DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dixon is GREAT!!
Dixon has been soooo great on our 4 day Masai Mara Tour - truly an amazing (and very hard working) guide. We appreciated him very much!!
BM
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Godfrey worked very hard to show us as much as possible in Akagera within a very tight time frame.
I had exceptional service from the start which includes Mwaka Utanje who was very responsive and patient with a slow international wire transfer payment. Godfrey picked us up punctually at KCC at 5 am (he was there early) and was a great timekeeper the whole day, but did not have much of a chance to share his knowledge of the animals with us. We had stops for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast was delicious even if slightly slower than expected because we all wanted to enjoy a Rwandan coffee! Safari in Akagera was exceptional. We saw far more than I expected, but it felt a little rushed. We were covering so much territory in one day it was only when the pride of lions surrounded us (!) that we took time to sit and watch the animals for a good long time. Lake Ihema boat safari with Innocent was also very memorable. Car was in good condition and Godfrey drove very well on unexpectedly congested roads back into Kigali. I recommend Makario Safaris!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They are proffesional, with good customer care and very resorceful in their field.
We planned this trip on a short notice, on a budget for time and funds. KASAKA went out gave us a package that made it possible for us to create one of the amazing memorable family trips we've ever had. Keep up the good work.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari Experience with Driver Samuel - An Excellent Adventure!
During our recent safari experience, we had the pleasure of being accompanied by the exceptional driver, Samuel. From start to finish, Samuel's expertise, knowledge, and friendly demeanor made our safari adventure truly unforgettable.
One of the most impressive aspects of Samuel's skills was his extensive knowledge of the parks and their inhabitants. He had a deep understanding of the wildlife and their habitats, making him an invaluable resource throughout our journey. Samuel enthusiastically shared fascinating facts about the animals, their habits, and their natural environments, enhancing our appreciation for the diverse ecosystem we were exploring.
Thanks to Samuel's expertise, we were able to witness incredible moments in the wild. His keen eye for spotting wildlife and understanding their behavior meant that we were always in the right place at the right time. We were treated to breathtaking sights of majestic creatures, their interactions, and their awe-inspiring natural surroundings. Samuel's ability to anticipate animal movements and locate the best spots for observation truly added an extra dimension to our safari experience.
Beyond his knowledge and skills, Samuel's warm and friendly personality made the entire journey delightful. He was always punctual and greeted us with a cheerful smile, setting a positive tone for each day's adventure. Samuel's genuine passion for his work shone through as he eagerly shared his enthusiasm for the wildlife and made sure we felt comfortable and engaged at all times. He patiently answered all of our questions, fostering a welcoming environment that encouraged open dialogue and a deeper appreciation for the animals and their habitats.
Moreover, Samuel's flexibility and attentiveness were commendable. He recognized our desire to capture memorable moments and was accommodating in allowing us ample time for photography whenever we requested it.
Overall, we cannot recommend Samuel highly enough. His exceptional knowledge, friendly demeanor, and impeccable service made our safari experience truly outstanding. We had no complaints whatsoever and couldn't envision any aspect that could have been improved upon. If you are looking for an unforgettable wildlife adventure with a knowledgeable and personable guide, Samuel is the perfect choice. Thank you, Samuel, for making our safari experience excellent in every way!
Our safari adventure with Driver Samuel was made even more exceptional by the seamless organization and excellent service provided by Explorer Kenya, the company we chose for our tour. From the initial planning stages to the final day of our safari, Explorer Kenya proved to be a reliable and highly professional company, ensuring a truly remarkable experience.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Trip
We went on a 2 day adventure to see Golden Monkeys in Rwanda and then Gorillas in Uganda. Our Driver, Dismus, was the best. He went above and beyond to make it one of the best trips. He took us to share gifts with local children and see different places that was not on the itinerary. He knew so much about both countries and about the animals and plants and was great. Booking was very easy also.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely professional, highly communicative, very friendly, and highly customizable.
From the start, Safari Soles made our safari planning and execution an easy and awesome experience. The initial brochure they provided for their quoted tour was easy to read and very well organized. It clearly hit all of the highlights of a safari in Tanzania, customized to our needs. The extras we asked, they easy accommodated. The accommodations they recommended off the bat were perfect. They made all of this so easy, and then our tour guide was fantastic. He was so knowledgeable about the animals and plants of the Serengeti, and he was so easy going and friendly. He was flexible in starting and ending our days if we needed more rest or wanted to do something specific. We had a fantastic time, and if we are ever lucky enough to go back, Safari Soles is the only tour company we will use. We 100% recommend them to everyone we care about.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unrivaled professionalism and service
My wife and I took a private one day fly in fly out safari from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park (used to be called Selous Game Reserve) during the latter portion of rainy season, mid-May.
Firstly, our amazing experience began with a request for a quote. Within 1 hour we had a quote and a deeply detailed layout of our trip from the pickup point at our resort in Nungwi beach to Nyerere and then back to our resort. I had a few questions for Jacob, my contact, through email which were promptly answered. So within 48 hours I confidently booked with Smile With Us Tours. Payment through PesaPal (a Tanzanian PayPal of sorts) was quick and easy.
