CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best operator + best guide = once in a lifetime experience!
We feel blessed that we had the chance to experience our very first Safari with Lion King Adventures. While we don’t have reference points as first safari goers, we had very high expectation - and they were exceeded in every single dimension. We requested a proposal through safaribookings.com. The response time was very fast and we communicated via both email and whatsapp. They took care of all our requirements but also guided us with their great experience on what to add, amend or avoid. We came up with a very tailor-made, 8-day itinerary that we were so much looking forward to. What is more, the pre-departure information they sent us was invaluable. On our arrival at Arusha Airport, our guide for the next 8 days, Gilbert, was already awaiting us warm-heartedly. The car (Landcruiser) was very clean, comfortable and had tons of charging points for all sorts of gadgets. It had a fridge and all drinks were included (even two bottles of personalized wine).
Before we headed to Tarangire, we met the company owner James, which was very nice both to learn more about company’s history, but also to be ensured that the owner itself makes sure everything is running smoothly. During our game-drives in Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara, Gilbert taught us so much about Flora and Fauna, thanks to his wide knowledge. Besides that, he is fun to spend hours in a car with and has good empathy. This also allows him to have a great balance in when to take initiative and when to follow the guests’ desires. For the longer transfers between parks, he did a great job in making them diverting by visiting small villages or other hidden gems that were close-by. Gilbert is not only a very knowledgeable guide and keen driver, but most importantly an incredibly kind human being.
The Safari was concluded with another talk with the company owner James, during which he was craving for feedback on they they can improve further. Great vibe! We can highly recommend booking with Lion King Adventures and wish James and his company all the best!
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous
My partner and I went on a safari with Hekima Safaris (with Fred as a guide) in September 2021.
This experience was really great.
We thank Hekima and Fred for listening to us and allowing us to have a safari that lived up to our expectations.
We did Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro in 4 days, the tour I had hoped for.
Fred has been so kind to us. He helped us in all our procedures on the spot, and thanks to his patience and his reactivity we were able to see rhinos and leopards which are rather rare.
We 100% recommend and will call them again without a doubt.
Melissa and Maxime
(automatic translation from French)
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing climbing with professionals
Our Kilimanjaro expedition was a really great experience. We were lucky to have the best guide ever - Fredy. He and his team converted the trekking into unforgettable journey . They all were very professional and we knew we’ve been in good hands. All the activities, meals, treks were well planned and organized. We had health checks every day and we felt save all the time.
It was a great pleasure to be guided by such passionate and professional people. I would definitely recommend The Almighty Kilimanjaro company as a great local company for Kilimanjaro trekking
FI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well-planned safari, pleasant communications.
Meru National Park
Highly recommended! The park is not too large, and the good spots are nicely concentrated. We saw rhinos, elephants, and lions from a very short distance. Many giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, waterbucks, and lots of interesting and colourful birds. The park has multiple streams (called rivers) which are both beautiful (with all trees) and attractive for many species.
The general plan of safari
The plan was quite typical for a 2-night safari, but it worked well. Maybe the duration to drive from Chuka to the national park was too optimistic in the plan, and in the end of the first day we had only 1 h time in the park. Dan was already turning to the lodge (without going to the park), but we insisted on having at least a short visit, since this was in the original plan. And it was a good 1-h, since we saw, e.g., four lionesses (of course without knowing that on Sunday we would have even better view on both male and female lions).
Our second day consisted of a continuous, 8-h game drive, including a 1-d lunch break at a camping site inside the park (and with a swimming pool which we of course used for a short dip). Afterwards we thought the continuous drive was not such a good idea, particularly since the day was really hot. It would have been better to have a 4-h drive between 7 and 11 AM, then lunch at the lodge and another 2-h drive from about 4 to 6 PM. We will be wiser next time.
Our driver
We had a polite and friendly driver, who was knowledgeable of many animals and trees. He was flexible and open to our suggestions. Maybe the only very minor problem was that he was not an expert in Meru National Park. However, he was brave and smart enough to admit this and hence he invited a local ranger to join us. The end results for really good.
The Ikweta lodge
Two years ago, in our safari in Tsavo East, we stayed overnight in a lodge that had a drinking place for animals just in front of the camp. It was wonderful to see many animals even during the dark. This was something we missed this time in the Ikweta lodge which is located a couple of kilometers outside the camp. But we missed nothing else.
The lodge is simply wonderful. Tents are cozy and the interior designer has done a great job. The restaurant is great with really good, albeit not very innovative Mediterranean-like food. Good alternatives for vegetarians and non-meat eaters. There are many, many cats within the camp and restaurant area. We like cats and were even happy to have Mia (one of the cats) in our laps. However, maybe some guests are less happy with the cats.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best kilimanjaro company
An exciting trip, after many busy days of urban life, this picnic and camping are so enjoyable to immerse us in nature that everyday life in the city never before
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best
The experience was great and our tour guide for the Maxwell was great
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Proffesional, friendlyand service orientated
Excellent tour guide/driver knowledgeable and with a keen eye to find rare game. Accommodation were great.
My safari took place during off-season so there were some late change of plans iot coordinate other guests. That meant a lot more time spent commuting in the car. Other than that I would give it 5 out of 5.
PT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
All good.
It was perfect. Everything happened according to what had agree. The price was the best i found.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
I did two experiences with Topy Tours: 1 Day Safari to Tarangire & 1 Day Excursion. I thoroughly enjoyed them both. The safari guide was great in helping us find animals and made several stops along the way so that we could take pictures. The excursion blew me away. I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did but was so happy Jackson recommended it. This was a full day spent in the Kilimanjaro area. We had a trek to the base, saw the waterfall, and later went back to a small village where we at a nice meal and made coffee. I’ve been thinking about these two experiences since I’ve return to my home country. I highly recommend. It’s one of the best ways to get a sense of the culture and see what Tanzania has to offer.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flexible, passionate, good natured and knowledgeable
Fede tours made our 7day safari to Kenya very memorable. Martin was easy and quick to communicate with on What's app and via email from the US. He promptly picked us up from the Nairobi airport, and was a a fun and knowledgeable guide during our safari. He was always there to answer questions, and helped organize our PCR COVID tests while at camp. We appreciated their recommendations on add-ons which helped make our experience even better.
The safari was well organized with a varying itinerary so that we could see and experience various habitats, wildlife, and terrains. The accommodations were booked in advance and were exceptional- all comfortable, with good food and personalized service. Martin and Fredrick were passionate about showing us all the major animals which one longs to see on a safari, as well as many other less well known animals. They either knew where to locate the more elusive animals or would use their networks to find them. They were very patient while we took pictures or just wanted to enjoy a scene for a little while longer, and would often drive around so that we could get the best angle. We appreciated their deep respect for nature, and the beauty of the reserves.
At the end of our trip, they dropped us back to Nairobi. Overall, it was a amazing trip of a lifetime made even better by our experience with Fede tours!
