Reviews

Sort By: Date Most Helpful 11-20 of 24 Reviews
Lindsay Robertson   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: November 2012 Reviewed: Apr 1, 2014

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

A great trip - a fantastic local guide and a social conscience
5/5

I had a great safari trip with Jesse to Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro Crater. Arrangements were very smooth, accommodation was great and the safari itself was fantastic. We got a very lucky day in Ngorogoro with lions at every turn including a full pride with cubs. This was my first safari, but most definitely not my last.

I was also very pleased with the ethos of Jesse and the company - Jesse pays his drivers (rather than leaving them to survive on tips alone as many other operators do), and Naenda is run as a social enterprise with profits going to a local childrens disability charity. I would massively recommend Naenda to anyone heading to Northern Tanzania!

Sarah   –  
United States US
Visited: March 2016 Reviewed: Mar 31, 2016

Email Sarah  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Amazing Safari with Naenda!
5/5

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!

Scott and Angie   –  
United States US
Visited: February 2015 Reviewed: Mar 23, 2015

Email Scott and Angie  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Phenomenal Experience!
5/5

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!

Mandy and Ian Gardner   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: February 2015 Reviewed: Mar 21, 2015

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Amazing experiences in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
5/5

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!

Cindy and George   –  
United States US
Visited: February 2015 Reviewed: Mar 7, 2015

50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Amazing experience!
5/5

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!

Francine   –  
Canada CA
Visited: October 2014 Reviewed: Oct 20, 2014

Email Francine  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Took very good care of us. Reliable and went the extra mile.
5/5

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.

Johanna   –  
France FR
Visited: August 2014 Reviewed: Sep 20, 2014

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Naenda was here for us
5/5

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.

Becca Visited: August 2014 Reviewed: Sep 12, 2014

Great people, great service!
5/5

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!

Kristin   –  
Norway NO
Visited: February 2013 Reviewed: Jun 18, 2014

Email Kristin  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

We had a wonderful experience with Naenda Safaris
5/5

Everything was good. We had a patient and good driver, and we felt very safe. Cant complain about anything. Got to see everything we were hoping for. I would definately recommend Naenda safaris to friends.

Fran   –  
United States US
Visited: February 2014 Reviewed: Apr 19, 2014

Email Fran  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Tanzania from Arusha to Shirati
5/5

We found Naenda Safaris while looking for transportation into Shirati, Tanzania to visit a hospital for which we had been fundraising to send medical supplies. Naenda advertises itself as a social business with an interest in giving back to local communities and this was quite attractive to us. They responded to all our pre-trip inquiries comprehensively, courteously, and quickly. They were the only company that gave us a breakdown of the total charges to be incurred and definitely the only company that agreed to take us all the way into Shirati, a rather remote village on the shores of Lake Victoria as part of our safari. They dealt clearly and honestly with all financial matters. Once we arrived in Arusha our guide, Nixon, picked us up at a predetermined time and place and from then until we were dropped off in our hosts' front yard in Shirati, he did everything he could to make sure our trip through the Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti was nothing short of spectacular. He was friendly and respectful and very informative. Our truck was comfortable and well stocked with water and lunches for our daily drives. The tent camps chosen were great. We saw every animal one could expect to see in Africa and some in proximity that was unbelievable to me. Luckily, the Great Migration was happening while we were there and our guide made an extreme effort to make sure we observed that.
As this was my first trip to Africa, my expectations were somewhat tentative. The owner and guide of the Naenda Safari Co. gave us an introduction to the hospitality of the people and the beauty of Tanzania that I will always cherish. I heartily recommend using this company and know that anybody who does will have a safe and memorable safari!

Average User Rating
4.8/5
Rating Breakdown
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