NZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Disappointed by last minute changes and miscommunication
A wonderful safari was let down by a last minute accommodation change and miscommunication between the tour office and my guide.
I'll start with the positives. Communication with Perminus at Africa Marvel Tours was quick and easy. He was helpful with making itinerary suggestions. I was able to call via Whatsapp before I left NZ. He was quick to let me know that my guide was running late for my initial pick up - which I appreciated.
I loved my stay at Tsavo East Voi Safari Lodge - the view overlooking the plain below was MAGNIFICENT!!! I highly recommend staying there. I have never seen so many elephants before. They were everywhere!
Amboseli had incredible contrasts between the dry landscapes and marshes. Overall Amboseli seems more affected by the current drought than Tsavo East. But I have no idea what they were like before the drought, and I was still able to see many animals at both. There are lots of carcasses at Amboseli due to the drought.
My guide was mostly good. He was knowledgeable and professional and I felt very safe as a single woman.
My disappointment came when my accommodation outside Amboseli was changed the day of arrival. I was most disappointed as I was moved to accommodation that was more basic than I had expected. I communicated my disappointment to Perminus, who said his supervisor would be in touch with me. That never happened. This last minute downgrade of accommodation left a sour taste in my mouth.
The other disappointment was a miscommunication between the Tour office and my guide. My guide told me that I HAD to do a full day in the reserve as I would have had to pay for an additional entry fee, if we wanted to enter again. So I agreed, even though I would have preferred a morning and afternoon drive. Full day drives are tiring and less enjoyable. (At this point I had forgotten that my itinerary specified that I had a morning and afternoon game drive.)
At the end of that day, as we were confirming plans for the next day, my guide told me that we wouldn't be able to enter the park again on my last morning as we didn't have an entry. This time I remembered that my itinerary specified that I had a game drive that day, (and lunch in the park). I had to contact Perminus to get this cleared up and was able to have that final game drive. I wish I had done this the previous day.
Make sure that you get what is written in your itinerary!
I had my hot air balloon ride moved to another day, as the day it was scheduled was already booked. This was mildly frustrating, as I had booked this months in advance, but Tour Office only booked it a few days before. The one positive of this, was that I was able to see 5 cheetah the morning I would have been on the hot air balloon ride.
Going on a safari is a wonderful thing to do. Both Amboseli and Tsavo East are very different. The accommodation at Tsavo East, probably means I rate it more highly.
Unfortunately the accommodation downgrade, lack of follow up and miscommunications between the office and my guide, means that I would not book with Africa Marvel Tours again.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
THE FORTPORTAL EXPERIENCE
The trip was so amazing we were able to see some new things that we hadn't seen. The sceneries were also great. We took so many memorable pictures as well and finally the guides were great.
Rada Safaris
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari with all of the big five :)
We had a great time in the Tarangire National park and the Ngorogor park. We saw a lot of different animals like lion, giraffe, elephants, cheetah, rhino, zebra, hippo, flamingos and a lot of more. The two parks complement each other perfectly. I think two days also the perfect time. We had the ranger Omar, he was great. He is very funny, had good mood and told some story’s about the culture and the animals. We enjoyed it very much. Also the seats in the jeep are very comfortable and you get different drinks in the car.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly Experienced and so accommodating!
The safari itself was amazing. We saw everything we hoped to see and more! Our tour guide, Yasin, couldn’t have been better and gave us so much information throughout. I would recommend This company to a friend!
NO
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very good, I had a marvelous time.
The safari in Masai Mara was excellent. Our driver, Samir, was a very nice person, a excellent driver and guide. I would have liked to have better seats and safety belts in the car and a microphone for the driver. People in the back seats could not hear what he told us about the animals, the country etc.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive, entrepreneurial, kind and committed to his clients having an amazing experience!
Isaya of Kihindo Safaris was my tour guide on two amazing safaris over the last two weeks: the first a three-day safari at Nyerere National Park/Salous with work colleagues, and the second a three-day safari at Mikumi National Park with my family.
All of my pre-safari dealings with Kihindo Safaris were incredible: from the moment I inquired about different tour options, Kihindo’s responses were prompt and clear. This made coordination easy as I was traveling on a complicated work trip with a lot of logistics. Isaya made things straightforward but was also flexible to accommodate changes and questions about different options for tours and payment.
As for the tours themselves, they exceeded all expectations. Isaya is a talented tour guide - he knows both parks very well and we saw such a wide variety of animals at different locations and at different times of day when we visited. He was knowledgeable about the parks and their many inhabitants and was often “first on the scene” at a given location to see an exciting animal. He added interesting cultural add-ons to each safari - at Selous, a walking safari with a bushman, and at Mikumi, a visit to a Maasai village. Isaya kept us on task and schedule which we appreciated. The accommodations were also excellent, convenient and exceeded our expectations.
As Kihindo is a small business, I was pleased to support them rather than a larger tour group company where the tour guides are subcontractors or staff. Kihindo Safaris is a highly entrepreneurial business and I know I received a high value for the services rendered.
I will recommend Kihindo Safaris without hesitation to those taking safari trips at parks throughout Tanzania.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Big Gman is AWESOME!
This 6 Day Safari was an impressive experience right from the first day. Animals every day, all day. Even got to see the elusive Black Rhino at Lake Nakuru!
Today, the last day of my 6 day safari was the Crème de la crème!
Woke up to the second morning of Mt. Kilimonjaro with a beautifully blue backdrop and scattered clouds. A sight to behold!
We saw most animals today from less than 50 feet! The rains last night must have brought them out in earnest! Don't get me wrong, I've seen many, many animals every single day, but today was phenomenal due to the very short distances!
I wish I could rate Big Gman and Lenchada Safaris a 10!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome Experience
We spent 02 wonderful days with Mzingo Wild Adventures. George our driver guide apart from being polite and helpful was the best guide. Annie was good in communication and responded to our many questions. W would definitely recommend Mzingo Wild Adventures at any time.
Thank you for amazing experience.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Best tour operator who offer the best service in guiding and so forth
The Best tour company who offer the best service in guiding and giving information eg: Ras tour guider is so much detailed about animals and he’s a good informer
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
John was lovely, a very knowledgable safari tour guide. Knew all the good spots! And a great driver!
4x4 option definitely worth it. Budget tour great!
