50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Safari We Are Most Likely to Repeat
We went on a canoe safari with Natureways and it was by far the most unique safari experience we have ever had.
While planning a three-week trip to Africa, we knew we wanted to do two safaris but didn't want the second one to feel repetitive after spending time in Sabi Sands. As frequent campers in the U.S., frequent kayakers and canoeists, and an adventurous family overall, a canoe safari seemed like the perfect choice.
We spent three days and nights canoeing down the Lower Zambezi River through Mana Pools National Park with our professional guide Mark and learner guide Admire. Mark's decades of experience were immediately apparent. Despite close encounters with elephants, a massive crocodile estimated at nearly 18 feet long, water monitors, and what felt like hundreds of hippos, we never once felt unsafe. His knowledge of wildlife, river conditions, and animal behavior gave us complete confidence throughout the trip.
The wildlife viewing was outstanding both on and off the water. In addition to the larger animals, we enjoyed incredible birdlife, including African Fish Eagles, giant herons, egrets, kingfishers, and many others. We also participated in walking safaris and traditional game drives, which complemented the canoe experience perfectly.
At night we camped along the riverbank in what can best be described as "glamping in the bush." The camp operation, led by Jenni and supported by Sebastian and the rest of the team, was exceptional. Every morning began with hot water delivered to our tents, and every evening ended with a hot shower after a full day on the river. The food was remarkable. Considering everything was prepared over an open fire and in Dutch ovens, the quality and variety of the meals were simply incredible. This was bush cooking at its finest. One aspect of the experience that exceeded our expectations was the time spent around camp with Jenni and Mark. Because this is such an intimate style of safari, meals and evenings around the fire naturally led to conversation. As a husband-and-wife team, they created a welcoming atmosphere that felt more like traveling with interesting friends than participating in a guided tour. Conversations ranged from wildlife and conservation to travel, history, and everyday life. Mark had an incredible breadth of knowledge and could contribute thoughtfully to almost any topic, while remaining genuinely curious about subjects that were new to him. Those conversations became an unexpected highlight of the trip and added another dimension to an already memorable experience.
Two of our most memorable moments came while in camp when elephants walked directly through the middle of camp on separate occasions. Watching these enormous animals move silently among the tents was both humbling and unforgettable.
This is not the right safari for everyone. You need to be comfortable around water, tent camping with pit toilets (in-tent chemical toilets at night), enjoy being active (~55 km/35 mi of river to traverse), and either be willing to fly on a small bush plane or endure a very long road transfer from Victoria Falls. But for travelers seeking a more immersive and adventurous safari experience, it is hard to imagine a better option.
We would not hesitate to do it again. In fact, of all the safari experiences we have had, this is the one we are most likely to repeat.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A childhood dream come true
My wife and I respectively have wanted to visit Africa and go on safari since childhood. What a fantastic trip it turned out to be, exceeding our wildest expectations and dreams.
We would highly recommend booking your safari trip through “Amazing Memories Safaris” directly, especially if it is your first visit to Kenya. The booking experience was good and hassle free. There was complete clarity on the itinerary, cost and related information. Titus Kinyua was very prompt in responding to our questions and accommodating our requests. All our queries were satisfactorily answered in a timely manner.
The Amazing Memories team led by Titus was waiting to greet us as we emerged from the airport, which was very reassuring for us as first time visitors to Africa in general and Kenya in particular.
The familiarisation briefing we received from Titus before we began our trip was most helpful. The Amazing Memories team provided us with a more than adequate stock of drinking water bottles for the entire trip. We realised the importance of it later as drinking water at meal times in all resorts is chargeable and the water provided by the resorts in the rooms is not always adequate and is replenished only during room cleaning each day.
We had an exclusive safari vehicle and guide dedicated to us the entire trip. The vehicle was very clean and well maintained and it stayed that way the entire trip.
The rooms we stayed at were nice. Fig Tree (Masai Mara), Sopa (Lake Nakhuru) and Oltukai (Amboseli). Sopa was the best hands down, especially the views from our room, the dining area and the bar. Breathtakingly beautiful! The food at Sopa and Oltukai were good. The hospitality at all three places was very good.
We had the most awesome safari experiences at Masai Mara, Lake Nakhuru and Amboseli National Park. We have one person whom we cannot thank enough for making our entire trip so enjoyable and ensuring that we left Kenya with amazing memories for a lifetime! Our safari guide Joseph Mwaniki.
Joseph was extremely attuned to our every need and request the entire trip; from the time he picked us up at the airport till the time he dropped us back. His familiarity with the routes and safari trails ensured that our travel time was optimised and our safari experiences were elevated. He was very fluent in English and a treasure trove of information about Kenya in general and the national parks, flora and fauna in particular. He took great pains to ensure that we took in all the beautiful sights that each safari game drive had to offer. Thanks to his wealth of experience and tireless efforts, we had the opportunity time and again to witness some very rare sightings of animals in the wild in their own element.
