Great experience with a few issues
For our honeymoon we had booked to take part in a safari starting in Kenya to visit the Maasai Mara National Reserve, then through to Tanzania to visit the Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks.
Our main contact was Frankline and everything had been going well up until the point we were waiting for our flight to Nairobi. We were told that because we had paid via card we owed more money, something which had not been mentioned until this point. Desperately we had to withdraw some money at the airport which meant we had a terrible exchange rate.
When we arrived in Nairobi we were picked up by a driver and taken to our first hotel, Mokka City Hotel. The staff were nice, but the hotel was average. We met Frankline and our driver, Eric the next morning. We were offered an evening game drive for an additional cost which we accepted, Eric was fantastic. A great driver with a lot of knowledge and made us feel comfortable.
Our evening was spent at the Jambo Mara Lodge which was very nice, the food was lovely with plenty of choice, the hotel was clean and the staff were very friendly. Eric was very accommodating and asked us was time we wanted to start the next morning for our first full game drive. We saw some incredible things thanks to Eric's hard work and we can't thank him enough.
We spent another night at the Jambo Mara Lodge ahead of a morning at a local Masaai Village which was very interesting, we then embarked on the drive back to Nairobi. This is where confusion started. We were told that all meals were included, except those at the hotel in Arusha (something which I had clarified prior to travelling to Africa). After having no lunch and arriving at the Mokka City Hotel again, I contacted Frankline about this and was told that food was not included. We hadn't budgeted for this and I told him that we had confirmed that food would be included prior to starting the Safari. Eventually at around 10pm we received a Chicken salad from the hotel.
The next morning we were picked up by a different driver and taken to our shuttle bus. The shuttle bus itself was not great, it was very warm, overcrowded and took a long time to get through to Arusha in Tanzania. Upon arriving in Arusha, I contacted Frankline to see if the shuttle bus would take us directly to the hotel, he said it would. However, we were told to get off the bus with everyone else. I then looked at my phone and the hotel we were supposed to be staying at (Tulia Retreat) was only down the street, so we grabbed our things and walked to the hotel. When we arrived the receptionist said we didn't have a booking here and it was actually at their sister hotel (Tulia Boutique). I contacted Frankline who proceeded to tell me that it was my fault that the booking had been messed up (despite the receptionist confirming that it had nothing to do with me). We were disappointed as we had paid extra to stay at this hotel for two nights as a nice break in-between a lot of travel time. However, the hotel was fully booked and reluctantly we had to wait for a taxi to take us to the sister hotel.
At the sister hotel, the hot water didn't work, the room was very small, the shower door was missing. I mentioned this to the staff at reception and they moved us to another room, which was better, but still not what we were expecting. After the long drive from Nairobi to Arusha and the issues we had, we were tired and just wanted to get some sleep.
The next morning we was picked up by Eli, he was very friendly and made us feel welcome. We drove from Arusha through to the Serengeti, stopping on the way for photos and lunch. Eli was a fantastic driver and managed to get us up close to a lot of Lions, Cheetahs, and even 3 Leopards etc. He worked very hard and we stayed out until it was almost pitch black. We were then taken to the Shuhudia Lodge. This was a tented lodge in the middle of the Serengeti. The food was fantastic, the staff were great and we had a very pleasant evening there, even seeing some nosey Hyena walking around camp.
The next morning Eli picked us up to take us over to the Ngorongoro National Park. Here we completed seeing the big 5 and managed to see 3 Rhino. We stopped for a nice lunch and then made our way back out of the park to stay at the Octagon Lodge.
The Octagon Lodge was amazing, the room was large and we were the only people staying there as we were just before the high season. The staff were really friendly and we would definitely stay there again.
We then departed back to Arusha and because of the issues with the original hotel, we had been in contact with Frankline and agreed that we would once again stay at the sister hotel (Tulia Boutique), as the Tulia Retreat was still fully booked, but to compensate for this, we would be given a private transfer back to Nairobi. This ended up working out well, as the transfer was a lot quicker and more comfortable.
