Heavenly Escape: Masai Mara Safari & Pemba Island Getaway

Trip was well organized by Zicasso’s travel specialist and her team. Support in Kenya with my missing luggage was outstanding. Safari tours, city tours, and the respective accommodations more than met our expectations.

We loved everything about the trip! It was definitely a five-star experience! Zicasso’s travel specialist was wonderful. We had to cancel the original trip due to my health, but she was able to work with the travel companies, so we lost less money than we might have. She is very responsive and patient with questions. Her team was able to track down my visa to Tanzania when the other three had already received theirs!

Zicasso’s travel company planned an amazing itinerary that fit all of our family’s needs. They were responsive to any changes we wanted to make ahead of time and to any questions we had. We were seamlessly cared for from the moment we landed in Kenya.

As you know, we had difficulty deciding between Zicasso's travel specialists for this trip.

As it turned out, the specialist we went with and his team did an exceptional job planning and executing all the details necessary for a memorable trip for me and my family.

I really appreciated how detail-oriented he was and how responsive he was to inquiries pre-trip and, when necessary, during the trip.

He deserves the highest recommendation from the experienced travelers that we are.

Richard

The best trip ever—Zicasso’s tour company made it unforgettable!

From start to finish, our experience with this travel company was nothing short of exceptional. We booked a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Uganda and Kenya, with the highlights being gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and safari game drives across the vast savannas of Kenya. This travel company exceeded every expectation we had.

Pre-Trip Planning and Communication

The travel company stood out right away with their responsiveness and attention to detail. Every question was answered quickly and thoughtfully, and the itinerary was crafted to match exactly what we hoped for—an authentic, adventurous journey with comfort, safety, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We always felt well taken care of, even before the trip began.

Uganda–Gorilla Trekking

The highlight in Uganda—and of our trip—was, without a doubt, the trek to see the mountain gorillas. Our guides and trackers were extraordinary, making sure we were prepared and knew what to expect. The moment we found ourselves just feet away from a gorilla family in the wild was beyond words—humbling, emotional, and unforgettable.

The travel company chose excellent accommodations, blending comfort with proximity to the parks.

Kenya–Safari Adventures

In Kenya, we explored some of the most iconic safari landscapes. Our guides were not only skilled drivers, but also walking encyclopedias of wildlife knowledge. We were lucky to witness elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, leopards, and even the elusive cheetah—all up close, with plenty of time to observe and take it all in.

The safari camps were beautiful and thoughtfully chosen, offering amazing food, warm hospitality, and the perfect balance between comfort and adventure.

Guides and Team

The travel company’s team truly elevated this trip. Every guide we met was passionate, friendly, and dedicated to making sure we had the best possible experience. We felt safe and cared for every step of the way, and their expertise allowed us to see and learn so much more than we could have imagined.

Overall Experience

This trip exceeded every expectation. It wasn’t just a vacation; it was an adventure that touched us deeply and left us with memories we will cherish forever. This travel company’s professionalism, personal touch, and deep knowledge of East Africa made all the difference.

If you are considering a safari or gorilla-trekking experience, we wholeheartedly recommend this travel company. They deliver not just a trip, but a truly life-changing journey.

We went for the animals, fell in love with the people.

A safari has been a dream of my husband’s and mine for years, but planning it seemed insurmountable, until Zicasso connected us with our agent and tour operator. Our agent made our dream trip come true, more stunningly than we could ever have hoped. Just as important, she made it easy for us.

From our first phone call with our agent, our confidence in her grew, increasing with each of several iterations of our itinerary. She listened to what we wanted. Because we mentioned loving “Out of Africa,” she booked us two days in Nairobi at the outset so we could visit the Karen Blixen Museum and stay at the hotel nearby. Our time in Nairobi also included visits to the elephant orphanage and a giraffe center, as well as a dinner with family friends. It also provided a chance to get our bearings after the long flight, before transitioning to the actual safari segment of our trip.

Our time in Tanzania began with some moving personal experiences in the village of Mto Wa Mbu, first at a school, ambitiously educating hundreds of eager young students in the face of ever-present resource constraints. Next, we visited three homes, where we were privileged to sponsor small solar electricity installations. These efforts are supported by the agency, in partnership with one of the camps; companies that invest ethically and generously in the people and country. These interactions added a measure of reality, texture, and reflection to what was otherwise a truly luxury safari trip. That day, the campaign motorcade of the president of Tanzania swept through the village while we watched. Our agent had alerted us that it might disrupt our schedule, which it did not. This was just one example of her excellent communication with us before, during, and after our trip.

