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
US
Email Eduardo Valdes | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Safari was a trip of a lifetime, greatly thanks to these guys
Just to add some context, my wife and I have been traveling the world for the last years and quite frankly we were overwhelmed at first with all the planning required for our first safari trip to Africa.
After sorting the top 10 user reviewed Safari companies in Tripadvisor and correlating with Tanzanian national rankings, we did a second filter based on cost and ended with top 3 based on our budget. Let me clarify that we were looking for private mid tier safari, so no over the top fancy shenanigans.
After emailing them with our desired itinerary, the company It Started in Africa quickly rose to the top in terms of responsiveness and flexibility to accommodate our needs and wishes. Joao Oliveira was simply fantastic, he made sure to understand our trip and location objectives and then provided suggestions to end up with an amazing customized itinerary with private guide for me and my wife, greatly diminishing the stress of safari planning and budgeting, adjusting to our every need, even to our changes throughout the journey itself.
They literally took care of everything, from picking us up from the airport, hotel suggestion according to budget needs as well as lodge/tented camp reservations, park entrances and internal flights. As soon as we got there, they sent a representative to review itinerary, we had some last minute changes which were 100% accommodated.
All I can say is that our Safari was a magical experience, exceeding every expectation. We ended up cruising through Tarangire, Manyara, Serengneti and Ngorongoro with our guide Allen, who was simply fantastic, friendly, knowledgable of the culture, flora and fauna, truly excited to show his country and culture, and also had an amazing eye for locating all the animals in the most obscure places. I am happy to say that we have remained in touch since then. Needless to say we were captivated by Africa, the sights, scenic landscapes, animals, food and most importantly the people and their happiness for life.
If/ When we go back to Tanzania to explore the corners that we missed, we will certainly use the same company and of course the same guide as they made sure our first venture into Africa was absolutely amazing and left us with the thirst to explore such a magical place.
Asante Sana
TR
Email Sinan Erk Mutafoglu | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Widen your perspective!
After spending a relaxing week in Zanzibar, the Safari experience in Serengeti provided us to widen our perspective. We did not suffer from anything during the safari thanks to Yona. He was a great guide and a great driver. Everything was perfect.
Me and Selin (my wife) appreciate your organization and the effort.
MX
Email Harish | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Kilimanjaro & Safari Experience
I got quotes from roughly 20 tour providers before my trip and It Started in Africa's prices were unbeatable. The level of attention that they provided and the professionalism of the drivers/porters/chefs/guides and support crew far exceeded our expectations. Our climb to Kilimanjaro was incredible, given the knowledgeable and supportive crew that led us. I definitely recommend them for the Kilimanjaro or Safari, they are a local company and provide a far better service than their international agency competitors.
GR
Email Chris Fragogiannis | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience! Professional, friendly, reliable
Go with them!
We traveled to Tanzania for safari in August 2015 and we had an excellent co-operation with It Started in Africa. We had a detailed preparation a few weeks before the trip, via e-mails. Kind and friendly, ready to assist you in anything you want. We had an amazing private, tailor-made tour. The guide was a perfect man, the car reliable and the whole staff very professional. I had the chance to meet them when I visited their office in Arusha for some arrangements.
One more thing I would like to say is that, it is not all about money, something that I really appreciate. When you go such a trip, you need reliable people around you that they are ready to help and advise you. They did help me with some issues and requests (for example, I requested a local sim for having 3G during the trip) and they did it without any additional charge.
Go with them. Professional, friendly, reliable!
IE
Email Niall | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful week of Safari in Northern Tanzania
My wife and I took the 7-days/6-nights safari option with It Started In Africa, and we have a wonderful experience! The safari was great - we got to see so much wildlife - and our guide, driver and cook were excellent. We found everyone to be very friendly and helpful. The itinerary was very good, with lots of different things throughout the week. We really enjoyed the various game drives, but I think the visits with locals (banana plantation tour) and meeting the people near Lake Eyasi (especially hunting with the Hadzabe people) were real highlights!
Thank you for helping to make our trip special.
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