20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not as informed and lack of communication
Before I paid a deposit I specifically checked through email communication if the safari would be in the order I saw on the safari booking website, i.e., day 1 Lake Naivasha, day 2 Lake Nakuru and days 3-4 at Masai Mara. This was so we would get as close to 2 full days at Masai Mara as possible as I was aware the trip would involve a lot of travelling. I was assured by the agent I communicated with by email it would be in this order.
On day 1 of the tour, when I was picked up, it wasn't until we were almost there and I asked before I was told we were headed to Masai Mara. In the end most of day 1 was spent travelling to Masai Mara and we only spent 2.5 hours on the safari. The very thing I was trying to avoid with my questions! Day 2 was a full day at Masai Mara. To add, the Lodger we stayed at, Jambo Mara, I really liked.
Day 3 was Lake Nakuru (which in the itinerary I was given we were supposed to go to on day 2). The accommodation, the Waterbuck Hotel is not great. Good breakfast but very rundown rooms with too much noise from outside so it's hard to sleep. Plus no fan or air conditioning.
Day 4 was Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate, which was supposed to be on day 1. The accommodation, Masada hotel, was better than Waterbuck, bit still not very good and bathroom was quite smelly and mine toilet didn't have a toilet seat.
What I liked about the safari:
1. I enjoyed the actual safari itself and seeing all the animals.
2. I liked Jambo Mara Safari Lodge.
What I didnt like:
1. Not correctly informed about the itinerary of the trip, even though I asked.
2. I did a shared safari and everyone was given a different itinerary (i.e., each person was given a different order and some were told we would do a pre-breakfast drive at Masai Mara, which we didnt do). We were all on the safari for a different amount of days so I think the issue was they were trying to accommodate everyone's different schedules. This should have been explained when I asked.
3. The tour guide didn't explain from day to day where we were going and what we would be doing and seemed annoyed when we would ask for information. We were all quite confused from day to day and were never sure what we would be doing.
Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolutely amazing
We spent a couple of days with William and the whole experience was absolutely amazing! Somehow William was able to spot lions from hundred meters away with his incredible eyesight, without whom we would definitely have missed a ton of animals. Apparently he truly loves animals, and he is super knowledgeable about them. It might have been a normal leisure trip chasing the back of animals but William has made it a scientific tour for me somehow. He fulfilled all our viewing dreams (seeing a lion please, seeing a male lion please, seeing a cheetah please, seeing a cheetah on the tree please, etc). I think this was my once in a lifetime travel experience so far.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable and personalized safari!
Our safari experience, that covered a 4 day tour across the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire, was very easy to plan. Flexibility in schedule adjustments of the safari due to our flight to Zanzibar was seamlessly facilitated by Eric and Zee. Throughout the entire process, from pre-trip communication to post-tour follow-up, the service maintained a standard of excellence and efficiency.
Our driver, Dulla, was an amazing guide. He is very friendly and truly made our experience on the safari really special! We also got really lucky with a cheetah sighting in the Serengeti and a close proximity of a majestic lion near our vehicle in the Ngorongoro.
We also stayed in Moyo tented camp for two nights and enjoyed the most wonderful staff and talented chef! Every meal was so tasty along with the packed lunches on during our safari
Due to dulla’s expertise and the seamless coordination orchestrated by Eric and Zee, I wholeheartedly recommend Msangai Adventure to anyone contemplating a safari in Tanzania.
Asante sana❤️
SK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not recommended at all.
I am not sure if the other reviews are real about Trots and Safari operator. I have completly different experience with this company of my 3 days trip to Bwindi:
1. They have been lying from the beggining. Edison was trying to convinced me (and in the end he did), that they are able to transfer us to lounge in Bwindi from Entebbe airport in 6-7 hours, even when google maps shows time 9-10 hours. Unfortunately I have believed them because of smooth communication and calls with Edison. We arrived at Entebbe airport at 3 pm. We get to the lounge after 12 hours of driving at 3 am next day. Even if we had a good car (look at point two in review), we can not make it in 6-7 hours. It is impossible. If I have knew that, I will never booked this trip. The night driving in the roads of Uganda are not safe at all, do not believed them, if they tell you it is safe! We drove 9 hours at night and have been scared to death.
2. Trots and Safari company has only one car- this company car was broken after first 2 hours of the trip- actually first borken thing was our left front wheel. Took 2 hour to repair it. In total, car has been broken 3 times during our 3 days trip. Every time something different- wheel, engine, cables. It did not make it to the end. We get another 2 cars from insurance company, what was called to transfer us to the hotel. That car should have never been used for that kind of trip. Totally unprepaired and unsafe for trip. We had only luck, that it did not broke in night at Bwindi forest. During our trip we really felt unsafe and that ruined our trip.
3. We did not have any lunch box or dinner on our first day, Trots and Safari are selling this trip as a full board trip.
