KILIHOLIDAYS TEAM LEADER
Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
- Located 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)
Reviews
DE
Email Klara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had an awsome time at our Safari.
We went on a 8 day safari and had a really good time. Everything was perfectly pre- arranged. The only obstacles were with the payment because the online payment didn´´ t really work at this time so we had to bring some of the money in cash. But also this was no big deal when we arrived, it all turned out very easily. Our driver Steve was really awsome. He had a really good knowledge about the country, the animals and everything you would ask him. The lodges we stayes in were all really good. We liked the tented camp inside the Serengeti best. All in all highly recommended company!
Email Andrea M. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience with Kiliholydays
Great experience. We had a 7 days safari program (camping in tent) including Tarangire, Serengheti, Ngorongoro, Hazahabe tribe and Manyara lake.
The proposed program fully met our expectations. In particular, we appreciated the two nights in Serengheti which gave us the opportunity of extensive game drives during sunrise and sunset times. Our driver (Thomas) was excellent: accurate and well-prepared driver with a lot of experience. He made us see many animals (all the big five plus many others), giving us interesting information (we learnt a lot) and being a funny mate during our breaks. Our chef (Innocent) was very professional and accurate with a lot of experience too. He cooked many delicious dishes, including African cuisine (something that we really appreciated) and he always kept an eye on our preferences. The head of the company (Mack) organized everything very well.
The camping in tent requires a little bit of spirit of adaptation but it is very rewarding in terms of nature experience, especially in such a beautiful country like Tanzania.
ES
Email Manu | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It could have been better
We didn't have the best experience with Kiliholidays Tours & Safari.
We booked a three-day-safari at Mikumi Park. The first day we couldn't access to the park. They told us "drive to Mikumi National Park which is approximately 5 hours from Dar es Salaam". It's totally false. It was 8 hours and a half. The driver drove at 45 km/hour and the arrival to the park was almost sunset. They saved the access to the park of the first day (which is included in the safari price). So we paid for something that we didn't enjoy.
Additionally, the car broke down several times. The first time it had refrigerator problems. It was solved and we continued. The second day, the car stop and it ran out the battery , we push the car in the middle of the safari :) . The third day we spent 8 hours and a half to Dar Es Salaam. There was a huge jam and the car spent all the battery.
So, we had to take OTHER CAR with a non-known driver, and 3 minutes later ALSO the new car ran out of gas. Really? The driver (who didn't speak english) left the car in the middle of the darkness and 30 minutes later he appeared again with a bottle with gas. We stay alone waiting for him without knowing what to do.
The only positive point was the safari driver, he was nice.
FR
Email Nicolas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing first safari experience
4 friends and I did a 8 days tours safari around Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Natron...
Beyond the magical landscapes and wildlife,
Mack, the owner, showed real flexibility during the organization of the safari and was very helpful at the end when we had problems with our return flight to Dar Es Salaam.
Tumsifu, the driver, and Innocente, the stomach engineer, were so friendly and competent, everything was perfect.
Do not hesitate, go for Kiliholidays Tours (and ask for Tumsifu and Innocente if possible...)
CA
Email MBurry | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Average safari at Selous Reserve
We booked a 2 day, 3 night safari to Selous Reserve. Communication with Mack was good, our driver was punctual, and there were no surprises with payment. We were told that we had been upgraded to a better lodge at no extra cost, as Kiliholidays had received complaints about the lodge they typically book. This was appreciated and a good business decision. The lodge (African Safari Lodge) was beautiful and the rooms were great, but the food was average (we have had much better in Tanzania thus far).
Our driver and guide was friendly, but he did not seem to have much experience with the reserve itself. We were disappointed with the game drives, though to be fair, I know any safari is a gamble and our lack of sightings may not have had anything to do with our guide at all. Coming to Selous is a trade-off-you won't face traffic jams like you would in the Serengeti, but it is also harder to spot the big animals.
Finally, I was disappointed that the we didn't follow the schedule/description we had agreed upon prior to booking. I was told that we would have a chance to swim in a hot spring at sunset on day two, and was really looking forward to it. When we asked our driver/guide about this, he seemed surprised, and said there is a hot spring, very far away, and that the only time we could swim is in the late morning/early afternoon. We declined, as this would cut into our game drive time, and a hot spring at 14:00 in the heat isn't appealing. Very misleading.
I should add that we had come from Maasaii Mara in Kenya and had an AMAZING safari experience for a much LOWER cost! Our guides in Maasaii Mara were incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgable and we were on game drives from 06:00 until 18:30. We saw so much wildlife, mainly in the morning and evening. With this safari, we left one day at 07:30 and returned at 16:30, and the second day left at 09:00 and returned at 15:45.
To summarize, our experience was very average and not the best value.
DE
Email Thorsten Schultz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari experience
We booked the 3 day Safari package in Selous. On Friday we were picked up at 9 am at our hotel. There we had to pay the rest of the Safari in cash (1000$). This is quite inconvinient, as it is hard to get so much money in Tansania (ATM charge fees and only gives out TSh, bank only gives out 800$ per day). So if you can I would recommend to get the cash in your country in advance.