We were travelling with our teenage daughter and were particularly touched by the fact that he made it a point during and after each safari game drive to inquire with her whether she was enjoying herself and the animal sightings. One particular instance readily comes to mind. We had only our mobile phones with us (no high end cameras) and were at one point struggling to capture a photo of a rhino in the distance at Lake Nakhuru. Joseph immediately pulled out a device and a pair of binoculars, which when affixed to the phone camera lens, enabled the camera to zoom in and capture very clear pictures. Our daughter could not stop taking pictures after that. It was an extremely thoughtful gesture on Joseph’s part and one that endeared him to us instantly.
Joseph’s soft spoken, polite and easy going nature put us at ease and made us feel very comfortable. He was extremely professional, very punctual and a thorough gentleman. He would always hold open the door of the safari vehicle for us and greet us warmly before and after each game drive. He had a boundless reserve of energy even after long drives between two resorts and wanted us to experience as many game drives as our enthusiasm and interests permitted. What we particularly appreciated about his approach, was that he would make suggestions and even recommendations but would leave the decision to us. We had complete freedom to plan our daily schedule and curate our safaris with informative insights and inputs from him.
We had such a wonderful trip, thanks in no small part to Joseph. He is an outstanding safari guide and a gem of a person!
Thank you very much Amazing Memories Safaris, Titus and Joseph for everything! You made our first safari to Africa a memory to cherish forever.
Can't recommend highly enough.
Our experience exceeded all expectations and fully reflected the exceptional communication and meticulous planning provided before our trip. The Masai Mara was truly spectacular, creating countless unforgettable wildlife encounters. The tented camp was an outstanding choice, and having a knowledgeable and professional driver-guide greatly enhanced the experience.
I can confidently say that this Kenyan safari surpassed every wildlife experience I have had. Even my three traveling companions, who were not particularly interested in wildlife before the trip, described it as the holiday of a lifetime. Cheers!
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Memorable 6‑Day Safari with Ariphine Tours & Safaris
We had the pleasure of experiencing a 6‑day safari with Ariphine Tours & Safaris in the first week of June 2026. From the very beginning, Ashley and her team were outstanding—accommodating all our requests, offering valuable suggestions, and planning the itinerary with great attention to detail.
Our guide, Evans, was exceptionally knowledgeable and ensured we enjoyed the best possible sightings across Masai Mara, Naivasha, Nakuru, and Amboseli. His expertise and dedication made every moment of the journey unforgettable.
A heartfelt thank you to Ashley and Evans for making this safari truly memorable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore Kenya’s natural beauty with a professional and caring team.
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing experience with Zanzi Trekking and Safari! We saw so many animals, and our driver Daniel was excellent—very knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. Everything ran smoothly, including easy airport pick-up and drop-off. The hotels were excellent with great food and entertainment, and extra attractions were added along the way. It was everything we could of looked for ina safari and much more. Highly recommended!
ID
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience! Thanks Dennis.
Excellent experience and good service.
Well organized... Dennis was extremely polite, professional and very efficient. Absolutely recomendable !
SA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator is professional and humble
They were extremely professional, polite, supportive, and always ready to help. We especially appreciate how well they understood and took care of our family's needs. From helping us find halal food wherever possible to ensuring access to clean washrooms with water.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectly Organized 2-Day Gorilla Trekking Adventure
I had an amazing 2-day gorilla safari to Bwindi starting and ending in Kigali. The entire trip was exceptionally well organized, with smooth transportation, excellent communication, and great attention to detail throughout.
Our guide was professional, friendly, and knowledgeable, making the long journey comfortable and enjoyable. The highlight, of course, was the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi, which exceeded all my expectations.
Everything went exactly as planned, and I felt well taken care of from the moment I was picked up in Kigali until my return. I highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a reliable and professional safari operator. Thank you for an incredible experience and memories that will last a lifetime!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Allan was amazing and understanding, made sure our tour is correctly tailored
It was an amazing experience with our tour operator Allan and Driver Francis. They made sure that our questions were answered. They tailored our requirements understanding our needs correctly. Allan helped us coordinate with our journey and made sure we are safe and following the right process. During the safari, Francis gave us extra information about the wildlife and was very experienced .My friends and I had an amazing experience with them . Three cheers to Allan and Francis
Once in a lifetime experience!
I thoroughly enjoyed the safari.
I saw The Big 5 and so many other amazing animals and sites.
I feel like it was good value for money. I chose a budget option. All accomodations were clean and comfortable with all the amenities I needed. I always felt safe (travelling as a solo female, this was very important)
There was plenty of food at each meal. Not much variety, but that was to be expected given the rural locations.
Our driver, David Mukami, gave us essential information. His 4WD skills were excellent and he was great at getting us up close to the animals quickly.
I would definitely recommend this tour for those who want a see all in 5 days, on a budget.