Recently back from a weeks holiday in Bamburi Beach Hotel during which time we did a one night safari to Tsavo West with JT Safaris and they were fantastic. I had emailed Julius before we left home and true to his word he came to the hotel on our first night to discuss with us exactly what we wanted. We had to change the day of our safari because my husband was ill but nothing was too much trouble Julius went out of his way to make alternative arrangements for us. Our driver was Michael, the most delightful and knowledgeable young man who was determined that we had the best experience of our lives. He seemed just as excited as we did every time we spotted an animal and he was absoluely brilliant at tracking down the big five for us. Our accommodation at the Ashnil Aruba lodge was exceptional, wonderful service and one of the most comfortable nights stay I have ever had anywhere in the world. Overall we couldn't fault the service we had from Julius, even the gifts at the end of the trip were most unexpected but beautiful reminders of a great experience.

Just one word of caution, check before you leave the uk how you are going to pay for the safari. You can't pay on a card and you will be quoted in pounds sterling. We paid a depost in dollars and the balance in kenyan shillings which was a bit messy working out the exchange rates but we got it sorted out in the end and everyone was happy with the deal. You may think you pay a bit more than if you book with the beach boys but it is well worth it. We spoke to lots of people about their experiences and we were really glad we booked with JT. We had our own vehicle so didn't have to share with anyone and the whole trip was planned entirely to our own wishes - brilliant.

We'd read some great reviews of JT Safaris so we arranged our trip to Kenya and even chose our hotel so we could make use of their services. We were very glad we did.

Julius' attention to detail is incredible. He arranged our safari and made sure everything went smoothly. We were very pleased with our accomodation at the safari lodges we stayed at and our safari guide, Michael, couldn't have been better. He was extremely friendly, helpful, very knowledgeable about the animals and was really anxious for us to see the 'big five' and went out of his way to make sure we did. Julius contacted us regularly to make sure everything was going smoothly.

Julius arranged all of the other trips we took whilst we were in Kenya for which he gave us his own car, driven by Assan who was also friendly and helpful and we always felt we were being looked after.

On our last day Julius made us a gift of some wooden animals which he and his brother had carved and even went out of his way to carve a giraffe for my son when we mentioned he was especially keen on giraffes.

We always had great confidence in Julius and his staff whilst we were there (his sister was very nice as well). And we would have no hesitation in giving JT Safaris our highest recommendation.

I have been back from Africa for just over a month and honestly, not a day has gone by when I haven't had a flashback, or been reminded by a smell, a feeling, a song or saying that has taken me right back.....

For my husbands 30th birthday I booked a trip to Kenya - It never appealed to me at all, to be completely honest with you and I'd say I am fairly well travelled. I had never contemplated such a trip for I had my heart set on somewhere else entirely. Asia in actual fact. Regardless, given the month and budget, as a birthday treat I arranged the flights accommodation etc.. and Pete (the lucky man albeit at the time he had no idea just how lucky he actually was) researched the safari options. He certainly did his research. I cannot personally compare the excursions and services J.T Safari's offered with any other business or touroperator, because it was evident to me after the first 3 day /2 night stay at Kichwa Tembo, I simply didn't need to. Julius had my faith and after conversing with some of my fellow hotel residents, he had my vote too.

Kichwa Tembo is, for me, the most enchanting place. Not for a long time, if ever, will I forget those skies, the air, the vastness, the people at the camp, the songs around campfire which were to become the precious, ultimate ingredients for the perfect safari experience.

To be woken at 6am with the best hot chocolate and home-made biscuits you will ever have the pleasure of tasting, to the sounds of the blue monkeys, and the warthogs and their young running amok outside your 'tent' for want of a better word. I'd swap my bricks and mortar for that.

I am regrettably a fussy-finicky-eater and to top it off, Vegetarian. Fear not, fellow fussy-eaters, the food was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Be sure of that.

