Wild Root Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & KINAPA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $190 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
MY
Email Edwin Goh | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kilimanjaro Trek
It was a fantastic 10 day once in a lifetime trek to the summit of kilamanjaro..must say that wildroots safari managed really well to care for all 30 of us..many less than seasoned outdoors person..all our needs for the 10 days were well taken care for..and from technical point of view, they managed to get almost everyone of us to the summit and back down safely.
SG
Email James Chia | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, competent, and fun. Safety was a priority.
My family of 5 were part of a group from Singapore and Malaysia who were in Tanzania from 5-19 August 2016. There were 26 of us in 4 land cruisers on safari initially. Mathew Mollel, who runs Wild Roots, personally welcomed us at the airport and drove us on safari. They were always on time - at the airport and for the morning pickups on safari - and happy to accede to all our little tourist requests. Knowledgeable, friendly and very proficient in English, which is not always a given. Safari was non-stop activity, driver-guides committed to finding animals. We managed to see the Big 5. We were well fed!
We smoothly transitioned to the 8-day trek on Kilimanjaro using the Rongai route. Chief guides Paul and Julius led our group of 29 climbers supported by 12 other guides, 3 cooks, 7 personal porters and 90 general porters. All the guides were professional, extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They were firm where necessary - especially enforcing pole pole movement to achieve progressive acclimatization to altitude. Their expertise and commitment resulted in 28/29 of us reaching the summit by 8am. (The one person who didnt summit turned back after just 100m from base camp.) The journey out to Marangu Gate on the last day was a 19km trek and we had a range of runners to limpers. However, every group was accompanied by a guide to ensure our safety and welfare. So we were able to have everyone - the 29 exhilarated climbers, 14 guides and 100 plus porters - have the final celebration party at Marangu Gate before driving back to Arusha. Mathew and his team were with us right to end, sending the various groups leaving at different times to the airport. At all times we felt we were in good and responsible hands.
Thank you Wild Roots for a memorable adventure holiday!
DE
Email David | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari with problems
We did a 7 (8) day safari on Wild Root. The track and the accommodations were put together in advance by Wild Root and offered as a finished trip.
Overall, it was a nice safari, but there were three serious problems from my point of view.
1. Booking the accommodations for the wrong month
When we arrived after our first day of safari at the first TWC accomodation booked by Wild Root, we were told after a long wait that the accomodation was overbooked. All other accommodations on our safari belonging to the TWC group are booked for the wrong month. We were then taken that same evening to another (45 minutes) away TWC accommodation that was still vacant in the room. This of course was not the class of our booking and at the actual accommodation included morning guided hike to Lake Manyara we also could not attend. In addition, we did not know at this time if and how our safari goes on at all, which absolutely destroys a relaxing holiday! To top it off, there were problems with the Rangers the next morning because we were not registered for the passage to the property. After much discussion with our rangers about the ranger, we had to turn around and return to the accommodation, where we had to pay another 64 dollars out of our own pocket to drive the way. After over an hour, we finally went on with the safari. The $ 64 did not matter, I was much more annoyed by the renewed stress and lost time. We paid almost 1,000 a day for the safari, so I expect that such problems will not occur.
2. Planning error
Another of my serious and avoidable mistakes was planning the location of one of the accommodations. For two days of safari the Mara River Crossing was scheduled. For this one must necessarily drive north to the Mara River in the north of the Serengeti. Man then waits at the river for a possible crossing by the animals waiting on the other side. Unfortunately we had to leave our position early because our accommodation (Lobo Lodge) was 3 hours drive from the Mara River. So we went when others arrived. From our oncoming drivers, our driver was asked several times, why we leave the river already. The next day we have renounced a return trip to the Mara, because then a total of 6 hours drive to the relatively short time at the Mara are out of proportion. I do not understand why no accommodation was chosen near the Mara. In my view, a planning error that you could have avoided. In addition, the immigration had left the area Lobo and accordingly were found few animals.
3. Unreliability and dangerous ride to the airport
At the end of the safari actually (so it was planned from the beginning) a final meeting with the leader Phil in Arusha should be done. Since our jeep was no longer safe driving, because this lost brake fluid due to a defect, the car should be replaced for the trip to the airport (about 1 hour). Unfortunately, Phil did not show up at the rendezvous, as agreed with our driver and us. We waited about 30 minutes for Phil who did not show up, then had to go to the airport with the broken Jeep not to miss our flight. Not to appear to the meeting is one thing, not to put us a replacement car and so to force our driver to continue the ride on a train with braking problems is in my view an absolute "no-go"!
I will book another company for the next safari and in my experience would not recommend Wild - Root.
Reply from Wild Root Safaris
Posted on Sep 30, 2019Thanks for your trip feedback and sorry for what happened. We worked hard to make sure all accommodation is right booked accordingly. TWC did a mistake and thus why we followed up and make sure you have the right dates on your accommodation. TWC finally put all accommodation in right dates as this was their mistake and not the company. As for WMA which has been a problem for a couple of months as they were exposing the new system which tour operators can pay in advance and the moment you were on safari the cash was handed to your driver-guide. The cash was declined and we told you to pay through your card and your money USD 64 should be refunded to you when you finish your trip. Mathew meet with you guys and apologized for what happened and refunded you $ 64. As for the Jeep which you said the break failed it’s not true as Mathew spoke with the driver and the driver said the Jeep is okay no problem. We believe our driver who has been with you for 8 days and could not drive you to Airport if the breaks weren’t okay. We believe you can’t drive the vehicle if the breaks don’t work otherwise. We have spoken with our driver as we thought maybe he didn’t want to take you to the airport. The management has spoken to the driver to make sure the same problem Won’t happen to our guests. We are apologizing again for this as our expectations were to have an unforgettable African holiday. As for accommodation which was your own choice Lobo wildlife lodge which you said was located far from the river, yes it’s okay located one hour drive but the driver was luck of timing and briefing the right time as to make sure you see the river crossing. It’s not our first time for our guests to stay at this lodge and still they were able to see the river crossing. Our management has spoken also with the driver about this as to make sure our guests don’t face the same problem again. We are humbly apologizing for all happened and hope Won’t happen again to our next guests.
