Founder and Managing Director Zeph Kambele, Right
RA Expeditions
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $180 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Kerstin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic experience
We did a safari with Real Adventure Safaris in 2010 with our then 11 and 13 year old children which had been very well organised and was a great experience. So when we decided to go to Tanzania in 2024 we of course chose RA Safaris again.
And again RA met and exceeded by far our expectations. This time we traveled with our children and their partners. The itinerary was quite complex: Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream National Park, Dar es Salaam and Mafia Island. Included were arrivals and departures to and from different airports at different times.
The whole trip was very well organised, everything worked to our complete satisfaction. All the hotels were very well chosen, always in special locations with very professional and friendly staff.
Important to mention is that our driver Salehe who accompanied us through the National Parks was a very reliable driver and a very knowledgeable guide. The way he found the animals was incredible and proved his outstanding expertise.
Throughout the whole trip Zeph, the owner of the company, stayed in touch with us to make sure everything was going fine.
We can really recommend Real Adventure Safaris.
US
Email Mike | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
Zeph and his team organised a fantastic trip for us. We visited Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and finished the trip with the Gombe Stream National Park to see Chimpanzees.
Communication was easy and professional. Our driver Sahlele had incredible animal knowledge and capability of spotting animals. The car was always clean, had several options to charge phone and camera.
CH
Email Lara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very knowledgeable agency, perfect experience!
This was already the second time we did a trip with RA Safaris, and it was again fantastic.
Organisation and communication beforehand was always easy, fast and professional.
We visited Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and finished the trip with the Gombe Stream National Park to see Chimpanzees.
The accomdations were always really nice.
The car was always clean, had several options to charge phone and camera, and had wifi.
Our driver Sahlele was always postive and made us see Chitas, Leopards, lions, elephants, rinos, and many more. We even managed to see the rover crossing of the Gnu.
US
Email Chase L. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best option for once-in-a-lifetime safari in Tanzania, simply the best
We were recommended RA Safaris by a friend as we were planning our trip to Tanzania, and we could not be happier with our experience. It was important to us that our tour company was locally owned and operated, and we felt this enhanced our experience and also brought authenticity to our time in Tanzania.
The itinerary that RA put together for us was highly personalized based on what we were interested in seeing, including Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Arusha National Park. Zeph was very patient and consistent in his responses to our many questions as we worked together to plan our trip. He presented us with firsthand, insider’s knowledge about where to stay and what to see to maximize our experience. This was especially important as my wife was pregnant during our trip, and we didn’t know this when we originally made arrangements with RA Safaris. Zeph went the extra mile to modify our reservations and make us confident that she would be comfortable, safe, and healthy on our safari. We thoroughly enjoyed all the lodges and campsites that Zeph arranged for us, making our experience on safari extra special without breaking the bank.
Our guide on safari was Johnson, and he really made our experience unforgettable in the best way. Johnson was professional and friendly, and he always made sure to focus on showing us what we were interested in (mostly wildlife). Johnson had a thoughtful response to every question we had, and he anticipated our every need (very important with someone pregnant on safari in remote locations!). He clearly had experience with a diverse range of travelers, and his stories and knowledge entertained and informed us. We are so glad we had Johnson to guide us through our time in Tanzania.
And the wildlife we saw was absolutely stunning. As a wildlife biologist, I have been fortunate to see amazing wildlife all over the world, including in Eastern and Southern Africa. I am confident that our trip was the best wildlife viewing I’ve ever had. We saw everything on our list and more: elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffe, rhino, diverse birdlife. And we were fortunate to witness two river crossings as part of the famous wildebeest migrations (make sure to hit up northern Serengeti in August for that!). Johnson was skilled at finding everything we wanted to see, and he was knowledgeable to provide answers for even the most esoteric wildlife questions.
Overall, we can’t recommend RA Safaris enough to anyone looking to have a memorable, meaningful time in Tanzania. They presented us with a range of options to personalize our trip, and I’m sure they can cater to anyone, from the budget traveler to someone looking for a more luxurious experience. We look forward to the next time we get to travel through Tanzania with RA Safaris. Asante sana, RA Safaris!
US
Email Meredith M. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
J243QHmeredithm 21 A+++ travel experience (with small kids!) with RA Safaris
cannot recommend RA safaris highly enough. They may not have as snazzy a website as some of the other tour companies, but I promise you that traveling with this locally owned and operated (and thus supporting locals!) travel agency was one of our best decisions in our most recent trip to Tanzania (June 2024). Some friends of ours used RA Safaris back in 2015 and said we MUST use them. Their prices are really competitive but most importantly, their customization and attention to detail was superb. Zeph, the owner of RA safaris, personally ensured our satisfaction throughout the trip. Eli managed all of our trip logistics/planning in advance, and Johnson, our onsite tour guide, could not have been better.
My husband and I traveled with our two young kids (6 and 7) and Johnson was so, so good with the kids. He paid more attention to the kids than to us, which I LOVED. Our trip was a mix of high-end lodges (e.g., Gibbs Farm) and tented lodges, and the itinerary put together was so smooth and such a nice mixture of options and accommodations. They accommodated all requests. The safari vehicle was in great condition and we had everything we needed while on safari. When our little kiddo needed to go to the bathroom while deep in the Serengeti, Johnson knew all the (unmarked) backroads to get us to a hidden lodge to find a restroom. He knew ALL of the other guides and was intimately familiar with the terrain, which is essential in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The information delivered about the flora and fauna was delivered precisely, with accuracy, yet wasn't overwhelming. Johnson gave us plenty of space as a family. The trip was exciting, yet we felt safe and cared for the entire time.
