Grassroots Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $160 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Petra, Verena & Bernhard | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
More than a safari...wonderful!
After some research in the internet we found Grassroots Safaris and we've decided to book a safari with this company. There are such a lot of very positive testimonials on their website – but are they real? Or manipulated? Our doubts disappeared immediately when Fikiri, our wonderful guide, picked us up at the hotel in Dar – perfectly in time, very friendly, with a good 4WD car. Now I don't repeat all the positive things mentioned in the other testimonials – they ALL happened to us, too! Fikiri is a very safe driver (even on the very bad roads – no problem to him!), he is extremely competent (no question without a good answer) and knows the places where you'll find the animals. We (3 persons) visited Mikumi NP, the Sanje waterfalls at Udzungwa Mountains and Ruaha NP. Two things have been extraordinary on our trip:
1.We wanted to change the route. Instead of returning to Dar we wanted to go on to Mbeya. No problem to Micky who managed the trip. The contact to him was very friendly and he always answered very quick. So for a very little money more we reached Mbeya right in time – perfect, thank you very much!
2.Our daughter was getting 18 – just when we had our stop at the Ruaha bandas. In the evening Fikiri improvised a birthday party supported by Asha, our cook. We don't know how they managed it – but after diner Asha came in with a selfmade birthday cake (of course with candles...!!!) which was extremely delicious. Fikiri has found a really good bottle of wine and introduced us to the Suaheli version of HAPPY BIRTHDAY – sooo funny! Thank you for an unforgettable evening and a wonderful trip – we'll see you again when we'll come back to Tanzania!!!
IE
Email Nuala | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing and wonderful, great people, good food and close animal contact.
We 3 friends, very different people from different countries with different expectations and interests,
were treated to a wonderful Southern Safari by Grassroots and the team. From start to finish it exceeded all our hopes.
We had with us the charming, talented young cook Asha and the eagle eyed Gaston for 6 days of amazement
and wonder. We saw, tasted and felt the world we only believed was Attenboroug's.
Grassroots has something for everyone.
It didn't cost the earth but it was value for us three hopefulls.
Thanks to all the people we met on the way.
DE
Email Melanie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely perfect safari trip!
At first we thought, there must be a hook on the 6-day big southern Safari by Grassroots, because to the compared to others cheaper prize AND at the same time the term "private safari". But shortly it turned out, that it was the best idea ever, to do the trip with Grassroots Safaris! The E-Mail contact with Mickey, the organizer, was quick, friendly and trustworthy, and then in Tansania it all went great.
Our driver was really nice and knowledged about the wildlife, our chef did absolutely perfect African cooking and we really enjoyed our private safari tour a lot! We saw so much of the country because of the long distances driving, experienced wonderful wildlife in Ruaha park without many other tourists and loved the walking in Udzungwa mountains.
I can really recommend Grassroots - they did a great job and we had a wonderful time on our holidays!
ES
Email Pedro | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We did a lot of activities and saw a greatful number of animals in few days.
We (two persons) made a private safari at the beginning of August visiting Udzungwa Mountains,Iringa,Ruaha NP and Mikumi NP.During six days we had an amazing experience. Our driver and guide Fikiri was a very safe driver and an excellent guide.Thanks to him we saw a lot of animals included a leopard.Asha was our chef and she prepared us excellent vegetarian dishes.
Ruaha NP is a very big park where we had the occasion to see a lot of elephants, giraffes, zebras,baboons,a lion, lionesses with cups,a hyena, jackals and many more.A great number of animals and very few tourists.
The trekking experience through Udzungwa Mountains was very interesting and we saw wonderful sights of the forrests and mountains.
In Mikumi NP we saw also a large number of animals included a leopard.
The accomodation was always very nice. The best for me was the Ruaha Bandas beside the river Ruaha where we saw every day different herds of elephants,hippos,zebras and other animals.
The planning of the safari was perfect and promply made by Micky who answered all my questions by e mail before we arrived at Dar es Salaam and also talked to us on the phone at the end of the safari asking us if we had a good time.We were very satisfied with our holidays in the south of Tanzania.
Email Ian Briggs | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great 3 day safari to Mikumi
Grassroots arranged a 3 day safari to Mikumi. It was a private safari for our family of 4 adults.
Our driver/guide was Kenneth and he was great. He was a safe driver and made sure that we saw all the animals we wanted to - including the lions. Kennet picked us up as arranged in Dar and dropped us back to our hotel south of Dar.
