IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible company
I was unfortunately really disappointed with this tour company. They are almost con artists and extremely unprofessional.
I was doing this tour as a solo female traveller. I requested to be part of a group and waited until other people were booked before booking myself. I was told that there were other people booked in for the same dates and I could join that tour. When I was collected by the tour company, I was very casually told that everyone else had cancelled and I would be alone for the entire trip. This was never communicated to me before being collected in Entebbe. I specifically asked when booking to be a part of a group as I wanted to meet other people on my travels and wanted to have company for meals and long car journeys. Eddie’s attitude about this was very disrespectful and casual, as if it was not a big deal. It appears this company does not understand that a tour is supposed to be more than one person.
Day 1 of the itinerary was a 40 minute drive from Entebbe to Kampala. I was not offered a city tour. Day 1 started at 10am and was finished at 11am and I was in the room alone until day 2. As I was the only person on the tour, I couldn’t go for a walk with people or eat in company and meet new people as I had planned and had to stay in my room all day. When checking out of the accommodation on day 3, I had to very uncomfortably ask my guide to pay for my dinners numerous times as I was told these were included in the price. There was a breakdown in language here that meant I had to go back and forth with him to get him to pay. A very uncomfortable situation that could have easily been avoided if the tour company communicated with their staff better.
On Day 3, it was a total of 11.5 hours to get to the accommodation. We stopped for 15mins at the equator to take a picture and use the toilet. There was no informative talk as it said in my itinerary. My driver got lost twice and asked me to use my Google maps for him as he had no data? When I eventually arrived at the camp and began check in, my guide told me that a different camp had called to ask where we were. Then Eddie called to say we were at the wrong camp even though I had the name of the camp in my itinerary from Northern Fox. My accommodation had been changed without any notice and we then had to drive back the way we came from to get to the new accommodation. I was then texted by Eddie to say that I would only be staying for 1 night instead of 2 and I was being moved to a different accommodation again for the last night which was not the plan I was given. I was told the new camp would be “better” but I was the only person staying at the entire camp and again, did not get to meet any other travellers.
Day 4 was finished by 3pm and I was taken to my accommodation which looked nice and I was happy to hear there was a pool. The pool was absolutely filthy. I could not swim in it. Again, I was the only person from a tour staying at this accommodation so I ate alone again in an empty restaurant and did not get to meet anyone.
On Day 5, while travelling back towards Entebbe, my guide mentioned we were 2 hours from the Forest Cottages. I asked how far that was from Entebbe and he said “no we are going to Kampala”. I told him I needed to be dropped at a specific hotel in Entebbe, as I had an early morning flight, and I had already told Eddie this prior to booking the tour. I had also told my guide this the day that he collected me. Again, he just laughed casually and said “no problem”.
I am very disappointed with this tour and I am very confused why it cost $1540. I know the gorilla permit cost $740, but given the poor quality accommodation on day 1,2 and 3 I don’t know why this trip was so expensive. There were no bottles of water available for me in the car either, which I always had on my tour in Kenya so this was very annoying as it was supposed to be covered in the cost and I had to keep asking for it to be provided.
A warning to people considering booking this - this is NOT a 5 day itinerary. It is 2 days of activities and 3 days of travel.
I had good intentions to support a local company rather than an international travel company but I will not do it again. This company were very unprofessional and treated everything very casually when it was clearly causing me upset. If this were an international company I would be seeking a partial refund but given how carelessly Northern Fox treated my custom, I know they would not provide it. I understand there is a large cultural difference and that Ugandan people are very calm and take things very easy, but this approach does not meet international or European standards for service. You do not get what you pay for here. The issues I encountered while traveling alone were stressful and I would never book with them again. The two days of activities were fun, but this company ruined my trip.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Helpful and responsive
I have just completed a safari organized by the kimgoni agency. Everything was up to our expectations; program, guide, driver, accommodation.
Philipo and Joseph listened to me from start to finish and were always very responsive.
I recommend Kimgoni. The family is conquered.
(automatic translation from French)
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of my best experience ever
The agency followed as from our Arrival at Arusha Airport to our departure. Even if the Safari lasted only 3 day we were able to visit both Serengeti and Ngoro Ngoro parks seeing almost all animals. We booked a group tour (6 people) with other people but private lodge that we found always very comfortable (Angata lodges). The think that amazed me the most was our driver/guide, Assad Ally Guga, who satisfied all our needs and answered all our questions about animals. He put a lot of efforts in findings animals allowing us to see most of them. He enjoys his work letting us enjoy our experience creating a familiar and welcoming environment.
I do suggest Suricatasafari and ask for Assad as a guide/driver.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
a team of enthusiasts at a reasonable price
it is with you that I was able to realize my dream again thank you thank you for everything you are trustworthy people, passionate about their work I recommend you 100%
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Safari experience -especially with Aziz our guide
We thoroughly enjoyed our honeymoon Safari experience with Lion King Adventures. We strongly recommend Aziz our safari guide, who was incredibly knowledgable about all animals we saw (from small as Ant lions to as large as the Eland). Aziz was also friendly, spoke perfect English, was always on time and made our Safari experience even more special. We saw all the big five, and many many more. The vehicle was comfortable and spacious, and fully stocked with refreshing cold drinks. Would recommend this company to anyone wanting to have a great Safari experience.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Simply the best safari operator ... always again
We, a family of four with two kids (10, 15) have spent a 7 days / 6 nights safari tour in Kenya in the last week of June 2023 ... and we are glad that we had arranged it with African Mosaic Tours. Max is your contact person for organization, keep bothering him on special interests, highlights, etc. ... he can male it happen. And request Omari as your guide and driver, he is professional and knowledgable as well as friendly and handsome, a great person. He even invited us to his private house for lunch (after the safari), very nice family and good food :-)
Omary promised (not to mix with "granted") Big 5 and he delivered !!! We saw not only thousands of elephants and buffalos, but also black rhinos, leopards and dozens of lions. Not to mention all the other beautiful wildlife and birds. It was a great tour, perfectly organized and professionally accomplished, thanks to the Team.
