Team Shemeji Safari Tanzania
Shemeji Safari Tanzania
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $180 to $800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
IE
Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience - couldn’t fault it
We, a group of six Irish girls based in Abu Dhabi went on a five day safari with Shemeji this June/July. We contacted the company and Emma, one of the owners began to plan our trip. Emma answered all our questions and queries with a prompt and friendly reply. She tailored a package to suit our group and ensured we had everything planned that we wished to do and see.
Bene was our guide for the safari. He was a complete professional and such a friendly lovely man. He knew the answers to all our ridiculous questions and made sure we got the most out of our safari experience.
All of the accommodation we stayed in was superb, with each place offering a more friendly welcome than the last.
We were incredibly lucky to see the Big Five by day four. Along with this we saw over thirty other animals species. The landscapes and terrains of the four parks we visited were varied and enthralling.
I will have no hesitation in recommending Shemeji’s safaris to any and all of my friends.
IT
Email Giovanni | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fantastic honeymoon! We arrived in Tanzania exhausted, we came home totally enthusiastic!
A fantastic experience with an exceptional and extremely friendly team.
All above our expectations.
US
Email Hayley | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded our wildest expectations!
My husband, my parents and I booked a 4 day mid-luxury safari with Shemeji. We went to Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. We couldn’t be happier with the experience!
The company is highly organized and tended to respond to my emails within 24 hours. They were very flexible in accommodating all of our requests. The vehicle was in great shape, with working power outlets, comfortable seats, great pop open roofs, and lots of space. We were never in short supply of water or food. The lodges Shemeji arranged for us were all beautiful and unique in their own right, a great variety for the three nights we had. Timing was well planned among the three parks. We never ran into any issues either planning or experiencing the safari, everything went as smoothly as it could possibly go! Shemeji was a great price for the quality safari we received!
As for the animals, we were thrilled to see the big 5! But each and every animal was exciting in its own right. However, it was the unexpected encounters that stood out the most for us, such as an exciting lunch we had in Tarangire: We were overlooking a river bed full of multiple elephant families, zebras and wildebeests racing up and down a ravine, and water buffalo in the distance. It was spectacular! And all credit is due to our guide who taught us to be patient and in return nature would reward us with its magnificence.
Our guide, Joseph, was exceptional, and we could feel that from the very first interaction we had with him. He gave us an introduction to what we would be doing for the next four days, that we would come to know each other well after spending so much time together, and that he wanted us to let him know anytime we had preferences or requests. We told him that we wanted to avoid the areas that were littered with other safari vehicles and figuratively go “off the beaten path.” He delivered on that and more. His knowledge of the roads was impressive in every park. Only to be matched by his knowledge of the wildlife and vegetation we saw. He rarely used the vehicle radio (which many guides use to communicate with each other regarding animal sightings) and instead showed us the natural, original beauty of the safari experience, rather than the car chase that it can become. He never rushed us, never stressed out and yet always managed to get us where we needed to be in time. We were completely charmed by him because he was so wise and gave insightful life lessons to accompany information about the animals or the park history. He had a great sense of humor and we could tell he took a genuine interest in us, as we had with him. We formed a really nice connection over the four day trip. He was our ideal safari guide and then some! After the trip, we couldn’t stop talking about Joseph. It was Joseph who made the safari exceptional and exceed our wildest expectations!
I highly recommend Shemeji and Joseph!
LU
Email Valentina & Luca | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above and beyond our expectations!
We booked with Shemeji a 9-day private tour with game drives and hiking. We spent most nights in a tent in public campsites and we visited Tarangire, lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Empakai, Central and North Serengeti and lake Natron.
Emma promptly answered to our enquiry and arranged a tailor-made private tour according to our needs. She replied to all our questions and doubts (even the most obvious ones, since it was our first safari!) and she was ready to make several changes to the program in response to our requests.
We were so lucky to have Ben as a safari guide! His long experience with this job means that he will spot all animals present in the parks and will see them even where you would only notice grass! Thanks to him we saw all the Big Five (and not just once!) and we even managed to witness the wildbeest crossing the Mara River. He always gave us plenty of time to watch the animals and take pictures, always trying to give us the best angle. He is also very flexible and in some occasions suggested changes to the program in response to the circumstances (for example bad weather) so that we could make the most of our experience without missing anything or wasting time. He is an excellent and attentive driver, and we never had any issue despite the bad conditions of some roads. 9 days may seem a long time, but thanks to Ben every day was different. We learnt a lot about wildlife and we had many exciting experiences!
Another special thanks goes to Isaack, our chef at the campsites. Before leaving for a camping safari, we thought that we would mostly eat rice and canned food. We were totally wrong! You can't imagine what Isaack can prepare with the limited kitchen equipment and facilities available at campsites! He prepared a different 3-course meal every evening, which was carefully presented and always delicious. It was better than eating in restaurants (and indeed the 2 nights we ate at the hotel we missed a lot his cuisine!!). He even baked fresh bread and buns! He was always attentive to our preferences, asking what we would prefer for breakfast or to be included in the packed lunch.
