QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible experience while on the 7 day tour.
I had been approached by Tour Kenya Safari Heights owner Meshak Mutinda like many other tour operators when I had submitted a quote on Safari Bookings for my visit to Kenya for the Safari in March 2018.I had mentioned to my tour operator that I wanted Ole Moran in Masai Mara for my 2 days stay,Flamingo Lodge in Lake Nakuru on my One night stay and Kibo Safari Camp for 2 nights stay.He showed me the booking vouchers and asked rather begged to make the deposit of 300usd in the first week to April saying these hotels would be booked as July is a peak Season.He promised to provide for my first and last night stay in Nairobi and also visit to the elephant and giraffe centre on the last day.My tour was from 12th July 2018 until 19th July 2018.He offered me Sunrise Hotel on my first day of stay in Nairobi to which I had denied(after receiving bad feedback from friends) as it is not a nice hotel inspite of 3 star ratings.Meshak promised to provide another hotel however on the day of arrival in Nairobi he put us up there saying all the rest were full.
Next day en route to Masai Mara the driver John informed mid way that we are not putting up in Ole Moran(which is way closer to the park)but Nature Explore lodge which is 45min.drive away from the main gate entrance.So basically you waste at least an hour to enter.On speaking to Meshak the excuses started that Ole Moran is full etc.As per the itinerary he did not even provide for the next day early morning drive as he would have to pay for the entrance again.Same happened in Lake Nakuru and Amboseli they kept on changing the hotel.In Nakuru the hotel was good 45min drive from the gate entrance hence we waste another hour just to enter.In Amboseli as well AA lodge where we put up was still decent however on our 2 day stay we only got to visit the park on the first day and second day early morning drive was not provided as per the itinerary and we were asked to pay for it.Overall on the entire journey the driver John tried to savour money from us.He also took 35usd pp for the Masai Village entrance fee by lieing to us to fill his own pocket.Not to mention on our last day arrival in Nairobi no stay was provided and we had to book on our own.I had agreed on 1150usd pp on private tour for 2 and Tour Kenya Safari Heights failed to keep up to his word.We were scared that we would be left in the middle of the road anytime by our driver.Also on talking to the owner I only get excuses.There are many of these agencies trying to get money out of you by making false promises so please don't fall prey.We don't want anyone else to suffer like we did.So please make your own booking be it more or paying less money through booking com or Agoda or the hotel directly and arrange for your own transportation.We are lucky that we got to see the animals and the Safari was somewhat decent.But throughout we were scared that we might not see what we have paid for.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good experience
We have made a honeymoon trip in July and it has been the best experience of our life. Enmanuel has been our guide and we have loved how he has treated us and his knowledge of the country. So we recommend anyone who wants to go on a safari to do it with African Big Cats Safaris.
IT
Kishao Safari offered a professional attentive service. Everything was well organized
Communication prior to safari and during it was excellent
The service was excellent, our driver/ guide was knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive
The 5 day safari tour was very good quality / price value perfectly living up to expectationsana
Nice safari with lots of really great animal sights
Lodging was excellent at Tortilis camp not so good at Boungaivilea lodge
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever
Seriously. I didnt know what to fully expect but everything was first class from the transfers to the accommodations. Mwajabu was very prompt in her responses and put me at ease since this was my first trip to Africa. I highly recommend Hello Tanzania and the trip that i booked.
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent and customer oriented tour operators
I wrote to Majenda and he replied to every query I had! He booked hotels and the car and the driver was always on time! No hassles! They went beyond their work hours to help my family and made sure we were safe at all times and most important we enjoying ourselves!
The prices are affordable and he cares about the services his company offered than earning extra bucks for ripping off customers!
Both drivers we had to Mikumi and Udzungwa were professional and helpsome!
Highly recommend this tour operator, and would definitely use them again in future !
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US
Kalinzu chimp tracking: great trip, great tour guide, great experience!
