KILIHOLIDAYS TEAM LEADER
Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB, KINAPA, MNRT & TPO
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CA
Email Joseph | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly memorable experience
Anyone considering their first safari in Tanzania must book with Kiliholidays. The high level of service, beginning with my first contacts with Mack, and culminating in a successful safari, assured me that I made the right choice. Our driver and guide, Thomas, is a young man who truly loves his profession. Aside from being a highly skilled driver (you need skill to cross rivers and deep mud), he is nature expert who will answer all of your questions. Last but not least, he went out of his way to make sure we saw The Big Five and so much more. He became our friend. I would like to thank Thomas, Mack and the Kiliholidays team for memories that will last a lifetime!
CA
Email Christina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible memorable experience! Couldn't have been better!
This company is amazing, the tour was very well organized and we saw way more than we expected to during the rainy season! The service was exceptional from both Mack and our driver Thomas. They are both very professional and Thomas always went out of his way to make it even more memorable for us! He truly cared about tailoring the safari to what we wanted. The service was also incredible at the camps and lodges we stayed at, and the food was so good! Saw the big five and so many unique things like a lion defending its kill. Couldn't have been better! I definitely recommend booking with kiliholidays! The price is very reasonable for the truly incredible experience you get!
Reply from Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
Posted on Mar 18, 2020Thank you, I loved reading your feedback, as all comments help us to improve our services.
We are very pleased that you enjoyed the efforts of Thomas and Mack, they are 100% committed to getting all our guests to enjoy their vacation holidays.
It is kind of you to recommend us - thanks again!
Kind regards,
Mc Msechu
PL
Email Marta | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was excellent choice!
We've chosen Kiliholidays btween two other operators. One of the reasons was very quick communication with Mack, he responded to my questions quickly and on very professional manner. The offer has been tailored based on our requests and needs . It was 4 days safari with 3 nights in very nice lodges and one in tented lodge camp, which was exceptional experience as there were no other guests that time:-))
Our guide/driver Thomas was a great guy, funny with great knowledge of fauna and flora. He's been spotting for us animals, we had a chance to see some of them without other cars around what was incredible and very personal experience.
We've spent fantastic time in three national parks, saw lots of animals (no leopard though:-( ), had great fun with Thomas, the lodges were great, food was tasty, there is nothing to complain about.
I highly recommend Kiliholidays, Mack is very responsive, flexible, professional and helpful. If I ever come back to Tanzania for safari I'll do it with them again!
Thank you Mack! Thank you Thomas!
Marta, Asia and Tomek
CH
Email JNaz | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Tanzania empowered by Kiliholidays Tours
Tanzania is a fantastic country with so much to see and to explore. So it is very important to choose a tour company that is well suited in showing you the best of Tanzania. We (2 adults and to kids 8 & 10) traveled for 7 days on a jeep operated by Kiliholidays. OF course never being to East Africa, we were excited and anxious about what to expect. The top operator Mack, was fantastic in meeting our demands ahead of time and making sure that all of questions are answered. We changed plans a few times (and even during our visit when we wanted to visit a museum) and he eagerly accommodated. Our Safari guide, Thomas was just great. He was great with us and the kids and made sure that we are comfortable at all times. If you go to this trip, and if you choose this company, you will be in good hands. Tanzania is beautiful and so are its people with greta heart and open arms to welcome you.
CA
Email Christine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful experience Lemosho Route with Micheal, Kennes and their team !
Everything was perfect from pickup at the airport until the last day.
They only problem is to travel with large amount of US dollar because all trek has to be paid cash...
PL
Email Pawel Dobrowolski | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari, experienced and knowledgable tour guides, beatiful animals. Highly recommended!
We had a 4-day safari with Kiliholidays that included Tarangire, Serengetti and Ngorongoro parks. We were 2 families with kids so went for lodges and tented lodges. Overall experience was very good thanks to Mack and Kiliholideys and our guides - Laurent and Eduard.
We chose Mack and Kiliholideys over 4 other companies as he was very flexibe as to our requests and offered us reasonable prices for the services. We agreed the programme, lodges and all other conditions over the internet and paid 30% of fee, remaining 70% we paid on day of arrival prior to safari (these are standard conditions for most operators). Mack also organised for us transfers from and to the airport, accomodation before and after the safari and Arusha tour. He did a great job by choosing a hotel that suited our needs (Tulia Hotel and Spa - https://www.tuliahotelandspa.com/). He was always very flexible and helpful.
Our trip started as planned. On day 1 drivers - Laurent and Eduard - arrived before 8 am and helped us with the luggage and we set off. We were on the way to Terengire when one of the cars broke - engine failure which seemed major to me. The car could not continue so we were relocated to the other car and continued our trip. We went to Terengire and spent 4 or 5 hour there. It is a perfect place to see elephants from close distance, but there are also giraffes, impalas, warthogs, zebras, ostriches and many other. It was a bit crowded (8 people + driver in one car) but it was still fun and Laurent did a great job by telling us everything about the animals and keeping good mood. In the afternoon we drove to Karatu where we spent 1 night in Farm of Dreams - a very nice and clean lodge with a pool and great staff. In the evening we were joined by a second car (repaired in 1 day!) so we could continue in 2 cars and more comfort.
