"Incredible! My daughter and I had the most amazing…"

My daughter and I had the most amazing trip. James did a fantastic job from beginning to end. Our guide Daniel is the best. We can’t wait to come back!

"Twinkle Star is the best!"

10/10 would recommend safari tours through Twinkle Star. Our driver, James, was amazing. Not only was he an amazing driver, but very friendly and pleasant to spend time with. He taught us lots about the culture and landscape of Kenya. He also went to college and studied wildlife so he had so much knowledge about everything we saw on our game drives. There was not one question he didn't know the answer to! The car, modified Land Cruiser, was cleaned every day, very comfortable, and super capable on tough roads and mud as well as river crossings. James, the owner of Twinkle Star, (same name, different person), was also an amazing host. We felt taken care of the entire time and he was super accommodating for us with anything we needed. We would book with twinkle star again if we were to go back to Kenya for another trip.

"The Ocean View"

James managed to plan a delightful tour and itinerary for us during our honeymoon. We got the best Ocean View deluxe room at Hemingways Watamu all courtesy of Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris. The attention to detail that Twinkle Start Tours and Safaris executed exceeded expectations, extending to the room decorations and enabling us to experience kayaking, sunset dinner dhow cruise and snorkeling. Thank you. Looking forward to more adventures.

"Incompetence? or FRAUD?"

Incompetence? Or FRAUD?
I booked an 8-day, late December safari with James of Twinkle Star and made my 40% deposit, with the balance due 7 days before the tour starts.
On Sep 27th, James confirmed the itinerary and receipt of my deposit.
Just two days later, he emailed me asking for the balance. Since that was not what we agreed on, I declined.
Over the next two weeks I received several more requests by email, by text and by phone for immediate full payment more than 3 months early. I obviously lost all confidence in James and Twinkle Star and canceled my trip with them.
According to their terms and conditions, they promise a full refund if cancelled more than 60 days in advance. Although I canceled well before this, James is not honoring his refund saying how he wants to refund my money, but “We just don’t have the money”
I don’t know if Twinkle Star are scammers or just plain incompetent.

"Amazing nature, inapropriate driver "

The safari was satisfactory and the hotel was great, as was the food and the car.
However, a few days after the trip ended, I received messages from the driver (Branson) asking if I was ok, saying that he could not sleep and asking if I had saw the “African cork”.
For context, I travelled alone. Maybe this person thought I was available for harassment because of that.
That is inadmissible.
Edit:
After I shared what happened with James, which assisted me in setting up the safari, he insisted that I should forgive the company, forgive the driver and he asked me many times to not publish this review, messaging and calling me insistently. His approach was not professional. On the response below he holds me responsible for sharing my contact with the driver, but James himself shared his contact with me, so I could contact the driver easily during the trip. If not sharing contacts was the company policy, he sure forgot to mention that to me.
A professional company would adequately respond, apologizing for the driver behavior and assisting the victim. At first I would say that only the driver was the problem. But after James messages and his response below, it is clear that Twinkle Star is the problem.

"We've just come back home from Safari…"

We've just come back home from Safari trip in Kenya, booked through Twinkle . We picked Twinkle because of most professional itinerary plan. Price is reasonable. The lodge service , food selection, spa, and bar were excellent. We had 5 gaming opportunities and they were all unforgettable. We felt safe all the time, we got picked up and dropped off at Nairobi airport. The vehicle was reliable equipped with charger and drinking water. Our drivers were highly professional and safe. James is the man!!!!! Thank you James for your assistance and for being available through WhatsApp at anytime.

The bottom line- would recommend to all including to myself !!!!

"Our recent safari experience with…"

Our recent safari experience with Twinkle in Tanzania and Kenya was nothing short of extraordinary. Witnessing the Great Migration was a breathtaking highlight, and the entire journey was enhanced by the expertise and warmth of our guides, Chumboso and James.

Chumboso's deep knowledge of the wildlife and landscape made each day an adventure, while James took great care to ensure all of our food restrictions were respected throughout the trip. Their combined efforts made the experience not only safe but also incredibly enriching. The level of personal attention and care we received truly made this journey unforgettable.

write in more dept
ChatGPT
Our safari experience with Twinkle in Tanzania and Kenya was an unforgettable journey that exceeded every expectation. From the moment we set foot in the wild, we were captivated by the raw beauty of the African landscape and the incredible spectacle of the Great Migration. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebras traverse the plains in a breathtaking display of nature’s power was an experience we will cherish forever.

