US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Well Organized
I liked how organized they were. They took care of us really well and ensured that we got value for our money.
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Responsive and helpful
They were always very responsive and helpful with all our enquires before the trip. They helped to set up everything from the airport to the safari camp and back. Our driver, Iddy, was super friendly and professional with a confortable van. Plus, we really appreciatted the camp upgrade, we went to camp Bastian and it went above our expectations.
Regarding the safari, we were lucky with the drivers Amiri and Yakari, however we weren't so lucky with the animals and the weather (march is raining season and we knew it, but fortunately it only rainned after lunch and in the days in Zanzibar we were presented with lovely sun).
Thank you!
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall, a very good value safari
We did a five-day safari with Focus in Africa in March 2020. We visited Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara.
Overall, the safari was great value. We saw a lot of animals, including the Big Five. Nelson, the organiser, was easily reachable and communicative.
Our driver, Loi Solo, was superb. He was very kind, was able to navigate the tough roads, and importantly was very good at spotting the animals. The safari jeeps were excellent, with pop-up rooves, electricity sockets for charging devices, a fridge, and everyone had a window seat.
Most of the camping was of good standard, the facilities for the campsite near Tarangire and Lake Manyara were excellent.
The food was also good.
There were a couple of drawbacks. The campsite in the Serengeti was poor, a lot of the tents were old & broken, and could not keep out the rain (we were there in the wet season). Our particular safari appeared to be overbooked, which led to a cramped jeep and a number of changes to the itinerary over the five days.
As this was a budget camping safari, these are not issues that would prevent me recommending Focus in Africa to those interested in a safari experience.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari experience with Reputable and Trusted company
I did the 2 day Tsavo East safari with a colleague. We were picked up near Watamu and started our safari with our driver and tour guide Abdul. Abdul was a great guide and driver! Absolutely recommend. Very friendly and knowledgeable about the park. He also arrived even earlier than the time expected and was extremely professional. The entire experience was great - from contacting the company to finishing our safari, and everything in between. Kennedy reached out with a detailed itinerary, was extremely responsive in communicating, and was very helpful and clear when giving all the information to us. Very easy process and no hiccups along the way. We stayed at the Voi Wildlife Lodge which was very nice and had a pool. The food there was also delicious. On the way back on Day 2 we stopped at a nice place for lunch where we had a full meal and the staff was wonderful. Every accommodation place we ate at our stayed was fantastic.
One of my favorite things about this tour is that all costs were included and there was no surprise extra fees. The one thing you did have to add (besides tipping your tour guide/driver) was drink fees at meals, which was trivial. This is also clearly stated in what is included/not included. If you want to buy souvenirs there is a good shop before entering at the Sala Gate that our driver took us to. The workers there are very nice and have a lot of good items; I only wish I had brought more cash. They do take card which is helpful - however if you would like to help out the locals they appreciate cash more than card.
We were lucky Abdul had a set of binoculars, these are definitely necessary. I also wish I had a big fancy camera to take some nice photos of the animals, so recommended. We went the first weekend of March and it was hot - we had to wear shorts and tanks. Even at night it was pretty hot; I packed a couple of layers expecting it to be colder at night. This was not needed. One light layer was fine for going to dinner at night and in the car for the morning safari. There was also not a lot of mosquitoes because of the wind which was very nice. This was a good time to go weather wise, but for safari views there was a lot of greenery - there was definitely animals that I'm sure we easily missed because they were blocked by the bush. Something to keep in mind if you have a flexible travel schedule.
Overall - fantastic and reputable company, easy to book and communicate with. If you are looking for a great 2-day safari in Tsavo East, look no further than here.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
MangiEmpire Tours
Great organization, Great adventure in Mikumi National Park!!
I‘ received several quotes from different Safari tour providers, but finally I chose Mangi EMPIRE Tours over the other 5 companies. This Company was answering very fast, provides smooth and clear itinerary with a reasonable price tag.
Communication was exceptional from the inquiry stage until when we landed back home.
There was consistent emails/whats-apps to let me know of the plans and they were very understanding answering all my questions.
This company was great at arranging everything even down to someone collecting us from the airport that also provided us with assurance and allowed us to pay before the day.
Our driver was funny and arrived promptly early morning after breakfast at our hotel in Dar Es Salaam to collect us ready for the tour. He provided us with snacks for the journey that were so needed so early in the morning!
Our safari instructor was phenomenal and his knowledge was beyond the average, we had a great 3 days with him in Mikumi National Park. And due to his wealth of knowledge he knew the park so well and we were able to see lions on the hunt, pythons, lion cubs and even porcupine needles that we would've never seen.
The hotel picked for our accommodation was amazing and was definitely an experience with a great safari feel.
The team here did a great job and would definitely recommend to all.
GR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience!
It was a great experience! We didn't expect to see so many animals. To begin with, the safari itself is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. We even saw baby elephants and lions. And a lot of zebras. Our driver, Mandela, was always scanning the site for animals and he was able to spot them easily! He was also a great driver! Our chef, Pius, was also great as he could cook nice food under difficult-cooking conditions!
As it is a safari, you must be prepared to leave your confort at home for the majority of the days (we stayed in tents for 2 nights and 1 in a nice lodge). Food, accomodation, taxi from the airport to the hostel (before and after the safari) and from the hostel to the airport was included.
SK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectly organized trip!
Kind owner (Tunu) organized our trip from the beginning to the end a we were very satisfied. The guide (Alfa) was also great and he showed us a lot of animals. It is hard to imagine a better holiday.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great guide, but lack of communication from Office to the guide
My Mom and I were very happy with our guide, Kikito, but we weren’t very impressed with the amount of time we had to wait on connecting vans and also the fact that we on our last day had to make Kikito aware that we had a flight to catch in the evening from Nairobi. So all of a sudden we had to be rushed in a separate car to the airport. Not very professional and very stressful.
Also, the van seats were very uncomfortable. Besides that it was good and we enjoyed especially Nakuru National Park and the food at Lanet Matfam Resort was amazing
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organised,excellent guides/staff,good accommodation
From the moment we inquired about a Safari Holiday with Viva Safaris everything was taken care of, cannot recommend them enough, if you're looking for a Safari in the Kruger,look no further than Viva Safaris
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was great!
It was really a great experience being three days on the way in the beautiful landscape of Kenya and already on the way to the safari we saw a lot of different animals.
Thanks a lot to the driver Maxwell,
he drive us safe to all places and told us a lot about the animals on the safari. Also teaching us a lot of being patient, in the wildness sometimes you see a lot of animals, sometimes the animals are hidden very well, then it’s the best time to enjoy the drive, the landscape and the good company of the group.
And thanks so much to Lilian for the great Organisation, and having a lot of patience answering all questions.