Immaculate is great, and willing to customize trips to fit your needs. Very personable and talkative. The trip itself was a good one, but just a tip for future travelers to Kalinzu Forest: unfortunately during the rainy season, chimps remain high in the trees to avoid the wet ground. We saw plenty in the trees, though. Western Uganda is very beautiful, and this tour was a great way to see a few different examples of that - including some awesome local hot springs
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience! Totally recommend
I booked to climb Kilimanjaro and then do a safari with Kiliholidays (Mack, who was great at organising it all). I booked the 7 day machame route, which is most scenic and every day had incredible views, recommend this route! I have to say it was the best experience of my life, summiting is unexplainable you HAVE to do it yourself to totally understand the amazing, for me emotional, breathtaking (literally lol) moment and due to one guy, my guide Rufano Masi this was made possible, not only was he a guide, he was a friend. He made sure himself and his brilliant team went beyond everything they could do to make it a brilliant experience, I can defiantly say they exceeded in performance and expectation, I cannot thank them enough. Their smiles and support filled the camp every second of the day making even the tough times a lot easier. Every day was its own challenge and unique experience building up to the final summit day, Rufano was professional in every way and totally trustworthy and as a young (20 year old) single girl from England travelling for the first time on my own I felt totally safe and comfortable the entire trip. Rufano was encouraging making us all laugh everyday, he made sure we all had what we needed (and if I was missing something he made it available on hire) and from the very first time I met him at our briefing he was full of passion and determination that I would achieved what I wanted too, this passion was constant throughout the trip and myself and my amazing group submitted! His experience showed through his great knowledge and communication was easy, his English is nearly as good as mine! I learnt a lot from him, if I was in Arusha for longer I would have also loved to have gone on a coffee tour and visited the hot springs which I know he takes clients too, I will have to come back again! I don’t want to give to much away from Kilimanjaro because it’s an individual experience, am amazing sense of achievement which effects everyone differently I would love to encourage anyone thinking about it to just go for it and from my experience Rufano is a perfect guide! Oh and not to mention he is a great photographer capturing many special moment throughout the trip!
We summited in 6 days instead of 7 due to Rufanos suggestion due to his experience and knowledge of the weather conditions not being the best if we had that extra day, myself and group trusted his opinion (he gave us the option totally up to us what we did as we paid for 7 days) but he knew best, and it was the best decision we made! It did mean squeezing 2 days into 1 but It showed it was a great decision because we made it to the top and I’m greatful and so so glad we did it! This is just one example of Rufano thinking about what is best for this clients in order to achieve that end goal. This meant we had an extra day of rest before safari which I was also grateful for!
The safari was amazing During this 4-day camping safari you will visit the Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park. We saw lots and also saw rare things such as a leopard and also 10 lions catching a buffalo! Our driver was knowledgable of the animals and parks! Totally recommend this! Amazing experience! Thank you Kiliholidays, everything was organised from my airport pick up until last day of safari where I had my own accommodation sorted in Arusha (they dropped you off and were more than happy to stop by a shop on way back). Overall the best experience which I will treasure for the rest of my life no problem was too big/too small I couldn’t have asked for more!
IT
All fine with an italian speaking guide
We booked a Safari on the second half of July 2018 with Easy Africa, getting to know there that it collaborates with this tour operator managed by italian people.
Richard, our guide, met us at Kilimanjaro airport and was our guide and driver for all the trip till Arusha airport. Speaking italian with him all was easier. He proved to be calm and professional and having good eye for spotting animals. Talking with other guides he brought us where the animals were.
Our Safari included an afternoon in Arusha, 1 day near Lake Manyara, 2 days in Serengeti Park and 1 in Ngorongoro Crater. Visiting different parks allowed us to see all the big-5 without spending too many days and too much money.
Our vehicle, a Range Rover, was outdated but adequate. Hotel accomodations, Planet Lodge, Kudu Lodge and Kati Kati Camp, were excellent despite having requested a medium-upper medium level.
We didn't have any problems and enjoyed the holiday, so we recommend Savannah Explorers also for its good value for money.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect and Unforgettable 7 days Safari with Get Together!
The dream started some 7 months before the Safari to start. Always available for us, by mail or by phone, Savilinyi supported us on a daily base to build up a program fitting to all our needs.
Our driver and guide Emmanuel was already waiting for us when we arrived to Kilimanjaro Airport with a warm welcome and the well prepared Safari Jeep! every thing ready to go!
The seven days have been a succession of different landscapes, wildlife and plant life in such a way that every day was a new discovery. Emmanuel could answer all question we had whatever relating to the country, the people leaving their, plants and wild animals. supporting his explanation with some books and pictures. Simply amazing knowledge and connection with his country and people surrounding.
Better service and competence is not possible!
We spent every evening in such well selected places, wether in some Safari Camp or in nice Hotel , able to keep us connected to the safari spirit, the country and confortable to relax for long exiting Safari days.
Following this perfect experience, we already think at a new Safari, crossing Tanzania from North to south...this will be with Get Together.
Thank you very much for this unforgettable experience. Keep going like this!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional local tour operator
We booked a 8 night tour with Benson Safaris, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and a day hike in Kilimanjaro. Right from the outset, I found the company to be highly professional and responsive to all requests. I looked at a range of tour companies before booking and found Benson Safaris to be the one that was willing to personalise our tour, make suggestions for different options and provide advice to help us chose the best experience for our budget. I was keen to use a local tour company, but Benson's stood out above even some of the large international companies in terms of customer service and price. All of the people from Benson's that we dealt while in Tanzania were friendly, professional and willing to be flexible to meet our needs, even collecting us at 3am for our return flight, when our travel arrangements changed at the last minute. Our tour guide, Paul, was excellent - knowledgeable and good company. The accommodation was all top notch, very luxurious in wonderful locations. I would not hesitate to recommend Benson Safaris.
