TW
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari experience
Alex was very nice and attentive throughout the trip. He regularly checked to make sure we were doing well, and whenever we needed his help with anything, he was very proactive in taking care of it.
The staff at Jokey Tours were very friendly. However, when we needed a hotel confirmation document from them for our visa application, it took quite a long time to receive it, which was a little frustrating.
The safari itself was wonderful. The national parks seemed to be very well protected, and the animals appeared to be healthy and well cared for. We were also lucky enough to see the Big Five.
The only unpleasant part was the souvenir shops, where some of the staff were quite pushy with their sales. Other than that, the overall trip was a very enjoyable experience.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A reliable tour operator; everything went perfectly and was exactly as we’d hoped
We spent six days on a safari in northern Tanzania, visiting Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Ndutu, the Serengeti and Lake Manyara. We had agreed the itinerary and accommodation with Brian in advance and relied on his recommendations. Our guide, Patrick Kwaka, was with us from sunrise to sunset, showing us the most beautiful spots and as many animals as possible. We really enjoyed the safari!
The accommodation was good too, especially the tented camps in the middle of the wilderness.
We can’t recommend Kibo Mawenzi Safaris highly enough.
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
THE ONLY HONEST REVIEW YOU NEED TO READ
*The only review you need to read*
I recently completed an incredible Kenya–Tanzania safari, travelling from Nairobi through Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara, crossing into Tanzania for Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, before returning to Kenya for Amboseli and eventually Nairobi.
Our group consisted of photographers, and we specifically requested guides who understood how photographers work. For us, a safari is not about rushing from one sighting to another. We are willing to spend hours waiting, repositioning the vehicle, and observing animal behaviour in order to capture the right moment.
We had three different guides during the trip, and unfortunately, the experiences varied dramatically.
⭐ John — 5/5
John was our first guide, covering our time in Kenya including Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara.
From the moment we met, John introduced himself properly and gave us a clear briefing before getting started. He was punctual, responsible, responsive and, most importantly, adaptable to the way we wanted to work as photographers.
John consistently made sure we were in the best possible position for photography and was willing to adjust the vehicle whenever necessary. He also suggested suitable game-drive timings and accommodated our request to head out as early as possible so that we could maximise the prime morning hours.
He was attentive to the small details too, regularly making sure we had sufficient drinking water throughout the journey.
Our experience at Masai Mara was superb, and John set a very high standard for the rest of the safari.
⭐ Jackson — 6/5
If I could give Jackson more than 5 stars, I would.
Jackson was exceptional throughout our time in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. He understood exactly how we worked as photographers and never made us feel rushed. Our game drives often started before sunrise and continued until just before sunset. We spent countless hours searching, waiting and positioning ourselves for the best possible wildlife encounters.
One of the highlights was witnessing the Mara River crossing. Jackson's patience and understanding of wildlife behaviour played a huge part in allowing us to experience and photograph such an incredible moment.
What made Jackson stand out wasn't just his ability to find wildlife. Along the way, he constantly shared his knowledge about the animals, their behaviour and the surrounding ecosystem. He patiently answered the many questions we had and genuinely seemed to want us to leave Tanzania knowing more than when we arrived.
He was constantly looking out for the best possible experience for us.
We left Tanzania with not only some of the best photographs of our trip, but also a much deeper appreciation and understanding of the environment and wildlife.
Jackson elevated an already excellent safari experience to another level. By this point, our group was genuinely hyped for what was still to come.
⭐ Alex M. — 1/5
Unfortunately, our experience with Alex was the complete opposite.
Alex was our guide for Amboseli National Park and subsequently our journey back to Nairobi. After having such exceptional experiences with John and Jackson, the difference was extremely disappointing.
When we boarded the vehicle at the border, there was no proper introduction or briefing. I only learned his name, Alex, through another guide.
The biggest issue was that Alex did not appear to understand how our group worked as photographers. He was frequently in a rush to move on, even when we were still taking photographs.
On multiple occasions, the vehicle started moving while members of our group were still taking photos. When we told him we were not ready, he moved off anyway. Given that we were often standing with large camera equipment on uneven roads, this was not only frustrating but also a genuine safety concern. There were several occasions where members of our group were nearly thrown off balance.
There was also a safety issue with the vehicle itself. One of the seat armrests was broken and had sharp metal protruding from it. I personally suffered a cut on my leg from it. Thankfully, members of our group found something to cover the exposed metal, which prevented further injuries.
There were also issues with the itinerary.
Our programme clearly indicated a morning game drive followed by a hot lunch at the lodge. However, when we discussed the following morning's game drive with Alex, he appeared unaware of the arrangement. After checking the itinerary, he contacted the lodge and arranged for packed lunches instead.
I subsequently had to stand at the lodge counter trying to explain that we were supposed to have a hot lunch. The lodge staff told me that their instruction from the driver was to prepare packed lunch and that I would need to clarify it with the driver.
Arranging for the next morning was another major disappointment. We specifically wanted to leave at 6:00am for the game drive, which was consistent with how we had conducted our previous game drives. Alex told us that we needed to rest and insisted that we leave later at 7am instead. After discussion, he eventually negotiated a departure time of around 6:30–6:45am.
