US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Organized and reliable adventure of a lifetime
We traveled with Gilmag Safaris in Tanzania for our honeymoon. We had the best experience possible working with them! Mary was helpful and responsive right from the start. We did the bush to beach safari where we got to game drive around three different areas before ending with a few relaxing days in Zanzibar. All our accommodations were clean and comfortable with fantastic food. Our guide/driver spoke fluent English (and Italian). He was so knowledgeable about the wild life and local culture. He used his expertise about the area and the radio to make sure we got to see everything we wanted to see! Gilmag Safaris has excellent communication through email and WhatsApp and designs the best trips to the most incredible places.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sande is very friendly and knowledgeable.
Sande was a really relaxed guide who is able to enjoy all that Uganda has to offer. We enjoyed the Queen Elizabeth National Park tour, the boat tour and chimpanzee tracking. It was nice to be able to support a Ugandan owned tour company. Sande will take good care of you!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experienced
For the money, this is a 5 star experience. You will get to see all of the animals you hoped for, and more! Arony, our guide, was very experienced and knew exactly the route to take us to maximize our time and experience. We took the 4 day Masai Mara/Lake Nakuru safari - The camp in the Mara is a basic set up with bed/toilet/shower and has a bar you scan purchase alcohol from. The hotel in Nakuru is a bit nicer with free wifi. Overall, great experience and Arony answered all of our questions and was a great host !
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An experience of a life time!!
I went to Tsavo with my family and kids and for them it was their first time in Kenya.Source Africa Discoveries (Anthony) made it a trip they they will cherish all their life. Very professional in their arrangements, friendly and ensured we are comfortable at every step.
They went out of the way to ensure we see a Lion in the difficult terrain of Tsavo. They coordinated with other drivers got the location of the last lion spotting and drove us there right in front for the King of the Jungle. Me and my kids are thankful to Source Africa Discoveries for showing us the true Africa and making is fall in love with it
Cheers
AK
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do it!!
We did the 8 day tour through Naivasha, Nakuru, Maasai Mara and Mombasa extension. We upgraded to the 'luxury accommodations' and also added on the hot air balloon experience.
Overall, this tour was definitely worth the money and we highly recommend to others.
Pros:
- the drivers provided were excellent. at one point, one of our drivers had a migraine and they arranged another driver for us and there was zero wait time and the driver with a migraine was able to get home. both of our drivers were vaccinated.
- Blue Range is quick to respond on the WhatsApp messenger.
- We wired the initial payment, then paid the rest with a travel reward card at his office in Nairobi. There is a transaction fee of 2% (I think!)
- Due to luck, we wound up being the only people in our safari car, so we essentially had a private safari.
- We saw the Big 5, plus many more animals. It was incredible seeing this all in person and hope you have good luck animal spotting as well!
- Do the hot air balloon tour!! This was our favorite thing. It also included a brunch on the bush which we were unaware of, it was really fun and we enjoyed meeting other people.
- the weather was perfect while we were there - light jacket in evenings and pants during the day were fine
- we took malarone just in case, but minimal mosquitos while there so that was a happy surprise
- initially we just upgraded one luxury accommodation, but then 2 others were upgraded for free because the original place was booked.
- everyone we interacted with was overall lovely
Cons:
- a lot of driving is involved. Bring snacks and something to do (i.e., a kindle or books to read when driving city to city). Also, driving and traffic rules are quite different than our experience in the US. We were fine but there were a few moments that felt a bit scary (traffic jam wise).
- there must have been a miscommunication re: our transport the the airport for our flight to the US and the driver charged us. The transport was supposed to be included, it was around $20 US. We had the cash so just paid.
- We weren't clear on a few things - be sure the read the PDF itinerary carefully. Our first itinerary said domestic flights were included, but then later it didn't include this. We had to book the flights. Additionally, due to the time we landed we had to book a hotel in Nairobi for the night. The Hilton Garden Inn was close, but we didn't realize we had to book this until we were en route to the DFW airport. It was momentarily stressful but we did appreciate a hot shower and a few hours of sleep before going off on our journey
- overall the places we stayed were great, the bathrooms at the Nakuru lodge didn't have working hot water, or perhaps we couldn't figure it out, but it was only one night and not a big deal to us
Other:
- bring money to tip your guides, waiters, etc. You can withdraw money upon landing in Nairobi. For the two of us we spent $400 USD (in Kenyan shillings) and it covered all tips, plus small incidentals. We didn't buy any curios or trinkets (just coffee). We overtipped on purpose due to the amazing service and understanding that tourism was really shut down with COVID.
