Sunny Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 100-250 employees (Founded in 1982)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $240 to $1,460 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worth Every Penny!
My best friend and I joined the 4 days safari tour (Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro). We are extremely happy with Sunny Safari. They are extremely professional and answered all our questions (very prompt reply - emails). When we reached Sunny Safari office at Arusha, we were greeted by Jesca. She helped out so much on arranging our lodging in Arusha and replied all our emails patiently (it was out 1st trip to Africa - we were quite nervous). The driver/ guide (Mr Abbas) was extremely helpful and showed us so many animals (we even saw cheetah, leapords and rhino). While our cook Marcel (Dr for the stomach - that was how he addressed himself) was really amazing. Who would have thought of sugar coated popcorn at a safari campsite? And not to mention the hot ginger tea. We really love it. If I have chance to go to Tanzania again, Sunny Safari will definitely be my choice. Thanks guys!
SE
Email Ida and Fredrik | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the best travel experiences ever
We went on safari with Sunny Safaris during our honeymoon. It was an amazing trip, 5 days in Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro. We had a very experienced and skilled guide, Khalifa, who showed us all the big five! He knew exactly where to go to get the best chance to see the different animals and he was very accommodating to our wishes the entire week.
A couple of mornings we wanted to go earlier, 6 am before everyone else, to be able to spot the animals hunting in the morning, and this was no problem. Our guide arranged so we could have the breakfast with us and later that morning he made us a beautiful breakfast picknick. That morning we managed to see a leopard eating his pray and a cheetah hunting gazelles in an enormous speed over the fields.
Khalifas excellent guiding made us see more animals than we would have been able to dream of. We saw tens of thousands of wildebeests and zebras, hundreds of different gazelles elephants giraffes buffalos and hippos, at least 50 lions, 3 leopards, 1 rhino, 2 cheetas and lots of other predators, flamingos, pelicans, eagles and other colorful birds which Khalifa knew all the names of and could tell a lot of facts about. The best park was Serengeti where we were completely alone most of the time, able to observe the animals without distraction from any other cars and were able to take all the pictures we wanted.
We were very curious and had a lot of questions. Our guide told us a lot about the areas we passed, how the people were living and he took us to a Masai village and an orphanage when we asked him. He was very kind and polite, his English skills were good enough, he drove safely and he was very careful that we would be satisfied with the trip.
We booked the trip through a Swedish travel agency, ToppAfrika AB, which in turn hires Sunny Safaris for the safari trips. The entire travel was smoothly arranged by Sunny Safaris, we had no problems during the trip, the accomodations were great and all time schedules were held. My husband and I travel a lot and this trip was one of the best things we have ever done. We can really recommend our guide Khalifa and Sunny Safaris.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was so impressive, words cannot express, how it was.
The communications was great. Our guide did a great job, he saw every single animal, I would never have seen. He could explain to us a lot, about the landscape and the animals. He drove very carefully and took very good care of us. Our cook did also an excellent job. We got a lot to eat and it always tasted very good. The safari was my highlight of the vacation and I really enjoyed. Would like to go back.
NL
Email Erik-Sander & Emma | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great last minute service & very good value
We booked our safari two weeks in advance after some very helpful advice through e-mail. We decided to do a 5-day camping safari incl. Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.
On our way to Kilimanjaro airport we missed the connecting flight at Nairobi. We had to wait over twelve hours and arrived in the evening instead of early in the morning. Just four hours before arrival, I requested Sunny Safaris to arrange an pick-up from the airport and a hotel booking in Arusha (all through e-mail). They arranged both perfectly, and we could start the safari early on the next morning. Paying a small part of the remaining balance in TZS instead of USD was no problem either (we had to pay for new flight tickets cash at Nairobi).
The safari itself was just amazing. We were lucky to see the early arrival of the great migration around Seronera. We saw each of the big 5 at least three times. The experienced driver/guide and cook (Pessa and Vincent) did a great job in making our adventure unforgettable.
