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
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Service
We’re back after 6 days safari with It Started in Africa. Everything was top notch from beginning to goodbye. It took us about an year to plan this safari. During these time we exchanges hundreds of emails with the company to discuss the itinerary. How they always replied within minutes at any time of the day or week was beyond me. Or how they dealt with so many emails from me. But I’m so glad it all worked out to provide us with the itinerary and accommodation options that ended up being the perfect choice for our family and kept us within the desired budget.
The company director was availaby on the cellphone in case we need anything and always went the extra mile to take care of us. Fortunetely no call was required, everything went smoothly. We saw hundreds of elephants, dozens of lions and other big cats, even the rhinos we were able to see in the Crater.
I am sure this company has a bright future ahead. We would not hesitate to use them again.
Knowledgeable driver/guide helped make our safari memorable
We were picked up at Kilimanjaro Airport as planned, and taken directly to our Arusha Hotel with no delays. Our driver/guide, Isaac, was there on time to pick us up for the safari and delivered us back to the hotel at the end of the trip with lots of time to spare. So no timeliness issues.
Isaac was very knowledgeable about animals, birds, and vegetation. He was excellent – easygoing and friendly, and I’d recommend him to others. He was also a good driver – necessary given unpredictable traffic and terrible roads in the parks. He had been guiding for about 8 years and was very experienced and knew all the routes in the parks; in all our travels (about 1700 km) he never referred to a map. The competence and personality of the driver/guide are critical to the enjoyment of the trip. We were lucky.
Our safari van was about 15 years old and had about 300,000 km on it. It had been well maintained, I think, since it stood up to the roads, absorbed most of the shocks, and didn’t break down. No problems with it. But dust was incredible. People with breathing issues would want to consider this trip carefully.
Our Arusha hotel, L’Oasis, was comfortable, with a dining room, lounge and pool. Our room was fine, and the food was quite good. No problems with it.
The Maramboi tented camp was also very comfortable, even though our ‘room’ was a large tent with two rooms. Dependable running water and electricity in the tent/room. The main building included a lounge, large dining area (part inside but mostly outside on a large verandah). It even had a swimming pool which was good to cool off in. Very good food, with a large buffet selection at all meals. We also chose our own picnic lunch contents. Interesting to sit by the pool and watch the zebras and wildebeest herds grazing a hundred metres away. The camp, after all, was in a Conservation Area and thus open to whatever wildlife ambled through. It was also well-patronized; most tables were taken at dinner times. In many ways, this camp combined comfort and wildlife authenticity best of all our accommodations.
The Lake Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp was a high end place. Guest rooms were separate buildings (not tents) joined by a garden-bordered walk to the main building. The latter featured a lounge and dining room with an extensive front garden that ended in a swimming pool that overlooked the Great Rift Valley and the Maasai herders who drove their cattle and goats up and down. This was a very luxurious place with an outstanding view. The other thing we noticed was that there was only one other paying guest. The place was empty. So that meant that we had no choice of dinner fare, but ate what the chef had prepared for us. We also accepted the chef’s choices for the contents of our picnic lunches. Fortunately, these choices were very good, although the portions were large.
The three tented camps (N’dutu, Seronera, and Ngorngoro) were all variations on a theme. In each, our accommodation was a two-room tent with wood floors, running water (most of the time) but no electrical capacity to plug in appliances. Each camp had a main dining tent with lounge (the latter equipped with electrical charging capacity). Each camp was staffed by a manager (who may also have been the chef – this wasn’t clear) as well as two or three support staff whose jobs included carrying suitcases, accompanying us after dark from our tent to the dining tent, etc. These were not permanent sites; the N’dutu camp, for example, was due to be taken down and moved to another location a few weeks after we were there.
Again, in each of the three camps we were the only guests! So no choice of meals or picnic basket contents; we ate what the chef prepared. Generally this was quite palatable, though we became a bit tired of the standard side vegetable of sliced carrots and green beans, which we had at almost every dinner. And again, significant to realize that we were in wildlife terrain, so the water buffalo, elephants, zebras and giraffes that moseyed through the camps were in their own environment. We were the outsiders.
Serengeti and Ngorngoro were the highlights. These were the must-sees, in our view, in terms of variety of animals, scenery, etc. (especially the rhinos). On these grounds, Tarangire would rank third, Lake Manyara fourth, and Arusha fifth.
