US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Lifetime experience!
We (family of 3) picked Serengeti Wakanda after speaking with Aishwarya Vyas over the phone. There are more than 300 companies advertising safari, and Kilimanjaro tours!! Spoke to multiple operators, but our conversation with Aishwarya solidified our decision to move forward with Serengeti - she was extremely informative, detail oriented, would reply within 24 hours (had several hour time differences) and most importantly spend hours writing and re-writing our itinerary based on our changing plans. I had booked Kilimanjaro climb and safari with their team. I couldn’t have made a better decision. I was very anxious about my climb as it was just 2 women trekking to Kilimanjaro with a team from Serengeti and Wakanda. Little did we know that they would treat as if we were part of their family! Our guides zakayo and Joshua were absolutely phenomenal! Their team of porters were exceptional. The porters would leave after we started trekking - disassemble the camp, and reach our destination before us - have everything set up - including the tent, luggage and food- by the time we reached the camp. The guides ate all meals with us, conducted our medical exams and gave us a run down on the next day’s plan - The summit night would not have been possible without their support - they kept us going by singing and dancing throughout the way - they brought hot ginger tea which was a lifesaver at Stella point. Seeing that we were exhausted, they even put our crampons on for us to walk the last 100 meters to help us conserve energy. Every single person in that group was always cheerful - no matter what day, time, work or weather. Without this group we would have never reached the highest peak of Africa! And what an experience!! Aishwarya and the Kilimanjaro team painstakingly ensured we had everything we needed to succeed with our climb. Never did we feel we were underprepared or unsupported at any point. If I had to re-do this trip - I would change nothing! After finishing this breathtaking experience - I jumped right into another breathtaking safari experience! led by Aishwarya and Andrew - and what a Safari! This was a trip of a lifetime for me - had been planning it for a year, and they made sure everything I wanted to do I got to do! I was able to see every animal on my list in their own habitat - we chased the migration, we saw the recluse - rhino’s, we danced and sang at the accommodations and became family within 5 days! Andrew and Aishwarya were able to spot animals literally miles away! Their experience and their knowledge of the animals was repeatedly validated by the way the animals moved and behaved! They would inform us what to look out for and that exact sequence would ensue. To give an example - at Gorongoro crater - we saw two groups of lionesses - we thought we were gonna see them prey on a near by gazelle - but immediately Andrew corrected us and said they are not hunting - they are running out the group of lionesses that came on their land. And we saw exactly that - there were several gazelles around but the lionesses were chasing each other- instead of the easy prey’s.
The cherries on the top: The accommodation’s were way better than what I expected - hot running water everywhere! Extensive food options and deserts!! I easily gained multiple pounds! All this to say - I highly, strongly and unequivocally recommend this company and specifically the persons I named! Sorry for this long review!
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
From Kilimanjaro to the Mara, every moment with IMARA was crafted with care and heart.
It’s been just over a week since we got back from Kenya, and we’re still talking about it every day. This was our first time visiting, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience—thanks entirely to IMARA Africa Safaris and our incredible guide, Patrick.
We were a family of six, including our 6-year-old daughter, and from the moment we landed in Nairobi, everything was taken care of. Even when our flight was delayed by a day at the last minute, Lewis and his team managed to rearrange all our bookings and permits without any stress on us. When we finally arrived, they were there at the airport early in the morning to welcome us with warm smiles. That small gesture meant a lot and set the tone for the rest of the trip.
Our journey took us through Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara. On our very first evening in Amboseli, we had one of those moments you never forget—a herd of elephants walking across the plains with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. The light was perfect, the air was still, and it honestly felt like we were inside a nature documentary.
We had some incredible wildlife sightings throughout the trip. At Lake Nakuru, we saw a pride of lions and lionesses feasting on a zebra. It was raw and powerful. Then in the Masai Mara, we came across a huge male lion devouring a freshly killed water buffalo. He was covered in mud and looked like he’d just come out of a serious fight. It was intense. We also got to witness a cheetah go for a kill—twice! Both times it missed, but watching it sprint across the savannah was absolutely thrilling.
Hell’s Gate was another highlight. We started with a peaceful bike ride through the park, surrounded by cliffs and wildlife. Our daughter loved the whispering walls—she couldn’t believe how her voice echoed across the canyon. After the ride, we hiked through the gorges, which was a real adventure. Narrow paths, bubbling hot springs, and towering rock walls led us to the spot that inspired The Lion King. Standing there, it really did feel like we were in the movie.
