"Benson Safaris: Thrilling Adventures Await!"
Benson Safaris Tanzania
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & IGS
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
EC
Email Maria | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience!!!
I was undecided between Tanzania and Kenya... Ever since the first minute communication with Bensons Safari with Pendo (unbelievably kind and efficient) or Benson was flawless and super fast and they convinced me about Tanzania. They arranged an amazing adventure for us in Tanzania, unforgettable game rides guided by our friend Peter, not only a professional and knowledgeable guide, but a wonderful human being, who now we call our friend!!!. My kids 17,15 and 10 managed to see all the animals in their wish list!!.
Special mention to Lahia Tented Lodge accommodations also and particularly the staff, Jesse,Eva, Joyce Ashura,James,Veronica and
Salomon... all of them made us feel pampered and special, they truly look that they love what they do and the privileged place they take care of!!. Our only regret was that our stay was too short.
I’ve always thought that an African Safari was a one and only lifetime experience but now thanks to Bensons team I know that hopefully this was only the first of many more to come ... unforgettable Tanzania!!
Email Andrew | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We experienced tailored service from start to finish
We had no idea about what to look for in a safari holiday, so we got quotes from a number of operators we found on the web. All we told them was our planned dates. We went with Bensons because their response was full of positive suggestions and a detailed itinerary from the off. Pendo was a very responsive correspondent as we thrashed out the final itinerary and she got us hotels in all the price brackets we requested, mostly mid-range but one luxury two-night stay.
The only question mark in our minds at this stage was over payment of the deposit (and subsequently the balance of the account); if a potential client does not have a first-hand recommendation, it does feel a little risky to transfer large sums of money overseas to people we have never met! Surely there is a way to facilitate credit card payments? PS FYI sending scans of cards isn't a lot more reassuring than money transfers.
All that said, we couldn't fault the care taken of us when we got to Tanzania (a late arrival due to a missed connection was accommodated seamlessly). Throughout, we were in the care of our guide Amini, and travelling in a very comfortable Land Cruiser. We started with a long day's drive (10 hours) to the Western Serengeti. Even though this must have been a challenge for Amini, he still accommodated our desires to stop regularly to see wildlife, just because it was the first time for us, although he knew better views were available later in the trip. The Lahia Tented Lodge was a very special experience, all-inclusive with great service and excellent facilities, perched on a commanding bluff.
Amini took us for two days seeing every animal the Serengeti had to offer, we visited a Masai village then Ngorongoro, a staggering "lost world" where we enjoyed picnicking next to the hippo pool. Then we went to Lake Manyara, experiencing our only disappointment of the safari in not seeing tree-climbing lions (no fault of Benson's!). After a night at the Farm of Dreams, we rounded off our tour with a tour round the village of Mto wa Mbu. We got a great insight into a number of traditional lifestyles and crafts, followed by a nice lunch. We did rather regret having bought wooden souvenirs at the African Galleria when we visited the very craftsmen who were making and selling those products!
In summary, we had a wonderful trip with a friendly and knowledgeable guide, and from initial enquiry until our departure we were well looked after throughout by Benson's.
US
Email Loretta | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Benson Safaris created an amazing trip for my family to celebrate my daughter's Make A Wish trip!
Our guide Nelson was wonderful and so knowledgeable about the Serengeti and the awesome wildlife that we saw each day. Nelson was great at spotting the animals and answering all of our questions. We loved our accommodations and especially enjoyed staying in the tents and seeing the zebras, elephants and wildebeests from our porch. The service at all of our lodgings was top notch. The Tanzanian people are very polite and extremely helpful. This was a trip of a life time for our family!
US
Email Jennifer Bennett | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience from start to finish
Thank you so much to Taz and the Benson Safaris Tanzania team for their support. The experience was really great especially for the time constraints in executing the trip. Taz was communicative and very supportive and thorough. I would highly recommend.
US
Email Roopesh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Pretty good, but not excellent
I selected Benson Safaris because i was looking for a local safari guide vs. using the ones affiliated with the US. i thought that they would be more economical. I asked a friend what he used, and he told me it was Benson Safaris. I selected the Luxery tent and lodge and i thought the price was better than if i had selected the one from the US. I give positive stars for all the good things they did. Pendo was quick to respond, which i liked. The positive stars are for all the things that they did good, as one would hope for. I'm cutting off some stars because I had indicated I was very interested in the Great Migration. I had actually wanted to see the river crossing,but i guess i didn't spell that out. When my friend told me he used Benson Safari, I went directly to their website. Their website does not have an option for choosing the Northern Serengeti Trail where i found out that was where I would see the River crossing. I only found out after the tour that option was available in this Safaribookings.com. I think that its silly not to have that option in their own website, which was where I went to directly. Otherwise I would have gone to Northern Serengeti to see the river crossing, which i really wanted to.
