US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great experience from booking until final goodbye.
Making arrangements from half a world away was easy because of Tersca's professional attitude and work. Emails were quickly and throughly answered. All aspects of our trip went smoothly: transportation, wildlife safari, meals, and lodging. We had a pleasant experience.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
efficiency in everything
precise, punctual and professional. I found in Cardboard box Travel a reliable partner to better organize an excellent safari.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Because of MDS, we found magic in the places, the people and the culture.
The communications were excellent, especially the response rate and the specificity with regards to answering all the questions.
The trip went above our expectations since we didn't realise it was a private safari, the resorts we stayed at were wonderful, the guide Joseph was also one of a kind and went above and beyond to show us everything he could. We saw 4 of the big 5 and so many other animals.
We were very happy with the places that Angelina hand picked for us, both resorts (at Masai Mara and Nakuru) were fabulous!
Perhaps it would be better to have included the fact that the safari was private and also state the type of vehicle that would be used to move etc.
We felt that a map would have been useful, showing the client the routes that would be used to get to Masai Mara (and also include a key with a straight line for good roads and jagged line for bumpy roads, so that the client understood the length of time that would be spent on bumpy roads). This map would have been especially useful for the Lake Nakuru leg of the journey since we didn't understand that we would spend 6 hours getting there. We were happy to have seen it, as we spotted the black rhinos and the other rhinos up close, but to be honest, if we knew it would have been an additional 6 hours in the van, we might not have chosen this option.
It would also be useful to print 2 copies of the itinerary, one for the client and one for the driver. We only had one copy which the driver lost and as a result, we ended up wasting time on our already short stay at Nakuru because we tried to check in to the wrong resort.
Other than these very simple recommendations, we would certainly suggest using Magical Destinations when planning your safari in Kenya. Angelina also provided many options for activities in Mombasa!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent attention and bespoke travel experience
In planning for a trip one year out, I 'interviewed' US, European, and African travel companies. Matthys of Discover Africa listened to what I wanted to accomplish for the group of 10, was willing to make changes and make better suggestions than the ones I had, and did so at a price point that could not be beat. That was all pre-departure. Once the trip started, Matthys' knowledge of his country and his understanding of our group and my desires as a group leader, showed up in the stunning lodgings he selected (locations, services, and amenities), the activities he had planned and suggested, and his partnership with Ilios as a guide and transport service in many of the places we visited. I was the only one of the 10 who had been to Africa and because of the professionalism, creativity, and individual attention that Matthys gave to us, the others are all ready to return with friends and families - and to use the excellent services of Discover Africa. Many thanks, Matthys and team!
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service
Emmelyn and the team at Savanna Safaris & Tours have been extremely helpful and engaging.
Clearly having a local service helps and pays out.
Highly recommended!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mount Kilimanjaro Trek and Serengeti Safari
We booked both the mountain climbing and the Safari through Kilimanjaro brothers.
Both were incredible
For the Trek - led by our guide John was extremely patient and answered all our many questions regarding wildlife/culture/scenery. The chef, Massawe prepared us fantastic meals in difficult situations. The porters took great care of us, supplying us with tea and snacks!
For the Safari - Juma was our driver, he went to great lengths to make sure we saw as many of the animals as possible - he also got us a fantastic view of the Wildebeests crossing the river Mara!
We stayed at the Maramboi lodge - all the staff were fantastic - as was the food and the quality of the room - a beautiful place.
I don’t have anything negative to say - we were happy with everything.
Thanks for a trip of a lifetime
FI
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This I will remember for the rest of my life
We had a lovely experience in Kenya with this company. They had chosen the parks to visit very wisely and our driver Francis was a fantastic guy and provided us with a lot of nice info and facts and knew his way around. We were slightly confused when arriving to Nairobi and our contact was nowhere to be seen, but they arrived soon enough. Also one of our lodges was a bit less than perfect (the rest were simply perfect!), but that was due to us booking the safari so late and the better lodges already booked full.
This company gave us a way better deal (private tour, cheap) than the other offers we got and I cannot recommend them more! If I would go again, this would be the company I choose.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Refund
I have previously written a review about the difficulties I had on my safari. However, the company have since apologised once again for the mix up with the vehicle on the final day, and have refunded me the cost of the final day, which is a generous response to a genuine mistake. This also makes me feel sure that the experience I had is not at all the usual quality you can expect from them, as reflect in the other very glowing reviews below! Thanks to Jackson for sorting this out.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Harrold has exceptional knowledge and was a great guide
Harrold was such a kind man and he knows his stuff, he explained everything for all of us to understand. He made us laugh too.
I can recommend Kurt Safaris.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
my daughter felt during a daytrip. No Help, no refund for the money for a planned safari.
We paid all safari fees for three persons, five days about 5500 $ in cash and in advance. Because there were a few days before stating the safari we booked a day trip to Marangu-falls. On this walk our daughter felt and broke her arm very difficult. So difficult that the doctors told us
to go back to germany as soon as possible. So we had to leave immediatelly. Our daughter was not able to fly home alone. She still can not move her ellbow, wrist or fingers - six weeks later.
We tryed to inform the owner of kilimanjaro budget safaris immediatelly, but we couldn´t get in contact. So we wrote him and told him, that we were not able to go on safari. He did not respond. After tansanian friends contacted him, his father brought us $ 900 back. Now we contact him
and his father who owns another safari company. The fsather says, William is the boss, William say his father is the boss.
Do not book here or do not pay in advance. You will find no help if there happens an accident - with a guide from this company, while a trip
from this company.