You will have an unforgettable experience with us.
Kili Slope Tours and Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & ATA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $560 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NL
Email KJK | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kili Slope did it!
We were in between two companies that offer budget safaris with visits to (1) Tarangire National Park, (2) Serengeti National Park, (3) Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as well as (3) Lake Manyara. Eventually, we opted for Kili Slopes, for multiple reasons. Firstly, Kili Slopes promised a slightly more varied tour than its direct competitor. Secondly, the reviews here were very (very!) positive. Thirdly, the Kili Slope staff always responded promptly to any questions we had, and were always very clear about what to expect, for example what was included in the price (lunch, dinner, drinking water, transport from and to hotels, tents, and sleeping bags, etc.) and what wasn’t (e.g. towels). Perhaps relevant to know for potential future customers: As westerners (Europeans), we were quite hesitant to transfer a deposit to an account that – at first sight – appeared to be a personal account rather than a business account. However, the payment went safely and smoothly. So no worries (we would encourage to develop alternative payment methods though, e.g. through a secured website).
While in Tanzania, we had a little bit of a false start, because we needed more than an hour for our pick up from our hotel, despite the assurances of the chauffeur that he was near. We became a bit anxious. The delay turned out to be due to road constructions, so in the end that story made sense. We were more than compensated, though. Every other arrangement was carried out perfectly and with top service. David Maro, the owner of Kili Slopes, turned out to be a warm and cooperative person who listens well to the whishes of his customers. He also has a large social network with many connections throughout the country (and beyond), of which we made use in Zanzibar where we went after our safari. Taxis are crazy expensive there. David also takes good care of his personnel, which we found important. No wonder, because our driver, Francis, and cook, Khalid, were the best hosts we could ever imagine! Apart from Tanzia’s great wilderness, it was the staff and the employees of Kili Slope, who made our safari trip so unforgettable!
As they promised, we saw the big five - and many more species. From close distance we saw them migrating, grazing, resting, feeding, yawning, pooing, peeing etc. This may not come across as very spectacular, but realize… where do you see that in their natural habitat, this spectacular surroundings? Occasionally there was more action we spotted a lion about to attack a herd of antilopes, one going after an baby elephant, while mother elephant was warning the rest group; hyenas walking next to the car, acting as if we didn’t exist, lions eating from the carcass of an hippo, and the like. Francis showed immense respect towards the animals and the nature in general. He told about them and their behaviors with true passion. He was always full of stories and knowledge and often triggered our curiosity by giving us some kind of puzzle or riddle we had to solve, which made the long days traveling very entertaining. On the mountain road from Lake Manyara to Serengeti, for example, he would point to the many holes in the steep walls next to the road. How would ask how come – we think – did they arise. We had no clue of course, so he would and tell us elephants are; they dig them with their trunks. Next, our job was to come up with a reason why they would do such a thing (after which he would tell us this reason, of course, which I won’t tell here. Ask Francis!).
Almost always we had the best spot to capture the animals on film or photo. Either we were first to arrive or Francis knew some kind of alternative spot away from the many other tourist vehicles that could block our view.
Camping was a real adventure. From the first night on, we slept in tents. The first camping site and test can be called luxurious - at least if compared to the other camps and tents. We had a private shower with warm water directly next to our tent, for instance, and light (yes light!). Camping in the desert was a different story. We slept literally next to the hyenas, whose eyes we could see lighting up in the darkness and that were following every single one of us if we would leave the tent. And those who didn’t dare to go out could still notice their presence, either by their smell or by the fact that the garbage bags were torn. We were warned not leave our shoes outside the tent unless we wanted to get them stolen by those animals. Generally, there was no electricity in the desert camping sites, hence no light, and no true kitchen. But, like every other chef, Khalid used a flashlight on his head and fixed a menu on a single gas fire pit (which he needed to bring himself). Despite these ‘handicapping’ circumstances, Khalid was always able to prepare a fantastic meal, often better than the dinners we had in the restaurants in Moshi and Arusha.
One might think that a near $1000 for just a few nights camping under such conditions is much, crazy even, but then please do not forget that a major part is formed by the entrance fees to the national parks (already hundreds of dollars). Actually, it is quite amazing that Kili Slope can offer such a varied tour for such a price!
