Getting muddy in the Serengeti
Kusini Safaris
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Member Of:
- African Travel & Tourism Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Tom Thayer | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An outstanding guide with great knowledge of the animals, great stories and great people management
Paul is a great guide. He far exceeds the minimum requirements for knowing the Serengeti and the animals. His stories are first rate too. But most impressive is his ability to work with a wide range of people, and his willingness to work hard, doing whatever it takes to ensure a safari's success.
CA
Email Amani | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Totally Amazing and Fun Holiday, Thanks to Paul!
Paul's assistance was invaluable in planning what turned out to be a perfect safari and beach vacation in Tanzania. He looked after all the details, and the result was a seamless, worry-free, fun and perfect holiday. Our Tanzanian safari and beach vacation vastly surpassed our expectations, and much of the credit for that, belongs to Paul. Minute by minute (literally) we saw animals and birds that were gorgeous, stunning, surprising and beautiful. We never had to travel any distance to see the next animal or bird. We saw 40 different mammal species, more than 110 bird species (and still counting), lizards and butterflies (haven't had a moment to count these yet). We haven't stopped talking about our Tanzanian adventure since we returned home. We went to Ras Kutana, Ngare Sero, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Serengeti and Pemba Island. Paul arranged everything on EXTREMELY short notice, and never seemed to break a sweat doing it. He was a fun and charming companion, even if we insisted on utilizing every possible minute to view more and more animals and birds! Paul's knowledge about the many animals and birds we saw, was the perfect addition to our holiday. Thank you Paul for an unforgettable holiday! Words cannot do justice to describe the fun we had.
US
Email Kurt | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
My parents, my family (of 6), and my sister's family (of 4), spent two incredible weeks with Paul in southern Tanzania (Selous and Ruaha) in June 2018. It was all of our first safari experience and it blew away every expectation I had - it was truly a trip of a lifetime. Paul's organization of the trip his knowledge of the country, the animals, the camps, the guides, the people and his passion for all of the above made this an experience that we'll never forget. If you have the opportunity to travel to Tanzania, do it with Paul, you will not regret it.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Thank you Kurt, it's really a privilege to be able to work in such a place with such wonderful people.
US
Email Gary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mr.Tickner is an incredibly knowledgeable tour operator with an unparalleled dedication to wildlife.
After many family discussions, my wife and I settled on an African Safari to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. We also decided that the entire family of 12 ranging in age from 8 to 75 would be going on the once in a lifetime adventure. In order to sort through the overwhelming number of options, we used Safari Bookings and their reviews almost exclusively. After many emails and phone calls with potential tour operators with very high reviews, we settled on Paul Tickner. What a perfect choice! Paul tailored a safari that matched precisely with our expectations. We stayed at Kiba Point in Selous Game Preserve and Ikuku in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. In both cases the facilities exactly matched our family of 12 and the staff , tours, guides, and facilities were all superb. Paul kept us incredibly well informed and answered our questions without hesitation during the planning process. We all have nothing but superlatives to describe Paul Tickner Safaris. It was an adventure of a lifetime we will not forget.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Oh, thank you Gary, what kind words. You know, I feel so lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to meet you and your wonderful family. Three generations of you together on safari, it was so special.
US
Email Francis | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Only one surprise.
Paul arranged our in Ruaha, Selous and Mafia trip. It was everything we'd hoped for and more. He understood our needs, budget and expectations and worked with locals to make sure that they were met at every step along the way. We had only one "surprise" during our 11 days and that was that there were no really no unfortunate "surprises" and in Africa, that is a surprise by itself!
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020No we don't like any logistical surprises. A pleasure to work with you Francis and I'm so glad you enjoyed your safari.
US
Email Paul T | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Paul expertly managed a crew of 12 ppl across two amazing reserves over 10 days - not one problem!
Paul is an outgoing, professional, and laid back tour organizer and guide. I've never been on a group tour (and this one was all family) with less stress, fewer issues, or better organization and follow-through on all tasks. Paul knows Africa and knows how to convey it to his charges during the time he has with you. 6 stars if I could give it. (Thanks for the great memories and once in a lifetime vacation Paul!!!)