Email Allen Tullett | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Kilimanjaro trek and Safari
I booked Wild Root Safaris to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and have a follow up three day safari. They were fantastic at providing lots of information about the trek, equipment we needed, items we could hire, as well as being flexible around our arrangements for the safari. We organised the trek for us and a group of friends, and communication with Mathew and the team was always very quick and friendly, and he was super helpful with queries and billing.
On the trek itself, the team were really friendly with fantastic guides. They made the trek so much easier, not having to worry about anything except for the walking itself. And they were always making sure that we were okay, drinking enough water, and not feeling unwell. As it was my partners 40th whilst on the mountain they were so kind in arranging for a lovely cake to be brought up to us on the day and helped make the day feel more special.
Having been to Arusha before Mathew worked with us in planning the safari to help find great accomodation for us to stay in every night. He really did his best for us and became part of our group.
The level of service from Wild Roots is fantastic and I would thoroughly recommend them.
TR
Email Eren | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect
All requirement were provided we want. Driver was perfect. Route was perfect. Everything were smooth. We never faced any trouble or problem.
Email ipaussie | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Brilliant personalized trip of a lifetime
We (a grown up family of 5) have just returned in February from a fabulous, unique 7 days in Tanzania thanks to the fantastic organization by Wild Root Safaris. The trip was flawless, seeing the migration and just about every animal and variety of game viewing we could have imagined (eg. Lush vegetation and waterholes in Manyara, silky endless plains in both the central and southern Serengeti and surprisingly fantastic monkeys, giraffes, lakes and mountain scenes in the lesser traveled Arusha National Park. Freddie, our guide, knew everyone, had great knowledge of the animals, birds and vegetation, was never in a rush, always ready to leave early and would let us take time to observe the animals in their natural state (as close as practical) and with plenty of time for photographs (from the best vantage point). Yet we made great time between venues. Our personalized tour was a mixture of basic and luxury accommodation and full of searching for the animals whenever we wanted. A key suggestion is to treat yourself to a stay at Kuba Kuba camp for one night – it is the most remarkable setting in the Serengeti; tented camps are great and don’t be afraid to use the less expensive accommodation outside the parks (Eileen’s Tree house was great) – all food was brilliant; do a balloon trip if you want total serenity and to observe the beauty and expanse of the Serengeti (it is more memorable than just animals); and, when traveling, don’t expect to see animals hunting each other – they live mostly in harmony.
As with others reading this, I am sure when starting you have no idea which company to choose – all reviews on the internet seemed good but after sending a few emails, Wild Root turned out to be very different. The company rang us spontaneously on What’s App and worked with us directly to organize a great itinerary. Mathew a proud co-director from Tanzania, bent over backwards to organize what we wanted, not what the company wanted. They willingly changed venues and costs and also fully explained the costs of every part of the trip. This is really important because Tanzania has endless Park fees and the company cannot avoid these. They also had new spacious well set up vehicles (with the essential 24/7 charging station and fridge). Just a note to others – do not worry about transferring the large amount of funds to Tanzania – it worked seamlessly – just for peace of mind stay in contact with the tour company. Thank you immensely Freddie (we will always be prepared to shout you a beer) and Mathew – your concern for us and the local people is incredible - we are so glad we selected Wild Root. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!
MN
Email gansukh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
good operator
i'm very glad to this operator. has a very good service. they are very friendly, helpful.
MY
Email Jane | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Experience!
It was a great experience with Wild Root Safaris! Endless fun and amusement. We opted for the 5 day private safari with Mathew who is also the owner for the company. He took real good care of us and we felt safe throughout the trip.
Mathew was very responsive and professional while communicating with us. All my concerns and questions were addressed promptly. He was very punctual and flexible with my itinerary in terms of what we want to achieve. We managed to observe many types of animals and the Big 5 too! Good explanations and sightings were given to us.
Food and accomodations were decent and comfortable. I would surely recomend Wild Root simply because of how smooth everything went for the 5 days.
FR
Email Baptiste | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari and Kilimanjaro climb
Thank you to the Wild Root Safaris team for these unique moments. My stay in Tanzania was perfect from A to Z. Welcome to the airport, pick up at the hotel, climb Kilimanjaro, safari at Lake Manyara, meeting with the Masai peoples, everything was great. There were no worries. I highly recommend this company for your stays in Tanzania. Thanks again !
MY
Email Edwin GOH KHENG Ning | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsiblr and professional. They guides are knowledgeable and very helpful..went extra mile
Wild root safaris is open of the best outdoor operators I have used . I have climbed and trek in many parts of the world and they have provided world class services, especially in such a big mountain as Kilimanjaro. Wild root safaris have ensured that there is adequate manpower for our very large team (29 pax) with excellent cooks, porter and other base camp service
On summit day, their guides went to extra mile to ensure that most of us summitted without incident.