US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our group of 8 had a phenomenal safari experience, exceeding all expectations.
We had an incredible safari experience in August 2022, entire trip arranged by Clyde at Tailormade Africa. The lodging accommodations, food, guides, hospitality and daily itineraries far exceeded our expectations. Most importantly, we were able to see not only so many animals, but also actions ranging from lion mating, chase and kill x3, and wildebeest herd river-crossing x5, etc in barely 12 days. I highly recommend the service.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Derek Jacobs personally ensures every aspect of the Safari goes well and is 100% successful.
We experienced everything we hoped to in Namibia and more. The itinerary was designed to cover a lot of miles while we were fresh and allowed for a more relaxed pace toward the end. We saw Namibia from end to end covering almost 5000 Km. Our guide/driver Me-gusto filled each day with lessons in history, geography, and geology as well as ensuring we didn't miss a single point of interest concerning the wide ranging flora and fauna. Not only was he able to spot the animals of most interest but he also knew the names and calls of the many birds we saw, some of which were a mere blur. He was able to point out features of the landscape with the knowledge of an experienced botanist. Everything seemed to go like clockwork which was in part due to his ability to think on the fly and make adjustments to fit the circumstances. Our accommodations and meals throughout were first class and the transportation even though much was over gravel roads was comfortable.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience with incredible guides
We went to Uganda for our honeymoon to see the Gorillas, Chimps, whitewater raft the source of the Nile etc. We have travelled to many countries due to working on a yacht however Uganda was one of our favourite holidays ever, made even more memorable by the knowledgeable, friendly guides we had from Speke Uganda Holidays. Our main guide for the trip was Nelson and he was a wealth of knowledge! He made us feel welcomed and nothing was ever too much to ask. We would highly recommend Speke to anyone looking to go to Uganda!
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect, all was meravellous and excellent atention whit all
Motto Travel is a big and magnific team, they prepare all whit the best enjoy travel , and all the moment you feel confortable because they made all necesary for to have a big a lovely experience from Kenia
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The safari was amazing, guide was very knowledgeable
The safari was amazing, the guide was very knowledgable, we saw many animals and the food was great. My favorite part was climbing Mount kilimanjaro, we had an amazing guide and we saw so many animals. I would recommend this trip to anyone!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Can only recommend Azas Safaris!
We visited Uganda in September 2022 as part of our honeymoon trip through Azas Safaris. The tour was for 5 days, where we visited Bwindi, Bunyonyi and Jinja. The whole experience with the team was brilliant from start to finish.
From the first inquiry, we were impressed with the detail included in the itinerary and the email communication. Prisca was responsive, attentive, and created a personalised trip for us (even changing it easily upon request). Her enthusiasm was great, and we really felt like we received a personal service.
Our guide Julius was fantastic, highly professional, knowledgeable and most importantly very friendly. He drove us from point A to B every day, often on long distances, and difficult roads but we always felt safe and in good hands. He was also great company when we weren't driving. We never worried about anything, there was always water in the 4X4, and he was able to give us a good overview of Uganda and the people. All in all, we would recommend Julius with no hesitation whatsoever.
We did quite a lot of research before booking, and found that Azas Safaris were competitive for pricing. Once there, we found that the value for money was excellent, and the accommodation was very good as well. The activities that we did (Gorilla Trekking, Bunyonyi Lake, Water Rafting in Jinga, Bungee Jumping,...) were also very good value and very safe.
Overall, we can only recommend Azas Safaris to anyone looking to visit Uganda with a professional and reliable tour operator. Thank you Prisca and Julius, we left your wonderful country with memories for life !!!
CA
Mixed experience with Soul of Tanzania, likely would not use them again.
We booked a lengthy safari through Soul of Tanzania that included gorilla trekking in Rwanda and a 12 day safari through Kenya, Tanzania and back through Kenya. This review will focus on the role of Soul of Tanzania - i.e. planning, communication and execution of the actual logistics of the safari. Accommodations will be reviewed separately (with 1 exception) on their own merits. Every segment had a different operator, which in and of itself was an issue, but ultimately I worked with, and paid, SoT, so feel there is a role of overall accountability with them.
The Good:
Communication, responsiveness and professionalism with Luis throughout the planning process was excellent. Looking back, I think this is the "hook" that people look for. Our assumption was that the execution on the ground would have that same level of professionalism and this was simply not the case, for reasons mentioned below.
All our guides were there upon our arrival point - pick up at the Kigali airport, Nairobi hotel, border transfers between Kenya/Tanzania/Kenya, which was a welcome relief.
The guides were mostly good, with one horrible exception. Our itinerary meant we had 4 different guides. 3 were generally good but 1 in Kenya was very poor. As mentioned on SoT website (and it's true) that guides make the experience. So to have a very poor guide is not acceptable to me. All were good drivers and we always felt safe when in the vehicles. Mugabe in Rwanda was very personable and Shafino in Tanzania was excellent.
When I shared my concern/frustration with guide/vehicle in Kenya, Luis did offer a Land Cruiser and different guide for the second Kenya portion.