The success of our trip was largely due to the outstanding efforts of our guides, Chumboso and James. Chumboso’s expertise was immediately evident; his deep knowledge of the region's flora and fauna, combined with his ability to track and spot animals, brought the wilderness to life for us. Whether it was a pride of lions lounging under an acacia tree or a herd of elephants marching across the savannah, Chumboso made sure we never missed a moment. His passion for the wildlife was infectious, and he shared fascinating insights that enriched our understanding and appreciation of the natural world around us.

James, our tour guide, was equally remarkable. He took the time to understand our specific needs and ensured that every detail of our journey was tailored to us. One of our main concerns before the trip was how our dietary restrictions would be managed in such a remote setting. James handled this with the utmost care, coordinating with the staff at every lodge and camp to ensure that our meals were not only safe but also delicious. His attention to detail extended beyond just food; he was always checking in with us, making sure we were comfortable and that everything was to our satisfaction. His dedication to our well-being allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience without worry.

The combination of Chumboso’s wildlife expertise and James’s impeccable care made our safari a truly exceptional experience. They both went above and beyond to ensure that we had the trip of a lifetime, and they succeeded in every way. The memories we made during this journey, from the awe-inspiring sights of the migration to the quiet moments watching the sunset over the savannah, will stay with us forever. We cannot recommend Twinkle enough for anyone seeking an authentic, well-organized, and deeply enriching safari experience in Tanzania and Kenya.

" 5/5 Stars - Exceptional Service and Unforgettable Experience!"

We recently went to Masai Mara Safari along with my family (5 members). We stayed for 5 nights/6 days. The tour was arranged by Twinkle Tours and Safaris, and I must say, it was truly an experience of a lifetime! From the initial planning stages to the execution, James at Twinkle Star took care of everything. He was very professional, prompt in his responses to any questions, courteous, and went above and beyond to ensure every detail was taken care of.
The safari itself was breathtakingly beautiful, with stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, and unforgettable moments that will stay with us forever. Our guide and driver Daniel was knowledgeable, friendly, and skilled, making sure we got the most out of our time in Masai Mara.
We had a wonderful stay at the La Maison Royale Mara Camp. The rooms and washrooms were clean, and their service was awesome. The hotel staff was always ready to go over and beyond and made sure that our requests were taken care of. The view from our Balcony was breathtaking. We could see the wildlife from there.
I will highly recommend Twinkle tours to anyone looking to plan Masai Mara safari adventure. Their expertise, attention to detail, and passion for creating unforgettable experiences make them truly exceptional.

"Met my expectations"

The initial communication with Twinkle Star was very good. All questions and concerns were quickly answered. There was a mix-up about our arrival time that caused us some stress when we were not met as planned but that worked out ok. Our guide/driver was friendly and knowledgeable. The itinerary was followed closely. The only animal on our list that we didn't see was a leopard. The most exciting were lions feeding on a buffalo carcass surrounded by hyaenas waiting for the leftovers. The accommodations were clean and comfortable. The meals were mostly buffet with many food choices. I had no problem finding vegetarian options. All the different camps seemed to have the same food. The boxed lunches were also satisfactory. This is the only travel of this kind we have done so don't have anything to compare, but we enjoyed the experience. When researching Kenyan safaris Twinkle Star was competitive in price. We arrived home exhausted but since having time to rest and review and share our photos we only remember how much fun we had. It met our expectations.

We knew there would be a lot of time spent travelling between parks. Seeing Kenya outside the parks is part of the experience. But it was even more than anticipated. One drive was 12 hours instead of the 7-hour estimate. The two seatbelts in the middle row of the Landcruiser didn't work so when outside the parks we had to use the back which was not as comfortable.

FYI - Tipping was a problem that we weren't prepared for. US dollars seemed to be preferred over Kenyan shillings. Having small bills would have been helpful. We overtipped at times and sometimes didn't tip at all. Sometimes the tip could be added by credit card to the hotel bill.

"Life changing safari experience"

This safari changed my life- it was breathtaking at every turn. James and Twinkle Star took care of everything, making it a totally seamless experience. We felt safe in the hands of our very experienced guides (clearly not the case with some others we met along the way). I can’t say enough good things about it- and I can’t wait to do it again!