Professional, reliable operator with expert guides, great hotels, and an unforgettable safari.
We had an amazing experience on the Maasai Mara + Lake Nakuru + Naivasha Mid-Range Safari with Imara Africa Safaris. Booking and communication were smooth, professional, and hassle-free from beginning to end. The itinerary was exceptionally well organized, giving us plenty of time to enjoy each destination without feeling rushed.
Our guide, Simone, was outstanding. He was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and always made sure we had the best wildlife-viewing opportunities. His experience and sharp eye helped us spot an incredible variety of animals and birds.
During our safari, we saw lions, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, zebras, African buffalo, rhinoceroses, hippos, hyenas, thousands of wildebeest crossing during the spectacular Great Migration, gazelles, impalas, warthogs, baboons, monkeys, crocodiles, ostriches, majestic eagles, vultures, and many other colorful bird species. Witnessing the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara was truly breathtaking and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We also enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, which added a wonderful variety to the safari.
The accommodations selected by Imara Africa Safaris were excellent. Every hotel and lodge was clean, comfortable, and welcoming, with great food and friendly staff, making it easy to relax after exciting days of game drives.
This safari exceeded all of our expectations. From the excellent planning and comfortable accommodations to the incredible wildlife encounters and exceptional guiding, everything was first class. I highly recommend Imara Africa Safaris and the Maasai Mara + Lake Nakuru + Naivasha Mid-Range Safari to anyone looking for an unforgettable Kenyan safari adventure.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent budget option
Great choice for solo travellers on a budget. Had an amazing time on the 6 day tour, due to the great itinerary and incredibly friendly staff. However, due to it being the low budget one must be prepared for basic food and accomodation. there is also a lot of travel time to and from hotels pickup up other guests. Curio shops at pit stops quote outlandish prices, something id wish they discouraged. As long as one is aware and manages expectations then would recommend jockey tours.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Guide and Friend
Wow, what an adventure? Eric and James made this trip fun and exacting. Both of them felt like friends during the trip. They were very caring and took care of our needs during the trip. They received us on the airport and dropped us back to Nairobi airport. Everything was taken care and we had to nothing else than fun.
I would recommend them any time to all my family and friends and anyone who is interested in Kenya trip. Have fun….
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable safari experience!
We had an absolutely amazing safari in Tanzania and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Our guide, Nahum, was truly incredible. His knowledge, patience, and passion for wildlife made every game drive special. Thanks to his expertise and determination, we were lucky enough to see all of the Big Five, which was a dream come true.
Nahum was always attentive, patient, and committed to making sure we had the best possible sightings and experience throughout our trip.
We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Philippo, and his children. They were all incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuine, which made us feel like more than just customers.
From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized, and the level of hospitality was outstanding. We highly recommend this agency to anyone looking for an authentic and unforgettable safari in Tanzania.
Thank you, Nahum and Philippo, for the memories of a lifetime!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience
Laurence was a perfect and very reliable guide. We saw all the Big Five and, in fact, every animal we could possibly see. Laurence’s driving is fast and safe; he’s friendly and very knowledgeable.
Communication with Glory was always easy and quick; she went out of her way to meet all our needs.
Everything was perfect! I highly recommend them.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable and experienced
We were initially picked up from our hotel and greeted with gifts (a beautiful animal art picture, safari water bottle, and safari hat) for each member of our family! The safari vehicle is very large and spacious, has WiFi and outlets for charging! The vehicle also comes with a mini fridge stocked with sodas and bottled water for the trip. Our tour guide, Simon, was very knowledgeable and drove as carefully as he could, and got us up close to most animals in the parks for clear pictures, and easily knew his way around the massive wilderness areas without any maps or GPS! The only downside I would say about this trip are that most of the roads in Kenya and out in the wilderness are not paved, so most of the drive is extremely bumpy, like worse than a rollercoaster, and caused some motion sickness, we were bouncing out of our seats many times, and getting into the vehicle is a bit challenging as the steps are extremely high up to the knees, so be careful if you have bad knees. The Zebra Lodge that they booked for us was very luxurious, and spacious, though the food was so-so and very limited, the bathrooms were very large and even had an outside shower, although the water temperature regulation and water pressure was terrible. The second hotel, Sarova Woodlands Hotel and Spa, Nakuru, was very nice, professional, great buffets, and a very nice clean 5 star hotel. The first two days doing the game drive in the national parks were great and exciting seeing all the wild animals, the third day going to the lake was honestly the most boring and uneventful as most animals were extremely far away and just saw some birds very far away, also I did not care much for going to the Masai Mara Village, and seeing their poor living conditions. The 4th day was great though, as we took a boat ride to see many birds up close and then did a walking safari tour and got sooo up close to zebras, antelopes, a hyena, and right up next to a sleeping giraffe! I strongly recommend going in August as it's the "migration season" and there are far more animals to see. The drivers also like to drop off tourists at rest stops with souvenir shops, just be careful cause the prices are extremely jacked up and the locals try to rip tourists off like crazy; if they say something is $25-30, in reality it's worth more like $5-10, do your research and haggle down!
