PK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond all Expectations, Perfect!
We had two competing interests with this vacation: relaxation and adventure. We were also pressed for time (all we had was 6 days). Beyond The Plains managed to surpass every expectation we had.
We landed in Nairobi and drove to Masai Mara on our first day. Instead of heading straight to the camp, we stopped at Masai village. We participated in a dance performance and experienced Masai culture. Our host, Josh, was very helpful and answered all questions we had with patience and hospitality. It felt real, authentic and wholesome. From there, we headed to our Camp which was substantially more comfortable than we had imagined.
On the next day, we left early for our game drive. During our time in the Park, we were able to catch all the animals on our bucket list (lion, hippo, buffalo, giraffes, elephants, ostrich to name a few). We also managed to catch a Cheetah devouring an impala just after it had completed a kill. This was an exhilarating experience. Duncan, our guide, had over 25 years of experience. He knew the park like the back of his hand and was always happy to answer our questions (even the silly ones). The game drive was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had while traveling and will recommend this to anyone, even those not interested in nature or animals. We ended the game drive with a sun downer which was calming and gave us the opportunity to reflect on all we had seen.
The next day, we drove to Nairobi from where we took our flight to Diani beach. Upon reaching, we enjoyed a delicious late lunch at the Salty Squid before reaching Diani Sea Lodge where were to stay. While our initial introduction to our accommodation was a bit disappointing (a couple of mini-issues with the room we were allotted), we reached out to Andrew at Beyond The Safari and he got us changed to a much better room. From this point on, everything was perfect. It was so good that we actually extended our stay by a day. Andrew was very helpful to manage our last minute extension. We spent our days chilling at the beach, occasionally entering the water and enjoying the all-inclusive buffet, snacks and drinks. On our last day, we even went snorkeling to catch some marine life.
The whole experience was as smooth and seamless as could have been.
On our last day, we took our flight to Nairobi, where Michael picked us up from the air port and took us to the Nairobi national park. Here we got to visit the elephant orphanage - a thoroughly wholesome experience. We also got to explore the park and see some wildlife there. We told Michael that we had seen everything at Masai Mara, except a rhino. Michale tried very hard to show us a rhino and just when we had given up hope, we got to see two white rhinos - a mother and a calf! This completed our bucket list for the wildlife. The rhinos stayed close to our car with the calf playing around for a good few minutes before walking away.
Lastly, we went to the giraffe center in Nairobi to feed the giraffes. This was also very fun and a great way to close our trip. Michael dropped us at the air port.
What stood out throughout the trip was Beyond the Safari's responsiveness. It felt like they were more interested in making this vacation a success than we were, which was great!
We managed to have a vacation full of adventure, as well as relaxation. There's nothing more we could have wanted from this vacation.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Safari with BushBells
From start to finish, this safari exceeded every expectation we had.
The planning process was incredibly easy thanks to James, who was responsive, detailed, and genuinely invested in helping us put together the best possible trip. He took the time to understand what we were looking for and presented options that fit both our interests and budget. At every step, he made the process stress-free and straightforward.
Once the safari began, everything was seamless. The accommodations were fantastic, the parks were breathtaking, and every detail seemed thoughtfully arranged. We were able to see an incredible variety of wildlife and experience parts of Kenya that we’ll never forget.
What truly made this trip special, however, was our guide, Moses.
Moses is the kind of person who immediately makes you feel comfortable. He is friendly, personable, funny, charismatic, and incredibly knowledgeable. Spending long days on safari with him never felt like being on a tour—it felt like traveling with a friend who was genuinely excited to share his country and its wildlife with us.
What stood out most was the respect he showed to both the animals and the people around us. He never treated wildlife sightings as a race or competition. Instead, he prioritized ethical viewing, making sure animals were not disturbed and that other visitors could enjoy the experience as well. His patience and professionalism were something we noticed every single day.
Beyond that, Moses has an incredible eye for spotting wildlife. Time and time again he would point out animals that the rest of us had completely missed. His knowledge of animal behavior, local ecosystems, and conservation efforts added so much depth to every game drive.
The memories we made on this trip will stay with us for a lifetime, and a huge part of that is because of Moses. He transformed what would have been an amazing safari into a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you’re considering booking a safari, I cannot recommend this company highly enough. The combination of James’ exceptional planning and Moses’ outstanding guiding made for one of the best travel experiences we’ve ever had.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Explore Plus is extremely knowledgable, efficient and the overall experience is excellence
Communication from the start was fast and efficient. Nothing was too much trouble and no question was ignored. We received detailed information regarding the entire trip and suggestions such as sunset cruises and shuttles were all organised for us.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and friendly team
Very flexible, professional agency with outstanding expertise.