NL
Email Floris Lignac | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing time in the Serengeti
We had an amazing time in the Serengeti using the services of It Started in Africa. Great vehicle, they gave very good binoculars, the guide, Mbise, was very nice and excellent driver.
The accommodation in the park was also fantastic, we stayed in Serengeti Heritage camp, and it felt genuine, authentic but extremely comfortable, remote and with lovely staff. Amazing camp for a safari with animals around the camp everywhere.
All in all, a perfect safari.
CH
Email Eline Biehler | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Ngorongoro Day tour
Had an amazing time with my family in the Crater. I had a free day in Arusha between two conferences and went on a safari with ISIA. Mr. Baraja greeted me in this office and we had amarulla together before the tour :) The safari was top notch and we managed to see most of the animals except for the leopards. I will come again with more time for sure.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fly-in Safari in Lemala Camps
I did a fly in safari with it started in africa. They did not provide their services as it was a fly in safari, so lemala camps were handling everything. But regarding the it started in africa team and customer support, everything was brilliant, smooth and fast. Definitely recommended
IL
Email Gali Benshimol | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Why you should go with It Started in Africa
Impecable service and support in the planning of your safari. We had an issue during the 4th day of the safari which, though I prefer not to share the reasons, made us consider cancelling the safari. I texted Baraja in the head office and was surprised by their response. When we arrived in the camp that night, an entire new action plan was organized and the issue was solved completelty beyond my wildest expectations.
I wouldn’t choose another company because I know it is a local company and the direction, staff and team are there for you, in case of something wrong happens, they will react immeadiately and fix any problem you might have. And that’s what you want from a tour operator.
JO
Email Samer Ghanem | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari in 2014
A bit of a late review but needed to share. I decided to go with this company after the quick answer by emails and professional phone calls to discss itinerary. My experience with It Started in Africa was an excellent one. As mentioned in many reviews, Joao is a fantastic customer support manager and had all the patience in the world to answer my queries, time and time again. The prices of this company were very competive and lower than most of the reputable companies I contacted. Not the cheapest overall but certainly not the most expensive.
The safari was spectacular, the wildlife itself does most of the work, as do the humble and lovely people of Tanzania. Our guide Deogratius was young but very experienced and turned our safari into a fantastic adventure. His knowledge of animals and birds was outstanding and his eyesight was nothing short of impressive. He would id every bird and animal on the spot.
The vehicle (Land Cruiser) was comfortably enough for the rough roads, which are very bumpy and dusty. It never had any issue apart from a flat tire on the 4th day which is normal. I can tell they clearly look after their vehicles and maintain them well. We had an inverter in the car to connect our electronics which was fantastic.
US
Email Cheryl Early | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
7 Days Machame Route Kilimanjaro climb with It started in africa
party of 5 hired It Started in Africa for trekking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Organization was excellent, food was great (some members had some restrictions, vegetarian or gluten-free), staff was nice and cheerful, wouldn't make it to the top without their help and songs :) Fantastic Experience
FR
Email Chloé | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Just what I expected and more !
I discovered this young company totally out of random researches and consider myself lucky ! My trek to the Kili was fantastic (Rongai route). I was really well taken care of by Sylvia before and after Kili (she picked me up at the airport with Martin ; they drove me to my couchsurfing adress, picked me there the next day, took me back there after the trek...). As for the trip itself I couldn't dream of a better one especially thanks to my my guide, Ernest, whom I found absolutely delicious, nice, careful and professional. I really enjoyed my week in his company and since he speaks good English we had great discussions all the time.
Concerning the preparation, Joao (mail contact) was a delight and always ready to give all the informations you might need (and even more sometimes). I highly recommand this young company, and also to check out the homestay experiences they offer aswell (I stayed as a volunteer in Majoe village). Thanks guys !
US
Email Julie Matteis | 35-50 years of age
Outstanding
We really enjoyed our trip to Tanzania. The operator and guide were fantastic and the itinerary was very well planned and optimized. Our accommodation in tented camps was just perfect with a mix of comfort and wilderness. Everyone was pleasant and very nice to us. Guide knew all about animals and Tanzania history. Thank you it started in Africa!