50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing service & very informative
Recently arrived back from Safari to Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater with fabulous guide Simon who was so informative & helped us to see the big 5 & much more!! A holiday of a lifetime & would highly recommend, all service including meals, lodges & camps we stayed at were brilliant with the help of Simon - nothing was too much trouble for him & appreciate him making our trip so wonderful! 😀
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They provided excellent customer service
The service provided by Jambo Masai Tours were excellent. They were a value for the money and their services exceeded my expectations.The accommodations were very nice and the driver was always on time and very informative. We were guided every step of the way. Communications were excellent and we were informed of everything that was to take place. We received royal treatment. I will definitely use them again and advise my friends to do the same
PE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simon was great and Perfectly planned our 5 day.
My girlfriend and I recently completed a 5-day safari with Herbivore African Expeditions. We had a great opportunity to see the great migration.
Spending time in the northern Serengeti during the peak of the Great Migration was like stepping into a wildlife documentary. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra gather on the banks of the Mara River before the perilous river crossing was both exciting and emotional. The anticipation, the suddenness of the jumps into the water, and the incredible determination of the animals created memories we will never forget. Every safari drive brought new sights-from elephants and giraffes to lions resting in the grasslands. We also loved the serene beauty of the Serengeti, especially in the early morning when the surroundings were still and filled with golden light. Every day was different, which made the expedition exciting from start to finish. The journey gave us unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary natural wonders of Tanzania. Overall the Herbivore African Expeditions was one of the best tour operator in Tanzania without any hesitation anyone wants to booking with them.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serengeti smile created an unforgettable experience
Serengeti Smile planned an amazing 2 week trip in Tanzania for us.
Piniel Godwin provided outstanding service. He was very responsive over whatsapp and email during the planning stages, despite the time zone difference, learning about what we wanted out of the trip, budget constraints, etc. Once he had all the information, he quickly put together a comprehensive custom 2-week itinerary covering the Northern and Southern Safari circuits and ending with a full day in Zanzibar. Piniel was also an invaluable resource while the trip was happening. Not everything always goes to plan unfortunately--Piniel was available to listen to our concerns and sort out issues as they were happening.
Our Serengeti Smile guide John was also fantastic. He was with us for half the trip as we went through the Northern Circuit. John's 20+ years of experience showed as he masterfully navigated the bumpy roads and spotting of all the various wildlife. We saw all big 5 animals and more, as well as the wildebeest crossing through the Mara River.
We loved most of the Northern Circuit, as well as the final day in Zanzibar (Prison Island, Spice Farm and Stone Town tours). The hot air balloon add-on in the Serengeti was expensive but worthwhile, providing unreal views of the wildebeest migration. Conversely, we recommend passing on the Masai village and bush dinner add-ons, though YMMV.
We had a more mixed time in the Southern Circuit. Spotting animals in Ruaha national park was much less frequent due to all the flora. However, Ruaha hilltop lodge had spectacular views and was one of our favorite accommodations. We enjoyed Nyerere national park's diverse landscapes and wildlife. However, we were kept waiting multiple times by our hotel (Africa Safari Lodge Selous). These delays translated into lost time in the park, which was frustrating. Some of the lodge staff also treated us with apathy when we sought support and clarification.
Despite some issues arising, our overall experience was incredible and packed with unforgettable memories.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Meru Slopes: generosity, professionalism, care and the big five. Unforgettable.
