2027 Tukio Tanzania
Small Group Safari - Hosted by Kristy & Rae
2 - 10 March 2027
Join our 9-day Gamewatchers Tukio Tanzania small group safari, hosted by Kristy & Rae. Book as a stand-alone safari or continue seamlessly from our Kenya Porini with Purpose Group Safari.
This is a beautifully paced journey through Northern Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife areas. Whether you’re continuing from Kenya or flying in specifically for Tanzania, you’ll experience the best of Tanzania in comfort, with expert guidance and time to really enjoy each destination.
From the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Lake Manyara, famed for its tree-climbing lions, your journey continues across the southern plains of Ndutu and into the iconic Serengeti National Park.
In March, the wildebeest calving season brings the plains alive with newborns and the dynamic rhythm of predator and prey, creating one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles in Africa. Your adventure concludes in the elephant-filled savannahs of Tarangire National Park.
The focus is simple: spend time where the wildlife is at its most extraordinary, travel at a relaxed, comfortable pace, and stay in camps that truly enhance the safari experience.
Who’s this safari for?
Solo travellers, friends, couples, photographers or small groups. No prior safari experience is required. Just curiosity, a sense of adventure, and a love for the wild.
What makes Tukio Tanzania Special?
- Excellent Game Viewing: This is classic big-game country: lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and vast plains game are all regularly encountered, with year-round wildlife and outstanding guiding. Drives are timed to catch wildlife at its most active, and there’s space to linger at sightings without feeling rushed.
- Small-Group: Travel with a small group of like-minded guests, hosted by two safari specialists. The tour is designed for a minimum of six guests and a maximum of eight, ensuring an intimate and personalised safari experience.
- Camps That Add to the Experience: Each property has been chosen to compliment the next and for its prime location, placing you close to wildlife and offering a variety of Tanzania’s iconic eco-system.
- Hosted Safari: our two experienced hosts are on-hand to manage logistics, enhance the experience and keep everything running smoothly – without making the trip feel regimented. So, you can relax in the knowledge that you are in good hands.
Accommodation:
Katambuga House (Arusha): A calm, welcoming first night with comfortable rooms and a relaxed garden setting.
Acacia Farm Lodge (Karatu): Set on a working coffee plantation, this lodge offers open highland views and a taste of local culture, making it the perfect transition into safari mode and for accessing Ngorongoro Crater at sunrise.
Nyikani Migration Camp (Ndutu)Â A classic tented safari camp in the southern Serengeti/Ndutu region, perfectly timed for the March wildebeest calving season. Guests will be immersed in a wildlife-rich landscape, with newborn wildebeest dotting the plains and the drama of predator-prey interactions naturally unfolding. Staying here provides access to both the southern calving grounds of Ndutu and the iconic Serengeti plains, creating a truly immersive safari experience without overpromising specific sightings.
Nimali Tarangire (Tarangire): A private concession bordering the park, offering a relaxing finale surrounded by elephant herds, baobabs, and wide-open savannahs.
US$ 6188 pp (sharing twin)Â Â US$ 6990 pp (single)Â Â
(For twin share we can buddy-up solo travellers of the same gender). Tour operates with min group size 6 / max group size 8.
Includes:
- Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport Katambuga House
- Closed safari vehicle with pop up roof for the entirety of the safari (guaranteed window seat and 1 host per vehicle)
- 1 Night bed & breakfast Katambuga House
- Transfer Katambuga House to Acacia Farm Lodge
- 2 Nights full board Acacia Farm Lodge
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area Fees
- Transfer Acacia Farm Lodge to Nykiani Migration Camp
- 3 nights full board with selected drinks Nyikani Migration CampÂ
- Park fees Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Ndutu side) and SerengetiÂ
- Transfer Nyikani Migration Camp to Nimali TarangireÂ
- 3 Nights full board  Nimali Tarangire, selected local drinks includedÂ
- Park fees Tarangire
- Laundry Nimali Tarangire
- Transfer Tarangire to Kilimanjaro International Airport
- RESCUE Medical Emergency Evacuation Insurance
Excludes:
- All flights other than specified above, airport taxes and visa
- Breakfast, lunch and drinks on arrival day
- Dinner and drinks on departing day
- Laundry unless where specifiedÂ
- Beverages unless where specified
- Tips for the drivers and at the hotels/camps
- Balloon ride which can be arranged at an extra cost
- Activities not specified as included
- Expenses of personal nature and others not mentioned in the included items.
