Go Different...
Brilliant Adventures and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $3,510 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Krithika | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible 10 day Safari with Brilliant Adevntures and Safaris!
Safari in Tanzania was on the top of my bucket list for a long time, so naturally I was very nervous about the tour operator we chose. But lucky for me, Brilliant adventures and Safaris really were BRILLIANT!
From the start, everything was excellent. Lightness at head office helped as personalize out itinerary based on what we wanted to see and do, and how much time we had available. She was extremely kind, helpful and replied to any questions very quickly.
My husband and I spent 10 nights and 11 days on Safari with our incredible tour guide Joshua (highly recommend!) He was kind, engaging and helped answer all of the questions that we had about the landscape, animals and the Tanzanian culture. By the end of the trip, he was not just our tour guide but became our friend also. Our 10 day itinerary included a trip to the Materuni waterfalls and local coffee lodge, Arusha national park, Tarangire, Manayara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Ndutu. Joshua made sure that we maximised every opportunity we had to see all the wildlife, and lucky for us we were able to see everything! It really was a dream come true.
Spending 11 days on Safari is quite a long time so it was an added benefit that our car was also very comfortable with lots of leg room. I can't thank Joshua, Lightness and the team at Brilliant enough for helping us create such special memories. I would highly recommend getting in touch with this company if you are looking for a Safari provider.
CA
Email Jackie and Brendan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly 'Brilliant' experience that exceeded all expectations
We did a lot of research before booking our safari. Like a couple of other reviewers, we were really intrigued by the reviews of Brilliant, but a little nervous because they don’t have as many reviews as the bigger companies. Ultimately, they were one of three companies we chose to request quotes from and Brilliant immediately set themselves apart in their response. Their email included not only an incredibly detailed itinerary but also a wealth of additional information about travelling to Tanzania, going on safari, the accommodations and their custom vehicles.
It was clear that Brilliant are extremely passionate about their work and think through every detail. After we decided to book with them, Lightness helped us through finalizing our itinerary and answered all our questions. We felt extremely excited and well-prepared boarding the plane and not at all nervous, even though this was our first trip to East Africa.
From the moment we touched down in Arusha, our experience was exceptional. Hassan was our amazing driver and guide and we truly cannot recommend him highly enough – we would have a completely different experience without him. He is passionate not just about safari and the Tanzanian landscape but about the country’s history, culture and people. Countless times, he went the extra mile to explain things for us, point out things we wouldn’t have noticed and put what we were seeing into context. Furthermore, as an enthusiast photographer himself, he was extremely accommodating about making sure we could get the perfect photograph.
The tour highlighted Brilliant’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail from start to finish. We were really sold on the custom vehicles and were wondering about how unique they really are – if anything, the difference is undersold on the website! Whereas most conventional safari vehicles fit 7 people, Brilliant’s only seat 4 and are designed for maximum manoeuvrability so you can move freely to see the animals and take photos. The difference is immediately obvious – we noticed many, many tourists with other safari companies checking out our vehicle during the trip.
We chose to do the four park Northern Circuit tour, and we felt it was an excellent choice - each park has its own unique, stunning landscape and we felt that each complemented the overall experience very well. We were a little apprehensive about spending so much time in a car, but we never felt bored or disengaged - even when we were on the road from one park or another, we found the landscape and Hussan’s explanations and personable anecdotes to be extremely interesting.
Although obviously we were there to see the animals and experience the parks, the food and accommodations were also hugely memorable and big highlights of our trip. We opted for the mid-range option which included a mix of lodges and luxury tented camps and enjoyed every place we stayed, with Acacia Farm Lodge and the camp at Nyumbani Collection in the Serengeti standing out in particular. (Nyumbani was such a gem, with a stunning setting and phenomenal food and service. We are so glad that the Brilliant team did the research and added it to their itinerary - we didn’t see it listed anywhere else!)
The food at all the accommodations was top-notch, but many of our best food memories are actually of the daily lunches we enjoyed on each game drive. Hassan always knew the best place to stop and once again, attention to detail was second to none, with a full spread, tablecloth and even a folding table and chairs so we could eat with the best view even if there were no picnic tables in the area. Each lunch was supplied by our accommodation and included a huge variety that went well beyond the boxed sandwiches we saw a lot of other visitors eating.
Truly, we cannot recommend Hassan, Lightness and Brilliant Safaris enough. This was a once in a lifetime trip and we truly don’t think we would have had the same experience with a different company - it was everything we dreamed of. We would strongly recommend reaching out to them and wouldn’t hesitate to book with Brilliant again for another East African safari. Asante sana!
ES
Email Alex | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our dream holiday
We had a wonderful Safari with Brilliant in our recent honeymoon in Tanzania.
As many travellers already experienced, the communication with both Julieth and Lightness was excellent from the beginning and it was quite easy to plan the safari.
Once we arrived in Kilimanjaro airport, we were picked up by our guide Boni and everything was perfectly organised by Brilliant so that we didn’t have to worry about anything else for the next 6 days.
