NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above expectations
We experianced a perfectly organized safari. Very kind people (guide/travel agent/locals) and beautiful wildlife.
If we need to point out some down sides, than its the cancellation of our last stay due to heavy rain. So we stayed in a bit more crowded lodge.
And the lunch boxes were not very varied. But this is just a minor.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of those lifetime trips which kept our priorities and budget in mind.
We have just returned from the most amazing travel adventure through Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa, including a gorilla trek and safari, all of which was organized by Chris and team.
This area of travel was new to us, nor are we experienced travellers, and we had a specific budget to be met. We gave Chris a very long list of things and places we wanted to see and do. Somehow he found a way to meet and exceed every expectation.
From the day we left to the moment we arrived home, it was like someone was always there to ensure we were at the right spot, at the right time. The accommodations, the transfers, and the people were incredible.
Thank you so much for the advice and guiding our trip in such a way to achieve what we wanted and understanding our priorities. It was definitely memorable for all the right reasons.
Now.... if only Chris could do something about the snow we came home to!
IT
Very beautiful experiencel
We agreed all services and people. It has been a great experience
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mountain Beauty. Perfect
Amazing experience with Kilisa tours
We were a group of 3 people from France, who made the 7-day ascent of the Lemosho route - descent Mweka Kilimanjaro Trek.
Climbing Kilimanjaro under the Kilisa circuits was fabulous because we really had a great experience and we got the best service. Naick, who is the owner of the company, contacted us all the time and the communication was easy as he made all the logistical arrangements and the price was absolutely reasonable in addition
This trip exceeded my expectations
Everything was well planned, from arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfers to the hotel and back and of course the duration of the trek
The route that we chose is very picturesque each day presented different sites. And this route helped us acclimatize to the high altitude and increased our chances of success before trying to Uhuru Peak.
The food was delicious and varied every day, served with fruits and vegetables, including coffee and tea. I couldn't believe how creative the chef was at producing hot food on the mountain.
In general, we could not have asked for a better guide and a better team than those in Kilisa
The hike was great, it was a great success to stand at the top and we could not have done it without the support of this team
we were strong and fit and for that we finished the hike a day earlier. And even after the hike, Naick was kind enough to invite us home and had dinner with his family
It made for a truly remarkable experience.
We had a great trip to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and even after.
I would highly recommend this company without any hesitation.
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Splendid time with Smile with us Africa!
My family and I booked a 2 day Mikumi safari trip with Smile with us in February 2020.
Our guide (Zack) was really helpful, knowledgable, always minding the comfort of all family members and all-around great companion on our trip.
We saw many animals in just two days game drive, including a sighting of lions walking just past our car and resting in its shade.
The accommodation was nice and cozy with great staff and good meals.
Overall this was a great experience and I highly recommend Smile with us Africa tour to everyone!
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari, experienced and knowledgable tour guides, beatiful animals. Highly recommended!
We had a 4-day safari with Kiliholidays that included Tarangire, Serengetti and Ngorongoro parks. We were 2 families with kids so went for lodges and tented lodges. Overall experience was very good thanks to Mack and Kiliholideys and our guides - Laurent and Eduard.
We chose Mack and Kiliholideys over 4 other companies as he was very flexibe as to our requests and offered us reasonable prices for the services. We agreed the programme, lodges and all other conditions over the internet and paid 30% of fee, remaining 70% we paid on day of arrival prior to safari (these are standard conditions for most operators). Mack also organised for us transfers from and to the airport, accomodation before and after the safari and Arusha tour. He did a great job by choosing a hotel that suited our needs (Tulia Hotel and Spa - https://www.tuliahotelandspa.com/). He was always very flexible and helpful.
Our trip started as planned. On day 1 drivers - Laurent and Eduard - arrived before 8 am and helped us with the luggage and we set off. We were on the way to Terengire when one of the cars broke - engine failure which seemed major to me. The car could not continue so we were relocated to the other car and continued our trip. We went to Terengire and spent 4 or 5 hour there. It is a perfect place to see elephants from close distance, but there are also giraffes, impalas, warthogs, zebras, ostriches and many other. It was a bit crowded (8 people + driver in one car) but it was still fun and Laurent did a great job by telling us everything about the animals and keeping good mood. In the afternoon we drove to Karatu where we spent 1 night in Farm of Dreams - a very nice and clean lodge with a pool and great staff. In the evening we were joined by a second car (repaired in 1 day!) so we could continue in 2 cars and more comfort.
