US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
**Watch Out for Bait-and-Switch Practices**
**Watch Out for Bait-and-Switch Practices**
After reading many glowing reviews and watching YouTube videos about OnlyOne Travel, I decided to book a custom 14-day Kenya/Tanzania tour for my family of three, scheduled for **October 2025**. I worked directly with **Rodney** to plan our itinerary starting in July.
From the beginning, I made a specific request to have **Njoroge** — known as “the human encyclopedia” — as our driver/guide on the Kenya side, and Rodney confirmed this could be arranged. However, after I had paid the deposit and final balance in full, I was informed — just one week before our departure — that Njoroge would no longer be available and that a different driver would be assigned. At that point, with everything already paid and finalized, I had no practical choice but to proceed.
On **Day 1**, after arriving in Nairobi, we were picked up by **Jackson**, dressed in full OnlyOne Travel uniform. He was laid-back, knowledgeable, and clearly experienced. We spent the first two days with him in **Nakuru** and **Amboseli**, and he always seemed to know exactly where to find the rhinos and elephants — often arriving before other vehicles. Every morning, our Land Cruiser was spotless inside and out.
Then, as we continued to **Ngorongoro Crater** and **Serengeti National Park** for the next four days, our driver was swapped out due to what we were told was a personal emergency.
When we returned from Tanzania to Kenya at the **Isebania border**, we were met by a guide named **George**, who I later learned is the owner of a small Nairobi-based tour agency. He arrived in an older OnlyOne Toyota Land Cruiser that lacked a working radio system. Since we were coming from the Serengeti, I told George that my only goal for the next three days was to meet the *Lion King* in the Maasai Mara.
For those unfamiliar with safaris, the radio is *essential* for a successful game drive. It allows guides to:
* Share real-time wildlife sightings (e.g., lions, elephants, or leopards)
* Coordinate with other vehicles for optimal viewing opportunities
* Maximize efficiency by tracking animal activity throughout the reserve
Without this communication network, guides operate completely in the dark.
Driving blindly through the **583-square-mile Maasai Mara National Reserve** in search of lions is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Unfortunately, we wasted an entire day in the park, sitting under the hot sun without encountering a single lion — something that could have been easily avoided with proper coordination and working equipment.
Ironically, during our stay at **Lion Cradle Camp** (now owned by OnlyOne Travel), I met **Njoroge** in person — he’s now the camp’s manager. This confirmed my suspicion that OnlyOne Travel had simply reassigned him elsewhere despite earlier promises. During our two-night stay at the camp, we were the *only guests on-site.* We brought up the issue directly to Njoroge, but nothing was done.
I paid for a **premium, customized safari experience**, but instead received **subpar outsourced service** that fell far short of expectations.
**OnlyOne Travel, you failed to deliver on your commitments.** Future travelers should be cautious and confirm all details — especially guide assignments — *in writing* before making full payment.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was a wonderful experience with Axis African safari
It was a wonderful experience with Axis African safari, our tour guide Jack was amazing
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good
The excursions were very well-organized. The drivers were excellent—punctual, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. You’re picked up directly from your hotel and brought back afterwards, which makes everything very convenient. I joined the tours to Lesedi Cultural Village, Johannesburg & Soweto, Cradle of Humankind, and Pretoria. Each one was a unique and enriching experience. Highly recommended!
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience!
Amazing experience! Everything ran smoothly from the start, with Wayne replying to every question and concern almost immediately. I booked at the last minute and he was readily available to help.
The safari was fantastic: a Blue Canyon sunset drive plus two full days in Kruger. I’d been unsure about the reserve at first, but it was absolutely worth it for the chance to go off-road. Over three days we saw the Big Five and plenty more.
Accommodation at Sekekanda was lovely—comfortable tents, spotless bathrooms, delicious dinners and genuinely attentive service. I’d recommend this experience without hesitation.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our tour was well organized and everything we could have hoped it would be.
Tanzania choice safaris made my mom's retirement bucket list trip of reality. Every detail from the itinerary to the accommodations was perfectly thought out. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, kind and made every game drive unforgettable. We quickly moved on from looking for the big five to identify our own special priority lists, including finding the tiniest owl in the world. It truly was the trip of a lifetime and I can't imagine a better team to trust with such a special journey.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Theodore
He was great when our flight got delayed. We got to our safari on time.
ES
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommend - a great safari experiance
If you're looking for a private safari, mid budget, for two people I would highly recommend Gemfinders Tours and Travel. Our game guide and driver Lawrence was excellent. He knew exactly where to drive to find all the animals. We managed to really explore all the national parks we visited - Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. I really appreciated that our driver Lawrence was not so much "in your face" - attentive but not overbearing.
We stayed in three places:
Flair Camp Experiences - a basic camp, the tent was very clean, beds comfortable, tasty food with a lot of variety, some trouble with hot water, so have some wet wipes with you, wifi in the common area;
Buraha Zenoni Hotel & Resort - a western style hotel, with pool and wifi in the rooms;
Little Amanya Camp - again a basic camp with amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro, clean tent with comfy beds and a sofa, the bathroom is open roof, so you can shower under the stars, the food is basic but tasty, wi-fi in a common area, but it reached our tent.
All in all, the safari and accommodation was great.
Two issues - first with the Masai village. I had a feeling it would be uncomfortable and we would be pressured into buying things and unfortunately it was exactly that. So if you don't want to be guilt tripped into buying some arts and crafts, then perhaps skip the village altogether. Second thing, the places that our driver recommended for souvenirs were seriously overpriced. One thing I bought, after haggling, was half the price at the airport shop, which is usually the most expensive. So that shows you how overpriced those shops along the way are. So wait to get to Nairobi, many things are cheaper there, even at the airport.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They were reliable, professional and everyone we dealt with very friendly!
We did a 4 day safari in October 2025 with Serengeti Smile and had Libe as our guide. We had a once in a lifetime experience and Libe was an amazing guide. He was knowledgeable, reliable and friendly. He drove the bumpy African roads very well too! We saw the Big 5 up close within 3 days and also lots of other rare wildlife including a close encounter with a cheetah and her cubs. We also managed to see a rare black rhino up close too. Would definitely recommend Serengeti Smile to anyone wanting to do a Tanzanian safari. They were very organised and professional from initial enquiry through the booking process and when we arrived. Thanks Libe for a fantastic few days we will never forget!
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic 6-Day Safari Experience in Uganda with Nicholas and Sam!
Had a 6 days Safari organized by Nicholas, and I want to give some praise to him and the company!
I've contacted Nicholas 2 days prior to the date I wanted to begin the safari at, and he was still able to organize everything super quickly, and to go over the plans with me and even reiterate the plans as I had some special requests.
Finally, the Safari itself was really great and you could totally tell the organizers know their material. We spend 2 nights in Kibale NP, 2 nights in queen Elizabeth NP, and 1 night in Bunyonyi lake. Although drives are long, we always had a mid-way break to do some cool activity, all local guides we met were knowledgeable, and best of all, our driver and main guide Sam was a really great guy. It was really felt that it's important for him that we will enjoy Uganda, his driving skills are exceptional, and it was always interesting to converse.
Thanks a lot guys!