US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Pauline from Meektrails is a gem!
I just got home from our wonderful trip to Kenya and Tanzania. I wanted to immediately rate Meektrails since they were instrumental in making this once in a lifetime trip happen. I'm giving Meektrails five stars, but really I'm giving PAULINE five stars. Pauline was the representative that I worked with starting in December when the idea of going on safari was just a dream. I contacted various companies (at one point I was in contact with five different people from different agencies) as I really wasn't sure what I wanted or if this was even possible. I was playing out our options. I asked a LOT of questions, more than most people I assume as we were really on the fence whether we could afford this trip or if it was even feasible for us. But Pauline answered every question, and did it within 24 hours (but most of the time it was more like within five to ten hours!). In the end, when we decided we could do this, we made the easy decision to go with Meektrails simply because of Pauline. We knew if we were going to do this giant trip (yes it felt huge to us), we wanted someone like Pauline to help us through it. I never once regretted that decision.
Over the next six months Pauline kept in touch and answered any questions that came up so that by the time the trip arrived, we felt ready. But Pauline didn't stop there. When we arrived in Kenya she met us at our hotel along with our first guide for the trip. It was so amazing to meet her after all these months of communication. And for the ten days that we were in her country, she kept in touch via Whatsapp the entire time! Any hiccup or question that arose I asked and she answered. When we had a rather stressful incident traveling from one place to another (the demonstrations and protests were happening while we were there), Pauline upgraded our hotel the next night to compensate for our stress. I can NOT say enough about Pauline and all that she did for us. Meektrails is lucky to have her, and I highly recommend that if you plan on planning a safari, request Pauline to be your representative.
I'd be remiss to not mention our guides in this review as well. We had three different guides, each quite unique. Joseph was our first guide and the one we were with the longest. He is a jovial man who seemed to know and be friendly with everyone we came across. The best part about Joseph being our guide, he made sure that we saw every animal possible before we left his care. So by the time we left him (day 5 or 6) we'd seen the big five plus so many more. We really appreciated that. When we went to Tanzania we had to get a new guide as guides aren't allowed to travel over country borders. So our second guide was Waziri from Serengeti Clarity (a partnering company to Meektrails). Waziri was a lovely man with a huge heart. He was quite knowledgeable and every game drive felt a little like being in school. We learned so much. And finally we ended our trip with a third guide when we reentered Kenya for the final three days. James was our final guide. He was by far the best driver of the bunch. What they don't tell you in any of this is that the roads are NOT great, and they took a toll on all of us, especially my 80 year old mother-in-law. But Joseph took his time and made sure that we weren't being thrown around in the car. He has a very even disposition, and was pleasant to be with. I wish we'd gotten more time to know him, but unfortunately we had the least amount of time with him. But all three of our guides made sure that we were taken care of and that our trip was 100% successful.
Our trip was incredible. We saw and experienced so much, and I truly credit that to Meektrails, our guides, and especially Pauline. If you are looking for a company to work with, look no further! Meektrails should be your choice.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris amazing tour of Kenya and Tanzania
We just returned from a seven-week trip to southern and eastern Africa that was capped off by a twelve-day private combo circuit of Kenya and Tanzania. James and Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris offered a tour that was what we wanted and were willing to modify two of the days for additional sites and activities. James was most accommodating in helping us plan the trip. We traveled to the Rift lakes in Kenya and Masai Mara, then crossed the border to the Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge, and Ngorongoro before returning to Amboseli and Nairobi. James provided us with two excellent guides who were both knowledgeable and experienced (Joseph in Kenya and Roger in Tanzania) and appropriate vehicles that easily travelled the countryside. Roger and Joseph’s ability to spot birds and animals and to identify them added greatly to the experience. Roger’s sense of humor was especially delightful.
We waited all too long before traveling to Africa and hope to return. We highly recommend James and Twinkle Star to others wanting to experience that amazing land.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
10 days mom and daughter trip: simply superb
I took my mom to her first Africa trip organizing a 10 days of Safari covering the 3 main spots of Tanzania.
We have visited Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti NP.
From the first moment we have landed we were very much welcomed by Innocent and Mac from Landsman Experience.
Those 10 days were spectacular from the game drives to the local experiences we had. Landsman did everything they could to make us feel at home.
The accommodations, the jeep, the service (food&drinks), their attention to my mum and treating her as if theirs….. everything was 100% perfect.
Really appreciated also all the information we got on the local culture, history, animals and the rest.
Also during the whole trip, Gerald was always in touch to make sure that everything was proceeding smoothly. He had to even manage and managed so well a last minute change of plans.
I am already organizing my next trip there; there is so much to see and experience and I know that I can count on Landsman
MX
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A one in a lifetime experience, with a professional, knowledgeable team to guide you
I rarely write reviews, so the fact that I didn't hesitate to write this one speaks a lot about how grateful I am to Golden Rwanda Safaris for one of the best trips I've ever had. Since I was going to Rwanda for work and only learned about it a few weeks in advance, I had a very short time to put together this tour. In just a few days, Golden Rwanda Safaris helped me curate an experience that was exactly what I wanted: canopy walking in Nyungwe (amazing!), climbing a mountain and sitting next to a family of gorillas in Volcanoes National Park (I don't know how Golden Rwanda got me a spot on such short notice, given that there are few permits available in the summer), learning more about Rwandan culture and traditions (I learned how to make banana beer!), and glamping in Akagera Park with hippos just outside my tent. My guide, Soufiani, was extremely professional: always on time, a careful driver, always patient and attentive to my needs, making sure I felt safe and that I was getting the exact experience I wanted (for example: when I told him - mid-trip - that I preferred to spend the night in Ruzizi Tented Lodge instead of another fancier hotel they had booked for me, he immediately made arrangements to make that happen).