Prior to leaving home, we wondered how we would connect with our guides and hosts along the way. We were amazed at how seamlessly we were able to make all the transfers. Everywhere we went, there was someone to meet us. Even the seemingly chaotic nature of the small airports didn’t faze us because there was invariably someone looking out for us. The one and only time we didn’t look for our greeter (though she was waiting and looking for us!), another airport employee took us under his wing until the right connection was made.

Every lodging our agent chose for us had its own vibe and all were well-appointed, hospitable, and memorable, with staff focused on our comfort and enjoyment. Our two nights at a tented camp near Ngorongoro Crater afforded an authentic camp environment in an ideal location close to the crater. After giving us an amazing first drive in the crater, our guide bypassed scores of picnickers and drove us to a secluded spot, where five staff members had set up a tent for a private lunch for us, complete with grilled meats and a full bar. Back at the camp that night we put four tables together for dinner with new friends, followed by singing and dancing by the staff. The manager and a few people on the staff stand out, along with the first of many Maasai escorts we met. 

Our second camp was in the Northern Serengeti, a newly-opened camp that our agent selected when a nearby camp wasn’t available. This “Plan B” earned an A-plus! The manager, some of the staff, and especially our dedicated server, as well as many others, took such great care to make our time there special. The chef there was a true talent. The food everywhere was delicious; here it was gourmet. On the third night of four, they upgraded us to the family tent (a fully-equipped, luxurious house). Everything they did seemed to be designed to surprise and delight us. (We joked to ourselves that they might be mistaking us for VIPs.) They welcomed us with song when we arrived and saw us off with more songs, hugs, and exchanges of WhatsApp contact information. 

One morning of our stay in the Northern Serengeti was dedicated to a thrilling hot-air balloon ride, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. Our agent booked the region’s premier balloon company for our trip.

Our final accommodation was at the lodge in Eastern Serengeti, another delightful camp with welcoming staff, a great gathering space and bar, and delicious food. Our suite was incredible, with full views out into the bush and visits from many animals. Among many wonderful staff members there, the manager and two staff members made big impressions on us. While at this camp, we were treated to two special events, a sundowner out in the bush and, on our last night there, a private dinner under the stars with a cake, singing, and dancing for our anniversary. We ate with our guide in the light of lanterns hanging from trees, under the watchful eye of a spear-carrying Maasai guard and with the sounds of lions and hyenas all around us—magical.

Oh, I suppose I should mention that there were animals! We saw many lions, several cheetahs, a leopard in a tree guarding his kill from hyenas, countless elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, impala, hippos, Pumbaa, baboons, gazelles, and birds of all kinds. Also, one fleeting view of a rhino. And a dramatic Mara River crossing of zebra and wildebeest threading their way through a phalanx of waiting crocodiles. The Great Migration didn’t disappoint. There were so many wildebeest that our guide joked that if anyone asked how many we saw, we should reply, “All of them!”

That guide was the magic man. Fredy was with us for almost our entire time in Tanzania, which meant that on two days he dropped us off at an airport before driving for many hours to meet us at the next destination. He holds an honored place among his peers for his deep knowledge of the land and animals, dedication to guests, sense of humor, infectious laugh and booming singing voice. When he was in the camp, everyone felt his presence. On drives, there were countless instances where he spotted a lion, leopard, or cheetah from a great distance, with no other trucks around. We were able to pull up closer than we thought possible, silently marveling at an animal, pride, or herd without company. Late one afternoon, he stood outside the truck and gave us a surprisingly comprehensive lecture on elephant dung. It turns out he was stalling while the lodge's team set up our sundowner close by! We had a good laugh over that, one of many. Leaving him on the last day felt like saying goodbye to a family member.

It is clear from speaking with staff at all the locations we stayed that our agent is well-known and respected there. They have affection for her and know that she insists on quality experiences for her clients. These strong connections are why she and the agency are equated with the top level of quality in safari planning and execution. We have already recommended her to friends and give an unqualified endorsement to anyone with a safari on their bucket list. Our recipe for a guaranteed amazing safari? Hire our agent and this agency.