Overall I liked this tour company and the safari experience, and would definitely do it again someday if I ever went back!
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
The trip, organized by Mr Anderson (Savannah Explorer Ltd) to Tanzania was simply magnificent! The safari exceeded all expectations: breathtaking landscapes, incredible animal sightings, and impeccable organization from start to finish. The guide Richard wad highly trained and passionate, ensuring we enjoyed the experience with just the right amount of adrenaline and safety. The lodges were also top-notch, offering warm and authentic hospitality, and the food was truly excellent everywhere.
We spent the last two days at the beach on Mafia Island, in its splendid marine park: a fantastic finale, amid crystal-clear waters and pristine nature that perfectly complements the safari experience.
I recommend this trip to anyone dreaming of an unforgettable African adventure: Tanzania has captured our hearts!"
HK
Splendid Vacations – A Truly Memorable Safari
We chose Splendid Vacations for our 8-day journey to Kenya and Tanzania, and it turned out to be a perfect choice. Before departure, Maryann was always patient and responsive, answering our many questions and adjusting the itinerary through email. Even after arrival, whenever issues arose, she was quick and willing to help, which gave us great peace of mind.
During the trip, we had three guides, each leaving a wonderful impression. Alex worked tirelessly to find the best angles for photography, often anticipating where animals would approach so we could enjoy close encounters with breathtaking scenes. We indeed captured many good pictures and videos during the trip！He also brought us much joy throughout the journey.
Samwel impressed us with his daily effort to keep the safari vehicle clean and comfortable after each game drive. His driving was steady, and he supported us with practical needs such as buying SIM cards, exchanging currency, and visiting shops. During our dinner with Samwel, we also learned quite a bit of the local language and listened to him share about his own life, which allowed us to understand more about the local culture. It was a fun and meaningful exchange.His humor and patience made the experience even more enjoyable, and we were lucky to witness both the Big Five and the Great Migration with him.
The third guide we met was Julius, with whom we spent a shorter amount of time.He shared with us a wealth of knowledge about elephants, and through our conversations we could feel that he is truly a nature lover, bringing us many detailed observations and experiences. He is also a humorous and cheerful “big guy” . Most importantly, from him we genuinely experienced the spirit of Hakuna Matata. On our last evening, while having dinner, we suddenly received the news that our flight had been cancelled, which made us immediately worried. After meeting him and explaining the situation, possibly needing him to extend his time to take us to the airport, he kept reassuring us with the phrase “Hakuna Matata,” which gave us peace of mind. We are grateful to him for finally escorting us safely to the airport, ensuring our luggage was handled securely, and bringing our journey to a perfect close.
Thanks to Splendid Vacations, our very first safari was complete and fulfilling. Every moment in Africa felt precious and full of happiness. We are deeply grateful for the team’s professionalism, care, and dedication, and we highly recommend them to anyone planning a safari.
FR
Unforgettable
Best experience ever!!!
First safari for us, with our guide Nicholas, it was absolutely perfect!!
We enjoyed 3 days safari with 2 nights in lodges, with great people and great food.
I really really recommand that experience, especially with Nicholas’s knowledge, and stories.
SG
Exceptional guides, incredible wildlife, unforgettable memories
We engaged Salt and Pepper for a 10-day safari across Kenya and Tanzania, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. Helena and Isaya were always prompt in responding to our queries. As there were only two of us, they were also able to customise our itinerary, including arranging a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, which was unforgettable.
We saw everything we had hoped for—the Big Five, two wildebeest migrations, lions mating, and three separate sightings of lions feeding on their prey. We were also fortunate to see giraffes and elephants, and most memorably, a pair of rhinoceroses crossing right in front of our vehicle.
All of these incredible encounters were made possible by our knowledgeable and experienced guides, Isaya, Derick and Dominic. From the very beginning, we knew we were in good hands. They had an exceptional ability to locate wildlife and always positioned the vehicle perfectly for photography, allowing us to capture some unforgettable shots.
Beyond the incredible wildlife sightings, what truly stood out was the respect and care they showed towards both the wildlife and the local communities. While they were committed to giving us the best possible safari experience, they never compromised on ethical wildlife viewing.
The accommodations exceeded our expectations. The hospitality was warm and welcoming, the rooms were comfortable, and the food was consistently excellent, with an impressive variety at several lodges.
This safari was truly a dream come true, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. A huge thank you to everyone at Salt and Pepper for making it so memorable. We would highly recommend them to anyone planning a safari in Kenya and Tanzania.