East African Safari & Touring Company
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 1992)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $230 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Jenny & Stan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
EAS crafted a special off-the-beaten-track hiking and birding safari for us that met every need.
We spent 14 days with our guide in the Pare and Usumbara Mountains. We are in our 70s - relatively fit, but with some extra needs, all of which were so well addressed -- we couldn't have asked for more careful attention. Throughout the trip we had our terrific guide (Bernard Shirima - a first-class bird and game expert, as well as wise in the care and handling of clients ). We had expected more game in the Mkomazi National Park, but rain limited our reach, and being new, the park has not yet built up a large big game population. We did see splendid birds in Mkomazi (we are not seasoned birders, so it was a new experience to see so many stunning birds.)
Unexpected rainfall also kept us from seeing the Chome Nature Reserve, which was on our itinerary. The Tona Lodge, in the Mbaga District, high in the Pare Mountains, was a disappointment, as the mountains were so steep, we were unable to hike anything but paved roads. But that turned out to be a great experience being greeted and welcomed by villagers of every age. We really got a feeling for life in such a village after spending 3 days walking around. (It really helped that Stan speaks fairly decent Swahili- much to the delight of everyone we met!) Tona Lodge was a great disappointment in terms of facilities, food, and service. The view, however, was stupendous!
EAS arranged for local guides to join us in each of the regions we visited - mostly to introduce us to the community and show us where to go hiking/birding. Bernard was our true bird guide, however. In the Western Usumbaras near Lushoto, we stayed comfortably at Mullers' Mountain Lodge - beautifully situated and comfortable (though plagued with hot water problems and food heavier in German style than we would have liked). Our local guides there knew little about the birds other than where to take us, but Bernard helped us find birds (and we enjoyed seeing colobus monkeys). In the Amani Nature Reserve in the Eastern Usumbaras we stayed at a research station and were guided by a very able researcher who taught us much about local birds and his work. The jungle in these mountains was truly spectacular - trees so tall and covered with vines that it was impossible to see the whole. We enjoyed long walks, (even though birds were hard to see in the dense foliage), and did see some spectacular birds. Bernard really taught us a great deal -- not only about the birds, but about how to go about looking for them.
Overall, we realized after the fact that we had not insisted enough on a more specific itinerary with greater clarity ahead of time as to what we could expect to see and do in the Western Usambaras which -- because so off the beaten tourist track -- were not well known by Bernard. I was disappointed not to see more game (in Mkomazi we saw a few giraffes, a bat-eared fox, and the disappearing tails of a few hartebeests). We had a great adventure there getting hit by a sudden downpour and sliding up to the fenders of our safari vehicle in mud. Had to call for a tractor to pull us out, but, Bernard had brought along box lunches, so all was well.
This was our second trip with EAS - we had a splendid safari to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti several years ago, so we already had great respect for their professional preparation and care, as well as the expertise and responsiveness of their guides. I wouldn't go to anyone else, and I hope someday we will come back for another trip with them.
US
Email Cris Powell | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memorable Experience
I just want you all to know that my friends and I had a great time with Eeastco on our trip. It was wonderful, especially since everyone had been nice to us and helped us have a wonderful and memorable experience. Everyone had a great time visiting various sites, walking on safari and seeing Mother Nature in its wild and untamed glory. The guide James was particularly helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks eastcos for the great tour.
From Mwanza to Tamborani Lagoon with East African Safari and Touring Company
We have just finished a 2 week safari with East African Safari and Touring Company . We have traveled with East African Safari and Touring Company in the past and this time wanted to go somewhere we hadn't been before to see more of the country. Simon from East African Safari and Touring Company suggested we go to Mwanza.
We arrived in Tanzania and sat around Dar Es Salaam airport for the evening flight to Mwanza. Not much at the airport here, sat outside on the benches with the sun in our eyes before checking in on the Fastjet flight.
Arrived in Mwanza in the dark, small airport with a very rustic arrivals lounge! It was warm and humid. We were staying at Ryans Bay Hotel which was only about 20 minutes away. The hotel was great and we had a second story room with balcony and view over Lake Victoria.
The next day we met our guide from East African Safari and Touring Company, Bernard, and did the very short drive to the National Parks dock. It was great meeting up with Bernard as in the past he had been our guide and we shared an interest in birds! We were heading out to Saanane Island National Park to spend the afternoon with a ranger and guide exploring the park. The park launch was covered with a canopy and since it was just us and the guide we headed off straight away.
The thing that struck us most was the massive granite rocks everywhere. We were told the locals call Mwanza Rock City. It was good to get out of the water and stretch our legs on the island. Saw quite a few zebras and antelope, also a monitor lizard sun baking on the rocks.
The next day we headed off for the drive along the lake shore towards the Serengeti. This was one of my wishes, to drive through the Serengeti from near the shores of Lake Victoria to Ngorongoro.
We spent two nights in a bush camp in the Grumeti area. Lots of mud and long grass, but saw so many buffalos and elephants here. Also saw in the distance a basking crocodile. Then headed to the plains around Ndutu and Olduvai for two nights in a bush camp. These were two totally different experiences, from the valleys and rivers near Grumeti, to the long sweeping plains around Ndutu .
