UA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful experience
We were searching for a 7-days experience and chose the 6-day Tarangine-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-lake Manyara tour and an additional coffee-waterfall-hot spring day trip.
I made a lot of research myself before choosing Safari Soles, read reviews on different sites and asked lots of questions. I loved the balance of the company's good rating and reviews, budget-friendly price and the knowledge and support Bryson provided.
The tour exceeded our expectations. We saw lots of animals including the cats we wanted to see so much - many lions, a leopard, 2 serval cats and even a mother cheetah teaching her cubs to hunt! We also were lucky to catch endless herds of migrating wildebeest in Serengeti (were there on February 8-10) and saw how a baby zebra was born! We ever visited the Ndutu region where there were lots of animals and where budget safaris usually don't go.
Our dreadlocked guide Simba (David) was amazing - pleasant and cheerful, knowing all the animals and trained to spot them, telling stories when you want to hear them and just driving when you're tired. He had a cool playlist, drove well and made us feel welcome. Besides getting to know the nature and the animals, he made us a bit more familiar with the life and the people of Tanzania - so, we felt more like guests then like tourists, which we appreciated.
Our cook Shydia (not sure about the spelling) could do magic - he made restaurant food using a gas stove, some pans and the food we were carrying in the jeep. The cool food we had included pizza, lasagna, a fabulous banana-chocolate cake, and also nice curries and avocado salad! I've put on quite a lot of weight during the trip because the food was very delicious and there was a lot of it.
Although we booked the budget tour, the accommodation was cool. The basic but nice Arusha Tourist Inn, the Fig Tree lodge with a garden and a swimming pool, the Simba campsite at Ngorongoro with a beautiful huge tree in the middle and the lodge at Seronera with a campfire - all was cool. We expected to spend the two nights in Seronera at a campsite, but the upgrade to a lodge was a nice surprise.
The price for all this was quite low. Hard to imagine how many tour companies take several times more money, however, don't let you see more animals because you will see all the animals on a budget safari with a good guide. In case you're choosing the lowest price - consider that the 2-way airport transfer for the Arusha or Kili airport, accommodation for the nights before and after the safari, and all drinks including beer and wine are already included in the price.
As for those who are thinking about the length of the trip - for me the safari experience would be incomplete without the 2 nights in Serengeti and one night on the crater rim of Ngorongoro. The night in Mto Wa Mbu is necessary for the logistics and the Tarangine park is pleasant as well, with many elephants and baobab trees. So, 5 full days of safari seem minimum to me to get some knowledge of the region. If you have 6 days, I suggest adding the waterfall-coffee-hot spring tour - you will wee the beautiful nature of a different climate zone, see how many planks grow, have a chance to swim under a waterfall and soak in a nice hot spring, like the cenotes in Mexico. If you have 7 days - add lake Manyara, it was nice too, but the waterfall and hot spring were nicer.
Thank you, Simba, Bryson, Shydia and all Safari Soles stuff for our great holiday!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life Changing Experience w/ Climb Kili
When I decided I wanted to travel to Africa and climb Kilimanjaro I was recommended the guiding company SD safaris by a fellow traveler. It made my decision pretty easy after she shared how amazing her experience was.
Tiffany was outstanding from start to finish in communicating all the details of my trip via email. My trip was originally planned for May 2020, but due to the pandemic and travel restrictions, I had to post-pone. After MANY airline flight cancellations and changes along the way, my trip of a lifetime finally happened in January 2021.
My lead guide, Amani, was professional and kind. He and the team of 7 porters made sure I was comfortable and happy. They truly went above and beyond to ensure I had the best possible experience. I was left speechless most of the time with how hard they work on the mountain to make sure all I had to do was focus on putting one foot in front of the other. The amount of gratitude I have for them is immeasurable.
After my 7 day journey, I ventured out with my next guide Steven on safari for 3 days (with SD safaris). Being able to explore the Serengeti is something I still cannot believe I have done! My second day was spent in the Ngorongoro Crater and my last day in Tarangire National Park. I highly, HIGHLY recommend adding a safari on after your climb!!
SD safaris exceeded my expectations in a guiding company and WHEN I return to Africa, I will be sure to use them again!!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania 7 day tour
Sino Africa Safari organzied our safari two years back. Everything was good except the road from the crater to Serengeti was too dusty and hot. We never experienced that in our country but it's good to have the real safari experience and massage. The balloon safari was too expensuve we did not take. hotels were mid range but comfortable and nice. we loved their community sharing different afrucan countries online. we were thinking to go for another safari with them to Kenya.
HK
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Loved Masai Mara national Park
The trip to Kenya was organized by my family, we dreamed about Africa safari. My mother planned the whole safari and we visited the best parks in Kenya including my favorite park - Masai Mara National Park. I remembered that one day we woke up so early for the balloon ride. We were lucky and saw a group of lions on the ground from the sky. It was the best moment for the safari. I will visit Tanzania next time with the company. We trust them because they are so nice and patient. They organize very good driver and Chinese tour guides for us.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
DETAILED PLANNERS
I loved the way the African Adventure Specialists took time to plan our travel while taking us through every process in a detailed manner. The fact that they were very sensitive in regards to Covid-19 protocols was an additional plus on their end. Our experience in Africa, being the first time was made easier and more interesting thanks to AAS. Worth a five star from me.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Value for your pocket.
Our group tour to Kenya was great. The boys had fun all the time. African Adventure tours is a good pick.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
EXEMPLARY SERVICE
We had our reservations over travelling out of the USA amidst the pandemic. However, the thought of missing out on the Mara Migration outweighed our fears. On recommendation, we settled on AAS as our itinerary planners. From landing at The JKIA to spending the night in Nairobi and later travelling down to Maasai Mara via Narok, the trip was well planned and executed. I would highly recommend AAS.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable adventure
Wow what a trip! We decided to do a 5 day safari tour and Antony went above and beyond to make this trip unforgettable. Our initial uncertainty about traveling during the pandemic quickly evaporated, we felt very safe. Antony had masks and disinfectants ready in the car and all of the accommodations we visited went to great lengths to comply with hygiene regulations.
Our tour started in Masai Mara and from the first moment it was clear to us that we were dealing with a real expert. Antony knew all the animals' territories, found hidden big cats and was able to answer all of our questions about the wild animals. Our absolute highlight was the lion family with their four cubs right next to our Land Cruiser. The accommodations were also incredible, two of the camps are located in the middle of the national parks - in Masai Mara a hippopotamus ran past us at breakfast, in Ol Pejeta we could watch the rhinos directly from our terrace.
Just contact Antony directly, he will answer very quickly and can adapt the safari to suit your needs. We really wanted to try the national dish Nyama Choma (not an official part of a safari) and Anthony just stopped with us on the way to the next national park and took us to a local restaurant - absolutely the best food!
(automatic translation from German)
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice experience
Thanks for the safari, we really enjoyed the tour! We have seen a lot of animals- Recommend :)
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One safari for life
we never throught of coming to africa, but we did come with our firends. everyhting was perfect. we saw a lot of animals and many times lions. hotels were all nice and unique. our driver guide was professional and nice to everyone. suugest them to every person wants to teavel to kenya！