Customer-oriented and always available and ready to help.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience with Philip and Nevill
Very pleasant safari experience. We had few good sightings and our guide Philip was very good.
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience
We had an amazing trip, thanks to Herman and Joshua. Extraordinary experiences thanks to the efforts to make our time enjoyable and provide us with a unique experience. We fell in love with the Tanzanian people, the magnificent nature and the uncompromising preservation of nature and man together.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable Okavango experience with an outstanding guide Zak
Our stay in the Okavango Delta was truly unforgettable, and a huge part of that was thanks to our guide, Zak.
From the very beginning, we were impressed by his professionalism, kindness, and attention to every detail. He was always one step ahead, making sure we were comfortable and well looked after. Whether it was providing ponchos for the chilly early-morning game drives or setting up a lovely sundowner in the afternoon, he consistently went above and beyond to make our experience special.
We enjoyed morning and evening game drives, a night safari, and a mokoro excursion, each offering a different perspective on this incredible environment. Zak's knowledge of wildlife and animal behavior was outstanding. His ability to spot animals that seemed completely invisible to us was nothing short of remarkable, and he always took the time to explain what we were seeing.
One of the highlights of our trip was the night drive. Thanks to Zak's keen eye, we were able to see bush babies and even a tiny "African kangaroo" (springhare) 😊, something we never expected to encounter. Moments like these made the experience truly magical.
Beyond his expertise, Zak's passion for the Okavango and its wildlife was contagious. He didn't just help us see animals, he helped us understand and appreciate the complex ecosystem around us.
Thank you, Zak, for your warmth, enthusiasm, patience, and exceptional guiding. You played a major role in making this one of the most memorable trips we have ever taken. We would recommend you without hesitation to anyone visiting Botswana and the Okavango Delta.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable safari! Exceptional planning, amazing wildlife sightings, and David was outstanding
Our 6-night, 7-day safari with Unscripted Safaris was truly one of the best family holidays we have ever had. Traveling as two adults and a child, we wanted an experience that was enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable—and it exceeded all our expectations.
Everything was organized so smoothly from start to finish, which allowed us to simply relax and enjoy the adventure. Every lodge, transfer, and game drive was thoughtfully planned, and we always felt well taken care of.
A special and heartfelt thank you to our guide, David. He was absolutely amazing and played a huge part in making this trip so special. His knowledge, experience, and passion for wildlife were evident from day one. No matter how early the start or how long the drive, he always made sure we had the best possible safari experience.
David went out of his way to help us spot animals and ensured we never missed a sighting. His ability to find wildlife was incredible, and thanks to him, we were fortunate to see so many amazing animals and create memories that will stay with us forever.
What stood out even more was the genuine care he showed throughout the trip. He paid attention to every little detail, made sure we were comfortable at all times, and was always patient, friendly, and positive. By the end of the trip, he felt less like a guide and more like a friend.
Thank you, David, for your dedication, kindness, and for making our safari so unforgettable. You are truly an exceptional guide and a wonderful person. We are also very grateful to Unscripted Safaris for putting together such a fantastic experience. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a safari that is both well-organized and deeply memorable.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personal service and advice!
Untamed Safaris were excellent to deal with from first contact. They came highly recommended by a friend who had had a similar experience for their Africa trip booked through Untamed Safaris. Rosanna and Ryan helped organise and book our trip. They were both great at working out what we were most interested in and how to make the most of our relatively short time in South Africa. They had excellent knowledge about flights, connections and a range of suggestions to consider. Their recommendations for day trips around Cape Town (where we were attending a conference) were excellent and they helped organise and book additional people from our conference to join these day trips, setting clear expectations of what they would involve (one was a hike up Table mountain which required a reasonable level of fitness, which was superb). The safari experiences they booked for us with Simbavati Hilltop Lodge and Simbavati Trails Camp were unbelievable. The first was a very luxury experience and the second was in a trail camp setting, but if anything was even more amazing in terms of hospitality and personal service given its remoteness. We highly recommend this company if you are contemplating a trip to Africa.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized ... highly recommended
We have just returned from an overland trip through SA, Zimbabwe, Botswana up to Victoria Falls. It was amazing, several game drives, saw all the big 5 plus an abundance of wonderful wildlife. Great guides and excellent quality accommodation. Experiencing the landscape and people was also incredible.
Richard our Kiboko guide/driver was awesome. Always there for us with a smile and shared his knowledge of the history and regions. His driving skills through some very tuff days and atrocious roads was a credit to him. We always felt safe and trusted his instructions and he was always considering our needs. He organised our days to get the most out of them without being rushed and pushed around.
Thanks Richard and Bush Willow for a wonderful trip and experience.
“Highly recommended”