N/B: Luggage limit on local flights is 15KGs of soft luggage inclusive of hand luggage per person
LENGTH
8 Nights I 9 Days
SAFARI DATES
2 - 10 March 2027
PRICE
$ 6188 (sharing) /
$6990 (single)
LENGTH
8 Nights I 9 Days
SAFARI DATES
2 - 10 March 2027
PRICE
$ 6,188 (sharing) /
$6,990 (single)
Don’t want your journey to end?
Tukio Tanzania can be booked as a stand-alone safari or combined with a range of carefully curated extensions.
Options to continue your journey include:
Zanzibar: Unwind on white-sand beaches of Zanzibar and explore the rich history of Stone Town.
Gorilla Trekking: Add a once-in-a-lifetime experience with mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda.
Additional Safari Extensions:Â Extend your time in Tanzania or connect onward to another iconic wildlife region including Kenya with a Porini camp extension just a short bush flight away.
We’re happy to help you build a seamless itinerary that flows naturally from your safari.
Don’t miss your chance to join Gamewatchers Tukio Tanzania in 2027. Reserve your spot today before it sells out and be part of an unforgettable safari adventure through some of Northern Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife ares.
We can’t wait to welcome you on safari!Â
Your Safari Hosts
Join Kristy & Rae from Gamewatchers Safaris, on a once-in-a-lifetime small-group safari designed for solo travellers, friends, couples, photography enthusiasts of all levels and adventurers seeking a deeper, more meaningful connection to Tanzania’s wildlife and local communities.

Kristy Thomson
Kristy is a keen photographer and first visited Kenya as a guest of Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps, she is now our Australian-based Safari Advisor. Kristy has an ecology and conservation management background, combined with a love of nature and the outdoors, she fell immediately in love with Kenya. Kristy set up The Maarifa Foundation, which is a committee of dedicated, qualified volunteers based in Australia and Kenya, who support a number of schools and children located near wildlife conservancies in Maasai community Kenya.
You can contact Kristy at kristy@gamewatchers.com or call +61 419 175 672

Rae Chambers
Rae resides on the vibrant West Coast of Canada, specifically on Vancouver Island. She has a profound love for travel, having explored nearly 30 countries. However, it was a solo journey to Africa that truly ignited her passion. Upon stepping foot in Botswana for the first time, Rae was captivated and knew she needed to explore more of the continent. Since then, she has ventured solo to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya, where she traveled with Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps. It was during these experiences that Rae realized her desire to be a part of the Gamewatchers team.
You can contact Rae at rae@gamewatchers.com
Itinerary in Detail
DAY BY DAY
Send An Enquiry
2026 Gamewatchers Group Safari
Tour Experiences
















Day 1: ARUSHA
It’s day 1 of our Tukio Tanzania group safari! You’ll be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport and transfer provided to Katambuga House for a one night stay.
Later in the evening, we will gather for a welcome at Katambuga House and safari briefing. Overnight at Katambuga House.
Day 2: KARATU
After breakfast and checking out from Katambuga House, we’ll make our way to Acacia Farm Lodge.  Passing through rolling hills, farmland, coffee and banana plantations, and small villages where Maasai herders tend their cattle.Â
On the way we will visit Shanga, a unique social enterprise that creates beautiful handmade products from recycled materials. Shanga provides meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and a visit offers insight into their inspiring work, along with the chance to browse handcrafted souvenirs.
