65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive and Helpful
Our safari experience was quite wondrous. The Shamwari Reserve is a marvelous place. Other than some relatively minor issues regarding transportation, our experience was quite satisfying. We would happily and certainly use and/or recommend Safari.com again.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An incredibly accommodating private tour experience.
We arranged a private tour for three friends and were accompanied by our guide Lamesgn and our driver Abel. Overall both were excellent. We toured the tribes of the Omo Valley, which is pretty off the beaten path from other tourist areas of Ethiopia. With that came less infrastructure and less than comfortable accommodations, which was to be expected. We visited several tribes including the Dorze and Hamar tribes. The Dorze visit was the most engaging and interactive and fun, though having us dress up in tribal clothes was unnecessary. We spent a night camping with the Hamar tribe, which was a truly authentic experience (not so comfortable) but authentic nonetheless and the type of experience we asked for. Since it was Christmas night (Jan. 7) we experienced the sacrificing of a goat, and had dinner with the tribe before hunkering down in individual tents. We also visited the Karo and Mursi tribes which were interesting visits though more organized for tourists. One of the best experiences was a visit to the Hawasa fish market, where we learned about how the locals live off of the river and learned to make Ethiopian sushi. This experience happened because Lamesgn listened to our wanting more authentic experiences not built for tourists. We also got to watch a Hamar tribe bull jumping ceremony.
We were not thrilled with the food options for most lunches and dinners as these were at hotels. The menu was always the same, with mostly westerner options. That might be what many want but we wanted authentic Ethiopian, which we got on the last night in Arba Minch - a fun local place with a great vibe!
Most hotels we stayed in were ok - maybe a level 2/3. Electricity and water were spotty, which was to be expected in such a non-touristy area. The last night in Arba Minch we asked to change hotels to the Haile Resort, which was heaven on earth after 6 days of “roughing it”.
At all times Lamesgn did his best to make sure we were happy and comfortable and made changes to the itinerary as needed. Southern Ethiopia is dusty, bumpy, and filled with flies but as a well traveled group we could not have asked for a better guide and driver. This area of Ethiopia is very interesting and beautiful in areas. Overall a good experience but it’s not going to be for everyone.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Zambezi Quest Travel and Tours provides a well-organized safari with friendly, knowledgeable guides
My friend and I traveled to Zimbabwe and Botswana for about a week with Zambezi Quest Travel and Tours, and it was my first time experiencing a safari. Overall, it was a very enjoyable and memorable trip.
The company arranged airport transfers and other logistics, so everything went smoothly from the beginning. Our tour guide, Brighton, was friendly and knowledgeable, and he helped make the safari experience even more enjoyable. The game drives were amazing, and seeing wildlife up close for the first time was truly unforgettable.
There was a small misunderstanding regarding the national park entrance fees during one of the game drives, but it was eventually resolved. Aside from that, everything went well.
The Boma dinner show was a lot of fun, and overall we were very satisfied with the safari experience and the trip as a whole. It was a great journey, and we’re glad we chose this tour for our first safari.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Attentive to our requirements, very quick with providing the details / changes in the initial quota
Professional and client-oriented communication. Pickup from the airport on time. Positive attitude of our guide Joseph wanting us to really enjoy safari and doing his best to find the most of wild animals. We've learnt a lot about the african animals thanks to him! Moreover, excellent driving skills especially during the shower rains when the roads literally turned into rivers! Never were we stuck in the mud or felt unsecure!
The choice of the accomodation overall fitted our expectations except 1 camp which could have been more relevant to the value we paid.
We recommend this agency as professional and customer-oriented.
CN
Overall planning was excellent, and our guide Isaiah was a real highlight!
This was my first safari, and it was an absolute surprise and amazing!
The planning team communicated smoothly from the very beginning, and throughout the safari journey our guide, Isaiah, was incredibly professional, humorous, and patient. His sharp eyesight and driving skills were truly impressive.
If we ever come back for another safari, we would love to explore it again in his vehicle.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Transborders are very organized from the beginning of the trip to the end
First, the tour consultant was really keen to getting the experience we wanted. They really cared about the experience we wanted, advised us on the best camp to pick from the best of the camps that are in Nanyuki. They organised our 3 days nanyuki trip from the transport,which they got us a safari vehicle so we could get the most of our daily game drive in Ol Pejeta park, Nanyuki. The driver made sure we got the best views of the wild, we saw quite a number of giraffes, buffalos, birds like the ostrich, peacock, guinea fowls at Maisha Nanyuki camp. We also got to see the king of the jungle the lion on the second day of our trip. For service, I would give them a 5 star, their trips are the affordable and they really follow up from the beginning to the end. Since it was a family trip, they made sure we go the best family room in Maisha Nanyuki. I would really recommend Transborders Tours and Travel. Book with them and you will get the experience even better than value of the cost.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
good value, solid option for solo or small group travelers looking for a social safari experience
I had a good overall experience with Sacred Wilderness Expedition company in Tanzania and would recommend them, especially for travelers who don’t want to pay for a fully private safari.
Communication before and during the trip was smooth and straightforward, mainly via WhatsApp, which made planning very easy. They offered a lot of flexibility when it came to trip duration, routes, parks to visit, and accommodation options across different price ranges. They also helped arrange transport directly from the airport to the start of the safari, which was very convenient.
The safari jeeps themselves were okay—functional but not top-tier, as I’ve seen better elsewhere. That said, the guides were solid: good drivers, experienced at finding good animal-viewing spots, and very patient when answering questions. They clearly knew the parks well and made an effort to ensure everyone had good sightings.
Food was quite decent considering it was cooked at the campsite, and overall well prepared. However, there could have been more protein—there wasn’t really enough meat for the size of the group.
One thing to be aware of is that this is a shared, non-private safari. Groups are international, which is actually a big plus and made the experience more fun—you get to meet people from many different countries. However, because of different route options, groups can be mixed along the way. You may not stay in the same jeep or with the same people for the entire trip, and accommodations may vary as well. If it’s important to you to stay in one vehicle the whole time, make sure to clearly specify your group size and preferences in advance.
Overall, this company offers good value for money and is a solid option for solo or small group travelers looking for a social safari experience without the cost of a private tour.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good except tent
Almost all were good, but there were lots of mosquitoes in my tent.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good safari
Overall, a very good experience with this safari company.
The program was well designed, the landscapes were stunning, and our guide was very good, knowledgeable, professional, which really made the trip special.
That said, I would have appreciated more transparency on certain aspects, especially regarding the booking of internal flights. The flights were booked without consulting us, which resulted in a wasted day. We could have taken a later flight (at a similar price) and enjoyed more time in Zanzibar instead.
The Maasai village visit also felt very touristy. We felt quite pressured to stay, and when they suggested adding an extra hour of driving to visit the Safariland tourist shop, we had to insist and say no.
Despite these points, the experience was still very positive and I do recommend this company. My advice: don’t hesitate to clearly state your expectations and insist on getting what you want.
IT
Perfect Safari
They were truly impeccable, they respected the itinerary down to the smallest detail. They have solved every problem and than have answered to all our questions