Happy safari guides from Aardvark Expeditions
Aardvark Expeditions
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $180 to $650 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Zelia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good experience !
A very good experience with Aardvark Expeditions, which is a very attentive and professional company. Philemon is someone very available, who responds quickly to messages and who helped us a lot to organize our visit. The guide (Judicate) was very knowledgeable and very kind. The cook was very knowledgeable too, we had a blast! We were able to see a lot of animals in the different parks of northern Tanzania, especially in Ngorongoro, which is a fabulous crater to discover. Do not hesitate to contact Philemon to organize your stay.
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Email Claudio | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
Philemonn from AARDVARK Expeditions LTD organized a beautiful six day Safari for us following exactly our specific whishes. The Tour took us to Tarangire NP which in our opinion should not be overlooked, to the exceptional Serengeti NP as well as to the Ngorongoro crater. Finally, there was also an excursion to the beautiful forest of Lake Manyara. The organization and realisation of the Tour took place in an absolutely professional manner. Our driver and guide Donatus won us with his exceptional ability to find not only, in many cases repeatedly, the "Big Five" (lions, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards and elephants) but also a multitude of other species of fauna and flora of the region. His notions on the matter as well as on the geography of the places and the customs and culture of the peoples of the area, as well as his incredible visual ability, which allowed him to notice animals even at a very long distances and while driving the vehicle, was extremly precious. His friendliness, kindness and his sense of duty aimed at guaranteeing us a unique experience at all costs and his ability to read our wishes from our lips many times even before we had expressed them made this experience truly unforgettable. In this sense we highly recommend Aarkvard expeditions and especially the guide Donatus.
Mount Meru and Uhuru Peak 5,896 masl in mid December 2021.
Mount Meru and Uhuru Peak 5,896 masl in mid December 2021.
Because i had a short timeframe i decided to do Mount Meru for acclimatization and then Mount Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route.
I chose Aardvark Expeditions because it is a local Trekking and Safari Specialists operator based in Arushavand I was more than happy to use their services. In fact Philemon Joel organized everything in a short timeframe with many special wishes from my side, and they have the Headquarters in Arusha which is shown on the company's website.
As i am from Switzerland, i am used to hike on the Alps and climb the mountains. So Mt Meru for me was just the perfect warm up peak, but more important, it helped a lot to acclimatise to the altitude. So, it is what it is, just study the mountain...for regular hikers it will be a very pleasant peak, for others, make sure you're fit enough for this challenge.
Mount Kilimanjaro via the Umbwe Route is the shortest trail to the peak of the mountain. It is also the hardest. I was more than happy to pick this route because it fitted my fitness level and was a pure adventure for me. I didn't see any climber on this route for the first two days with a very step track through beautiful mother earth. And here, in the middle of nowhere, are the little things that matters, and it is reassuring to have the right and experienced tour operator. Just to have a waterproof tent, hot coffee and a warm meal gives you the power for the next days...
In this environment everything takes time and you will have plenty of it between the activities. So make sure to bring your favorite book or something else you like to do. Also, hiking up is just the first part and do not underestimate the part of killing the meters by walking down.
I had ten days for both peaks, and it was just perfect for me. Next time i will climb Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route, the most comfortable
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Email DBW | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Philemon is a professional that provides all services in safari contract , extremely likable.
You will get your money value, plus so much more in the amazing safari that Philemon provides. Our family group of 17, ages 4-76! have a lifetime of 7 days of amazing animal drives with Aardvark Expeditions, elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, Cape buffalo, zebras, baboons, Dik diks, ostrich, elands, antelope, crocodile, hippos, many birds, and lush plants and trees!
Aardvark Expedition’s provided 3 large vehicles and 3 outstanding guides for our family group, all guides were well equipped to find the animals and full of information about their habits.
The lodge accommodations were perfect in comfort, scenic views, and well trained staff to provide good meal choices, Including attentive needs for a gluten intolerant child.
Aardvark Expeditions accommodated airport transportation to and from the airport, they were trustworthy in the services provided, and flexible with family requests.
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Email LarryW | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Multigenerational family of 17 enjoyed a 7 day safari complements of Aardvark Expeditions.
Being together with our three children and 15 grandchildren for the adventure of a lifetime! Seeing another part of God's world in a safe multigenerational environment. We had 3 safari outfitted Land cruisers operated by 3 extremely competent and courteous guides. We ranged in age from 76 down to 4 years old. We covered hundreds of miles. Had great accommodations every night with gourmet dinners and hearty breakfasts every morning and enjoyed picnic style box lunches every day for lunch. We saw everything there was to see (the big 7) the cats, the wildebeests on their caving grounds! We were well satisfied with the value of our 7 day expedition. our nightly accommodations all offered WIFI and cold beers to wash down the trail dust. Everything about our expedition went like clock work, from the time Philemon picked us up at JRO until he returned us there 9 days later.