I also wasnt happy that after I made selections on the lodges, after making payment, i am told that they are booked, and i have to pick alternate lodges. The alternate lodges were good; but their locations were not as good as the original ones. And only after i reached Africa did that dawn on me. Location, location, location. For example, I had been told reservations were going to be made for Kubu Kubu; but after payment, i was told that place was booked, so i would be reserved for Lahia Tented lodge. It was under the same ownership, and the quality looked the same, so i said ok. Only during the tour did i realize Kubu Kubu was in Central Serengeti, which was where most of the big cats were. We lost a lot of time driving to Lahia. I was quite disappointed that we did not get to see much of Central Serengeti. My children had really wanted to see leopards and cheetahs. We saw one leopard. We did see a lot of lions (but that was mostly in Ngorongoro). Our jeep broke down in Serengeti too + got stuck in the mud. But i won't make much of an issue of that, because that was just bad luck. I liked our guide and the owner and the staff, but I wasnt able to get the experience i was looking for.
I went with my wife and 2 kids (9 yrs and 6 years). We were given double rooms but they were huge. Like I indicated above, we booked luxury lodges. Each room were huge. We only used one room.
The following is not really a review of the safari guide, but of the optional package selected. I had also gone to Oldovai Gorge, but I don't think it was worth the money. Also, it took away time. Also night time safari in Lake Manyara, didn't really think it was that great. We saw a hippo, some birds, a chameleon, some monkeys, but nothing great like a lion, etc. Even the day in Lake Manyara wasn't great. Didn't see any lions in mountains, etc.
My main disappointment is that due to the website, I didn't go to see the river crossing even though I had said I was interested in the great migration. And the time in Central Serengeti got limited due to various reasons, and therefore my kids didn't get to see leopards and cheetahs. One leopard. No rhino. I had gone to Tarangire Park, Lake Manyara Park, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
But I did give positive stars for quick communication; wanting to do the best; getting to see lots of lions in Ngorongoro crater; lots of elephants, and zebras, and wildebeests, and other animals.
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Email Vladimir Kogan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip!
Our family of 5 traveled to Tanzania for two weeks. We visited Tarangire, Serengeti National Parks, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manayara and Zanzibar. It was an unforgettable trip, which was arranged through and organized by Benson Safaris Tanzania, and to which we are so grateful for making it a remarkable and memorable adventure. Starting with Pendo, who was very patient and helpful in accommodating our ever-changing plans and schedule for the trip, and the owner of the company, Mr. Benson, who greeted us when we arrived, to our very knowledgeable and friendly guides Amini (during our safari trips) and Taib (our Zanzibar adventures in Stonetown, spice plantation, etc.) Our entire trip and all the tours were amazing, it was a life time experience, and we are very thankful to Benson Safaris Co. and all the people we met.
Email Gay AHMED | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience!
Pendo was excellent at answering questions in advance of our trip.
The accommodations were lovely. Our guide, Amini is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, calm and fun.
We saw a great range of animals. Amini wanted to make sure we were all happy with the extent of animals and time spent on safari. He was very amenable about timing.
CA
Email Cheryl | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Benson Safaris made our safari an unforgettable amazing experience
We booked a year ahead and had numerous questions.
Pendo was always good at responding promptly to all of them.
During the safari they made sure we were well taken care of.
Our guides Peter and Amini were always pleasant and catered to our requests.
The accommodations booked through Benson were amazing.
We were fortunate to meet Benson on our way to the airport. Just another gesture to show how much they care.
IL
Email Ziv | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We enjoyed a week of Safari which was extremely well organized
The communications before the trip were perefct: Clear and very effective. The service was very friendly and dedicated. The safari tour guide was professional and very knowledgeable.
We were a bit dissapointed we didn't see any leopard or hunting scene but that's not something that can be guaranteed.
CA
Email Rina and Frank | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly an amazing experience
From the start Pendo was terrific and very patiently and quickly answered our numerous questions. All our accommodations were exceptional with great food and amazing staff. Special thanks to our very knowledgeable and friendly guides Peter and Amini who made this trip so memorable. Each day (no matter how early) they met us with great enthusiasm and eager to show us more wildlife up close allowing for great pictures. During our drives we enjoyed many conversations regarding the wildlife and the environment not to mention all the laughter with their great sense of humor. We sincerely appreciate the hard work from all the staff at Benson Safaris in making this a very memorable trip.