ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good price and good experience overall in Kenya, but not a professional and kind service
In general, I give Apodiformes a 3/5 because the trip through Kenya as a whole has been a spectacular experience, and all the hotels included in the package and the drivers and guides were very professional, friendly, punctual and helpful.
Also, I found the total price for the package to be very good, beating many competitors' offerings, so if you want to save money, Apodiformes might be worth it.
But I have to reduce the score because all the interactions with Silas -responsible for Apodiformes- during the trip were rather a disaster, showing little professionalism and little kindness at all times. Although he was always very efficient before the trip, answering quickly via WhatsApp and adapting the schedule to our different requests, everything changed as soon as we arrived in Kenya:
Things already started badly with our arrival at Nairobi International Airport at 4:00 am, when there was no one to pick us up at the arrivals gate. Silas did not answer the phone, so after half an hour of waiting in the cold and with a 3 year old we had to take a taxi on our own to the booked hotel. When we arrived at the hotel, where we were very well received, we were finally able to contact him and he arrived minutes later. There were no apologies, just bad excuses that he was waiting “at the wrong terminal” (so why was his phone turned off?).
The next day we were going on safari. We had agreed with Silas to have a guide who spoke Spanish, but when we met the assigned guide he barely knew a few words. In the end it wasn't a problem because we were able to communicate well in English (and the guide -Leroy- was otherwise a fantastic person and a very professional and concerned guide that took very good care of us), but this lack of compliance with what was committed in the case of a client who didn't speak English would have been a big problem.
On the other hand, we had requested a child seat in the car that we would use to travel to Nakuru and Masai Mara and carry out the safari. The child seat was there, but it couldn't be attached to the car seat belts. We solved the ballot by buying a rope in a shopping center and tying the child seat with it. A messy solution that of course made us travel through the dangerous roads in Kenia feeling constantly anxious for the safety of our three-year-old.
In addition, that same day Silas told us he had unilaterally changed our accommodation on the Naivasha stage (from Sopa Naivasha Lodge to Simba) because at the Sopa lodge "there had been complaints of food poisoning". In the end it was not a problem because the Simba turned out to be very good but it seemed unprofessional to inform us of this at the last moment and base the change on a reason that sounded like an invention (no one else mentioned these problems in the hotel's opinions on Internet) .
At the end of the Safari, when we had scheduled a visit to a Maasai village, they wanted to charge us again for the visit even though the agreed program specified that it was included. We had to advance the payment and then claim the refund from Silas.
At the end of the Safari and going to the beach, we arrived at the Baobab Resort hotel, finding a standard room booked, although a superior room was specified in the agreed plan. We had to speak with Silas to demand that he negotiate with the hotel for an upgrade as agreed in plan.
On our return from Diani Beach to Nairobi, despite our flight being late, we had to wait almost an hour in the Wilson airport exit car park for Silas to show up to pick us up. It seems there was "traffic" but no other drivers who came to pick up the dozens of people who arrived on that flight had any trouble getting there on time.
Anyway, despite all these messes the thing could be forgiven if there had been sincere apologies and explanations in each case, but Silas did not consider to apologize for any of these inconveniences even once. He even did not ask us how the safari and other experiences had gone at any time, nor did he write to us to ask how the return home was, being unfriendly and showing total disinterest. A pity that our main contact and organizer of the trip was the least kind and considerate person that we have encountered in our trip to Kenya, otherwise fantastic.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Efficient and on point for everything!!
From the time I decided to use you to arrange for my husband's 60th, you communicated, you answered my questions and any concerns I had....Sandra is surely a star !! Thank you for making our trip so breathtakingly beautiful....
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
super professional operator with excellent guides
Fantastic experience! Emanuel and his staff did a great job. We had a mindblowing 6 days / 5 nights private safari in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Super safe and absolutely professional. Thanks to Obed & Moses (our Guides) - you are wonderful!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jean-Claude is the best!
My 16-year old daughter and I had the pleasure of experiencing a 4-day 3 night Rwanda adventure with Makario Safaris and it was wonderful. We did 1.5 days in Akagera National Park, visited Lake Kivu, and did the rainforest canopy walk and primate trek in Nyungwe National Park. To hit all of these places in this short amount of time requires a considerable amount of driving, but our guide Jean-Claude was top notch and an excellent driver. The fact that the landscape is simply amazing makes the experience of getting from place to place all the better. The Makario team was super communicative/responsive and provided options and pricing based on the preferences I provided. The trip was seamless, from when Jean-Claude picked us up until he dropped us off. Can't say enough good things about him. We only wish the trip cold have been longer!