We also visited a Maasai village, which felt incredibly special. We got to interact with the community, learn about their traditions, and even join in a few dances. It was a beautiful and humbling experience.
Patrick, our guide, was the heart of this trip. He had an incredible eye for spotting animals and always knew where to be at the right time. He was patient with our daughter’s endless questions, shared so many stories with us, and made every drive feel like part of the adventure. He wasn’t just our guide—he became a friend.
The places we stayed were all comfortable and well chosen. One sweet moment that stood out was at Amboseli Sopa Lodge, where we spotted a tiny dik-dik right behind our cottage. It was such a quiet, lovely surprise.
This trip was more than just a holiday—it was an experience we’ll carry with us forever. If you’re thinking of doing a safari in Kenya, go with IMARA. And if you can, ask for Patrick. He made all the difference.
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly and always helpful
An adventurous trip. Different experience from the normal sightseeing.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
10/10 trip
TLDR;
5/5 for our guide, Champion — a true ambassador for Serengeti. If you are able to request for him, please do!!
5/5 for the staff at Classic Camp Serengeti
4.5/5 for Serengeti Smiles— a reliable company with room for growth.
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We had an incredible trip to Serengeti (6 adults + 1 child), and the highlight — by far — was our guide, Champion. His infectious energy, deep knowledge, and genuine passion for wildlife made this experience unforgettable. We saw an amazing variety of animals, and every moment felt special thanks to him. If I could give a separate 5/5 just for the guide, I would — he truly made the trip.
As for Serengeti Smiles (SS)— the company was reliable and responsive. Their sales team communicated promptly and professionally, and we always felt safe and well-coordinated throughout the journey. Lodging was decent, and the overall experience was very smooth and hassle-free. They also freely shipped something we had forgotten in one of the lodges as goodwill which we really appreciated and definitely upped the rating of this company for me.
That said, there are a few areas where improvement would take the experience from good to exceptional:
Lodging choices could be better optimized — some locations were very remote, requiring long drives that could have been avoided with more thoughtful planning.
The safari van clearly needed maintenance (jammed doors, windows that didn’t open), and we weren’t informed of the AC vs non-AC vehicle option beforehand.
One concerning point: we got a sense that individual 5-star Google ratings are expected from each member of the group — and that these ratings apply not just to our guide or lodge staff, but to Serengeti Smiles as a whole. This presents a problem: while we felt our guide and lodge staff absolutely deserved 5/5, we couldn’t honestly rate the company itself at that level due to other factors. Unfortunately, this seems to impact the guide’s evaluation, even though their performance was exceptional.
However all in all, it was a 10/10 trip!
MY
Very friendly
Good service , patient with our request n always hear n give answer
-slways smile n be together
- caring about our safety n happiness
- nice view n really enjoy with wildlife animal in the safari exp Serval Wildlife at Kilimanjaro ,Tanzania
Need to inprove :
- food no really compile with syariah ; muslim no much choice
-public toilet not good condition certain places
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfection
Safari zest was just the best i wasn't in kenya while planning this trip and Mary was always available any time very helpful. Everything i had expected was delivered. They went beyond than I expected. I will definitely come back and i would definitely recommend.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The gladiator
I had the best experience with wildmist adventures…. These guys are so professional in their field and I can’t wait to travel with them in the near future because of their best treatment
US
Warm and engaging but had the seriousness to ensure we achieved our Kilimanjaro goal.
Zanzibar Trekking and Safaris is a great company that absolutely delivers an amazing experience to the top. Make sure you ask for George by name as having the right guide is extremely important and he will show you warmth and provide many laughs but will most importantly get you to the roof of Africa.
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good and very professional
Our tour guide Reagan is very good. He help us throughout the journey. Last day, when there are youth demonstration in Nairobi, most of the main road is closed, he make sure we arrived at the airport on time and safe. We are very lucky to choose Nature path travels and have Reagan as our tour guide. Hope can work together again with Reagan and Nature Path Travels
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Uniquely Outstanding!!
Experiencing a safari on bicycle amongst big 5 game is a truly memorable experience with Outland Travel! The guides are fantastic and makes you feel safe while experiencing an unforgettable adventure that will create stories to tell for the rest of your life! This is a highly recommended experience especially if you are looking for something slightly more active without it being strenuous training on a bicycle instead of riding for hours on a game vehicle and eating and drinking a lot. It also gets you a closer to the animals without the noise of a vehicle and you also cover a lot more distance than a bush walk enabling you to see a lot more animals. Absolutely fantastic, cannot recommend this experience enough, just do it!
