Chabo Africa Safari
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 1997)
- Member Of:
- TTB & TANAPA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $95 to $1,050 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Benjamin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience in a group of four (plus guide)
What can I say? Our Trip to Ruaha National Park and Udzungwa Mountains was great! Our guide was Serafino, who is very experienced and also a funny, decent and modest guy.
Everything went fine (well, we had a flat tire at 60 mph but Serafino handled it very well, and his driving skills are excellent, by the way), Chabo Africa adapted our safari to our plans. We wanted to travel from Dar Es Salaam to Iringa by airplane, and wanted to leave Udzungwa by airplane, too, which went very well - thanks to Auric Air, who offer direct flights from Dar Es Salaam to Iringa and from Kilombero (Udzungwa) to Dar Es Salaam.
The tour was totally worth the price, since we saw all of the big animals which are present in Ruaha National Park (even a Leopard, thanks to a hilarious collaboration between Sarafino and Ernesto, who spotted a Leopard in a tree during their talk while standing side-by-side with their cars, chatting). July is a great month to travel to Ruaha, since it is not rainy season anymore but there is still enough water making it worthwhile for the game to hang around or go for a hunt. There were also lots of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and lions of course (we even saw those.. "cuddling"). The Udzungwa Mountains included some serious hiking (well, at least for us, it was, since we did not expect it to be that exhausting :-)). But the waterfalls and the views were totally worth it!
The mornings and the evenings were also very funny since we had the company of Serafino and sometimes also Ernest, who guided a Belgian group through the same areas simultaneously. The accommodations had a great value for the money, but we did book the budget option, so we did not expect much.
Many tour operators from Tanzania had major trouble with a new tax law that was introduced on very short notice in summer 2016. Due to the new rules, we had to pay an extra 10 % because there was an extra tax on accommodations which cause the majority of the costs. Since my wife lived in Tanzania for 6 months prior to our tour, always reading the newspapers, we knew that this was no scheme or something, but many customers became suspicious and cancelled their tours (instead they booked in nearby Kenia or Zambia, where taxes were not increased).
All in all, we would like to thank Chabo Safari for our great trip. It was a real adventure for us, since three out of four have never been outside of Europe before. My slightly younger sister is extremely frightened of flying (including crying, refusing to board in the first place etc.) but she went through all of that. Afterwards she said that she would do it all again, since she never saw something even remotely exciting like the wildlife in Tanzania.
US
Email Lilly Olson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
BiBi is taking her family to Tanzania; everyone in our group, ages 9- 82 had a great time!
Communications were prompt and informative during the planning of our trip. I had been to TZ 8 times so knew what I wanted to experience with my family. Chabo was very helpful in working within my budget and planning an efficient daily schedule for us. Our driver/guides Ernest and Modest were engaging with all members of our group. They were prompt, our lodging was excellent, guides had a wealth of knowledge and were great at spotting game out on the vast Serengeti.
The final day of our trip, two of the grandchildren were ill with fever and aching, feeling lethargic. When asked about the possibility of Malaria, they agreed that the two should be tested. They found a place that did the testing with results in 20 min., one tested positive and they promptly found a pharmacy that provided the medication and Modest interpreted the instructions carefully for us. Even tho there were 2 nurses and a medical Dr. in the group, they were not familiar with tropical diseases so having their (Modest and Ernest) concern and expertise was important to us in finding a lab to do the testing and a pharmacy for the medication.
SE
Email Anders | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Four days of amazing safari in Ruaha NP
After visiting Ruaha for safari for four days in the end of June, we would like to thank you for a very good arrangement!
Especially we appreciate our guide Frank, who took very good care of us. He appeared to have very good experience and knowledge about not only the big animals, but also birds and smaller mammals, and even bees.
He also showed very good understanding for the kids, and always put security first.
Furthermore, the accommodation was fully satisfying, also a special thanks to our chef, for supplying us with nice food.
We find the arrangement well worth the money spent, and also appreciate the help with transport and hotel-booking before and after.
It was an experience of a lifetime for us, and we will happily recommend Chabo Safari to our friends, and hope to see you again in the future.
Best regards
Anders Sandberg
Anna Löfroth
Lund
Sweden
AT
Email Stefanie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Safari-experience, worth all the money!
We (4 girls) spent 2 1/2 days at the Ruaha Nationalpark (2 days of gamedrive and a walking safari) with Chabo Africa. The communication via Email was okay, there were some misunderstandings but in the end everything worked out perfectly. Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and a bottle of water per day & person were included and the food was really delicious. If you want coffee or Softdrinks you should take some money with you, because you have to pay for them yourself. Chabo Africa picked us up in Iringa and after a bumpy 2 hours car ride we checked into the accommodation (nice and cheap bandas inside the national park with private bathroom - totally fine). Afterwards we had lunch and started with the gamedrive. We saw a lot of different animals (lions, leopard, elefants, zebras, giraffes and so on). Our driver was very reliable, on time and friendly, he showed us all the animals but he could have given us a little more information about them. All in all the price was good and really worth it because we had a beautiful trip and were very happy and satisfied. We are totally recommending Chabo Africa to everyone who wants to have a nice and "cheap" Safari and we would totally go with them again.
BE
Email Beniti and Jacqueline | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
if a dream could come true ... it happened on our safari!!!
