65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A professional organisation who organised our holiday from start to finish
Kennedy organised our holiday from start to finish. We visited 4 parks and had a spell on the beach.
When a query arose prior to our holiday his response was immediate regardless of the time of day. There was an issue with our visa and he went round to the visa office in Nairobi to resolve this.
Our driver Daniel was very knowledgeable and pleasant.
I’d recommend Africa Challenge Safaris to organise your holiday.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Shawn was extremely knowledgeable and understanding, & continuously available to manage everything.
I recently worked with Nomad Africa to plan a wonderful safari experience for my visiting parents in the Masai Mara, Kenya. The tour was well-organized, with excellent attention to detail; our travel booking guide took the time to meet with me and understand the needs and desires of my parents as she planned the perfect 3-day excursion for them. She was also excellent at finding great rates and tailoring the trip to our budget and my parents dream safari.
Accommodations are serene, glamorous and immersed in the natural surroundings. Through Nomad Africa's connections, the guides ensure incredible wildlife sightings, including the Big Five. The cultural experience with the Maasai community is also a unique touch.
What set Nomad Africa apart in planning this experience is their passion for creating authentic experiences. I highly recommend them for a fantastic safari adventure in the Masai Mara, and will likely use them again in the future as I plan other trips with my family.
Thanks for making my parents dream safari come true!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very accommodating, just beware of potential downsides to group safaris
African Chitah came out as the best option for joining a two day group safari to Tarangire and Ngorongoro: they were the cheapest option and willing to accommodate a request for a specific lodge at the edge of Ngorongoro. They were very helpful and communicative in arranging a rented camera and dealing with issues that came up (e.g. the road to my lodge was so muddy that our car got stuck). The “group safari” setup (or join safari as they call it) is quite intriguing: clients from different companies seem to be put together in an intricate logistical puzzle that involves separate drivers for transfers from town (in normal cars) and safari guides. I liked that it makes efficient use of resources, but it also has its downsides. The focus on efficiency gave me the impression that the guides chose routes through the parks that were more fuel-economic, like when we spotted an elephant in Ngorongoro and the driver didn’t want to make the detour despite everyone in the car asking for it. The safari cars were also clearly older and for some reason didn’t have the radio to hear from other drivers where wildlife was spotted. On my way from Arusha I was taken by two different drivers and then handed over to the guides at the central gathering point (Panorama), who were not informed about the specifics of my itinerary and initially wanted to change my specifically requested hotel - which had been the primary reason I booked with Chitah. When I protested they quickly accepted this and accommodated the schedule as planned - but it does mean you need to stand up for yourself and be a bit vigilant that things go as planned and everybody knows where you’re supposed to go. Another downside is that there’s more waiting time involved. In the morning there’s a breakfast as clients gather (even though I had breakfast already), and after tarangire I had to wait at a gas station for over an hour for some other clients who also needed to go to Arusha, because their safari - in the same park! - was still ongoing, which felt a bit like I had drawn the short straw in terms of how much safari time I got.
All in all the experience was pretty good, we got to see some great animals, but it is good to be mindful of how the group safaris are organized.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very helpful, educated and knowledgeable!
I hired David to take me from the airport to Kilimanjaro to buy a medicine to my kids! He was very helpful! He did everything he could to help me find it, he even called a doctor and took me to the hospital to help me! He is very trustworthy and knowledgeable about Kilimanjaro mountain and South Africa’s safaris! I would certainly hired him in my next Africa’s adventure!
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful
Nice service
Everything was fine and the guys were very nice
Good food
I recommend
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience with Zee in Namibia
We had a great 12 days in Namibia. Our driver and guide Zee was excellent. His knowledge and enthusiasm was first rate and when there was the odd bump, he was on the front foot immediately to resolve it. We would not hesitate to use him and the company again.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kilimanjaro and Safari
Sunny Safaris helped us put together an unforgettable trip we will remember a lifetime. We started our three week journey by climbing Mt Kilimanjaro via the Machame route. We spent six challenging yet amazing days in the spectacular mountain, much due to the lovely team of porters and guides. After our daily walk we entered a new camp where we were greeted by the porters great energy . We enjoyed nutricious dinner before we rested for the following day.
After descending from the unforgettable hike, we were picked up by Sami who were our chafeur for the next three days spent on Safari. We visited Serengeti Nathional park, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater where we got to experience the African wildlife and see the animals in their natural habitat. Sami knew a whole lot about the species and their characteristics, as well as the history of the districts we drove through.
After yet another unforgettable experience,we took off to Pemba Island for a super relaxing week. We were picked up and drove through charming villages before we arrived at Aiyana Resort, recommended by Sunny Safari. The week spent here was as relaxing as can be - in the clear turquoise water or the beautiful beachfront house. The seafood was impeccable and the staff was lovely. We left more rested than ever and will be reminiscing of this amazing trip for a long long time. Sunny Safari helped us create a seamless three week journey, and we highly recommend their expertise.
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
DE
Very good driver
Very good Organisation pick up from Airport and organize a Ticket for the Bus to Dar . Very goood driver
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jartan Laizer was our trip leader on our recent family trip to Kenya and Tanzania.
From our first contact with Jartan via email 5/23/22 throughout our trip, which ended 7/15/22, Jartan was nothing short of extraordinary. Although we have taken over 13 trips across the world, we have never had a company that contacted us so much ahead of our trip. We had the opportunity to have multiple contacts with Jartan with our questions, and he always responded quickly and thoroughly. In addition, he responded to questions from the other members of our family group in the same way. Although there were a number of complications due to flight cancellations, he was very accommodating with the late arrivals.
He consistently asked all of the group members during the trip if they were OK and if things were going well for them. His personal relationships with each member of the group, including the children ages 11, 13, and 17, were beyond the usual expectations for a group leader. Everyone loved him.
Although there was a problem with lost luggage of 3 members of our party, Jartan told me that he did not sleep until the bags were safely in the hands of their owners. And they were safe.
One of the reasons for our family trip was to renew our wedding vows for our 20th anniversary. It is our second marriage, and all 4 of our kids had stood up for our wedding ceremony. We wanted all of them to be present for the renewal. We informed Jartan of our intention, and he asked if he could officiate. We loved the idea and asked him to do it in a Masai traditional way and help us find appropriate Masai clothing for the service. He arranged to take us to a local (non-tourist) Masai village to have the ladies help us find appropriate attire. That was an experience by itself. He also selected the perfect location at the border of Kenya and Tanzania. Additionally, he researched and designed a custom anniversary card for us and had a local (non-tourist) woodcutter make it for him out of wood from a Tanzanian tree. A herd of elephants was just outside the location of our ceremony. The drivers stationed themselves so they could keep an eye on them. In the middle of the vows, the drivers yelled: “Get in the Jeeps!” as the elephants were approaching! When it was safe to complete the ceremony, we did. How many people can say that their wedding vow ceremony was crashed by a herd of elephants? Later that day at the lodge, Jartan arranged in advance a special cake for us and dance of the staff. It was really extraordinary, and we were deeply touched.
As if all of that were not enough, we saw the Big Five in the first day and a half! The weather was perfect throughout the trip, and we even saw a pride of lions stalk and killing a wildebeest. Finally, we were lucky enough to see thousands of wildebeests at the migration crossing.
We learned so much about the people and culture of both countries with personal experiences.
It was the trip of a lifetime for all 13 of us and a dream come true thanks to Jartan and Tanzania Safari Collection.
Respectfully,
Vladimir Lyaskin