It Started in Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- IATA, TATO & TALA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $550 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Ed And Halina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
“A fabulous migration safari. A truly wonderful experience.
Our ten day safari (June 29th to July 8th) with It Started in Africa surpassed all expectations. We are a couple in our early-mid sixties and found the length, itinerary and variety in our safari perfect. We were left feeling completely satisfied and with the sense that we had spent our money wisely.
Why did we choose ISIA for our trip?: We chose It Started in Africa for our safari, firstly because of the impact of the wonderful brochure: Migration Footsteps had on us and secondly, because of the quick and comprehensive response from the organisers to our queries . Communication throughout the planning stages was constant and thorough and above all, very clear and direct. We always thought that we would like to choose a local company to ensure maximum benefit to the local community but just prior to our trip we did become a little apprehensive about organising such a big venture using a company via the internet, one in fact that none of our acquaintances, even some in the travel business, had no direct knowledge of. However, we were reassured by the continual correspondence with the firm as well as the positive comments about the company found on the net. From the moment that we arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport we knew that there was no need for apprehension.
Driver/guide: We were met at the airport by our driver/guide Emmanuel and could not have asked to be in better hands. Within a day we came to realise that Emmanuel is a very kind and thoughtful person as well as a most competent driver and an excellent and knowledgeable guide. Before we had left Arusha he had organised a step for me to climb in and out of the land cruiser. This also proved invaluable for seeing out of the top of the vehicle.
Campsites/accommodation: The campsites chosen for us were an absolute joy to experience. We left the choice for most of them to ISIA after stipulating that we wanted to experience as much diversity as possible but with a certain degree of comfort. We were thrilled with our first stop at Tarangire (Burunge tented camp) and the accommodation just kept getting better. We particularly enjoyed the Chaka camps, both the permanent one at Kyoto in central Serengeti and especially the mobile camp in the northern Serengeti. It doesn’t get any better than camping in 5 star luxury in the middle of savannah and bushland. Who would have thought of safari themed hot water bottles and wake up calls of tea and coffee brought to our tent! Another beautiful touch was when the whole staff gave me an impromptu birthday party complete with cake and candles, singing and dancing to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments. Thank you so much to the staff of the Chaka campsite.
What we saw: We were absolutely blessed by the amazing things we saw. Not only did we see the migration, but we also witnessed the actual crossing, as well as seeing all of the big five. The sight of the crossing is absolutely without parallel. Our enjoyment was increased by the obvious respect and devotion Emmanuel displayed for the animals. Added to this was the spectacular scenery that enhanced our viewing of all the animals. The scenes around Lake Manyara were so amazing, as was the view of the flamingos at Big Momello Lake. As for Ngorongoro, well all I can say is that I’m glad we saved the best till last.
All in all it was a wonderful trip but for us the highlights were witnessing the Crossing, even though one of the wildebeest was taken by a crocodile, staying at the Chaka Camp in the northern Serengeti and seeing the rhino on our very last day.
Thank you to all at It Started in Africa.
Ed and Halina
Tasmania
Memorable experience!
Our experience was wonderful. We booked the 5 day safari tour that brought us to Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorogoro Crater. Our safari guide, Aziz was fabulous. He was knowledgable about all the animals we saw and he tried his best to make sure we saw all the animals we wanted to see. He did such a great job, that we actually saw all the Big 5 in our short safari! The lunches and dinners provided by our accommodations were great. We would highly recommend your company and Aziz to our friends and family.
AE
Email Mario Smith | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Migration
It has been some years since we travelled to Tanzania with It Started in Africa. We still cherish the amazing memories and conversations with Dickson by the bonfire at the camp in Serengeti (can't remember the name).
My most vivid memory is the cross of the wildebeests on Mara River while having a glass of cooled white wine in the car.
Wish to come back soon.
FR
Email Muriel Dupont | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Merci pour tout - best tour ever
We are still in airports travelling after the time pour lives in Tanzanie. We want to say merci beaucoup to all our new friends Vanessa Helder baraja Silvia and of course Frank , thé best guide and friend during our ten days safari in selous and ruaha . We saw all thé animales We could have hoped for and much closer than what We imagined.
Amazing people and car, excellent organisation.
Muriel Dupont from reins france
CH
Email Federico | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari!
This was our first experience in a safari and we chose It Started in Africa based on the reviews that we read on safaribookings.com and tripadvisor. We had a 5 days safari in the North of Tanzania (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater) + 1 day base climb to the Kilimanjaro and 1 day to the hotsprings. We think that the support that It Started in Africa gave us was excellent from the very first day when we ask a quote via email. All of them have always been very helpful. Since day 1, when we landed at Kilimanjaro Airport, we realised that our guide (Emmanuel) was a great person. During our 5 days safari Emmanuel was amazing: good driver, excellent (and very patient) in spotting animals, very knowledgeable about nature/animals, an incredibly nice person and always ready to help us in case we needed. Last but not least, we had a lot of fun together. Summarizing, we definitely recommend It Started in Africa for your safari in Tanzania.