We had the most amazing experience at the safari and me and my partner are so glad to have chosen Meru Slopes Tours & Safaris! We did it after carefully reviewing a number of websites and couldn't have made a better choice. Here's a few points that will hopefully help the others to choose. We went for a 6 days/5 nights safari. While it was a budget safari, the treatment was royal and there was nothing budget about it, from what I could see, the only difference would be where we slept (3 nights in camps vs lodges). Even two other nights were in a lodge not on a camping, and being in a camping was a positive experience - two nights in the middle of the Serengeti, and at the rim of the Ngorongoro crater, we had see zebras walking among tents. While on a subject of lodging - Meru Slopes also added the night before the safari and the one before in a hotel in Arusha with dinner and breakfast, free of charge. We didn't know we needed towels for campsites - they lent us two from the hotel. Nothing was a problem. This generosity extended across the safari. Food and drink was aplenty, and delicious, cooked by our excellent cook Godi. I will forever remember amazing salads, pancakes for breakfast, Tanzanian pizzas, and other Tanzanian specialties that Godi magically created to the same level, whether it was in a lodge or a campsite. Last but definitely not least was our amazing guide Lobulo. So knowledgeable, we learned lots about Tanzania and animals, an excellent driver and animal spotter. We saw the big five, more than 50 lions, a cheetah and plenty of other animals. And I would like to add a thank you to our contact at Meru Slopes, Gift, who organized our stay, and had patience to answer all the questions. I was really touched by care, generosity and respect to every sort of tourist, and genuine will to show the country. Ah - jeeps with opening roof were great, there were binoculars for everyone. And we were picked up at the airport and dropped off when leaving. The whole package so that one doesn't have to worry about anything. I would definitely go with Meru Slopes again, and ask for Lobulo and Godi to be a guide and cook again! Thank you for this experience, it has been an unforgettable one!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour guide was super friendly and very knowledgeable. Made sure we were well taken care of
10/10 experience. Tour guide was beyond amazing. Took care of all of our luggage and answered every question we had on top of sharing some of his own knowledge with us. Food was amazing throughout the trip and hotels were beyond expectations. Would love to come back again.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very competent and professional. Created a wonderful holiday for me.
I found everyone was very friendly, reliable, helpful and professional.
The food was lovely and plentiful.
It was good value for money.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable family safari in Kenya
Our experience with Bushtop Kenya Safaris was excellent from beginning to end.
1. Initial correspondence with Denis
From our very first contact, the organization was perfect. Denis was always quick to reply, answered all our questions clearly and helped us organize every detail of the trip. The quotation and itinerary were well prepared, making the planning process easy and giving us confidence before the trip even started.
2. Our Spanish-speaking guide – Joshua
Joshua was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our safari. His kindness, professionalism, friendliness and deep knowledge of the wildlife and the environment made every game drive special. He was always attentive to us and shared his passion for nature throughout the trip. Thanks to his experience, we were fortunate enough to see the Big Five in just 4 days and 3 nights. A big hug to Joshua – he is simply the best!
3. The hotels
Both lodges exceeded our expectations. Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge at Lake Nakuru and Sarova Mara Game Camp in the Masai Mara were wonderful. The staff at both properties were incredibly friendly, welcoming and attentive to every detail, making us feel at home throughout our stay.
4. Overall recommendation
The safari itself was incredible. Experiencing first the wildlife around Lake Nakuru and then the vast plains of the Masai Mara provided two very different and complementary safari experiences. The contrast between the lake ecosystem and the savannah made the journey even more memorable.
Finally, we believe the price was fair. A safari is not an inexpensive experience, but we truly feel that we received everything we paid for.
Thank you very much to Bushtop Kenya Safaris for making this such a wonderful family experience.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Brian has excellent person to person skills, has excellent knowledge on birds, driving and Uganda.
The 3 day Gorilla trekking trip is excellent value for money. It was very easy communicating from Cape Town SA with Dickson from H of Africa. All the necessary information was provided. They also assisted with accommodation in Entebbe before the start. The guide Brian was a pleasure to have as our driver and guide to Bwindi forest and back. The two stays before and after the gorilla trek was an excellent choice. Gorilla in Mist lodge and Heritage lodge on an island in lake Bunyonyi. They know the system and are excellent in advising one in which level of trek to gorillas to choose on the day. One is guaranteed sightings with their expertise. Will definately recommend Hooves of Africa to family and friends. Lucille from Cape Town
Thanks again Dickson and Brian
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari experience!
This safari has been nothing short of epic. When looking for a safari, Cate was very thorough - understood what we were looking for, asked good questions, understood our budget, and made us comfortable throughout the entire process.
Once in Kenya, all of the details were well thought through - every ride, every meal, and we were able to truly maximize the limited time and budget that we had. We were able to experience so much, and our guide Simon answered every question we had, guided us safely through the different terrain and Kenyan traffic, and made sure everything was done to ensure that we experienced as many different animals as possible from several wonderful vantage points. We felt cared for though the whole process and appreciate Imara Africa for everything they did to make this safari a memorable, once in a lifetime experience!