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.
US
Email Mike Harris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It started in africa
Fantastic semi-luxury camping honeymoon safari. We had the perfect choice of itinerary (7 days with Tarangire, Serengeti Central and North, Ngorongoro and Lake Eyasi). Plenty of wildlfie and amazing guide, always available for our questions. We saw a lion attacking a gazelle.
We always were served great food in generous portion sizes :) We completely recommend It Started in Africa to all our friends.
IE
Email James Murphy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Out of this world
Well what can I say about the great safari experience I had with It started in Africa, to say this company bent over backwards to help me would be an understatement. They did everything I asked and more, from collecting me at the airport and arranging my hotel and doing the same for my return home but lets get to the safari, WOW it was fantastic we started off in Tarangire then onto the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and finally Lake Magyars. The driver and guide were great, stopped when asked and the guide knew so much about the animals. We got to see all of the big 5. Now onto the chef, well the food was out of this world!! 3 meals a day and was top class. The guys would also bring me to local shops in the evening to get some beers and snacks. If I ever have to opportunity to go back to Tanzania I know the 1st call I will be making will be to It started in Africa.10/10
US
Trip of a lifetime
From the first communication with Joao, I felt reassured. He was able to arrange a trip of a lifetime for my sons and me. For 10 days with the excellent and knowledgeable guide, Isaac, we traveled throughout the northern parks in Tanzania. Isaac, respectful of the animals, amazed us with his knowledge. He knows the Latin names of trees, birds by their call, and the behavior of the animals placing us in the exact spot to witness a cheetah kill a reedbuck, lion cubs nursing, a secretary bird feed her young and more. I can't recommend It Started in Africa enough.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply the Best, Unforgettable and Stunning experience...
To be honest, when I contacted Joao Oliveira for Safari, I became bit suspicious as he used to reply usually within 1-2 hours (even in the night). Also, Safari company is quite new and therefore had to search for how genuine they are, before transferring advance payment. Reviews about the company made me to trust them. Joao helped to arrange and make safari itinerary in the best convenient way. I was completely satisfied with his responses towards my all questions and queries.
We made a safari for 5 days, 1 day Tarangire ( 1 night at Maramboi Campsite), 3 days Serengeti (2 nights at Ikoma bushcamp Serengeti), 1 day Ngorongoro crater (1 night at Rhino Ngorongoro). Fabulous locations, fair arrangements, good food and facilities.
Tarangire was nice experience but we spotted mainly elephants, giraffes and zebras (no cats) which we spotted also in Serengeti and Crater, and therefore it would have been no harm in skipping Tarangire. Manyara lake is famous mainly for Flamingos, which was not our primary aim to spot in Safari. Serengeti and Crater safaris were mind blowing. We could spot all big 5 animals (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Black Rhino and Wild-Buffalo).
Martin, our tour guide, guided us in all possible ways. He has eyes like an eagle and could spot animals even a km far. Binoculars provided by company made our safari much more interesting and exciting. Instead of Joao (as he was out of station), Mathias helped us.
Overall, I would recommend It Started in Africa 100%. They know how to make your once in a lifetime safari memorable in all ways. They are very joyful, friendly and fantastic.
US
Email Tanya, Alex and Alex Jr. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It will take your breath away!
Last year we had absolutely amazing trip with It Started In Africa. It was really difficult to find a company which can provide high level service for all our family with 2 years kid. And with the guys we had so nice adventure! Professional guides showed us hidden places full of wildlife. All accomodations met our needs. After one year we find out that we are missing the places and the guides and want to repeat it again.
It was more than trip around Kenya and Tanzania, it was like we met another home and got a lot of moments which took our breath away.
CH
Email Azadeh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari company organized the best trip!
This was one of the best safari adventures I have been on. Bernard organized the perfect itinerary for us, with a lot of back and forth with me to ensure that the trip was exactly what we were looking for. Martin the guide met us at Kilimanjaro Airport with a very comfortable land cruiser (which sounds like an oxymoron but it really was!) that we spent the whole week in. He was incredibly knowledgeable, flexible, and with a great sense of humour. We visited four different national parks (Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Tarangire), and each one was an amazing experience. All in all, I highly recommend It Started in Africa, and will definitely recommend them to everyone I know.
PT
Email Ana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unique and Unforgettable Experience
We had a unique experience. It was recommended to us by a friend and we had a fantastic experience that we highly recommend.
During the preparation of our safari days, Bernard, was always attentive and with quick answers and always available for any of our questions. It was a pleasure to meet you in person. Thank you very much.
Our whole experience was fantastic and we had Martin as our guide who was amazing. Always very professional and concerned in finding the best spots to show us all the animals. He was always very careful, patient, and available, and with a lot of knowledge of all the parks and animals.
Martin was amazing since the minute we pick us from the airport until the last minute he drop us in the airport. He was also very available to help and guide us during our stay in Arusha in the days before and after the safari.
Thanks also to our cook, Mandy, who made us really good food.
Thanks for the amazing days we had and the unique and unforgettable experience you gave us.
Email Alan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent, I would choose them again
Our experience with It started in Africa was excellent. We prepared the trip 3 months before, I made changes to the suggested scheme and they agreed without any problem.
They asked me for an advance deposit, with a prior online contract, I asked to have a guide in Spanish and they gave it to me. Regarding the price, it was excellent, the cheapest I found.
The day arrived, they picked us up at the airport for an additional fee (it is 1 hour away from Arusha), they were punctual, the next day the tour began, Martin as driver and Masei as guide in Spanish. Both were friendly, attentive, super responsive, they also gave us a private cook for us alone who stayed at the campsite to give us excellent elaborate meals for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, he was also super friendly and introspective.
Regarding Martin (driver) I must say that his interest in seeing the animals and looking for the best positions was noted, he is a human GPS inside the parks that are enormous, he never stopped driving and asking us at all times if we were satisfied, safe and if all was well. We were able to see the big 5 and it was thanks to him
Masei (guide in Spanish) is Masai and gave us good information about animals and the Masai also collaborated with photos, super friendly.
There was good communication with the company at all times, before, during and after, where they showed interest in meeting us, they invited us to a bar to have feedback and we had a few beers.
Without a doubt, I would choose the company again for its good prices and communication and the same safari team, they are already missed, good people.
(automatic translation from Spanish)
PT
Email Manuela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly an amazing and unforgetable experience.
We loved our safari. It was a memorable and wonderful experience.
Alex, our guide, was excellent! Could not expect more. Thank you so much!