When we arrive at Acacia Farm Lodge, You will find a peaceful retreat set on gentle hills surrounded by gardens, farmland, and distant highlands. Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Soak it in, relax, and take full advantage… because the adventure ahead is beautifully jam-packed.
Leisure activities include: relax by the pool, cycle around the 25acre coffee plantation, take a farm tour and nature walk, go birding or use the gym facilities.
Accommodations at the lodge are cozy, comfortable cottages with private verandas or patios offering beautiful views of the surrounding fields. Guests can explore the gardens, relax on their verandas, enjoy the sounds of birds and farm animals, or sip a cup of freshly brewed coffee grown on the property. Meals are prepared from fresh local ingredients, providing a flavourful introduction to the region.
In the evening, the group will gather for dinner, enjoying the lodge’s serene atmosphere and taking in the expansive countryside as the sun sets, setting the tone for the safari adventures ahead.
Day 3: KARATU
After an early breakfast at Acacia Farm Lodge, we’ll set off with a packed lunch for an unforgettable adventure as we descend to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive down the crater rim is breathtaking, lush highland forests give way to sweeping views of the vast, verdant crater floor below, dotted with wildlife and shimmering lakes.
Once on the crater floor, a full-day game drive awaits. Here, the density of wildlife is unparalleled: buffalo and wildebeest roam freely alongside zebras, giraffes, elephants, and gazelles, while lions, cheetahs, and hyenas make this their hunting ground. Birdlife is equally spectacular, with flamingos, storks, and raptors adding flashes of colour to the landscape. Every turn of the track reveals a new scene worthy of a photograph, or simply a moment to pause and take it all in.
At midday, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch, surrounded by the dramatic scenery, giving you a chance to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this living masterpiece. The combination of the crater’s immense scale, diverse ecosystems, and rich history as a natural wonder makes this game drive an experience that will stay with you forever.
We return to Acacia Farm Lodge late in the day for dinner and an overnight.
Day 4: NDUTU
After breakfast at Acacia Farm Lodge, we’ll depart for Lake Manyara National Park. Along the way, enjoy a scenic drive through the lush landscapes of the northern Tanzanian highlands.
At Lake Manyara, we’ll embark on a short game drive, keeping an eye out for tree-climbing lions, elephants, baboons, and a variety of birds along the lakeshore. This park is famous for its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, offering incredible photo opportunities.
After the game drive, we’ll continue on to Nyikani Camp for our 3 night stay located in the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro crater. This area is classic savannah, characterized by flat grassy plains, and the camp is in one of the finest locations in Ndutu to see the migration between December and March. Tens of thousands of wildebeests, zebra and gazelle usually arrive in December to graze and then by February, the main calving season takes place. Predators, especially the big cats are highly concentrated in the Ndutu area in these months – though animal movement is an act of nature and difficult to guarantee a particular animal, at a particular place at a given time.
Day 5: NDUTU
Morning and afternoon game drives in Ndutu,  meals and overnight at Nyikani Migration Camp.
Day 6: NDUTU & SERENGETI
Today we set out for one of the most legendary safari destinations in the world, Serengeti National Park. After an early start from Ndutu, we’ll head into the vast, open plains that have made the Serengeti synonymous with the African safari experience.
Famous for its endless horizons and extraordinary wildlife, the Serengeti is home to one of the greatest concentrations of animals on Earth. As we spend the day on a full-day game drive, you’ll witness the ever-changing rhythm of the bush, from quiet moments watching animals move across the plains to the thrill of unexpected encounters along the way. No two drives here are ever the same, which is part of what makes the Serengeti so special.
We’ll pause midday to enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild, before continuing our exploration deeper into the park. With each turn, the landscape and wildlife encounters shift, making every hour feel like a new discovery.
The Serengeti is not just a park, it’s a world-renowned ecosystem and a true bucket-list experience, offering some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing on the planet. Today is about fully immersing yourself in its beauty, scale, and unforgettable energy.