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Planning, Perfect Vacation
When planning a family safari to Tanzania, we wanted a special vacation with unforgettable memories. We contacted Tailormade Africa, another safari operator and a luxury travel company for proposals. It became quickly apparent that not only was Clyde the most knowledgeable, but he also listened carefully to our wants and aspirations, which included seeing the great migration crossing of the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti.
He proposed an itinerary ( Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and N Serengeti ) and timing that aimed to fulfill all of our requirements, with attention to detail which gave us confidence that we would have a great experience. The cost was also reasonable for well chosen camps and private guides.
We have just returned from an outstanding vacation which met all of our expectations and then some. The arrangements were flawless from beginning to end - wonderful camps, excellent guides and magnificent wildlife, including spectacular views on 2 separate occasions of thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River !
We highly recommend Tailormade Africa and we would not hesitate to use them again when we next visit Africa.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Really great safari, efficiently planned and managed
SafariLife put together a wonderful safari experience for us, beginning in Kruger, moving on to Sabi Sands, and concluding with the Panorama Route tour from both the road and the river. While game reserves are great, there's nothing quite like being in Kruger with large herds of animals, especially elephants and buffalo, the experience of which far transcends seeing just one or a few of these animals on their own. SafariLife set us up with us a terrific guide, Percy, who found us a white rhino, which is rare, and had the sense to hold still after seeing a hyena booking it across the road because he knew lions would be close behind; indeed, three lionesses appeared after a few minutes! The housing at Skukuza in Kruger is basic but more than adequate, especially since we were spending the vast majority of our time on game drives. There are a couple of good restaurants there; we especially recommend the Kruger Station Restaurant. Our visit to Umkumbe Bush Lodge was a much posher affair, with excellent food, sumptuous lodging, and extraordinarily attentive hosts. It also afforded us the opportunity to see things that are very hard to see in Kruger, especially African wild dogs and leopards. Teas and coffees in the morning and a cocktail in the evening in the bush on game drives was a special treat. Lucky, our guide for the rest of the trip, took us along the Panorama Route, which shifts the focus from fauna to flora and unique geologic formations. It's worth taking the time to see these, as they are really breathtaking. We especially appreciated seeing the Three Rondavels from both above on the road, and below, on the boat cruise. SafariLife took excellent care of us, and we've already recommended them to friends considering trips to South Africa.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The perfect guide to experience Victoria Falls
We arrived at Victoria Falls as a family of 12. Kuda was at the airport to pick us up with a van and trailer for the luggage. We were at the Falls for 4 nights. Kuda filled our time with adventures that were always fun, exciting and educational. Having a personal guide when there are so many options is a real pleasure and saves a lot of time and personal organizing. Kuda was always on time, his recommendations excellent and he was always personable and willing to accommodate the different activities that members were interested in doing. We all would recommend him to others who would like a personal guide.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful people, wonderful experience
If you are looking for a safari experience in Uganda, I highly recommend Achieve Global Safaris. We had an absolutely wonderful experience. Jolie worked with me to put together an excellent 6 day tour that included an off-road safari in Queen Elizabeth park, chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, and a river cruise. Every aspect of the trip exceeded expectations.
Jolie was fantastic in her communication. We ended up postponing a planned 2022 safari until 2023, and she worked with us throughout. And our guide, Zedius, was wonderful. Zed was extraordinarily cheerful throughout our week together, and was quite helpful and knowledgeable. If he didn't know something, he found out and gave us answers to questions that we'd forgotten we'd asked.
We were especially impressed with the accommodations that were arranged. The lodges were a great experience in themselves, and our only regret is that we were so focused on safari activities that we didn't have enough time to fully take advantage of them.
I recommend Achieve without hesitation. Wonderful people, wonderful experience.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very knowledgeable & kind tour guides and helpful tour operators!
Great communication in the lead up to the trip, and very kind staff - from the driver who picks you up, to the staff you meet at the lodge, and the safari drivers are excellent and super knowledgeable and kind - to make sure you see as many of the big 5 as possible! Great experience - thank you.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Superb Safari
Safari in different areas is worthwhile.
Masai and Amboseli are both brilliant and work visiting. Amboseli in particular is amazing for the volume of hippos and elephants.
Lake Nakuru was great for watching the rhinos, flamingos.
Hell's gate was a little disappointing.
I loved Tsavo West - thick grass/bushes, red soil - so different from other areas, yet good wildlife, and we finally saw a leopard ! Not as much wildlife as other areas, but still enjoyable. It is a bit more of an adventure.
Make sure you take new $100 bills (2017), as the old ones (1999) are sometimes not accepted!
Early starts are worthwhile on safari.