On day 2 we started around 9 am (our choice) and drove from Karatu through Ngorongoro to Serengetti. It was mostly drive but we have seen a lot of animals on the way, including lots of giraffes around Ngorongoro and big herds of zebras, wilderbests and imalas on the way to Serengetti. We have also seen couple of lions from 2-3 meters - they were just lying by the road. We also had a short stop at Masai village - although it is a purelu touristic experience, the village is real (they really live there every day) and the experience is unique - I do recommend it. We spent a night in beautiful tented lodge Embalakai Authentic Camp - a truly unique experience, sleeping in big tents with all the wildlife a few meters away, but with all the comforts (and great food) ath the same time.
On day 3 we started at sunrise to look for hunting predators, unfortunately with no luck, but we have seen great sunrise, hippos, buffalos anf antelopes. We returned to the camp for breakfast, after that we went for game drive.Thanks to our guides we managed to see cheetah who was eating an impala, a leopard resting on the tree, more hippos, antelopes, buffalos etc. In the afternoon we left the Serengetti and set off for Ngorongoro again seeing animals on the way. We stayed at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge - located on the crater rim, with MAGNIFICENT wiev of the whole crater and all the wildlife inside (good binoculars recommended!). Although the lodge is a bit old, the view compensates for everything. Sunset above the crater is a must-see.
The fourth day was the greatest - inside the crater there are so many animals you can see from close distance it is hard to describe. Lions walking by your car. Hyenas laying on the road. Zebras in swarms. We also managed to see a black rhino - again thanks to our drivers. February is a wet season so driving around the crater is really hard - we have seen several cars staying abandoned in the mud waiting for water level to go down. One of the other cars we had to pull from the especially deep pond as it could not get out and the water was coming inside the car. But again Laurent and Eduard kept us safe and sound thanks to their huge experience and driving skills. If it was not them we would not manage to drive through the crater or get to Arusha back on time. Thanks!
Overall it was great experience in big part thanks to Laurent and Eduard who did great job as guides and drivers. They were able to find all the Big 5 and many more and tell us a lot of things about all species we have seen. Were always on time and prepared, happy to help or answer any question. I can truly recommend both of them!
On the down side - the cars are old and rusty (old Land Rovers), most companies have newer Toyota Land Cruiser. But we have seen also a few of these cars broken, so for me it was not a problem, and the case when our car broke was handled very good (we did not loose any time of our trip and seen what we paid for). There was also some problem with money transfer at the enterance to Ngorongoro (we lost 1,5h there) but it was end of the day anyway so it did not matter much (thanks to this we also could stay longer in the crater the next day, which was very good thing).
Practicalities: lunches were served as lunch boxes which was convenient, but some companies offer freshly-prepared meals. Cars have no safety belts (only front seats). Despite rainy season there were not many mosquitos, but Mugga or the like is essential. Both cars had binoculars, but we also had our own which is good when you are 4 in car and see rhino in distance. Use long trousers and safari shirts to protect from sun, flip-flops are ok as you spend most time in a car anyway.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We had a fantastic safari.
Our Safari Guide, Sibo, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. He showed us elephants, rhino, giraffes, zebra plus different types of antelope. We had a fabulous day.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most Amazing Adventure
It’s been a dream to visit Kenya since I was a kid. I of course wanted to see the animals but I also wanted to experience the culture. Namayiana Safaris was one of the few companies that offered that experience. His company also offered the most affordable private tour without having to join a bunch of strangers. John provided the best experience from the first time I reached out. Everything was perfectly planned and all my questions were promptly answered. The actual experience was everything I had dreamed of and more. Everywhere we stayed was very nice and welcoming. I couldn’t believe all the animals we saw and how close we got. John and his company made sure we experienced everything! My favorite day was the cultural day and learning the Maasai Mara way of life. They took me on amazing hike at sunset and hanging out with the kids was a highlight of my life. They had the most genuine smiles and laughs. It was such a rewarding experience. I’ve traveled all around the world and this was the most amazing trip! Highly recommend using John and Namayiana Safaris.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!!
My spouse and I stayed at a camp in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Our primary guide was Knowledge. The accommodations were luxurious and the meals were fantastic. But most of all the demeanor attitude and understanding that Knowledge and his team had of the area the animals the culture and the country was amazing.
We took a walking Safari and saw lots of wildlife including baboons, warthogs, elephants and hippos. We traveled about in canoe like boats called mokoros.
We camped out overnight on an island. During the night we heard a lion walk through our camp. I was very scared. But then we heard Knowledge calling out to his other guides and then we knew it was all going to be OK. In the morning, they showed us the lion foot prints so close to our tents.
Knowledge and his guides took us to the small village where their wives and families lived while they were at work. We were given a tour and he explained how the huts were made. We were very warmly received by the families. They laid out all of their wares for us to purchase and sang songs to entertain us. I was quite touched by how open and welcoming the people Of Botswana were.
I highly recommend Knowledge and his team and would travel again with them for sure!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great experience that everyone has to have
It was really great. Isaac was an excellent driver and your guide, we really enjoyed his effort to make our trip the best.
