35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
CKC Tours – Safari to Amboseli and Masai Mara
This was out first safari and we were delighted to have chosen CKC Tours to organise it for us. We wanted to fly to avoid long tiring road transfers, and stay in quality but sensibly priced hotels and the package put together satisfied our requirements at a cost significantly less than some international luxury operators.
John met us personally at the airport and was very friendly, thorough and professional. Our private transfer to the Serena Nairobi was an opportunity to find out a little more. He gave us our detailed arrangements the following morning with flight and hotel vouchers and advice regarding the trip. He safely stored out excess luggage for our onward trip to Zanzibar as the strict 15kg weight limit applies for the light aircraft transfers and met us again at Wilson airport at the end of our trip.
The flights to Amboseli and later Masai Mara were an enjoyable experience with some fantastic views, but the small aircraft may not suit some. We saw herds of animals around the swamp in Amboseli and tracks of animals heading toward the Mara River from the windows.
The hotels were perfect, relaxing with good but not gourmet food and lovely views. The views from the Masai Mara Serena Game Lodge are amazing- you don’t need to go on safari, just look out the window as the animals pass having crossed the river.
We enjoyed the BBQ bush dinner at Amboseli and the breakfast with the hippos on the Mara River – would highly recommend both.
The game drives were fantastic, we were in 4*4 pop up vehicles. In Serena were had 3 of 4 game drives with no other passengers and had completely private tours in Masai Mara (we did not chose private tours, just got lucky as the season was coming to an end – late September).
Our drivers were fantastic – as first time safari goers we kept asking to stop and look at zebras initially! We saw the amazing Elephants in Amboseli, the crossing of the wildebeest on the Mara river , lions, hippos, and everything else including a leopard. The sceneries in the two locations are excellent and going to Amboseli then Masai Mara is the best order to enjoy these two locations.
Overall I would highly recommend this safari and would happily go with CKC tours again. We’ll be back!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great budget safari company with very helpful staff
We stayed in Kenya and Tanzania last October and we have had an amazing safari experience with Baboon. Though we first planned to visit some tour operators in Nairobi recommended by the Lonely Planet, we soon found out they were a bit too expensive for our budget. Then we asked the hotel where we stayed to contact a safari company they would recommend and they came up with Baboon Safaris. One of their staff, Michael, a great guy, came to visit us, sat down with us and explained us all the options on the table.
Our price included transport, accommodation, food & water, game drives of course, and driver guides. We stayed in a tented camp, a cottage, and at decent hotels in both Kenya and Tanzania. On our last day in Kenya we wanted to change our trip somewhat and this was easily arranged for. The people at Baboon would not stop saying how much they wanted us to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience and they repeated again and again how much they appreciated the fact that we had chosen them to deliver it. This really gave us the feeling we were cared for from start to finish.
In the end we only suffered one inconvenience in Tanzania. Since we flew back from Nairobi, the manager took some time to pay us a visit at our hotel to discuss what had went wrong. We were offered our money back or they would arrange an activity for us on our last day. We chose the latter and we were very happy with it! This again shows their commitment to treat us as their guests. We were very satisfied with how they handled this situation.
In short, budget travellers should definitely go for Baboon! You won't regret it!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly memorable experience!!!
We toured South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Natasha Allan from Sun Safaris did an excellent job. Everything from our accommodations/safari camps, tours, and transfers were perfect!!! We will definitely use Natasha/Sun Safaris for our next African vacation.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome tour guide makes for an astounding safari!
I think our Safari was amazing!! they accommodated all our needs even when our group was a pain in the butt at times. Sorry guys!! David was quite the gentleman- helping us situate everything and waiting for us to get food and other necessities that were needed!! The team we were working with was great too. Everybody during our safari was soooooo helpful; we couldn't have asked for a better crew who became friends and felt like family on our trip;which made it more enjoyable!
ML
Very friendly people at Kilele Savane, always hepful for a amazing trip!
We traveled 2 weeks with Kilele combining Safari and Zanzibar at the end of the trip. The guide and driver are very friendly, we learned a lot about the wildlife and the Tanzanian way of life.
We highly recommand Kilele Savane.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The adventurous route
We took the Rongai route because we liked the idea of being on the trail less traveled. We loved having plenty of space to be on our own but still have people around to socialize with. Our Zara guides were incredibly helpful, kind, generous, and good humored. When we got to Kibo camp and saw the cabin dwellers with the proper mattresses to sleep on, we felt a little envious but I'm absolutely not sorry that we chose the adventurous route. I had a lot of trouble with altitude symptoms, but our guide was very attentive. My fiancé and I both made it to the top, but I really struggled. Our guide, assistant, guide, and our book came up with us to keep me safe and sang a jaunty song to me to motivate me all the way to the top. We had a positively memorable experience, and the Zara guides could not have been any better to us!
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Trip
We went as a group of friends on safari to Tanzania specifically to go and see the migration in the Serengeti as I had been on safari before but never seen this phenomenon. Java Safaris had been recommended to me by some friends who had travelled with them before and rated them very highly.
We were a group in our 70's so had quite a few concerns about how we would manage but we need not have worried as every step of the way we were so well looked after. So much time was spent asking questions and the team at Java were patient and so knowledgeable before the trip. They put us in a really luxurious lodge right up near the Mara river and we were treated like royalty with nothing being too much trouble. We had a fabulous guide who had the patience of a saint and resulted in my experience of three separate wildebeest crossings as well as lions, cheetah, leopard, buffalo, elephant and much much more.
I would recommend Java Safaris in a heartbeat for their knowledge, understanding and professionalism.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing all inclusive tour to the top of Kilimanjaro
We were a small group of four people in the age of 25 to 61.We were in contact with them via email at the beginning. They answered all our questions and had great reviews online. We got picked up at the busstation and after short rest in the hotel we got a briefing about the programm, our guides overlooked our stuff to see if we still need anything for the track (if you forgot anything you could rent it). During our track the food was five star and they took real good care of us. Everything was well organized, they motivated us all the time and slowed us down if we were to fast so that we wouldnt consume all of our energy at once. All of us made it to the top. Mr. Hamadi and his group also took care of us after the tour (ex.:he and his wive helped us find another hotel for the nights afterwards). We really enjoyed the company of our 2 guides Bakari and Bryson (also Roger helped on the summit day). Also the porters, cook etc were super friendly and motivating. We have never expierienced a nicer and more helpfull staff then the staff of kilismile! Definetly worth to recommend!
A great experience and very flexible!
Encounter Africa is a great choice for gorilla trekking, they put together fantastic packages, have an above and beyond staff and we're incredibly flexible at meeting our needs. Definitely recommend.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great services and competent staff
I can highly recommend Kenya Safari bookings adventures - mainly used their services in car hiring or transport and was fully satisfied. The driver was always on time and really friendly. They also did some tours with my family in Nairobi or Paradise Lost. Good knowledge of the guides and useful information.
The company did a really good job and fulfillung the dreams of us and we are happy to have travelled with them.
Thanks to all the staff of Kenya Safari bookings ;)
It was a pleasure meeting you!