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 Andris | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The most customer-friendly tour company
We took It Started In Africa for a 5-day safari in mid-August to explore Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Serengeti up to Lobo campsite the North. They provided an impeccable service genuinely catering to our needs and trying to make the best out of our trip. We think safari experience largely depends on your driver/guide. Our guide Chicho made sure that we saw a number of times all the big game highlights, including numerous lion families eating their prey, a female lion going for hunt with her little cubs, leopards lying on trees, as well as cheetah. We heard that other companies try to limit the amount of kilometers or hours spent on game drives. There were no limits on the time or distance we could travel and we got a good sense of freedom. Instead of following a pre-planned route, Chicho was flexible and really cared about seeing as much as possible, even if that required extra time or effort driving around or talking to other guides for the most up-to-date information about the location of animals. Chicho was a prudent driver, who may have literally saved our lives given the poor condition of Serengeti gravel roads and the high speed of other Land Cruisers passing by. And we will never forget the treats with which our cook Paschal constantly delighted us, especially the fresh avocado salad. What we missed for ultimate perfection was a larger cooler box to keep our drinks cold, plastic bags to protect our bags from the dust, and maybe a book, one or two, that we could read about Serengeti and their animals during the journey.
Also, we have dealt with many tour companies in prime tourist destinations around the world, including Vietnam, Bolivia, Southern Africa, U.S. West Coast. We have never had a better experience than with It Started In Africa, especially when it comes to their immediate responsiveness and professional and courteous attitude towards clients. They went at great lengths to customize our trip not only for Serengeti, but also took care of our stay in Nairobi, transfer to Arusha, and the ensuing flight to Zanzibar, all at competitive prices that we would not have been able to procure ourselves on the market. As any traveler knows, at times things do not go as well as planned, for various reasons. I was amazed how their staff in Europe, as well as in the office in Arusha, personally invested their energy to ensure our trip was smooth and we leave Tanzania with the best memories. Five stars out of five for each of Chicho, Paschal, and the other staff of It Started In Africa.
IN
Email Gopika | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a perfect safari holiday!
It started with the communication over mail with Joao, who was always quick to respond and accurate in giving information. The safari was tailored to my requirements and Joao was very helpful in putting it together to fit my budget and time.
We spent 6 nights and went to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Serengeti Mara . Our Safari was wonderful and everything went as planned without a hitch, so thank you for that. All the accommodations recommended and booked were very good and the service everywhere was beyond expectations. Our driver, Ileya, was well informed and had answers to all our questions. He had keen eyes and was a great spotter. I would definitely recommend him as a driver / guide. We got to see all the ‘Big 5’ - and it was all very exciting.
Only a few minor complaints: when we reached Arusha, the office was so small and cramped there was no opportunity to sit down and plan out or discuss details of the trip before setting out.
The Land Cruiser we had was a bit rattly and the interiors were shabby - in need of refurbishment. Considering the number of hours one spends in the car, it becomes an important point to have a comfortable and clean vehicle. My suggestion is to also have a cooler in the car so that water and drinks can be chilled.
But over all everything was just right and I thank It Started in Africa for making it a great holiday!
BR
Email Wilson Araujo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb experience
Since first contact to the end all the staff were always very helpful and gentle. I had a great, amazing experience in both the 4 days safari to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro and the one day hiking in Kilimanjaro. Friendly guides and cooker. Very good vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser with open roof). Finally, when I had an unexpected situation, manager Silvia met me at the hotel and helped me to find a flight. And for brazilians there are people who speak Portuguese! I recommend going to Tanzania Parks with It Started in Africa.
NL
Email Marcel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great, super ans wonderfull
It was a wonderfull experience we really enjoyed our stay in the parks.
The driver and guide Nikolas was great.
He made our holliday.
He knew fast what had our attention.
So we did see a loth of wild animals, but also three tribes!
Visited a school, hospital and….his family.
Thanks to him it was an unforgettable experience.
Marcel Wallage - Netherlands
AE
Email Usef | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
9 day full North Tanzania Safari
Great people, very good communication by email, Jaou was very very helpful as I felt My eyes are already in Tanzania before going there. Small example I wanted to book 2 nights in Lake Manyara but later thanks to Jaou its just a 3 hour safari, not worth more
Simply couldn't have been better
The great service started with the booking process which was quite slow from our side as there were a lot of things we wanted to know and complications with dates. But every time I contacted them I would get a reply back either within a few days or the next day at the latest. This certainly inspires confidence that they will be as efficient with the actual safari.
And we were not disappointed. I'm sure all the guides are good but our guide Deo was fantastic. Each morning before breakfast he would check the vehicle over to make sure everything was ready for us. He is so knowledgeable about the wildlife and also had plenty of books for anything he didn't know, which wasn't much. He also told us all about the culture and way of life in Tanzania and was great company on the trip. He is very conservation-minded and is conscious that the wildlife must not be disturbed by inconsiderate actions.
The food was also excellent, so all in all I would highly recommend It Started in Africa.
TR
Email Deniz Sahin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bucket List experience
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has always been something I dreamt about doing. Not for the views, for the beauty of it but for the challenge. I am currently on a stressful situation in my life, both personal and professional wise, and felt this would be the time to fulfil and go after that dream. To prove myself I am strong enough if I care, to prove I could climb with my own legs, the tallest Mountain on Earth. The experience was fantastic, a lot thanks to the tour operator which made my fears and anxiety go away and provided a great service both in communication and in the actual organization of the trek, including the feeling of security, responsibility and cheerfulness I always felt from everyone.
It was probably the most difficult thing I've done in my life but if it was easy it wouldn't have meant something. Do it once in your life and scratch it off your bucket list.
DE
Email Carsten Aranda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Five stars
It started in africa were extremely helpful during the planning of our tour, always with great advices, suggestions and itinerary revisions. Our vehicle was in great shape, and did his job well on the rough roads. Driver was brilliant and we created a great bound. I didn’t want to say goodbye and go back to my urban lifestyle. He found more animals than all the four of us together and he was driving :) he stayed with us until the aircraft departed from Kogatende airstrip in Northern Serengeti.
AE
Email Nicolas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kili + Safari with IT
I did the Machame Route up to the Kilimanjaro + a 4 days Safari with It Started in Africa.
I recommend this company to everyone who wants a personalized/private tour/trek at competitive rates.
Kilimanjaro Trek - The team going up the Kili was very professional, the guides/assistant guides were 2 great knowledgeable/funny guys (trust me, I ask a lot of questions). They were always there to assist me. It was an amazing experience.
Safari - The Guide/driver was a great guy once again. He knew all the good spots. Was a memorable experience.
US
Email Amanda Rowe | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
What an adventure!
Booked a last minute safari with It started in Africa shortly after landing in Kilimanjaro airport coming from Victoria falls. From a Saturday afternoon they could organize a 7 days safari for 4 persons starting 2 days later (Monday) and with a level of luxury accommodation I could never have expected (gorgeous tented camps from a group called Lemala). The vehicle was amazing with large windows and very smooth. We had two pairs binoculars(Olympus I think) which were a great bonus.
The driver Samuel was what we needed: Professional but cheerful, great driver and with an amazing eyesight. We had amazing discussions about interesting wildlife facts like the reason one leopard was afraid of some birds that were making some strange noises. he was really knowledgeable.
We saw all the big5 during these days and we spent most of our time in the Serengeti (Central and North). Nothing to complain about. Everything was 200%. Highly recommended.