When we arrived back in Nairobi for our final night ahead of our flight home in the early hours of the morning, I feel like I was severely let down by Frankline. For a few hours, up until around 11pm, he was constantly messaging me, asking me to leave a review here - telling me that he had an important meeting in the morning and that he was going to lose his job if there wasn't a 5 star review. Because of this, I felt pressured to leave a review, as I needed to get some sleep and I didn't want to risk losing our transfer to the airport if I didn't.
Overall the safari was fantastic, the drivers were amazing and all of the hotel/lodge staff we came across were very accommodating. These are the reasons why we have still given 4 stars. However, I feel like we needed to leave an honest review as we felt let down by Frankline at points during the trip. I have proof of everything which I've mentioned if anyone wants to view it.
GH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well structured trip and amazing safari tour guide
Amazing amazing amazing. Honestly I stayed at Jambo which was actually fine in terms of what it offered, the rooms don’t have ac but with it being cooler at night was ok. Internet is ok but not very consistent, food however was 10/10 and the staff members.
My tour guide Joseph was 10/10 did his big one to make sure we saw the big 5 and more than, very professional, excellent and super compassionate. We had some late arrivers and he did his best to wait for them without losing the experience.
Balu as a travel organization, excellent communication skills, really responsive to my manag many questions. Super easy to contact, make payment ask questions just an overall top quality experience.
This is my first safari so I have nothing to compare to, I would say it wasn’t luxury but honestly the quality comes down to the food which was great and the game drivers, we all end up seeing similar things you just need the right guide who is confident in getting you to the right spots at the right time and Joseph is your man.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable, well organised and good value for money
We completed a 7‑day safari through Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Amboseli with Jocky Tours. Overall, the organisation, reliability and value for money was good, and the itinerary delivered: we were lucky enough to see the big 5 and much more, with the varied landscapes.
If you're thinking of 7 day safari be prepared for long journeys by road between parks, simetimes 5 or 6 hours.
Communication:
Communication before the trip was clear: David and Mineh at Jocky head office were happy to respond to the many questions I had prior to the trip. Pick‑ups, schedules and logistics were handled professionally, and any questions we asked were answered quickly.
Service & Guide:
David Mukami was our driver and guide. He was organised, responsible, puctual and made us feel safe at all times. As a driver, he was excellent—skilled, calm and always positioning the vehicle for great sightings.
However, he offered little or no information unless prompted. We were missing basic details at the beginning of each day, such as journey times, lunch plans, timings of stops and even where we were going. General wildlife context was rarely volunteered and was minimal. David is a genuinely nice person, but sadly our overall safari experience was negatively impacted by lack of customer engagement skills.
I've worked in the tourism sector for many years and know just how very important the guides role is, even more so on such a trip.
While I cannot fault the driving and organisation we felt the “guide” service promised by Jocky severly fell short.
Value for Money:
The safari offered very good value overall. Accommodation matched expectations, meals were decent, and the parks delivered unforgettable wildlife moments.
Reliability:
The company was reliable with timings and logistics. Everything ran smoothly and safely.
Clarity on Extra Costs:
We were expected to tip security at the Mara River during the hippo viewing, and at Hell’s Gate we had to pay park entry, bike hire and a guide. All worthwhile, but Jocky should make these additional costs clearer in advance.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari experience whilst contributing to the healthcare of locals
Title : Kenya Safari and Beach
A trip of a lifetime with a fabulous local team. Masai Mara for 3 days with morning and evening game drives- great sightings of lions, elephants , wildebeest, zebras, hippos, crocodiles , girrafes , hyena and plenty more … we were lucky to see the “ 3 cheetah brothers” with our fabulous drivers Masha and Mbuthia. They were so knowledgeable and gave us advice when our plan needed to be rejigged. So helpful and nothing was ever a problem. We visited Lake Navaisha and a very long drive to Amboseli where we got to see herds of elephants , more of the Big 5 and a cheetah up close.
