DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a great time there
we have been two days and nights there. The camp site and the pool was very nice, clean, all people very friendly. The dinner was delicious. The trip to Vic falls was very well organized. We had a great day
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great, friendly service, well-organised and lots of communication, wonderful experience.
Our trip was really well organised from start to finish. Our guide, Augustin, was highly knowledgeable and very attentive. The Zebra Camp was amazing with lovely rooms and chilled atmosphere. The vehicle was ideal for the trip and we loved seeing all the animals up close. It was an unforgettable experience.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
While the wildlife was extraordinary, the safari was tainted by bad guiding, poor gear, and delays.
Incredible Wildlife, but Disappointing Tour Organisation and Guiding
We went on a 5-day safari with Suricata Safari, visiting Tarangire National Park, spending two nights in the Serengeti, and exploring the Ngorongoro Crater.
First of all, the safari itself was incredible. These parks are among the best wildlife destinations in the world, and we were fortunate to see an amazing variety of animals. The overall itinerary was generally well planned, and the wildlife experience was unforgettable. Unfortunately, several aspects of the tour operator’s organisation and service significantly affected our experience.
1. Poor communication and last-minute changes
Our pre-safari briefing did not take place as scheduled and was delayed by approximately three and a half hours. Furthermore, when we arrived at Twiga Campsite, we were informed that our planned visit to Tarangire National Park would be postponed. We had specifically wanted to visit Tarangire first, allowing the safari to build towards the highlights of the trip. This change was communicated only briefly upon our arrival at the campsite, without any prior notice or explanation.
2. Our guide was essentially just a driver
This was by far the biggest disappointment. Our guide provided very little information about the wildlife, the national parks, or the itinerary. There was almost no communication, and we were rarely informed about the plan for the day, the expected schedule, or what we could expect to see.
A safari guide should do much more than simply drive from one place to another. Explaining animal behaviour, sharing knowledge about the ecosystem, and helping guests understand what they are seeing are essential parts of the experience. Fortunately, another traveller in our group had studied biology and was able to explain many things about the animals to us. Without this person, our safari experience would have been considerably less informative.
3. Poor camping equipment and repetitive food
At the public campsite in the Serengeti, the sleeping equipment was disappointing. The mattresses and sleeping bags were visibly worn out, and the mattresses varied considerably in quality, with some being extremely thin. One traveller in our group did not even receive a pillow.
The food was acceptable and there was enough to eat, but the meals were very repetitive and not particularly enjoyable. This was not a major issue in itself, but overall, the quality could have been better.
4. Too much time wasted coordinating different accommodation categories
Another significant issue was that our vehicle carried both budget and mid-range travellers who were staying at different accommodations. As a result, we repeatedly had to pick up or wait for the mid-range guests. This cost us valuable time that could otherwise have been spent in the national parks.
Consequently, we often entered the parks relatively late and sometimes spent only three or four hours there. For example, our descent into the Ngorongoro Crater took place quite late, and we had to leave again around midday because other members of the group needed to return to Arusha that day.
I also felt that we missed opportunities for early-morning game drives in the Serengeti. Instead of starting around 6 a.m., as would have been possible, we generally set off at around 8:30 a.m. Early mornings are among the best times to observe wildlife, and when travelling all the way to the Serengeti, I believe these opportunities should be taken seriously.
Conclusion
I would absolutely recommend visiting Tarangire, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. The wildlife and landscapes are extraordinary, and the safari itself was an unforgettable experience.
However, I cannot give Suricata Safari the same recommendation. The lack of guiding, insufficient communication, worn-out camping equipment, and inefficient organisation meant that we did not get as much out of the experience as we could have. In particular, combining budget and mid-range travellers in a way that repeatedly reduced our time in the parks was frustrating.
