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
FR
Email Joel carrier | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
very pleasant travel; Guide driververy professionnal et pleasant;
evertyhing was perfect, as we required. Lounges , driving, comments on the animals and wild life in Tanzania.
We'ill recommand Kilele Savane .
NP
Email loïc Almirall-Torrel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect organisation and very Nice guides
Perfect organisation and very Nice guides. All good, safari, kili summit. Lot of attention
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.
US
Email Zamira | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This tour changed my life!
This was my first time in Africa and although I have traveled to many countries I have no idea how beautiful and amazing my tour in Tanzania was going to be. I'm so glad I booked with Kilele Savane. The tour was very organized and professional. The price was extremely reasonable for everything that I got to see and do.
The tour started with a 6 day hike up Kilimanjaro. Our guides were terrific, the food that was prepared for us was delicious and healthy. It was magnificent to reach the roof of Africa!
After a day of rest we spent 3 days on safari and saw every possible animal sighting that you could see in this part of Africa, including 3 lions killing a couple of buffalo right before our eyes. It felt like we were on national geographic!
The owner of the company Frank, allowed us to customize the trip as much as we wanted. He was great to work with and so was everyone else who worked for him. I highly recommend using this tour company in Tanzania, don't even bother looking anywhere else!
Email ThuyHa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
safari in north of Tanzania
Very good safari packages and service, Frank and David have been really good with our family and all our visitors: speaking english or french language it is always a pleasure to travel with Kilele savane and we still have a sweet memory of our safari with them.
US
Email John from Pella, Iowa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome! My experince was better than I had expected by 10 times. It exceeded my wildest dreams.
I had heard extreme stories about these kinds of trips, both good and bad. My experience on this adventure was first class. From the minute we met, it exceeded my expectations. Awesome!
US
Email Tim Brockman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
the best tour guide in the world
From all the professional guides I've used from helicopter skiing in Canada to scuba diving 200 feet depth in Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, Kilele Savane Guides in Tanzania is the only professional tour guide I would recommend around the world. My time with them in a five park safari has changed my live, in a way you won't believe. If you go to Tanzania, from a professional traveler, go to Kiele Savane!!!
US
amazingly organized, professional, friendly and flexible--superb!
I worked with Frank Mella for about 18 months in preparation and production of the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl where we brought, and he handled, 194 travelers from the US and Mexico. This 17-day tour/event involved many facets which provided monumental challenges for him and his crew, and they handled them all with a casual professionalism rarely seen anywhere, in any business. They took care of every element from safaris, to Kili summit with 134 persons, American football game, training sessions, community service work, transport, meals, and on and on. Whatever I conceived, they handled, offering throughout some insightful suggestions on how to best make things work in Tanzania. It was simply amazing what they did!
BE
Email Katelijne Vandeputte | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Supercalifragilisticexpealygoshious!!!!
.fantastic experience.We choose the budget version,great to be IN nature ,uor guide shared the beautifull paradise of Tanzania with us.well organised,Frank Mella picked up in our wishes and concocted the best formula for us.excellent coock.We felt priviliged to see the beauty and pure nature and were lucky to see more than can be expected.I saw a lot of amazinge and beautifull things in my life,but our safari was an absolute highlight.
To be recommended!!!!
FR
Email Mme - Mr DE STEFANO Jo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SUMMIT OF KILIMANDJARO WITH SAFARI SERENGETI AND LAKE NATRON AND CRATER OF NGORONGORO
We are very happy with the services of KILELE SAVANE as well for the trek of Kilimandjaro as for the safari tour of Serengeti, Lake Natron and Crater of Ngorongoro. Everything has been well organized, a faultless !!! Guides to porteurs and driver were at the top !
KILELE SAVANE is showing of great professionnalism : serious, competent, punctuality, impeccable organization. Futhermore, Frank manager of KILELE SAVANE, human and warm, listens to customers. We recommend greatly KILELE SAVANE.