Albert, our wonderful guide, was warm, charming, intelligent, knowledgeable, extremely thoughtful and enthusiastic to say the least. He made each day an adventure. You will be blessed if he is also your guide. I'd make a point of requesting him, personally. I know I will when I go back. (Feb 2009) I could go on and on and on in elaborate detail about what we saw....but really there is just too much to say and I don't want to spoil it for you! I strongly suggest you go and see, feel, breathe and experience it for yourself. Nothing anyone can say here will capture it. Because it will always be different, always just as wonderful, and always just as memorable.

My husband wrote that we went to Shimba Hills (also booked with JT Safaris) and that it wasn't as good as the trip to Masai Mara. I have to disagree with that slightly. My reason is simply that they are two different trips entirely and cannot really be compared. Visiting the Masai Mara is magic, yes it most certainly is. But Shimba Hills is magical and romantic too in it's own right...depending on several things, namely you, your real love of wildlife, good luck and your sense of adventure. You've come all this way, you may as well have a sense of adventure, at least for one night....

In response to the negative reviews about Shimba Hills, I can only say this..If you primarily want to see the 'big 5' whilst residing in luxurious accommodation, with an all night bar and satelite tv with evening entertainment then you may be disappointed somewhat.

However, If you wish to meet friendly folk (and the staff at Shimba Hills are welcoming, genuine and amusing, especially when it comes to football talk with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd top of the list, surprise surprise) whilst chowing down on a delicious breakfast and watching African Fish Eagles soar above the lake with Monitor Lizards in their tens scouting for their morning meal too, along with the comical Colobus monkey's fighting for a scone you will be delighted.

Or perhaps you are not an early morning person. If so, you may be just as blessed feeding bananas to bush babies by hand at twilight, or perhaps see elephants, adult and young as well as the beautiful water bucks come to drink at the lake from right outside your balcony.

You may even see the rare sable antelope (fewer than 200 and only found in Kenya's Shimba Hills) You might get to see some (my husband and I saw them but unfortunately we couldn't determine the species) very small owls, they were really stunning. Oh and bats a plenty! Night-time at Shimba, for me, was fabulous

In short, if you have a sense of adventure, then go and go now, and to put your mind at rest, book with Julius,.He went above and beyond. Quit pondering! Rest assured.

I've just read over my review, and I missed so much out (believe it or not!) , but if I continued I would be that annoying person who told you the ending to a film halfway in. I have goosebumps and am clicking my heels just like Dorothy in the the Wizard of Oz and wishing I could go back.......

I wish you a wonderful trip.

Please feel free to email me at andreadenness@hotmail.co.uk

Please visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/petedenness
for pictures of our trip to Kenya taken by my husband, Peter Denness.

JAMBO!

I will try not repeat everything you have read in the other reviews, but agree with all the positive comments made. I was aprehensive before going to Africa, especially about booking a Safari for a large amount of money. I work as a police officer in London, so maybe I am more cautious than most. When my initial deposit was returned by the bank I emailed Julius to explain. His response was simply to say that I could give him the cash when we met, which really put my mind at rest. We had a 3 day, 2 night Masai Mara Safari at Kichwa Tembo. This was one of the best experiences of my life and if you have any doubts, then book this camp. The service is on par with the best hotels I have stayed in and the game viewing exceeded my high expectations. Julius made sure all the bookings were taken care of and the whole operation ran smoothly. Whats more he did not ask for payment untill we had returned. How can you lose? To top it off he's also a really nice guy, who we will be staying in touch with.

We also booked a one night stay with him at Shiba Hills, which although not as good as the Masai Mara, was still well worth doing and allowed us to see alot of animals we had not seen before. As well as this we did the Wasini Island Dhow trip during which we saw about 20 dolphins and got a chance to swim with them.

To sum this up I would say that Julius is an extremely trustworthy, honest and sincere person who operates a Safari business that delivers. I cant comment on other Safari operators as I didnt use any, but Julius will not let you down. Beware however of the beach boy called Julius who is pretending to be JT Safaris. Contact julius via his website, which can be found on google.

Finally let me also say that after sending many emails and countless hours of research I found JT Safaris to be far the cheapest operator. I hope this can save you some time.

I would be happy for anyone to contact me regarding JT Safaris.

Thanks to Julius, Julius Junior, Albert at Kichwa Tembo and the whole team at the Voyager that made my holiday to Kenya the best I've had.