We really enjoyed all the accommodations we carefully selected, the food was very good and the service was very exclusive, enjoying very much all the game drives and picnics!
Special thanks to Boni who made us feel like home, he was very flexible and helpful, always trying to make our days memorable (driving us around, taking great pictures...). We definitely experienced magic moments in Africa!
Overall, the whole experience exceeded our expectations, from the beauty of the landscapes to the kindness of the people and the great service we received from Brilliant.
We will always keep this travel experience in our hearts and we will remember Brilliant when we grab a cofee to go (many thanks for the gift).
We would hopefully come back in a few years time with our children and enjoy a great Family Safari Adventure!
NL
Email Clemens Mayer | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best! Holiday! Ever! - Thank you Brilliant :D
Communication: From the get-go, Brilliant stood out from other tour operators in their professional approach. Communication with our agent, Julieth, was smooth and she accommodated all our wishes and gave us expert advice when planning our Safari. Also, unlike other tour operators, Brilliant never spammed my inbox with daily emails, but only sent a small number of timely reminder emails.
Service: From the moment we touched down in Arusha, we felt like true VIPs. Our guide, Joshua, made all our wishes true, even those we never uttered out loud. In addition to the outstanding hospitality and service, Joshua proved incredibly knowledgeable with respect to animals, plants, and Tanzanian culture. We really felt that we learned a lot from him and, for us, this was particularly rewarding.
Accommodations: We selected the mid-range options, which for our standards could easily be considered luxury. All accommodations felt like ‘authentic Tanzanian’, with attentive and caring staff. The rooms, including the bathrooms, were incredibly spacious and the food was outstanding. Also, while other Safari guests had ‘lunchboxes’, we often found ourselves with a three-course picnic for lunch instead!
Value for money: After comparing a number of safari operators in preparation for our trip, we are convinced that Brilliant Adventures & Safaris offers a highly competitive package. Indeed, offers from other tour operators featured limited game drive mileage and did not include the flight to Zanzibar or unlimited (soft) drinks.
Experience: This was hands down the best holiday experience we ever had and Brilliant had a large part in making the trip unforgettable for us. If you care for professional communication, reliable arrangements, outstanding service, and great accommodations, all at a competitive price, you cannot go wrong when booking with Brilliant!
US
Email Sabrina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect 20th anniversary celebration thanks to Brillant Adventures
We really appreciated Julieth’s hard work organizing our week long safari visiting Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. From the moment Joshua picked us from the airport, we were well taken care of especially when they made sure we got our delayed luggage. Thanks to Joshua’s expertise, we saw everything we wanted to and had a lot of fun doing so. The jeep was very comfortable and the lunches provided (especially the first meal by Brillant) were delicious. The An’gata tented camp at Tarangire was beautiful and the one at Ngorongoro gave us an early start at the crater. We splurged on 2 nights at the Melia Serengeti and it was worth it! Mixing the lodge and tent experience was the best of both. We’d highly recommend Brillant and loved our time in Tanzania.
CA
Email Diane | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really well curated experience, always looked out for our safety and enjoyment!
The experience with Brilliant was very smooth. Jane helped to curate the itinerary before taking off, going back and forth to accommodate specific lodges, and made sure to personally greet us after arrival. Joshua was our guide and amazing, he made sure we were comfortable and got to see everything we wanted on the safaris. He was very flexible and took us around using his expertise of the parks, very receptive to any requests. Overall incredibly comfortable and easy experience.
Email Jake C. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazingly thoughtful team delivering memories for a lifetime
Booking a guided safari can be a daunting experience when you're unsure about who awaits you on the other side, as this essentially determines the fate of your dream vacation – an experience that, for many, pushes the boundaries of our financial comfort.
I can confidently affirm that you are in the hands of an incredibly thoughtful, experienced, and professional team when you choose Brilliant Adventures Safaris. Unless nature throws an unexpected curveball beyond anyone's control, Brilliant's staff and guides will provide you with an amazing experience tailored to your passions.
From the moment you touch down in Tanzania until you depart, the only decisions you'll need to make are related to when you should apply sunscreen and bug spray. The guides, staff, and partners responsible for your accommodations will take care of everything else.
In particular, I must highlight Joshua, our guide. You spend every day with your guide, and I believe that the difference between a good safari and an extraordinary one is the guide (barring unforeseeable acts of nature or unlucky circumstances).
When we began our safari, we provided Joshua with minimal guidance. When asked about our expectations and what we hoped to see, our response was essentially, "We don't know what we don't know, but we're passionate about photography." It wasn't much to go on for a guide, but it became clear from the very first day that Joshua swiftly grasped our interests, our preferred pace, and what was important to us, and he adapted accordingly. Joshua was so adept at discerning this that we didn't need to vocalize when we wanted to stop or move on. He could intuitively gauge it from our reactions and body language. When we lacked an opinion on what to do differently or more of the next day, he already had a proposal for us to consider.
