Cape Dog Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Alan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Suberb knowlede of the area. White glove service and attentiveness to clients.
Terry and I were totally satisfied with our guide, vehicle, planning of drives,
knowledge of the local area and their people.
In the moment -all the time-Great experience
US
Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Guide *Extraordinaire* in the wildest place on Earth.
I've been on two safaris with Michael Massonda, the first, several years ago by myself, and the second, earlier this month with my family. I would not have brought my wife and our 11 and 8 year old children along for my second safari, if I didn't trust Michael to take care of us. And he did. Michael and the Cape Dog Safaris team delivered the greatest outdoor adventure we will ever have the opportunity to experience, at least until we return.
Michael is a wildlife expert. His vast knowledge of fauna and flora, of geologic history, and the contemporary challenges to the wildlife in East Africa, transforms your trip from a typical spot-the-animal safari, to a life-changing educational journey. From the tectonic forces that created the Great Rift Valley millions of years ago, to the volcanic soils sustaining the vast fields of Serengeti grasses, Michael will help you understand why the animals you see do what they do, live where they do, and how they're distinct from other species in Africa.
But Michael is also a true professional, having guided people from all over the world, for many years. For the most part, he allows nature to do the talking. He gives you your time, to take it all in. He comments only to teach you about what you are seeing--in a well-timed, easy to understand, and often humorous way. Want to know more? Just ask. Michael will know. Want to rest, or spend the afternoon in camp? Just say so. Michael respects that you've travelled a great distance, and appreciates that the accommodations Cape Dog arranges are among the finest luxury camps in Africa. It's easy-going.
For Westerners, planning a safari and travelling to Africa can be daunting. Michael and the Cape Dog Safaris team are trustworthy and exceptionally reliable. If your flight is delayed, they wait at the airport for you. If you've forgotten something, they retrieve it or arrange the replacement for you. If you have a request of the lodge, they will speak on your behalf and manage it for you.
My family will return to Africa one day, and when we do, we will book with Michael and Cape Dog Safaris. It's hard for us to imagine a better safari guide service in the business.
US
Email Brian Sly | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply AMAZING
I could not have been happier with the safari experience that our guide Michael provided us!! From the locations we visited to the lodges we stayed at and the food and drinks we enjoyed, it was absolutely the trip of a lifetime.
It was Michaels personality and expertise, however, that truly made this safari the most incredible experience I could have ever hoped for. I cannot wait to get back to Africa again, and there is no other guide that I would consider for my next safari!!!
Thank you Michael, from the bottom of my heart, for showing us how incredible your wonderful country is, and for giving me memories that will last a lifetime!!!!
CR
Email Charlie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best way to celebrate 50th birthday!
Best trip ever!
Safari has been in my bucket list for many years and Cape Dog Safaris really exceeded my expectations.
Hotels and tent camps, staff, guide and overall service perfect!
Went with whole family to celebrate my 50th birthday during the safari and experience was unbelievable. Even had a birthday party in Central Serengeti. Saw all big five in just 5 days in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Park.
Highly recommended!
US
Email Jennifer Bell | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience
I wanted to write a review for Cape Dog Safaris because we had a phenomenal Safari trip. It was beyond our expectations. The guide and accommodations chosen for us were spot on. They attended to all of our needs, including my Gluten Free food allergy and we were able to thoroughly enjoy our vacation. We never thought we would ever see the wildlife that we saw on the Serengeti, and our guide was so knowledgeable on the wildlife and animal behavior, which made our trip much more enjoyable and educational.
We will be talking about our Safari on the Serengeti with Cape Dog Safaris for years to come.
US
Email Lisa S. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime!!!