- COVID testing in Mombasa was relatively easy
- Rules with COVID change fast, be sure to check you flight and country rules often. We overprepared with multiple copies of our negative tests and QR traveler code and I would recommend this.
- You'll be eating at buffets or prepared meals at the different resorts, overall food was good and lots of variety
- Our food was all inclusive at each place, at some places alcohol was and others it was not. Check your itinerary or inquire with Willis. The all inclusive at the Voyager Resort in Mombasa was fantastic. Another note - if you order water at dinner it may be charged, but you have plenty of access to water bottles with your driver.
- Read books by Kenyan authors before or while here - Anthony Bourdain's website has a great list to start with
- do the safari boat tour en route to Naivasha
- we skipped the village tour
- in Mombasa we hired a boat to go out to a water reserve, it was really fun
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable and accommodating while also keeping everyone safe!
Aron was wonderful and we got to see many animals in our first two hours. He would let us know when we needed to rush and see another animal he heard about. We got to meet the Mara people and Aron answered all of our questions and taught us about the culture. It was everything we wanted abs just when we thought it couldn’t get better, Lake Naruku was beautiful and we finally got to see Rhinos. I honestly saw Everything I wanted and more. The driving is crazy in Kenya period and Aron does a great job navigating traffic even if it scared me to death.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great!
Many thanks!
Great and fast arranged!
Guide Mody was fantastic.
Asante sana.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
3 night safari in Ruaha
The initial communications with Wild Gaze was efficient. Emails were answered promptly and questions where answered clearly. We booked a budget safari staying at the Tanapa Bandas in Ruaha National Park. While the bandas where clean, confortable and well located it was not made clear that there would be no options of food and we would be served the same thing everyday. While it was adequate it was not very tasty. The safari truck was comfortable and had plenty of sockets for charging electronics. Our guide, Ben, was accommodating, a careful driver and appeared knowledgeable. Overall a good experience and we would book with them again.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very helpful, reliable and excellent value for money
We did a 3 day safari - Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru - with Bencia Africa Adventure & Safaris and I can truly say we had a wonderful time.
Alfred, the owner, was extremely helpful right from the beginning and always returned my calls and answered my emails (and I did send him a lot of emails!).
The safari itself was excellent. Our driver, George, was extremely knowledgeable and funny and he went the extra mile to make it a memorable safari. He was very reliable and nothing was too much trouble for him. I have nothing, but praise for him.
The accommodation and the meals were excellent too.
If I do another safari, I will definitely book Bencia and ask for George. I highly recommend them. Thank you to George, Alfred and Prudence from behalf of me and my family for making this a truly unique experience. You deserve to do very well because you truly know what customer service is.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly executed - even during Covid lockdown!
My family of four (including two teenagers) had the trip of a lifetime thanks to Kathi Simon’s expertise and attentiveness. We planned our trip two years ago and decided we would travel during Covid no matter what! Over those 24 months, Kathi invested a great deal of time listening to our requests, answering our questions and crafting the perfect trip, just for us. As the date approached, she was wonderful reassuring us about traveling during Covid and was able to make a few last minute adjustments to comply with current restrictions.
Once we left home, all of our stress and anxiety disappeared. Travel to South Africa was incredibly seamless and we were shocked how open and welcoming everyone was (even at the airport and passport control!). We kept saying “that was so easy!” We had heard that the average level of service in SA is 5 star service and this is the truth! At each of our 3 destinations (Four Rosmead Hotel, Hamilton’s Tented Camp and Elephant Plains) we experienced superior service and attention. We were treated like family and developed great relationships along the way. We never once felt nervous, unsafe or concerned about the pandemic. In fact, we loved having most of the typical tourist spots much to ourselves! Of course, Cape Town was unforgettable and the safari game drives were epic! The hubs and I loved Hamilton’s for its level of luxury and romantic setting. My kids loved Elephant Plains for the game drives, pool table and family accommodations. We all loved Four Rosmead for it’s quaint homey feel and fabulous breakfasts. In the end, we couldn’t believe how much we experienced in 9 days, with still plenty of relaxation time! Before we even left for home, my husband and I were planning a return trip! And we will definitely be using Kathi and African Welcomes Safari again!