We stayed just outside Mikumi at Camp Bastian. The accommodation was in basic huts but they were clean and the food was great. We felt very safe and the staff were efficient and friendly.
The safari was great value - I am pretty sure we could not have done it cheaper if we had arranged everything ourselves.
Mikumi itself feels fairly small and this year they have burnt a lot of the grasslands. As a result it is easy to see the wildlife but the outlook is a bit bleak.
Overall, we highly recommend Grassroot Safaris as a trustworthy and good value company.
AT
Email Elisabeth | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 6-day safari to Ruaha NP, Mikumi NP and Udzungwa Mountains
Our safari to Ruaha NP, Mikumi NP and Udzungwa Mountains exceeded our expectations by far, it was an amazing experience. We're really greatful to the team for having made our safari so unforgettable and can only highly recommend Grassroots Safaris to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania.
Here are more details:
Wildlife
July seems to be a great time for visiting the above mentioned national parks: We got to see way more animals than we had ever possibly hoped for! There's lots of elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, water bucks, impalas, hippos, crocodiles, wart hogs, wilderbeests etc. We got lucky and even spotted lions with a cup, a hyena, a cheetah, a leopard, ostriches, a pelican, a buffalo, a pelican, jackals and many more.
Food & accomodation
We had our own chef with us, Asha, who prepared excellent meals for us. She even made sure to prepare vegetarian food for us when she realized we didn't like meat so much. Even though Asha cooked really well, there was always more then enough food. We also got the chance twice to help her with the shopping at the local markets in Morogoro and Iringa.
Our accomodation was always very nice. We particularly enjoyed staying at Ruaha Bandas for two nights where elephants and hippos sometimes walk through the camp (the guides always make sure that you're safe). As the camp is situated next to a river, you could just sit in little pavillions and watch animals such as hippos, zebras, elephants and giraffes when you're not on a game drive.
The first night we camped at a campsite, which we enjoyed a lot as there were local people making music and dancing. The atmosphere was amazing and many people joined in. Our tent was huge and we didn't sleep in a sleeping bag. Instead, they provided us with mattresses, pillows and blankets, so it was very comfortable.
One night we spent at a hotel in Iringa where we even had wifi in the main area.
Our last night we spent at our own little bungalow with a nice veranda in Camp Bastian in Mikumi". The camp looks like a big, beautiful garden and you have your meals at tables outside under the sky. So relaxing!
Driving and safety
Fikiri (our driver and guide) is a great guy who you can have a lot of fun with. He picked us up from the airport in Dar es Salaam and we started the safari right away. He explained lots of things en route - I think there was no single question he couldn't answer. He knows a lot about all the animals and plants, but he never bored us. ;) He's also an excellent driver and we felt very safe at all times.
Our jeep (a 4x4) was perfect for the safari. You could fold up the roof, so it was possible to take great pictures in the national parks while being in the shade.
Team and Communication
Grassroot safaris has an amazing team - Fikiri is an amazing driver and guide, Asha is a great cook and Micky made sure we had the perfect itinerary for our time frame and budget.
Micky planned our itinerary for us and answered all our questions promptly. He provided us with lots of information and we felt very well-prepared. He even talked to us on the phone during the safari to make sure we were having a great time.
Value
We payed about 1.100$ per person in a group of two, which is a great price for a six-day safari. It includes all entrance fees, accomodation and food, so only tips are extra. We are more than satisfied with what we got to see and do for that price, the value is great!
AT
Email Elisabeth and Lee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 6-day safari to Ruaha NP, Mikumi NP and Udzungwa Mountains
Our safari to Ruaha NP, Mikumi NP and Udzungwa Mountains exceeded our expectations by far, it was an amazing experience. We're really greatful to the team for having made our safari so unforgettable and can only highly recommend Grassroots Safaris to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania.
Here are more details:
Wildlife
July seems to be a great time for visiting the above mentioned national parks: We got to see way more animals than we had ever possibly hoped for! There's lots of elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, water bucks, impalas, hippos, crocodiles, wart hogs, wilderbeests etc. We got lucky and even spotted lions with a cup, a hyena, a cheetah, a leopard, ostriches, a pelican, a buffalo, a pelican, jackals and many more.
Food & accomodation
We had our own chef with us, Asha, who prepared excellent meals for us. She even made sure to prepare vegetarian food for us when she realized we didn't like meat so much. Even though Asha cooked really well, there was always more then enough food. We also got the chance twice to help her with the shopping at the local markets in Morogoro and Iringa.
