65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
We had a wonderful experience at the Tsavo East Safari. Especially because of the excellent service from Steve and his driver Evan’s Steve was very friendly, polite, attentive, and professional throughout. He made sure everything was taken care of and served us with a great attitude and a smile. His excellent customer service really made our experience enjoyable. There was no rush to move on. Highly recommended.
We also used Steve’s services to visit the Old Town and we got him to stop over where my wife spent her childhood
Once again our heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional experience
TN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable experience
An exceptional safari from start to finish! Osmane is a passionate, friendly and very attentive guide. The driver was also brilliant, very professional and always smiling. A top-class team. I’d recommend them 100 per cent!
Good safari, but let down by organisation, communication and the condition of our vehicle
We did a 6-day safari with Judeson, visiting the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. Overall, we saw some incredible wildlife and had some really memorable experiences, but a lack of communication, professionalism and organisation issues throughout the trip unfortunately affected our experience.
The start of the trip
We were told we would be picked up at around 6:40am and expected the long car journey to Masai Mara would begin from the moment we were collected. Instead, we were taken to an office where we waited for around an hour for Laurine, with very little to no communication about what was happening, why we were waiting or how long we would be waiting. We had woken up very early and were already tired, so spending the first hour of the trip sitting in an office, unsure of what was happening, was a disappointing start. We appreciate that delays can happen, but simply keeping us informed would have made a big difference. Hopefully this is something they can improve on.
Organisation and communication
Unfortunately, the lack of communication was a recurring theme throughout the trip. On Day 3, we were told we would be picked up at 7am to head towards Lake Nakuru. However, we ended up waiting around an hour for three other couples to complete the Maasai cultural tour before we could leave. We then waited for another 30 minutes even after they had all arrived, again without being told why. This was particularly frustrating because we had already done the cultural tour ourselves on the first day, after arriving at our camp near the Masai Mara, so nobody had to wait for us.
The extra waiting time could have been used to sleep, start the journey earlier, or potentially have more time at our next destination. Alternatively, we could have done the cultural tour with the rest of the group on Day 3.
Because of the 2 hour delay in the morning of Day 3, we only stayed in Lake Nakuru for about 2 hours. We felt this could have been handled much better, particularly if we had simply been told in advance that we would be waiting for another couple.
Another instance was that at the end of the trip, our driver randomly stopped at a gas station and told us to get out of the car for an Uber to take us home in Nairobi. This type of last minute and hectic communication was consistent throughout the trip.
Lack of communication and organisation was an issue during longer drives too. We were rarely told beforehand how long the journeys would take, how many stops we would make in order to stretch our legs or take toilet breaks, or when we would be stopping. Having a clearer itinerary and better communication about timings would have made the trip feel much more organised.
The safari vehicle
The vehicle was probably our biggest concern. The jeep was incredibly old and, on one occasion, was expelling smoke. We expected a mini fridge in the jeep as stated in our quote document, but our vehicle didn't have one. We experienced many tyre changes during the trip and the jeep even broke down at one point due to a broken spring. Having looked at other vehicles on game drives, this car looked like the oldest and was at points the slowest.
More seriously, on one occasion the vehicle broke down completely and we had to hitch a ride with another safari vehicle back to the accommodation. Interestingly, this gave us a very clear comparison between the two vehicles. The temporary replacement vehicle was noticeably newer, more robust and much better equipped. It was less dusty, had air conditioning and even had a fridge. The contrast made us realise just how basic and uncomfortable our vehicle had been.
Our usual vehicle also wasn't properly sealed. Even with the windows closed, we could visibly see dust coming into the vehicle through large holes and gaps itself. Given how much time you spend driving on dusty roads during a safari, this became quite uncomfortable, and at times we felt unsafe. The temporary replacement vehicle that took us back to the accommodation had no such issues.
All this unfortunately meant less time looking for animals, and arriving late to national parks due to frequent stops at car mechanic shops during the journey.
We understand that safari vehicles are used extensively on rough terrain and that they won't necessarily be new, particularly on a budget safari. However, we expected the vehicle to be in a reasonable and safe condition for a six-day trip.
Lake Naivasha and additional costs
We also weren't aware that the Lake Naivasha boat ride did not include the walk on Crescent Island. This was an additional $33 per person. Every other person on our tour had this booked prior, and it was only us that were not informed of this addition. We don't have an issue with optional activities costing extra, but it would have been much better to know this beforehand. More transparency about what is and isn't included in the itinerary, and which activities have additional costs, would have helped us budget and make informed decisions.
Food
The food was fairly basic, which is understandable given that this was a budget safari. Dinner at the camps/hotels was generally okay, and packed lunches were provided for the days when we were out on game drives.
That said, the packed lunches were often very disappointing. On one day, for example, we were given three pieces of white bread with butter, along with two boiled eggs. It wasn't particularly enjoyable, especially when you're spending a full day travelling and on safari. This isn't necessarily Judeson's fault, as the food is provided by the camps/hotels, but it's worth mentioning for transparency so that future travellers know what to expect.
Tour guides and lack of organisation
We had the safari with other couples who were spanish speakers. They were therefore given a spanish tour guide, who would mainly speak in spanish rather than English. We thought it would be okay as the driver spoke English, however he rarely spoke to us during game drives as he was concentrating on the road and he relied entirely on the Spanish tour guide. This meant we had to rely on the spanish couples to translate and tell us what each of the animals were at many points during the game drives. This is poor organisation on Judesons part as we would have preferred to have had an English guide.
