20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely Disappointing & Unsafe Safari Experience – Do Not Recommend
UPDATE: After posting my review, the owner asked me to take it down because “one bad experience doesn’t reflect his company.” But this was my one and only experience and it was robbed from me. That alone should tell you something about this company handles dissatisfied guests.
Also, notice how tactical the company is in their response: they claim they gave me a “full refund.” In reality, it was USD 1,250, which is less than a quarter of what I paid, and only covered one disrupted day. The failures on Day 1 and the overall safari experience were never properly compensated. Calling that a “full refund” is misleading at best.
Yes, I saw the wildebeest crossing, but let’s be clear, hundreds of guides bring guests there daily during this migration season. There was nothing exclusive about this being provided by Msangai. Our car was one of the last to arrive, we were stuck in the back, and the driver wasn’t even able to get us closer. This company did nothing special to deliver an “unforgettable safari experience”, despite how they market themselves.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I paid over USD 5,000 for a 3-day safari with Msangai Tours, and what I received was nothing close to what was promised. The trip was poorly organized, unsafe, and deeply disappointing.
Key issues:
• Missed game drives: Day 1 had no proper drive, just a transfer to the lodge. Day 2 was largely wasted due to delays and breakdowns.
• Abandonment: Left for 2.5 hours at Kogatende airstrip with no guide, no communication, and no safe transport.
• Unsafe, unfit vehicle: Given an old open vehicle (never disclosed beforehand) that broke down repeatedly, including a muffler failure that left us blocking traffic.
• Garage stop during safari: Instead of a game drive, we were taken to a garage while the car was being fixed – unacceptable for paying clients.
• Broken promises: Binoculars, a basic safari necessity, were promised but never provided.
• Unprofessional guiding: The guide admitted his car was failing, tried to borrow a relative’s, and showed little concern for safety or experience.
Yes, the lodges were fine and the hot air balloon was enjoyable (booked through another operator), but the safari itself was essentially undelivered.
I did eventually receive a small partial refund of $1250, but it does not make up for the wasted time, stress, and lost experience.
Bottom line: If you are considering booking with Msangai Tours, I strongly advise against it. There are many other operators in Tanzania who deliver safe, professional, and reliable safaris.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Safari to Remember for Years!
If you are looking to book a safari in Kenya/Tanzania, look no further. Patrick and his team of Shanjoy Tours and Safaris will definitely exceed your expectations as they did ours. They specialize in customized tours of your interests and budget. 16 of us came to this trip to celebrate our best friend's 40th birthday. And boy did we celebrate!
The knowledge, experience, friendliness, hospitality, and professionalism of both Kenya and Tanzania team along with Patrick blew us away. I have many lovely stories from this trip that I'll be sharing with my friends and family for years to come.
Our 8 day journey went from Nairobi to Maasai Mara to Serengeti to Ngorongoro to Tarangire and finishing in Arusha where we left for 3 more days to Zanzibar. Every accommodation arranged were cozy, comfortable and safe. The hospitality of each resort were excellent. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, attentive and always looking for new experiences for us. We were lucky enough to see a killing on our very first day. Guides knew where all the animal activities were and how to find them. All of our game drives were eventful. We had tons of fun. Best of all - Patrick and his guides had fun with us!
I can go on and on but let me finish here. Look no further - just book with Shanjoy Tours!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely incredible guide who thought of every detail, kept us safe, comfortable, and motivated!
We climbed Kilimanjaro via the Lemosha route to celebrate my father-in-law's 60th birthday, and the experience was absolutely incredible. We saw incredible landscapes, learned interesting facts about the land, and pushed ourselves to accomplish a really awesome feat. Our guide Moses kept us safe, comfortable, and motivated throughout the 8-day journey. From the surprise tea breaks along the day's hike to the delicious meals at camp, I was endlessly amazed with how well we were taken care of during the trek. More importantly, we always felt safe and supported as we marched up the mountain. A few of our members had days where nausea struck, and Moses and his team were patient and supportive, making sure we never continued the journey before our bodies were ready to go while also making sure we had the time and the nutrients to continue safely.
I know each one of us remembers our journey up the mountain very fondly as an amazing endeavor. Book with confidence and have a fantastic trip!
SA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a great experience
Amazing guide and enjoyed it very mushroom. A little disappointed that we did not see any wild animals.
The family enjoyed every second.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Home to natural beauty and human empathy
Mainland natural parks and reserves are breathtaking, from sunrise to sunset.
People are usually friendly and helpful.
SA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Ehsan Gerami
I thought we would’ve seen more.
SA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Ehsan Gerami
Loved our first day and the elephants were amazing
MY
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience in Kenya
On the first day I was a little nervous because our tour guide James was about an hour late to pick us up – I even thought it might be a scam! Fortunately, it was just a misunderstanding caused by the terrible traffic jam in Kenya.
Overall, I felt satisfied with the trip. However, be prepared that the journey from one destination to another can be quite long, around 4–8 hours each day.
We were lucky to have our tour guide, David, who was very experienced and always brought us to safe and good spots to see the animals. We managed to see a lot of wildlife, which made the long journeys worthwhile.
I would definitely recommend David to you!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Safari Adventure of a Lifetime!
We were a group of 16 family and friends, and our safari with Shanjoy was absolutely unforgettable — from smooth transfers and comfortable lodges to an itinerary that blended adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking wildlife encounters.
A very special thank you goes to our guide Isiah, who made the journey truly exceptional. His knowledge, humor, and professionalism gave us the best experiences across Maasai Mara and Serengeti. In the Serengeti, our tire actually exploded right in the middle of a lion’s den surrounded by nearly 30 lions! While everyone was in shock, Isiah stayed calm, handled the situation with total confidence, and drove us to safety before fixing the tire. Earlier in the trip, he even changed a flat tire during our transfer so effortlessly that it barely slowed us down. His calm under pressure and incredible skill behind the wheel left us all truly impressed.
We also had an intense moment in the Maasai Mara, when our jeep got stuck dangerously close to a lion’s den. Thanks to Patrick’s quick thinking and expertise, we were freed quickly and safely. Beyond his skill, Patrick was fun, witty, and made us feel like one of our own — taking care of us like family while keeping the mood light and joyful for our big group.
And in the Serengeti, Isaac gave us one of the most unforgettable memories of all — taking us right to a leopard’s den where we saw a mother leopard resting with her two cubs. It was a once-in-a-lifetime sighting that we will never forget.
From start to finish, Isiah, Patrick, and Isaac took care of us and went above and beyond — keeping our group of 16 safe, comfortable, and amazed every single day.
