20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had tiyani as our driver for the shuttle and he was fantastic! Safe driver and well looked after
TIYANI was our driver and he was fantastic! Gave us adequate stops and was a safe driver. There was music on the shuttle bus, aircon and wifi. Everything you need for a long journey.
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Safari Experience
After extensive research, we chose to book with Mega Wild Safaris as they offered exactly the trip that we wanted - a safari in Tanzania and trekking to see the chimpanzees and gorillas in Uganda. From the outset, we dealt with Anne who was excellent to deal with. She replied promptly to our first enquiry, and was then endless patient with all our queries and questions. We asked for some small changes to the itinerary which were accommodated without any problems. Our tour included several flights, various lodges, different guides in the two countries and all worked perfectly. We saw all the big five, had numerous encounters with other wildlife, an unforgettable Mara wildebeest migration in Tanzania and then the amazing chimp and gorilla experiences. It was great value for the tour cost. Our guides, Godwin in Tanzania and Eddy in Uganda were skilled, experienced, knowledgeable and good fun to travel with. Thank you both for making our holiday so successful. We are very happy with the way the whole trip unfolded and have no problem in recommending Mega Wild to other travelers.
One small recommendation - we fitted a lot in to the 12 days and were on the move to a different lodge every day. We had some long days driving to get round to all the destinations. It would be worth considering staying two nights in some lodges just to have a slightly more relaxed tour. Having said that, we did love every day we had on this safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect organising and booking of an unforgettable holiday
After looking at a few safari holiday companies I settled on Splendid Vacations. My wife and I wanted a safari holiday with a few days beach holiday at the end. The initial package was more safari than beach holiday so I asked Rachael at Splendid Vacations to adjust, which she did perfectly. Rachael was very quick and helpful in all requests and communications. When making the final accommodation bookings for us there was an issue with no availability at one camp but Rachael researched and provided us with detailed information about alternatives when letting us know. This made it easy to immediately choose an alternative.
Once arriving in Nairobi we were met at the airport by Rachael and a driver and taken to our very grand hotel. Next morning we were collected by Willy, our driver for the next few days of the safari. Having Willy as our driver was the best bit of luck for us as he was excellent. Due to his knowledge and skills we saw some unforgettable sights. Lionesses with their cubs, Leopards, Cheetahs (including seeing a Cheetah make a kill of a young Impala), Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeests, Warthogs, Hyenas, Baboons and various other monkeys, Hippos, Crocodiles, Buffalo, Jackals etc. The only one of the big 5 we didn't see was the Rhino. I think the highlight of our safari was an incredible close up encounter with Craig, the oldest super tusker elephant in Kenya.
All travelling during the safari was done in our own private vehicle, a comfortable Toyota Landcruiser. Travelling between national parts and camps was sometimes quite long but was very interesting seeing the country from the remote parts of the Masai Mara to the centre of Nairobi. Willy was perfectly accommodating with rest stops etc.
The accommodation on the safari was perfect. Zebra Plains Mara Camp was great with its restaurant and bar over looking the Masai Mara and its very comfortable glamping tents. Zebra Plains Mara Camp set a very high standard for accommodation. I would highly recommend the evening nature walk with the Masai tribesman. This was absolutely beautiful and a very informative end to the day. Please tip generously for this; some of the other guests on the walk didn't tip at all which I felt was very remiss after such a great couple of hours.
After a couple of days there we headed to Lake Naivasha and had a wonderful couple of hours on Crescent Island walking with Zebras, Giraffes etc. There we stayed at Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort which was very comfortable. Next day we headed to Amboseli National park and Oilepo Amboseli, another great camp. Here the restaurant and bar over looks a watering hole so you can watch visiting elephants, Zebras, Baboons etc while eating your evening meal. After a couple of days here we were driven to Emali train station where we were dropped off and said goodbye to Willy. Here we caught the train to Mombasa. The train journey was quite long, about 5 hours, but the train was more than comfortable with good food and drink services with clean, looked after toilets.
In Mombasa we were met by a driver who took us into central Mombasa for lunch. We only stayed in Mombasa for lunch but it looked like a city worth spending more time in to explore. After lunch our driver took us to our next stop, The Baobab Beach Resort and Spa in Diani, where we spent the next few days. This resort is deservedly award winning. It's a very beautiful, well designed and maintained resort staffed by extremely helpful and friendly people. Plenty of pools, including one that was a no kids allowed pool, great spa, an amphitheatre with entertainment each evening, a good selection of restaurants and bars and straight on access to a perfect white sands for miles in each direction beach. And who can forget the entertaining monkeys roaming the grounds getting up to mischief. Most of the restaurants were all inclusive and the food quality and selection was excellent. We also dined in one of the premium restaurants which was extremely good with the chefs coming out to speak with the guests and the occasional visit in the roof area by Bush Babies!
During our stay at The Baobab Beach Resort Rachael had also organised a day trip out snorkelling in Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park where we saw dolphins and had a great time snorkelling in the reefs. The day included a Swahili lunch on Wasini Island which, after the food was presented to us with traditional song, was served by Swahili women . My only regret is that the food was kind of disappointing. But a minor point in an otherwise wonderful day.
At the end of our stay we were picked up by a driver and taken to Diani airfield where we caught an internal flight back to Nairobi where we caught our flight home.
Everything was perfectly arranged by Rachael with all trips, lunches, train and internal flight tickets all sorted. We didn't need to pay additional fees or fares; just tipping as we saw fit. And Rachael answered all questions promptly. This was an unforgettable holiday. Many thanks to Rachael and Willy.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely recommended
After a long search we chose Meru Slopes thanks to the excellent reviews and the availability and kindness of the contact person, Shadrack.