 We return to Nyikani camp in the late afternoon for dinner and an overnight.
Day 7: RANDILEN
Today we transfer from Nyikani Migration camp to Nimali Tarangire. We will be greeted on arrival by Nimali Tarangire staff and have time to settle into camp.
Nimali Tarangire is located in its own concession on the eastern edge of neighbouring Tarangire National Park. The camp is inspired by local Maasai culture and designed to blend effortlessly into the surrounding environment.
During downtime at Nimali Tarangire, guests can relax and enjoy the camp’s thoughtfully designed spaces, all set within the heart of the wilderness. Take a refreshing dip in the pool overlooking the surrounding landscape, or spend time at the camp’s wildlife hide an incredible spot to quietly observe animals as they come and go, often just steps away.
Whether you choose to unwind poolside or settle into the hide for a more immersive, up-close experience, this is the perfect opportunity to slow down and take in the sights and sounds of Tarangire at your own pace.
In the late afternoon we will head out on a game drive returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: RANDILEN
Full day game drive with picnic lunch in Tarangire National Park returning to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight and Nimali Tarangire.
Day 9: RANDILEN - KILIMANJARO
On our final day together, we’ll enjoy breakfast followed by a short early morning game drive in Randilen Wildlife Management Area to take in the sights and sounds of the bush and perhaps spot a few more wildlife moments before we say goodbye.
Afterward, we’ll transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey home.
As our time together comes to a close, we leave with unforgettable memories, incredible wildlife encounters, and a shared experience of Tanzania’s remarkable landscapes.
Â
Want to extend your safari?  Your journey doesn’t have to end when the group safari does!Â
Why not extend your trip and experience more of Tanzania, or add a beach escape to Zanzibar?
Tour Experiences
















Day 1: ARUSHA
It’s day 1 of our Tukio Tanzania group safari! You’ll be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport and transfer provided to Katambuga House for a one night stay.
Later in the evening, we will gather for a welcome at Katambuga House and safari briefing. Overnight at Katambuga House.
Day 2: KARATU
After breakfast and checking out from Katambuga House, we’ll make our way to Acacia Farm Lodge.  Passing through rolling hills, farmland, coffee and banana plantations, and small villages where Maasai herders tend their cattle.Â
On the way we will visit Shanga, a unique social enterprise that creates beautiful handmade products from recycled materials. Shanga provides meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and a visit offers insight into their inspiring work, along with the chance to browse handcrafted souvenirs.
When we arrive at Acacia Farm Lodge, You will find a peaceful retreat set on gentle hills surrounded by gardens, farmland, and distant highlands. Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Soak it in, relax, and take full advantage… because the adventure ahead is beautifully jam-packed.
Leisure activities include: relax by the pool, cycle around the 25acre coffee plantation, take a farm tour and nature walk, go birding or use the gym facilities.
Accommodations at the lodge are cozy, comfortable cottages with private verandas or patios offering beautiful views of the surrounding fields. Guests can explore the gardens, relax on their verandas, enjoy the sounds of birds and farm animals, or sip a cup of freshly brewed coffee grown on the property. Meals are prepared from fresh local ingredients, providing a flavourful introduction to the region.
In the evening, the group will gather for dinner, enjoying the lodge’s serene atmosphere and taking in the expansive countryside as the sun sets, setting the tone for the safari adventures ahead.
Day 3: KARATU
After an early breakfast at Acacia Farm Lodge, we’ll set off with a packed lunch for an unforgettable adventure as we descend to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive down the crater rim is breathtaking, lush highland forests give way to sweeping views of the vast, verdant crater floor below, dotted with wildlife and shimmering lakes.
Once on the crater floor, a full-day game drive awaits. Here, the density of wildlife is unparalleled: buffalo and wildebeest roam freely alongside zebras, giraffes, elephants, and gazelles, while lions, cheetahs, and hyenas make this their hunting ground. Birdlife is equally spectacular, with flamingos, storks, and raptors adding flashes of colour to the landscape. Every turn of the track reveals a new scene worthy of a photograph, or simply a moment to pause and take it all in.
