35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best guides in Kenya
We had an amazing experience with Axis Africa Safaris! We spent 3 days in Masai Mara with our guides Sadam and Bo. They were incredible!
Driving in Kenya is not for the faint of heart. Sadam could get us anywhere quickly and safely. He and Bo are so knowledgeable about not just the animals that we are seeing, but the region, the agriculture, the history, everything! They could spot animals just about anywhere and could tell us all about them too.
We got up close and personal with lions, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, a jaguar, a cheetah, elephants. It was mind-blowing to see these majestic animals in the wild.
It seemed like everywhere we went, Sadam knew every other driver, ranger or guide. And we understand why — Sadam and Bo are over-the-top friendly, fun, polite, energetic, and so intuitive to the needs of our group.
This was a once in a lifetime adventure that could not have gone better. Highly, highly recommend Axis and their guides: Sadam, Bo, Amos, Charles, Khalifa, and Kevin.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Breathtaking must see adventure
Wow, just wow! Our experience with Lion King was amazing from beginning to end. The staff was patient and responsive from the beginning, even with flight delays and unexpected world events. They were able to accommodate the dates and logistics with our Kili climb. When Justin picked us up late at night from the airport, his warmth and welcome helped me know we were in the right place.
Our guide Temba was the star of the safari. He was expedient and very knowledgeable. He helped us find all the game we hoped to see, leopards, cheetahs, lions. He was very helpful with my photography goals. Temba also share a lot about the local and Masai cultures that we loved learning about. Truly appreciated what he brought to the trip.
The accommodations were stunning. We camped in luxurious tents in the Serengeti and got to hear the hippos singing at night. We visited a Masai village and ended with a stay at the Escarpment lodge with a breathtaking view of sunset over Lake Manayara. If you’re on the fence, don’t hesitate, this is the company to book with.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
These guys are great!
Had a GREAT time on our tour. Clinton was super accommodating and flexible; really helped us out a lot when we had to postpone the whole trip and even make some quick changes. The lodges were all great, clean, comfy, and offered good food. Our guide, Silvan, answered all of our questions and took us to see all the animals we could see. Highly recommend these guys!
IT
Efficient, flexible, very professional
We are a group of four friends, and we've decided to visit Tanzania in July 2026. The most important part of the journey being a 4-days safari tour across the Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngoro Ngoro parks. The current geopolitical situation made the decision-making process rather difficult, especially when coming to select the right tour operator. Finally, we picked Makini Safari Tour, also thanks to a great contact point: Miss Ilham. She understood very well our stringent requirements, in terms of flexibility in down payments as well as regarding the overall tour organisation. She assigned us a very professional driver (given that the roads in the parks are often dirty and full of bunches, a good driver is a must!!), very good accommodations, etc etc. The final result was a marvelous safari journey. We strongly recommend Makini, and Ilham as an interface.
DE
20-35 years of age
would recommend
We had a great 6 day safari with Mark as our driver. We were able to customize the trip to our specific needs and we did in fact see the Big 5 within the first 5 days! No unexpected fees besides the tips and we were very glad we went with a local company.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
wonderful
Wonderful safari. It was unbelieavable. The scenery, the guide... wouldn't have asked for more
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Serengeti Smile - Simply Amazing
Our 6-day safari through Tarangire, Central Serengeti, and Northern Serengeti was truly the trip of a lifetime, and our guide, Champion, made it unforgettable.
From the very first day, Champion was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and passionate about the wildlife and the Serengeti. Thanks to his expertise, we experienced breathtaking sightings and were fortunate enough to see all of the Big Five, along with countless other incredible moments that exceeded our expectations.
What stood out most was the personal attention Champion gave our group. He always made sure we were in the best position for wildlife viewing and photography, patiently answered every question, and shared fascinating insights about the animals, landscapes, and local ecosystem. His passion, positive spirit, and sense of adventure were contagious and made every game drive exciting.
Champion didn’t just guide us through Tanzania—he created memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.
Serengeti Smile is incredibly fortunate to have a guide like Champion. If you have the opportunity to go on safari with him, consider yourself lucky. We cannot recommend him highly enough. Thank you, Champion, for an unforgettable adventure and memories we will cherish forever!
Thank you Serengeti Smile. Thank you Champion !
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serengeti Smile exceeded our expectations for an incredible and amazing safari!
Safari Smile was fantastic! Godian was professional, prompt and most helpful before and during our safari in his communication with us, answering all our questions and arranging for all our transfers and needs. We wanted to support a local tour operator but also to receive the benefits of their local knowledge and networking. Champion, our second generation guide, was phenomenal. His ability to spot animals, foresee their movements, his extensive knowledge of the flora, fauna, culture and history, along with his excellent relationship with other guides allowed for an amazing experience. We had fun, felt safe and well taken care of.
The accommodations were comfortable and the staff at each of their lodges and camps were helpful, conscientious and joyful! We loved the singing! We are running out of superlatives to describe our experience!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolute Pleasure!
My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful experience with Banok Safaris and would highly recommend them to anyone planning a safari in Kenya.
From the very beginning, Benson was incredibly kind, accommodating, and professional. Everything was handled seamlessly, starting from our pickup in Nairobi, through our Maasai Mara safari, to our final drop-off in Naivasha. Not a single detail was missed, and the entire experience was completely smooth and stress-free. They also offered us very competitive rates, which made the overall experience even better.
A very special mention has to go to James, our guide, who is truly a gem! Being from a Maasai village, he brought an incredible depth of perspective and understanding to the safari. He was extremely thorough and persistent in ensuring that we had the best possible sightings. Thanks to him, we witnessed some splendid views and truly spectacular wildlife sightings.
We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our safari. We would wholeheartedly recommend Benson and Banok Safaris. Hopefully, whenever we return to Kenya, we will absolutely choose them again. A fantastic team and a truly memorable experience!