We inquired different companies and Sunny was by far the cheapest. It seems there is little difference between companies in terms of service and meals on the campsites. So it felt as great value for money us.
The only con we can think of is that the vehicle looked a bit older than the others around, but we had no problems except for one flat tire. But it was very comfy to have a 8p vehicle just for us...
Definitely recommended!
BE
Email Hubert Raeymaekers | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wat we wanted : professional and customer oriented
We were a group of 6 in the jeep : two parents (in lodges) and our son, together with 3 friends of him (in tents). We experienced Sunny Safaris as a 100% professional and customer oriented agency : in spite of the two different formula's in one jeep, everything went smoothly and as planned (prepayment, paper work, logistics, payments on site etc). Also the agency contacted us during the safari to know how things were going (highly appreciated) : we confirmed that our driver (Peter) and cook (Charly) were arranging a fantastic safari in Lake Manyara,Seregenti,Ngorongoro and Tarangire. Suggestion : replace the Tarangire (last) day by an extra day in Serengeti. When going back we will chose Sunny Safaris again.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome family vacation
Our family of 5 (ages M53, F53, M22, F20, and F17) decided to climb Mt. Kili and then go on a safari in Tanzania. Our guides (Sylvester and August) were great and although it was cold on the final day of the climb, we were all successful getting to the top of the mountain. Everyone was in decent shape, so don't think you can just show up, but the key to making it up the mountain is acclimation; do the 7 day trip. We tackled the Machame route and were not disappointed. I'd recommend using foot-warmers (maybe 2) in your boots as you climb to the top on summit day.
Our Safari lasted 8 days and were fortunate to see everything we hoped for. Highlights included: The Big 5, cheetahs, 3 wildebeest crossings in the northern Serengeti and even some lions mating from 15 feet away. Simply amazing. David, our guide, was the right fit for our family and was a pleasure to be with throughout the entire trip. He even introduced us to his favorite local restaurant in Arusha on the last night, making it a trip that was truly memorable.
Sunny Safaris helped create a trip that was tailored to our requirements of 'somewhat rugged', not too expensive, yet with the right amount of luxury/comfort to keep us in budget. After tenting on the mountain, we spent our evenings in nice, yet simple "luxury tented camps" where the service was great and the facilities were excellent. Other evenings we were in the Sopa Lodges in south Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. We also visited Lake Manyara. If you are short on time, you can have a great 4-5 day trip and simply go to the Crater and then the Serengeti. If you want to go to the northern section because the wildebeest are crossing, strongly consider flying. We had 8 days so driving was an acceptable and cheaper alternative (saved $1200), but we also had one long day of washboard roads that lasted about 8 hours.
For our family, this trip will be one of the most memorable trips we ever take. If you enjoy the outdoors, learning about life and world around you, and are open to new and adventurous things, this type of trip needs to be at the top of your list.
CA
Email Kim | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience with Sunny Safari!
Great experience with Sunny Safari! Jessica always answered all our questions prompty and organized our hotel in Arusha and ride from airport. Hamisi was our driver/guide for the safari and provided excellent service. He could spot an animal miles away- like a Leopard hiding in a tree. He handled driving the very bumpy and challenging roads especially in the crater with great skill and ease. My husband and I are middle age and did the Tangarerie National Park (1 night), Serengeti (3 nights) and Sopa lodge (1 night) for 5 nights. We found too much driving for 6 days and would recommend either flying to Serengeti or out of Serengeti or adding another stop in between. Also, the safari jeep are the basic vehicle with no frills. If you want the luxury jeeps with big comfy seats, a/c, nice big coolers then book the more expensive safari. Otherwise, we were satisified customers.