By this point, our group was understandably frustrated.
I contacted Splendid, and Alice stepped in and resolved the matter promptly. I appreciated her responsiveness, but unfortunately, the damage to the experience had already been done.
After having such incredible experiences with John and Jackson, our Amboseli portion felt like a completely different safari. It was particularly disappointing because the rest of the trip had set such a high standard.
What made the experience even more disappointing was being asked for a tip at the end of the Amboseli trip despite everything that had happened. It's not a big amount but he definitely do not deserve any. We gave as we felt obliged to do so as he asked.
____
I believe guides have a significant impact on the safari experience, especially for photographers. Patience, communication, safety awareness and an understanding that wildlife photography requires waiting and positioning are extremely important.
John and Jackson demonstrated all of this exceptionally well. Our group appreciate them so much!
Unfortunately, our experience with Alex fell far short of that standard.
TW
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sometimes the consultant do not reply timely, but overall the experience worth the price
Sometimes the consultant do not reply timely, but overall the experience worth the price. They even upgrade our tour to be the private ones with only small fees.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable safari experience !
I had an absolutely amazing experience during my 3-day safari in Tanzania. Everything was incredible, from the landscapes and wildlife to the organization and, above all, the people.
A huge thank you to our guide Jordan, who was absolutely fantastic! He was always smiling, very involved, attentive and genuinely passionate about his job. He did everything possible to make sure we had the best possible experience and the most incredible wildlife encounters.
What I also really appreciated was the amazing team spirit between all the guides. Everyone was supportive of each other, friendly and full of good vibes, which created such a positive atmosphere throughout the safari.
These three days were truly magical and will remain an unforgettable memory for me. I highly recommend this company and especially Jordan as a guide. If you’re looking for an authentic, well-organized safari with an amazing team, don’t hesitate! 🦁🐘🦒❤️
Thank you for everything, Jordan ! Asante sana sana ! 🇹🇿
Amel
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience with Jungleroam
Highly recommend our tour guide Richard!
He is a very safe and skilled driver even on bumpy safari roads. Very professional at spotting animals, and he also shared fascinating local cultural and geographic insights with us. He reads guests well and adjusts his communication style for everyone.
Big credit to owner Chesi too — she replies quickly and is very patient with all questions. 10/10, would book again!
NL
Good organisation with professional guide, Fessal.
We had a trip to Mnemba island, we visited a sandbank in the middle of the Sea, saw Starfish and dolphins! We got Some delicious fruit on the way!!!
Guide and captain were great, boat was fine. But a lot of other boats… of course everybody wants to do this trip, but that was a little bit dissapointing.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Safari
We had a wonderful safari with our guide, Imani. He was friendly and made every game drive special, helping us spot incredible wildlife we might otherwise have missed.
However, the flights were booked very last minute on Serengeti Green’s behalf, and we had to keep asking for the flight details. The return flight to Zanzibar was also changed to an earlier time, which meant we had less time on safari. We were told that this was out of Serengeti Green’s hands and was the airline’s fault.
We also experienced an issue with the pricing. We paid our deposit in advance, but the price was increased afterwards and we were asked to pay additional money. This was disappointing and made the payment process more difficult than expected.
Despite these issues, communication was generally fast, and the safari itself was unforgettable. Thank you to Imani for making the experience so enjoyable and for an amazing safari.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome 10 days Safari experience
We went on a 10-day safari (Kenya and Tanzania) and it was an unforgettable experience! At first, we wondered whether spending so many days on safari was really necessary, as we had already seen so many animals on the very first day. However, every park we visited, including Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Amboseli, offered completely different landscapes, vegetation and wildlife, making each day a unique experience. We were never bored!
Regarding accomodations - our absolute favourite was Simba Campsite in Ngorongoro, which is especially great for adventurous people. Sleeping in tents surrounded by zebras, with elephants casually walking nearby, was something we will never forget. It was a truly unique experience! Sometimes it is not about the luxury but about the memories!
We also took part in almost all the additional paid activities, including the hot air balloon ride, which was one of the absolute highlights of our trip and something we highly recommend. The only activity we skipped was the afternoon game drive in Masai Mara. Since the safari was already quite long and packed with game drives, we simply didn't feel the need to do another one.
It's worth mentioning that a considerable part of this 10-day safari is spent travelling between national parks. Personally, we didn't find the long drives particularly tiring or inconvenient, but it's something to keep in mind when planning your trip. Of course, this kind of intensive itinerary is also what makes it possible to experience so many incredible places and see such a variety of wildlife in a relatively short time.
Our guide was knowledgeable and informative, the animals were often incredibly close, and the food was adequate. Overall, this safari exceeded our expectations, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic African adventure!
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable adventure with guide Mike !
We went on a 4-day safari (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro) with our guide Mike, and it was probably the best experience of our lives!!!
It really felt like a dream come true throughout the whole trip.
Thanks to Mike, a brilliant guide who was kind and attentive. He has an extraordinary knowledge of the parks and the animals, excellent control of the vehicle, and always finds the best possible viewing angles.
The meals prepared by Paulo, the chef, were always delicious.
We highly recommend this experience!