US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
I'd go anywhere with Jackson!
Jackson put together a Tanzania tour for a group of 9 of us that was tailored to our needs and desires. We were aged 28 to 70, all in good shape. We camped in tents mostly, with a couple of short stays at the Panorama Safari Camp. In 10 days we saw Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Lake Natron, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge and several days on the Serengeti.
There were Jackson and another guide, both local and very knowledgeable, a chef and his helper who traveled with us. My daughter and I had special dietary needs (gluten free and dairy free) and the meals were wonderful. Everyone agreed.
We saw amazing wildlife up close--elephants, hippos, all the antelope, giraffes, flamingos, lions, cheetahs, 3 leopards (!), fish eagles, bee eaters and so much more.
As importantly, we met locals from various indigenous groups. Jackson and the other three guides were each from a different group. We learned so much. Many of our group have stayed in touch with Jackson, me included.
The prices were extremely reasonable, the experiences life changing. I literally would go anywhere with Jackson.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Garden of Eden
The safari excursions were a life changing event for us - what you might imagine to see with an ecosystem and diverse species and creatures co-existing in harmony. We expected to maybe see a few animals on the safaris, but to our amazement, there were giraffes and zebras among others that greeted us even before we arrived at the lodge.
What's more, the hosts and staff were a pleasure and so nice to make our family feel at home. Communications and value were excellent. Accommodations and meals were top notch. We could not have asked for a better experience.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great value, and great execution for an optimal Kilimanjaro Trek
The trek was well organized, and went much better than planned. The guides were well informed and fun to be around. The cook and waiter made us feel comfortable 1000s of miles from home, and the porters did an incredible job, especially in ensuring camp was set up before we arrived.
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari trip with great guide and driver
We had a very well organized safari trip with Daniel (German- speaking guide) and Chris our driver. The lodges were very luxurious especially Nyikani migration camp and Osinon camp. We enjoyed the whole trip very much, Daniel and Chris did everything to make it a memorable trip. Thanks a lot!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent experience with safe drivers
We had a really good time with Sammy and Johnson. They arrived to collect us early and we're extremely professional and polite throughout.
They accommodated our needs and gave us lots of useful information on the local area. The quality of the vehicles was good - well maintained and comfortable.
They took us into the Maasai Mara and on game drives and we saw so much thanks to their guidance and knowledge.
We felt safe and comfortable and missed them as soon as we said goodbye.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Value for Money! And experience of a Lifetime
It was my first time in Kenya and was not sure who to book te trip with. Then after intensive searching I came across Lenchada. He had good reviews and was priced just right. After several questions and inquiries I went ahead and booked the Safari with Alex.
The booking part was easy but the response from Alex or Minneh or the office was very slow. At one point after making the payment all my messages went unanswered. (1 star less for the communication part) And because of their non responsiveness I thought maybe this company is not genuine, but then Alex saved the day.
I forgot all that once I arrived in Kenya and met our Guide Stanley.
Stanley was just exceptional. I do not have enough words to express how an amazing guide he has been. He demonstrated professionalism and was very knowledgeable.
He knew how to approach animals and the best part was he knew how to park the car near the animals so that we get a good angle for a photo with good composition and light. It was like he did half of the photographers work.
The accommodation was good and the arrangements by Alex were all smooth.
There were several instances where Stanley went above and beyond to make our experience so great that we would always cherish the memories we had on the trip.
He was very knowledgeable and shared so much about the wildlife.
He was very friendly and always very willing to help. He thought us several words from his language and always said Hakuna Matata! To not take life so seriously and enjoy it.
We also sang together eat together.
When required he also became photographer and took our great shots, he made great arrangements beforehand so that we dont waste any time.
Overall I consider myself very lucky to have got such an amazing Driver and guide. He made our trip unforgettable!
To make our experience once in a lifetime, he certainly did way more than what was supposed to.
The trip was Amazing! KENYA has so much to offer.
