US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
100% recommended
We had a great experience. The agency was super profesional and did everything they had promised. Our driver was Sebastian and he was outstanding. Best guide ever. I recommend them 100%
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip with African Big Cats Safari
We booked the 5 days / 4 nights Comfort Safari (Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti) with African Big Cats Safaris, and we could not have been more pleased with our choice! We saw a lot of animals, too many to mention, but the highlights were a pack of lions hunting a buffalo and a cheetah hunting and catching a baby Grant's gazelle.
Our guide was Khaled, who was a very experienced guide with ten years of experience. He knew all the roads and where the animals normally were. He also knew a lot of the other guides and communicated with some of them over the radio so that we could go see animals that were spotted by others. But since he knew the places and the animals so well, we were actually the first to find a lot of the lions, elephant herds, etc. He was also a very good driver both on the mud roads and on the public roads (which is also very important!), so we felt very safe with him behind the wheel. He also knew the name of every animal, bird, or plant we asked him about, and he could also tell us the geological history of the creation of the Ngorongoro Crater. And when we asked him why the soil is red, he knew the reason for this too! So I don’t think you can ask for a better guide. The accommodation was also very good! Good food, nice rooms and pleasant staff. And if you want nicer accommodation, you can have the luxury safari, or if you don’t mind a bit simpler living, you can order the budget safari. But either way, I can wholeheartedly recommend African Big Cats Safaris as a tour guide!
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had Adam as our guide and we couldnt be more happy with him
We booked our trip 3 days before. This was a top experience with the safari. Adam as our tourguide did everything to make it work. Murchison falls was a really nice nationalpark. Next year we Will be back for the gorillatrekking
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
excellent organisation and very good guides
We went to Kenya for 6 days and our guide was Simon. He showed us the most beautiful places. Sometimes we were just a few meters from lions, elephants Hyena's etc. He learned us a lot of Kenya. He had all the time for us and we made beautiful pictures.
Then we went for 10 days Tanzania. We again had a very good guide named Adrian. He told us a lot of Tanzania and he listened very well to what we especially wanted to see. On every question he had an answer. One day he was constantly talking with someone because he wanted to show us a leopard. It was in the Serengety and it was very difficult to find it. Eventually he managed. Also the Rhino was succesfully found, so we completed the big five. Also the lodges were great and amazing views.
We had a wonderful adventur, thanks to Matoke and our guides Simon and Adrian.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best team, best guide Johny Jackson
It was incredible, we saw big 5, wake up early and return to camp late, every day i get crazy emotions, thanks for all team 🙏 i will return again, special thanks our driver/guid Johny for all. He showed us the best angles.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very very nice 👍
This was my first trip to Africa, and I completely fell in love with this continent! The tour was absolutely incredible – breathtaking landscapes, mesmerizing nature, and, of course, the thrilling encounters with wild animals.
One of the most unforgettable moments was the safari itself. Just imagine – elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, a whole pride of lion cubs, and even graceful cheetahs passing just a few meters away from our vehicle! It’s impossible to put into words – seeing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, observing their behavior, and listening to the sounds of the savanna… It felt like being fully immersed in the wild!
The organization of the tour was top-notch. Our driver-guide (Johny Jakson) was not only a true professional but also incredibly friendly, attentive, and responsive. He always took care of our comfort, shared fascinating insights about each animal, their habits, and their habitat, and carefully planned the routes to ensure we saw as much wildlife as possible. The vehicle was always stocked with cold drinking water – a seemingly small detail, but an essential one in the hot African climate.
I also want to highlight the accommodations where we stayed overnight. Every place was cozy, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, clean and comfortable rooms. After an eventful day, it was such a pleasure to return to a place where we could relax, unwind, and enjoy the stunning African scenery.
And the food – it was simply delightful! Every meal was delicious, fresh, and filling, with a touch of local flavors that made the experience even more immersive.
I sincerely thank the company for the flawless organization of this journey. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, and their professionalism made this tour truly unforgettable! If you dream of a safari full of adventure, emotions, and unspoiled beauty – I highly recommend this company. They truly deliver an exceptional experience!
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An In-Depth and Constructive Critique of African Overland Tours and Nomad
We recently embarked on a 42-day trip through Africa in July and August 2024, booked via African Overland Tours and operated on the ground by Nomad. The total cost for two people was approximately EUR 14,000 (USD 450 per day), which we believed would guarantee a professional and enriching experience. Regrettably, it turned out to be our most disappointing travel venture to date. As two seasoned travelers who have lived in multiple countries and are generally quite flexible, our expectations were reasonable but were met with numerous shortcomings. We share our experience below so that future travelers are adequately informed, and in the hope that these companies will address these issues.
1. Excessive Idle Time and Limited Activities
• Only 3% of the trip dedicated to actual activities: During the first ten days (240 total hours), merely 8 hours were devoted to any form of organized activity (e.g., a 4-hour safari, two 1-hour village walks, a 2-hour coffee plantation visit, and 30 minutes at the Baobab Valley).
• The remaining 97% of our time was spent either in the truck (8–15 hours daily) or at budget lodges with nothing planned or suggested.
2. Uncomfortable and Inadequate Transportation
• Long, exhausting drives: While the first hour of scenery can be interesting, enduring 8–15 hours in a cramped truck becomes unbearable.
• Poorly maintained truck features: The microphone did not function, the seats were extremely tight for anyone taller than 175 cm (5’9”), and the filtered-water mechanism was outdated (offering no reliable source of mineral water).