DE
Email Mila + Adi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip with good value
We went on a one week camping safari to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We had a wonderful time! The provided equipment (tent, sleeping bags, car) were in good shape. The tour was as booked, sometimes we did even a bit longer game drives - thank you for that! We went with Thomas (guide) and Dogo (cook). They were really nice and we had a great time and even learned some Swahili during the meals. We saw many big cats, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes etc. and are very satisfied with our tour. Still we think our guide could have spot more animals - we found most because of other guides. The last days really felt like they wanted to go home and they didn't put as much effort into the tour at the end. Besides that we are very satisfied and happy with our tour and would recommend Sunny Safari!
DE
Email Cathi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very enjoyable safari!
We (2 students, couple) were looking for a Safari in Northern Tanzania and collected several offers as we were looking for budget options. SunnySafaris made the best offer together with some good recommendations on e.g. Tripadvisor. Therefore we decided for a 3day/2nights camping safari with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire NP starting from Arusha. Prior we had a very good email communication with Masha, and all our questions were answered. In the morning on the first day we were picked up by Paul, our guide, accompanied by our cook.
We were lucky to be the only ones on the trip, so we had the huge car for us, which turnded out to be great to move around during gamedrives and to have a real 360° view. Also, we could stop where and for how long we wanted. By midday we reached the Tarosero camp near Lake Manyara where our cook prepared a great lunch. After that we startet the gamedrive in Lake Manyara NP till the evening. Then evening - sleeping in good tents - we were surprisingly tired. Next morning we got up early, after breakfast we left to Ngorogoro. There we spend the day, lunchbox during the day, good dinner again and the next morning we packed everything leaving to Tarangire NP, in the afternoon leaving back to Arusha, where we got dropped off at our accomodation, even though it was a bit outside of Arusha and difficult to find.
Negative aspects:
- Prior to the safari we asked for the option to buy additional water because the provided 1 l per day is not sufficient. It was told to us that we will stop at a cheap supermarket for that and do not need to worry. However, this "cheap" supermarket was designed especially for Safari-Tours and was not cheap at all (water in the village near the camp was cheaper).
- The driver/guide stopped twice at some kind of souvenir shops where we were forced to spend time while he went for a coffee.
- The guides/cooks eat seperately at the camp - they cook local food (e.g. Ugali) prepared on a nice fire place. It would be a nice option to also be part of that.
- On the last day we really need to stress that we would like to spend as long as possible in Tangire NP, as our guide wanted to leave to Arusha.
Positive aspects:
- Guide and cook were very friendly.
- We saw amazingly many animals (from the big 5 we did not see rhinos) and the guide gave us an introduction for all the different species. He also knew good spots for animals and pointed out many things for us.
- The camp was very luxurious for a tented safari - there are good bathrooms - and power supply to charge cameras, mobile phones was available. Very secure feeling within the camp.
- The food in the camp was made of 3 course menus - we got catered with a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian option as ordered before. The food was very nice, the lunchboxes were okay as well.
- The three parks are very different in their topography, fauna and flora. We enjoyed that a lot and felt that this Safari really gave us an amazing insight in the wildlife in Northern Tanzania.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 days in the Serengeti/ngorongoro
Booked a last minute safari through Jessica. She did a great job meeting our budget and desired itinerary. Very timely responses via email helped us immensely. They even took our credit card info and passport scan in lieu of a bank transfer.
Truck was in good shape and we didn't have any breakdowns (saw many near ngorongoro). Wish that they had told us that it didn't have A/C. Afternoon drives were brutal because it was so hot and the dust from other vehicles gave us coughs.
Jessica also lent us her binoculars and called to check in on our progress and satisfaction during the safari. A very nice touch.
The driver, BJ, was knowledgeable and spoke good english. He was gruff and made it tough to get comfortable in his presence (we spent 6-8hours a day with him in the car). The cook, Vincent, was rude and did not ask us when and what we'd like to eat. We were at his mercy when it came to schedule. We also discovered that the meals he prepared for the staff were better than the meals prepared for us.
At the end of the day we were there for the animals and we tried to keep that in mind. The tour operator was great. In our case, the staff was lackluster. Hopefully you get nicer, more respectful guides/cooks. If so, your experience will be 5 stars!