The trip to Selous takes about 5-6h. Our driver ("Fun") was really nice and helpful. During the whole trip water was provided, however, for other softdrinks one would have to pay. On Friday evening we had a 2h boat safari.
Saturday was really intense. Early in the morning (6am) we had a walking safari with a native guide, which was a unique experience. Afterwards we had a Jeep safari from 9am to 5pm, which was the highlight of the whole trip. It is amazing to see all these animals in their natural habitat.
The accomodation was nice and comfortable. All food was included and comparably good.
On Sunday we were driven back to Dar es Sallam and taken directly to the ferry to Sansibar.
All in all it was a very enjoyable experience.
NL
Email Andrea | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional driver, excellent accomodation, wonderful places
Safari has been amazing. The place where we stayed, the Farms of Dreams lodge, was stunning.
We got picked up on time at Arusha airport, first day at Tarangire park, we could spot Antilopes, Elephants, Wildebeests, Zebras, Giraffes, Velvet Monkeys and from far away also a Cheetah. There are facilities at the entrace of the park. Tumsifu, our guide, has always been very professional, friendly and ready to answer all our questions. Packed lunch food was good.
Second day, Ngorongoro crater was very nice. The place itself is gorgeous, and full of animals. A lot of wildebeests and zebras, but we could also spot lions, hippos and a rhino from far away.
Third day, lake Manyara, very nice, more rainforest environment. Close encounter with elephants and baboons.
Farms of Dreams lodge was fantastic. People are very friendly and make you feel always good. I'd really like to be back there.
Only 1 little trouble in the beginning, dealing with payments. We would have liked to pay by card or bank transfer, but system was not properly working and they told us that the safari was supposed to be paid in cash only few days before leaving. But that got fixed easily.
Email Molly Davies | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience! Totally recommend
I booked to climb Kilimanjaro and then do a safari with Kiliholidays (Mack, who was great at organising it all). I booked the 7 day machame route, which is most scenic and every day had incredible views, recommend this route! I have to say it was the best experience of my life, summiting is unexplainable you HAVE to do it yourself to totally understand the amazing, for me emotional, breathtaking (literally lol) moment and due to one guy, my guide Rufano Masi this was made possible, not only was he a guide, he was a friend. He made sure himself and his brilliant team went beyond everything they could do to make it a brilliant experience, I can defiantly say they exceeded in performance and expectation, I cannot thank them enough. Their smiles and support filled the camp every second of the day making even the tough times a lot easier. Every day was its own challenge and unique experience building up to the final summit day, Rufano was professional in every way and totally trustworthy and as a young (20 year old) single girl from England travelling for the first time on my own I felt totally safe and comfortable the entire trip. Rufano was encouraging making us all laugh everyday, he made sure we all had what we needed (and if I was missing something he made it available on hire) and from the very first time I met him at our briefing he was full of passion and determination that I would achieved what I wanted too, this passion was constant throughout the trip and myself and my amazing group submitted! His experience showed through his great knowledge and communication was easy, his English is nearly as good as mine! I learnt a lot from him, if I was in Arusha for longer I would have also loved to have gone on a coffee tour and visited the hot springs which I know he takes clients too, I will have to come back again! I don’t want to give to much away from Kilimanjaro because it’s an individual experience, am amazing sense of achievement which effects everyone differently I would love to encourage anyone thinking about it to just go for it and from my experience Rufano is a perfect guide! Oh and not to mention he is a great photographer capturing many special moment throughout the trip!
We summited in 6 days instead of 7 due to Rufanos suggestion due to his experience and knowledge of the weather conditions not being the best if we had that extra day, myself and group trusted his opinion (he gave us the option totally up to us what we did as we paid for 7 days) but he knew best, and it was the best decision we made! It did mean squeezing 2 days into 1 but It showed it was a great decision because we made it to the top and I’m greatful and so so glad we did it! This is just one example of Rufano thinking about what is best for this clients in order to achieve that end goal. This meant we had an extra day of rest before safari which I was also grateful for!
The safari was amazing During this 4-day camping safari you will visit the Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park. We saw lots and also saw rare things such as a leopard and also 10 lions catching a buffalo! Our driver was knowledgable of the animals and parks! Totally recommend this! Amazing experience! Thank you Kiliholidays, everything was organised from my airport pick up until last day of safari where I had my own accommodation sorted in Arusha (they dropped you off and were more than happy to stop by a shop on way back). Overall the best experience which I will treasure for the rest of my life no problem was too big/too small I couldn’t have asked for more!
Email Julia Harrington | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience with very knowledgeable guides and a chief who made delicious meals.
An amazing experience I will never forget. Great staff, excellent facilities.
US
Email Jim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari, accomodating guide
The guide was very accomodating and flexible. He worked with our schedule and modified his plan and route to facilitate the things we wanted to see. He was very nice. I recommend this group for anyone.