Joshua is remarkably kind, knowledgeable, empathetic, and hardworking. The entire Brilliant staff is incredibly gracious, communicative, and considerate. When we return to Tanzania, we will unquestionably choose Brilliant, and we will certainly request Joshua if we venture to the north (although based on our observations, all the guides at Brilliant are outstanding).
CA
Email Todd Pinsky | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant is the Best!
Absolutely wonderful experience with Brilliant Safaris - from the first moment of communication about the planning for the trip to the last day of the safari.
I began my planning for our safari with another well-known Tanzania-based safari company but was utterly dissatisfied with the interaction, so decided to reach out to a few others, Brilliant included. Julieth Wilfred from Brilliant responded to me immediately and I knew right away I had found the right person and company to help me plan our trip. Julieth promptly set up a What's App chat between us, listened to my requirement/requests and met each with courtesy and helpful advice. I appreciated her suggested itinerary and accommodations and when I asked for any modification, she gladly and without hesitation adjusted them as desired. From our first chat, to the day we arrived in Tanzania, Julieth was always available - day or night - and every question or query was greeted with a prompt and friendly response. All of the safari lodges and camps she booked for us were wonderful - exceeding all of our expectations. In addition, Julieth noted that we would be celebrating our 25th anniversary on the trip and arranged a surprise private and romantic dinner on the deck of our tent one night - very touching and appreciated.
I must also make mention of our tremendous safari guide, Joshua Wilfred (no relation!) - from the first moment he met us at the Kilimanjaro airport on our arrival to the final moment after he dropped us back at the airport for our departure, Joshua was most gracious, friendly and knowledgeable. With his easygoing nature, extraordinary animal tracking skills and phenomenal driving abilities, my wife and I considered ourselves extremely fortunate to have Joshua as our partner during this trip. He made sure we saw the "Big 5", made our way through the cities, villages, countryside and parks safely and was a perfect match for our many questions with his encyclopedic knowledge of Tanzania, its people and its wildlife.
Please do not allow Brilliant's lower profile amongst Tanzania's many safari companies to dissuade you in the least from choosing them. The fact is that you will benefit from the personal and customized experience all the more for it.
Thank you Julieth and Joshua for the trip and experience of a lifetime - one we will never forget.
US
Email Rachel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely wonderful! Perfectly organized and managed from beginning to end.
We had the best time on our safari. Josh was a wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide and we saw so many animals! We celebrated two birthdays and an engagement on our safari and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Brilliant Safaris organized for our lodges to celebrate our birthdays and we felt so welcomed with individualized cakes and flowers. Josh himself organized a private dinner underneath the stars at our tented lodge in the Serengeti the evening of our engagement and we can’t thank him or Brilliant Safaris enough for making our day even more special. The entire trip was planned perfectly with great communication from start to finish, and we absolutely recommend them!
US
Email Courtney | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant Adventures is absolutely amazing and I would recommend them to anyone and everyone!
Brilliant Adventures and Safaris made our safari experience absolutely incredible from start to finish. Lightness was amazing to work with to coordinate and plan the entire trip. She made everything so easy and helped to customize our itinerary to exactly what we wanted to do, and she was always extremely responsive. Lightness is amazing at her job, is so professional and made booking this big trip so smooth and easy.
Joshua was our safari guide and he is amazing! He's so nice and extremely knowledgable on all of the animals, parks and knew the answer to every question we asked. You could tell that he really cares and is very passionate about the animals. He shared his knowledge of the animals, the history of the parks, the culture and more. You cannot possibly have a better safari guide than Joshua!
The level of attention to detail by Brilliant Adventures and Safaris is clear every step of the way. They care immensely about your safety and you can feel that from before you go and the entire time you're there. Beginning with the detailed itinerary and know before you go documentation, I felt very secure and prepared planning this trip. The safari vehicles that Brilliant Adventures uses is definitely the best. We saw a lot of other safari vehicles and did not see any that were quite like ours. We had 4 people and there were 4 seats with a ton of room to stretch out and walk/jump around when you got excited about all the animals. The roof came completely off and the windows folded all the way down so you really had full exposure and unblocked views from the landscape and the animals. All of the lodging accommodations that were organized for us were top notch, everything was clean, the staff were all insanely welcoming and nice, and the food and service were amazing! Our friends celebrated their birthdays and got engaged on this trip and Brilliant Adventures went above and beyond to make it special for them! We danced in the Serengeti and ate cake and then ate more cake the next day and more cake the day after that! Lightness got a bouquet of roses for my friend's birthday and you could tell they really cared about us and our experience.
The Serengeti is beyond your imagination. It was incredible to experience the vast and endless landscape and Joshua had an eagle eye for spotting all the cats! We saw all of the species of animals we hoped to see and up close! We even saw a pride of lions hunt right in front of us, it was so crazy and awesome to see. Joshua knew the area so well and knew exactly where to go for us to get up close experiences with the animals.
Bottom line, Brilliant Adventures is by far the best safari company in Tanzania, you will get the most value for your money, the best experience and the best people. I cannot say enough great things about them and if you are booking a safari to Tanzania I highly recommend Brilliant Adventures and Safaris!