20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Strong Safari Guides, Very Disappointing Hotel Experience
Our experience with Shinzelle Safaris started very strong. We booked a 4-Day Kruger, Canyon & Boat Tour through them at what was described as a “Luxury Safari Hotel.” The itinerary was beautifully designed and was the main reason we chose this operator over others. Unfortunately, parts of the experience did not consistently meet the expectations we had.
Several communications were sent shortly before activities and contained multiple typographical errors, which made us feel uncertain about details. As this was my first safari, I would have appreciated clearer and more detailed communication in advance. Our package included dinner with a limit of R395 per person, but this detail was not clearly explained to us in advance, and we only became aware of certain limitations during the trip. Drinks, including water, were not included, which we discovered when we received the bill. Clearer communication about meal inclusions and limits from Shinzelle would have helped set expectations and avoided confusion. When we raised concerns about our hotel issues during the trip, Shinzelle did respond and assisted, which we appreciated at the time.
Most of our disappointment related to our stay at the Radisson Safari Hotel. In our experience, the property did not match what we personally consider a “luxury” standard. We were placed in a small ground-floor room at the back of the property. The accommodation photos shown in the itinerary did not reflect the type of room we received at all (nor were room categories ever mentioned or upgrades offered). The room itself would not have been an issue for us had it been clean and had we not experienced the other problems.
The floors in our room were so dirty that our clean socks turned black shortly after walking around the room. We had to raise this concern four separate times before it was properly addressed. We also noticed what appeared to be mold or dirt (gross looking either way) in and around the shower area, which we also pointed out to them, and despite requesting extra towels more than once, we did not receive them during our stay. Additionally, after using the pool, there was dark residue on my skin after touching the pool edges, which made me concerned about the pool’s cleanliness. Overall, we felt there were major management and service consistency issues at the hotel during our stay.
We had dinner at the hotel restaurants each evening and felt that there was major room for improvement on the service side. On one occasion, we asked for dessert multiple times before receiving it, and twice we were served incorrect items. The food quality varied from meal to meal. We did find the Pegasus restaurant to be better than the main restaurant. Again, nothing to drink was included in the bill and had to be paid for separately.
While many of the issues occurred at the hotel itself, our contract and booking were with Shinzelle Safaris. We raised our concerns during and after the stay and requested a partial refund specifically for the hotel portion due to the cleanliness and service issues described above. I followed up multiple times by message. After initial responses, communication stopped and we did not receive further replies regarding our request. From our perspective, the matter was not resolved and we did not feel our concerns were meaningfully addressed.
On a more positive note, the safaris themselves were excellent. Our first evening game drive was phenomenal. Our guide, Shane from MyAfrica, was outstanding. He actively tracked animals, positioned the vehicle carefully, and made a clear effort to give us the best possible sightings. We were fortunate to see four of the Big Five, including a leopard at close range.
Our full-day Kruger Safari with Jeffery from Shinzelle was also wonderful. He was knowledgeable and shared valuable insight about the park and wildlife. We also joined a half-day Panorama Route tour. In our personal opinion, this portion involved a lot of driving, and for us the highlight was Blyde River Canyon Reserve. We probably would not do this day if we were to book again. Our final morning private reserve safari with Tasmin again from MyAfrica, who did an overall excellent job, was another excellent experience, where we saw four of the Big Five, including an entire pride of lions.
In summary, the safari guides and game drives were the highlight of our trip and truly memorable. If we had not experienced the hotel issues, it would have been an otherwise great trip. However, the accommodation problems, communication issues, and our feeling that our concerns were not acknowledged or properly followed up on left us disappointed with our overall experience. We understand these things happen, but it is in my opinion, they should have done more to better address the situation. Afterall their website states: "We pride ourselves on our dedication to guest experience and service excellence. Your comfort, safety, and enjoyment are our top priorities, and we go above and beyond to make your journey seamless and unforgettable."
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magnificent team
This is a very devoted, knowledgeable and fun team. I really learnt alot during the visit from them. They have vast knowlege of every area we visited. Very careful drivers. Time keepers. I did not believe that they were at my hotel at 6.00am as agreed waiting for my team. Viva team Giz Masaai Safaris
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
professional , pefect
Our 3-day Ndutu safari was perfectly arranged and went very smoothly!
The guide was professional and thoughtful, providing a guide book to East African wildlife, and clearly explained every animal we saw.
He also took fantastic photos for us.
The travel agency has its own hotel in Arusha, offering excellent one-stop service.
Overall, it was a perfect experience—highly recommended!
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and friendly
Greg company was professional, and provided all that we expected, even a bit more. Good and experiences guides (Abdi and Abdul), who were also friendly and good company, and with whom we exchanged many stories and conversations. We were treated very well. We (newly weds) did Marangu route, 6 days, it was hard but still a worthty life experience, and we are happy we did it.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing service & Amazing Ken!!!
We have just returned from the most incredible safari experience in Kenya, and I honestly cannot recommend it highly enough.
From the very beginning, the communication and booking process with Axis was seamless and stress-free. Philip was absolutely brilliant, he answered every single question quickly and thoroughly, making us feel completely confident and excited about our trip. Cynthia and Lennox were also fantastic and equally helpful. The whole team made the planning process so simple and smooth.
The tour itself was outstanding value for money. We chose to do a private safari, and I would highly recommend this to anyone considering it. It truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, yet it didn’t cost a fortune. Having that personal experience made everything feel special and tailored just for us.
