PR
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was the trip of a lifetime!
SURICATA
My son sent me a round trip ticket to Tanzania, but I was reluctant to go. Three days traveling? Forget that I would be traveling business with Qatar, I had been feeling every day of my seventy-eight years.
I began reviewing the vast number of safari companies online. I made a list of the parks I wanted to visit and the minimum number of days it would take to accomplish. I reviewed my budget and found four companies that fit the parameters of cost and destinations. I emailed each one.
They all answered promptly. I was drawn to Suricata and was soon What’s Apping Hilary, Suricata’s representative.
Hilary was efficient, polite and very professional. I was able to contact him at all hours despite the seven hour difference in time. He provided me with essential information. I paid the required deposit via a credit card. Hilary assured me a driver would pick me up at the Kilimanjaro airport even though I would not be staying in a hotel.
Coming from a culture of fault-finding, judgement, never being satisfied, skepticism and criticism. I had to suspend lifelong habits and view my experience from a new perspective. I have nothing negative to say about my African experience. Not a thing! This is very alien to me. But here I go.
Skeptical me, was pleasantly surprised to find Ellis, from Suricata, at the airport. With a smile and reassurance, he was easily delivered me to my son’s residence.
Hilary and I met at the 4 Points Sheraton, an old hotel proudly touting Hemingway as one of its guests. Set amidst lush gardens, very regal and quite staid, the hotel reminded me of colonial days.
Hilary surprised me. First, he’s young. I do not usually trust young people. But Hilary has a reassuring air about him. He is a very enthusiastic and energetic young man. He keeps his word and is incredibly responsible. Everyone in his company is ultra-punctual, very amiable and kind.
My experience with Suricata was unique. Having traveled to India, Nepal, Tibet, Indonesia, Egypt, Morocco, Central and a few countries in South America, I considered myself a little experienced in foreign travel. Never had I encountered the kindness, punctuality, professionalism and excellent service I received at Suricata.
Our tents were set up by the crew. Tito was in charge of the preparation of our home-cooked meals, prepared with fresh vegetables and fruits, tasty and colorful and very nutritious. My fellow travelers and I dined at a table set under the stars and toasted with local wine.
We slept in tents, serenaded to the sounds of laughing hyenas , who needed no wine to chat the entire night. Sounds in the camp, next day turned out to be zebras roaming about and leaving the remnants of their visit scattered throughout the grounds. I was in Africa! The experience of my lifetime.
Max, our driver, never faltered and tried his best to find the creatures we had traveled so far to see – elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, water buffalo, impalas, hippopotamus, gazelles, baboons, wildebeest, warthogs, zebra, ostriches, and so many others, I haven’t the space or memory to mention. Each one astonishing and found only in Africa. Usually, zoos and circuses are the only places these animals can be seen. Here they roam wild in these incredible parks – Tarangire, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. Each park is beautiful and distinct. To find these rare and magnificent creatures in their habitat, unfettered and wild gives hope for the future of the world. They have inhabited this earth for millennia and deserve to enjoy their homes, their freedom.
Africa, the birthplace of our ancestors, is even today a breathtaking continent. It is huge and beautiful and harsh, inscrutable and yet glorious.
No one should die without having visited the birthplace of humanity. Africa, once experienced, will change you forever. The peoples are kind and warm and smile and dance, despite the suffering they have endured for centuries.
Suricata is a testament to that warmness and kindness and joy that abides in the hearts of its people. Until my last breath, I will remember the plains of Africa, bumping along the roads on safari, trying to get a glimpse of a lion or a leopard resting in a tree, a giraffe nibbling on treetop leaves, or an elephant cooling off in a mud hole.
I absolutely loved Africa! My experience in Africa eclipses my other trips. I am grateful to Hilary, his excellent company, Suricata (meaning “lemur”) and my son for insisting on this trip and for facilitating my visit. I wish everyone In Tanzania many blessings for the wonders they provide the world by preserving these glorious and well-maintained parks filled with wildlife, found exclusively in their country.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
100% recommendable, excelent guides and good organization.
I just returned home from a wonderful vacation in Kenya that included a five-day safari with African Sermon Safaris. I booked "5-Day Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Group Tour"
The booking process was very easy thanks to Daniel. He responded very quickly to my emails with clear and detailed answers.
The safari itself was very nice. I had 2 different guides, Alex in Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, and Daniel in Hell's Gates. Both of them are really nice and good guys.
Alex drove us through the different parks and he did his best so we could see all the animals, he knows a lot about all the animals and always told us interesting facts about the parks and the animals
With Daniel I did a bike tour and a nature walk, he explained many details of the place to us and he followed our rhythm and took care that we were well at all the time.