It was also very clear to me that Golden Rwanda knows its trade, as they were able to suggest really cool experiences (in addition to those I had in mind), and their choices for accommodation were on point. Also, they constantly requested feedback and asked if there was anything else they could do to make sure I was happy. I can not recommend them enough!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Life Changing !
Jungles was incredible! Fantastic value for money and so much knowledge on the visited area/s. I visited Uganda with them, and as a solo traveller it was fantastic to get to know people and feel safe and comfortable the entire tour! Seriously everything was incredible start to finish!
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not trustable
My advice is for you not to trust Manyara Travel Climb Company!
We booked a climb and a safari week with them and no news after the climb. The person took our money and left us in bad trouble. We had to pay again with another company to save our trip. So my advice is really to avoid this dishonest company!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Imani offers personalized, professional, and unforgettable travel experiences.
Our trip to Tanzania with Imani was an amazing experience! Mike was incredibly helpful and responsive, understanding our needs perfectly as we traveled with our parents. He answered all our concerns and provided clear explanations, ensuring a unique and memorable experience.
We spent two days in Ngorongoro, and on Mike's recommendation, we took a walking safari, which turned out to be a highlight of our trip—so much fun and truly unforgettable!
Our guide, David, was outstanding with his 18 years of experience in the industry. Thanks to his expertise, we saw all the animals we hoped to see. One day, we were the first to spot lions with their five cubs. David's sharp vision also helped us find a cheetah hiding in the bushes, and he even guided other safari jeeps to the sighting. His warm-hearted nature and professionalism made the experience even more enjoyable.
Even when our flights got canceled on the last day, Mike and David went above and beyond to find us accommodation and arrange transportation to the airport the next morning.
I highly recommend traveling with Imani—100% the best experience!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Custom tours in Tanzania – good guides, good lodges, good prices, personalized service.
I worked with Amos (the owner) to arrange a 19-day tour for our group of 12. Communication was excellent, and response was usually quick.
Our group was to meet with a sister organization in Iringa, but we wanted to do some excursions before and after that. Amos set it all up. We went with Migration Venture Africa because of excellent word-of-mouth recommendations from a prior group of our organization that went in 2017. The price quoted by Migration Venture Africa was below what we could have pieced together on our own based on commercial tours we found on the internet. Our itinerary included a couple of days in Moshi, then Iringa (a non-tour layover), then Ruaha, then the Northern Tier parks, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro, Mto-wa-Mbu (“Mosquito River” but we didn’t see any) an interesting village with nice art and market, and a Maasai Boma.
Our trip included a charter flight from Arusha to Iringa (it’s a long drive by road!), and back from Ruaha to Arusha. Migration Venture Africa handled all the ground connections.
The drivers/guides drove safely on the highways and expertly in the parks – from navigating mudholes after an afternoon rain in Serengeti to evading a mad bull elephant in Ruaha.
Migration Venture Africa helped us fill a gap in our schedule. Our first stop was Moshi for a few days of rest and adjustment of time zone. A few of us wanted to go on a Kilimanjaro day hike (not to the top! Just to Mandara Hut, the Kilimanjaro Marangu trail’s first camp on the way up to the summit). We were going to use a daytrip we found online. Migration Venture Africa said they could do the same trip for us, and their price was lower than the internet price. Our guide, Rogath, has been to the 19,000+ft top 87 times! So this was easy for him. We had a great outing, and yes we were tired (2800 ft elevation gain hiking through the rain forest). We got to see Colobus monkeys and tree hyrax.
Migration Venture Africa said they have done trips for parties from 1 to 25, so our party of 12 was larger than normal. They did a great job planning and executing our itinerary. They showed us the best and took us to some nice lodges. If someone asks for my recommendation, this is it.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The trip of a lifetime!
Easy Travel does not only make your trip easy, but it makes it memorable. First, their agents communicate really well and are extremely helpful assisting you in creating a custom safari itinerary.
We were extremely excited to start our journey and we were not disappointed. I must say that the success of such a trip depends a lot on the expertise and personality of your guide and driver. Ours, Simon Boimanda was the best we could have hoped for: experienced driver, resourceful, friendly and fun, and, above all, a mine of knowledge.
Simon shared an authentic passion for the Tanzanian wildlife and made it fun asking questions and let us know guess a plausible answer. He masterfully made our trip exciting, authentic, seamless and full of learning.
At night, we stayed in a combination of wilderness Tortillis camps with their friendly and dedicated staff and amazing comfort, and a couple of high-end lodges which allowed to take a short break.
If I was to summarize the highlights of our trip, I would say (in chronological order):
1. Safari trip through the forests of Tanrangire to observe in awe thunders of elephants.
2. Balloon flight over the plains of Serengeti to watch the great migration of wildebeests and zebras
3. Walking safari to the Empakai crater to watch flames of flamingos soaring to the sky
4. Safari in the crater of Ngorongoro to watch a vibrant ecosystem show its best colors
5. A cultural stop at Lake Eyasi to learn about the Datoga metallurgists and hunt with Hatzabe bushmen.
Wow! What a magical experience. Thank you Simon! Thank you Easy Travel! Asante sana Tanzania!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Efficient, reliable operator that provided us with the gaming experience we wanted
Discover Africa Safaris listened to what we wanted to experience in Africa and tailor made a series of fly in fly out safaris for us. The gaming locations that they chose were exceptional. This is why we came to Africa. Within minutes of our first game drive we were within metres of a pride of lions. The next day we were following a tracker on foot to a group of cheetah cubs. They were contactable during our holiday and were able to resolve an issue which arose with one of our accommodation providers during our holiday. This enabled us to enjoy our holiday whilst they sorted out the issue in the background.