35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Authentic company that combines local expertise with a family welcome.
Our booking experience was simple and straightforward. Albert at Serengeti Smiles was very responsive and helped us tailor our safari experience. Payments were easy to make.
We opted for a five day safari covering Tarangire Safari Park, Ngoro ngoro crater, Northern Serengeti and Central Serengeti. It meant some longer connecting transfers but allowed us to see a wider variety of terrains. We also opted to include a hot air balloon ride.
Our safari guide was Max Ayo. We could not have asked for a better person to share our safari experience. We were collected promptly from our hotel by Max and we instantly felt at ease. Originally from Arusha, Max was able to share both local and safari knowledge.
Within the safari parks, Max was eagle-eyed and spotted things we would have missed. He was able to give us fascinating facts about the animals that we saw. He also seemed to know everyone and used his connections to stay on top of recent sightings.
While there are no guarantees about what you will see on safari, having Max played a huge part in us seeing the Big 5, a cheetah chase a buck, hyenas fighting over scraps and a crocodile take a wildebeast.
All of the accommodation provided was very comfortable, and provided a nice variety with a mix of lodges and camp sites. Dinners were filling and offered good variety. Packed lunches were provided by the previous night’s accommodation. They were simple but tasty.
Overall, we would whole-heartedly recommend Serengeti smiles. They provided excellent value for money and in Max, we made a new friend.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nyasi has been my go-to safari company in East Africa (esp. Tanzania) for years.
Nyasi Adventure has consistently given me everything I've wanted in my East Africa experience. I work in global environmental conservation and I have been working with Davis and Robert (Nyasi owners) since 2017. I have depended on Nyasi for field work, taking stakeholders on trips, and for my own sight-seeing. The company has never steered me wrong. I have always had a good experience and I never worry once I'm in country and in their vehicles. Davis (and Robert, whom I don't know as well) is fair, easy to work with, and fun to be around. If you are in Tanzania, I highly recommend Nyasi. Even if they are unavailable, they will be able to connect you to other, trustworthy companies in the region.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great
The booking went smoothly and our questions, desires and queries were answered in a timely manner via email. When the time of the trip approached, the faster communication was via whatsapp. The driver / guide David was amazing, the trip went really well and we explored the country. The company made an extra effort and assisted us with a delayed luggage. Above all, a great experience.
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly planned, informative and friendly
Our day out with Alex was fantastic - he shaped up a tour that took us to Nairobi national park, the giraffe centre and the Karen Blixen museum, allowed plenty of time at each, and made the whole thing easy. Communication was a breeze, pickup and drop off were exactly as planned, and Alex was a wonderful host for the day. Absolutely would recommend.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Complete Satisfaction!
To see animals in their natural habitat was a dream come true. What beauty! Our guides, Moses and Antony were exceptional. Kind, courteous, educational and ready to take us at any time. We went to different reserves, stayed in amazing lodging, and did other tours other than game drives. We went to the Giraffe Sanctuary, Masai Village and a boat tour. All of it was top notch. Seven by Far Tours was excellent and we would definitely use them again.
US
Lied to and not refunded
I was given an inaccurate itinerary, and charged for things I should not have been. She made zero effort to rectify her mistake or refund me. Choose any other operator.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Service
This trip has been my dream all my life. Everyone from Go Touch Down were outstanding. From start to finish the trip was so much more than we expected. From the beautiful accommodations, so much excellent food, very friendly staff thank you Backkies, Zandile, Johnson and Chris to mention just a few. Also a huge thank you to Shelley and Inge for organising our trip of a lifetime. Both of you always available for my many questions. This trip was so well organised that we didn’t have to think of anything. We will definitely be going back to South Africa and we highly recommend Go Touch Down Travels and Tours.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lovely scenery
Kenya is a very interesting country to visit. I loved the seaside and the Safari parcs. My kind and enthousiastic guide Samuel Ndungu from Kenya explorer made the trip unforgettable
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
"The Pearl of Africa" is an accurate description of the country and its diversity of nature.
I traveled for 8 days with Meddy from "Bright Safaris Uganda" through the country, which is a tour operator that I would definitely recommend!
The tour was great and quite adventurous, which was exactly what I wanted for the safari. Especially the wildwater rafting on the Nile in Jinja and the stay in the Kidepo National Park were one of my greatest traveling experiences so far!
Meddy planned the tour according to my level of fitness and my wishes and it turned out great.z
In Uganda you can experience a variety of different landscapes, an interesting culture, nice and friendly people and of course a lot of animals. I visited Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Park and they both were amazing! But I heard from other tourists, that Queen Elizabeth National Park is also worth a visit, especially if you want to do gorilla trekking (for which my budget was sadly not high enough).
As I was traveling in september, the raining season was already starting, so depending on your tavel plans you should consider bringing both sun screen and and a good rain coat.
In terms of safety I never had any issues in Uganda. You are accompanied by your guide and the Ugandans are mostly welcoming and friendly too. Still, you will be stared at a lot and some people will ask you for money or want you to buy something from them, especially if you are white.
All in all I had a great time traveling through Uganda and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Like being in another world, the people, culture, wildlife, and unique plant life and trees.
We did a five day four night safari ( took about 3,000 photos )then the next day we climbed MT. Kilaminjaro to the first base camp. We chose camping in a tent and it was incredible in the Saringeti besides the countless animals we saw during the day they also came thru our campsite both day and especially at night. Lions came right by our tent the first night i could hear them grunting and then walking around our tent. Another safari tour guide in the tent next to ours looked out his window flap and saw a large male standing in front of our tent. The next night i could hear them about 40 yards away from the campsite roaring and grunting. Not to mention all of the other animal sounds near our campsite at night Hyenas etc. It was very exciting and interesting, i guess we should have been scared but at the time we weren't. The culture of the many villages and tribes was incredibly interesting. All of the different African trees including fruit trees like avacado, bananna and sugar cane, coffee plantations and countless unique plant life we saw was incredible. The weather was about perfect one day was a little hot in the Sarengeti and a light rain at night a couple of times. All in all this was a trip of a lifetime!