Our family welcomes you to Tanzania! Karibu sana!
Tanzania Choice Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $1,700 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Rick | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had an awesome safari and really appreciated our drivers Kakasii and Leslie for a great experience
The itinerary sent out ahead of the trip and info on what to expect and clothes to wear was great. Enjoyed getting to meet our drivers Kakasii and Leslie the night before our safari and getting to go over the itinerary right before leaving was also helpful. Had a great safari, got to see the Big 5 and many more animals. I was amazed at how close the animals were at times, the lion walking down the road right at us and then beside our vehicle was priceless. Kakasii and Leslie were fantastic as they not only showed us the wild life but gave us facts about the animals and the National Parks, Tanzania and Africa. They had cold bottled water for us and made sure we all stayed hydrated and the importance to keep drinking water. We had great food and our lodging was excellent also. They both made sure all of us were enjoying the experience and really got to know each of us. I can't thank them and Brenda enough for a fantastic safari, I really enjoyed my time with them and will never forget my favorite line from Kakasii "polepole".
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Email Pam Dinneen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had an absolutely amazing time--great fun and exciting to see the Big 5 and more!!!
This was an outstanding experience! All of our accommodations were taken care of, we stayed at some really fun and unique places and saw A LOT!! I would really recommend this company, know you're so well taken care of and shown the best. Thank you so very much for the TLC and great time!!!
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Email Mike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Guide Kakasii is an enthusiastic and skillful safari professional who made our experience fabulous!
When my 78 year old father wanted to check off a safari on his bucket list, and my mother refused to go, I stepped in to help. I researched exhaustively, learning as many of safari ins and outs as possible. I networked with people whose views I respect, including an American living in Tanzania working for a mission. I had a Skype session with Brenda at Tanzania Choice Safaris, and ultimately chose them with Kakasii as our guide for a 10-day custom safari. In a nutshell: BEST. DECISION. EVER.
Guide Kakasii and his wife Brenda at Tanzania Choice Safaris are top notch people offering a spectacular safari experience. Are they right for you? It depends. Do you want a personable, knowlegeable, and experienced guide who will tailor your trip to your desires? Do you want to get up and at 'em in the morning and make each day count? Do you mind getting of the main roads and driving longer to achieve a better experience? Do you want your experience cut short or diminished because of some company-mandated mileage and/or diesel limits? (Ask! Because most do this!). Do you want good value in your lodging and food choices?
When you hear Kakasii exclaim "I love my job" in his accented English, you know right away it's genuine and his enthusiasm is infectious. He's a relationship builder and you will discover everywhere you go that he is liked and respected. Those relationships matter. Guides who've built relationships talk with other guides. If one has spotted a leopard in a tree, he'll tip off his friends. Kakasii takes advantage of experience, intuition, and tips from other professionals to bring you to the most wildlife in the time you have allotted for the trip. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, because it is, after all, wildlife. But in our 9 night safari we saw everything. We started with the Big 5 and surged right past that to see things like leopard tortoise, serval cat, mongoose, dikdiks, elands. My father stated elephants as a favorite and we spent intimate time with dozens of elephants in 2 different parks. My nephew said lions was his wish and we encountered many lions in 3 different parks, many very close up, including a dramatic standoff between a lioness with 3 cute small cubs and 3 other lionesses. But maybe best of all, on our Ngorongoro Crater day Kakasii suggested we get up very early and get underway before most other safari groups. It was a brisk 45 degree morning. There were buffalo right outside our lodge. We proceeded down to the crater bottom and I could tell Kakasii was on a mission. 20 minutes later we rolled to a stop and in front of us was a single black rhino-- the last animal on our list and maybe the most emotional. Almost brought tears to my eyes. We watched it for maybe 25 minutes before it slipped out of sight into a slight gully 300 yards away. Trip made right there.
In addition to the flora and fauna of Tanzania, Kakasii also can add whatever cultural experiences you wish. We visited a Masaii village where my son and nephew participated in a welcome dance before we toured the village. Want to bring home fresh Tanzanian coffee? Kakasii knows a coffee farm where you can get 1 Kg of beans of your choice for a modest 250 TZ Shillings (about $9). Already bought all of the souvenirs you need? You don't need to stop at any souvenir stands like the other drivers will force you to do.
If you are truly interested in making what is likely a once in a lifetime safari trip the best experience it can be, then you need to speak with Tanzania Choice Safaris before you book with some other company. Tell them Mike from Iowa sent you.
My biggest dreams came true in one day, and we even stopped for tea.
I used to sit at the window sill of my childhood home dressed head to toe in cheetah print with my collection of stuffed monkeys by my side and watch the various animals (dogs and the occasional garden snake) play in my backyard with my binoculars. Flash forward 14 years and I was sitting in the safari truck (with a less flashy outfit and without my monkey collection) watching multiple elephants cross right in front of our truck. My adventure with Tanzania Choice Safaris far exceeded my wildest dreams. Kakasii our knowledgeable and thoughtful guide was more than happy to stop whenever requested and knew the name of every animal we saw no matter how small. He timed our adventure perfectly, and we were able to watch a lioness prowl up to a zebra and lung at her. However my highlight of the day was his perfect timing when it came to seeing the elephants. At the beginning of the trek we saw them in a distance and had asked if we would be able to see them closer up. His response was simple "Pole Pole" or slowly slowly. Through patient timing we met the elephants right as they crossed the road. They were within feet of us. AND ALL THIS HAPPENED BEFORE LUNCH! Lunch was also amazing we stopped at Hippo Pond and set up a picnic complete with hot tea. I cannot recommend Tanzania Choice Safaris enough.
