Safari Magic - explore, experience and enjoy
Maasai Wanderings
- Located In:
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $280 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An exceptional value for a mid-range price
From the knowledgeable, friendly staff throughout all phases of my trip (booking through putting on plane home), I felt safe and in competent hands. The facilities arranged for my party and the food served was better than expected (don't pass on on the soups!!). I don't know why anyone would book with anyone else.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The importance of choosing a good guide
Donna, the owner, was very helpful and responsive. It was also impressive to see the initiatives they are developing in the country. It is great to see how the money you are collaborating with paying for the trip, to the communities.
The only negative thing about the trip, which unfortunately is very important, was the driver-guide. If you decide to go with Maasai Wanderings, we recommend you not to go with Nickson. You will spend a lot of time together, including lunch and dinners with someone not nice at all, who wouldn't talk to us, not even to explain to us the necessary things during the safari. He definitely ruined one of the most important parts of our trip.
US
Email Tracey V | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Decision to go with Maasai Wanderings!!!!
From the moment our guide (Everest) picked us up at Arusha Airport, until we completely left Africa, the company made sure we had the best experience possible. Our guide was fun, knew exactly where to find the animals, and drive that truck like he was born in it! Even more, our flight was cancelled when we were leaving, and even though our contract with the company was technically over and fulfilled, Abdullie interceded with the airlines and local airline workers to assure we did not miss any connections. He was available to us at ALL times. PRICELESS!!!! What an amazing experience we had...with an amazing company! FIVE STARS!!!
Email Thomas Sz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best wildlife holiday ever
I am not one to write big raving reviews, but we just returned from our honeymoon, the first part of which we were lucky enough to spend with a Maasai Wanderings guide who made our time extra special - not only was he extremely genuine with a great sense of humour, patience and character. But the natural passion he maintained for the job was evident - he must have seen hundreds of big cats yet he was still getting excited by seeing something new. His reading of animals' behavioural pattern was second to none - on at least half a dozrn occasions he made the right call on where to put the car, and crucially, when. The best example is this: we tracked a female lion over the course of 45minutes, to her leaving the pride, to watching her kill a zebra around 25-30 away from our car - we were one of 2 cars out of 24-25 in the vicinity to watch the kill -- as all others were expecting the kill to happen elsewhere. The other car to witness the spectacle?--another Maasai Wanderings car!
A couple other examples of how our guide went above and beyond what we could/would have expectsd of him: our camera charger's fuse got blown in one of the camps--our guide set about repairing it himself. On the final day at Kogatende airstrip, as confusion reigned supreme as to which bush plane was flying where, our guide managed to offer us not one, but to alternative planes to take us to our next destination! so it was our pick which one to fly with!. Could we ask for anything more?! i dont think so. All in all, having had experience with other wildlife tour operators on various continents, i can reassure everyone that Maasai Wanderings are one hell of a company and you will be in the best of hands.
US
Email Jana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Maasai Wanderings - Top notch from start to finish!
Trying to pick between the myriad of tour operators for your dream safari? Look no further than Maasai Wanderings. They were incredible from start to finish and take customer service to a new level.
We worked closely with Donna to develop our ideal safari. She sought to understand our interests, requirements (bush shower!) and budget and then crafted a safari as well as post safari beach days in Zanzibar that met our requirements. It's a bit of a leap of faith when you wire money across the world hoping that someone is there when you arrive, but it was all handled flawlessly by MW.
When I arrived, my baggage, alas, did not. This is a bit of an issue when you're going into the bush for 10 days. Even though it wasn't a MW issue the team helped do whatever it could to resolve the issue. The local team followed up with the airlines on my behalf and our amazing guide, Godwin, took me to get clothes and toiletries. My bag never showed but the MW team helped ensure I could get on with the trip and not miss out. Beyond thankful for their help.
Once we got the clothes sorted and the safari started, I can't say enough about the quality of the guide. Godwin was an amazing spotter who worked tirelessly so we could see as much as possible. He figured out our personalities really quickly and adapted to our interests. He had so much knowledge - from the tiniest creatures to the biggest. We saw the Big 5 but we also saw so many smaller animals that were fascinating and part of the whole environment. I loved this holistic view of the area.
We also did a day hike up Kili with Julius who could not have been more patient and positive. He succeeded in getting our tired, out of shape bodies up the hill - no easy task!
One of the best things about the MW guides is how seriously they take their roles. We witnessed all the MW guides stopping to pick up trash others had left in the parks. They also showed tremendous respect to the animals and other visitors in the park and focused on safety. We witnessed clients of other operators being unsafe as well as, at times, scaring off the animals by being too close. MW guides clearly respect and love the bush and want to see their clients love it the same way, but they put a focus on professionalism, responsibility and client safety. I have tremendous respect for that and their clear desire to support this environment for the long term.
MW was top notch from start to finish. Their personalized, boutique approach ensures that you will have a trip that is exactly what you want. Since for many it's a once in a lifetime experience, you might as well do it the right way. MW will ensure that happens, and I can't recommend them enough. I can't wait to go back someday!
US
Email Rhonda Snyder | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This is absolutely the most amazing company!!
As a travel agent for over 20 years I pay attention to all parts of travel from booking to the trip experience. This was a real vacation for me and a couple girlfriends. After sharing with Donna what we were looking for we let her choose what she felt would fit our needs. She was spot on from day 1!! The best places, the most amazing food. Plus every stop and guide were amazing. I would be happy to share more if you have any questions.
We did a couple nights in Arusha, 5 nights on a horseback safari and a night in Nairobi to experience the elephant orphanage and giraffe center. We we taken care of from the moment our feet landed in Kilamanjaro.
