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
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Email Julian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
See it All with Local Guides
After speaking to a bunch of different tour operators, we decided to go with RA Safaris because they’re a small local business, owned and operated by Tanzanians - important in a time when tourism is still recovering. Zeph was very generous with his time and went back and forth over the itinerary with us to make sure we made the most out of our time, settling on 5 days with them - Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, plus a day hike at Kili.
Our guide was Sahele, and he was with us from the airport pickup all the way to drop off. He was so knowledgeable and determined to get us to see every animal - AND WE DID. Big 5 plus cheetahs, sable cats, so many hippos, thousands of zebras. He took us to a spot way out in the serengeti for lunch and while we were peeling hard boiled eggs, several elephants came up to this tree and scratched themselves on it, giving themselves dust showers. It was stunning. Sahele knows all the spots and isn’t shy about getting on the radio or driving out into the sticks to make something amazing happen. We ended up seeing 4 rhinos when some folks don’t get to see any.
He came down with a pretty bad cough during the trip and had no problem wearing a mask for our comfort during the trip. The gas tank cracked in the Serengeti but Sahele was able to resolve it without having it affect the overall timeline of the trip.
On Safari we did a mix of lodges and tented lodges. Everywhere we stayed was fantastic and comfortable with delicious food. We enjoyed the tented lodges the best! We are vegetarians and meals were not an issue for us.
I wouldn’t recommend doing a day-hike of Kili - there’s surprisingly no animals at Kili, there wasn’t a rewarding view, and it’s an exhausting drive from Arusha. Maybe do Meru instead, which is much closer and seems to be more interesting at lower elevations.
As to be expected, you’ll make some sacrifices going with a small local operator (like the truck being on the older side) but go with RA Safari’s because the prices are extremely competitive, the lodges they selected are incredible, they are knowledgeable and great communicators, and they’re the type of organization that deserves the support for the community they’ve created.
Email Silvia Corbani | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The lions Kingdom
We made 10 days game drive through Selous Tarangire Serengeti and Ngorongoro. I chosed this agency because it was a small one i wanted to support Tanzanian tourism and workers. So I suggest always to choose a local agency not an European one so that money could stay in Tanzany. I love animals I am vegetarian and the tended camps and lodges suggested were perfect, they always asked me about food preferences or intolerance.
The trip was great so many lions in Serengeti, i counted during the safari 77. There conservation is at the top; also many elephants in Tarangire and stunning sightsview of nature.
The Driver Salehe made his best for let us see wildlife, the contact with the owner Zef were very good he managed well also at the first by mailing. We had problems with car and Zef solved them.
So I suggest this agency they try to make the best in order of what are your planner. Amazing game viewing.
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Email The Ghude Family | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They were extremely knowledgeable, professional, and kind, making our safari an amazing experience.
RA Safaris made our trip to Tanzania an incredible and unforgettable experience. Our guides, Johnson and Salehe, were extremely knowledgeable of the habitat and animals. They were also both great drivers and even while driving could spot animals. The land cruisers were such a fun vehicle to drive in. The car’s ability to open on the top made it even easier to get a better view of the animals. There were also outlets in the land cruisers which were extremely convenient to charge our phones and camera.
We saw some spectacular sights on our game drives including many baby animals, parts of the migration, and several lion hunts. Salehe and Johnson were always ready to get up and go early in the morning and happy to drive until dusk, allowing us to see as much wildlife as possible. Salehe and Johnson were also accommodating to the many photos we wanted to take and let us take our time in capturing all the beauty that was around us. Our trip to Tanzania was truly spectacular and we do not think it would’ve been possible without the amazing guides and planning done by RA Safaris. We can’t recommend RA Safaris more!
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Email Gaurav | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beyond Amazing
RA Safari is the best tour operator that we could have worked with.
I found them through a reference from a relative who has traveled with RA multiple times and always had a great experience, so going in I had some peace of mind. However, Zeph, Elli, our guide and friend Salehe surpassed all expectations.
I contacted over a dozen operators and not only were RA best pricing-wise but while traveling everything was perfect and extremely professional. A big part of your safari trip is the guide and Salehe was extremely patient with all of our requests. A big purpose of my trip was taking pictures and whether 1 or 100 shot, Salehe was always patient and careful to ensure that we got the best possible angle.
All in all, if you are going for a Safari, I only have two suggestions:
1. Go with someone local rather than a non-Tanzanian operator
2. Travel with a guide who is patient, hard-working, and genuinely likes animals. This will make a huge difference to your trip.
RA Safari was the best and I whole-heartedly recommend them
Email Geoff | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Thanks for another wonderful Tanzanian Experience
Firstly we wanted to have a Tanzanian owned and operated tour operator. RA Safaris did not let us down . They organised a fantastic itinerary of Lake Mantra, Ndutu, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire for my wife, my daughter and her husband and their 2 children aged 8 and 10.
We have been to the Northern Tanzanian game parks 3 times before, but this was the best trip of them all.
Our Guide/Driver (Sahele) was one of the best you could possibly find. He knew his fauna in particular his birds He was a very careful and competent driver, who managed to help other drivers out of difficulties when they got bogged in the mud. He knew how to drive in the very soft conditions. Nothing was a problem to him. He made it a fun trip for the grand children.
When we needed help for some medical and other issues, the response by the owner Zeph was terrific - speedy and effective.
Email Heather | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful Safari
We were recommended this group by a friend who takes people on tours to climb kili and uses this company for Safaris
We booked an 8 day Safari and it was such a wonderful experience
Our guide and driver Swalehe had such great knowledge of all the animals and birdlife a lovely person to do safari with Thank you Sal....
We went to Tangarie,Ndutu,Serengeti.Ngorocrater and lake Manyara national parks
Loved it accomodation was great did a variety hotel,lodges and tented campsite
Ndutu lodge was great to wake up with animals Zebra grazing out the front of the lodge in the mornings and loved the tented campsite Kati Kati hearing the animals roam around at night
Saw lots of animals and sat near the campfires at night and shared stories with felllow people also on safari and of course just took photo aftyer photo..amazing experience and Thank you RA safaris for making it great
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Email Rick | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best two weeks of my life. A great experience in every regard. Worth the 46 hour round trip.
The round the clock best customer service I have experienced. Every day was an excellent adventure. No pressure no, stress enjoyment of the incredible beauty of Tanzania. There are not enough good words, or words good enough to describe my feelings toward this company and it's guides. Going back this December to experience it again.
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Email VB | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serengeti Safari with Perfect Arrangements
On a very short notice RA Safaris able to arrange our Safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Indeed its a lifetime experience and Eli who was driver/guide provides a lot of valuable information and help us to understand the Life in National Park and also in general the Culture and Life of Tanzania People.
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Email Kenro | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Safari experience thanks to RA Safari
Itinerary they created was perfect. The guide, accommodation, meals were all very good.
Their response to my questions were always prompt.
Their tour price was also very reasonable and cheaper than other local agencies I contacted.
I couldn't ask for more.
Thank you RA Safari for our memorable Safari vacation.
Expert guide,a birder with uncommon knowledge, patience, & an eye for even the slightest movement
As a locally owned and guided tour operator, RA Safaris was professional in every way: knowledge of the animals and habitat was impressive, as was their graciousness in responding to our needs. Our guide was very professional, and his open, friendly manner created an atmosphere of comfort and security. RA Safaris communicated with us clearly, comprehensively and regularly during the planning phase and the tour went flawlessly. I enthusiatically recommend this company!