IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hell's Gate National Park by Dhruvank Vaidya
There werent too many animals here. But, the trek through the gorge was awesome.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly, passionate and thoughtful staff, driver guide and chef
We have joined the 5 days tour to Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tanrangire in June 2018. The hotel arranged before the safari is up to standard with friendly staff. The driver guide is experienced when spotting wildlife and explaining the interaction behind them and the food prepared by the chef is generally quite good. It would be better if the chicken is not overcooked. Communication and arrangement with the office staff is clear and they are always helpful.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mombasa holiday and mida creep tour
I contacted African Paradise safaris on behalf of other 20 group members.
John organized a 5 days tour in watamu at temple point beach resort. And we managed to do mida creek and dolphin tour.
Everything was well organized and fairly priced.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exciting game drive in beautiful Mikumi national park
Family of 4 went on å tre day trip, we slept inside the park. Communications and service was exellent. We were well taken care of from the first contact and during the hole trip. The food was simple but good and we got to see a lot of animals like lion, giraffe , elephant m.m . Our guide had great skills and we felt safe and learned a lot. We will like to come back another time and do it again !
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Satisfying
African Habitat Safaris never disappoints,
I was a bit stranded on how i'll find a perfect fit place in Kigali, and they just came in handy- the operators are super Friendly (Rachael Obonyo), good customer service and experience..Thanks African Habitat Services, you are literally making lives easier out here :-) Cheers!
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Vaule for the Spend
Communications are great. Robert was very informative and quick responded. Ramond the guide was very active and tried to give maximum experience at first two days. but We couldnt do much in third day. We supposed to go for a morning game drive but didnot made it. Accommodations need to be bit more upgrade since limited facilities were available. Karibu is overall good valued for the money.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience.
Me and my boyfriend booked via Hello Tanzania a 3 days Safari in Selous in the second half of June. It was the first time we went to Africa and we were both very happy with this experience. We stayed at Jimbiza Selous camp and did a boat Safari, a classical game drive in the park and a morning walking Safari. The camp was very basic and you have to be an adaptable person to fully enjoy your stay - for the instagrammers, there is no wifi, which I personally found a nice detox. The staff was available and the food was very good. We never had any issue. Just one suggestion, bring a mosquito net ;)
Sylvia was always responsive and overall we were very happy with this trip, definitely a good value for money, especially after having seen how expensive safaris usually are!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful country, amazing wildlife, but shocking infrastructure
We really enjoyed the parks and wildlife, but getting there proved a challenge - the roads are appalling, especially the road into the Masai Mara - I would have thought such a busy park would be better served. The number of trucks on the roads is crazy, they should all be on the new railway, not clogging up traffic. If Kenya can fix this it will go a long way into making it an outstanding destination.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect family Safari
Tanzania and the northern circuit are great. Lot of wildlife, nice people and an ever changing scenery. We found mild weather, great lodges and good food. Roads are everything from completely new to terrible. Expect no more than 30 kph average after entering ngorongoro area. Guiding was great und reliable, we always felt safe and well taken care of.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing seeing so many animals up close - did not expect such long drive times to different reserves
Used Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris - chose a modified 10 day safari rather than the 12 day mid-priced, also upgraded to Luxury accommodations, and they were very accommodating - I did not recall an airport pickup - so I paid for transportation from another company - both were there even at 11:00pm. Used our tour company - Zachery - he told us he was with us for our 10 Day Safari. Dropped us off at hotel and told to be ready at 7:00 sharp - he would be there and ready, please be on time. I had to email our tour company at 7:25, because no one was there - about 5 minutes later another driver/guide was there, AL - I explained that Zachery was our guide - he made calls and said he was.
Started to Tsavo East - a little into the drive, stopped for about 90 minutes in a very dirty gas station where we believe he was trying to get money into his account, said needed a car charger for his cell. Another stop about an 1 1\2 later for what we were told as a potty stop - went used and wanted to leave - found Al eating and had to wait. Couple hours later stopped at a restaurant for lunch, we refused, well below our standards and supposed to eat at our 1st lodge, per itinerary. Got to 1st lodge after 8 hours - problems with reservations - had lunch and then were told we were being refused, tour company had not paid - went on a game drive on way to new lodge - really nice, lots of animals - got to lodge, standards well below that of the original one in our itinerary. No hot water, food very basic - lodge very rustic, but very clean and we could view many animals, up close. I did receive an email from tour company that Zachery was on way - was sent replying to my email at 7:30am - I do not understand how we ended up with Al.
Day 2 - Itinerary - not followed - did 2 game drives and did see lots of animals - missed Via Aruba Dam on itinerary.
Day 3 again Itinerary not followed - very long day 7am start - went to Mzima Springs, saw Hippos and Crocodiles, then to Rhino Sanctuary, struck out seeing either Rhinos or Leopards - got to lodge 6:30pm in Tsavo West. One of 2 guests at this very rustic lodge, did not get the expected Luxury upgrade - no hot water again- food very basic.
Day 4 early start to Amboseli - lunch at very nice Sopa Lodge, checked in - rested before afternoon game drive, lots of animals. There was a personal stop for our guide to get money - about 45 minutes while we sat in van with up to 30 kids surrounding our van begging for money - we were extremely uncomfortable and told him
Day 5 morning game drive - really nice. Lunch at lodge then a visit, without guide- extra cost, to a Maasai Tribal Village - very enjoyable.
Day 6 very early morning start on way to Lake Naivasha - another very long drive for late lunch at the Sopa Lodge - an extremely nice resort/lodge - many animals walking around. Afternoon game drive at Hell Gate - not many animals, but did see the Geo Thermo Power Plant.
Our favorite accommodations - many animals wandering around grounds - Hippos wandering around at night - really cool - food was fantastic.
Day 7 - a day at "Crescent Island Sanctuary" - supposed to be an included, guided tour - charged $60 for tour - Al was our guide, but there was no tour - just walked for about an hour seeing animals and birds. Did not see or do anything per our itinerary - again supposed to be included, but charged $60.
Day 8 - very early start to Maasai Mara - another very long drive - late lunch at Azure Mara Haven - a Tented Camp, then a late afternoon game drive - lots of animals. Dinner, family style, no choices - food OK at best - had a nice tribal show during dinner.
Day 9 - Very early start - 5:30 for a Hot Air Balloon ride then outside breakfast - highly recommend - really nice and fun. After a morning game drive with the balloon operator - our guide did not show up at meeting place - so he took us to try and see Leopards - no luck - but did see lots of animals. After many attempts to contact Al - he was going to take us back to hotel but Al finally contacted him for a meeting place - continued drive with Al to border of Kenya and Tanzania - had box lunch and continued game drive - lots of Lions this day.
Day 10 - After breakfast - anther extremely long drive back to Nairobi - I paid for box lunches for all because would not eat at the restaurant Al chose - finally in Nairobi, dinner at 6 at a very nice restaurant - Al instructed waitress to give me bill - no problem - then to Airport.
There were many personal stops for our guide. Many of the roads taken were very questionable. The seat-belts were not working in van.
Al was very knowledgeable about the animals and birds - really enjoyed listening to him. Also, he ate every meal with us - the only guide to do so.
We are still very puzzled by the confusion regarding guides and the non payment of the original lodge. The original lodge was very nice and we ended up at a far inferior lodge - not the Luxury upgrade that we paid for.
All in all we really enjoyed our tour.