CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING SAFARI
We started in Arusha, the hotel booked by the travel agency was nice and very close to the city centre. We left the day after for the safari. We visited lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro ad Tarangire (only half day). it was our first safari and we truly enjoyed the experience. The driver (called China) was well prepared and he delivered in terms of animals (We even saw lion cubs). Travelling with us there was also a cook, food was much better than expected. The communication with the travel agency was ok, Margaret was very helpful and everything worked out smoothly.
Overall it was a great experience and we feel comfortable in recommending Uhuru Travel & tours.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I recommend this tour, we had a great safari my boyfriend and I.
Communication was ok, everytime I had a question I got answer in the hour. The service was great for accomodations and the rest, except the food during the safari..
safari tour was great and the driver experimented
OM
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enjoy wild life and nature together.
You enjoy wild life and scenic beauty of Kenya. You love people as well.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very Good Budget Tour
Karibu Safaris was very prompt in responding by email to any questions that we had beforehand.
Our driver/guide, Arony, was excellent. He was friendly, experienced, and very knowledgeable about the game and where to find them. When one of the tourists on our trip became ill on the last night, he took the initiative to find a good doctor and see that he received proper treatment.
In most ways, the safari was as advertised. There were four minor ways that differed: 1) At Masai Mara, we did not stay at the Mara Springs Tent Camp, but instead stayed at Miti Mingi Eco Camp, which is probably equivalent. The camp was close to the park entrance, and we had warm water for showers, and a private bathroom with flush toilet, shower, and sink. It was not luxurious, but fits a budget tour. 2) We did not go for a game drive on our last morning at Masai Mara, but instead visited a nearby Masai village. This was interesting, but does involve some extra costs ($15 pp entrance, money for souvenirs). 3) On our way from Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru, we stopped at Lake Naivasha and went for a boat ride ($20 pp). There we saw a number of birds and got very close to some hippos. We could also see some game on an island, but were not close. 4) One small complaint - we were provided with some water at Masai Mara, but needed to buy our own for the trips to Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru.
Even though it was not high season, we saw a large variety of animals. At Masai Mara, we saw many wildebeast, impalas, gazelles, buffalo, elephants, zebras, warthogs, baboons, and hippos. We also saw giraffes, waterbucks, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, a few crocodiles, and a rare leopard. We also got to see a pride of 7 lions hunt a family of warthogs and bring down a young warthog. I was surprised at how close we could come to many of the animals. At Lake Nakuru, we saw many impalas, buffalo, baboons, gazelle, and some elands. We also 7 white rhinos, including one with a baby. We saw one giraffe (which was different than those at Masai Mara), a python, and a large number of flamingos and pelicans. There are apparently not as many flamingos as there used to be, since the lake flooded about 3 years ago with heavy rainfall, and the saltiness of the lake was decreased.
I recommend bringing a camera with a telephoto lens, or good zoom capabilities. I had a video camera with 80x zoom, and was able to get much better pictures than others in the group who only had their cell phones. Though for many of the animals (including lions and cheetahs) we were able to get right next to them.
IS
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Achola
Masaai Mara the car broke down and was being fixed for 3 hours. While we waited at a village gas station with nothing to do around, this means we missed the safari. for the first day. The only animals we saw were on arrival to Keerok lodge.
Accommodation at Keerok was shady low standard. There was no water provided on the 1st day and we had to buy water for (300 shillings each 3$ each) at the lodge. It is only after telling the driver-that he took it upon himself to go and buy water. We paid 1,250$ dollars per person for this trip. I have to add that my mother in law is 70 years old. she had to endure this with no special attention.
Keerok seems like a hotel that was good in the old days but today-has lost its glory. The staff at Keerok were super rude and unbothered about talking to guests.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great 3-day safari!
Overall, this was a great experience!
Selma communicated with us along the way and she was very responsive. We loved the diversity of the 3 parks that we visited (Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) - each of them were very different and had a lot to offer! Our guide, Robert, was knowledgeable and kind. We stayed at Simba Karatu Lodge for the 2 nights and it was absolutely beautiful and the food was great.
The one thing we were disappointed in is the lunches. When you are paying thousands of dollars, we would expect better food, not just a piece of white bread with cheese and some fruit. I am not sure why we could not get leftovers from the previous dinner or a better quality lunch. We communicated with the lodge several times about our food restrictions, but they had no idea how to make a vegetarian lunch box and one without dairy. They messed up all 3 days, even after clarifying what we could and could not eat. We were especially disappointed because the food at the lodge for dinner was great! I am not sure why they could not have made more effort for the lunches. Overall, this is not a big deal, but I had much higher expectations given the price we were paying.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
The guide, Dismas Alex, put a lot of effort to show us as many animals as possible. Some, like the rhinos and leopards were tricky to spot but he waited patiently and helped us finding them. He tried to show us as much as possible but did not explain too much unless we asked, then we always got very good and informative answers. He also wanted us to start a bit earlier in the mornings than other tourists around, which gave us extra time out in the parks and more opportunity to spot animals. Our cook, Vitalis, prepared a lot of great food, especially considering the camping kitchen. We had a bit smaller tents than others but it was not a big deal. Overall, we would recommend this safari trip, it was one of our best experiences.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tsavo West National Park by Alda
Tsavo West is enormous. In December, the animals are quite scattered, so it seemed like we had to do a lot of driving to see the animals.
The scenery is excellent.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Alda
Lake Nakuru was lovely and had many rhino. I was there over 20 years ago and recall it being pink with flamingos. This is no longer the case.
(it may have been the time of year).