Micato Safaris Google Reviews
5.0 rating out of 688 reviews
Wynnell Schrenk
MIcato is perhaps the best agency I have ever travelled with, and I have been to over 100 countries, with numerous agencies. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Michael Albanese
Having founded a luxury travel company ten years ago, I’ve had the pleasure (and, sometimes, the displeasure) of working with travel partners around the world. We are nothing without our amazing clients and the partners we select to service them. In general, I love Micato, their culture, service and how mission-minded they are in addition to their exemplary service and experiences. They are a wonderful company. The quality is never compromised, and experiences are always optimized. More specifically, I worked on a intense trip to India for a client with Marion Miller. This trip has taken literally a year to plan from July 2018 to when the clients commence their trip next month. And Marion has been a crucial, knowledgeable and passionate partner in the planning of this extraordinary trip for our clients. She has been proactive, responsive and a true partner in the process from the initial conversation to final itinerary. Marion has a positive, can-do attitude and mindset. She has advised on specific hotels, experiences and meals, taking our clients preferences seriously in order to meet and exceed their expectations. I would highly recommend Micato and working with Marion as she has been a delight to collaborate with on this trip and know she will be on future trips as well. Thank you for the great service and opportunity to craft a once-in-a-lifetime experience in India for our special clients.
Joan Hackenberg
Trip of a lifetime!! Our personal Micato guide, Andrew, was exceptional as were all the guides we met along the way. Our accommodations were superb at every location. And, we loved our safari camp guides. They were especially great with our grandchildren, who learned pertinent
facts about the animals we saw, information about the constellations and tips on photographing wildlife from our well informed guides. From the planning phase, with Meg in the NY office, to the goodbyes at the airport, all aspects of the trip were handled in a friendly and professional manner. Our trip went off without a hitch. Thank you Micato personnel. We would love to do it all over again!
Margo Mynderse-Isola
My family took a Micato Safari tour of South Africa, Zambia & Botswana. It was absolutely the trip of a life time for each of us! The animals were, of course, spectacular, but the service & attention to detail we received from Micato far exceeded our expectations! As I would tell my husband & adult children, Micato was meeting needs we didn’t even know we had!!
Since that fabulous trip I have yearned to take another Micato tour. My husband & I decided on a tour of India. The tour is planned for Feb. 2020, but the attention to detail began the minute we contacted Micato. Marion Miller has worked with us through each planning step so that all we have left to do is wait for our departure date & step aboard our flight. You NEED to treat yourself to a MICATO TOUR!!!
Lisa Schwartz
Let me start by saying don’t even bother looking at any other safari company. You will waste your time. Our friends took a safari with Micato 3 years ago and raved enough to convince us to go about a month ago. We wondered can they possibly live up to the billing our friends gave them. Not only yes, but YES. Every box was checked off for us. We saw more animals then I could have dreamed of. All of the Big 5 and on multiple occasions.
It’s difficult for me to find the proper superlatives to capture what our 12 days were like. From the moment you arrive in Nairobi all logistics are managed for you, from luggage to maneuvering customs between countries to all the amazing game drives. And the superior quality and talent of their employees are second to none. We were warmly greeted at the airport and quickly taken to our hotel. After traveling all night we were immediately able to check into the room for rest. Nelly our concierge greeted us at the hotel with the biggest smile and welcome.
The next morning we met our tour director Tim Leperes. I know all the directors are excellent but we feel we had the best guide. He was knowledgeable, funny and so accommodating to all of us. His knowledge of all things related to animals, birds, photography and terrain simply amazing. And reassuring to me when I was nervous about the initial bush plane ride. All the plane rides were excellent. Along with Tim our driver Joseph was equally wonderful. Tim split his time evenly between the 2 vehicles, 4 of us in one and 3 in the other. We never felt like we were missing a thing when Tim was in the other vehicle. Joseph was excellent in his knowledge and maneuvering of the rough terrain(it was a safari after all. He too was funny and kind and just plain delightful.
What sets Micato apart from the others is not only the people, beginning with Tara in NYC when we booked our trip but the founders, Mr & Mrs Pinto who live in Nairobi. How many founders of a company come to meet you on your first full day, have you over to their home for a meal prepared by their staff and greet you upon your return to Nairobi from Tanzania. Along with them was Sean the CEO of African operations and Safari Jane who works for Mrs Pinto. In a crowded and competitive industry, these things are what set them apart. Not to mention the school Micato funds and their willingness to give money from each persons Safari, each individual person not each Safari to put kids through school in a way they normally wouldn’t be exposed too. They understand philanthropy and giving back in such a manner I’ve never known.
I could go on and on about the wonders of Micato, hopefully if your reading this you get the point. It’s worth every penny and then some. And btw, we’ve paid it forward like friends did for us; 2 friends of ours have already booked their safari for Sept 2020. And hoping they get Tim as well.
In closing there are so many details and surprises which I won’t share with you other then to say it’s marvelous. It’s been almost a month since we’ve returned home and part of our hearts remain in Africa.
Monica Drost
I am so looking forward to my safari in 2020. So far, my Micato experience has been excellent. The customer service has been over-the-top with beautiful coffee table books, Out of Africa DVD and clear accounting.
deanna hose
A bucket list item fulfilled. We were treated royally and had the most amazing time. Every place we stayed and everyone we met made the trip that much more enjoyable. Our guide and our drivers were the best! Have told everyone we can that they should safari with Micato. The most wonderful trip of my lifetime. Thank you, Micato! Wish I could give more that 5 stars!
Meghan Drost
Great adventure!