At midday, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch, surrounded by the dramatic scenery, giving you a chance to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this living masterpiece. The combination of the crater’s immense scale, diverse ecosystems, and rich history as a natural wonder makes this game drive an experience that will stay with you forever.
We return to Acacia Farm Lodge late in the day for dinner and an overnight.
Day 4: NDUTU
After breakfast at Acacia Farm Lodge, we’ll depart for Lake Manyara National Park. Along the way, enjoy a scenic drive through the lush landscapes of the northern Tanzanian highlands.
At Lake Manyara, we’ll embark on a short game drive, keeping an eye out for tree-climbing lions, elephants, baboons, and a variety of birds along the lakeshore. This park is famous for its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, offering incredible photo opportunities.
After the game drive, we’ll continue on to Nyikani Camp for our 3 night stay located in the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro crater. This area is classic savannah, characterized by flat grassy plains, and the camp is in one of the finest locations in Ndutu to see the migration between December and March. Tens of thousands of wildebeests, zebra and gazelle usually arrive in December to graze and then by February, the main calving season takes place. Predators, especially the big cats are highly concentrated in the Ndutu area in these months – though animal movement is an act of nature and difficult to guarantee a particular animal, at a particular place at a given time.
Day 5: NDUTU
Morning and afternoon game drives in Ndutu,  meals and overnight at Nyikani Migration Camp.
Day 6: NDUTU & SERENGETI
Today we set out for one of the most legendary safari destinations in the world, Serengeti National Park. After an early start from Ndutu, we’ll head into the vast, open plains that have made the Serengeti synonymous with the African safari experience.
Famous for its endless horizons and extraordinary wildlife, the Serengeti is home to one of the greatest concentrations of animals on Earth. As we spend the day on a full-day game drive, you’ll witness the ever-changing rhythm of the bush, from quiet moments watching animals move across the plains to the thrill of unexpected encounters along the way. No two drives here are ever the same, which is part of what makes the Serengeti so special.
We’ll pause midday to enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild, before continuing our exploration deeper into the park. With each turn, the landscape and wildlife encounters shift, making every hour feel like a new discovery.
The Serengeti is not just a park, it’s a world-renowned ecosystem and a true bucket-list experience, offering some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing on the planet. Today is about fully immersing yourself in its beauty, scale, and unforgettable energy.
 We return to Nyikani camp in the late afternoon for dinner and an overnight.
Day 7: RANDILEN
Today we transfer from Nyikani Migration camp to Nimali Tarangire. We will be greeted on arrival by Nimali Tarangire staff and have time to settle into camp.
Nimali Tarangire is located in its own concession on the eastern edge of neighbouring Tarangire National Park. The camp is inspired by local Maasai culture and designed to blend effortlessly into the surrounding environment.
During downtime at Nimali Tarangire, guests can relax and enjoy the camp’s thoughtfully designed spaces, all set within the heart of the wilderness. Take a refreshing dip in the pool overlooking the surrounding landscape, or spend time at the camp’s wildlife hide an incredible spot to quietly observe animals as they come and go, often just steps away.
Whether you choose to unwind poolside or settle into the hide for a more immersive, up-close experience, this is the perfect opportunity to slow down and take in the sights and sounds of Tarangire at your own pace.
In the late afternoon we will head out on a game drive returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: RANDILEN
Full day game drive with picnic lunch in Tarangire National Park returning to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight and Nimali Tarangire.
Day 9: RANDILEN - KILIMANJARO
On our final day together, we’ll enjoy breakfast followed by a short early morning game drive in Randilen Wildlife Management Area to take in the sights and sounds of the bush and perhaps spot a few more wildlife moments before we say goodbye.
Afterward, we’ll transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey home.
As our time together comes to a close, we leave with unforgettable memories, incredible wildlife encounters, and a shared experience of Tanzania’s remarkable landscapes.
