GH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
More than just a tour operator, Masafiri Travels creates lifelong memories through outstanding servi
I had an incredible experience traveling with Msafiri Travels during my trip to Zanzibar. From the planning stage to the very end of the trip, everything was organized professionally, making the entire journey smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free.
The itinerary was well planned and allowed me to experience the very best of Zanzibar. I visited Prison Island and saw the giant tortoises, explored the rich history and culture of Stone Town, including the former slave market, enjoyed snorkeling and jet skiing at Fumba, went on an exciting quad bike adventure and spice farm tour, relaxed at Treetops by 8 Continents, swam with turtles, experienced a magical sunset dhow cruise with traditional music, and enjoyed delicious seafood at the Forodhani Night Market. Every activity was memorable and perfectly coordinated.
A special thank you to Ms. Leina, the CEO, for her professionalism, excellent communication, and dedication to ensuring every detail was taken care of. Your commitment to providing an exceptional travel experience is truly appreciated.
To Mr. Chris, thank you for being an outstanding travel partner throughout the trip. Your support, encouragement, and positive attitude made every day even more enjoyable.
And to Nabeel, our Stone Town tour guide, thank you for bringing Zanzibar’s history and culture to life with your knowledge and passion. The tour was both educational and unforgettable.
I highly recommend Masafiri Travels to anyone looking for a well-organized, enjoyable, and unforgettable travel experience. Thank you for creating memories that will last a lifetime. I look forward to traveling with you again!
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Julius was an excellent tour operator. He was very patient and kind and willing to make our experien
This was a fantastic safari I would recommend to everyone!! We stayed in the budget camp but it was perfect and our tour operator Julius was very kind and patient.
MT
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator was excellent it was obvious he loved his job
The trip was very smooth.
People waiting at every place for us
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very organized
What an absolutely incredible safari experience! Spotting the Big Five on our very first day was beyond anything we could have imagined. We were also lucky enough to witness part of the Great Migration, which was truly unforgettable.
A huge thank you to our amazing guide, Francis. His knowledge, experience, and ability to find wildlife made every game drive exciting. He was friendly, professional, and passionate about the animals and the parks, making our trip even more special.
After our time in the Masai Mara, we continued to Lake Nakuru, where we enjoyed seeing countless beautiful water birds and the magnificent white rhinos up close. Every day brought something unique and memorable.
This safari exceeded all our expectations, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable African adventure. Thank you, Francis, for giving us memories that will last a lifetime!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Responsive, thoughtful and genuinely committed to delivering a great travel experience.
I chose Essence Ethiopia after comparing a number of operators, and I’m very pleased that I did.
From the moment I booked, Tsehaynew was responsive, professional and proactive. He regularly checked in before my arrival, after flights and throughout the trip to ensure I had connected with my drivers and guides, which gave me a great deal of confidence as a solo traveller.
The guides and drivers were outstanding. They were knowledgeable, friendly and genuinely passionate about sharing Ethiopia.
What impressed me most was how Essence responded to feedback. When I raised some concerns about accommodation, Tsehaynew listened, took the comments seriously and upgraded my hotel immediately. That willingness to listen and take meaningful action says a great deal about the company.
My only suggestion would be to continue reviewing accommodation options and better communicate what travellers can expect in some areas, as standards can vary.
People are often quick to leave reviews when something goes wrong, but not as quick to recognise excellent service. Overall, I believe choosing Essence Ethiopia was the right decision, and I would happily recommend them to anyone looking to experience this remarkable country.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Namibia Safari Experience
We had an amazing experience with this Namibia safari. Everything was very well planned and organized, making the trip completely stress-free from start to finish.
Our guide was knowledgeable, kind, and fun, which really made the experience special. We saw incredible landscapes across desert and savannah, along with a wide range of wildlife, including the Big Five.
The lodges were well chosen, comfortable and well suited for the trip, with a few really unique highlights along the way.
This is a great option if you don’t want to worry about driving or planning. We followed their recommended itinerary and it worked perfectly.
Overall, we’re very happy we did this trip and would highly recommend it.
If we could change one thing, we would add 2 extra days in Botswana to experience the wetlands and animals like hippos to round out the safari experience.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Phenomenal! Very professional and organized!!
I traveled to South Africa, to Kruger National Park, mainly to see the African wild dog or painted dog. I knew beforehand that this animal is not easy to spot. However, with the help of my very talented naturalist from this tour operator - Shadrack is his name - I was able to spot my dream animal! I also saw four out of the five big five animals, with the exception of the leopard, which can be quite elusive. I would very, very highly recommend this tour operator. Everything was very seamlessly organized and the level of professionalism was unmatched. The lodge itself is beautifully designed, very cozy, and the staff are wonderful. I also enjoyed the food very much, my room was very comfortable, there’s a pool that you can swim in, and the landscaping of the lodge is serene. I would highly recommend this tour operator for anyone planning to visit South Africa/Kruger.
ES
Kennedy is amazing! Great command of the environment, animals...
He speaks perfect Spanish and is always very attentive.
(automatic translation from Spanish)
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Richard provided an experience that was magestic and unforgettable.
When it comes to Safaris, I think this one ‘takes the cake’. I’ve just experienced my third safari, having visited Kruger National Park in South Africa, then Nairobi & the Masai Mara in Kenya, now to be fortunate enough to experience a safari in Uganda, complete with a Gorilla encounter and encounters with the Big 5, all in their natural habitat, as our stunning accommodation was perfectly located in National Parks. Our guide Richard had NO boundaries when it came to delivering the ‘BEST EVER’ experience at every location and whilst we were on tour to celebrate a milestone birthday for our friend, some of the ‘WOW FACTORS’ made me wonder….who’s birthday is it. We were ALL so blown away at the length Richard went to, to give us the BEST experience.
You know Uganda was never on my bucket list, but having just experienced what we have just returned from, I suggest you put it on yours…. You’ll never forget OR regret it.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disenchanted Safari – Coordination Failures Overshadowed the Wild
My May safari felt like a series of broken promises from the start. While the wildlife encounters were passable — spotting the Big Five felt routine rather than thrilling — the operator's disorganization drained the magic. The real sting came from the SIM card debacle. Before I landed, both the contact and office staff insisted I skip getting a local SIM because no enough time to wait, promising the driver would handle it en route. But my driver was clueless: "No one told me." We stopped at a shop, only to learn passport-based SIMs require big city like Nairobi. Result? $70 in roaming fees over 7 days. Even when we passed Nairobi twice, drivers brushed me off: "Not enough time" or "Next stop" — a pattern repeated with a second driver.
Worse, the service disparity was glaring. Two white male passengers had their luggage carried without question, while my female travel partner and I hauled ours through mud. No help offered. The itinerary chaos compounded the stress. After dropping the men on Day 3, the driver didn’t inform the other woman about changes; she spent hours on calls, ruining her day. Then, he blindsided me: demanding I join a detour to another town during my planned rest afternoon at Lake Naivasha. I refused, demanded a new driver, and fought to reclaim my free time.
About tents, with insects, no Wi-Fi, suggest pay the extra $200 to upgrade to Sopa Lodge; it’s not luxury, it’s sanity.
In short, the beautiful scenery of Kenya cannot hide the incompetence of this operator. Poor communication, lack of services, and the absence of an accountability mechanism have made the originally dreamy trip less pleasant.