AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A GOOD BUDGET SAFARI
We did a 3 day safari. You get to see cats only if you have 1 full day of safari. We did manage to see most animals.
When we reached Nairobi we got caught to the protests and could not reach our hotel in downtown. Benson helped us to find another hotel in a safer area so we could go to the airport next day
All in all a good budget safari. Food at the camp was basic but tasty.
Good accommodation.
Sometimes lot of waiting around so others can join the group. All in all good experience. After all its Africa.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Welcoming, Friendly and Knowledgeable
We did a 4-day Safari and 7-day Beach stay. We arrived at resort in the early morning after a very long journey to be met by a loverly man on reception who was conscious of how we must be feeling so booked us in very efficiently and quickly. It was a bit of a surprise to find out that we were off again a 4am the next day but everything was very well managed. Considering we were there for such a short time the welcome we got when we returned was amazing, the same receptionist was there and he remembered not only our names but little details from our brief conversation - it felt like coming home.
Safari - we did 3 games drives, 1 boat safari and a bush trek. All were very well managed, informative and ran smoothly. Our first game drive started as soon as we got off the plane (our luggage was taken to the lodge) with Denis as our driver/guide. Our group was us (an English couple) and 5 Guests from Germany (one spoke good English so translated for the others) so Denis adapted his talks to allow all of us to understand and learn. We really bonded as a group and from then on Denis was our driver/guide of choice and took us on all of our game drives. We cannot praise Denis enough, he took onboard what we were hoping to see and did not let us down, we saw everything and more (including a Loin on 2 different days). We didn't see a Jaguar but that was not for the lack of Denis using his extensive knowledge to try and find one. There was only a couple of very little negatives at the lodge - the lack of seating in the bar area especially for just 2 people (should you want some time as a couple) and sun loungers/seating around the pool. However, there is work going on at the moment so this could change. Apart from that we very much enjoyed our 4 nights with them.
Reef and Beach Resort - We arrived back from Safari in the early morning but our rooms were not ready until 1pm so our tip is to pack your beach wear at the top of your return luggage so you can change (there are changing rooms in some toilet blocks but toilets are roomy enough for this). You can safely leave your luggage at reception and enjoy your time around the resort. There are so many places to relax or have a drink and the on-site facilities are good. We recommend using Crab Tours who are on site to book excursions as they are reasonably priced even if it's just 2 people. We booked the Stone Town Tour and had a car & driver plus our own tour guide for around £45 each. Our room was spacious with good air con and lovely Bathroom. Again, a couple of things could be better such as seating in the main dining area. The food was loverly with a good choice and all on the ground floor. However, there is limited seating on the ground floor but plenty upstairs where it is very nice. However, there is only a very limited food selection upstairs so you either have to go up and down (stairs are steep) or go with the limited options (there was also no A La Carte when we were there). We are also used to a having someone come around the pool/beach/seating areas asking if you want drinks which doesn't happen here but that's fine, just an observation. Again, there is work going on around the resort so things could change.
We have been to other parts of Africa before but this was our first time in Zanzibar and Tanzania. All the Paradise and Wilderness staff we had contact with were true ambassadors for their country. It was the people we met in Resort, on Safari and our trip to Stone Town (not to be missed by the way) that made this holiday special for us. Resort and Lodge were clean, tidy and well maintained (although as I said there is work going on in both but this is being done with minimum/no impact on guests). Nothing was too much trouble and everyone we met or passed said Jambo and smiled. Such wonderful people, we would (have) recommend to friends.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional tour agency!
We are so excited in our trip in Ethiopia and Mr.Gashaw makes our trip best and unforgettable. He is an experienced tour operator and he drove with a new model van and invited us lunch in Addis Ababa during our last day. Thank you Gashaw!
IN
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everyone who helped us make plans was extremely kind and understanding to all our wishes
Everywhere we went the people were very hospitable and understanding and as we are Indians and wanted a little bit of our own comfort food all the hotels we went to catered to our requirements and executed it perfectly. Our safari drivers took us wherever we wanted and made sure we saw all the animals we wanted to. Overall I would definitely book premium safari’s because they satiate all your wants and needs.
ES
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic on short notice
I received an email from a different safari provider 3 days before my safari started saying they had to cancel everything. It was also our wedding day. We were stressed. I reached out to Estleon Adventures via Safaribookings and they had everything sorted for a new safari within 3 hours. We had our own private guide and driver, Ben, who did a fantastic job. He picked us up directly from the Nairobi airport and away we went. Ben knew the roads and parks like the back of his hand. He always put our wants first and knew exactly where to find the animals. The accommodations we ended up in were incredible. I was shocked they were able to get a in on such short notice. I would highly recommend Estleon for anyone looking for a luxury safari in Kenya!
If I had to change anything about the trip, I would have skipped the boat and walking tour at lake Naivasha and done an extra night at The Cliff in Lake Nokuru National Park. It would have made for a longer drive, but The Cliff was a highlight for sure.
IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari + Kilimanjaro Sep. 2023 - IT WAS PERFECT!
From the beginning everything went well, we talked to Arustus before the trip and met him at the airport as soon as we got there.
Beside a minor change of the start date for the climb (eventually we started one day earlier than planned) everything went like clockwork! The hotels and lodges were very nice and have the value for money we expected for and beyond! Our guides were superb, helped us in everything we needed and became real friends, whom I remain in contact with until today! This goes for both the Kilimanjaro experience and for the safari tour. I recommend this type operator!
P.s. When saying 'we' I mean two male 25 years old travellers.
MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and unforgettable experience
It was my first safari and I enjoyed so much. They took care of everything in every details. From accommodation to our super guide James.
We saw the big five plus lots and lots of animals. The itinerary was just perfect.
Definitely highly recommended tour operator. It was my dream came true.
Thank you so much guys
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Could not have asked for a better Safari experience!!!
After a lot of research we finally decided to have our Safari experience with Jockey Tours, and I must say we enjoyed every bit of it. Our guide cum driver John (Papas as he told his nickname to be) made an extra effort to make this experience even more joyful. He was proactive and had information about a lot which added to our Safari experience. Few of the videos we could capture and attached for reference will show his enthusiasm.
We only communicated with Jockey tours through emails but they took care of everything from keeping us hydrated to making the trip a memorable one for us. The accomodation provided by them were all great and they really managed us well at Mara where they upgraded us to SOPA lodge when two rooms were not available for us at our pre booked lodge.
All in all it was great travelling with Jockey tours..
P.S.: This is especially for people reading the reviews try booking in either one of the lodges’ within the Park or one of the SOPA properties. And for the shopping freaks though the bargaining can be taxing buying from the locals is better than from anywhere…
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful and well organised tour operators
We booked our 6 days Kenya Safari Safari with Jocky tours based on reviews on SafariBookings.com and they turned out to be as good as the reviews. ‘We were picked up on time from our hotel. Papa’ John, our tour guide was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and took pains to make sure we had a great Safari. We spotted the big five, and lots of zebras, giraffes as well as flamingos. All our needs were taken well care of. So a big thanks to John. Mr Emanuel at Hemingway house at Amboseli Sopa Lodge regaled us with the adventures of Ernest Hemingway.
Only one suggestion for Jocky tours- a small box of a snack and a juice would have been nice on day one at the time of starting our safari since we were picked up at 7.30 am, too early to have had our breakfast that day.