Â
Want to extend your safari?  Your journey doesn’t have to end when the group safari does!Â
Why not extend your trip and experience more of Tanzania, or add a beach escape to Zanzibar?
Send An Enquiry
2026 Gamewatchers Group Safari
Your Safari Accommodation
Limited places are available for this incredible safari experience
Secure your spot today!
2026 Gamewatchers Group Safari
Posted on Tripadvisor Linda G8 July 2026Verified Best ever From start to finish, Gamewatchers provides an incredible experience. The service and meals at the camps are wonderful and the guides are personable and very knowledgeable.Posted on Tripadvisor annew5978 July 2026Verified Superb safari experience I couldn’t be more enthusiastic to recommend Gamewatchers, we did extensive research before selecting a safari company, booking, and sending a considerable amount of money halfway around the world to a place we knew little about. Gamewatchers more than exceeded our expectations ! Each step was choreographed perfectly, we were met at each location by a personable and helpful guide exactly as planned. Massai Mara Camp and Porini Lion Camp provided more than we could have dreamed. The Directors, expert guides, delicious food, gorgeous sunsets and friendships made along the way will stay with us forever (also we saw The Big Five). I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gamewatchers, they are top notch.Posted on Tripadvisor Edward M7 July 2026Verified Best Safari Company. Gamewatchers provided us with a trip of a lifetime. They organized everything. We were met at every stop and they took care of us from beginning to end. We could not be happier with the service and support.Posted on Tripadvisor Len G7 July 2026Verified Start your Safari here Great place to start your Safari. Go to the giraffe camp the crocodile farm and if you have time the elephant sanctuary and downtown. Our accommodations in the Karen District or superb. Staff was most friendly and the food was terrific.Posted on Tripadvisor Melissa S4 July 2026Verified Amazing! Absolutely amazing experience! The wildlife viewing was beyond expectations. The staff and service was amazing at both camps (Rhino and Cheetah) we stayed in. Particular kudos to the chefs who went above and beyond in providing for a gluten-free diet for one member of our family. Recommend highly!!Posted on Tripadvisor Nikki T4 July 2026Verified Kenya Porini- Gamewatcher-s EcoFriendly In 2024-2025, I decided to visit Kenya and get a sample of the region. I explored various operators and ultimately selected Gamewatchers because of their responsible business model. I love East Africa, but I do not promote irresponsible behavior. I always prioritize the animals and their well-being. In June 2026, I finally took the trip, using Gamewatchers' Porini conservancies—Amboseli, Rhino Camp, Mara, and Lion Camps. Each was unique and wonderful. From the moment I arrived in Nairobi, the team had someone there to meet me, check me in at the beautiful Eka Hotel for my overnight stay, and handle all transfers—from pickup in the morning to check-in at Wilson Airport, and again on my return from the bush. The camps were stunning, and the tents were excellent. The staff could not have been more accommodating and warm. Rhino Camp also had a waterhole and a blind, which added to the experience. All camps use open Toyota Landcruiser's, which is my preference. The game was plentiful and exciting. My Gamewatchers travel consultant, Rae, was always available and responded promptly to any questions. The general manager of Gamewatchers was at the Amboseli camp and enjoyed a meal with us one evening. He is a wonderful, bright businessman and very down-to-earth. The camp manager at Amboseli also had lunch with me during one of my stays, despite his busy schedule. All activities are shared - meals and game drive. The camps accommodated large groups to solo, which I was traveling solo. Ask questions and they are always happy to assist. Ecofriendly and eco-minded is the best type of safari.Posted on Tripadvisor Paula D2 July 2026Verified The Perfect Safari with a Perfect Company Absolutely perfect from beginning to end. Well organized, great communication as we planned our first safari. Every recommendation was perfect. Saw so many amazing sites, animals and culturally. Would wholeheartedly recommend Gamewatchers and Porini Camps.Posted on Tripadvisor Nicole B29 June 2026Verified A dream safari! My sister and I booked a 3 night safari and had an incredible time!! Lodging was great. The staff were so friendly. We