FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
The safari itself was a great experience, but unfortunately the organization was really not up to standard. We experienced several issues with communication and transportation. We had informed the team in advance that we had large pieces of luggage, but when our taxi arrived more than an hour late, we were told that we could not take our luggage with us. This caused unnecessary stress, especially as we were not returning to the same hotel. However, after discussing the situation with the team, they were understanding and we eventually found a solution. We appreciated their understanding and were happy to finish our experience on a positive note. Overall, the safari was great, but the organization and communication definitely need to be improved.
KW
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super attentive and friendly
Our experience with Nancy was amazing! She took care of all our needs including booking our train tickets to and from Nairobi for the 2nd half of our trip in Kenya. They were very patient and listened to our concerns prior to travel and reassured us of the plans.
Our assigned guide (Martin) was super! He's a great spotter in the Masai and was always on the lookout for animals. We got to see all animals except for Rhinos which was very difficult.
The accommodation was super! Everything was organised in a timely manner and they gave me the option of 2 places to stay at.
We also took the village trip, although not much to see so I wouldn't repeat that.
Overall, amazing trip in the wild with great company and in good hands. Definetly recommend the Safari. The only thing I would change is make our Safari longer, we booked 3 days so we only had 1 full day drive
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was simply wonderful, exciting, and fun.
The Safehands guides were all very dedicated to making the most of the tour and ensuring we saw as many animals as possible. The itinerary—starting with Tarangire, then Ngorongoro, followed by two days in the Serengeti, and finally Lake Manyara—was perfect for us; we were able to spot a huge number of animals right away in Tarangire before the long journey to the Serengeti began. In the Serengeti, we experienced both a sunset and a sunrise, complete with spectacular skies, wildlife, and even hot-air balloons on the horizon. There was always plenty of food and drink, catering to everyone’s tastes—from meat dishes to vegetarian options. The accommodations were also ideally located, placing us right in the heart of the action. Everyone was incredibly warm and helpful, always up for a friendly chat. The Fig Tree Lodge Camp stood out for its warmth and charm; guests are greeted with a lovely song-and-dance performance upon arrival and receive a friendly welcome from the head chef in the evening. All in all, it was a truly wonderful and unforgettable trip. While not everything was absolutely perfect, that isn't necessary on a journey involving camping in the African savanna. A huge thank you to the team for making this happen day after day and for always staying "pole pole" (relaxed and unhurried), even when hitches occurred. Hakuna Matata.
An excellent safari with a fantastic guide.
We had an excellent safari with Hyrax. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and we're already talking about doing another safari in the future.
Our driver and guide, Ben, was excellent. He was a very safe and considerate driver, knowledgeable about the wildlife and the area, and generally very easy to get along with. We saw a huge amount of wildlife and had a fantastic time in the Maasai Mara.
I was also impressed with how Hyrax responded when we had an issue with our original vehicle. It was a small four-seater Land Cruiser and wasn't really suitable for game drives, particularly for someone tall. It was difficult to stand up properly and get a good view through the roof. We asked if it could be changed, and Hyrax arranged a replacement as soon as they could. The replacement was much better. Problems happen, and I think responding quickly and fixing them is what matters.
The reason I'm giving four stars rather than five is mainly the organisation before the safari. The paperwork and payment process sometimes felt a bit sloppy. Most concerning was being given an incorrect routing number for the bank transfer. That's not something you want to find out when you're about to transfer around US$6,000. Their bank also deducted an additional US$30 fee, which Hyrax asked me to cover rather than absorbing themselves. It wasn't a large amount compared with the cost of the trip, but it added to the frustration with the payment process.
Overall, though, the most important thing is the safari itself, and that was excellent. We had a great experience, Ben was a fantastic guide, and Hyrax dealt quickly with the one problem we had during the trip. With a more organised booking and payment process, I would happily have given them five stars.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very communicative, great experience, lovely hotels and good food.
Very good value for money. Seen some incredible animals. Communications were good. Our driver was great. We were a group of 6 and had one solo traveller join us which meant someone had to go in the front seat which had a restricted view. We found out later in the trip that the roof to the front could also be opened which would have been good to know on the first day. The food was excellent and consisted of chicken, rice and pasta and some vegetables. I cannot comment on the Materuni waterfalls as we have been asked to write this review before that part of the trip has been completed.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable and friendly
Jacob is clearly very experienced in the park and was able to navigate around easily to get us quiet sites of elephantsand big sites like a lion hunt. He was a great guide for a multigenerational group ranging from ages 5 to 70+. We had a great time and would recommend him to friends.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They are well organised and communication lines are short
Last July, our family went on a month-long holiday to South Africa. We came into contact with Safaries op Maat through friends. Communication has always been good and pleasant. We were able to contribute a lot of our own ideas, and they listened carefully to them. Together, we planned a wonderful, varied trip that included everything we wanted. The tips they gave us always worked out well. The travel guide we received by post shortly before our trip began was also absolutely lovely and very useful.
What we particularly appreciated during the trip was that whenever we had questions or needed help, it was provided very quickly via WhatsApp. We always received an immediate helpfull reply within a few minutes.
We can highly recommend Safaris op Maat to anyone who wants to discover the beautifull country of South Africa. .
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Thomas is Impressive and caring. Quite attentive and provided good guidance
Wonderful and inspiring tour. Willing to take it again.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
absolutely unforgettable.
The team’s communication was clear and prompt from the very first inquiry, answering every question we had patiently. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable about local wildlife, helping us spot the Big Five effortlessly. The service felt personal and thoughtful, and the entire trip was well-organized, making it 100% reliable with zero unexpected issues. It’s fantastic value for money, far exceeding our expectations. We will definitely book with them again and recommend to all friends!
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Carlos was always easy to reach.Always friendly
Saw lots of animals on safari. Did see the big five.The staff at the camps were so friendly and helpful.Divers Kikitu and Job were knowledgeable. Answered all our questions.