The prices were the best and it exceeded my highest expectations.
Thank you again Donna and Maasai Wanderings for making a dream come true!! Rhonda
Email Natasha and Rob | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic organisation and amazing safari experience
We can't rate our experience in Tanzania with Maasai Wanderings highly enough. We spent 7 days in Maasai Wanderings very capable hands and it was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. We spent a night in Arusha, then 2 nights in Ndovu Camp Tarangire, 1 night in Ndutu Lodge South Serengeti and 2 nights in Noana Moru Camp Central Serengeti. The camps were an amazing experience. What stunning, secluded locations within the parks, meaning the animals are just there with you! The staff at the camps were very welcoming and engaging. And myself being quite nervous at being so isolated in the wilderness, they put me at ease. We were lucky that some nights we just happened to be the only people there so we felt we got to know the staff and that made the experience extra special. We were really surprised and impressed at the high standard of the food provided and drinks available in such locations.
And our guide, Clement, well, he just made the experience for us. We bonded immediately and we felt we learnt so much about Tanzania, the animals and the local cultures from him. He was very professional but we had a lot of fun too. We were very lucky with the animals that we saw, but that luck really was down to him doing a great job.
On driving out of Ngoro Ngoro one early evening, we came across a private safari vehicle with clients inside, that had a flat tyre and both spares were flat. Our guide offered what help to them he could but it really confirmed how reassured we felt being with the company we were that there would never be flat spare tyres and in that type of situation we would be rescued no problem.
We appreciated it that we got a call from head office on our way to the airport asking how our trip was.
So, as soon as we got home, we started looking at what other trips we could do with Maasai Wanderings!
CA
Email Lou & Irene Zaganelli | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding experience; exceptional service! Simon and Donna exceeded our expectations.
From our initial inquiries we received remarkable attention and detailed replies. Donna's personal accessibility and responsiveness result in a planning and implementation experience that is outstanding. Through many email exchanges we were able to craft a safari plan that reflected our goals and met our dreams.
Then with the best safari guide we could imagine, Simon took us on the experience of a lifetime. He was personable, knowledgeable and persistent in ensuring that all our anticipations were fully realized.
We loved all our accommodations and the corresponding staff. We were impressed and pleased with the variety of sleeping arrangements, food, locales and proximity to the natural world - we were immersed and loved it.
At all times we were treated royally - safe & clean vehicle, plenty of bottled water, great meals, attentive service, skillful driving, knowledgeable information, spontaneous adjustments to seek special opportunities, and we always had FUN.
All the other companies (from Arusha to Zanzibar) that MW arranged were clearly respectful of Donna and MW, hence treated us first rate. They all spoke very highly of Donna and MW; they provided exceptional services.
As a whole, MW, Donna and Simon, are first class - engaging, reliable, professional, thorough, experienced, customer-focused and the best we could have expected. They truly exceeded our expectations.
In addition, we respect MW's commitment to the environment and to local communities. We share these values and appreciated the opportunities to visit and learn from some of the supported villages. We will join Donna's team and donate again to assist the health and education of MW's selected communities.
Thank you !
Email Jessica | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was perfect...
My partner, myself and a friend were looking at going over to Tanzania we wanted to climb Kili and go on a safari but had absolutely no idea how where why what would be involved.
I was trying to sort through websites and tour operators and alot of companies had only specific dates that group tours were starting and if we wanted to go privately we were paying a small fortune . It was looking a bit dire and thought we might have to choose either Kili or the Safari. Until i was recommended Donna and got her email address . Instead of waiting days for replies as i had been it was instant same day replies with incredibly helpful information clear costs and so much flexibility on dates , tour times length of tours etc. After back and forward and myself asking Donna a million questions ( too which all of the replies were incredibly helpful and patient) we were able to do both climb Kili and do the safari both on private tours and extremely affordable !
From the day we booked it we had smooth sailing itineraries sent all the information you want on the country, tipping, safety to our guides coming to our hotel pre kili and pre safari to get us all ready and excited. To both our Kili guides and porters being incredibly wonderful friendly professional personable knowledgeable to our extremely kind hearted Safari guide who we spent 4 wonderful days camping in the Serengeti / Tarangire with.. Amos answered all of my ten thousand animal questions with such ease and patience ..
All in all we were so lucky and spoiled to have gonna with Maasai Wonderings the accommodation food service everything was incredible .
Not only is it an incredible company but Donna and her husband are highly respected within the locals of Arusha , we spent a day in Arusha looking around and talking to some friendly locals we told them who we were climbing/safari with and they knew exactly who Donna was and commented on the work and volunteering they do for the community and had nothing but respect and admiration for them both.
I couldn't recommend a better company/people to deal with
CA
Email Richard | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
7-day safari - highly recommended!
Donna was very helpful in booking my safari and other parts of a 3 week holiday in Tanzania. Offering helpful suggestions, she was at all times unfailingly rapid and precise in her responses, in marked contrast to most of the other safari tour companies I had initially contacted. The 7 day Wildlife Wonders safari itself was indeed wonderful.
Our guide Baraka was excellent: always helpful, courteous, punctual, knowledgeable, an excellent game-spotter, and a prudent driver (an important factor when off-road, close to large game and even more so on Tanzanian highways!)
The accommodation was to a very high standard, as was the food. The safari camps in particular were a delight. Diana and her crews kept us well fed and feeling cared for at all times. In fact all the Maasai Wanderings staff that we met were cheerful and enthusiastic so that points to good management.