or very "watered-down" attractions. 3) The PowerPoint presentation was beautifully made, reflecting efficient internal management and meeting our expectations for an African aesthetic.
• The Guide Is the Most Critical Element of a Trip
Our guide, Abu, was beautiful inside and out, very considerate toward clients, and especially respectful toward animals.
Every day he would dress himself immaculately; the dust of the savanna seemed unable to leave any mark on him. He had a very persistent pursuit of cleanliness: every day the car windows were spotless, so that the scenery and animals photographed through the windows were clear and vivid enough. The hygiene inside the vehicle was also ideal, with no odors and timely trash removal. His level of cleanliness was astonishing: our lunch every day was prepared by him (not cooked, of course), and all the tableware was gleaming every single day. One impressive detail was that after we finished each meal, he would first clean the plates thoroughly before putting them back into the lunch bag. Although we ate outdoors at noon every day, we never once had any stomach problems.
When it came to finding animals, the local guides had their own "information network." On this trip we saw a wide variety of wild animals in Africa, and Abu could accurately name every animal we saw, along with their characteristics, habits, and living environment. It was very educational and greatly enriched our travel experience. The daily "Abu Lecture" made us marvel at the breadth of his knowledge.
I especially want to mention Abu's crisis management. In the Serengeti, we were staying in tents. During dinner on the third day, a group of local people suddenly ran in panic past the restaurant entrance, and then we heard an elephant's roar and heavy, rapid footsteps. It was so close that I instinctively jumped up from my chair and ran to the corner of the room. The man at the next table even jumped onto the table. It was my first time being in the middle of an accident—so thrilling.
Abu was the only one who ran toward the danger. He ran out of the tent, zipped it shut from the outside to protect us, and then began clapping. Before long, the commotion subsided. afterward, he told us that the elephant wanted to go to the back kitchen to eat watermelon from the trash can, but the insufficiently trained staff drove it away in the wrong way and angered it. The reason for clapping was that elephants do not see, hear, or think very well, and too many chaotic sounds would overwhelm them. Clapping consolidated the chaotic sounds into one, so that the elephant's CPU could handle it.
In that moment, Abu truly shone. He was a hero in real life—ordinary yet extraordinary. He had courage, ability, and a sense of responsibility. None of the women in our group cried because they were afraid, but they were moved to tears by his heroic spirit.
Abu followed safari protocol throughout. "Animal rights" taking priority over "tourist experience" was something we could personally feel, fully accept, and greatly appreciate. We appreciate wild animals, and we need to do so at a reasonable distance, as humble visitors to the savanna. Our arrival must not bring disturbance to the animals. Although the animals in the Serengeti seem no strangers to human off-road vehicles, if they can still move about freely, that is not only the observer's good fortune but also our obligation.
Although we spent only seven days together, through him we saw an "outstanding African compatriot." He was a particularly excellent driver, and his overtaking skills amazed me. During the seven-day trip, because of his careful maintenance, our car never had any problems. Oh, right, the car speaker briefly had an issue, but it did not matter—he is the "King of Cold Jokes," so you absolutely would not feel bored.
In short, Abu healed my soul and brought me, a "big-city person," a great deal of joy in travel. His importance accounted for 51% of the entire trip.
• Were There Any Shortcomings?
The entire trip went very smoothly from the initial communication stage, and after we arrived locally, Soles also demonstrated full contractual integrity. The company's professionalism was fully proven by our guide, Abu. Although the driver was 45 minutes late for the final airport transfer arrangement, because the airport transfer had been scheduled with ample time, we still made it to the airport without rushing and returned home smoothly.
Later we learned that one of the tent accommodations in the Serengeti—Classic Heaven—was also owned by Soles, and its stay experience was indeed much better than the other one.
This East Africa trip ended successfully. It was an important experience in my life. Thanks to Abu, and thanks to Soles
Email Shivashree | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable African adventure, beautifully planned from start to finish!
We had an absolutely unforgettable experience with Safari Soles! From the very beginning, the communication and planning were smooth, professional and reassuring. Ruth was extremely helpful in planning it all for us!! Our itinerary covering Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and Diani was well organized, giving us an amazing mix of wildlife, scenery and relaxation.
The safari itself was truly a dream come true. We had incredible wildlife sightings in Maasai Mara and Amboseli, including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and so many beautiful birds. The game drives were exciting, well planned and gave us plenty of opportunities to simply enjoy being in the wild.
A special mention to our guide, Sammy, who was one of the highlights of the trip. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the wildlife and the ecosystem, patient, attentive and genuinely passionate about what he does. He had an amazing eye for spotting animals that we would have completely missed, and his knowledge helped us understand and appreciate every sighting even more. He also made the long game drives enjoyable with his friendly nature and willingness to answer all our questions. We felt safe and well taken care of throughout the journey, and we couldn’t have asked for a better person to experience our first Kenyan safari with.
We also really appreciated how reliable and responsive the Safari Soles team was throughout the trip. Everything felt well coordinated, while still leaving room to enjoy each experience at our own pace. The overall service and value for money were excellent.
This was our first African safari, and Safari Soles made it a truly special and memorable journey. We came back with wonderful memories, thousands of photographs, and a feeling that a part of us is still somewhere in the African savannah. Highly recommended to anyone dreaming of experiencing Kenya! ❤️🦁🌍
TW
Email Pooja Chiniwar | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A team that takes care of every detail, leaving you free to simply enjoy the journey.” ❤️
Our Kenya safari was truly a dream trip and gave us memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. ❤️ There were so many things that made this trip special, but a few truly stood out for us:
• Planning: A special thanks to our consultant Ruth, who really understood what we wanted and planned the trip so thoughtfully. From the moment we landed in Nairobi until we took our flight back home, everything was taken care of.
• Accommodation: We loved the accommodations chosen for us. They were comfortable, beautiful, and added so much to the overall safari experience.
• Safari vehicle: Since so much of a safari is spent on the road, having a comfortable and well-maintained vehicle made a huge difference. It was spacious, comfortable even on long game drives, and perfect for enjoying and photographing the wildlife.
• Our guide: Samuel (Sammy) - Absolutely fantastic! Knowledgeable, patient, friendly and brilliant at spotting wildlife. He never rushed us and always gave us enough time to watch, photograph, and simply enjoy each sighting. His warm and friendly nature made him feel less like a guide and more like a friend we were sharing this incredible journey with.
• Overall experience: Everything ran so smoothly that we could completely switch off and just enjoy being there. The landscapes, wildlife, and the whole safari experience were unforgettable.
Kenya was our first trip to Africa, and we couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. A heartfelt thank you to the entire team for making our dream trip so special. Kenya has definitely left us wanting more, and we already know we’ll be back! 🦁🐘❤️