IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent guide, beautiful places and litlle bit a miscommunication
We booked our safari through Super Eagles, and overall, the price was reasonable for a budget safari. Our experience had some wonderful highlights but also several disappointing aspects that travellers should be aware of.
Kenya Leg
Masai Mara:The game drive in Masai Mara was incredible -we were lucky enough to see all of the Big Five and much more. We also enjoyed the visit to a Masai village. The stay was decent- it had beautiful view of sunset and saw zebra in our compound; however, the shower had very low pressure and the bathroom didn’t have any door. The 4-course meals were tasty and well-prepared.
Lake Nakuru:The safari here was beautiful, and the accommodation was fine. Food was very good. Our bathroom had an unpleasant smell, but others’ were fine. Also, this weird bathroom smell was a common problem in everywhere we stayed.
Amboseli:The lodge was absolutely stunning, offering unobstructed views of Mount Kilimanjaro, sunrise and sunset. The food was good, but the bathroom had a persistent foul odour that wasn’t resolved even after cleaning, which made the stay uncomfortable.
Transport & Car Sharing:For the first three days, we were six people in the vehicle, which was manageable. But later, Super Eagles placed eight people in the same Land Cruiser, along with all our bags and suitcases crammed in every corner. This made the rides extremely congested and took away from the safari experience. The saving grace was our driver/guide in Kenya, Timothee, who was wonderful, kind, and very knowledgeable.
Tanzania Leg
This part of the trip was handled by a different company, Seven Wonders, something Super Eagles never informed us about.
Our driver/guide, Mark, was knowledgeable with excellent spotting skills, but his car was in terrible condition -it broke down once, the seats were wet on the first day, and overall it was unsuitable for long drives.
Serengeti:The game drives were breathtaking, thanks to Mark’s expertise. Accommodation was inside the park and nice. Food was very good.
Accommodation Issues:At Ngorongoro, there was confusion with our booking. We were told by Super Eagles (via Bildad) that our stay was arranged at Octagon Hotel, but upon arrival we were told no booking existed. After nearly an hour of back-and-forth, the booking was finally confirmed. While the stay at Octagon was lovely, the miscommunication was frustrating.
Similarly, in Arusha, we were first taken to Charity Hotel but then redirected to Parachichi Hotel at the last moment. While Parachichi was nearby, the unnecessary waiting after a long safari drive was irritating.
Ngorongoro crater: The view was breathtaking- everything was beautiful about this place. But we felt that the guide assigned to us was not so great.
Final Thoughts
Pros: Beautiful safari destinations, breathtaking landscapes, good food, some comfortable stays, and excellent guides (Timothee in Kenya, Mark in Tanzania).
Cons: Poor communication, inconsistent accommodation arrangements, overcrowded vehicles, and in Tanzania, extremely poor vehicle quality.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A tour operator with a top guide, but areas for improvement in communication and organization.
We went on a 5-day safari and it was a fantastic experience. Our driver/guide, Bakari, was truly fantastic. He did his utmost to show us the Big Five – and he succeeded! Communication was also very smooth, and he explained everything along the way in a fun and clear manner. This really made the safari extra special.
Dave, our private chef, also deserves a huge compliment. He provided delicious meals every day, which was a real luxury after long safari days.
Most of the accommodations were excellent and well-maintained. Unfortunately, there was one campsite that was very disappointing: there was no light or running water in the toilets, and after a long, dusty day, you couldn't shower properly. I thought that was a real shame, and this could definitely be improved.
Furthermore, there were a few organizational points that could have been improved by the tour operator: The beer and wine that were included in the trip were forgotten at the beginning. As a result, we had to pay for our own beer and wine for four evenings, even though it was included in our price. On the last evening, beer and wine were brought, but this was meant to last the entire week, so we ultimately didn't get much use out of it. I found that rather disappointing.
The tour operator also indicated they weren't aware of our flight details. We were picked up at 2:00 AM for a flight scheduled for 5:00 AM, but it turned out to be delayed until 7:00 AM. This change hadn't been communicated to us, so we were awake all night at the airport. We then had to go on the first day of safari without any sleep, which was very tiring and unpleasant.
Despite these issues, the safari was generally well-organized, and we look back on it with very positive feelings. Again: the driver and the cook made this trip truly unforgettable. Absolutely recommended, with a few points to consider regarding the organization.
(automatic translation from Dutch)
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Great Safari Experience with Excellent Guiding
Before starting my safari, I was in regular contact with Big Apes. I was able to share my wishes and make changes at any time, and a revised itinerary was always proposed without any issues. In the end, I did a 5-day safari that was very diverse: from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to various national parks, as well as chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, everything was included. The pickup in Kampala and the end of the trip in Kigali were also organized smoothly. The five days of the safari itself were a wonderful experience. The tour guide was very friendly, dedicated, and had an impressive knowledge of wildlife, which he was happy to share. He regularly checked on my well-being and took great care of me throughout the trip. The accommodations were modern and of high quality. Personally, I would have preferred something a bit simpler, as a less luxurious style suits me better – but this is a matter of personal taste. The food was very good throughout the entire trip.
One point that could be improved is the communication before the start of the safari: I only found out the evening before when I would be picked up and needed to be ready. Additionally, during the five days there was one instance where the guide had not yet received the fuel money from the office.