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Email Adam W | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely the best operator in Tanzania!
I can unequivocally say that Aardvark Expeditions is the BEST Safari option money can buy! We just finished a 7 day safari with a group of 17 family members! The trip was absolutely amazing from the pick-up at the airport to the final dropoff! The guides (Moses, Uriel, Brayson) were fantastic guides. They were super friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. Their knowledge extended much beyond the wildlife and included geology, history and politics. All three of them spoke fantastic English. They were SUPER patient with our group of 17 which included 9 kids! I am convinced these guys are some of the safest drivers in Tanzania! Many of the other tour companies had drivers that were clearly driving way too fast and out of control. We saw the ENTIRE big 5 including multiple leopards, hunting cheetahs, and even 4 Black Rhinos! Before I booked with Philemon , I researched many tour companies and got quotes from at least 5 different companies. The price was unbeatable compared to the US and European based travel agents that apparently DOUBLE the price of the tour for their commission. The booking process was super easy! The lodges we stayed at were top tier lodges with unbelievable service, food, professionalism and views! We stayed at Mawe Mawe, Embalakai, Rhino Lodge, And Marera Valley Lodge. I want to personally thank Philemon and the Aardvark team for the most fantastic family trip of a lifetime!
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Email Amy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You will not find a safer or more beautiful place to travel!
Hands-down, this was the trip of a lifetime. Aardvark Exp. was exceptionally responsive, trustworthy and informative. All of our pre-travel questions were answered promptly, and we had no worries that the Aardvark team would be at the airport waiting for us. The drivers were very professional, very safe on the road and extremely informative. Everyone we encountered spoke English and greeted us with a smile. Philemon took care of everything for our family (3 children ages 11 to 6) from hotel accommodations to boxed lunches (SO GOOD!) to transportation to and from the airport. The lodges/tents that we stayed in were some of the nicest places I've ever been in my life! Amazingly beautiful, hot showers, bottled water, pool, air conditioning, bug spray if needed, and the staff! Oh my the staff were fantastic everywhere we went, big smiles, songs, helping hands and very friendly. We always felt safe and never worried about our belongings being stolen or lost (except for a rogue baboon or two). Aardvark Expeditions is highly recommended for all of your travel needs in Tanzania! You will not be disappointed.
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Email Claudio and Herta | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very good company for safaris
We are a couple from Italy and can highly recommend the Arusha based company Advaark Ltd. and the manager Philemon. We did a wonderful one week safari in the Serengeti and Tarangire national park, manyara lake, Ngorongoro crater etc.
He organized the entire trip in every detail following exactly our needs and wishes. Especially we can recommend the guide and driver Donatus. He was a really special guy and we became friends after very short time. Not only his notions about the regions and nature where exceptional, he never hesitated to realize all our special wishes and to give us every thinkable help and information . He did everything possible to drive us so close as possible to all interesting sites and animals, his unbelieavable good eyes allowed him to discover even little animals from such al long distance we could not even imagine before that it would be possible. At the end everything was perfect and an unforgettable life experience.
Thank you so much
Herta and Claudio
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Email Ray P. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Tour of the best Africa wildlife and scenery.
Going to Africa?
If you want to have the best safari experience contact:
Aardvark Expeditions
1. Very comfortable Land Rover with pop-up roof and WIFI.
2. Experienced and knowledgeable tour guides. English is spoken.
3. Picnic lunch served during tour.
4. Beautiful, safe, clean and comfortable accommodations.
5. Affordable prices with several tour options.
Website www.aardvark-expeditions.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Review by Ray P. in Las Cruces, N.M. June 2022
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Email William Haney | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Philemon Joel was excellent, friendly, honest and informative.
The Aardvark Safari was fantastic with the sighting of many large free-roaming animals within easy cell-phone camera range.
Ngorongoro Crater was spectacular as we arrived on a sharp ridge in the early morning fog then descended into the crater on a road with many switchbacks. The crater is huge encompassing over 100 square miles and is about 2000 feet deep and is now full of flora and fauna and many large African animals including lions. Our personal guide for the two of us was DONATUS NGOWI, and he was very knowledgeable, informative, and friendly and had a great sense of humor. He was well versed in geographic details, history and the names for all the wild creatures.
