CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect 7 days trip with Jocky, thank you for our guide:Hemfrid
We booked a 7-day, 6-page trip for a very good price.
- The reliable guide allowed us to see almost all the animals we wanted to see (cheetahs, leopards, lions, rhinos, etc.), and even explained the animals' preferences to us.
- The accommodations were also very good. One day, they assigned us the wrong tent, but the driver helped us negotiate a better room with the camp owner and was very attentive to our suggestions.
- We didn't ask for tips, but the driver was very responsible.
HK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a positive experience!
I did a few inquiries on the web as we have no real lead on how to book a safari trip aside from those lifestyle gurus that pops up on my feed as I google a “South Africa safari.” Reuben from MoAfrika immediately contacted me via WhatsApp and asked a few details but none too intrusive. He immediately gave us a few choices (complete with PDF brochures and video clips). It was all very inviting and glossy. A few more proding questions on our itinerary and he suggested local flights. For that we had to pay deposit right away as we have already zeroed in on a private reserve lodge and things are getting booked up. Then a month after the rest of the amount is due and we are so looking forward to it. All booked months in advance. There was a moment at the airport when we couldn’t find our airport transfer when I thought, uh oh, I booked an expensive fly and drive safari from someone I do not know on the internet! But everything from that moment on was magical- including the airport transfer when we immediately spotted giraffes and zebras. We are very grateful to Reuben for arranging a lovely holiday in the most amazing place where we were well taken care of, beyond our imagination. He checked in on us when we arrived and then when we were leaving. I checked with South African friends and they thought the package we got was reasonable and that’s before they heard about our incredible experience at the lodge. What a positive experience! Thank you, Reuben. You made our dream African family vacation happen.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely responsive and an absolute pleasure to work with!
I debated between a 4 and 5 star but ultimately went with 5.
The 5 stars part -
From the moment I reached out to Nsavi they were so very responsive and kind and warm and thoughtful. The whole planning and booking experience was high end from a service perspective. They helped us through every part of the journey. When we had trouble confirming flights from Kilimanjaro to Kigali, they stepped in and helped with Rwanda Air; when my mom broke her foot on the way to Tarusha we reached out and asked if they could get us a cushioned boot for my mom and when we arrived they had what we needed. The tour operators in Tanzania were thoughtful and extremely engaged. We felt they really wanted to provide a great experience for us. The operator in Kigali was very engaged, friendly, genuine. I truly cannot say enough great things about the people we were with day to day.
The 4 star part -
I wish they set our expectations about the conditions of the lodging, the Tanzania roads, and tipping. We chose the mid-range option for lodging based on reading reviews of the hotel options for both mid-range and high-end. We decided to go mid range because the Google ratings of the hotels were all about the same and the difference in price, for us, did not justify the potential for a better experience. The first hotel in Arusha, rated a 4.1 or 4.2 on Google, was very unpleasant. The sheets and towels were dirty. We were there to literally just sleepover and leave so we didn't ask to change any of that, and honestly, I'm not sure how much better new ones would be (we had 2 rooms and both had similar conditions). The other hotels were nicer but it was also extremely cold in the rooms. The hotel in Kigali did have hot water bottles and a space heater which felt like heaven!!!
We were there in July and based on Accuweather the temp was around low 60s in the evening but felt much much colder. We didn't expect it and weren't properly prepared for that.
The roads in Tanzania are mostly unpaved and extremely bumpy except for the highways. And while you don't think much of it, it's very impactful when you're traveling for hours and hours on those roads and then come back to a very cold unpleasant room. Again - not Nsavi's fault at all! I do wish they prepared us in some way for that. But now you will know :)
Finally, the tipping. Yes, in the tour docs it does give you a general expectation of what to tip. However, everywhere you go and everyone you encounter is expecting or asking for a tip. I wish we brought USD (or Euros) with us. We ended up going to the cash stations to take out money. That's the other thing - it's better for them to receive USD or Euros vs local currency. Again, a stronger "heads up" would have been great.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our 5-day safari with African Big Cats was exceptional, thanks to our amazing guide Zab whose knowle
Our 5-day safari with African Big Cats was outstanding and made even more special by our incredible guide, Zab. From the moment we met him, it was clear we were in the best hands. He was knowledgeable, thoughtful, and genuinely passionate about making our experience unforgettable. He wasn’t just aiming for “good” – he wanted everything to be excellent.
