Faustin tour and travel tanzania southern safaris
Faustin Tour and Travel
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Anita & Juergen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Breathtaking South Tanzania Safari
We have made very good experience with Faustin. The driver/guide Davis was outstanding, he allways picked us up in time, he cleaned the vehicle everyday, his knowledge about flora, fauna, country and people was excellent, we felt always safe and he took allways care about us in a perfect way. The vehicle was ideally suited, the accommodations well chosen. All in all well and at a good price. Our expectations were exceeded. The only point of criticism: The travel plan was not quite agree with the actual flow. At the end we got a complemantary additional half day iland tour in Dar-es-Salaam, and he took us personaly to the airport which was also not included in our deal. Thanks again Faustin & Davis!
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Zanzibar and Mikumi Holiday
We booked via Faustin after discussing our requirements with him as we required a bespoke solution rather than one of his advertised tours.
I booked the flights to and from Zanzibar independently as it suited our travel plans, Faustin was helpful in providing information to help book.
I arranged the rest of the booking (hotels, transfers, tours etc) with Faustin directly. I paid 50% in advance via transfer and paid the rest when I arrived in Tanzania.
Faustin was very helpful and accommodating in booking the trip and the different parts, and was aware of our requirements as we were travelling around southern Tanzania independantly (especially that we had to be back in Dar Es Salaam for a flight in the afternoon of our final day.
The trip could not have been better, we arrived at Zanzibar airport for the first part of the holiday and were met by Faustin's team in Zanzibar at the airport where they transferred us to the Amaan beach bungalows (as recommended by Faustin) And although it was quite a distance from the airport it was worth it, it was a lovely beach location and a good quality hotel which had a pol as well as access to the beach. The hotel had good food (there were also other hotels close by for food as well). We just relaxed the first day but there are plenty of activities (snorkelling etc) that are available.
Our second day was the spice tour ans stone town tour. The driver was there to meet us at the agreed time and took us to the spice tour which was really good, we then went to Stonetown tour which although interesting was not as good as the spice tour and lasted longer than we wanted. The driver took us back to the hotel and made good time.
The third day was our trip back to Dar (via our own booked flights) for the trip to Mikumi. The driver was there at the hotel to pick us up as agreed to get to the airport in time, and when we arrived in Dar Faustin was there to meet us with the driver to take us to Mikumi. We needed to get some food so Faustin took us to the other terminal to get some food before the long drive to Mikumi.
Although the Land Cruiser did not have Air conditioning it was quite comfortable and with the windows open remained cool for the journey. The drive was long and we got to the game park after about 5 and a half hours - due to the time we could not go into the game park, but we were able to stop (frequently) on the side of the main road through the park to view some of the animals (Impala, giraffe, elephant, zebra) were all seen from the main road. We stayed at the Mikumi Safari Lodge which is about 30 mins from the main road (via an offroad track that requires a four by four!) So we finally got to the hotel about 7 and half hours after setting off from Dar.
The welcome from the hotel staff was great and they were able to get food ready for us quickly, they could not do enough for us. The rooms are all separate buildings and are joined by a path so we were glad we had bought torches with us, as although there are some lights it is quite dark going between the buildings. The rooms were good (large and spacious) with a nice shower with Hot water. The food (dinner, breakfast and the packed lunches) were very good with a good selection available.
The next day was our full day safari at the game park, so we set off early in the morning. We had a knowledgeable guide with us (arranged by Faustin) who accompanied us throughout the day and guided our driver through the park to get the best views. We were lucky as we saw a lot of animals including Lions, Giraffe,Monkeys, Elephants (which we saw very close up), Hippo, Crocodiles, but we did not see the leopards.
During the safari we went to the on site hotel / restaurant to have our lunch (I had the packed lunch but my family preferred to pay for a restaurant lunch!
We finished the safari in the early afternoon having seen loads and returned to the hotel for dinner and an early night as we had agreed an early start with Faustin in order to get back to Dar Es Salaam for our flight home. The hotel staff also got up early to provide us with breakfast before our trip (they could not have been more helpful and friendly at the Mikumi safari Lodge).