Tips for future tourists: (1) be prepared; it can be freezing cold at night, for instance! (2) Be realistic; don’t expect you’ll see as much hunting as in those documentaries on National Geographic or Discovery Channel (chances are great you don’t see any kill or even an attempt). A film crew stays there for three months, and often during the great migration, when food is plenty, so that attacks are also plenty. In addition, hours and hours of film material condensed to an hour or two that only shows the highlights, which are thus rare. Realize you are there for 5 days, so expect maybe a few minutes comparable to that documentary material. If more, consider yourself very lucky. The most important thing about safari, we found, is that you’re there, in Africa, surrounded by wild animals, by the exotic smell of the desert, by beautiful colors, by !@# heat !@# and cold!. The experience is that you’re part of that nature (not watching your t.v. with the remote control and pizza slice within reach), (3) realize you’re a guest. I would be curious to read some reviews of guests by safari tour operators, but I expect ratings of people who take budget tours to be more positive (on average) than ratings of people who take luxury tours. Perhaps that can be even considered an additional reason take a budget tour, like the one we took with Kili Slopes. In this regard, the company deserves another compliment. They dealt well with the very … how to say … different personalities on board. Partly as a result of this, we enjoyed our company to the last minute. We hope Francis and Khalid did so too. We thank them, as well as David.
IL
Email lior | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
best safari ever!
Very nice guides.
Took us from the airport strait into the wild safari without wasting time, as we especially requested.
Champions in findind annimals!
Exellent driver.
Ones in a life time experience.
IT
Email Daisy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I'm in love with Tanzania
This was not just a safari, it was a truly experience of life. My guide Ziggi is such an amazing and deep lover of his country that I couldn't refrain from falling for it too. I saw a lot of animals, nature and learn Tanzania people's aspects that I didn't know. Lodges were very luxurious but cheap in comparison to other tour operator. Food and staff were simply perfect and I felt like a speciale guest all the time. So, if you're looking for an expert tour leader, a friendly and experienced guide, clean and outstanding lodges at a cheap price, just go for it! I would recommend it to anyone. Hakuna matata!
CZ
Email Tereza and Vaclav | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari with Kili Slope
The tour operator was good. The agency manager is very kind and you just feel right about going on safari with his company. What we really loved was our guide Emmanuel and chef Masaka. It is true that the whole safari thing relies on the guide and he was just amazing. For example he was able to ensure the sleeping bags for us because the operator somehow forgot to provide them... Otherwise we had good tents, nice food, great group and lot of fun! I can only recommend Kili Slope as these guys really know what safari is about :)
US
Email Amine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Action Jackson is great
Great service adventure and comfortable accommodation with a good price
NO
Email Maria | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari
We were in Serengeti and Ngorogoro, and we were so pleased. Our driver, Ziggy, was amazingly good at finding the animals, and we saw all of the big five, as well as many more. I hope to come back one day, and then I will know which company and driver to use!
IL
Email David | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience
Excellent company, David took care of every small detail and special requests i had (vegetarian food for example). We had a very professional guide that answered all our questions and knew exactly where to take us, and thanks to that we saw all the big 5 (thank you Ziggy).
TR
Email Derya&Musa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience nature and wild life, best and most reliable safari tour in Arusha
We have 5 days safari, Our tour guide Zigi Marley(comes nickname from Bob Marley) was very experienced from wild animals give us very useful knowledge about animals. We had increadly amazing memories with this tour..
Thank You David Maouro and Zigi..We loved you so much Derya and Musa
AE
Email Marzook | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Knowledgeable, Reliable & Hard Working
We did a ten days tanzania safari covering lake manyara, ngorogoro and serengeti. This is my second trip to safari in TZ and I was clear of the expectations. David and team ensured they understood the expectations and tried their best to make it happen. Extremely hard working and reliable. It's important to realize the overall safari experience would be better when it is a experienced as a team and not as pure business. David and team perfectly jelled with our group to make the experience great.
IN
Email sumant | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very friendly, fantastic experience in terms of placement of the vehicle and knowledgable.
They speak very good English and used to communicate with us regarding the park. Did exactly how I had asked them to place the vehicle. As I am a wildlife photographer I am more worried about the angles I want with respect to the subject.