really loved our guides - Everlyn and Milton. The food served was excellent. All was organized and well thought out. I don’t think there’s anything I would change. Highly recommend!Posted on Tripadvisor TCyclone28 June 2026Verified Another phenomenal safari with Gamewatchers, at Porini tented camps! Our group of eight had a phenomenal time during our nearly 3-week Kenya safari, including 2+ weeks at Porini tented camps! For my wife and I, this was our 6th African safari (3rd to Porini camps); one person in our group was on her 3rd safari, one on her 9th safari, another on their 16th, with three first-timers - and we all agreed this was our favorite one yet! All the camps were super comfortable and extremely well organized (great managers & staff) - and the tents we stayed in were new and very clean. We really enjoyed meeting up with several of the Gamewatcher and Porini staff from our previous visits, including Sylvester in Nairobi (wonderful as always); Jackson at the mess tent in Amboseli; DG at Rhino (fantastic); Moses at the mess tent at Mara; and Daniel (always extra helpful) and James at the mess tent at Lion. The game drives were fabulous - every one of them, including six night ones. I think I counted a total of 37 game drives (most 4-5 hours long) and we didn't miss a single one. During our first game drive in the Mara (from Porini Mara camp), we did something we've never done before - saw all three big cats (and up close too) during the same drive (and within a 2-hour period)! And then this feat was repeated a few days later during our first drive at Lion camp! Also, during a night drive, we came upon a pride of 40 lions, and as we stopped for a while, they surrounded us on all sides - what a memorable scene (especially at night). On other game drives, we spotted an ardwolf (a first) and elusive genet and caracal cats. And the bush breakfasts and sundowners were unbeatable. And to top it off and complete the best safari ever, during the final game drive of our trip (actually the final 30-minutes - and just beyond the camp), we saw a cheetah stalk and kill a topi (Bill & Anderson, our driver & spotter, placed the jeep in a perfect location to watch, photo and video it all transpire). After the kill, the cheetah dragged the topi to a nearby cluster of shrubs, and while walking backwards and pulling the topi with her teeth, she literally bumped into our jeep (just two feet below my seat) - what an amazing and heart-pounding event to watch unfold! In addition, all the transfers between airports, airstrips & camps were easy and on-time. And the bush flights to/from dirt runway strips nearby the camps saved us considerable travel time, which we were then able to spend on the game drives. We *REALLY* appreciated each of the camps providing our group of eight with two jeeps, so that we could sit four people in each one (allowing us to change the particular people in each jeep - which we did for each camp to mix things up for us, but also keep the same four with the same jeep/driver/spotter at each individual camp for simplicity). And we *VERY MUCH* appreciated the chef's altering the menu to provide fish meals to us on many occasions. The meals were very good and varied (we're still not sure how they can be prepared/taste so well given the challenges of being in the bush!), with the Red Snapper being the shining star for us all. Alongside of the unforgettable, vivid memories of the game drive wildlife sightings will be our time spent with the extraordinary kind, friendly, helpful and engaging camp staff. The three first-time safari mates who joined us now totally understand why the rest of us have spoke so highly and enthusiastically about our previous Gamewatcher/Porini experiences - and they also hope to return again someday! Rick McIntyre, our North American based safari advisor, was also an excellent resource, helping to create such a perfect safari itinerary for our group. His attention to details, very thoughtful advice, and prompt responses to our many questions were very much appreciated. Following three wonderful safaris with Gamewatchers at Porini camps (2026, 2022, 2018), I highly recommend anyone with an interest in safaris to contact Rick and book with this wonderful company. Scott (with Robbyn + Nikki, Karen, Pat, Diane, Melissa & Cindy)Posted on Tripadvisor David B15 June 2026Verified Excellent, professional experience Absolutely wonderful experience with very professional and welcoming staff. Drivers and spotters were especially well versed in wild life information.