50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice experience
The tour was well organized. Although it was flexible in relation to what was originally planned all the visits to the parks were done. Driver guides were very nice and always ready to explain and do anything we needed. They were always ready to search the animals we wanted to sea, and were always in communications with the organizers of the tour. They know very well the parks and the local communities. Lodges and tented camps were as expected; some budget, and some luxury, as well as the food.
We could see lots of animals, and the drivers always knew how to get close to them trying not the disturb them.
There is a nice way to see the geography of the SW part of Kenya and visit the parks in one week. Very nice place and experience. Thanks Michael, Joseph and Peter.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Adventure and fun!
The safari itself was a good experience, we lived the african experience deep and we enjoyed it. We would have liked another kind of timetable for meals, because we had lunch at 10 am and dinner and 20, so that means a lot of time without eating. Despite this detail, the safari was great, we saw many species and took awesome pictures. the volunteering program was the best of all, both medical and orphanage programs are a great , life-changing experience.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
8 Days Samburu | Aberdares | Lake Nakuru | Lake Naivasha | Masai Mara
The 8-day safari with Africa Holiday Tours was simply everything I had expected it to be. The driver/guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating, and the experience was fantastic. It was exactly what I had negotiated with the company, a budget safari leading to upscale. I would highly recommend Africa Holiday Tours.
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A great12 day tour arranged by Trevaron Tours
Ours was a 12 day tour arranged by Hannah of Trevaron Tours in September 2013. She was there to received us at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and personally guided us to the Safari Park Hotel for our first night in Kenya. From there Simon, our capable and affable guide and driver for the next 11 days took over - Masai Mara ( Serena Lodge) for 4 days, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Mt. Kenya National Park Mountain Lodge, Samburu Game Park Lodge and our last night at the Mt. Kenya Safari Club. The game lodges that were arranged for us were excellent and the wild life viewing was great except for lake Nakuru where due excessive flooding, the alkaline nature of the lake had changed resulting in the flamingos flying to other alkaline lakes. We went on to Lake Bagoria where we did see some flamingos but not in such great numbers as we had seen on a previous visit to Kenya. Our visit to Kenya in September was dictated by non availability of accommodation in the Mara in August. We did see the end of the great migration but the best time would be August, to be there in the middle of it. So book early.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by echinsf97
Our first visit was to Tarangire. We were really impressed by the park, as our first safari experience. By comparison, I feel the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater are a step up. Nonetheless, Taragire was still an amazing place to visit. Lots of zebras and elephants. Out of the three we visited, it seemed to me that there were more various types of birds as compared to the Serentgeti and Ngorongoro.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a great experience. Definitely worth experiencing!
Our trip was well organized by Mr. David, from start to finish. He always replied by emails
and lived up to our expectations. Our guide Mr. Gibson was knowledgeable, punctual and cooperative.
Overall, we enjoyed the safari and highly appreciate his service.
Wonderful Kenya Safari Experience
We are an expatriate family living and working in Uganda.We were referred by a friend who had used this company. We booked a private tour just for the two of us to Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. We were given a reasonable deal and our designated driver guide went out of the way to make sure we were happy. The company also planned a surprise birthday gift at our lodge in Samburu. The entire safari was professionallly organised and executed. We recommend this company to any potential Kenya safari seeker.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 days 4 nights private Safari in Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park
We booked with Usambara Expeditions a couple of months before our trip in July. The communication was ok from the start and we booked a private safari with Alex - the owner of the company. We paid 30% deposit upfront and got confirmation on receipt of the money. We got picked up at our hotel on the morning of the safari and were introduced to our guide Afra who spent the whole 5 days with us. He is very knowledgable and explained a lot to us during the tour. We felt really lucky to have such good company and couldn't fault him in any way. We decided for a budget safari and stayed in two different cottages in the parks which were both absolutely fine and the food was good in both. The game drives in Selous Game Reserve were our highlight as you can go off-road to look for the animals whereas you have to stay on the roads in any National Park. We saw all the animals we were hoping to see and Afra wouldn't give up until we had seen it all :) I would definately recommend Usambara Expeditions. The only reason why I haven't given a 5 star rating is that the communication before the trip could have been more pro-active and responses could have been quicker - however, having been in 'the bush' now I understand that having access to mobile reception and internet access can sometimes take a couple of days. Thank you for a very memorable time!
PH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip indeed!
After careful considerations between different operators, my friend and I decided to go with Maturaf as he provided the best rates with the most amazing choices in accommodations. Although there were small lapses during communications while working on the itinerary, Maturaf had been very cooperative working on our requests. The guide that he sent us named Peter was also amazing. He was as well cooperative and made things work all throughout the Safari trip. Except for the rhino, we saw the rest of the Big Five and made close encounters with a bunch of lions.
The safari accommodations were great. We stayed in Zawadi House in Arusha upon arrival, Lake Burunge and Serengeti Kati Kati tented camps, Serena Hotels in Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, and Tloma Lodge. We visited Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Parks.
The Zanzibar accommodations we stayed in were also amazing although personally, we prefer La Gemma dell'Est over Hideaway of Nungwi as it provided guests activities that they can join in such as beach soccer, water polo and beach volleyball. La Gemma dell'Est for me is more family-oriented but the facilities in Hideaway of Nungwi are more luxurious, as well as the food spread in their buffets are better. We stayed 2 nights each in both hotels.
The only downside, as my friend has been pointing out the whole trip, was that most of these accommodations failed to "sell/market" local cuisine but rather serve the usual intercontinental dishes.
Overall, the experience was amazing and proud to say this trip checked two places/activities in my bucketlist.
I highly recommend this team. KUDOS to Matural, Peter and the rest of Regional Tours!
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
More than satisfactory
I've engaged Kenya Budget Holiday for a 9d8n safari tour in Kenya and Tanzania. Communication pre trip was all through e-mails, they are very responsive and helpful! The arrangement in Kenya was good, from airport pick-up to sending us to Tanzania, they have taken good care of us and arranged nice drivers. But for the Tanzania part, our tour was "outsourced" to another agent and due to miscommunication/I don't know why, we were not able to visit one of the parks as stated in the itinerary. Through numerous correspondences, we were given a refund of the entrance fees when we were back to our home country; we are pleased with the arrangement and the operator is truly reliable. If you're looking for some budget options, be sure to look for Kenya Budget Holiday.