I would highly recommend Stanley and lenchada for your Safaris.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The experience of our trip was more than amazing thanks to Tailor Made Safaris
The anticipation of our trip started with extensive consultation with Tailor Made Safaris (which we already knew from two trips in the past) about what the trip should look like. They listened carefully and made a tailor-made trip that was completely to our liking. The communication was excellent, wishes and options were being exchanged all the time and little by little a perfect travel program was put together. Accommodation-categories were divided in basic/medium/luxury so there were options for every budget. We decided to do a mix of basic and a bit more luxury, which worked really well. After the booking a beautiful personalised photobook fell on our doormat, containing the full travel schedule with all relevant information regarding the trip/South Africa and some nice pictures. It was so much fun to receive this book which made us looking even more forward to the real journey!
Then the trip itself. It was wonderful, it really was. South Africa was only open for a week without too much Covid-restrictions when we flew there (yes we were a bit lucky). We started in Cape Town, a lovely city with nice tropical vibes. We climbed Lion's Head with perfect views on Table Mountain and saw the sun set at Signal Hill. We did a day trip to Boulder's beach to see the penguins. From Cape Town we flew to Durban, because Richard's Bay airport was still closed due to Covid-19. At Durban Airport we picked up the rental car and drove to St. Lucia. In this area we saw hippos in the lake as well as walking IN the village of St. Lucia. Furthermore we did some excellent game-drives in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. After St. Lucia we went to the private game reserves of Amakhosi and Manyoni. Over there we stayed in excellent lodges and had many game-drives. Important to say that all game drives during our journey were guided by very good, well experienced guides. However the guides in Amakhosi, Philip with his side-kick Jeremy, stole our hearts by adjusting every drive 100% to our wishes and doing their utmost to give us a fabulous meeting with some hidden lions. Nothing was too much for them!
Via, once again, a short stay in St. Lucia we drove to Drakensberg to stay a few days in the mountains where we were a bit unlucky with the weather but where we did a fantastic hike. We ended our 18 day trip in Johannesburg but before heading back to our home country we did another day of game driving at Pilanesberg. We simply couldn't resist the opportunity. There we saw, on our 16th and final game drive a leopard up close for one minute or so. It was a brilliant moment, the icing on the cake. Thanks Tailor Made Safaris for making this an unforgettable, very well organized journey. Your service was, once again, excellent, communication was transparent, and rental car, accommodations and all excursions were 100% well organized. It was fab. Looking forward to our next trip with you guys, probably in 2024!
HR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
Everything performed what promised. Excellent guide, cook, driver and other supporting staff from airport pick-up, through 3 Day safari till airport drop for return.
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Energetic, open, all smiles and helpful
Helpful transfer from the airport to the Safari Camp.
We changed vehicle dowtown Nairobi where we Got to meet our tour guide James - From there on it was all smiles and High spirits while he guided US through the masai mara park over three days.
He managed the Daily planning, had information about the animals he showed us and helped us a lot with practical stuff during our three Day stay.
Great experience !!!
LU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very friendly, highly motivated and knowledgable
Already during our written communication prior to the trip, Benjamin was responding very quickly to our requests adjusting the schedule to our wishes but also giving us his useful recommendations. Having booked with Siya Phambile our 4 nights tour in Kruger National Park removed any stress and hustle about planning (routes to take, accommodation, vehicle rental, etc.).
During the trip, Benjamin was patient to answer all our questions, also related to South Africa in general (as this was our first time there) and eager to drive us for hours around the park to watch the animals for as long as we pleased. Also he shared some of his books he had in the car, so that we could study a bit more about the animals and their behaviors.
Our vehicle (Toyota SUV) was comfortable and in a good state and Benjamin was a very careful driver.
Another important point is that Benjamin was always punctual on our appointments, be it early morning waking ups or evening dinners.
Next time we visit South Africa we will meet again for trips in Kgalagadi desert or elsewhere!