Oct 7, 2024
Super recommend!! - This experience was amazing! From all the contact with Majenda before the trip, always super available and attentive to our needs, anticipating some questions, to the safari itself. Being in touch with Majenda meant total disinterest with transfers and all the logistics involved in the experience (we were in Zanzibar). The safari itself went super well, we were able to see all the animals several times. The Ino, who was who accompanied us the two days, was super well disposed and available and allowed us to enjoy without rush and the sound of silence / nature. In summary: super recommended even as a contact for other travel matters in Zanzibar/ Dar Es Salaam.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 9, 2019
Great Safari Experience! - We spent 2 days in Mikumi Nationalpark with Majenda and his wife and it was absolutely awesome! Majenda picked us up from Dar Es Salaam and after we arrived in the park, we built up our tents and went for the first drives. He has a lot of knowledge about the animals and answered all our questions. In the evening his wife made super delicious food for us. They were really kind, caring and made us feel safe.
Eventhough we had issues with the payment, Majenda found a solution for us. In addition, they were totally transparent with their prices!
We would definitely recommend a Safari trip with them. :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 8, 2019
Our first Safari was an amazing expiriance - This was the first Safari in our lives and we saw so many wild animals, which we just knew from books and documentary films on Discovery Channel. So it was very exciting for us. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, impalas, zebras, monkeys, gnus, crocodiles and most of the animals were in groups. We were also amazed by beautiful nature in the Mikumi park. We slept in acottage in the park, which was wery pleasent and clean. We also ate in the park and the food was very delicious...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 14, 2018
Good Value Safari Experience - We found Waku Safaris through an online search. They seemed to suit our budget and time restrictions. At the time we did not appreciate what we had brought.
We were collected on time at our hotel and driven the 7 hour transfer to Mikumi. We settled in and had some lunch, an afternoon drive followed by an evening drive. In just one day we had seen much of what we had come for; Elephants, lions and giraffes to mention a few. We had three drives the following day followed by one the day after. After we were driven to port to meet our onward journey via boat.
The lodgings were basic, but fine. The same to be said about the food and vechicle.
The highlight, and undersold / overlooked, was we were the only ones on the drive. Our driver Micheal and the two of us only. He was a LEGEND. He was concerned about the comfort of our stay and cared for the welfare our the animals. (All of which he had a vast knowledge of) Should I had a different guide my reveiw would read differently. Essentially he made it- Thank you Micheal!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 20, 2019
Dissapointed - Unprofessionalism and disappointment guaranteed.
My family and I experienced a nightmare with Watu Safaris managed by this man called Mr. Majenda. What was supposed to be a relaxing and memorable getaway with my two year old son and husband turned into a horrible cascade of unpredictable and disappointing events.
Before the trip:
Mr. Majenda and I were in good communication and he seemed quite courteous and civil. We arranged the trip for July 19th and 20th. We were to be picked up from Dar-es-salaam at 5:30 am and be driven to Mikumi to spend the day, sleep in the premises and continue our safari the next morning. Two days before the safari, I emailed Mr. Majenda to make sure if all plans were in order and he assured me like the professional I thought he was that all is well. He told me that my driver would contact me to make arrangements. I didn't hear from the driver so I contacted him the night before the trip. The driver had no idea about the trip. He told that he thought it was for the 29th and not the 19th. Mind you, Mr. Majenda had prepared my invoice with the correct dates and all emails had the dates of the safari as subject. So the driver then asked me to wait so he can clarify with his boss Mr. Majenda. They somehow managed to hire another driver from a different company right around midnight. I was notified by text about this new driver situation.
Day of the trip:
We woke up early to prepare and were ready by 5am. Time of pick up arrives and no show. So I call the new driver. He picks up the phone, surprise! I had just woken him up. He told me he was not briefed about the pick up time and that he was on his way. I honestly think this guy was innocent in all this.
So we get around 6:15am and head out. We arrive at Morogoro and meet Mr. Majenda at Watu Safaris offices to complete our payment. He says sorry without any explanation and proceeds to deduct the payment. We head to Mikumi. At this point, I am already very dissatisfied and honestly feeling let down. What else could go wrong?
At Mikumi park:
We arrive at the gate, present our IDs and ask for our booking for lodging that night. Guess what? None of that exists! After almost an hour of calls, no success as to where we were going to spend the night. Our entrance fees were supposed to be covered in our safari package but we ended up paying out of pocket to get into the park. At this point, I was expecting at least a call from Mr. Majenda but nothing. Two hours later, I decide to call him. I was very furious. He gave me a half type of apology and blamed it on his driver for mixing up the dates. I told him to own up for God's sake! He said that they had booked us at a hotel nearby to spend the night and that "it was more expensive than the lodges" that we were originally supposed to stay in. I was so disgusted. If I wasn't pregnant and also with a 2 year old, we would have driven back home the same day. We ended up staying at that hotel and completed the trip next morning.
We did not get a personal apology from Mr. Majenda, nor did he call us to make sure we were okay. He didn't care about us after getting his money. The only thing he did was pay for the hotel bill including all meals and offered to reimburse us our entrance fee. I understand that some things can go wrong when planning a trip but in our case, all things went wrong and for this reason I do not consider Mr. Majenda a professional.
Review provided by Tripadvisor