DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari experience with Izack
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing Safari Experience with Izack!
We had a wonderful safari experience with our tour guide Izack! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the trip truly memorable. We really enjoyed exploring the national parks and seeing the incredible wildlife.
The only small suggestion for improvement would be to provide an earlier briefing and communicate the daily schedule a bit more clearly, so everyone knows what to expect and when.
Overall, an amazing experience that we would definitely recommend! Thank you, Izack, for the unforgettable memories!
ES
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organized and super staff!
What an amazing ten-day journey across Kenya and Tanzania! Beyond the Plains was a great choice for our safari! We started out by getting picked up from our hotel in Karen, just outside Nairobi. Our first driver was named Patrick, and he was with us during our time at Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara. Super knowledgeable and friendly! The vehicle was well equipped with a small refrigerator and comfortable for the tough terrain of the Kenyan roadways, as well as the off road of the parks that we visited. We stayed in the beautiful Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge. Beautiful views over Lake Nakuru. The weather was a bit rainy for the time in Lake Nakuru, but that only added to the experience as the area was so verdant and lush. We came across our first lion within minutes of entering the park. We travelled then to Maasai Mara. Rough terrain on local roads and it was a full day of travel to change locations.
We enjoyed our visit to the Mara and our time spent with the Maasai when we visited the village and saw how they live. Along the way and over several days, we spent our time roaming the area around the Mara and seeing all the Big Five! Patrick stayed in touch with other guides and kept us entertained along the way with explanations of all we were seeing. Fantastic! We stayed in the Zebra Plains camp that was very comfortable and were well looked after. We enjoyed the outdoor fire pit after dinner and the al fresco dining under the stars! Then we transferred to our next stop in the Serengeti after another full day of overland travel on the local roads. Be ready for the “Kenyan Massage”! Plenty of ruts in the road and potholes to navigate as we sped towards the Tanzania border and our next vehicle and driver.
Upon clearing into Tanzania, we found the Omar waiting for us and ready to drive on to Serengeti. Omar was friendly and helped explain what we were seeing along the way, after we enjoyed a nice lunch together to start to get to know each other. The vehicle was a bit older and a bit rougher than our first vehicle, but still had a working fridge to keep water, and chocolates, cold. Our trip through the Serengeti was fantastic and Omar showed us a great time! We stayed in the Acacia Central Camp at Seronera. Great food each day and a hearty breakfast each morning before our game drive. It was memorable! After three nights at Acacia that we loved sitting out by the fire and under the stars, we moved on towards Ngoro Ngoro crater. Another full day of driving to get there but incredible to see the crater once you arrive! The time at Ngoro Ngoro was short, but exciting as we saw some rhino and a standoff between a pride of lions and some Cape Buffalo! We spent the night at Ngoro Ngoro Farmhouse and that we by far the most luxurious stopping point on our trip. Amazing dinner on the terrace! Great tour of the farm and explanation about coffee farming in Tanzania! Too short a stay and would love to return! However, we had more travel ahead as we continued to Amboseli and back into Kenya. The border crossing was easily done after some payment of support to some of the border staff that was unexpected.
On the Kenyan side again, we met our third driver Moses and got into the next vehicle. This safari truck was the oldest and least well equipped that we experienced, as there was no fridge and some of the handles in the vehicle that we hung to along the road were missing. Moses arranged for ice in our cooler for the second day and all was well again as we transversed Amboseli and got to take in all the great wildlife. Moses provided great explanations on how Amboseli came to be and about the topography and varied terrain that we crossed. Amazing experience!!
Our trip was well done and well organized in getting us from place to place and going across borders. The staff were super, and we enjoyed our time getting to know them. We hope to one day return and see more of Kenya and Tanzania because they are amazing countries to visit! We pray for the continued conservation efforts within the parks and hope that the swift development in each country provides the economic benefits to all of the citizens in these two fantastic countries.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable 5-day Safari with Melita and Lucas!
We just completed a 5-day/4-night mid-range safari covering Tarangire, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater, and we couldn't have asked for a better team. Although we originally booked through Wild Horizon Safaris, our trip was operated by Suricata Safaris, and the itinerary adjustment ended up giving us much more quality time to properly explore both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro without rushing.
Our guide, Melita, was exceptional. He is calm, patient, and deeply knowledgeable about wildlife behavior, the national parks, and Maasai culture. His ability to spot animals—both on his own and via radio—is remarkable, and he always knew how to position the vehicle in the best spot for unobstructed views while strictly respecting park rules and never crowding or startling the animals. He is also a very safe, reliable driver on rough roads, always punctual, and even stopped one evening to help pull another vehicle out of the mud, which speaks volumes about his character and professionalism.
A huge thank you as well to our chef, Lucas, who prepared delicious hot lunches for us every single day out in the bush.
