50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent organisation everything went perfectly: Camping Pilanesberg National Park
Communications with Knap tours were excellent. They were very responsive and gave me a whatsapp group for any questions or problems arising which was particularly valued as a solo traveller. The tour itself was excellent with amazing game drives, excellent catering, and a very comfortable camping experience. Drivers all turned up on time and were helpful and good company. All in all had an amazing time and could not fault anything.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Although I was nervous about travelling on my own, Gems of Africa made it very easy and comfortable.
The admin was great, with quick responses to my queries. The drivers for the Game Drives were so knowledgeable - about animals, birds, grasses, seasons, history and more! The vehicles were just the right size: everyone can see clearly; comfortable and cold beer offered at the end of the day. I would book with them again - definitely.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Vacation Ever
We (party of three adults) booked our safari directly with Serengeti Wakanda. We chose to do this based on their ratings, the lodgings they proposed, and the price for the overall package they arranged. We also appreciated the detailed safari proposal they laid out for us, day by day, meal by meal, accommodation by accommodation. Beatrice Wisoo was our contact person.
On arrival we were met at the airport as arranged. Our first day Beatrice informed us of an upgrade she had made at no cost, because the quality of the previously booked lodge had dropped. Part way through the trip we asked for another adjustment based on our expectations and what we were seeing of the itinerary. Beatrice was able to make that upgrade ar no cost as well.
Our guide was Bashir. He was excellent! We would HIGHLY recommend him. He is experienced, kind, knowledgeable and funny. He took great care of us, knew where he was going and what he was doing at all times, and found us the game viewing well beyond expectations (ie 2 leopards, 12 cheetah, over 60 lions, wildebeest giving birth, lions mating, and so very much more!). It was incredible, and wouldn't have happened with just any guide.
Our accommodations were lovely, and the food, although not always elite, was frequently superb. We paid around $350 per person per day. That included accommodations, all food, vehicle with driver/guide, allnpark entry fees, really everything. That got is luxury, which was what we had negotiated for. We felt like the price and what we received matched well.
We would highly recommend Serengeti Wakanda again, and Bashir as a guide.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An incompetent operator prone to repeated booking errors and poor coordination
I’m posting this review so other travellers planning a high-stakes or special-occasion stay understand the risks I encountered booking through Safari.com.
I used Safari.com for a proposal trip booking at Giraffe Manor and experienced repeated coordination failures and inaccurate information from my assigned consultant, Kim , along with later management handling by Bianca. This was clearly communicated as a proposal booking where precision and follow-through were critical.
The most serious failure involved the private dining arrangements. I first asked Kim to reserve the Orchid Room for private proposal dining roughly 8 months before arrival. I was later told it was double booked and was assured she would arrange an alternative private dining experience instead. After I raised concerns and escalated, Bianca told me she would personally oversee this to ensure it was handled. Despite those assurances, when I arrived at the manor, the on-site team informed me no private dining had been arranged by the agent at all, and they had to organise something last minute after I raised it directly. An early request, a fallback promise, and management oversight were all in place — yet the arrangement was still not executed.
Other documented issues included:
• An official voucher issued with the wrong month of stay (later corrected, but highly stressful for a limited-availability property booking)
• Incorrect information given about the Edd Suite location
• Photographer cost requirements not fully disclosed at the outset, with material extra cost added later
• Arrival details not properly handed over despite written clarification
• Internal handover lapses later acknowledged by management
Management later described these as “administrative friction,” but when you are paying premium rates for a flagship experience and a proposal setting, accurate product knowledge and reliable coordination are basic expectations — not optional extras. The fact that the stay ultimately went ahead does not erase multiple preventable planning failures.
To be fair, the property staff on site were professional and helpful and stepped in to fix issues last minute. The failures were in the booking management and pre-trip coordination through the agency.
Even after internal review confirmed communication gaps and errors, management declined any monetary goodwill compensation and closed the matter on the basis that the core services were delivered.
If you are planning an important or once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would strongly suggest using a specialist luxury safari planner rather than relying on a volume booking agent. Well-known competitors that handle Giraffe Manor bookings and focus on bespoke, high-touch travel planning include Brilliant Africa, Wexas Travel, Ker & Downey Africa, and Wild Earth Stays. I recommend verifying all special arrangements directly with the property in writing to avoid preventable stress.
Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Safari.com for critical or milestone travel bookings.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Seems okay
Among the agencies we found, Maria was the one who have shown patience and we felt safe with her guidance and recommendation. She arranged our trip with details and able to cope with our requirements. All the stays during the trip were excellent, there was one miscommunication during one of the stay but solved immediately. I was amazed by the cleanliness of the camp sites in the middle of the safari. There was no insects in the camp, which was one of our main concerns before deciding to go to Tanzania.
The car was a bit old comparing with others but comfortable enough with cushion on the seats to cope with the bumpy road. Our driver/ guide Penda is experienced and led us to see most of the animals we expected. The trip would be perfect if he could have a better attitude. He seems like a rigid dad with no smile, maybe it's cultural difference. Anyway, I have tried my best during the 8 days trip. Still, it is a good trip, I would recommend Simbaland to others.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect, amazing
We discovered Tanzania in February with the Makasa agency, and this trip was simply incredible: our best trip to date!
The agency was exceptional from beginning to end: always attentive, responsive, offering excellent advice, and able to answer all our questions. They perfectly tailored the itinerary to our desires and travel style, making the experience even more personal and authentic.
We received a warm welcome and stayed in magnificent hotels, always ideally located. We were also fortunate to be accompanied by a French-speaking guide who spoke perfect French, as well as an English-speaking driver with impressive experience: thanks to them, we were able to observe a multitude of animals and learn a great deal about the local wildlife, traditions, and culture.
This trip was a magical, authentic interlude, rich in discoveries and emotions. We didn't miss any of the essential points of interest and experienced an adventure we will remember for a lifetime.
We highly recommend Makasa agency to anyone dreaming of an unforgettable experience in Tanzania!
(automatic translation from French)
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable company with proffessinal guides
Every aspect of our engagement with Starpal Team was a positive experience. Communications were clear and questions promptly answered mostly by Paul.Our guide is a wonderful person who truly cared about making our trip better and very good driving skill from the time we were picked up from masai mara hotel to lake nakuru and lake naivasha and back to Nairobi.I would have no doubts to recommend them for a journey and a safari in Kenya.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour was amazing
My tour with Links Travel Agency was absolutely amazing! From booking to the day of the tour, the communication was on point! Alice made sure to answer all my questions and she arranged everything perfectly. I highly recommend Links Travel Tour agency to everyone who is planning to go to Rwanda because their services are amazing. Can’t wait for my next trip to Rwanda to book with you again!!!!
PR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing! Truly wanted us to enjoy the real Safari experience.
Amazing experience! Richard was incredible in absolutely everything. I was able to see must that I could have expected thanks to his effort and willingness to give us the best Safari Experience. I wouldn’t wanted any other way. Thanks so much.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable experience!
Highly recommend Amazing memories for your safari in Masai Mara. Our driver Peter was unbelievable. He was simply the Best at what he does!