Accommodation was good - needed to be mindful of the resident monkeys and baboons. The hotel buffets were amazing . Excellent quality of western, indian and kenyan dishes available. Chefs were also cater to specific dietary needs and allergies .Our safari experience was topped by a hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast in the savannah.
We ended our holiday with a bit of luxury in Diani beach in Mombasa- beautiful white sands and an all inclusive relaxing experience.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustworthy
We had an amazing safari experience with Axis Africa, and a part of what made the trip so special was our tour guide, Charles.
From the beginning, Charles was professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. His knowledge of the wildlife, nature, and local surroundings made the safari even more fascinating. He was also patient and went above and beyond to make sure we had the best possible experience, especially when it came to spotting and getting great views of the animals.
Everything was organized, and we felt safe and well taken care of throughout the entire safari. Charles truly made us feel comfortable and turned the trip into a memorable adventure.
Thank you, Axis Africa and Charles, for a great safari experience! 🦁🐘🦒❤️
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Opany our guide was GEEAT
We booked and had to shift pick up locations and days. The communication via WhatsApp was easy and quick response. Going out on the safari with Opany was a great experience. He was knowledgeable about the animals and where to find them. He was personable and funny.
The accommodations were as expected for tent sleeping.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
David Kato was our helpful and friendly tour guide who made our trip very enjoyable.
Trip Review: 3-Day Golden Monkey & Gorilla Trek (Rwanda & Uganda)
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Overview
Just completed an incredible 3-day adventure tracking golden monkeys and mountain gorillas across Rwanda and Uganda with Bush Craft Safaris.
Starting and ending in Kigali, this fast-paced tour hit every major highlight and delivered unforgettable wildlife encounters. A special shoutout to our guide, David Kato, who helped make the experience fantastic.
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 (Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda): Traveled from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey tracking. Stayed overnight at The Garden Place Hotel—comfortable, convenient, and set us up well for the journey into Uganda.
Day 2 (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda): The main event! Trekking to see the mountain gorillas was a life-changing experience. We stayed at the Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, which offered wonderful local hospitality and a great atmosphere, though the location turned out to be at a different park entrance than where our gorilla trek actually started.
Day 3 (Return to Kigali): Wrapped up the trip with a smooth transfer back across the border to Kigali.
Pros & Tips
Guide Service: David Keto was our friendly guide throughout the entire trip.
Unbeatable Wildlife: Seeing both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in three days is a fantastic itinerary.
Note on Camp Location: While Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp is wonderful, double-check which gate your specific gorilla trek departs from to avoid extra travel time in the morning.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
African Dreaming
This was a special moments tour with Zambezi Quest. It ticked all the boxes. Gerry our driver was always there to greet us each day. He was informative throughout each tour day. The spots the tour took us were amazing. The accommodation was excellent . Comfortable and clean. We would highly recommend this tour company.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They helped turn our dream Tanzania safari into an unforgettable reality.
We had an unforgettable Tanzania safari and were lucky enough to see the Big Five and two Mara River crossings. Although there was an issue with our airport pickup on arrival, the rest of the trip went smoothly. Our guide was knowledgeable and helped make this a memorable experience. Thank you for a wonderful journey.
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
9 days trip safari
I booked a 9-day safari with the company with the intention of exploring several parks, and the experience has been unforgettable given the country's natural beauty and richness. Stephen was always very available and helpful, and throughout the trip, we had an exceptional, dedicated, and caring guide, Isaiah. However, I would like to offer a few suggestions. The price of this program is very high and, as such, it lacks some fundamental details: specifically, I believe the program should be personalized, taking into account the client's interests but fundamentally the specificity of the safari season. Since we are in the peak migration season and only had a day and a half in the Mara, we did not have the opportunity to witness a river crossing. I believe the person responsible for designing the program should advise and suggest to the client the best time distribution to make the most of this experience. Moreover, the vehicle was appropriate for the game drives, but it was old and uncomfortable for the long journeys between parks.