US
Email Alex | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Truly Amazing Safari with It Started In Africa
My friend and I just finished sorting through the multitude of photos we took, but we both had an amazing time! On the first day, our driver, Joel, picked us up in Arusha at our hostel and drove us to Lake Manyara for a day and night game drive. Both game drives were great, and we even got lucky by seeing lions in the trees! On the second day, Joel took us past Ngorongoro Crater and into the Serengeti. The view from above the Crater was breathtaking, and Serengeti plains were awe-inspiring. We saw so many animals, including lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes. On the third day, Joel took us through the Serengeti early in the morning, and he was eagerly listening to the game radio to ensure we had the best safari experience possible. And we sure did! On this very special day (and my friend's birthday), we saw a leopard in a tree, a male lion bedded down in the tall grass, a whole lion family with 3 cubs, 2 cheetahs, and a live cheetah hunt! Oh, and then we walked around Ngorongoro crater and came within yards of a zebra herd. Needless to say, Joel's ability to spot wildlife and eagerly listen to the game radio made the third day of our safari very, very special. And the cook we had with us even made my friend a birthday cake! On the last day of our safari, Joel drove us into Ngorongoro Crater, and we completed our goal of seeing the Big Five with both a buffalo and rhino in the Crater. At the end of the day, he dropped us back off at our hostel in Arusha. As you can see, It Started in Africa did a fantastic job with providing us the best possible safari experience. Our driver, Joel, and the cook were great! We even used them to drive us to JRO airport the next day, and Joel picked us up on time and we made our flight. Based on things we heard from other tourists who booked safaris last minute, I'm sure glad we did our research ahead of time and chose It Started in Africa to be our safari company. We would highly recommend a safari with It Started in Africa to any of our friends. Thanks It Started in Africa for making our safari a very memorable experience!
US
Email Rob C | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Terrific 10-Day Safari
Overall
- The entire safari experience was terrific. This was my third safari and certainly no letdown from the others
- Dickson was friendly, knowledgeable and did a wonderful job. We loved having him as our guide
Camps
- African Tulip is gorgeous and a wonderful boutique hotel
- Maramboi and Simba Lodges were great
- Lake Manyara Wildlife was very nice
- Kati Kati and Ngati were good
- The camp in Lake Eyashi was poor although the staff was wonderful
- The staff at every camp was friendly, helpful and always made us feel welcome
Game Drives
- We saw the big five plus Cheetah and hippo so could not have asked for more
- I would recommend all of the parks- Tarangire, Manyara, Crater and Serengeti with no reservations
Tribes
- Loved the trip to the Hadzabe and to the Datoga
- Hated the stop at the Masai as they were pushy and it was a total tourist trap
All 6 of us heartily recommend It Started in Africa and would use them again in a minute
QA
Email Ken & Cathy Park | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It's A Jungle Out There! Don't Go With Anyone Else!!
This was to be the holiday of a lifetime and, thanks to the efforts and expertise of "It Started in Africa" and our guide, Barraka, it most certainly was!
We wanted to do a little voluntary work, so the company built in a 3-day visit to Buloma Orphanage, near Dar es Salaam, at the beginning. To meet these children and the wonderful people who look after them was both an honour and a delight. While the gifts we brought from our school in Doha (Sherborne Qatar) made a great impact on the kids, the impact they made upon my children (and their parents) will last a lifetime!
From Dar es Salaam, we then flew to Arusha to begin our safari. The flight, with Precision Air, was a pleasure and, about 10 minutes after touching down at Kilimanjaro Airport, we were in the Land Cruiser with Barraka and off on the most interesting and exciting trip of our lives.
While I can't credit the company on the wildlife, I must say that Barraka's knowledge and experience helped fill each day with amazing sights. To be up-close (really close!) with lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, rhinos, wildebeest, cheetahs, leopards, buffalo, gazelles and warthogs was truly amazing. Also, the birdlife and plants of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro were a joy to behold.
While the food was not exactly cordon bleu, it was wholesome, plentiful and much appreciated. We didn't go to Africa to eat out!
The company ensured that we were well-equipped and comfortable while also experiencing sufficient inconvenience to feel we were 'roughing it'! The campsites of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro were basic. Once again, if we wanted pools, bars and Wifi, we would have gone to France...
For a trip to Kilimanjaro, we were delivered into the hands of Lyimo, a friendly, wise and enthusiastic guide whose great-grandfather was a guide on the first recorded ascent in 1896! He guided us to 9000ft, where we spent the night in beautiful wooden cabins. Lyimo's knowledge and expertise made the whole trip memorable and enjoyable (despite the aches and pains that followed!)
One thing that delighted us was the choice of guest house at the start and end of our stay. 'Christina's House' is a quirky, beautiful two-storey guesthouse, with seperate restaurant near Arusha. The food is first class, cooked to order by Rosie and the rooms are a model of sophisticated simplicity.
By bringing guests to such places, "It Started in Africa" is working to stimulate and nurture local enterprise.
I could go on and on... This was an excellent trip which left us with many great memories and an abiding love for Tanzania. This could not have happened without the excellent work of "It Started in Africa" and I cannot recommend them highly enough.
GT
Email Rodrigo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip, Tanzania really surprised us
This is one of a lifetime trip and we wanted to make sure we had the best advise on what to do and visit. We were really impressed with the organization (all done via email), and the quick response to all our pre-travel inquiries. The guide was very friendly, and took good care of us, and the lodges were all very good. And the recommendation to visit Zanzibar after the safari was great. Tanzania is a beautiful country with very nice people, and the good service from It Started in Africa just enhanced our experience. Thanks!
QA
Email Andres | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super Experience, fantastic
arrived to Kilimanjaro airport. guide picked us up. My wife and two kids (2 and 15) got into Arusha and stayed at the African tulip hotel, which was better than I thought, the buffet was good. picked up by the guide who took us to Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro on a four day safari. The guide was very knowledgeable from the areas and was patient enough to let us stay longer in different spots until we see anything we wanted. saw plenty of wildlife only missing on the cheetahs. was quite an experience, highly recommended. the lodges were quite scenic and of good standard, Serena lodges in general. we visited also one of the Masai tribes, which was quite interesting. No problems for my small daughter at all, as they provided a car seat that was perfect for her age and size. Maybe the only thing they need to improve is on the 4WD interior comfort, as guests will spend 90% of the time inside the vehicle. overall I give them a 10.