On the day before our safari, the taxi driver (Nurdin) contacted us through WhatsApp to confirm our pickup and drop off. Nurdin was so very kind and willing to share his knowledge of his home with us. Most importantly, he was a safe driver.
On the day of the Safari we woke up early and met Nurdin who took us to the small departure gates that housed flights to Safari airstrips. The plane was a ~30 passenger double prop plane. The landing at Nyerere (as it is on any dirt runway in a small plane) is not as cushioned as a large international flight might be, but don’t let that deter you. It is such a cool experience! At the end of the runway awaits some nice restrooms, a line of safari trucks, and the entrance to Nyerere National Park. Stepping off the plane, we were immediately greeted with a huge smile by our fantastic tour guide Eric.
Eric began by familiarizing us with our 6 seater safari truck. Our safari truck was loaded with a cooler full of ice waters that was easily accessible throughout the trip. The dew that morning had left the seats a little damp, but before we even had the chance to mention it, Eric solved that problem by covering our seats with plastic panchos that were also available for rainy days. When entering the park, we stopped by the park rangers station where we picked up an extra tour guide who was learning the ropes in their tour guide school named Jameson “Jimmy”. Of course, Eric made sure it was ok with us before we added Jimmy as an additional passenger.
Despite being in the park during rainy season, when the foliage is dense and the animals more difficult to see, we had no issue getting many up close encounters with ALMOST all (sneaky lions) of the animals on our list. The guides from different companies are constantly on the radios trying to coordinate their movements to make sure you see the most animals. We were blown away with the variety of animals we saw and our favorites were the wildebeest, hippos, water buffalo, and the baby elephants! If you like giraffes, you are in for a treat! You will see more giraffes than you ever thought possible. You may even be sick of seeing giraffes at the conclusion of your trip!
Nyerere is a gem of a park as it contains many different “biomes” like savannah, wetlands, and dense jungle. Even in the rainy season, it displayed a dry grass savannah with herds of zebra and impala with the occasional wildebeest. 15 minutes later we were driving through a thicket of large, vined trees where a group of baboons were dropping fruits to a small harem of female elephants and their feisty young calves. Fifteen more minutes passed and we reached a sprawling riverbed where hippos and crocodiles were plentiful.
In the morning we had a 20 minute break where all of the safari trucks gathered near the river for coffee, tea, and Tanzanian fried bread (andazi). During the afternoon we stopped for lunch near a lake infested with more hippos than you can possibly begin to count. The lunch area had several metal gazebos where you can get out of the sun and very nice restrooms that were totally unexpected out in the bush. We ate a dish of chicken in curry on a bed of rice with a side of melon.
We finished the tour chasing after lion and hyena tracks, but to no avail. We were close though, as evidenced by several piles of giraffe bones scattered near our search area. Eric and Jimmy both created such an unforgettable experience for me and my wife and I know they are continuing to do the same for all of their tour customers.
The return flight to Zanzibar was peaceful and Nurdin was waiting for us as we walked out of the airport to take us back to our resort in Nungwi. In all, we left our resort at 0400 and returned around 1730 in the evening. If you want a special safari experience but don’t know if a multi-day trek is for you, I would highly suggest this opportunity.
Of note, the price of all the tours is a steal for the experience. However, the difference between a private tour and a group tour is arguably negligible. I would highly suggest a private tour if you feel that way too!
Also of note, while tipping is not mandatory, these guides are extremely skilled at navigating rough terrain, communicating with other guides, and teaching you about their animals, all while using multiple different languages. These gentlemen (from several companies) take pride in their trade and are unbelievably service oriented. They deserve a good tip so make sure to bring some Tanzanian cash!
Safaribookings.com is a terrific site and when my wife and I return to East Africa I will be using them to find my next safari adventure. Hopefully that tour is guided by the hardworking people at Smile With Us Tours!
IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was Amazing, lots of animals and good price
The guide Julius was great. He came to the ferry to pick us up and then we went to the safari.
We have a good lunch on the way to Makuim safari.
After we slept at nice camp hotel with good food.
Thenext day we did more hours in the safari and back to the airport to Zanzibar
Everything was amazing, we saw lions, elephants, zebras and more
I recommend!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing friendly service gave us an unforgettable experience
The service was extraordinary; our driver Dennis looked after us with a warm friendly smile and really became our friend and provider over the days of the safari. We are a school group of 24 young people and four teachers, so you can imagine that logistically that can present some challenges but everything was handled in a thoroughly professional and reliable manner.
We visited Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, and we couldn’t ask for more from our host - the whole team gave us outstanding help and service. We saw every animal you could want from a safari, they knew all the best places to go, provided interesting information about the wildlife, and food and picnics out in the savannah were all part of the package. We have memories to treasure which will last a lifetime thanks to Jocky tours.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator had hospitality in mind and was very personable.
I greatly enjoyed our tours! The hikes were appropriately paced, the views breathtaking, and the guides knowledgeable. William, one of the guides, is an amazing story teller.