Our safari was 7 nights/8 days to visit Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli, and the Giraffe Center in Nairobi. The whole trip was incredible! I wanted a locally based safari company and found Beyond The Plains and glad I did. Linet put my itinerary together and made sure it had what I wanted. It was so easy working with her through the whole process all the way till the end of the trip. All the staff was so incredibly nice and catering to us the whole trip. I felt like I was in good hands and trusted being in their care. I am SO happy with my experience with Beyond The Plains Safaris and would totally book with them again. We had three different guides: Antony, Saba, and Aaron. All were so nice, accommodating, and knowledgeable. If you can help it… get Saba as your guide in Tanzania!!! A guide can really make your trip and he did everything under the sun for us to have an amazing experience in Tanzania and we did!!

Beyond the Plains Safaris provided the best imaginable safari. They had every little detail planned thoroughly from start to finish. The guides were great.

We started with Antony in Nairobi though Maasai Mara until we crossed the border into Tanzania. Antony was warm and welcoming. He was very knowledgeable and informative. He had 40+ year experience and it showed. He gave a warm welcoming experience that made you feel like family. We actually left a purchased item in his vehicle and he found a way to get it back to us before the end of our trip.

The hot air balloon ride in Maasai Mara was better than anything in my wildest dreams. Although it wasn’t my first balloon ride, it was my best and will never be forgotten.

Once in Tanzania our new guide was Saba for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. I absolutely cannot say enough good things about Saba. He was everything you could ever want in a guide. Your experience and comfort are his priority. He continuously checked on us and kept us informed every step of the way. His enthusiasm is contagious. He turned hospitality into a mastered skill. If you’re going into Tanzania, I urge you to request Saba. You will not be disappointed.

After our stays in Tanzania, we came back into Kenya to stay in Amboseli where we met our final guide, Aaron. Aaron was kind and more quiet than the others but informative and helpful when needed. He was knowledgeable and we had a good experience with him as well. On our last night we asked to go to the lodge earlier than originally planned to get a little rest before our almost 19 hour flight the next day and he was very accommodating to our last minute change of plans.

If i had to change one thing, I would probably skipped the Maasai Village. Read the reviews for yourself before making that decision. However, I was neat to watch and learn their way of life.

Beyond the Plains was a 10 out of 10. I highly recommend the company! Whatever you do, don’t skip the Serengeti and don’t forget to request Saba.

Absolutely one of the best experiences of my life! Our safari driver Duncan was incredible, he was informative while also giving us space to have our own experience. He answered all my questions and filled in more relevant info that helped improve our safari experience. We saw sooo many incredible animals and things while out on the Masaai Mara and I won’t forget this amazing trip. Lake Nakuru was a beautiful introduction to the nature in Kenya. We had so much fun and I already want to go back. The company even went out of their way to bring my fiancée and I safari hats and water bottles because some logistics didn’t allow for us to get them at the start of the trip. We felt very well taken care of, thanks so much!

I contracted Beyond the Plains Kenya for a Day Tour to Amboseli National Park. They provided excellent service from the first chat. Andrew (my agent) was very professional and answered all my questions. He organized everything in a perfect way.

On the day of my tour, my guide John provided an excellent service, shared interesting information. I had an amazing experience with him. This is an unforgettable tour!

Buffet lunch was included at Ol Tukai lodge with an amazing view.

The car was in excellent conditions and very comfortable for the drive. They had useful things for me inside the car like a blanket and binoculars as well as a cooler with several bottled water.

Excellent option!

We had a fabulous time on our 11-day Kenya and Tanzania adventure. The guides, accommodations, food, and game drives all exceeded our expectations.

Harun and Peter were fantastic guides and drivers. Please see our additional comments regarding both of them. As for the lodges and camps, we were very happy with our accommodations throughout the trip.

Starting at the Crowne Plaza, we felt safe and comfortable after two long international flights.

Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge was the perfect start to our adventure. The grounds and accommodations were beautiful, and seeing so many wild animals roaming the property immediately got us excited for the trip ahead. The boat ride and walking tour provided an intimate and memorable wildlife experience.

Tipilikwani Mara Camp offered a wonderful glamping experience. The chef, waitstaff, and security staff helped create an authentic and welcoming atmosphere. The only drawback was that the camp is located outside the Masai Mara Reserve. We loved our stay, but if we were planning the trip again, we would likely choose a similar camp located inside the reserve to avoid the daily drive and park entrance process.

Serengeti Serena Lodge was an excellent choice. The drive there was long, but Peter turned it into an additional game drive, making the journey much more enjoyable. We debated whether we should have flown instead, but after seeing so much wildlife along the way, we appreciated making the drive. The thatched-roof rooms, buffet, and the opportunity to stay in the heart of the Serengeti made for a wonderful experience.

Acacia Farm Lodge was a beautiful boutique hotel and one of our favorite stays. The staff genuinely seemed to love their jobs and went above and beyond to make every day special. From our housekeeper leaving Swahili messages made from leaves to the spa experience and farm-to-table meals, every detail was thoughtfully executed. While we know some lodges near the Ngorongoro Crater offer spectacular crater views, we do not believe we would have enjoyed our stay more elsewhere.

Tarangire Sopa Lodge was very good. While it was not quite as impressive as Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Lunch by the pool was delicious, and the evening entertainment provided a fun and authentic cultural experience.

Our final day was long due to our afternoon and evening flights, but Peter kept us engaged and entertained throughout the day. We initially wondered whether visiting Tarangire National Park was necessary after seeing so much wildlife elsewhere. However, Peter shared extensive knowledge about the birds, vegetation, and ecosystem, which made the visit worthwhile.

If we were to do the trip again, we might consider adding Zanzibar in place of Tarangire National Park. The challenge would be working out the flight and transportation logistics, but it is something we would explore.

Overall, this was truly the trip of a lifetime. We enjoyed every minute and deeply appreciate all of your help planning the journey and answering our many questions along the way. Thank you for helping create such an unforgettable experience.