Zab had an unbelievable eye for spotting wildlife. While other vehicles drove past, he would stop and point out animals we never would have seen. He truly had eyes like a hawk. His warmth, humour and insight into both wildlife and local culture added so much to the trip.
On the first day, we stopped for lunch at a quiet, scenic spot with just the three of us, well away from the main crowds, and with a breathtaking view. It was a thoughtful touch and set the tone for the rest of the safari.
Everything was incredibly well organised. Communication with African Big Cats was brilliant from start to finish, and they even arranged a surprise birthday treat, which was a lovely gesture. The pre-safari briefing and the debrief helped everything feel smooth and added a personal touch.
Everywhere we stayed was exceptional. We came away with amazing memories and huge appreciation for Zab and the whole team. Highly recommended.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable and professional tour operator
Great safari experience in Kenya and Tanzania, and best safari guide Japhet! The tour is very exciting and definitely worth it. The animals are all lovely and beyond our expectations. The guide is very professional and experienced. Awesome trip!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding
I really enjoyed Safari, you provide good service at an affordable price.
(automatic translation from Kiswahili)
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jack was the best driver and guide out there!
Axis Africa Expedition & Safaris was very good in their communication leading up to our trip and answered all of my questions before getting to the point of booking. Our driver and guide Jack was very knowledgeable about all things Masai Mara and knew just the right place to go and position to be in to allow us to get great pictures! I recommend their services whole heartedly. And thanks for the t-shirts!
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great price & guide, but itinerary changes und poor jeep had were not good.
We booked this safari mainly because of the attractive price in the advertisement – and in that regard, it did deliver. Our tour guide, Dida, was excellent: knowledgeable, friendly, and very committed to giving us the best possible experience during the game drives. Thanks to him, we saw a wide variety of animals and learned a lot about the local wildlife and culture.
However, there were several issues that negatively impacted the overall experience. First, the itinerary changed multiple times – both before the trip and even during the safari. This made it hard to plan and created confusion and uncertainty. Additionally, the vehicle used was far from what we expected: the jeep was in questionable condition and definitely not a premium one, as advertised. It didn’t feel entirely safe or comfortable for long drives on rough terrain.
Another major disappointment was the accommodation. We were placed in a different lodge than the one originally included in the offer. The alternative was acceptable, but not that we had paid for.
Overall, while the price and the excellent guide made parts of the trip worthwhile, the logistical and quality issues need serious improvement. With better communication, transparency, and equipment, this could have been a great safari experience.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Warm guide
warm welcome at the airport. Good organization of the accommodation and food. The climbing was well prepared and guides were medical trained. The safari was amazing and unforgettable.
SI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mbwana, our guide is very professional, most kind, knowledgeable and experienced
As a mum traveling alone with my two young daughters, I was a bit worried at first, but Zania tours and Safari and our guide Mbwana made us feel completely safe and cared for the whole time. We visited Tarangire, Serengeti (including the incredible migration in the north!), and Ngorongoro, and saw an unbelievable amount of wildlife — even the Big Five!
The lodges we stayed in were beautiful and comfortable, which for me as architect was important, the food was always delicious, and everyone we met along the way was so kind and welcoming. We also loved the village tours — both Masai and local village - they gave us a chance to really connect with local people and culture, see their homes and food they produce. We also took hot-ballon ride on sun rise in Serengeti - beautiful experience.
Mbwana answered all our questions about animals and local culture, he is great driver and as experienced guide made all the effort for us to find perfect spots to observe wild animals really close. We felt safe with him during entire trip. I truly recommend him!
This was the trip of a lifetime for our family and we will treasure these memories forever. Thank you, Zania and Mbwana, for making our dream safari come true!
