IE
20-35 years of age
Perfect blend of adventure and relaxation
This trip had so many iconic East African experiences, and was just so much fun. If you want to go on safari and also want to experience real Uganda, go with these guys.
I loved the mystery of going on a trip I hadn't planned myself. We received an itinerary but I purposely didn't look up anything as I wanted to the excitement of seeing genuine new things, a hard thing to achieve these days. I put my trust in Colm & Peter and they didn't disappoint. The beauty of the country and the warmth of the people surpassed all expectations. There is so much to see and do in Uganda I came home with a list of things I'll have to go back and do.
What I liked about Kennedy Safari Tours was that they were fluid and easy going. They really listened to what the group wanted in this really discreet way, and then just made it happen, they didn't miss a thing. They knew I was into birdwatching and managed to fit that in for me even though it wasn't planned. In fact if you're into birds in any way, you need to go to Uganda. Every hike or game drive we went on we encountered incredible birds, and the local guides were more than happy to identify them.
They use guides who have decades of experience and who are passionate about their parks and the animals. They're responsible, especially when bush camping and leave no trace. Much of the accommodation we used were community projects run by locals, so in this sense they are really supporting small local business, and in turn their wider communities.
What I also liked was that the guys were as excited by the wildlife and the things that we encountered as we were, so it felt like we were all enjoying the experience together. Small subtleties like that make for a more authentic experience.
The trip was so affordable. They have obviously put in the time and effort to seek out an itinerary that is affordable without having to leave anything out, whether you're a volunteer, a student or just someone who wants a rich experience that you don't have to spend a lot on. I feel like I could go again next year and it not be a big deal, with flights from Ireland being so reasonable.
It's hard to pick a highlight as I genuinely loved every day. I loved the wild and remote places like Kidepo National Park, river swimming and standing under waterfalls in Sipi Falls, also the coffee tour in Sipi Falls. Safari from a boat on the Nile in Murchison Falls NP when we saw a herd of elephants drinking along the shoreline. The stunning trek to the Ik Tribe and the whole experience of meeting the tribe was very special. Evening game drives, early morning game drives! Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and getting to spend the whole day in the rainforest. The food! ( Thank you Peter! ) All things I'll never forget.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing experience and one of the best vacations I have ever been on.
This was probably one of the best vacations that I have ever been on. Our tour was especially geared to children. I have gone on many vacations with Disney Adventures and Disney Cruises and this tour beats all of them! My kids learned about animals, the ecosystem and the culture. I highly recommended this tour to everyone.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Experience of a lifetime, our every expectation was met in a professional manner by the team.
From day one, every single aspect of dealing with Wild At Heart Tours and Safaris was professional, polite and knowledgeable.
Their service was in a nutshell was infallible ( error-free, unfailing, faultless, flawless, impeccable, perfect, true, uncanny, precise, accurate, meticulous, scrupulous) This extended to every member of the team from booking, to the guide Jared and the whole tour itself.
We will be back soon !
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First safari, great experience!
This was our first safari and we're glad we went in a toured guide, it made the difference having someone driving, spotting and explaining about the animals. Wild Planet Safari provided us with a private tour, which was also great as we were able to stop as desired and do things in our own time. Paul was our guide and he was great, had a lot of knowledge about the animals and seemed to really love his job. Benjamin was our cook and he was also great, cooked good food and had a good eye for spotting animals. The only minor issue we had was about dietary restrictions, one person was vegetarian and the other was not, but the food was planned as if both were vegetarian... Anyhow, it was a great tour, we spotted many animals, stayed in very comfortable places inside the Kruger Park, which was excellent as we could really enjoy our time inside the park, and had good company. I highly recommend Wild Planet Safari, just be sure to double check what's included in your tour and to ensure all the tiny details as the food thing I mentioned before. It was great and now I'm hooked on safaris!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good and efficient service
We booked a a safari to the Masi Mara with holiday dealers, staying at the Mara Explorer camp and they provided a personal guide for the three days, he was called Wilson and was excellent.