The 4x4 vehicle was comfortable and well-equipped with charging ports at every seat, a cooler, and plenty of cold water. The mid-range lodges exceeded all expectations—clean, comfortable, with great food, hot water, electricity, and Wi-Fi even in the middle of the Serengeti.
If you get the chance to travel with Melita and Lucas, you are in the best possible hands!
PS
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The guide mkali is great.I recommend him very much
The tours are great and the staff are amazing.
Even the guide mkali was very helpful.
I recommend him very much
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was great!!!
We had such a wonderful time on our safari! We saw so many amazing animals — it was truly magical. Steve is such a knowledgeable and caring guide, and our driver was a real professional who made the whole journey smooth and comfortable. The roads were bumpy at times, but we felt completely safe and well taken care of. We laughed so much along the way — it was just such a joyful experience. I can't recommend them enough! Thank you for making our safari so special. 🦁🌅
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional and organized. Our tour was very smooth and memorable. Everything went really well
Very professional and organized. Highly recommend.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It really felt like we were VVVIP clients, Bianca's service was nothing short of outstanding
Subject: RE: WELCOME BACK & OUR RESPONSE TO OUR TOUR OPERATOR BIANCA......
Hi Bianca,
Thank you for your lovely welcome home message. 😊
Despite a few small niggles along the way, they were completely overshadowed by an experience I can only describe as extraordinary.
From the Gorilla Guardians Village, where I took part in a unique wedding ceremony to my beloved Eric, to the celebrations that followed, the whole visit was incredible. Learning how former poachers have been rehabilitated, educated and brought back into society was deeply moving. Dancing with the whole community at the end was just special, and the perfect way to end our day there.
The highlight was without question our encounter with the Agashya Silverback and his family. It is very difficult to put the overwhelming emotions into words. The trek itself was an adventure: climbing through farmland into the forest, pushing through thick bamboo, stinging nettles and mud, with the trackers cutting a path ahead of us and the guides keeping in contact all the way. Every step brought a mix of exhaustion and excitement. Then, suddenly, there they were. Seeing that magnificent silverback so calm and so powerful, with the mothers and little ones playing and feeding around him, just metres away from us, was surreal. Time stood still. That hour went by in a heartbeat, and I don’t think either of us breathed properly the whole time. It is a privilege I will carry with me forever.
Our porters were next level and saved us. We could not have done the journey without our precious George and Abednigo. Susi and I ended up giving them our hiking boots, gaiters, gloves, caps, water bottles and socks, along with their gratuity, to show our sincere gratitude. The trackers and guides were world class, and everything was so well orchestrated. It is definitely an experience I would love to relive.
Lake Kivu is just beautiful, and big! We thoroughly enjoyed our trip out to Napoleon’s Island and had some good laughs with our guide and the captain. I have to say, every guide we encountered on this tour was so informative and so patient when we drilled them with questions.
Our trip around the city on motorbikes with the girls was so much fun. They hustled through the traffic and rode like champs. I told Michael it should be a rule that only the ladies ride the bikes, because they were fantastic and we felt completely safe. They kept us entertained, we laughed a lot, and at the end we exchanged the biggest hugs.
Hotel Rwanda was top notch in service and food. I think that was my biggest plate of food ever. I could not get enough of the pumpkin, noodle salad and fried bananas. Nile perch was the food highlight for me. You can’t find it in South Africa, so I was very spoilt to have it two days in a row at two very reputable restaurants.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is something I am still struggling to find words for. Heart-wrenching does not come close. Walking through the stories, the photographs of families and standing at the mass graves was devastating. What stays with me most is the humanity of it all. This excursion was very painful but necessary, and it gave us a far deeper understanding of how much the people of Rwanda have endured, and how remarkable their journey of healing and unity has been since then. It made everything else we experienced on this trip all the more meaningful.
And then dinner with Michael. Honestly, which owner takes his guests out for a farewell dinner? Only Michael! What a way to end our trip. The conversation could have gone on for hours. We learnt so much more from him about Rwanda, its people, its history and the vision for its future.
Bianca, a big thank you to you for going the extra mile. It really felt like we were your VVVIP clients, and your service was nothing short of outstanding. In fact, two people from the group chat we created have already asked for your details because they want the same experience.
Thank you is not enough, and you will certainly be hearing from Susi and I again.
Warm regards,
Liesa & Susi
CY
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing tour guide, and very knowledgeable
Both of our tour guides was really, and explained and knowledge about the animals we spotted. Me managed to see two different lions, plenty of giraffe 10+ elephants as as many other animal, unfortunately we didn't see the big 5 but still have a good day and the food was really nice. For a one day trip it was worth it.
CY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ernest and Dan were absolutely incredible!Highly recommend them!
Absolutely amazing experience from start to finish! 🐘🦁 Everything was perfectly organised, our guides Ernest and Dan were fantastic, and seeing all the beautiful animals in their natural habitat was unforgettable. Definitely a must-do experience! Highly recommend! ❤️