On day 2 we started around 9 am (our choice) and drove from Karatu through Ngorongoro to Serengetti. It was mostly drive but we have seen a lot of animals on the way, including lots of giraffes around Ngorongoro and big herds of zebras, wilderbests and imalas on the way to Serengetti. We have also seen couple of lions from 2-3 meters - they were just lying by the road. We also had a short stop at Masai village - although it is a purelu touristic experience, the village is real (they really live there every day) and the experience is unique - I do recommend it. We spent a night in beautiful tented lodge Embalakai Authentic Camp - a truly unique experience, sleeping in big tents with all the wildlife a few meters away, but with all the comforts (and great food) ath the same time.
On day 3 we started at sunrise to look for hunting predators, unfortunately with no luck, but we have seen great sunrise, hippos, buffalos anf antelopes. We returned to the camp for breakfast, after that we went for game drive.Thanks to our guides we managed to see cheetah who was eating an impala, a leopard resting on the tree, more hippos, antelopes, buffalos etc. In the afternoon we left the Serengetti and set off for Ngorongoro again seeing animals on the way. We stayed at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge - located on the crater rim, with MAGNIFICENT wiev of the whole crater and all the wildlife inside (good binoculars recommended!). Although the lodge is a bit old, the view compensates for everything. Sunset above the crater is a must-see.
The fourth day was the greatest - inside the crater there are so many animals you can see from close distance it is hard to describe. Lions walking by your car. Hyenas laying on the road. Zebras in swarms. We also managed to see a black rhino - again thanks to our drivers. February is a wet season so driving around the crater is really hard - we have seen several cars staying abandoned in the mud waiting for water level to go down. One of the other cars we had to pull from the especially deep pond as it could not get out and the water was coming inside the car. But again Laurent and Eduard kept us safe and sound thanks to their huge experience and driving skills. If it was not them we would not manage to drive through the crater or get to Arusha back on time. Thanks!
Overall it was great experience in big part thanks to Laurent and Eduard who did great job as guides and drivers. They were able to find all the Big 5 and many more and tell us a lot of things about all species we have seen. Were always on time and prepared, happy to help or answer any question. I can truly recommend both of them!
On the down side - the cars are old and rusty (old Land Rovers), most companies have newer Toyota Land Cruiser. But we have seen also a few of these cars broken, so for me it was not a problem, and the case when our car broke was handled very good (we did not loose any time of our trip and seen what we paid for). There was also some problem with money transfer at the enterance to Ngorongoro (we lost 1,5h there) but it was end of the day anyway so it did not matter much (thanks to this we also could stay longer in the crater the next day, which was very good thing).
Practicalities: lunches were served as lunch boxes which was convenient, but some companies offer freshly-prepared meals. Cars have no safety belts (only front seats). Despite rainy season there were not many mosquitos, but Mugga or the like is essential. Both cars had binoculars, but we also had our own which is good when you are 4 in car and see rhino in distance. Use long trousers and safari shirts to protect from sun, flip-flops are ok as you spend most time in a car anyway.
RU
Email Valeria | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best experience in my life
We are 2 adults and 10 years old boy were on 4 days safari. Tarangiri, Serengeti, Ngorongoro. It was amazing. Our guide Laurian is very sensitive, so intelligent, never talk a lot, but answer all your questions. He is very professional driver, one of five cars who didn’t stock in Ngorongoro off-road. He is keeping an eye luggage, kid and adults and was controlling around us, even monkeys.
All that company promised they did and much more.
I celebrated birthday one the safaris day and was so surprised there warm congratulations and cake!
Thank you! Highly recommended!
IE
Email Sharobaro | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari
We had an unbelievable 3 day safari with kiliholidays. The owner Mark was really friendly and helped organise our flight to Arusha. Our guide Laurian was amazing, very knowledgeable and we had great friendship. The accommodation provided was really comfortable and nice standard. 100% recommended experience
CA
Email Chad | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Four-day packed full adventure
Fast, effective communications. Every promise fulfilled. The tent is a good size and the sleeping mats are comfortable. We were able to see four of the big five game animals. Most others I talked to only saw three. Additionally, we were able to see many more rare wild animals that I never expected to see! Laurian is a very experienced driver and animal spotter. His insight on each animal was very informative. Daniel is a great stomach engineer. He even went out of his way to serve us some of our favourite fruits. Would highly recommend.
IT
Email Alessandro Rivola | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari
We were fully satisfied with choosing Kiliholidays. Our three day safari was organized very well. Communication from Italy was clear and fast. Everything went as scheduled (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Manyara), unforgettable days. We were accompanied by Deo, a very professional, precise and friendly driver / guide. Tour absolutely recommended!