65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable, attentive, organized and highly capable -- everything you could want.
When we first started exploring the idea of an African safari, we had little knowledge of what to look for or expect.
We found
a number of highly rated operators, but with no way to distinguish between them, we sent out multiple feelers which is when Shadows of Africa began to break from the crowd. Their representative (Karen Maki) was consistently responsive and attentive, quickly collaborating to put together an itinerary that addressed every detail of the trip.
This included
night-time and walking safaris, multiple options on where to stay, all transportation details (in addition to our outstanding guide Charles Lucas) and even the restaurant where we would wait for our driver to the airport at the end of the trip -- every detail was considered.
The execution of the tour made this the trip of a lifetime.
First, our guide, Charles Lucas, was top top notch. He knew the animals, the birds, made good suggestions on when to linger or move, and knew the sites and lodge destinations (not trivial -- he ended up giving directions to a number of guides from other tour operators who were clearly lost), and he was an excellent 4-wheel driver (again, not trivial -- the roads are unpaved and we saw other tour operators get stuck); and he is very nice person indeed.
And as for what we saw -- everything we could have hoped for:
-Beautiful landscapes at Lake Manyara, the Serenghetti, Ngorongoro crater and Tarangire
-and wildlife galore: giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, rhinos, antelopes, elephants, hyenas, jackals .. including a cheetah that we saw hunting and taking down a baby gazelle and (on a night safari) lions with a cape buffalo kill where the alpha male chased down the former alpha male and in the process ended up charged by an elephant .... All in all, an astonishing trip.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall I loved my tour from start to finish!
Overall I loved my tour!! I wish I would have spent more time in lodges in Mara as it was my favorite park and when I go back I plan on splitting the majority of my time just in like 2 lodges in Mara and maybe stopping a night by a lake. But overall, I would say my trip was fabulous. My Tour Guide was wonderful and like I said my only complaint is that I didn’t stay longer that I only did a week safari. I would also say if luggage weight is a concern make sure to keep room for a camera as that was another regret of mine that I didn’t bring a real camera and just my iPhone.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This journey is fantastic!
We went on a 7-day safari in Tanzania, and it was a perfect trip. My wife and I were extremely satisfied with our guide, Ibrahim. He has eyes like an eagle, constantly searching for animals on the savannah for us. We saw all the Big Five, including leopards, cheetahs, lions, and an elephant that passed right in front of us. Moreover, he was very conscientious and attentive, making our experience very comfortable. All the accommodation experiences were also perfect. The unique tent accommodation allowed us to rest well. At the end of the trip, William arranged for a driver to take us shopping and sightseeing in Arusha, and he treated us to local delicacies. Overall, Williamson Company is an excellent safari company. Following them, you will have a perfect safari trip. Also, they offer Kilimanjaro climbing programs. I think I will choose this company again to take me climbing next time.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent
I got in touch with Lennox, he helped with the entire trip plan. The response from him was amazing.
Our tour guide was Richard and we had an amazing experience for game drives. We spotted all the big 5, he understood what we love and helped us cover all the experiences and activities on time.
We also did bike ride at hells gate and nature walk at crescent island.
Overall the best experience ever, fully recommended.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very Responsible & Well Organized
It was a lovely tour.. uncountable memories.... We had a very friendly environment there... Lots of fun & obviously it was money worth tour.. once in a lifetime experience... All the cottages & hotels provided by them was very good& food quality was super... In all it was our best international tour....
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience
We booked a 7 night safari to Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha and Amboseli with our family of five.
All in all we had a fantastic week with our guide/driver Clinton, who was a very safe driver and positioned his car at the best spots for close encounters with wildlife. At the first game drive in Masai Mara we even spotted a leopard, which is the most difficult to find. Clinton advised us to change hotel in Nakuru, as the City Max is below standard according to the reviews. That was a good suggestion, the Buraha Zenoni was very clean and had a nice buffet spread. Miti Mingi Eco Camp (Masai Mara) was basic but clean and food was ok. In Amboseli we upgraded to the amazing, very luxurious Kibo safari camp but we heard Nyati (more basic, in the standard package) was also good.
The safari tour is great value for money, but I advise you to check and double check with Benson on arrangements made outside of the standard package, i.e. booking and payment of accommodation.
Logistics with other guests joining the car is also a bit of a challenge, especially if they have other plans than you.
