BG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
We had an amazing experience in Masai Mara. The organization was perfect with the help of Emmah and all the drivers. She chose the perfect hotel for us at a good price and helped us customize the whole experience. We saw plenty of different animals and the experience was entertaining during the whole time even for most of us as adults.
BG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience! Totally worth it!
We were a big group of 15 people of different ages and did a 4 day tour. Emmah from Hyrax organised everything perfectly, chose the perfect place for us to stay at a very good price. Our drivers were amazing(we had 3, mine was called Sami), told us interesting things about the animals and had incredible eyesight, which helped seeing a lot of animals. In the beginning we were afraid we might not be lucky enough to spot a lion (for I don't know what reason) but after 2 hours in the savannah we had already spotted plenty of them and by the third day we started even to get tired of seeing them :). The most amazing thing was seeing a leopard eating an antelope on top of a tree, we could hear its bones cracking... If you are wondering whether to choose Hyrax, definitely book straight ahead!
DE
More Than a Safari – Arnold Makes the Difference
We consciously chose Major Treks and Safaris to support a local provider. From the very first message, Arnold, who runs the organization, impressed us with his professionalism, personal attention, and very friendly communication. Payment through a secure link went smoothly, immediately giving us confidence and trust in the whole process.
Every detail of our three-day private safari was perfectly arranged: hotel pick-up, reliable flights from Zanzibar, comfortable lodges, excellent food, and a fantastic guide, Ahadi, who made every wildlife encounter memorable. Cold drinks were always available in the vehicle, adding extra comfort and enjoyment.
What impressed us most was Arnold’s personal care. He checked in during the safari to see if we had any requests, a thoughtful and meaningful gesture that made us feel genuinely looked after. Even after the last day, he followed up to make sure everything had met our expectations, showing that his attention and dedication to his guests does not end when the experience ends. It is rare to see someone put so much thought into every aspect of a safari experience.
Arnold’s attentiveness, friendliness, and genuine care made this trip unforgettable. This safari will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
Thank you, Arnold, for making this safari such a memorable experience.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
The safari was very well organised from the start to the end. The guide (Jackson) was extremely knowledgeable about all the flora and founa in each park, he was friendly and professional, and we always felt safe with him around (I travelled solo with my young daughter). We were able to see all animals multiple times. The lodges were very nice, from luxurious tents to more wild , providing a real sense of "living in full nature". I would highly suggest anybody to do a safari with Lion King.
ES
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good
Our driver Rudzani was excellent . He has always been very nice and very helpful. The driver of the safari,Muzy,was also excellent and did everything he could to look for the animals of the safari and to explain interesting things about them. The room was nice and clean. The picnic breakfast was of very poor quality. And the food at the restaurant needs improvement as well..
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional and reliable
Johan Buys from Safari Life organised a 4 day Safari for myself and a friend at Dumela Camp, just outside the Kruger Park. From the booking process, to the pick up in Jhb, the camp, the safari excursions, the entire experience was handled with professionalism and care. I would highly recommend this value for money trip.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Organized, friendly, knowledgeable, kind, trustworthy... the best!
My husband and I worked with Raymond African Safaris for our very belated honeymoon. This was our first trip to Africa and everything about our experience was INCREDIBLE! We booked a 7-night trip starting in Arusha with time in Tarangire, Ndutu, and Ngorongoro Crater before a road transfer to Nairobi (and teary goodbyes). A few notes:
- While no guide can control the wildlife, we were fortunate enough to see the big five plus all sorts of other animals, plants/trees, etc. We were learning the whole time and grateful for a private experience that allowed us to move at our own pace (i.e., sit and wait for an hour+ to see if the leopard would get out of the tree).
- Every camp we stayed at was unique, comfortable, clean, and staffed by the kindest humans. We felt very taken care of by attentive camp teams.
- We were beyond well fed the whole time. Most days we would have an early breakfast at camp, lunch somewhere on the road/in the bush, and dinner back at a camp. I was amazed the first lunch when instead of classic sandwiches, our guide laid out a tablecloth, unpacked 5+ containers of REAL food (chicken, potatoes, noodles, veggies, etc.), set the table with real plating/cutlery, etc. There was no skimping on experience and were glad for a variety of food.
- More than anything though, we had the most amazing experience with our guide. He was friendly, knowledgeable, conversational. He kept us safe on muddy/bumpy drives, ensured that we were comfortable, and - by the end of the trip - we probably would have gone anywhere/tried anything had he told us to.
If you are thinking about booking this trip, do it and trust Raymond African Safaris to take care of you the whole time. We can't wait to return.
Beyond my expections, beautiful, safe, exciting and fullfilling.
I would highly recommend using Transtrek for your safari. Daniel put together for us a bespoke first-time safari we wanted and the brilliant value for money became more apparent as the trip went on. The variety of areas we stayed and animals we saw was just incredible, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and then the Masai Mara. Our driver Tony was wonderful company, had fantastic knowledge about where to find the animals and knew the name of every animal, bird and reptiles we saw. We had several experiences of seeing animals by ourselves which was magical, a herd of elephants, cheetah, crocs and hyenas to name but a few.
We felt very safe and enjoyed standing up in the jeep for most of the time, the best way to spot the animals. Got stunning photos, just with my iPhone because of Tonys skills getting us into great positions for the shots.
At Ol Pejeta we had a magical start to the trip where we meet the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world and a blind black rhino called Baraka whom we were able to feed. We also visited the Jane Goodall chimp sanctuary all of which was incredibly moving. I would recommend going here and supporting the work they do at the Conservancy.
We also went on a boat to crescent island where you can walk freely amongst the animals with a guide as there are no predators on the island. Some of 'Out of Africa' were filmed there.
I have never seen so many birds as I did at the two lakes it was paradise. Over the trip we saw the big five as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebra, eagles’ crocs, hippos, hyenas, so many antelopes and monkeys to name a few.
My friend and I feel in love with Kenya, it was a trip of a lifetime, don't hesitate, book it, you can thank me later.
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not good experience
Honestly, the experience with Peter was very complicated and negative from the very beginning. Before arriving in Uganda, communication with him was very difficult. He either didn’t reply or wasn’t clear when he did.
We had agreed that payment could be made by card, but the night we arrived he told us it could only be paid in dollars. Not only cash, but the bills had to be from 2015 onward (something common in Uganda), but we didn’t know that. It was our first day, we arrived at night in a new country, I was with my wife, and he took us to withdraw money in a place with armed people and made us take out cash. It was a completely uncomfortable situation.
The next day we couldn’t withdraw all the money because of ATM limits (it was a large amount), and at 6 a.m. he was already messaging us to go withdraw more. We managed to pay part by transfer, but he charged an extra fee that had never been agreed.
Then he rented us a car that he knew was in bad condition (he had told me) but said it had been properly repaired. We went to Murchison National Park and the car broke down in the middle of the park with no signal. It started smoking.
We managed to contact him and his solution was for us to stay two days at a mechanic’s house in a small town in the middle of Uganda until it was fixed, which was completely unviable. We had to take a six-hour public transport ride across the country, which felt dangerous.
In the end he never refunded the money — he said the car wasn’t his and gave all sorts of excuses.
Later we did the gorilla tour with him. That part was overall okay, although the car also got stuck and we arrived late to all the hotels.
Honestly, I don’t recommend him. The only positive thing I can highlight is our guide, Apton. Very professional and the only thing worth rescuing from the trip.
IN