In short, it has been an incredible experience thanks to the guides I have had. I highly recommend booking your safari with African Sermon Safaris.
Asante sana Alex and Daniel!
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We got value for our money!!
My family Just did 7 days Kenya Safari with them and we were extremely happy. From the communication and flexible booking terms. We managed to see the big five on the first day of our safari at masai mara. Ernest was such a good organiser and Shadrach was such an excellent guide, thumbs up!
US
Booked a 5day safari the night before and they nailed it
Our driven and guide Clinton was a stud 10/10 recommend. Pretty sure we saw the big 5 in one full day my dude knew what he was doing to say the least. He got us so close to the animals it was crazy. This man drove us into the middle of nowhere and all over the country for a week and never checked a gps once. Helped us book train tickets because we could not use mpesa and dropped us off safe. A trustworthy and reputable ambassador for the company
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome experience
Lion King Adventures delivered fantastic service, surpassing our expectations from planning to end.
The team helped us plan our trip, providing details and quick answers to our many questions. We made lots of changes to our itinerary before booking, and this was always doable with patience and great advice, like where was best to do certain activities to enhance our trip. We went for the mid-range accommodation and all were good food and service and very accommodating to our timings.
Our guide, Mwita, was amazing. He knew so much and his love for Tanzania and enthusiasm were infectious. He was able to predict the animals movements due to his vast experience and local knowledge being born in the Serengeti, and place us in the best location to create amazing experiences. Mwita kept us entertained and provided us with lots of information and knowledge while we waited for wilderbeest crossings or lions mating (and we got to see both twice!). And his excitement when we did see them was awesome.
He kept the vehicle in a fantastic clean condition and always stocked with cold drinks. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything went to plan. We always felt safe and secure, completely trustworthy.
BJ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Reliable and trusted company
The team was really helpful to design the tour considering our constraints and addressed all of our requests in the best possible manner and way beyond. We were positively surprised by the provided Land Cruiser (better car than the planned one) and it was very much appreciated in the Maasai Mara Plains where it plays a major role in helping other cars to get out of stuck situations. The team delivered everything that was stated in the itinerary and even more.
The lodges were good (the Lake view at Lake Nakuru Lodge was great) and the food was also really appreciated.
Musa, our tour guide, was absolutely great and tried his best to statisfy any request we could have.
We would undoubtfully recommend Motto Tours to everyone!
Thanks to Paul, Janet and Musa
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great and knowledgeable safari guide, saw loads of animals. Reliable airport transfer too
Great and knowledgeable safari guide, saw loads of animals, particularly in Tarangire. Reliable airport transfer too
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Roho Ya Chui provided first class service from beginning to end!
I don't even know where to begin, I cannot say enough good things about Ute and her team. I would rate her all the stars in the South African bush night sky if I could! I first started planning this trip of a lifetime in 2019 to celebrate my 50th birthday in 2020. Ute organized a perfect itinerary, exactly what I envisioned and within my budget. Then came Covid and the trip had to be rescheduled twice. Ute was a dream to work with, communication was seamless and she always addressed my questions and concerns with patience and professionalism. All of her advice was spot on and she provided valuable practical information for all of our destinations.
Overall the trip far exceeded our expectations. Our trip was a combination of safaris and cities and all of the lodgings were absolutely perfect. The transfers were all on time and better than expected. Ute communicated with us before, during and after our travel to provide updates and to make sure everything was going smoothly. For example, a new requirement was added at the land border into Botswana and we were the only ones in our transfer vehicle that were aware of it. Little things like this make all the difference in the world.
I highly recommend Ute and her team at Roho Ya Chui if you want to plan a perfect African safari adventure. Thank you Ute for organizing this truly unforgettable adventure!!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most effective tours company
Just the best.. You get value for your money, customer service is on another level at kaylan tours.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized safari, unforgettable journey
Big thanks to David and whole team for best safari experience!
From beginning, communication was clear and we were offered different options. We chose 4 days safari and stayed in Lake Nakuru lodge and Zebra Plains camp, liked it a lot. For the car we went with Land cruiser and didn’t regret, as we spend most of the time in car. It was quite comfortable and we had cold drinking water through our journey.
We enjoyed more Maasai Mara game drives, saw all animals we wanted to see there. Lots of fun watching them in natural habitat.
We also visited Giraffes center and Carnivore restaurant in our last day, would recommend it as well.
Moreover, it was my birthday and guys from Native Africa Trails made it unforgettable: flowers and celebration with a cake in the restaurant
Me and my friends are happy with their professionalism, starting from organizing and booking and finishing with passionate guides and managers who can answer all your questions!
