Ariphine Tour and Safaris

Amazing Safari in terms of Wildlife , experience in group not what I expected.

This wasn’t my first time in Africa, as I’ve done several safaris before—but always private tours.
What was new this time was joining a GROUP TOUR with other travelers: my family of three and five additional people. I liked the idea of sharing the experience with others.

ARIPHINE TOUR organized everything for us, nothing to complain about.

I would like to emphasize that this was my personal experience and my following review is based on what Arephine Tour and Safaris organized for us when TRAVELLING WITH A GROUP.


1) I was surprised to find that when you travel in group not all of us were staying in the same lodge. Sometimes the lodges were up to half an hour apart, which meant very early mornings for some of us just to pick up the rest of the group. This often delayed our entrance into the parks, so we rarely started earlier than 7:30–8:00 am and back in the lodge around 5pm . This was disappointing, as the best times to see animals are the first hour in the morning and the last hour before sunset.

2) We chose the budget, but “budget” should not mean poor quality. None of the lodges we were originally indicated were available; we were placed in alternatives that were inferior. I would strongly recommend spending a bit more to secure the accommodation you actually choose, rather than relying on “or similar” options.

Seeing wildlife is always incredible, but what truly makes the difference is having a guide who engages with the group, shares knowledge, and allows you to fully enjoy the moment. Unfortunately, our guide John often seemed in a rush to move from one sighting to another, which didn’t allow us to fully experience what we were seeing. Our driver, John… well… he was often distracted by his phone or social media, which affected the quality of the experience.This was not only my own impression it was shared by the rest of the group too. He had the knowledge of animals and birds, but his attention was frequently elsewhere, so questions from the group were answered only briefly.


Visiting places like Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Nakuru is always wonderful because of the wildlife itself.
That said, in hindsight I would have chosen a private tour for a fully satisfying experience. Group tours can work well if you are very very flexible, easy-going, and open to adjustments, but for those seeking a higher-quality experience, a private safari is definitely worth it.

Despite the challenges, seeing these incredible animals in their natural habitat is unforgettable, and the trip still offered moments of true magic. Next time we come back we will still contact Ariphine Tour but choose a private tour :-)