We set off on time (I had allowed for contingency in the time as we really needed to get the plane) The trip took us 6 and a half ours in total so we made it in plenty of time , but I was glad we had some contingency as the roads are not great and the speed limit is low, there were also two hold ups on our trip (truck accidents) that held us up 30- 40 mins and could have been more. There also seem to be a lot of punctures so you need to leave plenty of time and not cut it too fine.
Overall we were very pleased with the holiday and with Faustin and his team who were always on time and did what they could to make our holiday great. The Hotels were both good but the Mikumi Safari Lodge deserves a special mention for the Staff and welcome that we had.
Thanks Faustin for helping make a great holiday (although tiring) for my family and I.
US
Email Julia | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing experience I would highly recommend.
It exceeded expectations. Everything was thought out so well, and we always knew what was happening. It was so fun and informative and the food was amazing.
AT
Email Irene | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Faustin made our stay in Zanzibar wonderful
We met Faustin in Zanzibar who gave us a warm welcome to this beautiful island. He arragend everything perfectly for us and we also did a very nice tour with him. The service was great and I would recommend anybody to chose Faustin tours.
faustin tours&travel is the best tour in Tanzania,it was a wonderfull vacation with my family.
communication was excellent we get communication signal all over, good serviceand nice food, we get everything fresh,the service I get and everything it was above and beyond of my expectation we really enjoy wi my family hope to travel again with faustintours all over the national park mikumi,selous ,ngorongoro , all the best hope to see you next year again.
DE
Email Christian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spectacular impressions from Tanzania
We stayed for 14 days in Tanzania for safari and beach time on zanzibar a and these days had been one of the best in life. Faustin is very well connected, and knows many good places. He organised the safari including driver and accommodation as well as our stay in Zanzibar very flexible based on our wishes. And all this via email between tansania and Germany. The organisation was absolutely perfect, we stayed in cozy, clean lodges and our driver, Davis, who drove with us through selous, mikumi and ruaha national park was very friendly and showed us the beauty of the wildlife with all of his passion and experience. I highly recommend Faustin for all persons, who want to really "feel" Tanzania. It was a blast. Thank you again for this experience. Iam pretty sure it was not the last time, I visited Tanzania.
Well-organized safari with amazing guide
We liked...
- Patrick is an amazing driver, a very positive, appreciative and helpful person and had great knowledge regarding the animals which he was eager to share. All in all very happy to be with him.
- car was in good condition
- all lodges (especially Mikumi safari lodge) are very recommendable and had a good standard
- procedures were uncomplicated
All in all we are satisfied with tour.
Areas where Faustin could improve:
- after having paid the remaining 70% in cash on site, it definitely would have been necessary to hand out receipt for the payment. The digital invoice with the cost split was not sufficient and for reserving it, it caused some discussion (and should be common practice)
- the hiking with Maasai in the uluguru mountains did not take place which was a pity and which is different to the description given on safari booking
Email Karol, Sean, Peter and Drew | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable experience
Everything was amazing and well organised during the tour and safari.
Communications between the company and us was extremely good with quick and regular responses.
The whole experience definetly lived up to expectations.
The lodge was out of this world and the food was amazing.
The tour guides were very friendly and showed great knowledge and care.
Highly recommend using Faustin tour and travel for your tour guides and safari's.
DE
Email Sabrina ans felix | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very friendly , very acurate, dependebly
We Had a Great Time with Faustin . He had very good Guides in the Parks . All of Them ans faustin were Very friendly , very acurate ans very dependebly.
Email Chloe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, smooth, painfree and unforgettable experience!
I was visiting Zanzibar for work initially (solo traveler) and, despite a tight schedule, I thought it would be a shame to travel all the way from London to East Africa and miss out on a once in a lifetime experience.
I started looking at safari prices and most of them were very dear or complicated to organise. I came across Faustin Tours randomly as I landed on safaribookings.com. My requirements were simple: I wanted to do a 3 day long safari in the middle of my Zanzibar business trip, I wanted all the meals to be included and ideally was looking for something that would cost me less than $1000.