Besides being great professionals, Ben and Isaack were also a very nice company throughout our trip. We will remember the nice talks in the car and the funny stories after dinner!
We had a great time in Tanzania. Everything exceeded by far our expectations!
We totally recommend Shemeji.
Asante sana!!
NL
Email Monique | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our 6-day Safari – what an unforgettable experience!
Somehow we pick Shemeji Safari as our tour-operator from the many available and we didn’t regret it. We started inquiries quit early with the problem that we could not state an actual start/end date for our safari due to private reasons. Furthermore after receiving more and more information and options from Froukje we made quite some changes in the duration and locations to stay. Froukje supported this process flexible and supportive and arranged the best fitting safari for use including transfer for the airport and hotel before and after the safari.
And then, finally our family of 3 arrived at Kilimanjaro airport where a driver was waiting and brought us to our hotel so we could chill by the pool for the rest of the afternoon.
The next day at 08:00 hours promptly we met our guide/driver Joseph. He explained us what we could expect from him, the safari and the basic interaction rules, really useful as you spend 6 days together in a close compartment.
We in return gave Joseph a challenge; “Please stay away from as much places where all other tourists are going! And do not ‘jump’ on a location as someone calls in for a rear animal”.
And being the professional he is he did his best, although he must be worried that we would not see enough animals let alone the Big Five.
We visited Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. We have been in places where you could not see other safari cars/tourists not even with binoculars for hours and hours.
But, yes we did see the Big Five and mostly with us alone with the animals. And we have seen much much more animals.
Joseph told us of course all about what we could expect and what we were seeing including the symbioses between the animals, but he also did some ‘funny’ stuff like in the midst of a wilder beast group he started roaring like a lion and the wilder beast got scarred and run away.
All in all Joseph did all to give us the best possible experience with his lunch locations, exchange of knowledge on the country, the people and animals. We could not get it any better. Thanks!
We loved the lodges, but we loved the tent camps the best, what a great experience.
It has been truly an amazing adventure.
Would we recommend Shemeji Safari? Yes, and without hesitation (and we already did)!
SI
Email Ales | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Seeing amazing nature with a 5-star organization
We booked a 5-day private tour with Shemeji, visiting Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Emma was very helpful and provided all the necessary information in a timely fashion.
We enjoyed the safari very much. Everything was extremely well organized, Joseph was an exceptional guide. He did his best to spot the animals, regardless whether big or small (btw, we found all big fives...).
We were also very pleased with the accommodation and services provided (if we do not consider a misbehaved stray elephant, which managed to empty our water tank in the tented camp during night :-)
During our 5-day experience we fully realized the meaning of words "Karibu (welcome)" and "Pole pole (slow slow or no hurry/stress)"...
Highly recommended!
Asante sana, Joseph, Emma and Shemeji!
US
Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari experience
It was sort of a last-minute decision for us to book this 7-day safari trip. We did a lot of research online and eventually went with Shemeji. The owner Emma was a breeze to work with. Despite the time difference between the United States and Tanzania, I find it rather easy to communicate with emails. The payment was done via international wire transfer without any issue. Our guide Adam was a courteous driver and very knowledgeable. We covered Tarangire, central Serengeti, northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara before departing to Zanzibar. The road conditions can be challenging, but we felt lucky that we didn't skip northern Serengeti. It was amazing to witness the wildebeest migration. Serengeti is the place you won't be disappointed and won't forget for a long time. The tented lodges we stayed in were fantastic. Special praises to Tortillis and Savannah. Nice breakfast, friendly staff, and excellent service.
A percentage of the Shemeji income is going to the volunteer work to improve living conditions for the local people. I didn't know that beforehand but felt very happy that I made my small contribution.
IE
Email Maeve | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Experience of a lifetime
We had an amazing 4 day safari with Shemeji Safari Tanzania. Shemeji were very helpful in the booking process, and our guide Ben was fantastic. We were lucky enough to see The Big Five! Experience of a lifetime!!
Email Rob | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic safari with Shemeji
Shemeji were fantastic from start to finish. Emma was very quick to respond to all of my questions, helping to plan our bespoke itinerary and finding potential accommodation options in each of the areas we wanted to visit.
Ben, our guide, was fantastic. He found everything which we wanted to see and worked tirelessly throughout our safari. The cars we used were perfect, coming equipped with charging points.
I could not recommend Shemeji enough. Thanks again!!
AR
Email Leandro | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent!!
The safari was perfect. agile communication by mail prior to the trip, to organize it. Once there we were with the guide Adam, who was all the time pending that we are having a good time. Nothing negative in the adventure. Thank you!