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Email Dale | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Experience With Great Guides
The communications we received about planning for the safari were very helpful. The guides were very knowledgeable and fun to be with. We went to three different parks and saw almost everything up close in various settings. The vehicle was comfortable and the box lunches were excellent. This was an experience we will never forget.
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Email Faye | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent Animal Viewing; Beautiful Accomodations; Knowledgeable Guides
Our guides were knowledgeable and skillful as they not only found animals for us to view up close, but gave us time to watch the animals rather than rushing from one siting to the next. We stayed in luxury tents that allowed for additional animal viewing in the evening – and was environmentally friendly! Food was delicious and varied. Nothing but positive experiences from booking the trip to having our expectations met on safari. We’ve been on a number of safaris and this was the best one yet!
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Email Aaron | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most fabulous experience , very knowledgeable guide
Excellent service, our guide was very patient and has a great personality. We saw the big five animals. His knowledge of the different species of birds was impressive. You are treated like family. Tanzania Choice Safari makes you very comfortable.
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Email Anne Langerak | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable, reliable and thoughtful.
When I contacted Tanzania Choice Safaris, Brenda -the co-owner- easily grasped my interests, ideas and concerns to set out to build a customized itinerary for me. While I went to Tanzania initially for a week-long conference, I had a few personal contacts and hopes for trips and sight-seeing afterwards. I was amazed at how expertly Tanzania Choice Safaris put together a package that organized everything into an amazing program. Brenda had taken my proposals, and together with valuable ideas from a wonderful contact she gave me, I had an itinerary that covered visiting a Masaai girls school, a hospital, a theological faculty, museums, a short trip to Dar Es Salaam, and a safari trek. It was a joy to count on Kasakii for all my local visits and tours, as well benefitting from his knowledge and upbeat attitude in my safari to Arusha National Park. I heartily recommend Tanzania Choice Safaris.
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Email Kelly Bowers | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
True pros made for an extraordinary trip
Tanzania Choice has been in business for 15 years. They know what they are doing, every step of the way. We didn't encounter *anything* that they didn't have a (good!) answer for. It is locally owned and operated and it is clear that they *love* their work and they love sharing the land and the parks with you. Our guide -- business owner, Kakasii -- was an extraordinary source of information and always cheerful and optimistic. He can find animals everywhere! He spotted a leopard, up in a tree, in the shade, probably 200 yards awhile while driving past. I couldn't find the leopard without binoculars! He can tell you the name of a bird that just flew by that I barely glimpsed. We overheard other groups talking in the evening about what they'd seen and done that day and we'd always seen more and had better experiences. He just *knows* these parks and these animals. He and Brenda -- his wife and co-owner -- excel at what they do and take a huge amount of professional pride in their work. I can't say enough good things about them and about the experience.
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Email Lisa Bonds | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Choice Safaris -- the very best company for all aspects of your journey.
From our initial email and Skype conversations with Tanzania Choice Safaris to each and every detail (large and small) of our trip -- we knew we had signed up with the very best provider out there. We were able to plan well for our safari due to the incredible information Tanzania Choice provided and due to their speedy and thorough responses to our multiple questions. This trip was a big one for us in all ways -- we've never taken 3 weeks vacation; my husband had never been to Africa; and it was the largest investment we've ever made in a trip. In all of the planning stages -- Brenda seemed to be able to anticipate our questions and quell any of our anxieties. In the midst of the trip -- the hospitality and professionalism of Tanzania Choice Safaris ensured that we had the very best experience possible. Brenda and Kakasii really listened to us and heard what was most important to us re: lodging, what we wanted to see, and how we wanted to travel (not luxurious but also not "roughing it."). I've traveled extensively in 27 different countries and worked with and seen the output of a lot of travel planners -- no one tops what I've seen Tanzania Choice Safaris do. The trip they put together exceeded our wildest dreams of what a safari could be and it's clear that they know, understand and love Tanzania. Kakasii was born to be a safari guide. His ability to drive us safely on challenging roads while also spotting all types of wildlife and telling us about local cultures, landscapes and history all at the same time was amazing. Each night we'd overhear other travelers talking about the fact that they really hadn't seen much that day or about how their guide was apathetic (at best) or rude (at the worst). Our experience was the opposite of the many disappointed travelers we talked to. We saw over 105 species of animals and we saw the "big five" easily and in multiple numbers. We wanted to tell everyone we met that for the very best travel and safari experience -- they needed to sign on with Tanzania Choice Safaris. It's clear why Tanzania Choice Safaris has earned the respect of staff at the parks, staff/management at the places we stayed and of their many satisfied travelers--they are simply the best in all categories. They take their jobs very seriously and ensure that everyone they work with has the trip of a lifetime. I offer them the very highest of recommendations.