We started at Mombasa International Airport and ended at our vacation house in Diani Beach. Take a Jeep, not a Mini-Van, don't safe the money on that. You want to go on safari, not on city sightseeing or a picknick tour !!! Again, take a JEEP. Better views, great feeling, more space and never any problem even during those sometimes tricky road conditions ... and not to mention the jealous sights of tourists sitting in the small and low mini vans ...
Now a brief summary of our tour. We visited Tsavo West, Amboseli and Tsavo East. Our main route stops were
- Rhino Sanctuary (a must in Tsavo West, there are not many black rhinos left elsewhere),
- Ngulia Safari Lodge (1st night, rather simple, but great terrace including leopard visit),
- Mzima Springs (nice green environment, ask fpr Steven) and Shatani Lava (okay to drive by),
- Amboseli National Park (awesome park to see Kilimandjaro), stay here in the park at
- Ol Tukai Safari Lodge (2nd + 3rd night, better stay two nights to relax and to see the big dude which is often covered by clouds), then
- Ziwani Tented Camp (4ht night, great with crocos, hippos, safari walk, night safari), continued to
- Taita Hills and Salt Lick Safari Logde (5th night, a must, the city above the skies), and finally went into Tsavo East to
- Sentrim Tsavo Tented Camp (6th night, here we saw a herd of 14 (!) lions).
There are for sure hundreds of other nice places to visit and it first of all depends on starting point (Nairobi or Mombasa), available time and disposable budget. I can only stress one thing: You go to Kenya primarily to see wildlife, hence focus on this, you will never regret or forget the experience you will make.
Thanks again to Max and Omari and greetings also from Mama, Egon and Tamina :-)
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great trip with super drivers.
I travelled in a family party of nine in two vehicles supplied by Maasai Wanderings on a six day safari in three different camps in Tanzania. The tour was superb but what really made it for us was the drivers. They were lovely people who joked and laughed with the family and I think they must have enjoyed the trip as much as we did. I do wonder how the tour would have been if the drivers had been less friendly, knowledgable and such fun. Not only were they nice to be with they were always on time and very reliable. Wilson 1 and Wilson 2 as they became known added to a lot to our safari which in every sense was a wonderful experience.
AE
Carol is amazing diffidently she is the best
We contacted them with short notice, we asked for 6 rooms which they managed along with flights to masai mara. Everything was well organized and they managed to show us everything you would experience there. Great team special thanks to Nixon he was our guide but now we have a friend in masai mara.
Thanks alot
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Honest , prompt in answering all my queries, easy to deal with, professional. Hotels and guides
We met Jackson on our first day in Arusha for our 6 day tour : Serengeti , ngorongoro ngorongoro, tarangire, kilimamjaro day hike and matureni waterfalls and coffe tour. This tour was perfect for us because it included everything we wanted to do in and around Arusha. His service, professionalism and honesty was faultless. The itinerary that he sent me was clear and detailed with photos. I loved the actual itinerary and the way he laid it out.
Jackson even helped us to get a local sim utilising one of his contacts who was equally professional and extremely helpful in setting it up and I’m so grateful for him for enabling us to be connected to the internet all through our stay with a one month great 9gb package for 20,000tsh. We sat down with Jackson and his friend on the first day and had pizza together and we could honestly say that it was one of the highlights of our trip chatting and getting to know those two kind and pleasant Tanzanian young men.
I have to say the highlight for me dealing with jackson was his prompt responses to all my questions about the tour on what’s app before I committed to the tour and equally after. He took care of everything from accomodation, tours, transfers and food all with a 10/10 score.
Even when there was a bit of miscommunication when I asked for an upgrade to a lodge in ngorongoro ngorongoro and Serengeti, he dealt with it extremely professionally and it was sorted out smoothly. His respect , calmness and welcome of us certainly made our experience all the more positive.
If you want to do any tourism in Arusha or surrounds he is defiantly the one.
Regarding the trip itself:
Safari at Serengeti and tarangire was amazing . But note that the trip from Arusha to Serengeti is around 5 hours and the road into the Serengeti park and even for a while after you enter the park is very bumpy and it takes a good hour before you start spotting animals . But then it is amazing and an absolute must once on a life time experience.
Ngorongoro ngorongoro was such an amazing place and it was all the more special because we spotted a rhino close up and running for a good while.
The Kilimanjaro 5 hour climb from the gate at 1800m elevation to mandara hut at 2720m caught us by surprise . It was a little strenuous for us and took 6 hours including lunch break, we had to rush so our companion travellers can catch their 8.20 flight to Zanzibar.
I still loved it though and was very happy to do it . So glad we rented the hiking shoes because they are a must.
Matureni falls were absolutely spectacular and breathtaking. Be prepared to get your shoes very muddy or just rent some gumboots.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flexible, efficient & well-organized
Kiboko team is extremely helpful and they organized an amazing 9-day safari package for us. They even helped us with our plans at the end of our time in savanna - highly recommended, especially to anyone traveling to Kenya for the first time.
The safari was an unforgettable experience and our driver-guide Samuel tried his best to track as many animals as possible. Importantly (and unlike other drivers around) he was very respectful of animals and didn’t drive right in their way, which we really appreciated and could peacefully observe all animals around.
Thanks a lot for making our first time in Kenya memorable.