All food was amazing, both at the lodges and on the road when on safari. When we were picked up from the airport, Zeph and Johnson met us outside with a small picnic of fruit and fresh coffee. Their service was impeccable. When we go back to Tanzania, there is no other company that we would consider.
Thank you to Zeph, Johnson, Eli and the rest of the RA Safaris team. We wish you the very best!!!
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Email Terri | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Zeph planned a great itinerary for us with visits to the best parks in Tanzania with great lodging!
We had an amazing tour in Tanzania. Zeph was quick to respond to our questions and the trip exceeded our expectations. We stayed in excellent lodges/camps with great food and views! Our guide, Johnson, was knowledgeable, a great driver over the rough terrain and always seemed to get the vehicle in just the right spot. This is our second time using RA safaris so of course we think they are very reliable!!
CN
Email Ziyu | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memorable, perfect, unforgettable safari experience！
In October 2023, I decided to travel to Tanzania during the Chinese New Year. During that month, I extensively researched various travel tips on social media and requested quotations from domestic travel agencies. At the time, domestic travel agencies were quoting around 40,000 yuan for an approximately 8-day safari itinerary, excluding airfare and visa fees. Some routes even excluded Ndutu, which seemed unreasonable. Consequently, I decided to directly contact local travel agencies in Tanzania. Ultimately, I chose Real Adventure, and I'm very glad that I did. Their email responses were prompt, and they provided direct and clear answers to all my questions, making the communication process very smooth. Their quotation was reasonable and within my budget, and Zeph was extremely helpful throughout the process. The final itinerary they designed provided a fulfilling experience without being overly exhausting, offering new experiences every day.
I highly recommend our guide, Johnson. Not only does he have keen eyes, but he's also extremely patient. Any wait he suggests always leads to pleasant surprises. Feel free to ask him questions; he knows everything about the animals on the savannah. Johnson cleaned the vehicle daily, ensuring that we could start our journey in the most comfortable environment possible. The roads in the Serengeti are bumpy dirt tracks, dotted with mud pits and puddles after rain, but his driving was steady. Thanks to him, our safari experience was outstanding. Real Adventure's vehicle was also quite comfortable; we didn't experience any discomfort after long hours of sitting, and I didn't need to use the back support I brought along.
I highly recommend visiting Tanzania during this short rainy season. Although the lush vegetation increases the difficulty of spotting animals, the breathtaking landscapes, moist and comfortable climate, vibrant grasslands, and adorable animal offspring make it all worthwhile. Tanzania is worth visiting, especially in February.
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Email John Dauby | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and Detail oriented
First visit,. won't be my last. 4 exciting days and nights, we were treated to some of the most beautiful locations in the world. RA Safaris' leader, Zeph, and his team of professionals (Johnson, our Guide and local expert; and Kitoye, our constantly helpful Chef). Drove us through Tarangire National Park, Ndutu Conservation Area, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara
My Gratitude to a very professional company.
CN
Email Michelle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lifetime Experience and Smart Choice to go with RA Safaris
I went to Tanzania to see the animal migration in Serengeti for my honey with my husband. It's our first time been to the Africa land, and the trip we memorable and incredible. We are so glad that we chose RA Safaris who has made everything so easy for us.
- Trip Planning
Zeph the contact from RA, is really helpful on customizing the itinerary based on our needs. We actually started planning trip pretty late, and Zeph made everything happened within such short notice. Also he is really good at giving genuine suggestions about the itinerary.
- Tour Guide
Our tour guide is Salehe, who is extremely experienced, knowledge, kind and friendly. He has basically everything you would ask and need for a safari tour guide. He made our experience very memorable as he has eagle eyes and knows where to find animals. And more importantly he makes us feel safe all the time.
- Food and Accommodations
Soooo pleasant. Although there was a bit pity that my favorite lodge got sold out but I did find another treasure Ole Serai. Everything is great.
- Price
Since RA Safaris is locally owned and operated, they offer competitive rate.
I've recommended RA to my friends and family already and hope they will have their safari dream come true.
Last, just remind everyone who plan to visit during migration season, do plan as EARLY as possible.
SE
Email Jakob | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family Safari Adventure
We are a family of five, three kids age 12, 11 and 6, that decided to do the trip of a lifetime in the summer of 2022. We were fortunate to have RA Safaris recommended to us by friends living in Tanzania. While preparing the trip Zeph was very helpful doing the very best possible getting a trip together that would be adventurous but still doable for the whole family. In the end we did 9 days, including an excursion to the northern part of Serengeti to see the great migration. Highlights of our adventure were Serengeti (of course), Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire parks. Our accommodations were a mix or luxury lodges and campsites, carefully selected by Zeph to provide us with both adventure and comfort within the limitations of our budget. Our guide was Isa and our cook was Kitoi. Isa is a wonderful guide that really made us all feel welcome and always did his very best to get us the best possible game viewing experiences. He soon became the hero of our 6-year-old son who still misses him. The food during the camping days was always very tasty and plentiful. Through our experiences we came to know Zeph and his staff as wonderful and truly honest people who did their very best to make our trip a Real Adventure (RA).