Holiday dealers provided good and fast service through the booking process and in the run up to the safari.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing team to help you with your Tanzania wildlife experience
The communication with David was great from Day 1 and he made sure he followed through with the plan established before hand. He was there to receive us and accommodate us in Arusha. The guides he chose for us Illazareus Benidict was amazing in his guidance and knowledge about the whole safari tour. Our cook Haridi Rashid was just out of the world. He made us home cooked meals in the middle of the Serengeti with love! Overall the tour experience was amazing in terms of price paid and the value we received. We definitely recommend David and his team to help you get an amazing experience in the Amazing country that is Tanzania!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A nice experience, good staff with good public relations. Excellent experience it was
Service is perfect, communication upto good standard.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Vacation well organized company
This trip to the East Africa was my 1st experience with Wildlife ever. Magical Retreat and Pamela were very professional but also kept the promise of giving the best quality agreed upon. It was due to the mere trust we had in each other that's how I had booked a 6Day tour for African Game drive with complimentary African Bumpy massage. We wanted a luxury trip which it was as well as had been offered good driver from Nairobi and back. Our guide and driver Livingstone Msagha was very good in sighting animals and very patient as a person. His pateince paid off as we could see the Great Migration at Maasai Mara, as he insisted to remain there for 2-3hours. Kudos to his hardwork to drive us around on such unpaved roads of safari.
I only wish if I had got better stay instead of Sopa Loadge - Maasai Mara like I was offered in Sweetwaters (Serena Camp) and Lake Nakuru - Sopa Lodge. The Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge was bit disappointment Old and after seeing the other property it dint seem as Luxury (not worth at all) . Even at Nairobi Airport I wish Pamela had few SIM card for the client during their stay to reduce the hassle of waiting at airport. We ended up buying Airtel, it had pathetic service in the Rift valley and being local there they should know better 'SafariCom' had better coverage.
The Ballon ride experience was incredible, thanks to the weather and so was the Thomson Waterfall & Lake Naivasha's (huge freshwater Lake) Boat ride as suggested by Pamela. Worth it !
Overall the safari was Awe-inspiring and it was all because of the Magical retreats & adventures Tours team work.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience with safari and climbing Kilimanjaro
Me and my three friends went on a 4days/3nights safari-trip with “Lens trekking & safaris” after climbing Kilimanjaro with the same company. After a great experience on the mountain with an amazing crew we were certain that the safari would be just as good. And were not disappointed!
We booked the safari after coming down from the mountain and with almost no time “Lens” manage to put together a trip after our preferences. The guide, whom had been a park ranger for 15 years before switching jobs to safari guide, had and amazing eye, spotting animals that none of us would have seen other ways. We went to “Lake Manyara”, “Serengeti” and “Ngorogoro crater” and really enjoyed our stay!
Recommend!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari experience with Jocky tours
I would like to express my gratitude for an amazing safari experience which sadly has ended.
I was on the Masai Mara safari from 13th - 16th September and my game driver was Richard.
Richard was a great driver! Alert, patient and most of all friendly which provided such an amazing safari experience.
He made sure that we all (7 of us) got great pictures and checked with us that we were all OK before he moved off driving. As you can imagine, seeing for ourselves as well as getting pictures is a major part of the experience and I owe a massive thanks to Richard for making that his top priority. We saw ALL THE BIG 5!!! And even had a picture of a leopard in a tree eating a wildebeest! That is second to none!!!
He was also very informative and his English is very good which made for a great bonding experience as we looked to Richard as our leader because he was trustworthy and we can tell he genuinely had all our best interests at heart. He is VERY passionate about what he does and I hope he goes very far!!!
I feel blessed to have had Richard as my game driver during my first experience on safari and especially as a solo traveller where safety is of utmost importance, I felt safe on safari and Jocky Tours now will be highly recommended to anyone who asks me about doing a safari in Kenya! I have already passed on the company details to two people interested in doing a safari and hope they get time to schedule a safari with Jocky so that they can get the same experience as I have done.
Thank you Jocky!