Maasai cultural tour
We also did a Maasai cultural tour, which was interesting and gave us the opportunity to learn more about the local community and culture. However, we found the experience uncomfortable in parts. The person conducting the tour was extremely pushy about buying souvenirs, repeatedly telling us that purchases exceeding $40 would help support local schools. At one point, we felt surrounded by people encouraging us to buy things, which became quite uncomfortable and made us feel pressured. We understand that buying souvenirs can be an important source of income for local communities, and we were happy to look around and support local sellers. However, we would have preferred to make our own decision about whether and what to buy, without feeling pressured. This wasn't something we would necessarily attribute to Jusedson themselves, but we think it is worth mentioning for future travellers. We learnt a lot from the cultural tour and appreciated the opportunity to experience it, but the sales aspect could have been handled in a much less forceful way.
The positives
Despite these issues, there were definitely some highlights. Seeing the wildlife in the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli was an amazing experience, and we had some unforgettable moments throughout the six days. The safari itself gave us the opportunity to visit some incredible places and see animals in their natural environment, which is ultimately what we came for.
We also appreciated the opportunity to experience the Maasai cultural tour and learn more about the local community, despite the uncomfortable pressure to purchase souvenirs.
Overall
We had some genuinely amazing experiences on the safari, but the trip was let down by organisation, communication and the condition of the vehicle.
For a budget safari, we understand that there will be compromises, and we weren't expecting luxury. However, basic communication about timings, delays, additional costs and the day's itinerary would have significantly improved our experience. We also think the vehicle should be properly maintained and sealed, particularly when guests are spending so many hours travelling in it.
IE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari
Great Safari from Jungle roam. The camp (Wildnest) was excellent and especially them food.
The safari itself was top notch, we had an excellent driver Richie. I think we did 4 hours on day one ( worth it as sunset is when a lot of the animals are coming out) and 8 hours on day 2 and we say every animal we could have wished for. Recommend.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thoughtful, knowledgeable, and great host
I cannot say enough good things about this safari! Steve was extremely communicative and clear as I was booking this safari from overseas. Ended up doing a one day in Tsavo East; the guide, Solomon, picked me up right on time. The jeep was in terrific condition and he was a superb driver on Mombasa’s difficult roads. We entered the park and he clearly knew the terrain well and mapped out a brilliant route We saw over a dozen different animals. He was highly knowledgeable about the wildlife, and was extremely patient, which paid off as the longer we waited in a spot, the more wildlife we would see. Five stars across the board. Amazing.
LT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
I went on a 10-day private tour with one other person, visiting four different locations and ending the trip at Diani Beach.
Patricia was incredibly helpful and delightful throughout the whole experience of curating and booking the tour. She checked in regularly, answered all the questions I had, and made the whole planning process so easy.
Our driver, Hassan, was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, respectful of nature, punctual, and friendly. He made sure we had a wonderful experience throughout the trip, and we were so happy to have him as our guide. We were lucky enough to see all of the Big Five!
We stayed at great lodges carefully selected by Patricia, and all of our transportation was arranged in advance, including an air transfer from Diani to Nairobi. We never had to worry about anything — we could simply relax and enjoy the most incredible trip of our lives. :)
I absolutely recommend booking with We Tour Safaris and would happily go on another safari with them!
IN
Reliable, well-organized and responsive, with smooth coordination and a great overall experience.
Jockey Tours & Travels was a reliable and well-organized tour operator that made our trip smooth and stress-free, with timely coordination, a comfortable vehicle, a knowledgeable and professional driver-guide, and good attention to the overall itinerary. The team was responsive before and during the trip, and the arrangements were handled efficiently without unnecessary hassle. What stood out most was the consistency in service and the feeling that everything was being managed properly in the background, allowing us to simply enjoy the experience. Overall, Jockey offered a dependable, comfortable, and well-coordinated travel experience that I would happily recommend.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable safari
I had an absolutely amazing experience with Toto Tembo Safaris, and I couldn’t be happier with the way everything was organized.
From the very beginning, Esther was my main point of contact, and she was truly wonderful. She was incredibly kind, professional, and, above all, extremely helpful and always available. I had so many questions before the trip, but she always replied promptly, patiently answered every single question, and took the time to clarify all my doubts. This made me feel reassured and confident throughout the entire planning process.
Everything was organized perfectly, down to the smallest detail. The whole experience was smooth and stress-free, allowing us to simply enjoy the incredible beauty of Kenya and the safari.
Thanks to Toto Tembo Safaris and especially to Esther, I was able to make one of my biggest dreams come true. The safari was an unforgettable experience that gave me emotions I will never forget.
If you are thinking about booking a safari in Kenya, I would highly recommend Toto Tembo Safaris without any hesitation. And with Esther, you will be in excellent hands. Her kindness, patience, professionalism, and genuine availability made a huge difference to our experience.
Thank you so much to Toto Tembo Safaris, and especially to Esther, for making one of my dreams come true! 🦁♥️
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very nice
We are very lucky, see the big five and the gran migration.
The logde was perfect ( just the last one no), the plan per days was perfect and under control.
For me sharon are the best, always there and with good solutions.
SA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional
Our safari with Lion king was nothing less than perfect! From the beginning of the accommodation selection to the quality of the food served to every other little detail we could ever think of. Everything was well curated, thought of and well planned. My personal preference was the accommodations, the two of them were clean, nice and with a friendly staff. The meals served during the game drives were excellent and the highlight of the trip was our guide Mwita, he was superb! Incredibly informed, high spirit and super friendly with our toddler.