From the moment we were picked up at the airport to the moment we returned, Chabo Africa Safari operated with enormous professionalism. Understanding that not all factors are within their control, our driver-guide Serafino and chef Salim conducted their tour with lots of courtesy, humor, and plenty of knowledge that definitely enhanced our experience. We visited Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro CA. We were able to see THE BIG FIVE and we drove through a countless number of animals: the migration. Our driver Serafino was responsive to our remarks and comments and if we happened to see something that we wanted to stop for. Being a photographer; Serafino stopped the jeep at the best possible locations. We camped in tents in the Parks where we were spoiled by our chef Salim. On the campsites we experience the true nature; animals close by and the beautiful landscape of the savannah. Thanks Serafino and Salim for all your efforts to give us a very good time!
DE
Email Christiane and Stephan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our first safari = Kitulo- and Ruaha-National-Parks on one safari have been a great experience
We booked a tour with ChaboAfrica 18.-23.February 2018 starting in Mbeya. SAM our marvellous guide picked us on time at our guesthouse, visiting then the Kitulo National-Park with its wonderful orchids and other plants. An exciting adventure was to find an unexpected overwhelming waterfall. With one stay in Iringa we went on to Ruaha National-Park. Sam was an excellent guide to find for instance lions, leopards, cheetahs and nice birds. We want to thank Sam and ChaboAfrika for the professional service starting with the first contact, and the unforgetable safari!!!
NL
Email Sylvia Sassen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect!
Thank you Alfonce for being our guide, very professional and kind. I could not think of a better start for the new year!
We were so lucky to see lions ands leopards. The bandas were nice, the food excellent, the views magnificent.
NL
Email Hans Wiltink | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent and thrilling
The program, service, communication and the guide Godfried were good. We've had an excellent trip of 5 days in the parc.
DE
Email Tobias Kirschbaum | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari- & Tanzania-Family-Experience: Couldn't be any better!
As a family of six (2 adults, 4 children aged 7 to 16), we have spent three weeks in Tanzania in July/August 2019, two of these we have been on safari with Cahbo Africa. Our tour got us from Selous via Mikumi to Ruaha National Park and was followed by a trekking tour in the Udzungwa mountains. In the parks we stayed in tents on the so-called "public" campingsites. We were accompanied by Sam, our guide and driver, and Salim who took charge of the cooking as our "doctor of the stomach" (as Sam put it - I'd have preferred "magician" though). In Chabo office Hilda was in charge of all organisation details.
The trip was in all aspects optimal and surplussed our expectations by far. From the first email contact and the first programme draft to the final version everything went just fine and on a high professional level. Any question arising before or during the trip were answered at once by Hilda.
Sam was simply perfect and awesome as a guide - being a very charismatic and empathic person, he looked very carefully after every member of our family group. He managed to meet all expectations and needs (and they were quite different with regard to the wide range of age!) and was able to answer all our questions concerning animals, plants and wildlife. Sam turned out to know all the locations we visited thoroughly by heart and led us along many paths way beyond the "standard routes". Meeting all kind of different animals (sometimes as close as elephants actually touching the Landcruiser with their trunks) was fascinating but never terrifying.
Samil was also amazing. We had expected some simple meals but were met in the mornings, at lunchtime and in the evening with meals that consisted of several courses every time. He even took up our special requests as for cooking bananas or the traditional Tanazian ugali which we had asked to try: He took us to the local market and at times even prepared the meals together with us - both adults and children! Samil even baked a birthday cake for our daughter on the open campfire! Amazing.
The tents were in excellent condition and very spacious. Chabo Africa provided matrasses and sheets, we had brought our own sleeping bags as nights can get quite chilly in Ruaha during July/August. Folding chairs and tables were stored in the Landrcuiser in big boxes, the "public" campsites were also well-equipped and very clean. - At nights we were as close to the wildlife as to hear the sounds of hippos and hyanae.
To finish off these crammed two safari weeks and to come up to all our experiences we spent some final days in Zanzibar's northern tip. This also was organized by Chabo Africa: the resort booked was just perfect for our family - quite quite, very friendly. And again all organisation was terrific.
Should we ever come back to Tanzania, we for sure will book again with Chabo Africa - and ask for Sam and Samil!
IT
Email Franco Rigotti and Agostino Cordano | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
"A wonderful experience : Katavi,Ruaha,Mafia NP "
We (a group of 5 adults) did a 16 days tour in Katavi , Ruaha NP with Mafia island at the end to see whale sharks with Chabo Africa of Iringa . We had carried out already safari in Botswana, Zimbawe, Zambia; Uganda ,then we had chosen the wild west,and south parks of Tanzania
The scenic and animal views ( 25 lions in a day) were well over the expectations and it also thanks to Sam ,a very skilled guide He was also a safe driver and always available .The tour was a success
The planning was well done by Hilda and also the contacts were easy and immediate .
Hilda was very efficient when Air Tanzania cancelled an internal flight . She solved the problem (effecting the program ) by an immediate alternative solution.
We were assisted also in Dar and their representative Anna also help us for the small needs (i.e. local sim purchase etc) .
Then we have experienced Chabo Africa as a fully reliable and advisable travel agency.and
we strongly recommend Sam as guide .
