CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a good experience, but some options are not in the package and we were not been informed.
Just put all options on the list to show to customs, let them know at the begining
Amazing experience in contact with wild nature
I chose African mosaics safari for Clear and friendly staff, they initially rcroaonded fast to my queries, and had competitive prices for safaris, I went on a 4 days safari at Masai Mara, accommodation was simple and clean permanent tends, I enjoyed the three days of safari in the wild. Driver/ guide was good and knowledgeable,I would us d then when I and if I go back to Kenya
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great 3 day safari in Mikumi
I went on the 3 day Mikumi safari with a friend and it ended up just being the two of us on the tour - great price for a private safari!
We got picked up from a Dar Es Salaam Airport hotel and drove to Mikumi with our guide John. We had car problems along the way which was unfortunate, but we still arrived in plenty of time to get an evening tour in.
We saw a lot on the trip - giraffes, elephants, hippos, crocs, wildebeests, baboons, zebras etc. We even managed to see a pride of lions (John had heard there were some off the main road so we headed straight there before breakfast).
The accommodation was basic but fine, and the employees at Mikumi cottages were all lovely. The food was good too, although we had the same every day - pancakes, sausage, egg and watermelon for breakfast, and rice and meat for dinner.
We managed to get in 2 morning drives and 2 evening drives which was plenty as you're generally out in the car for around 4 hours. On the second day we also had lunch/a rest at a lovely place in the park which overlooked the park so you could see animals in the distance as you ate!
I was unsure what to expect of the tour given the lack of reviews, but it was one of the best experiences I've had and i would really recommend it to anyone!
CA
Excellent Experience Overall, but improvements could be made
The experience of being close to chimpanzees in their natural environment will always overshadow anything else. It was absolutely amazing! By far, one of the coolest experiences I have ever had. Worth it, completely!
As for the safari company, they were fair to good. I could only find 2 companies online and I chose Gombe Track. When you are paying a lot of money for a safari you expect to not have to handle little details, like where you will be sleeping (there was a big miscommunication between the national park and the company and there were no beds for us). As well, when we paid the other half of the bill in cash, it was just out in the open (seemed dangerous and not professional) and the person I gave the money to did not seem to understand that I am handing over hundreds of dollars and it would be nice to have an envelope or some recognition that he is the right person because the main guy could not meet up with us initially ... It was strange. Some suggestions for improvement would be to have the owner of the company to personally meet with the tourists and explain the itinerary and what is going on and give him the money directly! When some random person picks you up from the airport and doesn't explain where you are going or what his role is, it is just a little frustrating and does not start the trip off well. As well, it is not explained well that the guide you have is hired by the park and you only meet him/her at the park. It would also be nice to explain the flexibility of the schedule and possibly have an opportunity to stay at a different hotel in Kigoma, if you want. Overall, still an amazing experience but the tour company has some kinks to work out!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Amazing Life experience to Uganda
I cherly Davis and Mark Devis would like to recommend this tour (Home to Africa Tours and travel )for absolutely anyone who wants a great East African experience. Myself and a small group of friends did a safari through Uganda,and finally to Rwanda. It was a wonderful , life challenging experience that i will live to ever remember . Gorilla trekking the mountain, gorillas in bwindi impenetrable forest or whitewater rafting in the Nile! Game drive in Queen Elizabeth was a wonderful time. I appreciate the services of this company and wish them to grow higher and higher. the sky is the limit. Please use Home to Africa Tours
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was great people were very friendly and we had time to see all kind of animals.
It was all great but the road from Kenya to Masai mara was so bumby it was really uncomfortable so i advise people to book the land cruiser even if it was more expensive, but overall it was very nice experience.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari with great guide and lots of wildlife spotting
We had a great time on our safari to Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater. There was plenty of wildlife to be spotted, and our driver and guide Mr. Deo was very energetic. He was very eager to tell us stories and answered all questions we had tirelessly. We spent the night in a camp between the two national parks. The service in the camp was great, however I would probably have preferred staying in the national park or a bit closerby. The price of the safari is steep, but we understood this is the case for most safaris, due to recent increase of park fees. Emma did her best finding another person to join the safari, which she succeeded in, and this helped us getting the price per person down. Thanks for organizing, we had a wonderful time!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Use Damma Tours but not the freelance seller at Southern Palms Beach Resort Hamisi Ali Mwadarashi
We have been out to Kenya my husband and I 39 times and have done 45 safaris although not a lot with Damma Tours. I have been asked or threatened by Damma Tours to take off my review. I cannot do this. We have no problem with Damma Tours but with a freelance beach boy Hamisi Ali Mwadarashi whom I hope Damma do not take buisness from now.
He conned us out of 4000khs which is not a lot but the principle. Also we have helped this guy from 1995 to 2014 giving a lot of money for food rent medical expenses etc. My husband and I have cut off all ties from him and will never speak again.
In 2014 we were going to South Africa to Tuningi Lodge Madikwe before going to the Diani coast.
The evening before we received a call from the tour operator informing us the trip was cancelled to Kenya. We had no time to look for flights back.
Luckily being to the same resort in Diani Southern Palms Beach Resort 39 times and whom they call us part of the family there we paid the hotel direct but this is where David Director of Damma stepped in and managed to achieve flights back to Scotland for us from mba Nairobi and Air France to Edinburgh which was done efficiently.
I hope this review now satisfies David of Damma Tours and Safaris.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised and good follow up.
After an initial glitch where our contact had our dates mixed up, the recovery plan worked well as we stayed in two different lodges in stead of one and were able to see more animals in two different locations.
Having said that the second lodge ( Ashnil Game Camp, our initial plan) was much nicer than the first one (Sarova Mara Game Camp). Ashnil is positioned on the edge of the Mara river and is a great location to view the Migration crossing.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Will dfinitely come back to David, for any Kenya trip
My husband and I had a safari trip in Kenya and Tanzania from June 25-July 7th 2016.
It was en excellent experience in Kenya. We started with a pick up from the airport provided by the company at 11pm as promised, very impressed. We saw lots of animals, the driver made effort to find exotic animals for us. We even saw Mount Kilimanjaro . Tent and bed were as advertised., clean and comfortable. Food was ok. I have recommended this trip to my friends already.
Disappointed for the trip in Tanzania. It was passed on to another company on Tanzania. We have lots of problems with the land cruiser provided by the company, food was bad, accommodation was dirty. However, the driver, his name was Salee, was very experienced, careful and dedicated tour guide. Even with all the beautiful and exotic animals that we saw, we would not recommend the Tanzania trip at all.
The reason we would go back to Absolute Holiday is because , David, the person we booked the trip with is very approachable, responsible, friendly and available all the time during the trip to help to solve any problem.
He did briefing before the trip, debriefing after the trip. He listened to all our concerns and was willing to help us to solve the problems during and after our trip. We felt being treasured as a customer and enjoy the service that he provided. Will definitely go back for his reliable service.