DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Namibia Safari Experience
We had an amazing experience with this Namibia safari. Everything was very well planned and organized, making the trip completely stress-free from start to finish.
Our guide was knowledgeable, kind, and fun, which really made the experience special. We saw incredible landscapes across desert and savannah, along with a wide range of wildlife, including the Big Five.
The lodges were well chosen, comfortable and well suited for the trip, with a few really unique highlights along the way.
This is a great option if you don’t want to worry about driving or planning. We followed their recommended itinerary and it worked perfectly.
Overall, we’re very happy we did this trip and would highly recommend it.
If we could change one thing, we would add 2 extra days in Botswana to experience the wetlands and animals like hippos to round out the safari experience.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Phenomenal! Very professional and organized!!
I traveled to South Africa, to Kruger National Park, mainly to see the African wild dog or painted dog. I knew beforehand that this animal is not easy to spot. However, with the help of my very talented naturalist from this tour operator - Shadrack is his name - I was able to spot my dream animal! I also saw four out of the five big five animals, with the exception of the leopard, which can be quite elusive. I would very, very highly recommend this tour operator. Everything was very seamlessly organized and the level of professionalism was unmatched. The lodge itself is beautifully designed, very cozy, and the staff are wonderful. I also enjoyed the food very much, my room was very comfortable, there’s a pool that you can swim in, and the landscaping of the lodge is serene. I would highly recommend this tour operator for anyone planning to visit South Africa/Kruger.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Richard provided an experience that was magestic and unforgettable.
When it comes to Safaris, I think this one ‘takes the cake’. I’ve just experienced my third safari, having visited Kruger National Park in South Africa, then Nairobi & the Masai Mara in Kenya, now to be fortunate enough to experience a safari in Uganda, complete with a Gorilla encounter and encounters with the Big 5, all in their natural habitat, as our stunning accommodation was perfectly located in National Parks. Our guide Richard had NO boundaries when it came to delivering the ‘BEST EVER’ experience at every location and whilst we were on tour to celebrate a milestone birthday for our friend, some of the ‘WOW FACTORS’ made me wonder….who’s birthday is it. We were ALL so blown away at the length Richard went to, to give us the BEST experience.
You know Uganda was never on my bucket list, but having just experienced what we have just returned from, I suggest you put it on yours…. You’ll never forget OR regret it.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disenchanted Safari – Coordination Failures Overshadowed the Wild
My May safari felt like a series of broken promises from the start. While the wildlife encounters were passable — spotting the Big Five felt routine rather than thrilling — the operator's disorganization drained the magic. The real sting came from the SIM card debacle. Before I landed, both the contact and office staff insisted I skip getting a local SIM because no enough time to wait, promising the driver would handle it en route. But my driver was clueless: "No one told me." We stopped at a shop, only to learn passport-based SIMs require big city like Nairobi. Result? $70 in roaming fees over 7 days. Even when we passed Nairobi twice, drivers brushed me off: "Not enough time" or "Next stop" — a pattern repeated with a second driver.
Worse, the service disparity was glaring. Two white male passengers had their luggage carried without question, while my female travel partner and I hauled ours through mud. No help offered. The itinerary chaos compounded the stress. After dropping the men on Day 3, the driver didn’t inform the other woman about changes; she spent hours on calls, ruining her day. Then, he blindsided me: demanding I join a detour to another town during my planned rest afternoon at Lake Naivasha. I refused, demanded a new driver, and fought to reclaim my free time.
About tents, with insects, no Wi-Fi, suggest pay the extra $200 to upgrade to Sopa Lodge; it’s not luxury, it’s sanity.
In short, the beautiful scenery of Kenya cannot hide the incompetence of this operator. Poor communication, lack of services, and the absence of an accountability mechanism have made the originally dreamy trip less pleasant.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Perfect Solo Travel Experience at Nyerere National Park!
I recently had the most incredible, seamless experience booking a one-day private safari with Smile with Us Tours in Africa. I actually planned this trip entirely last minute, and I am so grateful to Mr. Jacob, who was absolutely amazing to work with. He accommodated my short-notice request instantly, handled all the logistics flawlessly, and made sure everything was perfectly set up for me without a single delay.
My tour guide for the day at Nyerere National Park, Tiko, was absolutely phenomenal. From the moment the journey began, his warm, personable nature and vibrant, positive energy set the perfect tone. He is an expert tracker with an encyclopedia-like knowledge of the wildlife. Tiko made it his personal mission to ensure I saw as much as possible, and his sharp eyes did not disappoint. Thanks to him, I had the thrill of checking off three of the Big Five, elephants, lions, and giraffes! Watching these majestic animals in their natural habitat was breathtaking, and Tiko always positioned the vehicle perfectly for the best views while maintaining a deep respect for the wildlife and ensuring we were completely safe at all times.
What made this safari truly special, though, was the depth of the experience. Tiko is a wonderful storyteller. During our drives through the park, he shared fascinating stories and taught me so much about Tanzanian culture, traditions, and daily life, which gave me a much deeper appreciation for the country.
As a solo traveler, safety, privacy, and comfort were incredibly important to me. The private 4x4 safari vehicle was pristine, remarkably spacious, and felt extremely safe even on the roughest terrain. Tiko was exceptionally attentive, constantly checking in on me throughout the day to ensure I was comfortable and doing well.
