50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They reduced program without warning
After we paid them, they told us they would not do the game drive in the morning of the last day, because 2 months ago the government increased the price of the park entrances. It feels like a scam.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable lifetime experience with the amazing driver
As a global traveler, this has been the most unforgettable trip ever I had in my life so far. This trip was made of a group of 5, me with an amazing couple from Poland, a drive and a chef. The whole time the driver and the chef were with us, providing an excellent services. The food was good, and the driver Maulid could find all different kinds of wild animals as we wanted to see. And what amazing was, we got to see all the big fives in an extremely close distance. Besides that, we were also lucky enough to witness the migration of wildebeest and zebras. However, to our surprise, we experience the hunting as well. So, it’s highly recommended!
JP
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had an experience that I will remember for a lifetime during my honeymoon trip!!
At first, we only knew about the multi-thousand dollar safari tours that were out there.
However, I decided to participate in this tour because I was able to enjoy a sufficient amount of adventure at a relatively low participation fee, and the tour had a rich content.
I participated in a tour in a Hiace van, and thanks to the detailed support of a woman named Diana (including activity proposals on the day and WhatsApp), I was able to participate on the day without worrying beforehand.
There were a total of six guests on the day of participation, but two of them were late for the pick-up point on the way, so there was less time for games on the first day.
However, our guide Durek did his best and left the tent check-in behind to take us into the national park so we could be among the first to the game.
Also, during the game, he never missed a photo opportunity with his camera, communicated with other members wirelessly, guided us accurately to the best view point, and was able to record wonderful photos and videos.
It was a valuable experience for all.
I will never forget the response from this tour company and the experience I had. I highly recommend this to anyone who is applying for a safari tour for the first time.
Next time I come, I would like to consider renting a Land Cruiser or an advanced plan for a more private trip.
thank you very much!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari!
We had a great safari with Godfrey and William! They guided us well through Mikumi National Park. We also received a lot of information about the animals. In addition, they were more involved compared to other supervisors. We ended up with fantastic photos thanks to Godfrey's skills. It was fantastic!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was perfect from start to finish
From the moment I reached out to Kihindo Tours for a spontaneous/last minute safari booking, I knew I’d made the right choice. Winnie was great with communication, helping me choose the right options and even recommending a great hotel in Dar es salaam in my price range for before/after the safari.
Gaston my guide was fabulous. I learned so much and he went above and beyond to ensure that I got the most out of the 2 night/3 day tour to Nyerere National Park. The Lodge was peaceful, service and food 5 star. Considering how many options there are for safari tours/operators, I’m so glad I chose kihindo based on the reviews. They’ve got amazing reviews for a reason!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unfortgetable experience!
Incredible experience in Kenya! We did this 3 day safari tour and absolutely loved it!
I recommend this and will take this operator again if I go back to Kenya!
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Kenya Safari
Willie is a perfect guide! he is knowledgeable about nature and animals and answered all our questions. We saw a lot of animals during our Kenya trip including all the big 5. We enjoyed the best of Kenya and thanks to his experience. He is the best guide i can recommend . Benson was quick to organize perfect itinerary which allowed us to enjoy various places. Our accommodation was amazing. I would highly recommend using Banok Safaris. Thank you.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience
Great accomodation provided. Rufus our guide was excellent, he had fantastic knowledge of the areas and wildlife we saw. Highly recommend gametrackers
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
14-Day East Africa Safari
We just finished our Safari with Seven by Far. I like to give my business to small companies over large ones. The experience is more personal. Sylvester, the owner of the company even met with us at the end of our safari.
We had 3 driver-guides: Evans for 6 days in Kenya, Edward for 5 days in Tansania and Nicholas for 3 days when we returned to Kenya. They were all a pleasure to be with. Very professional, friendly and all very good drivers. I always felt safe and at ease in the vehicle. Even though some of the roads were in the worst condition I have ever experienced.
We did have a couple of issues, but the Sylvester was right there, answering our concerns immediately and helping us work through them. In my opinion, a company that can get things back on track, if there are any problems, is the company you want; not the company that is only there when things go smoothly.
I would use Seven by Far again and would recommend them to family and friends.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Irresponsible; callous; unapologetic; indifferent to fact we paid for a service he could not deliver
Sold safari itinerary that proved to be undeliverable.
Driven in land cruiser with several major defects, many of which were significant safety risks.
The most harrowing part of the journey was during 14-hour drive from Makumi to Selous (which should have taken no more than 7 hours).
Just after 7pm on this drive, the headlights on the vehicle failed. It was dark and very remote where it happened.
The road was potholed and riven (a truck had been stuck in the mud earlier and we had waited an hour while villagers dug it out before we could pass).
The driver resorted to holding his mobile phone out of the window in his right hand,to shine the light from his screen on to road. His left hand held the wheel and he drove one-handed, with very little light from his phone, with hazard lights on.
The journey was completed agonisingly slowly in this dangerous one-handed fashion.
Because of the rain, it was also hard to distinguish the road from water on both sides.
We both thought we would die.
The following day we saw Steven, the company owner, at the river safari where he was with a group (from the hotel where we had been staying). He was in a more superior vehicle.
We were rightly angry. We tried to tell him about some of our experience of the tour, but he offered not one word of sympathy, still less any apology or acceptance of responsibility.
When we said our lives had been endangered, he said we should take it as an adventure! I am in my 70s and my wife is nearly 70. We do not need this kind of adventure at this stage in our lives. We are well-travelled and had ‘slummed it’ in our twenties.
When my wife mentioned that the hand rail came off when she held on to it as the vehicle tipped at 45degrees going through a rut, Steven said that it was probably because of her weight!!!
We pointed out to him that it was his responsibility to provide us with a vehicle that was fit-for-purpose. He responded that it was the rain that posed a problem to our journey having taken so long.
This is just an account of the worst part of the tour.
We bought a 4-day safari (84 hours) but spent spent a total of 31.5 hours travelling in the vehicle, with a mere 8 hours on actual safari in the two parks, Makumi and Selous.
We paid USD1800 and were provided with an unroadworthy, not fit-for-purpose vehicle.
The accommodation was changed at the last minute on the first day and we were put up in a place with no fan, air-conditioning or hot water.
The accommodation at Selous did have a fan, but no hot water for a shower after our gruelling journey or for an early morning shower. (They did provide hot water later in the day but no hot shower before our walking Safari before breakfast.)
It was a terrifying experience.
Clearly not value for money.