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Thank you for teaching me about stars, planes, rockets and all the other topics we covered! I'm glad I could take the stress out of a family trip. I think you've got my water bottle and I've got yours somewhere...
SR
Email Will Van Beek | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A well organised safari, no complaints wharsoever
Arusha, Onseahouse: good service, excellent food.
Chem chem:accommodation, food, guide extraordinary, five stars.
Serian's mobile lamai: certainly up to our expectations, excellent guide good food and an abundance of wild live.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Thank you for your concise review Will, an amazing safari to some amazing properties. Chem Chem straddles Tarangire and Manyara, and Serian Lamai is up in the Lamai wedge of Serengeti.
Email Kevin Cumming | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A once in a lifetime honeymoon for my wife and I with the best tour operator around!
Paul organised a once in a lifetime honeymoon for my wife and I this year and it is something that we will never forget!
We have dreamed of visiting Africa for a safari for a long time but deciding just where to go is not easy with so many options. We contacted Paul about organising a trip for us that would be a little bit more off the beaten tourist track of places like the Serengeti. We also liked the conservation projects that Paul Tickner Safaris supports and that helped us decide which tour operator to go with.
From the first day of contact with Paul and even after we returned he was attentive and provided a fabulous worry free trip.
We worked on a package together for a couple of weeks to find something that suited what we wanted within the budget we could afford.
We finally decided on Ruaha National Park in Tanzania and the Ikuka Safari camp. This would be followed by 5 days on the beach on Zanzibar.
After this decision was made the only thing we had to organise our self was our flights to and from the UK (although Paul did also advise us on this as well). We found KLM to be great for this flight.
Paul arranged everything flawlessly in country for us. Every pick up at every airport and anything else you can possibly imagine.
Ikuka Safari camp is a very special place and we could not recommend it highly enough. Paul’s wonderful relationship with the camp also immediately makes you feel very welcome on arrival.
The game viewing in Ruaha National Park is incredible. A short list includes: 6 leopards, 12 lions, Wild dogs, python, buffalo, elephants, giraffes and bird life that there is enough time to type out the variety. Truly a special place and a trip organised by someone that obviously cares a great deal for it!
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 20206 leopards! Wild dogs! A python!? Gees Kevin save some animals for the rest of us. What an honour to work with you guys on your honeymoon.
PT
Email Vitor Silva | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Everything went as expected.
Everything went as expected. Professionally organized. Paul took into consideration our prferences and he choosed the right camps avoiding the crowds. The game viewing was excellent; the camps fantastic, the people very friendly and the guides very professional and commited to find the right spots and action for a good photography.
The flights and transfer went smoothly and the hotel in Dar was well choosed.
Thank you Paul.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Thank you for your kind review Vitor, we really had to make sure you had a fantastic safari since you were coming such a long way!
Email Mike | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful memorable experience
All connections and stays went well. Arrival at Dar was chaos, hopefullly the new Terminal will sort this.
Slipway Hotel: Pleasant room overlooking the sea.
At Lake Manza animals presented themselves from the minute we got off the plane. Lake trips were a delight. I was happy with the candles, kerosene lamp and a torch to light the tent and it did add a little to the charm, others may be less impressed. The two of us had a driver and guide to ourselves most of the time and we felt exclusive. The lake trips were a delight with animals and birds surrounding us.
Ikuka was absolute luxury and everything including insect repellant, laundry and drinks was included. The driver was also the guide and there were up to four others with us. The driver was good but the support was therefore not so special. The camp being on top of a hill was good because it was cool but bad because it took a while to get down to see any animals. WE may have seen more animals from a river side camp . A couple we met from the riverside camp said that flies were not a problem and that they had seen many more animals including leopards. We did get a couple of tetse bites but no real problems.
Both camps:
* No mosquitos,
* held evening meals at a long table big enough for all guests. It was good to swap stories,
* had well designed and substantial "tents" with mosqito proof zip up gauze screening. The beds had the comfort of a top class hotel.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020You're totally right Mike, some folks like the more rustic approach, some not so much. So it's nice to have a contrast. You got your stripes for a proper Southern Tanzania safari, chaos in Dar, some tsetse fly bites but most of all a great safari. Thank you for your detailed review, very useful for fellow travellers.