Sam Kane
These guys are absolute professionals. From soup to nuts the customer service that they provide is truly above and beyond. You will not be disappointed!
Ken Jacobs
Top notch all the way! We had a fantastic time, with a wonderful guide who was with us the entire trip. The accommodations were different from one another, each with a unique and terrific feeling. There's not a thing we would change, and will definitely come back to Africa ... and use Micato!
D C Gray
The Stanley Wings safari was extraordinary, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only was the Micato staff attentive and proactive throughout the entire journey, but also the sights and sounds of the animals exceeded our expectations. We saw virtually every animal on "the list" up close due to the remarkable positioning skills of the safari director .... lions, cheetahs, hippos and elephants literally less than 10 feet away. We were made to feel as welcome guests by everyone we encountered. Micato delivered a great experience; their #1 rating is well deserved. Their careful attention begins with pre-departure information and materials, and continues until airport security upon departure.
Susan Smith
Micato Safaris is absolutely the best! We were 6 adults traveling on the "African Splendour" trip in August-September of this year. I simply cannot add any more to the many reviews that have already been posted. If you are considering a five star trip to Africa and want to be "WOWED" along the way by the service, professionalism, accommodations, friendliness and knowledge of your drivers, guides, directors, etc., then Micato will meet and exceed all your expectations. The Pinto's know how to run a company and are the most gracious of hosts. They take great pride in what they do and it shows.
Susan Friend
I cannot say enough good things about Micato. From the point of pick up at the airport, everything was taken care of for us. So much thought went into every detail of our adventure~Not too mention so many delightful surprises along the way. The tour guides, trackers and drivers were friendly, knowledgeable and professional. The accommodations were first class and the food, farm fresh. Micato made navigating South Africa a dream come true for us. Each person connected to Micato was personally invested in showing us their country. We learned so much and will carry a piece of Africa with us where ever we go and until we can return to visit with Micato other parts of Africa. A love story is born! A highlight was visiting Micato-AmericaShare Red Hill library. Much love and devotion is being directed to the children in South Africa. We brought some books for the kids and they LOVED it. I highly recommend Micato for all seeking to explore Africa.
Becky Sullivan
As a travel advisor Micato is always excellent to work with.
Scott Myers
We had an outstanding trip to India. The personal attention, including arranging for a golf experience, the quality of all the support personnel and our guide, Puneet Dan, made for one of the best trips we have ever taken. Micato truly delivers memorable travel to India
Sandy Brenner
My husband and I recently returned from the Micato Stanley Wing Safari to Kenya and Tanzania. It is easy to see how Micato is a 9 time winner of the Travel and Leisure Best Safari Award.
The attention to detail was impeccable. It is evident in the beautifully packaged travel materials, recognition of birthdays along the way, and meeting and dining with the owners, matriarch and patriarch Jane and Felix Pinto, both as guests at their home and at our Nairobi hotel.
Our tour director, John, was not only charming but a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. Our driver/guides left no stone unturned in locating indescribable wildlife sightings on our daily game drives that provided memories to last a lifetime. I could go on for pages but do not want to spoil the many Micato surprises that await you on your journey. The office staff was always available to help negotiate us through the travel process and answer any questions that arose.
Suffice it to say, this trip far exceeded any expectations we had in all categories. Asante (thank you) Micato for the trip of a lifetime.
Amy Dawley
Kenya/Tanzania, with Cape Town add on. We started planning this trip in October 2018. When the week finally came for our departure, panic set in. So much to pack. Where can I buy Advil? Do I have enough mosquito repellant? What if my aging mother is hospitalized? Major worries. It was the best experience of our lives. Henry and Steve, our guides, as well as Edith, our concierge, were all amazing. They thought of everything. They found all the cats, zebra, hippo, wildebeest! The great migration footage we achieved blew us away. The Harambe Center was eye opening and heart changing. I can't say enough good things about Micato. And Jane Pinto is the hostess with the mostess! Lunch in their home included gifts for our 9-person group and a special cake for our 35th anniversary.
Mary Levine
Hi, I'm a luxury travel advisor and have booked several clients with Micato Safari's. Specifically, Meg Buffkin!
Each trip has been different as is each client and Micato Safari's treats all guests with equal, outstanding service!
I never have to worry about any details because Micato Safari's has everything under control! My hat's off to Meg and the entire Micato team!!
Biff Matthews
Our trip to India with Micato was excellent. We were three couples from Canada. Highlights included our guide, Hem Singh, who could not have been more knowledgeable and engaging, and a dinner arranged by Micato with couples in Delhi having similar backgrounds to ourselves.
Dominick Mills
I have been blessed to travel with Micato twice. Once to Kenya/Tanzania/Zanzibar in 2001 and eighteen years later to India this past February. I am clearly biased about their unparalleled quality, hospitality, knowledge, and customer care/attention to every detail. Both of these trips, accommodations, food, transportation, sights, people, and Micato staff were amazing. Trips of a lifetime.
I cannot give a higher recommendation to the Pinto Family, guide Erasto, guide Piyush, and the all purpose/all knowing single point of contact Marion who all worked tirelessly to deliver these trips well beyond promises and expectations. Considering India was a surprise anniversary trip for my wife, I still can’t figure out how Micato was able to find us in the remote destinations and totally personalize our trip....even as we travelled further into India. From private dinner for 2 overlooking the Taj Mahal to spending time serving others in the charity kitchens...amazing.
If you make it to Kenya, check out restaurants Carnivore or Tamarind. Still memorable with the Pintos 18 years later.
Happy Travels!