As we just celebrated one year since the most memorable trip of our lives, I think of the trip fondly and write a review--myself, this time (my husband and brother wrote their's at the completion of our trip). But a year later, I look at the pictures again on the anniversary of the trip, and long to go back. It was, without a doubt, the best trip of my life. Michael and his expertise and knowledge of his homeland made us feel completely comfortable and at ease, on our first trip to Tanzania. Our young children were captivated each day on safari, seeing the beautiful animals and vast scenery. It was wonderful to see each unique lodge he had thoughtfully chosen for us, to meet amazing people I tearfully said goodbye to on departure, and make memories to cherish forever. We can't thank Michael enough, for making our trip so special. I HIGHLY recommend using him for your trip to Africa, you will be in the BEST hands and be glad you did so. I am proud to call him my friend...
US
Email Phil | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing wildlife encounters!
We had a great experience with Cape Dog. The company went out of their way to make our trip to Tanzania and Kenya a memorable and enjoyable trip. We were able to get up close and personal with lots of beautiful animals thanks to our skillful guides. We plan to use Cape Dog the next time we visit Africa.
US
Email Heather Ehrenberg | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Over 20 years of experience and safe for women only groups
We traveled in a group of 6 women for a 50th birthday celebration. Michael treated us like family. Michael and Nelson were very flexible and able to change plans throughout the trip to locate the animals and curate the best safari experience possible.
In our first camp,
we were treated to an amazing luxury bush tent experience - an elephant even walked through our camp one morning!
A group of 30 giraffes crossed a road in front of us in Tarangire, the next day an elephant herd (with babies!!!) passed our truck and we witnessed the elephants picking up and blowing the red sand to moisturize after their baths. We also caught several hippos bathing and splashing around. And we cannot forget the sightings of ostriches and various species of antelope.
Michael was informative about the history of not only the wildlife, but also the geology and people of Tanzania. We had a quick stop at the home of the Leakey's research labs and the nutcracker man and homo habilis.
Upon entering the Serengeti a pride of lions was waiting for us just beyond the gate!!! It was almost as though it was staged it was such a spectacular sighting. Before coming on the safari, I was not prepared for the awesome spectacle of witnessing the mass of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and impala in migration. The single file lines of animals and the sheer numbers are awe inspiring.
Ngorongoro crater was straight out of a story book. It was like visiting Noah's Ark. We were able to view 3 rhinos, flocks of pink flamingos, and so many other large bird varieties as well as the rest of the animals - except giraffes which cannot scale the crater walls!
We stayed at several Serena properties, and perhaps my favorite one was the tent camp, Mbuzi Mawe. It is perched above the plain with a stunning view, baboons also camped in the property and came home to join us for dinner.
The final park we visited Lake Manyara Park, provided close access to view monkeys and baboons. It was just unbelievable.
Because of the experience that Michael and Nelson provided, I feel like Tanzania is home and I am already planning my next trip with Cape Dogs!
US
Email Gayle | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Michael is amazing, he took wonderful care of our group and gave us the experience of a lifetime!
I just got back from an 8 day safari with Michael and what a fantastic adventure it was! Michael greeted us at the airport and took us to our hotel for the night and picked us up the following morning to start our safari. Our first 2 days were spent in Tarangire National Park and we were absolutely blown away. Elephants, Giraffes, zebra, monkeys, lions, and many more. Michael is incredibly knowledgeable about the park and all of the animals. Our accommodations at the Lokasile Tent Camp were fantastic and everyone was so incredibly kind. It was a wonderful way to spend our first 2 nights. We then embarked on a long drive to the Serengeti but Michael made us so comfortable that we didn't even notice how far we had driven. We even jumped out of the truck in a rain storm to get a photo with a beautiful rainbow. We spent a few nights in the Serengeti and it just surpassed all of our expectations. We were able to see so much (wildebeest migration, thousands of zebras, gazelles, dik dik, hippos, the list goes on and on. Michael and Nelson adjusted our accommodations based on the location of the animals (they were constantly in contact with other guides about where the best spots were for sightings). After the Serengeti we drove down into the Ngorongoro crater and again we were all just mesmerized by what we were seeing, cape buffalo, rhinos, beautiful flamingos, lions, water hogs. There were 6 of us traveling together and we all agree that Michael is now family. I cannot recommend Cape Dog enough. This trip has been on the top of my bucket list for years and Cape Dog delivered an experience beyond my wildest dreams.
