US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience - exceeded expectations
When we started our search for a safari we made a list of what we needed:
-Professionalism
-A specific itinerary- 10 days making a wide loop from lake Nakuru -Maasai Mara-Serengeti -ngorongoro-amboseli starting and ending in Nairobi. I'd done a lot of research and thought this made for a nice kenya/Tanzania highlight reel
-Private vehicle and guide
-accommodations with Private ensuite bathrooms with hot water and clean, critter free accommodations with decent food
Aside from that, our requirements were minimal and we were trying to stick to a budget, so I think this puts in the solidly midrange category. I reached out to about 20 companies (i am neurotic): mr. Otieno at Kenya walking survivors was one of the first to respond with clear answers to all of my questions and a package that matched our needs perfectly. About half the companies responded with offers that didn't match my request at all; among the other half kwss was actually 10-40-% less than anything else with comparable lodge/camp quality, so it was an easy choice to book with them.
Throughout the booking process I received reliably prompt clear answers to all my questions and was provided with contact information for my driver well in advance of our arrival. We actually arrived the day before the elections and had received several state department warnings; I reached out to kwss and they provided clear reassurance with explanations and offered to allow us to postpone even though it was unnecessary - i am so glad we didn't!
Our experience on the ground was excellent and exceeded expectations. The lodging was actually significantly nicer than I expected overall: photos don't do several of the places justice. I have done medical work abroad and stayed in many pretty spare/rustic places, my husband is the picky traveler and he was very happy throughout. Even in the tented camps we had very lovely, well decorated rooms with nice en suit bathrooms, plenty of space and even turn down service with a hot water bottle. staff were universally friendly and helpful although we had one negative experience at our camp in serengeti it was related to a single employee. The food ranged from acceptable to extraordinary - packed lunches were just ok, but some of the dinners were top notch - shout out to the steak and curry at lake Nakuru sopa lodge, the entire buffet at octagon lodge. This was even more impressive given many of our meals were cooked to order and not buffet due to the high number of election-related cancellations. Also- not a single mosquito ever in any room we stayed in- key!
The game drives were amazing. We didn't have the fanciest vehicle and might've had a slightly bumpier ride than some people (we were in a pop up van in Mara and a land cruiser in Serengeti and we noticed a difference for sure) but we didn't care. Our guides were all incredibly nice, patient, relaxed and approachable. They were also all open to answering all questions- not just about the animals but about politics and life in Kenya and Tanzania. Their knowledge about animals varied and they weren't all necessarily high grade naturalists. They all could definitely identify every animal and were all agggressive about making sure we saw as much and possible were each genuinely excited for us when we spotted something unique (mating rhinos!) They really all had great attitudes and senses of humor and I'd argue that's more important for spending ten hours a day with someone. Shout out to mike and Abel our two guides in Tanzania - I have rarely gotten better vibes from two people. Mike's amazing laugh and smile seriously put us in such a good mood. When we did have a small incident at one camp he advocated for us with incredible professionalism. THE BEST!
The overall efficiency of the operation was extraordinary. We actually changed our itinerary mid trip! We originally planned on spending 4 days in Masaai Mara and 2 in amboseli (with three in Tanzania in between) but after 2 days we felt we had a full/incredible Mara experience so decided we would prefer to do 3 and 3. I emailed and asked if this was possible assuming it probably wasn't and to my surprise mr otieno responded immediately that he would be happy to make this change if it would make our trip more enjoyable.
That was really the sense I walked away with overall; that Kenya walking survivors safaris and all of its employees and affiliates genuinely wanted us to have a great experience. Friendly, professional, flexible, responsive and well-run operation. If I ever went back I'd use them again in a heartbeat. Thank you!
DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
it started with a nice welcome at the airport and it went on in a good mood all the journey together
It was my first safari and all my dreams come true.Tarangire ManyaraSerengetiNgorongoroLakeNatronWhat a good choice and all the animals the fantastic landscape and of cause the Land Rover(it reminds me of traversing the Sahara with 2 Landrovers when I was young )And now a very important thing : Emmanuel he is an excellent driver and he knows a lot and he is quick in finding the animals and he has a good humor he looked after us and we always felt save with him.The other Emmanuel was a little bit too calm but when we asked him he told us in german, but driver Emmanuels english was good for conversation.The stuff everywhere in the camps was very friendly and the tents and lodges were very clean especially the bath and the toilets.THis year I have been in Greece Naxos and we had to put the toilet papers in a basket aside.And in the parks flush.Incredible!The food was good choice and good quality except the breakfast and lunchbox in Natron TC that was poor and we had not the choice to fill the lunchboxes ourselves.Iwas very content and it was an adventure.I loved it I like to travel like this.Now I stopp praising you.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very satisfaied, everything perfect!
I organised a 2days safari to Ambosely park with Mwema Africa Safaris. Everything has been perfect!
Good accomodation and meals, and a great driver (Anthony). Furthermore, the price is very competitive.
I reccomend this company!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lovely Trip
We enjoyed our trip with Vince Tours to Kidepo valley National park, it was amazing.
We will plan one soon to queen Elizabeth N.P
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Zanzibar + safari Tarangire, Ngorongoro and lake Manyara for family with three generations
Benson did great job on all sides of the arrangement, and more than lived up to our high expectations. He cooperates With Tahib at Zanzibar. Tahib is a really friendly and knowledgable guide. Tembo hotel and Amaan bungalows can both be recommended for accomodation. To arrange safari for three generations with age ranging from 9 to 75 could be challenging, but everything was well planned to please both children and adults. Safari itself was really nice, we saw lots of animals, and Peter was an excellent guide and driver, but it might be good to choose a time of the year witch is not as dry and dusty.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Adventure
A really fantastic experience and an excellent organization. I would repeat with Adventure Africa Expedition without any doubt !
Immaculate
Perfect organisation. Big thanks. Will use again. Recommendable to all.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gail took onboard all our requests and carried them out beyond our expectations.
From leaving Brisbane airport, all throughout our African adventure and then touching back down in Australia, Gail constantly supported and communicated with us. We missed our first outbound connecting flight, but Gail was following our flights and organised onward flights for us. Gail met with us to discuss our itenery and we felt assured and comfortable that she would prepare an excellent trip for us. It wasn't until we were actually experiencing all her detailed planning, we realised our expectations were being exceeded constantly. She was a great listener and we seemed to be on the same page with all we wished for. On arriving back into Sydney, some of our luggage was missing, so again Gail went above the beyond tracking the luggage down and eventually had it delivered to our door! We cannot recommend Gail highly enough if you are looking for an extremely experienced, professional Travel Agent to organise an unforgettable travel experience for you.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience and outstanding service!!
I did 7 days safari with Meru Slopes and I could not recommend them enough! Clear and prompt communication answering all the questions I had, very patient and not pushy to book with them.
The safari was impeccable from the beginning to the end - I was picked from the airport, welcomed and immediately checked in the hotel, start of the safari on the next day with both our driver and cook very professional and easy going. We were lucky to see the big 5 and also wildebeests migration.
They delivered on everything agreed and beyond! The safari was my personal treat for my birthday and Meru Slopes surprised me very pleasantly by organising double surprise - first one by the cook early in the morning whilst we were still in Ngorongoro crater and another one later on when we got back in the hotel. They had made a beautiful and tasty birthday cake, gave me presents and the whole Meru Slopes team sang "Happy Birthday" to me!
Thank you ever so much Geofrey and everyone from Meru Slopes team for the unforgettable experience!
Book with confidence. You will not be disappointed!
Asante sana marafiki!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Safari in Central Serengeti
My husband and I are independent travelers having gone to Africa three times previously. We used Good Earth Tours for a Central Serengeti Safari and were very pleased with our choice. I communicated with Baraka for several months before our trip and found his replies to be fast and helpful. He even helped us arrange delivery of a suitcase of donations to Huruma Care Development in Arusha. Our guide Joseph was great at finding animal sightings, we even watched two lions take down a zebra! This whole outfit is tightly run. The local airline had a glitch with our reservation even though we had all the paperwork and Joseph had it straightened out before we barely knew there was a problem, actually got us on a plane immediately instead of the longer wait we should have had. I said to my husband, look how quick Joseph did that, I might have been looking for a sympathetic person for quite some time had I been alone.