Our guide, Ken, was simply amazing. He completely made the trip what it was. From the moment we met him, we felt in safe and capable hands. He drove safely at all times, was incredibly knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make the experience unforgettable for me and my mum. His knowledge of Kenya’s history, the different tribes, the landscapes, and of course the wildlife was exceptional. No question was too much for him. He explained everything with such passion and enthusiasm.
What really stood out was how determined he was to make sure we saw everything we hoped for. After spotting all of the Big 9 and so many other incredible animals, we really wanted to see a leopard. Ken went completely out of his way in both the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru to help us find one and thanks to him, we did! It was such an exciting and special moment that we will never forget. His dedication, persistence, and genuine desire for us to have the best possible experience was truly remarkable.
Ken wasn’t just a guide - he was kind, professional, patient, and clearly passionate about what he does. We genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better guide. He made the entire safari extraordinary.
If you’re considering a safari in Kenya, book it and if you can, ask for Ken. You won’t regret it. It was an unforgettable experience from start to finish.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing experience - Olengugih Safari Tour, Nairobi, Kenya
On Saturday, February 7th, I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing a four-hour safari tour with Olengugih Safari in Nairobi, Kenya. I cannot express strongly enough how completely satisfied and impressed I was with every aspect of this experience.
From the very beginning, the tour operations were professional, organized, and exactly as described — the entire experience unfolded precisely in line with the agenda and expectations that were provided to me. I was picked up promptly at the scheduled time and returned exactly as planned, which immediately set the tone for a well-managed and reliable operation.
My tour guide, Mr. Johnson, was simply outstanding. His knowledge of the Kenya Safari Park — spanning over 100 square acres of protected land — and the animals that call it home was truly impressive. He shared detailed insights about the wildlife, the ecosystem, and the behaviors of the animals in a way that made the experience educational, engaging, and unforgettable. His interaction with me was warm, professional, and genuinely enthusiastic. It was clear that he takes pride in what he does.
The large, heavy-duty four-wheel-drive Jeep was exceptionally clean, comfortable, and safe. The raised roof feature allowed me to stand and enjoy panoramic views of the safari landscape, giving me a remarkable vantage point to observe the animals in their natural habitat. Every turn of the road revealed something incredible — lions, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, ostriches, and a wide variety of beautiful birds. Seeing these magnificent animals up close was breathtaking.
At no time during the tour did I feel unsafe. Mr. Johnson’s driving was courteous and steady, and I felt completely secure under his guidance throughout the safari. His professionalism and attention to safety added greatly to my overall comfort and enjoyment.
I was extremely impressed with the entire service provided by Olengugih Safari Tour Company in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. The description of the tour was fully consistent with the experience I received — and in many ways, it exceeded my expectations. The company operates with integrity, reliability, and excellence.
I cannot hesitate to recommend Olengugih Safari and Mr. Johnson to anyone interested in touring Kenya Safari Park. This was an extraordinary experience that I will never forget. I very much enjoyed every moment and cannot speak highly enough of the professionalism, knowledge, and outstanding service that Mr. Johnson provided.
Thank you for an unforgettable safari adventure.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome experience,
Flexibility, guides extremely competant, every single thing is made in order to you spend the best time
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience
We traveled as a family and did the 4-day safari, and the experience was truly incredible. Everyone was kind, helpful, and genuinely welcoming throughout the entire trip. The days were perfectly organized, and everything ran smoothly. The Serengeti was definitely the highlight — simply breathtaking.
A special mention goes to our driver and our Spanish-speaking guide, Jeremaiah and Charles. Jeremaiah knew exactly where to go to spot the animals and always positioned us in the best possible places for viewing. Charles explained everything in our native language, which made a huge difference for us. My mom doesn’t speak English, so we specifically booked the tour with a Spanish-speaking guide, and it was absolutely worth it. They are both passionate about what they do, and that passion made our experience unique and unforgettable.
The hotels were very good, and once again, the staff everywhere was extremely kind. Staying inside the national parks was definitely a highlight — going to sleep while hearing the animals around you is something truly special. Our favorite was Safari Heaven Migration.
The lunches exceeded our expectations. Every day we had freshly cooked homemade meals, while we saw other tours handing out simple sandwiches. We even had tablecloths and everything set up for a proper, complete lunch experience.
We will definitely come back when we can, and without a doubt, we will choose See Endless Adventures again. Highly recommended.
BE
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable, punctual, and good value for money
I spent a day in Arousha, Tanzania, with Voyan, a young, friendly, and very helpful guide/driver, visiting the Materuni waterfalls, a coffee plantation, and the Chamka hot springs.
Everything went very smoothly, from my hotel pick-up to the return trip. I highly recommend Voyan as a guide.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very flexible and will tailor beautiful and memorable itinerary to your needs
Me and my mum had a lovely time in Amboseli and Masai Mara national reserve for 3 nights 4 days, all thanks to our lovely driver/ guide James. James was always on time and put A plus effort in giving the best angles for me to capture best pictures of the animals! and the park staffs too, they went above and beyond. I am well travelled but I had never known this kind of hospitality, it was my first time in Kenya and it’s top tier! Risper was very attentive and flexible in tailoring my itinerary, she chose excellent luxury stays for us in Oltukai lodge and Entim Private camp. Tekko tours made this safari trip so memorable for me and my mum, forever thankful!
