US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
You've Been Warned -- Choose Another Safari Company
We planned our safari to Kenya and Tanzania with Aggrey at this company one year prior and paid our deposit in July 2024. We saw many good reviews at that time and felt confident that we would have an incredible trip. Aggrey was always responsive to our questions and we had our itinerary and hotels all planned and (supposedly) booked. Our trip was scheduled for August 2. A few weeks before our departure, we emailed Aggrey about paying our balance and received no response. This caused us concern, so we tried calling the company offices on WhatsApp. We finally got through to their Nairobi airport office and learned from Purity that Aggrey had left a month ago and that Esther was in charge of our safari now. Purity said she would have Esther email us, which Esther did, after an unsettling delay. We heard from her on a Friday, and she promised to email again Monday with guidance for paying our balance. Monday came and no word, so we emailed her back and got an email from her finally on Wednesday. In that email, she suggested we pay the balance when we arrive in Nairobi and again put off giving us the payment details until the next day. This seemed unusual, so we called her (her direct number was on her email). She told us that she had been put in charge of all of Aggrey's clients and that she was focusing now on the July safaris, but would get back to us. No word the next day so we called her again Friday morning. This time we learned that none of our hotels had been booked (!), so she'd had to change some in Kenya and was waiting for confirmations from the ones in Tanzania. Not booked? It had been over a year. That was definitely alarming, but nothing compared to the shock we got when she finally emailed us with the hotel changes in Kenya. Buried at the bottom of her email were these two sentences: "Am also afraid your deposit was not allocated to the file and right now we are having a cash flow challenges. Please let us know how you can assist then we refund to you later as the balance payment will not be enough to facilitate the full safari." (see attached)
Well, that was the end of our trip of a lifetime. How could we give this company more of our money after a confession like that? We wrote her back immediately and, in no uncertain words, told her that her email left us speechless, that it was not our responsibility to bail out her company, that we were canceling our trip and wanted our deposit back in full. She wrote back with an apology, accepted full responsibility for her company's breach of trust and said she would refer us to the accounting department. Believe it or not, the accounts payable person's name is Honest and, to date, all our emails to him have gone unanswered.
The fact is, we consider ourselves lucky because, even though at the moment we're out thousands of dollars, at least we didn't fly to Nairobi and have to shell out even more money while experiencing some of the hellish circumstances described in other reviews (not just here but under Natural World Kenya Safaris, which appears to be the same company operating under a different name).
If you look below, you'll see some good reviews, so maybe this was once a good company, or perhaps sometimes they do fulfill their obligations. But why gamble when there are surely safari companies out there that are truly reputable? All we can say is that in our case, and so many others, they turned the promise of a bucket-list trip into a nightmare -- and have so far not returned the money we paid them for services they failed to deliver.
We've written to all the organizations referenced on their website, including ATTA, TRA, East African Wildlife Society and Ecotourism Kenya. ATTA said their membership was terminated earlier this year and is trying to get them to remove their logo. TRA has asked that we file a formal complaint which we intend to do. Ecotourism is looking into our complaint at present, and we have yet to hear from the Wildlife Society.
We're heartbroken over this fiasco, but if we can prevent other people from falling into this trap, at least that's some consolation.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
If I were to rate Catherine Chege as a tour operator on a 10 point scale, I would give her a 15!!
The service that Catherine Chege provided to us was truly outstanding! From the time of our first conversation with her over six months ago to an email that we received right after we returned home checking in to ensure that we had arrived safely she has been extremely responsive to our many requests. Her extensive knowledge led to wonderful susggestions for each phase of our safari. She would return our calls, emails, or texts immediately, made very thoughtful recommendations to us, and advocated for us with hotels and other sights we visited. Most importantly, she cared for us as if we were members of her own family and she went out of her way to get to know each member of our family. Because of her responsiveness, attention to detail, and kindness this tour was an experience that we will never forget. She helped us create such special memories. Each member of our family came to love her and are so grateful for her delightful sense of humor, generous spirit, and her tender heart.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lion King offered confidence and quality for our tour experience!
Finding the right tour operator took some work. This site made it easy to search and after contacting a few, I selected Lion King. I had lots of questions before booking - it's not our normal vacation - and Lion King (Elia) responded promptly and never made it seem like a bother. Once I booked another specialist took over the details. Once we arrived everything was so well done and managed. We had the VERY BEST guide - Immanuel for our 6 day private safari (We also did a one day at Kilimanjaro). We decided a time to start each day, he gave us a plan for the day so we knew what to expect. Immanuel is smart, kind and enthusiastic about his work. He explained more about the landscape and the wildlife and birds than we expected. Lunch was always restaurant food with real plates, silverware, the works - it was so good! The places we stayed were beautiful - I almost wish I had more time to relax a few of them! I do recommend to book as far in advance as you can as accomodations fill fast. Overall we had such an amazing time and I'd highly recommend Lion King Adventures for your safari - especially if you get Immanuel as a guide :)
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Tour of Namibia
We had a great experience with Jangwa Tours planning our safari in Namibia. This was our first time in Africa (two women traveling by ourselves), and we were not exactly sure what we were looking for and what to expect :) Johann tailored an amazing itinerary for us, which took us to the most incredible places we didn't even know existed! All the lodges and activities that he had booked for us were top notch!
