35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Mikumi National Park by Melanie Moore
The park was nice but I wouldn't syay more than 2 days. I saw everything except the lions because the grass was too tall. I recommend visiting August -Feb.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very Friendly!
Our guide and driver Kikitu was so friendly and helpful. So lucky! We saw so many incredible animals on the trip. The camp site is ok, but it’s undoing a lot of renovation it seems.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We enjoyed our safari a lot - a diverse experience of both Mikumi NP and Udzungwa Mountains NP
Overall, we were quite pleased with the safari. We were worried that we might not see many animals in the southern parks, but we saw everything we had hoped to - lions, giraffes, zebras, cape buffalo, and more. In the mountains, we even spotted an endemic monkey, which was pretty cool (the waterfalls were also incredible to see).
One drawback to this tour (Mikum, Udzungwa Mountains, & the Kilombero River) is that there was a LOT of driving. It was interesting to see an authentic taste of rural Tanzania, but the organization of the trip meant that all of our last day was spent on the road. The first lodge we stayed at was really lovely; the second was not so great (the same was true for the food). The canoeing portion of the trip was a bit disappointing because it was so short. However, none of these things detracted very much from a very enjoyable experience. Our guide Roman was very friendly and very helpful and the customer service before and after the trip was excellent. If you're looking for a good tour of the southern circuit, this is a great choice.
SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Sabi Sand Game Reserve by Kok Kim
Lesser sightings than at Phinda. Main highlights were leopard and lion cubs and cubs suckling mother lioness.
AR
Great stopover
I asumed it was going to be a mediocre experience with just a good location but it ended up having a nice variety of animals: zebras, giraffes, impalas, topis, waterbucks, warthogs, monkeys and ankoles. Not the usual big 5 but very enjoyable nonetheless. Convinced my guide to drive by since I had some hours to spare on my way to the airport and it was delightful. Great stopover to complement what I had already seen.
Some sceneries were amazing while other sections of the park were too bushy, but they seem to be "taking care" of that since there were big chunks of the side-road having been burned down, or something like the sort. Roads were bad.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Uganda is a very beautiful country, but you have to find a good guide to do safari what is not easy.
We had a very nice expecience, the gorila trakking was amazing, the weather was very nice, sunny, what helped a lot to see them.
Our accommodations were not very good, we did not have hot shower, but we did not pay for the best tour, our choice was a middle term one.
Regarding our guide, we were very disapointed, we did not have any safari in the morning and just one in the evening, so it was very difficult to see animal (we saw 3 of the big five). Our guide was desorganized! He booked a wrong room in a hotel, did not have the safari boat ticket on time. We went to queen' elizabeth and lake mburo. I still dont know why we went to lake mboro, once we got there at 5 pm (we did not have a night safari, cause our guide did not have light) and left at 9 am.
In my option everyone should go to Uganda, the people is amazing, food is very good and it is t one of the most beaultiful place I have been, but you have to look for a very good guide and check the schedule before (check the time of your safaris, in the afternoon is very difficult to see animals), I do not know which company is the best, but do not choose for the price, sometimes is better pay more to have a better service.
SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Diverse unpredictable wildlife sightings and action in 10 game drives at 3 different lodges
We were blessed with sightings of the major big cats: male and female lions and cubs (in various activities: a mating couple, young cubs suckling mommy lioness, 3 young male lions feeding on carcass, 2 lionesses face off a rhino family; a male and female lioness staking and chasing a warthog); cheetahs (brothers and within family) in Phinda park reserve; leopards (and even 1 one that prowled at Kirkman Kamp where we stayed).
Also saw several white rhinos, hyenas, genet, dwarf mangoose, besides lots of zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest.
Weather was pleasant: dry and cold in mornings.
Food and accommodation was excellent, with good variety and quantity of food and very comfortable bedding and bathrooms.
Rangers and drivers knew their stuff and got us key cat activities and also close to the action.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very smooth and fantastic experience, once we got the kinks worked out
Suricata Safaris is a shining new company in a competitive field, and you should absolutely book them. I recently did a 6 day/5night camping safari with them, and they handled everything so nicely, from the itinerary to choosing the best campsites. They have (as of right now) three drivers—Frederick was our guide, but we also met Mandela, who was super charming and enthusiastic.
You could not ask for a smarter, more informed, funny, patient person to show you the wilderness than Frederick. He knows his field incredibly well, from who/what/how every predator hunts, to understanding where to find the action. (We saw a cheetah take down a zebra, and a lion miss one in the same day.) He’ll answer all your questions and include information you never knew to ask, all with a great sense of humor. He's patient, and it pays off in the best sightings.
Dioniz was our chef, and I guarantee you’ve never eaten better while camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all multi-course affairs with a million choices. You’ll be spoiled by him for sure. He’s up at the crack of dawn to set a table with a tablecloth for your breakfast and the food is *chefkiss* He’s got skills.
We had some communication difficulties with Hilary, but all were sorted quickly. Most stemmed from him getting emails from two different people, so I recommend having one point person as the organizer. Be prepared to pay the receiving end Tanzanian bank fees for a wire transfer as well as your own bank’s. BUT, he personally drove us to the airport, which was lovely.
Suricata can’t guarantee a specific driver, although we were told we were confirmed with our request. It wasn't a big deal, just another communication issue. You won’t go wrong with any of the guides, though, so it’s ultimately nbd. We also requested separate accommodations but were in shared tents (just my friend and me together) the whole time. Again, re-confirm all the details of your trip a few days before to make sure Suricata is on the same page.
I would have preferred a more detailed itinerary, like an easy to print pdf including drive times between sites (some are 6 hours) and a recommended packing list, but that’s nitpicking (which, I learned from Frederick, is a term that comes from baboon grooming habits). You will need this for your visa, so be sure to ask Hilary for a list of each day.
Don’t go crazy with safari gear—you’ll rarely be out of the car, and then only at picnic sites/washrooms. Pack comfortable shoes you can take off quickly so you can hop up onto the seat fast enough to get that once-in-a-lifetime photo. Basically dress like you’re going on a road trip. I never even considered wearing the safari hat I brought, and hiking boots were definite overkill.
Don’t forget binoculars, a towel, bug spray, itch cream, soap/shampoo, tissues/tp, and a few warm layers. There is a charger for all your devices in the safari vehicle! I don't think I was below 80% charged the entire week.
Suricata did well by us. You can feel confident you’re getting an amazing trip with super smart people you’ll be happy to spend a week with. I had an unforgettable time and made some new friends along the way!
RO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience by Rajab Tour
Our safari included Ngorogoro crater ,Serengetti and Tarangire Parks.
We saw animals anb birds for a lifetime.All accommodation and food was over expectation.
The company who made the trip is very helpful with professional guides.
We felt safe all the time,everywhere.
Thank you Rajab Tour.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fabulous Safari Experience
We just finished a Safari to Lake Nukuru and Masai Mara and I think it was one of our best experiences as a holiday. Right from planning to the end we were guided by Serene East Africa Safaris. I must admit the planning and advise was flawless. The guide, transport, boarding and lodging were really good. The weather was awesome through out our travel. Yes we were disappointed for not being able to see the famous migration but had been advised in advance that due to abundant rains migration was likely to commence only in July. But we were happy to see abundant wildlife and our guide Peter was simply superb and patient with our queries.
A little disappointed with Nairobi due to its notorious traffic but Giraffe Center was awesome.
Overall I would say that a visit to Kenya for Safari experience is highly recommended .