4. First night we slept 2 hours because we arrived at 3 am, instead of 8-9 pm like was planned by Edison (unreal even for google maps planning, I am ashamed, that that I have believed to this guy). We did trek to gorillas, permits cost 1400 dollars, and we have been too tired to even enjoyed it after 2 hours of sleeping.
4. Our guide was Jimmy- he did everyting what he could. But he did not know even in what accommodation we sleep. And Edisons phone at night was turn off, when Jimmy was trying to reach him to ask, where we should sleep.
5. In the end of trip I have asked for partial refund, they have stopped communicate with me.
I would like to recommend to anybody, who wants to book trip with Trots, first think twice before booking, do not believed everything, what they are saying and be prepared, when you will arrived to the airport and you will give them rest of the money for the trip, they have stopped to being interested in service.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Helped to give us the best experience ever in Namibia.
Secret Namibia were personal, helpful, professional and a pleasure to deal with. From the very first 1:1 zoom call, Johan understood what we were looking for. He designed an amazing tour with accommodation he knew and recommended. He was open to slight changes and provided great insights. On arrival, Pieter was waiting for us with a welcome pack and spotless new SUV.
The accommodation was all excellent, with daily distance to drive not too bad. Some of the venues were truly spectacular.
Highlights of the trip were:
Climbing Big Daddy Sand dune, Deadvlei, Sandwich Harbour tour, Sea Kayaking where we had a close encounter with thousands of Cape Fur Seals, Dolphins and a Humpback Whale, Desert Elephant in Damaraland and Leopard/Rhino in Okanjima.
Best of all Namibia's friendly, welcoming people, and their amazing country.
Thank you Secret Namibia for helping us have the most amazing adventure.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very relyable and competent
We booked a 7-day safari with "explore & travel africa". It was simply fantastic and everything worked wonderfully. Michelle helped us a lot with the planning and catered to our wishes. We wanted simpler accommodation and Mboma Island Camp was exactly what we had in mind. Michelle sent us some suggestions with very detailed information so that we could really choose what we liked. We then booked 2 nights in a more luxurious lodge so that we could also get to know this side, it was also very nice at "Little Sabel" and the guide was also very competent, but not as familiar as at Mboma Island Camp. We also had a very competent guide at Mboma Island Camp and we saw and observed a lot of animals at both places. Michelle even helped us to hire a cheap hire car for our trip from Durban to Cape Town and when we had some problems with the rental company we were able to call her and she spoke to him and took care of everything. We were very grateful. We would definitely recommend explore & travel africa.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Right On
I looked around the internet to find a good tour. From the beginning Jackson (owner) worked with me to put together the perfect trip. 4 parks in 10 days, 4 different lodges. He was always available for questions and we made several changes along the way. The trip turned out perfect and the guide wonderful. The lodges got nicer and nicer, the food better and better as we went. The game drives always produced a diversity of sightings and Nixon the guide had a lot of knowledge and experience. We definitely picked the right company. Everybody involved was wonderful and helpful.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good communication, knowledgeable and friendly
I went on a solo 3 day group joining safari with Simba Paka in June and had an amazing time! Paul was very helpful with answering questions (as I was nervous traveling alone) and organizing my lodging and trip with the group. Francis was our driver and tour guide and we saw 4 of the big 5 in 2 days. What a life changing adventure! Paul also helped arrange a private driver to take me to the Sheldrick elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre on my last day in Nairobi. This trip was unlike any other and also very affordable. Highly recommend!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Serengeti shall not Die - Raphael / Mawe will bring life and understanding to these words.
As an experienced World traveler I have learned that a great adventure requires
the Best tour guide you can get. Raphael ( Rafa) and Mawe African Ventures customized two memorable trips to the Serengeti , Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Parks
and provided life memories I will never forget. Traveling solo with Rafa from the Northern border ( Mara River ) to the Southern gate in this magical wonderland of wildlife was a mind blowing experience. Witnessing the wildebeest / Zebra migration , hearing the migration melody , and seeing up close the African Big 5 was only part of the trip experience. His vast knowledge of the wildlife, birds, geography, and ability to share cultural insights about TZ and the Maasai people was a bonus.
I found Rafa to be reliable, respectful,
full of positive energy, and fun to be with. His attention to detail and safety were greatly appreciated. It takes great effort to travel and see the Wonders of the World and Rafa / Mawe enhanced my experience with lifetime memories of these trips.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Memorable experience
We Book our safari with Safina, she operated everything with higher standards route itself was great - we got to see a lot of beautiful places, Nationalparks and animals. But also the accommodations were wonderful. Our guide Abouh was amazing, he explained a lot (he knows a everything about wildlife, the nationalsparks and about life in Tanzania) and drove us safely the entire trip.
I recommend booking your Safari with Serengeri African Tours for memorable experience in Tanzania