VN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Landscapes of dreams, welcoming population, it was wonderful...
I had dreamed of browsing the immensities of the bush to discover the wildlife in its natural environment.
I was able to realize it with a very experienced guide. All the people we met were welcoming and friendly.
The accommodation of very good level and the delicious food.
Everything to make this trip unforgettable.
Only downside, the cost of this trip ... a little expensive...
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very beautiful and saw alot. Lions and cheetahs.
Good safari. Highly recommended. Enough to do for 1 day.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall very good, some logistical issues.
Pros: 1. Allan from Back of Africa was great and delivered on everything he promised within his power.
2. the parks and animals in both Kenya and Tanzania were amazing.
3. the camps for the most part were as or better than expected in almost every instance.
4. the employees of Back of Africa were all very friendly and helpful.
Cons: 1. because Back of Africa can't operate in Tanzania they subcontract out a tour company in Tanzania to complete the trip there. That company (SouthSand Tours) was also perfectly fine. The only issue was the communication between the two companies. Our itinerary in Tanzania was changed multiple times because the tanzanian company informed us the way that Allan and I agreed to it was not possible based on park rules. Also, when we were dropped off back in Nairobi on the last night we were told by SouthSand Tours that someone from Back of Africa would be waiting for us at the bus stop to take us to the hotel, however, when we got dropped off in the middle of the night on the street no one was waiting for us (luckily a hotel was nice enough to let us borrow their wifi to uber to our hotel).
Recommendation: My overall recommendation would be to use Back of Africa for your Kenyan trip and another company individually if you leave the country, I think it would result in a smoother and less frustrating process. If not for this I would have given Back of Africa 5 stars and westerners should feel completely safe using them in the future.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Willing and able to go off the beaten path
I contacted 6 safari operators looking for a trip to Lake Turkana. I was grateful that Alfahama responded. The other operators either didn’t respond or offered packages that did not go where & when I wanted to go.
Alfahama sent a very capable guide, Mr. Juma, and an exceptional driver Mr Faruk. There were a couple of unexpected challenges - a heavy rainstorm closed the normal road and some tribal fighting created a bit of local tension. However these capable guys smoothly navigated both literal and figurative bumps in the road and got me to Lake Turkana. It was well
worth the effort.
If I were to fault Alfahama it’s in one primary area - communications. Fault was at least part mine. I didn’t communicate my minimum standards and they didn’t communicate how poorly Loiyangalani (the town I visited) is set up for tourism. They themselves were not entirely prepared, taking me on an 8 hour drive over unsealed roads & tracks with only water and no food prepared for the ride. Still I would do the trip again with Alfahama and thank them for accommodating me.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
Communications was good but there is an opportunity to improve about driving distance and time consuming... the driver said: -we’ll be there in 1hour and 1/2; after that period of time he said again: -It will be another 1 and a half. Finally it took total of 7 hours to arrive to the place! Anyways, it is not possible to trust the conditions of the roads, so I understand it is not the driver fault.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
8 days Safari + 3 days Zanzibar
My husband and I had an amazing time for our 8 day safari in Masai Mara and Tanzania thanks to Alex and Meshack. They are knowledgeable, trustworthy and very responsive to emails, which made the itinerary preparation easy. Our guides, Stephen and Santos were very professional, knowledgeable and friendly, so we couldn't ask for more. We saw plenty of animals (all of the big five, yes!!) and some amazing landscape. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime, even though we had some minor hiccups along the way. We loved being in nature, going on daily game drives and be rewarded by nature's beauty. We definitely recommend All Seasons safari, as this was our 2nd safari with them!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was good the tour operator was friendly and very social.
Communication was good and was friendly the servuce was very good and the safari tour was very enjoyable
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We went to Mikumi and loved it.
Tanzania is a great destination. Yet, travelling is very slow and accomodation and safaris are expensive.
But it is a true african experience and the Country has to offer a lot. I have to come back soon.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The excursions he chose were amazing- He found us great guides and wonderful adventures.
For improvement, I think just communication... for example we had no clear idea what to expect re. the border crossing and how and where to meet our guide. That was a bit unnerving.
He was, however, a very good guy and very kind. We felt he knew the areas and always felt good/safe when with him.
The side trips were great- though I would have preferred to stay in just 2 hotels total (not 3) for our 4 nights in Uganda.
We absolutely loved the Birdnest resort and the boat tour there and both the gorilla and golden monkey treks were outstanding!
Loved the Heaven restaurant (in Rwanda where we had lunch after landing there) and were glad we went to the Rwanda genocide museum where we learned more about the absolutely sad and horrific atrocities that occurred there.
QA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Guide and Assistant Save the Safari Experience
The safari turned out to be a great experience despite a rocky start. Our guide, Chris and his assistant, Benjamin were absolutely wonderful and did their best to provide a good experience. The rocky beginning started with me having to contact the person I was booking with about pick up information which she had not provided. On the drive out Chris mentioned that we would be in Kruger National Park for 3 days, but unlike what the proposal that had not been modified in advance, we would not be staying at Skukuza for 2 nights. Instead we would be in a smaller camp for one night and have to move to Satara for the next two nights. This would have been fine, but we were prepared to be staying where we could get cash from a bank and get WiFi in the camp. Neither was available outside Skukuza so we struggled with that. The company should have informed us well in advance about the change. Also, Chris had not been told that we were supposed to go on the Panoramic Route on day 3 and 4. When he talked to the manager about this, we were given the option of going on this as planned. However, we would have had to pack and move again. Instead we agreed to have a quick Panoramic Route trip the last day only. The guides were great and flexible. Benjamin's food was absolutely fantastic. Chris is very knowledgeable and helped us see the Big 5 and so much more. These two men saved the trip!