Back from our safari we can say: we couldn't have made a better choice!
We chose a 5 days / 4 nights basic and shared safari in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
The first night, after Tarangire NP, is at Fanaka Lodge: there are bungalows with private bathroom, a swimming pool and a beautiful garden.
The public camping in Serengeti is very very basic... but we loved it! It is the true essence of safari! You can have visits from all kinds of animals in the middle of the tents and during the night you can hear the sounds of the animals and the noises of the savannah.
The last camping, Simba Public Campsite in Ngorongoro, is better organized than the Serengeti one but more crowded and during the night is quite cold: we suggest to bring warm and heavy clothing, for example a thermal sweatshirt and a light windbreaker or down jacket.
The jeep was in excellent condition and was cleaned every day by our guide.
Luckily we also had a great time with our travel companions.
As for the price, we can say that it is really fair, considering the high entrance fees to national parks.
Let's talk about the staff.
Shadrack, from the very first moment, was available to respond very quickly to all our requests via email and to change the program according to our needs. He patiently and kindly answered all our questions, even the "strangest" ones.
Paul, our guide and driver, is simply the best guide we could have come across, always smiling, kind and friendly. He speaks excellent English and bring good humor into the jeep during long days and transfers from one park to another. Thanks to him we were able to see most of the animals up close: the mother cheetah with 4 cubs, the lionesses with 8 lion cubs, the leopard resting on the branch of a tree after having devoured the prey on the branch below, and all other kinds of animals. We also managed to see the Great Wildebeest Migration crossing the Mara River
Rachid, our chef, was always smiling and ready to make jokes. He prepared excellent meals, from breakfast to dinner, always different from one day to the next.
We really enjoyed the safari, above all the Serengeti NP.
It's definitely one of the most beautiful trips we've ever done.
We will definitely recommend Meru Slopes to anyone who asks us for advice on a safari in Tanzania!
Mattia & Azzurra
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tailored safari!
We saw all the animals - thank you to our guide Morris!
Organisers were great at tailoring our experience to our needs. It’s much bettet value for money than overcrowded international tour operators. There were only 2 of us in the car which was much better than many other cars.
We highly recommend Enkorok Camp in Masai Mara. Masai village was a great addition to our safari trip. Definitely take the short boat tour to see the hippos on the way to Lake Nakuru.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very experienced and professional
I did 6 days machame route. Everything was great, my guide was very good helped me through every day and very professional, the guides are very experienced. The porters and chef did a great job always got to camp on time and the food was amazing every day. You won't be going hungry they provide plenty of food. They can also provide any gear you need, they took me to a local shop and gave me everything I needed. Highly recommend bora trekking they did an awesome job.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
MAGIC EXPERIENCE WITH BALO
The most beautiful experience of my life. There aren't enough words to describe the emotion I felt. A stunning land that will stay in your heart.
It wouldn't have been the same without Balo. He's a fantastic person, he has a wealth of experience, and thanks to him, we saw up close all the animals that live in Tanzania's most famous parks.
I recommend everyone to share this wonderful experience with him.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Theybarw know what wildlife photographer wants .. very great experience with them 🙌
Lechanda people are very co operative and safari driver named robert is very much know about what we want to see .. great time with them 😍
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeding expectations, a perfect journey.
Exceeding expectations, a perfect journey.
We contacted Kajie Travel Agency for a 7-day trip to Uganda and Rwanda. When booking the itinerary in advance, the travel agency manager Ronald, and s ecretary Maxine were friendly and patient, with quick and timely communication and feedback. Our driver Mr. Collins has excellent driving skills, ensuring our safety. The car is hygienic and spacious. He has good time management, and takes care of us carefully, considers everything thoroughly and kind. He has a good eye sight to spot out various animals, including endangered shore bills, to us on the safari and on the road, accompanying us on a pleasant journey.
Accommodation: A luxurious hotel with panoramic views, spacious and bright rooms, and high-quality ecological environment. At the hotel in Bwindi Park, you can overlook the misty forest and enjoy the sunrise and sunset, which is very picturesque. At the hotel in Elizabeth Park, there is 24-hour security to ensure safety, as there are warthogs and hippos lurking at night. The hotel in Kibale Park is located in the rainforest, where you can fall asleep at night with the wonderful sound of the forest. All hotel staff provide warm and attentive service.
Catering: Basically dining at hotels, hygienic and delicious, tasting local steamed banana dishes like Matooke, as well as various Western style dishes.
Travel experience: In Rwanda, I saw groups of cute golden monkeys. In the Bwindi National Park in Uganda, we successfully chased after the family of gorilla XMas, a silver backed gorilla, and his family (including two cute little gorillas); In Kabile, tracking chimpanzees (more than ten, some lying on the ground resting, and one climbing a tree to eat fruit); I saw animals such as leopards, lions, elephants, water buffaloes, hippos, etc. in Elizabeth National Park. I saw a group of elephants drinking water and playing around in the Kazigna channel, various waterbirds, as well as water buffalo and hippopotamus. We have gained unforgettable memories and a very worthwhile adventure trip.
Finally, thank you to Kajie Travel Agency for arranging an exciting trip for us.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A doer!
What Liyu and his team did to me during my short visit to Danakil depression on a very short notice from my end was amazing. None of the promises were fake and delivery was totally excellent with a great supporting team and guys would highly recommend to anyone.