We also appreciated timely responses and support before and during our trip, answering all questions, small or big.
We are ecstatic we chose Namibia as our "Africa introduction country", and we are very happy that we used Jangwa Tours and Safaris to help us plan this unforgettable adventure.
Highly recommend this tour company!
Thank you Johann, we cannot wait to go back to Africa
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Positive experience for 3 days in Kenya
We had planned a longer tour in Tanzania but wanted to spend a big of time in Kenya too. I had trouble finding a company for what we wanted and had time for, but African Beast was able to help. We planned a Nairobi City tour, then a day in Ol Pejeta and a trip to Mt. Kenya. Our flight in was delayed a full day... on almost no notice they adjusted for us.
The day in Ol Pejeta was wonderful, our guide Charles was able to spot things well before our untrained eyes! The Jeep had a small front end issue at the end of the day, but Charles got it repaired overnight, picked up our mountain guide Joseph and we were off for Mt. Kenya. Joseph was excellent! He was patient as I struggled with the altitude, adjusted expectations and helped us have a good adventure, within our limits!
I asked about using taxi's or Bolt and they were able to arrange airport transfers for us that were safe, secure and cost the same. We had David as our driver and he was excellent! Showed us where to get sim cards and waited with us while we found an ATM at the airport. We travel internationally every year, but Nairobi was a bit overwhelming. David also drove us around on our layover day in Nairobi and served as a guide - he took us to the National History Musuem and the Observation tower (name?). While he's not a guide yet - I'm sure he will be one day - very bright and engaging young man! We loved meeting him.
Overall it was great to work with people who wanted to help you have the best trip possible.
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
He's loving, funny,good,kind, always there for the visitors he explains vere well when it comes to answering of questions
CA
The most incredible and immersive wildlife experience!
Our time with Pride Plains was the most incredible week of my life. My parents and I decided to go camping in the Okavango Delta with our family friends. The six of us have always loved wildlife, and this experience with Pride Plains was the ultimate trip for anyone who enjoys nature as much as we do. The entire team was incredible and we spent our days and nights completely immersed in the bush, enjoying the sights and sounds of the animals around us as well as the campsite and delicious food prepared for us by the staff. The absolute highlight was the chance to see a mother cheetah and her four cubs playing with a honey badger as the sun was setting. My dad and I have dreamed of seeing cheetahs in the wild my entire life, and it was my first time crying tears of joy. In addition to seeing 10 cheetahs within 4 days, we saw over 30 species of mammal including lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, and elephants. The person who made these surreal game drives a possibility was our phenomenal guide, Marks. His incredible intuition, training, and skills to read not just the animals but the people in his group allowed him to craft not just sightings but intimate experiences with the animals. It really felt like he was giving us a window into life in the bush. I don’t think people realize how important it is to have the right guide when on safari; there were jeeps driving around the same reserve as us who weren’t able to see what we saw. Marks, Sam, and the whole Pride Plains family built the most amazing experience for us and it is something I will reflect on for the rest of my life. I cannot put into words how strongly we all would recommend Pride Plains to anyone and everyone who hopes to go on safari in Africa.
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A journey that I will never forget, a touching and fulfilling experience.
Our 7-day safari in Tanzania was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to our phenomenal guide Laban Gervas! His eagle-eyed vision was uncanny—he spotted a leopard camouflaged in the trees before anyone else even noticed a rustle. His dedication to ensuring we saw every animal on our list, from elusive cheetahs to majestic elephants, was relentless yet respectful of the wildlife. His driving skills were impeccable, navigating rugged terrains with ease, always positioning the vehicle for the best views and photography angles. I’ve never met someone with such a natural instinct for animal behavior; he seemed to predict their movements, leading us to unforgettable sightings. His deep knowledge of Tanzania’s wildlife and geography brought every moment to life—each fact he shared felt like a story. His humor and warm, talkative nature made long drives fly by, and his patience with our endless questions was remarkable. He also went out of his way to ensure our comfort, from checking on our needs to sharing insights about local cultures. This guide didn’t just lead a tour; he crafted an adventure we’ll cherish forever.
HK
The best safari tour to have in Tanzania!
My Dream Safari with Gosheni and Laban
I just got back from an incredible 7-day safari in Tanzania with Gosheni Safari Company, and I can’t stop raving about it! As a first-time safari-goer, I was a bit nervous, but Gosheni made everything so easy. Our team planned a perfect trip, hitting Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. The lodges were stunning, and the food was always delicious—especially the bush breakfasts!
Our guide, Laban Gervas, was an absolute gem. His knowledge of the wildlife blew me away—he could spot a cheetah hiding in the grass from miles away! Laban made every game drive exciting, pointing out everything from playful baby elephants to a lion pride lounging under an acacia tree. He even shared stories about Tanzanian culture that made the trip feel so personal. One of my favorite moments was when he surprised us with a sunset view in the Serengeti—it felt like a scene from a movie. Laban’s warmth and humor made me feel right at home.
Gosheni and Laban turned my safari dream into reality. I’m already telling my family to book with them! Highly, highly recommend!