Our accomodation was always very nice. We particularly enjoyed staying at Ruaha Bandas for two nights where elephants and hippos sometimes walk through the camp (the guides always make sure that you're safe). As the camp is situated next to a river, you could just sit in little pavillions and watch animals such as hippos, zebras, elephants and giraffes when you're not on a game drive.
The first night we camped at a campsite, which we enjoyed a lot as there were local people making music and dancing. The atmosphere was amazing and many people joined in. Our tent was huge and we didn't sleep in a sleeping bag. Instead, they provided us with mattresses, pillows and blankets, so it was very comfortable.
One night we spent at a hotel in Iringa where we even had wifi in the main area.
Our last night we spent at our own little bungalow with a nice veranda in Camp Bastian in Mikumi". The camp looks like a big, beautiful garden and you have your meals at tables outside under the sky. So relaxing!
Driving and safety
Fikiri (our driver and guide) is a great guy who you can have a lot of fun with. He picked us up from the airport in Dar es Salaam and we started the safari right away. He explained lots of things en route - I think there was no single question he couldn't answer. He knows a lot about all the animals and plants, but he never bored us. ;) He's also an excellent driver and we felt very safe at all times.
Our jeep (a 4x4) was perfect for the safari. You could fold up the roof, so it was possible to take great pictures in the national parks while being in the shade.
Team and Communication
Grassroot safaris has an amazing team - Fikiri is an amazing driver and guide, Asha is a great cook and Micky made sure we had the perfect itinerary for our time frame and budget.
Micky planned our itinerary for us and answered all our questions promptly. He provided us with lots of information and we felt very well-prepared. He even talked to us on the phone during the safari to make sure we were having a great time.
Value
We payed about 1.100$ per person in a group of two, which is a great price for a six-day safari. It includes all entrance fees, accomodation and food, so only tips are extra. We are more than satisfied with what we got to see and do for that price, the value is great!
Email Mycaela & Gregory | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience - Selous 3 day safari
We had a great time on the 3 day Selous safari. We stayed at Jimbiza Lodge for two nights which was lovely - The food there was really nice and the staff were very friendly. There were quite a few creepy crawlies in the room so be aware of this if you are frightened - I am not a fan of insects myself but it wasn't really a big issue. On the first night we did the boat safari which was great, followed by an early morning walking safari which was really interesting. The last part of the safari was a full day game drive which was really exciting! The whole trip was such a great experience and we loved every moment of it!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What an amazing way to seeing the best Tanzania has to offer!!!
We had a wonderful time on safari it was amazing!!! The children loved seeing the abundance of animals and really enjoyed the roof of the 4WD being up and driving open air!!!
Fikiri was great, met us promptly at Firefly and informed us of what to expect. He is a very safe and considerate driver who took all our needs into consideration. We all felt very safe in his hands. He found animals in the Serengeti with ease and got us as close as we could get and still showing respect to the animals and their space.
It was just wonderful how you were able to design and cater a trip that suited our family just perfectly. The accommodation was really lovely and the food was perfect. I was even catered for with my gluten free.
Alex was also just brilliant and we all enjoyed his knowledge and relaxed nature with the children.
As a whole we were very pleased with the organisation and the care taken with our family.
We will definitely be recommending your company to anyone who might need a safari company.
Thank you again, it was a terrific experience.
TR
Email Louis and Daniela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience with amazing people
I never usually write reviews as often you think they are created by the people from the company. So I always think it's best to go with your gut instinct! But, this is a company that deserves a review.
Myself and my girlfriend went on a 3 day Safari to Mikumi national park. We had the experience of a lifetime.
We were met at the airport by a representative of the company and taken to a house where we could rest for a few hours after a long flight.
In the morning we were met by Keneth our guide and started our tour.
Keneth was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, affable and very proud of his job and country.
A long the way he not only introduced us to the animals but also his country and it's people.
It was a fascinating experience to learn about Tanzania, Africa and the animals from a local.
Mikumi National park was a wonder and we managed to see all the animals we dreamed of. Even if we hadn't it wouldn't have mattered as it was fantastic just to be in their environment.
Grassroots safaris were amazing from start to finish! Micky handled all of our requests and questions and managed to organise everything in the short time frame I gave him. The food accommodation and hospitality were far above anything we expected in the price
They went above and beyond the call of duty and even looked after us when I contacted them from Zanzibar when Dani broke her leg.
It was always a dream of mine to go on safari and this was a great start and I will be back for more.
I cannot recommend Micky, Keneth and Grass Roots highly enough.
Thanks for making a dream of mine come true.
We look forward to coming back for more.
Many many thanks!!