35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magic with Magical Retreats
I travelled to both Kenya and Tanzania in January of 2017. In Kenya I didn't have too many things on the to do list. Most of my time was focused on a Safari tour to Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok Kenya. We engaged
Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours to help coordinate our overnight tour to the reserve. Pamela Wanjugu, the owner, was very prompt and diligent in building a personal tour package that catered specifically to our travel needs.
We were picked up bright and early from our hotel by our guide Livingston who was not only extremely accomodating but was very informative along the way. He was sure to give us enlightening historical accounts of the townships we were driving through and specific information about the daily life of their residents. The trip was approx. 4.5 hours with a few stops on the way for food and pictures. Once we reached the reserve Livingston took care of our entry into the park and took us on a quick game drive before we settled in to the Lodge so that we had as much daylight time in the park as possible. The vastness of the park is unimaginable and Livingston navigated it's trails as if it were his own backyard. With Livingston's direction we were delighted to spot big five game in no time. We then took a break to get settled into our overnight accommodations and to grab lunch. After lunch we went back out for another game drive.
The Massive landscape of the Maasai Mara is humbling and even during dry season we were able to spot tons of Buffalo, Antelope, Elephants, Hippos, Giraffes, Lions, Hyenas, and Cheetahs. After our late afternoon game drive we returned back to the lodge for dinner and a special Maasai presentation from residents of the local village.
Accomodations in the Reserve
We stayed at the Sopa Luxury Lodge on the grounds on the Reserve. I kid you not, the lodge was far from a rinky dink tent city in the bush, this was an official 4 star retreat inclusive of food, a beautiful pool with great views of the Reserve and several bungalows with King Size beds, nice adorned bathrooms, mosquito nets etc. The food was spectacular and so was the service. Remember this was an overnight all inclusive lodge stay so lunch, dinner and breakfast was included in the fee.
After breakfast we loaded up the van for one more game drive before heading back to Nairobi. Note that the road to and from Maasai Mara is unpaved for a good portion of the journey so be prepared for a bit of an uncomfortable ride from time to time. Livingston was sure to keep is engaged and stopped for lunch before dropping us to the airport where we flew to Zanzibar. There's no doubt in my mind that the service and price provided by Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours is uncomparable. I would definitely recommend anyone planning a Safari your in Kenya to book through them.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Day
I had a really good experience with Mmilo Tours. First of all, Patrick was great, from the start to the end. He was extremely kind and even helped me with accommodation, as he was worried about the neighbourhood that I first chose to stay in and suggested that I move to a safer one in Johannesburg. My Safari with Willem was amazing too. He was a great guide, showing and explaining everything for me. He even took pictures for me, since I forgot my camera! My day was as good as it possibly could have been and I strongly recommend their services.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Manna Expedition & Safaris_Feb 2016 Experience
Peter Mapinda and his staff at Manna Expedition are very conscientious and hardworking to provide the best service and accommodations to their guest during safari. Upon arrival at the airport, you are met by a representative from Manna Expedition.
The tent camps were extremely enjoyable and safe.
We were escorted to and from our tent to the main tent where we ate & met to leave for safari. The food was excellent. It was remarkable to be "in the bush" in the midst of the African wildlife.
Upon arrival to Arusa Tanzania we flew about 1 hour to begin our safari. After safari we began our drive back to Arusha, we had a wonderful cultural visit at a Massai village. Our driver and host from Manna Expedition stayed with us until we entered the airport for our flight to Rwanda to see the silverback gorillas.
Manna Expedition can arrange this for you!
Note: medical shots are required & a VISA. This was not a huge problem but did require several months to arrange. This was done by ourselves after we booked the trip.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience of safari with an excellent and cool guide (Hillary)
I staid in My safari in january 2017 with the Furahia agency and team. We had as guide Hillary, the organization is globally good (they try to do their best and to help the tourists) and the guide, the young Hillary, is easy way, polite, well informed and will do his best in order to make the tourist enjoy their stay in the national parks or during excursions. Definitly a good solution for your trip in Tanzania. Federico Marchili (italian/french tourist). The owner of Furahia also has a very interesting social project for children in Tanzania and try his best in order to make improove local populations and tourism in his own country.
QA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing trip
I had an amazing 3 day Murchison trip.The company is well organized and has perfect selection for accommodation.Arafat was an exceptional bird guide.i learnt alot from him..
MA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent Safari
Our tour guide James was very professional, talkative and friendly, kept good atmosphere in the group. We would thoroughly recommend him to my friends and anyone wanting to visit Kenyan parks.
DE
As individual as it gets
Stephen was capable to catch up my specific ideas/ request for a - bit different - trip and made this journey a really succesful one - I am a photographer.
We really went out of the casual safari-paths, but I guess he will also find special spots if you do it with your family.
Have a look at some results from our 'trip' here:
http://kevin-mcelvaney.com/portfolio/hadza-tribe/
or
http://kevin-mcelvaney.com/portfolio/maasai-tanzania/
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
We were 6 guys from Sweden traveling to Tanzania and Zanzibar and booked our safari with Hello Tanzania. Everything was working flawlessly and Missis Mwajabu contacted us even after our Safari had ended to make sure the rest of our trip was turning out good. The safari trip was better than our expectations and we saw all the big five in just two and a half days safari. We got close to the lions, rhinos elephants, giraffes and cheetahs. The driver was very skillful at spotting the animals and did not waste any time to find new kinds of animals we hadn't seen. We stayed inside the Serengeti park at the Luxury Heritage Camp and I highly recommend to it to anyone. To stay inside the park listening to the sounds of animals close by is a experience in itself that leads to another level of excitement. I highly recommend using Hello Tanzania as a Safari agency since it has good prices and a extraordinary service compared to other companies. We spent a lot of hours researching and there is a good chance you get ripped off paying more for the same or less good experience.
NG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memorable One day safari to Akagera
Frank picked me up from my hotel in a timely courteous way & the drive from kigali to Akagera national park was filled with melodious music from the radio in the background & hopeful stories of Rwanda. My safari trip in the park started off on a lucky find of elephant family & kept getting better with sightings of zebra's, impalas, baboons, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, Hogwarts & more. We stopped for a short tea break & a relaxed lunch picnic in the park. Thankfully i accepted to use an air-conditioned SUV for this safari trip of over 6 hours as advised by frank to escape the heat. Had a very informed park guide along this trip as well. And to conclude this memorable adventure frank stopped on our way back to Kigali, for me to buy fresh corn to my fill. He played my favorite artist Bob Marley on the drive back and with the green country side floating past me i knew this memory would stay with me forever.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Swaziland and Lesotho Road Trip to Remember
Brilliant service from start to finish. Fab place to visit and as we had a relatively short time we managed to see so much. Well planned itinerary, first rate guide who made all the difference. Having taken self drive trips in the past I wish we had used Siya Phambile before, we could have avoided car hire issues, wrong turns and hotels that disappoint ! Already planning our next trip. Thanks so much x