Naenda safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $330 to $455 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Doug | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great service and experience
This is one of the few Tanzanian owned tour companies. Jesse did a fabulous job with communications and planning and was always anxious to meet the varying needs of 7 passengers, ages varied by 50 years, and has developmental disabilities. He knows an incredible amount about the plants and animals and was patient and kind to us all. Jesse also worked with on limiting expenses, and we still lived very well.
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Email Sarah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari with Naenda!
We had a wonderful 2.5 day safari with Naenda. Despite the short time frame, Jesse helped us plan a great safari to Tarangire and to Ngorongoro Crater. Everything went so smoothly with the travel - the land cruiser was comfortable, we had great vegetarian food and we stayed at a lovely guest house in Karatu. The safari was incredible - we saw so many animals and Jesse seemed to know everything about them, the parks and the surroundings. He organized everything so that we were able to just enjoy the safari and marvel at everything we saw. I highly recommend Naenda - our safari really could not have been better!
Email Justine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful safari company and saw the BIG FIVE!!!
I initially enquired with about 15 different safari companies about doing a personalised safari over 5 days in Tanzania. I wanted it to incorporate Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire National Park. Most other companies said it couldn't be done over 5 days or told me that we would have to drop one of the destinations, but Naenda came back to me very quickly and said that they would be able to do the trip that my husband and I wanted to do, that they would be able to do it within our timescales (which were not flexible) and we would be staying in luxury accommodation (as it was our honeymoon).
The price we were quoted was incredibly competitive and we were extremely happy with the level of service we received before travelling - Abidan was great and responded very quickly (definitely within 24 hours or every email we sent if not much much quicker).
Jesse (our driver) was great as well and we managed to see the Big Five all on one day at Ngorogoro Crater, which I thought was basically impossible (thanks to poaching of rhino and leopards being elusive)!
The following day at Serengeti, we were extremely lucky to see four cheetah, a large pride of lion (about 11-15), another leopard, a hippo out of the water, a porcupine and a black mamba. All of the animals (bar maybe the leopard) were visible with the naked eye so we were close.
I have been on a number of safaris before (South Africa, Kenya, Gambia) but have never before experienced anything like Tanzania. The animals are magnificent, the people are genuine and wonderful and the accommodation is top-notch.
I would absolutely recommend Naenda to anyone wishing to do a safari in Tanzania. If you're looking for a completely personalised service, a great driver and a first class service then please do go with Naenda.
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Email Scott and Angie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phenomenal Experience!
We had a phenomenal experience in Africa! A big part of that was thanks to Jesse Mfoi and his company, Naenda Safaris. They worked with our limited schedule and personalized an adventure-filled 3 day/2 night safari for us – lodging and meals included. We were able to experience Tarangire National Park, a quick overview of the Ngorogoro Crater and two full days on the Serengeti. We could not have asked for a better guide or itinerary! Jesse is very knowledgeable and made sure we saw as many animals as possible in that short time! He took great care of us! He loves what he does and it shows!
Planning adventures in a different country can be overwhelming. If you are researching safari companies, look no further! You just found it!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experiences in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Have rated our experience as excellent as we were blown away by the experience of the Serengeti and Ngonrongoro Crater. Prior to arriving in Tanzania we experienced excellent communication with Abidan who was there to pick us up at Kilimanjaro airport and at the end of our safari Jesse, our driver, took us to the border for our connecting drive to Kenya.
We did have a change of itinerary which we weren't expecting but was a logical step as we wanted particularly to see the migration in the Ndutu area and because we had a long drive to the border for our connecting drive to Kenya at the end of our stay. All in all we were satisfied with this. We loved the camp we stayed in in the Serengeti - Heritage camp - which is small and run by a really cheerful crew and gives a very authentic experience. Serengeti was something I shall never forget - seeing the enormity of the mass of migrating wildebeest and zebra etc. The pride of lions - about a dozen with cubs on our first early morning game drive, lying on the rocky outcrop was just awsome as was watching the sun come up - great pics. We watched elephant antics - and waited while the leopard in the tree (with his kill) had to stay up there due to the six or seven lions lying around the bottom. For me the Serengeti stay was the highlight but the Ngorongo crater was also amazing - we watched a zebra give birth and baby take its first steps. We did go to Lake Manyara park as our first day of safari - it is very beautiful but what came after sort of overshadowed it. Our last night at the Simba Ngorongoro Forest Lodge was a lovely ending - with all the luxuries etc and a beautiful dinner.