The Not So Good:
One of the first transfers arranged through SoT was from our hotel in Nairobi to the airport to fly to Kigali. They no-showed. It meant us hastily having to connect to wifi to WhatsApp SoT on a Saturday morning. The woman who answered sounded half asleep and rather annoyed and I had to coordinate with her and the hotel to have the hotel drive us and be paid by SoT. I was not happy. When I emailed Luis his eventual response was "sounds like it worked out". Yes but it was ME doing the legwork, otherwise I would have been waiting forever, as the driver had not communicated that he was not there.
The hotel for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park - Mountain Gorilla View Lodge - was awful and should not be offered. We had no hot water for 3 days, it was dated and run down. Not the responsibility of SoT, but just should not be an option. In Rwanda the day of the gorilla trek there was no lunch provided on the trek. It was absolutely required, we were hiking in difficult for conditions for most of the day. All 6 others in our group had been provided a packed lunch. Thankfully I sourced some of my own snacks. The Ibyiwacu Cultural Village was listed as optional on our itinerary and we expressed our desire to go. The guide said we'd have to be pay $20/each entry. I questioned this given it was listed in our itinerary. It should have been included. Again Luis was responsive and suggested an alternative, but it shouldn't have happened in the first place.
The guide and vehicle in Kenya for the Lake Nakuru/Masai Mara portion were not good. When he picked us up at the hotel in Nairobi to start the safari there was no welcome, no overview, no introduction - just get in the vehicle and go. Within 3 minutes of leaving, the guide asked for $20, which was an apparent shortfall in the amount paid but had been resolved prior to even leaving with Luis. Very poor first impression. We were surprised that the vehicle was a minivan. I guess this was in the fine print somewhere when we were booking, but it is a very poor vehicle for a safari. I could not see out the side window without slouching down. Imagine being on safari and not being able to look out the window properly... This guide was actually just a driver. He provided almost no information on flora or fauna and did not spot one single animal on his own. We just followed the masses of vehicles or would go to a location based on the radio chatter. At picnic lunch, we mostly set up and packed up ourselves. He was eating before we were and at one point was burping in front of us. It was entirely vulgar. At the end of the first Kenya portion on they way to the Tanzania border, he started asking for the $20 again! I was so frustrated by this point, it resulted in raised voices. For the amount we paid AND that the issue was resolved and documented via email, this was entirely tone deaf. When I provided my feedback to Luis on the guide his response was that the guide would be immediately suspended, but guess who we saw on the first night at second time in Kenya. Just saying what they think the customer wants to hear.
The food. The SoT website really markets their food as a differentiator. It was not. At all. Of the 12 days, we had "hot" lunches twice. And they were cold by the time they were eaten. Trust me, there was absolutely no food envy by any other safari goers. And not ONCE was a table and chairs set up. It was either on a blanket on the ground or at park site concrete picnic tables. Most days were cold lunch boxes like every other person had. In fact when we enquired about hot lunches at some of the accommodations (including the Four Seasons), they said they will not provide them due to food safety issues.
There was too little information provided on the details. With a trip of this magnitude, I would have expected more details than a 1 page summary of the itinerary. There should have been much more information provided prior to departure on what to expect, how to prepare, etc. We had to source all of this entirely on our own. As previously mentioned, when we started the safari in Nairobi, there was ZERO information provided, just get in and go. I had to ask if he was going to be our guide or is he a driver, etc. The accommodations provide varying inclusions in terms of beverages with meals. Some offer full open bar, some offer beer and wine, some you even have to pay for water. There should have been a short summary provided on each place and what to expect, inclusions/exclusions, etc. We learned we had to ask about this at each check in. Other travelers had professional looking folders full of information provided by their tour operators, luggage tags, etc. We were not provided with one single item.
Soul of Tanzania appears to be a marketing name only. The providers (even in Tanzania) were not SoT. They seem to just be an organizer who then contracts to guides, vehicles, etc. In Tanzania alone, the guide and vehicle was actually branded Exclusive Africa Safaris and another vehicle was branded Gosheni Safaris. This seems to result in an overall lack of cohesion and accountability.
Drive times were understated by up to 50%. This became a running joke, and not in a good way. 4 hour drives as stated in the itinerary would become 6 or 7 hour ordeals. There needs to be transparency and honesty in drive times based on the (very poor at times) road conditions.
For us the animals and some the accommodations we chose made the trip. Would I do a safari again? Absolutely! Would I choose Soul of Tanzania again? The answer is, unfortunately no.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience
We enjoyed every moment of our safari with Jonny. Everything was perfectly organized and seamless. We were able to completely relax and enjoy ourselves. Accommodations and food was excellent. Jonny was a great driver and took us right up close to all the animals! We got to see all the Big Five during our trip! Highly recommend.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The safari was incredible.
The safari was incredible! and the entire experience was seamless and easy thanks to Tailormade. Our hotel lodgings were superb, all the staff were friendly. Amazing Experience!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I learned so much about the nature in Uganda.
My family and i are impressed with their tour packages. Staff are very friendly; the tour guides are very informative. They have very good tour packages. the Murchison falls tour package is my favorite. The tour was amazing. I had a wonderful time. The bird watching was awesome, the Boat cruise to the Delta was interesting and I got to see crocodiles, hippos and the rare shoebill stork. The staff was friendly, the service was incredible and I learned so much about the nature in Uganda. I highly recommend Frena Adventures to anyone.