The parks themselves were outstanding, but the tour operator did not fully deliver on the experience I had expected. With a knowledgeable guide, better communication, improved camping equipment, and more efficient scheduling, this could have been a much better safari.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
We have had the best trip with Eric! He made out travel company feel at ease, have fun, laugh, we saw the most amazing things! We had a schedule to follow but everything was very flexible. Eric always checked with us, and gave us the best tips. We truly had an amazing trip with Eric. Would recommend!
Also the booking and arranging prior to the trip went smoothly. Aisha helped us to make the most out of our trip. We gave a broad idea of what we wanted to do, and she made a wonderfull itinerary for us.
DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Tour
Kevin Kamau was a excellent guide. Nairobo NP was the best expirience
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our safari was truly unforgettable, and so much of that is thanks to Josef. ❤️
Josef kindness, knowledge and genuine care made us feel safe and welcome every step of the way We’re leaving Tanzania with incredible memories and so much gratitude. Thank you, Josef, for making our honeymoon so special we couldn’t have asked for a better guide! 🇹🇿🐘
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A full service minded team from contact to safari
We had a long stop (14 hours) in Nairobi for our next destination. We used that for a one day safari. First of all Maureen (our contact by email) was super responsive and gave clear answers and good proposals. Then we were lucky to have both a driver and a guide for the safari. They were very service minded and with good knowledge of the animals and the area.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very accommodating
Having had to cancel our Safari (originally scheduled for March 2026), Beyond the Plains was incredibly accommodating in rescheduling the Safari - giving multiple options when rebooking.
The Safari itself is a true African adventure.
Our guide, Ken, was confident and articulate, answering multiple questions from the entire family. And in the evenings he joined us for dinner where we had more in-depth chats about all things Kenyan.
While Safari’s themselves are expensive, understanding the costs (park fees, hotels, extensive driving) the Safari was good value for money and most of all gave memories of a lifetime - especially for our 3 teenage children.
And so many incredible photos!
Thanks to all!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Perfect 7-Day Trip to Masai Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli
It was an absolutely fantastic trip. Jemimah, our travel agent contact, responded promptly from the very beginning of our planning and almost answered all my inquiries instantly. Before and during the trip, we made two itinerary changes: adding an extra day of safari in Masai Mara on short notice and combining the Naivasha and Nakuru visits into one day. She was responsive and flexible in adjusting the arrangements to tailor the whole trip exactly to my requirements. George, our driver-guide, was responsible throughout the journey and highly skilled at spotting wildlife. Thanks to his sharp observation and quick reactions, we were fortunate to witness the river crossing of zebras and wildebeest. He gave professional and enthusiastic commentary on animals along the way and drove very smoothly. This travel agency offers great value for money. I’m thoroughly satisfied with the overall experience.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari with Kivoito – absolutely recommended!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unforgettable Safari with Kivoito – absolutely recommended!
We did a two-day safari in the Ngorongoro crater and in the Tarangire National Park with the organizer Kiwoito and were completely thrilled!
From the pick-up to the transfer to the hotel to the entire organization, everything was smooth and perfectly organized.
Special praise goes to our guide Abdul. He speaks very good German, is extremely friendly and sympathetic and accompanied us excellently throughout the safari. You can immediately tell that he knows the parks very well and has a lot of experience.
We were also very lucky to see all the Big Five in the wild – an unforgettable experience!
The off-road vehicles were also in very good condition and ideal for safari. The accommodations were well organized, and also the food that was served to us during the safari in the park was very tasty.
We found it particularly nice that we could choose the lodge ourselves and Kiwoito put together a suitable overall package for us.
What also impressed us positively: After the safari, even the managing director came to us personally to thank us and get our feedback. This shows how important Kiwoito is to the satisfaction of its customers and that the organizer attaches great importance to personal contact and continuous improvement of its service.
Our conclusion: Kiwoito is a very professional, reliable and fair safari organizer, with who you feel in good hands. A big thank you to the whole team and especially to our guide Abdul for this fantastic experience!
We can recommend Kiwoito without reservation and would book again at any time. 🐘🦁🌍
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