• Meals in transit: Be prepared to have breakfast and lunch inside the moving truck. Given the rough roads riddled with bumps, it is almost inevitable that you will spill coffee, juice, or food on yourself.
• Unsuitable for a wide age range: In our particular group, travelers ranged from about 15 to 75 years old. The long hours and uncomfortable seating were especially challenging for older individuals and for younger travelers unaccustomed to such conditions.
3. Lack of Proper Guidance
• No professional guide provided: Despite the substantial tour cost, we only had a driver and a cook. While both individuals worked hard, they lacked the expertise or training to properly inform, organize, or address customer concerns.
• Minimal information about destinations: We received only the most basic daily details (“Tomorrow we drive to X, then stay at Y”) with no in-depth coverage of cultural, historical, logistical, or natural aspects. There was an absolute lack of information about the surrounding environment, local geology, fauna, or ecosystems—knowledge that would have greatly enriched our experience.
• Poor problem-solving: Complaints or suggestions were largely dismissed. Even when our concerns were constructive and proposed potential solutions, we were told that “complaints will disturb the peace of the crew, the clients, and the company.” There was little to no communication from Nomad’s management during the trip.
4. Substandard Accommodations and Extra Costs
• Budget lodges: Approximately 90% of the lodges were in the USD 30–60 range, often lacking hot water (and sometimes water entirely). Only about 3 out of 35 accommodations could be considered “good.”
• Additional fees: While visiting major attractions (e.g., National Parks or optional tours in Zanzibar), we were frequently charged extra (e.g., USD 350 for a game drive in Tanzania, and numerous other add-ons). Basic drinks, including water at lodges, were also billed separately.
• No meaningful stops en route: Travel breaks were typically confined to fuel stations or malls—no scenic or culturally significant stops were made without special request, and even then, requests were often ignored.
5. Overreliance on Guests’ Labor
• Expediting meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were rushed to about 30 minutes, leaving no opportunity for a relaxed, enjoyable break.
• Unpaid assistance: Guests were expected to handle tasks such as arranging tables, chairs, helping with cooking, and cleaning dishes, presumably to cut staffing costs.
6. Poor Communication and Organizational Gaps
• No document checks: There was no verification that all travelers had correct documentation, nor was there assistance or advice concerning border crossings.
• No room assignments: Upon arrival at accommodations, rooms were distributed randomly without prior arrangement. Travelers had to negotiate among themselves for room type.
• Erratic time management: Stop durations were inconsistent—if the driver/cook said “30 minutes,” it could easily turn into 40, 50, or 70 minutes, leaving everyone waiting without clear instructions or schedules.
7. Dismissive Customer Support
• Slow or no response: Both Nomad and African Overland Tours were unresponsive when issues were raised during the trip. Post-booking, African Overland Tours took over a week to reply to emails and generally offered no meaningful solutions.
• Lack of empathy and poor phone assistance: The telephone representative we spoke with interrupted us constantly, showed no empathy, and placed blame on us instead of assuming any responsibility. Their main suggestion was that if we were unhappy, we could leave the trip at any point. Ultimately, we did leave three days before the tour ended—and unsurprisingly, no refund was offered for the unused hotel nights.
• No compensation or accountability: Even in cases where promised accommodations were unavailable (forcing guests to camp instead of using rooms they paid for), there was neither an apology nor a financial adjustment.
8. African Overland Tours: Marketing Over Substance
• High-pressure sales tactics: The African Overland Tours team appears to be primarily focused on marketing and selling the product as quickly as possible. Clients are encouraged to make fast decisions under the pretense that spaces may run out otherwise.
• High commissions: They add a significant markup over the price charged by the actual operating company—Nomad in our case—yet contribute no additional value or support once the sale is finalized. Essentially, they operate as a middleman who could just as easily be selling a car as organizing a trip.
9. Final Observations
• National Parks and city visits: Africa’s wildlife and cultural experiences are undeniably astonishing. However, these highlights owe nothing to the tour operators, who merely facilitated transport to these locations.
• No guided urban explorations: For major cities like Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, we had to organize our own tours. Most participants, unaware of what these cities had to offer, stayed at the lodge and missed out on wonderful experiences.
10. Conclusion
Given the high cost, one would expect at least a professional guide, better accommodations, and a more efficient itinerary. Instead, we encountered disorganization, lack of communication, and a general sense that the primary goal was to reduce expenses rather than deliver a memorable journey.
Recommendation: We strongly advise looking into other agencies. In our view, it would be difficult to find a more poorly organized operation than what we experienced with African Overland Tours and Nomad. For the sake of future travelers, we hope this review prompts these companies to improve their standards and offer the quality of service that travelers deserve when exploring such a magnificent continent.
LT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best drivers :)
Was nice experience with you guys, thank you for everything 💪🙏
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent: A fantastic experience without any problems
Excellent experience. We built with the help of Vanessa the safari of our dreams between Kenya and Tanzania. The trip was perfect. We returned home happy and with a smile for the beautiful experience lived. We recommend this agency to everyone.
(automatic translation from Italian)
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Much beyond my expectations
Sino Africa Safari did an excellent job in provinding service to my family. We enjoyed 9 days safari - Amboseli, naivasha, Nakuru, masai Mara and Bogoria. We saw tons of animals and our driver guide Francis was the best driver guide ever. You will not go wrong with this guy. Great job.