The hospitality on this tour was unmatched. We had a wonderful break time with snacks, and the lunch they provided was absolutely amazing. The food was very good! Tiko also supplied all of the water and drinks for the trip, thoughtfully keeping everything perfectly chilled in a cooler, which was a lifesaver on such a hot day and long journey.
I was genuinely heartbroken for the day to end, but I am already planning my return trip to Tanzania Nyerere National Park to do this exact journey all over again. Thank you, Mr. Jacob, for making it happen on short notice, and a massive thank you to Tiko for memories that will last a lifetime. Do yourself a favor and book with them and absolutely ask for Tiko!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Communicative and
We had a great time on our Masai Mara safari with our guides Tisa and Frank! Both guides were knowledgable about the park and very kind and personable. We saw 4 out of the big 5 up close! This safari made our trip to Kenya unforgettable. Thank you Frank and Tisa!
KR
A place that provides an unforgettable experience with friendly service
We chose this tour company for our honeymoon.
It was a choice with no regrets. ☺️
The guide 'Terry' was so kind.
The best service provider.
The best guide! 😃👍🏻
He worked really hard to find the animals.
And he was touched by the meticulousness of constantly checking if we were in good condition.
It was nice to reply really quickly when I inquired. They also provided me with reasonable estimates and schedules so that I could stay in the accommodation I wanted.
It was a honeymoon that I really hoped for, and I was able to come back very happily and satisfactorily thanks to Kiliclimb 😊🙏🏻
We offered a tip of $25 a day as a token of appreciation. This is not a requirement, so please keep that in mind.
If you want a trip without regrets, I recommend this place!
Responsive, thoughtful and genuinely committed to delivering a great travel experience.
I chose Essence Ethiopia after comparing a number of operators, and I’m very pleased that I did.
From the moment I booked, Tsehaynew was responsive, professional and proactive. He regularly checked in before my arrival, after flights and throughout the trip to ensure I had connected with my drivers and guides, which gave me a great deal of confidence as a solo traveller.
The guides and drivers were outstanding. They were knowledgeable, friendly and genuinely passionate about sharing Ethiopia.
What impressed me most was how Essence responded to feedback. When I raised some concerns about accommodation, Tsehaynew listened, took the comments seriously and upgraded my hotel immediately. That willingness to listen and take meaningful action says a great deal about the company.
My only suggestion would be to continue reviewing accommodation options and better communicate what travellers can expect in more remote areas, as standards can vary.
People are often quick to leave reviews when something goes wrong, but not as quick to recognise excellent service. Overall, I believe choosing Essence Ethiopia was the right decision, and I would happily recommend them to anyone looking to experience this remarkable country.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hermosa Life Tours Truly Lives Up to Its Name – More Than a Safari, a Life Changing Experience
Hermosa Life Tours live up to their name - they really do deliver a tour that is a once in a lifetime adventure! Over the course of 8 days we toured magnificent Rwanda, a place of beauty, humanity, inspiration, and future thinking. We started off with a guide, and finished with a friend. Abou was more like a travelling companion than an employee, and offered us his knowledge, heart, care, intellect, stories, philosophies, ears and eyes. We were so blessed to be accompanied by this amazing human. He steered us through Akagera National Park where we found lions and lionesses lazing under trees, rhinos closer than you might imagine, hippos galore, giraffes, zebra, buffalo, crocodiles, all manner of antelope, and birds aplenty. The King's Palace was a treat. In Nwungwe we ziplined, went for a canopy walk, found chimpanzees, vervet monkeys and mountain monkeys. We joined the traditional fisherman on the lake for an incredible experience netting sambaza. We travelled north visiting a tea plantation, joining the pickers and making a traditional brew, and replicated this experience with coffee and Arabica beans the next day, Abou ensured we were expertly looked after when we ventured into the Virunga Mountains, spending an hour with a Silverback gorilla, his wives and babies. My husband looked at me in the midst of this experience and asked, "Is this real?" The following day we trekked through potato fields to join the golden monkeys amongst the bamboos, and then joined the villagers where we were treated to our own personalised wedding re-enactment which was such a rich experience. Rwanda is now our favourite destination amongst many previously visited, and Abou our favourite companion. At every stage our comfort and experience was considered, the communication between Abou, Oreste and Yvonne was exceptional, as was Abou's communication with all the various guides that supported us. This was more than a holiday, more than a safari - it was an immersion with the Rwandan people, their country, their history, their way of life, their animals, and most importantly their future. This was a once in a life time experience, and we're so eternally grateful for it. Heartfelt thanks to Oreste who Invited us in, to Yvonne who helped created our unique experience, and Abou, who delivered it beyond expectations. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Jennifer and Sam
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top Tier in every aspect.
My wife and I travel with a simple philosophy: no expectations = no disappointments. Our experience with Passionate Guides Tanzania exceeded all expectations. Our safari was flawlessly executed. The knowledge, skill, professionalism, humor, and, yes, passion for safari were incomparable. We don't know how our trip could have been made more rewarding. The travels of a lifetime that we will never forget. The accommodations were top-tier, the food was excellent, and the itinerary was perfect. We saw every animal in The Jungle Book in its natural behavior and habitat. If you are going on safari, look no further. You are at the right place.