Willst other tour operators seem to charge a fortune without the meals to be included, I sent a quote request to Faustin Tours for a private safari, and Faustin, the owner, happened to reply within 10 minutes. He was extremely kind and sent me a quote and after kindly asking where i would come from (directly from London or from the continent) explained that he could arrange for a taxi to pick me up from my Zanzibar hotel and to take me to the airport and back.
Faustin was extremely nice, easy going, very patient and super quick to reply (expect a reply within 20 minutes!) even advised me on which plane to take from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam.
After agreeing on everything, I was sent an invoice and requested to pay a 50% deposit via bank transfer.
I arrived in Zanzibar at the end of October 2017 and my safari started on November 6th. Faustin kindly got in touch with me 2 days before the trip, asking whether I had landed safely, and for address and pick up details.
The day of the trip, my flight was at 6:30 and departing from Zanzibar airport. Faustin’s driver picked me up at 4:30 from my Makundunchi hotel and we drove for just over an hour. I arrived at the hotel on time for my flight. The flight from Zanzibar to Dar is a 18 minute flight, and I paid just over $130 (I didn’t want to deal with all the ferry hustle and bustle).
Faustin himself picked me up, and after introducing me to my driver, he explained that I would be alone for the safari! AMAAAAAZING! It would be the driver, the guide and I!
We sorted out the invoicing and I paid the remaining balance, and here began my trip with Johnny, the driver. The trip from Dar to Mikumi National part was 6 hour long. I was at the back of the car and got all the time to sleep and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Africa whilst on the road that links Tanzania to Zambia.
We stopped at Morogoro for a quick breakfast at 11ish and arrived at the park at 2pm, where I was taken to a cottage for lunch.
My guide, Nova, was absolutely lovely. Young chap, very smart and knowledgeable. Him and Johnny had that connection that made the trip even more fun. I was taken to the game drive at 3 pm and here it started!
Nova explained that it was a “game”drive and that I may or may not see all the animals. However, I was in luck that day: after seeing hundreds of impalas, we came across zebras, giraffes, buffalos and ONE lion. I was so excited to take all these pictures (make sure you carry a professional camera, and not a phone).
I was driven to my hotel at 6pm, had food and passed out. The hotel was cute but the window had stayed open all day long and I came across 5 cockroaches around the bed. The next morning, I had breakfast over there and mentioned the cockroach incident to Nova and John who picked me up at 6:30am. Nova immediately spoke to the receptionist who arranged for a cockroach-free room to be given to me that same evening.
We headed to the safari and got there at 7 am ish. All the animals we missed the day before were there and i got to take amazing pictures of them: lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, buffalos... it was a dream
Come true! We even got really close to a lion and a lioness, and witnessed a lazy intimidating attempt of the lion wishing to get closer to a group of zebras.
After lunch that day, and after having seen every animal I wanted to see, I asked Nova whether we could visit the Masai tribe. Both him and the driver were quite flexible, I was taken to the cash point and withdraw about $70, and off we were. The visit of the Masai camp is possibly one of my best memories ever. Seeing all these kids, and mummies showing me around, playing with me, dancing and singing for me, taking pictures and videos and spending time with me was extremely emotional. I wish I had taken toys or stationery along with me. The mums offered to dress me as a Masai woman and gave me all the jewellery accessories so I can fit right in.
We stayed with them for just under two hours and I was driven back to the hotel whilst trying to realise what I had just had the chance to see and live.
I headed to my new hotel room which was much better and said bye to Nova. I had dinner there and was driven back to Dar airport the next day at 6:30 am. We stopped at Morogoro again for a juice and toilet and picked Faustin up on our way to the airport.
Once at the airport, Faustin directed me to the correct check in counter and showed me where I could grab lunch before my flight. I said bye to both him and Johnny and left.
My flight to Zanzibar was delayed by 3 hours, I was in touch with Faustin who was able to alert the driver that was supposed to pick me up from Zanzibar airport and drive me to my Makundunchi hotel.
Once I landed, the driver was waiting for me and we headed Back to the hotel.
As previously stated, this safari really is one of the best thing I have experienced in life. Very well done to Faustin for making a dream come true by providing a painless, smooth, professional and top quality customer service. I would recommend Faustin tours to anyone wishing to go on a game drive :).
Nova, Johnny, and Faustin: thank you for everything!
