Frank Mella - Kilele Savane Director and family
Kilele Savane
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $140 to $1,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Sandy Hatfield Clubb from Drake University | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Global Kilimanjaro Bowl
Frank Mella from Kilele Savane provided extraordinary leadership and service to our group of more than 150 people. We traveled two football teams and all supporting staff from the USA and Mexico to Tanzania. Frank coordinated all the ground transportation, hotel arrangements, a trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro, and a safari journey for what was likely the largest group ever hosted for a similar two week experience. Every need was met to the highest level. Our group was safe and the customer service was extraordinary. I would travel with Kilele Savane anywhere on earth!
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Email Brad | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You couldn't be in better hands
I have had the pleasure of visiting Tanzania twice. Once for safari and once to climb Kilimanjaro.
On both occasions, my tours were managed by Frank Mella and his great staff. They are very friendly, knowledgeable about the wildlife and will gladly work with you to customize your trip to meet your interests. You really know that they want you to be completely satisfied with your trip. If you plan on climbing Kilimanjaro, you couldn’t ask for better guides than Frank and his team. They will see to it that you get to the top safely and at a pace you are comfortable with. I had some difficulty on the day to the summit, but my guide was very patient and encouraging. The guides also help make a long day of hiking very fun and provide great food along the way. I highly recommend Kilele Savane. I can’t wait to go back again--- nothing but 5 stars for this outfit.
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Email Tiziana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great and touching experience
Kilele Safari has been a fantastic experience and holiday in the nature and traditions of Tanzania. Excelent tour guide and driver. Hopefully we will do it again!
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Email Dolph Hatfield | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Very Best of the Best
I climbed Kilimanjaro on the Rongai route for my 70th birthday along with my son-in-law in 2007. Frank Mella was my guide. I climbed far more slowly than the others, especially on the trek from Kibo to the crater. I spent 13 hrs on this segment of the climb. Frank stayed with me every step and put his heavy jacket around me every time I stopped to insure that I did not get hypothermia as it was extremely cold. I owe him my life to Frank for the success of making it to the summit and for carefully monitoring me physically to be sure that I was in no danger.
I've been of safari with Frank's company on two occasions: Once in 2009 with a colleague and once in 2014 with my wife. Both safaris were outstanding. In 2009, we went on a camping tour and enjoyed it immensely, and in 2014, my wife and I stayed in lodges or camping facilities on the preserves. As this was my wife's first safari (she loved it and enjoyed the lengths that our driver [David] went to for us to see the big five and many other animals, and for our comfort in staying in outstanding lodging, camping facilities and eating excellent cuisine. These were my fourth and fifth safaris (one other in Tanzania and two others in South Africa and Botswana). The two safaris with Kilene Savane LTD were by far the best I ever have been on. Only the highest rating possible traveling with Kilene Savane, either climbing and/or on safari. There is an old saying, once you've been to East Africa, you will always return. I've found that to be true, and if you climb and/or travel with Kilene Savane, it will guarantee that you will return to this most beautiful, wonderful and hospitable country.
CA
Email Arzu | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Customer service and very professional
We had occasion to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro on August 9th. 2014 and had it not been for this outfitter, we would not have accomplished such a feat. We had started to prepare for the climb about a year befire and spent much time determining which outfitter to use. We were concerned because 4 of the 5 climbers in our group were over 55 and one, who was 67, had a heart condition. Our tour operator had recommended Kilele Savane, but we found scant information on the web about this outfitter. We asked for references, which were supplied, but none responded to our inquiries. We also asked a bunch of questions about equipment, food, conditions etc. and all were answered very professionally. In the end we decided to take the plunge after the tour operator mentioned that the owner of Kilele, Frank Mella, had himself been a guide, climbed the mountain hundreds of times in 20 years and that her own daughter had used this outfit.
It turns out that our fears were unfounded - we could not have asked for a better team. We had 19 porters, a cook, two assistant guides and a head guide - a total of 23 support team members. The guides were incredible with a total of over 500 climbs between them. Without their expertise and patience, we would not have made this grueling ascent or descent.
Other little things made such a difference to our experience. Flight delays and lost luggage were handled with ease. Frank himself provided ground transportation to a late-arriving participant, taking him directly to the gate so he could catch up to the rest. He also provided his own sleeping bag, back pack and poles to one whose luggage did not make it. Then there were the times when Patrick (aka Marathon Man) brought us tea one hour before we reached each camp just to lift our sagging spirits. Last, but not least, were the delicious meals and snacks provided by out Masai cook Samson and served by the ever-considerate Ezron. What a team!
I would not hesitate to recommend Kilele Savane and the three guides that made all the difference - John Lyimo , Nyanda Benedicto and Ruta. Their strength, sensitivity and knowledge were astounding.
Exceptional organization with a great team : 3 weeks organized by Franck Mella and it was wonderful
We asked Franck Mella to organize our 3 weeks journey to Kenya mount + Animals park + Kilimandjara + Zanzibar and result was outstanding!! Great team during montaineering and excellent housing booked in Zanzibar. Special key points was good mood of all the team (guide, porters etc...) and also expetional flexibility of Franck when we asked him to bring some late changes to our planning. Result was we successfully arrived at the top of Kenya mount and Kilimandjaro and Zanzibar trip was great. So I warmly recommend you organize your journey with Franck and his team ; guaranatee of successes!!!
By the way Just I'm not part of Franck's family or friends so no personal interest in my testimony :-)
Merveilleux voyage
We were delighted with our family trip with Kilele Savane (with children 4 , 10 and 12).
The safari has allowed us to discover all the wildlife with a guide speaking French and knowing perfectly the parks amidst few tourists , Tanzania is still preserved from mass tourism ... The lodge was also selected extra ... Frank is very attentive and responded to all our expectations, I advise everyone to take this trip .
FR
Email colette gailliegue | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Seriousness, listening our expectations, guides passionate and very helpfulbeautiful program accordi
Serious company which we recommend:
Magnifique Safari! guide passionate and very helpful .
Fauna( of an incredible diversity that we have been able to approach very closely
beautiful program according to our rhythm ( 2 persons)
Very beautiful discoveries Massai, fauna , flora
accommodation comfortable adapted to the various situations.
Email Stefan Braun | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
One item less on our bucket list...thanks to Kilele Savane
My buddy and I, ages 61 and 52, summited Mount Kilimanjaro on the 3rd October 2015 at 12h05...
We opted to book our trek via the Northern Circuit and in the most comfortable way possible, which required numerous details to be met before and during our trip, which Frank Mella attended to most reliably.
We are also incredibly grateful to our Guide John Lyimo, who came up with the most brilliant idea to veer away from the traditional midnight departure from camp on the summit night, in favour of leaving at first light the following morning! This did not only assist our ability to summit successfully, but further provided us with the unheard of pleasure of having Uhuru Peak completely to ourselves at midday!
Our team of 20 looked after us incredibly well and even sang us the Hakuna Matata song when we were a little dispirited from time to time, just to give us the courage to carry on.
All in all, this has been an awesome experience from start to finish and we are still trying to wipe the grins off our faces at having accomplished this feat...and once again herewith our thanks to Frank and his team at Kilele Savane.
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Email Raffaele | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable
We really enjoyed the safari, thanks to Frank and his team who made the tour a unique experience for us. They showed professionalism at each step of our trip, and managed very well all our additional requests. I strongly recommend this operator, due to their capability to really customize the travel based on your preferences.