Would have given 5 stars if logistics and bookings were flawless.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Safari Operator
The safari was excellent especially due to our driver Dickson. He knew a lot about the animals we saw and he took us to see them in a safe environment. We saw the “big five” and the “ugly five” as well as many other animals. The Landcruiser was very rugged and comfortable for the safari. The accommodations were very good. The Ol Tukai Lodge was the least comfortable as it was located in a lower elevation and therefore hotter than the other places we stayed. The food on the safari was what you’d expect. Nothing to write home about but we were not there for the food. The value for the money we paid was excellent. The communication we had by email with Fredrick was very good. Overall working with Apodiformes Adventures exceeded my expectations of a safari.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lawrence was so knowledgeable, friendly, experienced. He made our safari the best experience
This safari and our driver was the best experience !
He was friendly, so knowledgeable and so kind!
He thought us so much not only about the animals but about the parks and about life in Kenya. He answered our many many questions and always did so smiling!
He is definitely an expert at what he does!
He also went above and beyond in making sure we saw all the animals. He got us the best viewing spots each time and put in such an effort for us to see every single animal of the park.
We loved our time with him and he made us laugh so much over the few days! We are so happy we got to spend the safari trip with him!
Thanks Lawrence for the best few days!
🦒🐘🦓🦁🦏🐆
The company was so easy to communicate with, flexible with any changed we wanted and were very reliable! I would definitely book again with them!
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Company and Driver Lawrence
We just returned from an incredible 5-day safari with Marurumi Safaris, and it was truly the trip of a lifetime! From start to finish, everything was seamless, and a huge part of that was thanks to our amazing driver and guide, Lawrence.
Lawrence was absolutely brilliant - his knowledge of the wildlife across the three parks we visited was incredible. He could identify every animal and bird we spotted, teaching us so much about their behaviour, habitats, and interactions. His passion for wildlife and his job was so evident, making every game drive even more special.
Beyond the safari itself, Lawrence gave us such great insight into life in Kenya, sharing fascinating stories and patiently answering the hundreds of questions we threw his way. He made every moment fun, and we laughed non-stop throughout the trip.
Thank you, Lawrence and Marurumi Safaris, for making this such an unforgettable experience! If you’re thinking about booking a safari, I would highly recommend!
CN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Axis Afria:a excellent Safari company with good guides
Thanks to Axis Afria, this trip was perfect. First of all, I want to thank Cynthia for not getting tired of coordinating the itinerary and details with me, and for giving professional and patient answers to all the questions I asked, helping me overcome the difficulties of language communication and unfamiliarity with the situation. Later, I learned that Cynthia was the boss. As a boss, she can do things so personally. How can such a company not be trusted? Next, I want to thank my tour guide Khalifa the most. His serious and responsible attitude and professional ability made the extraordinary charm of the African savannah presented to us without reservation. Here are a few examples: Khalifa's ability to find animals is outstanding. Whether it is day or night, no matter how far away, he can find the whereabouts of animals in the first time. We are all amazed by this. I believe that people who often read the comments section of Safaribooking will think that this is just so-so. Isn't this a basic skill for a Safari tour guide? Indeed, so the key point I want to talk about is in the latter part; Khalifa's professional ability is reflected in his ability to predict the direction of animals in advance. He often moves in an unknown direction when others are still waiting in place. As a result, we arrived in front of the animal's moving route in advance and found the best observation position. Only then did other cars come after hearing the news; Khalifa's serious and responsible attitude also touched me. He has an extraordinary persistence. On our last afternoon in Masai Mara, we didn't see the expected zebras because of the influence of Maasai grazing. Even we thought it was better to forget it. He still persisted in looking around. We even thought that he would not let us go back to the hotel if we couldn't find zebras today [grin]. In the end, although we didn't find the zebras, we unexpectedly saw the scene of cheetahs hunting unsuccessfully. Khalifa's driving skills are first-class, which makes us feel the freedom of wild Africa. Whether there is a road or not, whether there is a turbulent river or a bumpy wilderness ahead, there is always a smooth road ahead of us. Finally, I want to say that Khalifa is a loving, meticulous and humorous person. He suggested that we give the unfinished hotel lunches to the poor people we met on the road. He carefully prepared a folding stool for my old mother to use as a footrest when getting on the bus. The laughter along the way was inseparable from his participation. At the end, the whole family was reluctant to leave like a family parting. In short, this was a perfect trip, this is a company worth recommending, and Khalifa is definitely a tour guide worth choosing.
(automatic translation from Chinese)