Jesse is a very good driver and we felt very safe with him. He is clearly passionate about his country - I don't blame him as it is stunning. Although he didn't have radio communication in the vehicle we used he seemed to know where to find everything as we certainly saw some awsome things!
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!
My husband, George, and I have wanted to do a safari for some time. I met Jessy, the owner of Naenda Safaris, on a prior trip to Tanzania so looked forward to the safari. From the beginning they personalized the safari based on the schedule we had available. We were able to do a 3 day / 2 night safari seeing Tarangire National Park, an overview of the Ngorogoro crater and then 2 days at the Serengeti. We saw 4 of the big 5 (didn't see the rhinos) plus many others. We got very close to elephants, giraffe and zebra in Tarangire and saw up close 2 male Lions and their pride of 8 females and young ones in the Serengeti. Wildebeast, Zebra, Ostrich, Gazelle's, giraffe, hippo's, cheetah, leopard, hyenas, water buffalo, mongoose, elan, topi, stork, jackal, dik dik, ..... It is amazing to see all this wildlife up close and in their natural environment and the positive, friendly attitude and knowledge of our guide Jessy throughout the trip made for a wonderful trip overall. The lodging both nights was comfortable!
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Email Francine | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Took very good care of us. Reliable and went the extra mile.
The experience was great and the staff were open and welcomed our questions and comments. They listened and delivered based on our needs and desires.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Naenda was here for us
I went to Tanzania with my friend (up to Moshi) with the wish of climbing the Kilimanjaro. We are students so we needed to find something affordable. We went to "naenda agency" (a fake agency) and they offered us to climb de Kilimanjaro in 3 days and for 400$/person. We agreed. Once we arrived at the gate, we found out that this agency took us completely for idiots and that they just stoled money from us. Actually, we had to pay more then 300$ more for services, fees... We were just remaining with a few tanzanian shilling in the pocket. The guide wasn't friendly at all and he had no respect, we didn't feel safe at all. Actually it's a very long story. But at the end, once we went back from the Kili, we wanted to speak to the responsible from Naenda agency to get our money back. With a lot of hazard, we spoked with the real naenda people and we understood that the agency with who we went on the Kili was pretending to be the real "naenda safari". Shortly, this agency was pretending to be Naenda safari. So everything was false, the papers, insurance... Once we met the real staff member of Naenda, they helped us with everything. They came to pick us up near the gate of the kili, and brought us back to Moshi. We went together at the police station to complain. And they helped us financially so that we can take a bus to go back at the border of Rwanda.
I really want to thank them for everything and I wish them all the best.
Johanna.
Great people, great service!
I joined some friends to go to Naenda Safari, with Jesse as the driver. He is very knowledgable on the different animals, plants and everything else at the national parks! We visited Ngorongoro and Tarangire parks, and I was pleased with both the rides and the accommodations he gave us. Even the boxed lunches were good (seriously)! He is also good about adjusting proposed itineraries based on budget and time needs.
I am going to use Naenda safaris again in a few months and am looking forward to the next adventure!
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Email Brad Spanbauer | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Research safari to Tarangire NP
I first met Jesse Mfoi, owner and operator of Naenda Safaris based in Moshi, TZ, in January 2010, when I completed a study abroad course on animal behavior observation in Tanzania. Jesse is a kind, professional individual with a wonderful staff, all of whom are excellent safari drivers. Jesse, and some of his drivers have attended the Mweka Wildlife College, where they learned skills essential to wildlife management and guiding safaris. Each of the drivers has their own way of showing you the beautiful country of Tanzania, and each knows the national parks very well, especially where to find certain animals. I cannot say enough about how easy Jesse and his crew are to work with and I would highly recommend them not only if you are looking to do research in Tanzania, but also just for vacation safaris. Naenda Safaris is also the only company with wheelchair-accesible vehicles which allows individuals in wheelchairs to see the beauty of Tanzania also. Jesse also donates a portion of their profits to local schools for children with disabilities. All around a great small safari company to support, with a true appreciation for social justice as well as seeing the magnificent environment that north-central Tanzania has to offer!