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
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Email Chava Laub | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Customizable, easy communication, reliable and great value
I went with It Started In Africa because a friend recommended this tour company to me. I did research on my own as well and reached out to many companies. Honestly, ISIA was the easiest to communicate with and plan. I was very happy with my mid-range safari I had and the price for what I got was unbeatable. Every question and concern I had was answered promptly. Their advice was valuable.
I was a solo female traveler that has never been to Africa and was a bit hesitant on safety. Never did I have to worry about my safety when I was with this tour company. I arranged for Airport pick-up and drop-off, which was smooth. My safari guide was the one to pick me up and drop me off.
Erasto was a great guide. He really made my trip very memorable. He was also my good luck charm as I got to see the Big 5 in both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. He was very knowledgeable about the animals, plants and culture. On my first night in he made sure I was able to eat as my accommodations wasn’t able to prepare anything that evening as I arrived very late. He made sure I got to see everything I wanted and I was happy throughout the trip. His tips really helped with my time in Tanzania. Before we embarked on the safari he took me to a local grocery store to buy snacks and treats I wanted. I miss our fireside chats with Konyagi and every time I see a giraffe I think of his favorite “models.”
I loved all my accommodations I stayed at. I honestly wish I had a longer safari now because I wish I had more than one night at each place because each place was incredible. All the food at each location was delicious, and staff were kind and helpful.
I plan to use ISIA again in the future, this time I need to add Zanzibar to the trip and stay longer.
Email Deblina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safari of a Lifetime
It Started in Africa is a local, boutique safari operator and I found them after nearly 3 months of researching various operators for our planned Serengeti trip. They offered complete transparency and flexibility in planning of the itinerary based on our budget and available days and gave us hotel/camp options across the price spectrum for each location. They were patient and prompt with numerous emails, queries and changes esp the one-man wonder Bernard K'angoma. The safari itself was impeccable with a lovely big safari jeep all to ourselves and an experienced safari guide Erasto who ensure we had wonderful sightings of the Big 5 along with countless species of birds and animals. All the camps were lovely and we even got a free upgrade at Serengeti to the Intimate Experiences camp. Food was delicious, homestyle and hearty. The hotel in Arusha on our way in and out, Onsea Lodge was a wonderful little haven though their spa could do with better functionality and staff. But their food and service were impeccable. If you are planning a safari to Serengeti and want a personalized quality trip that doesn't cost the earth you should definitely consider It Started In Africa
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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.
LU
Email Jerome | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
We had a great time in a 6 days safari in Arusha region. The trip organisation was smooth thanks to Bernard, he answers our questions quickly when needed. Bernard recommended to us nice places to stay on safari nights.
Martin was the best driver we could imagine to have. He knew every corner of all parks we visited, always found us the best quiet spots to watch animals and he took very good care of us. He was very friendly and it was a pleasure to spend these days with him and share a beer together in the evening. Many thanks
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)
Email Kit | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful time in Safari and Mt Kilimanjaro
We joined the safari tour "Migration Footsteps" for 8 days and also climbing mount Kilimanjaro via Machame Route for 7 days. We had a very great time and unforgettable experience.
For safari brought us to Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. The Guide is very experienced and share a lot of knowledge about the animals, plants, environments etc. We managed to see most types of animals we wished to and even able to watch the wildebeest river crossing! He can always make the good location and angle to see the wildlife. We did the wild camping during the nights and the tent is always well set up for us to rest. Food cooked by the chef is great and yummy.
For climbing mount Kilimanjaro, the crew is really great again. The guides always assist us to get over all the difficulties everyday and we finally managed to reach the top – Uhuru peak! Again everything are well set up in the campsite and the food is always well prepared timely and deliciously.
Before, after and between the 2 tours, It’s started in Africa also well arranged all the transportation and accommodation which let us get ready and rest nicely.
Overall, I am so glad that I chose It’s started in Africa for this trip. I highly recommend it to everyone who is thinking about a trip in Tanzania!
IT
Email Marco & Chiara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our guide made the Safari a lot better than we could imagine!!
For our first safari experience, we chose It Started in Africa following a friend recommendation and we couldn't have made a better choice.
Everybody was kind and friendly, all emails were answered within 24 hours and everything was organized very well (a lot of patience in answering all our doubts and crafting the tour on our desires with many excellent suggestions).
We did a 4-day private safari and it was the best experience ever! We visited three parks: Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Our guide Jarabu was great, very knowledgeable providing us with lots of information about the parks and the animals. His huge experience in Safaris and his safe and patient driving, made us feel super leisurely and gratified. And became a friend not only a guide but a companion of the trip.
Also the accommodations booked by It Started in Africa were super, very comfortable and clean.
After the safari we also spent a day in Kilimanjaro base in which we visited a Coffee farm and a waterfall. It was very interesting and the local lunch was delicious.
Everything went perfect and we loved our trip.
We highly recommend It started in Africa!!
PL
Email Katarzyna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent 4-day safari in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Me and my husband did a 4-day private safari trip with It Started in Africa and it was the best experience! We visited 3 parks (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro) and our guide Martin was great, providing us with lots of information about the parks and animals and he was also great at tracking animals. We've seen lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and many more. We've even seen a rhino! It was very exciting, even if we saw it only from far away :)
People at It Started in Africa are very friendly, kind and helpful, e.g. they picked us up from the bus station the day before the start of our trip, and dropped us off there as well the day after (all free of charge).
I highly recommend taking a trip with them, it will be a one in a lifetime experience :)