We especially wanted to spend some time at Olduvai gorge, visiting the museum and taking a guide into the gorge, so we asked Simon to choose a campsite nearby, and we were lucky enough to be under a small kopje about 20 minutes drive away so we could spend as much time here as possible. I had visited Olduvai on an earlier trip quite a few years ago and wanted to visit again.
We skipped Ngorongoro this time and went straight to Naitolia Camp in Tarangire. The change since our last visit was amazing, everywhere was green and so bushy with trees and shrubs where in the past was open area overgrazed. We had three nights here for some walking and game viewing. The birds there were fantastic.....I don't think you could find a better place for watching birds.
After this we went to Mkomazi National Park. We hadn't been here before. We stayed in a bush camp in the park. It was very wet which made getting around hard, but the surrounding mountains, the isolation and having the entire park to ourselves was something special. Game viewing was scarce, we did see some eland and other antelope, but the walks were fantastic.
We then drove over the Pare mountains and down to the main road. We did get lost a few times on the twisting roads and the low clouds made for interesting driving! We headed for Tamborani Lagoon south of Pangani. This is part of Tanzania’s latest Marina Park, the Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park.
This is not a beach resort place! We stayed in very basic tents on the beach, surrounded by palms. We loved exploring the beach and mangrove swamps. We also did a trip out to a small sand island in a outrigger dhow and visited the Tongoni Ruins. It was a very special four nights. We had the place to ourselves, and enjoyed watching the locals go about their daily life. It was interesting watching them catch squid at night with a torch right in the shallows near the camp!
All my communication with East African Safari and Touring Company was prompt and the service we had for our whole trip was great!
Email Brian | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent trip with Eastco from Lake Victoria to Udzungwa
My wife and myself returned to Tanzania last January for a 16 day safari with Eastco. This is not my first or even second trip, but we decided that this would be our grand adventure. We first visited way back in 1984 and did a Tracks pink truck camping safari through Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti, before heading off to explore southern Africa on the Tazara Train and then north through the Sudan to Egypt.
We flew into Dar Es Salaam on Qatar from Melbourne and caught the evening Fastjet flight to Mwanza on the shores of Lake Victoria. The Fastjet flight was actually very very good, nice new plane, lots of room and very friendly staff. Food had to be bought but the beef and gherkin roll was very tasty, steered away from the chicken!
On arrival in Mwanza we were met by Joseph, who was our Eastco guide here in Mwanza. Tonight was at Ryan’s Bay Hotel, which was very very comfortable and perfect to recover from the flights.
We woke late this morning and Joseph took us down to the National Park docks and the ferry across the lake to Saanane Island. It was great to get out and stretch our legs, the guide, Musa, was excellent. The most striking thing was the rock formations here. Spectacular!!
In the afternoon we headed with Joseph for a short city tour and ended up at Tunza beach resort for a few cold beers. Amazingly there were waves breaking against the sandy beach, only a foot or so but something unexpected. There were a few locals swimming here, obviously a popular place for a few beers and a swim after work. We then went and had a Chinese dinner at Yon Long Restaurant. This is also a hotel, and the restaurant was right over the water. We sat and watched the ferries leave from across the bay, back and forth and the lights on the far hillside. Overnight again at the excellent Ryan’s Bay.
After breakfast Joseph collected us with picnic lunches and we head along the lake shore. Our ultimate destination was the western gate of the Serengeti. But we were in no rush today, visited the Wasukuma Museum en route, apparently the largest tribe in Tanzania. This was very very interesting! We had our picnic lunch on the shore at Speke’s Gulf. We tried to imagine what it was like 150 years ago when John Hanning Speke was the first European to see Lake Victoria.
Wilson our guide was waiting for us at the Ndabaka gate when we arrived about mid afternoon. On our last safari Wilson was one of the camp staff at Eastco's Serengeti tented camp, so it was really great to see him again and to know of his advancement. He mentioned over the course of the safari that he has now been with Eastco for over ten years, starting young as a mechanic, then camp supply driver, then camp staff and guide and finally after doing some courses had been given the chance to guide. He had already been through Kenya, Uganda and much of Tanzania in those years, and mentioned he was heading to Victoria Falls later in the year. His excitement was palpable, especially when we described our experiences from 30 years ago.
We spent four nights in the Serengeti, two in the western corridor in a bush camp near the Grumeti River and two near Ndutu in the Serengeti Tented Camp. Two totally different contrasting areas of the Serengeti. From what we had read we thought the western corridor might be a bit wildlife depleted, but in the planning stages Simon told us that there is a large resident population along the Grumeti area, and also so of the wildebeest head out to the plains here during the migration. The drive in certainly confirmed that statement! Lots of zebras and wildebeest as soon as we left Ndabaka, then as we got closer to the camp and the change in scenery to floodplains, and hills there were buffalo everywhere and passing herds of elephants.
We arrived at our bush camp, this and the staff had been dropped off by Wilson earlier in the day, all carried by a trailer! Costa the camp cook met us with cold juice. Another old acquaintance, his enthusiastic greeting was overwhelming. Hot showers under the stars before a dinner of fresh baked bread rolls, onion soup and pork chops. Amazing considering where we were and what Costa had to work with.
The days in the Serengeti were just as exciting as our first visit, although now being on a private safari, we enjoyed the flexibility of being able to spend as much time as we wanted whenever we wanted! Highlight probably leopard in a tree with kill, no one else around. Standing up stretching with the sunset in the background.
We spent a night at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge just to relive the view. As memorable as our first trip. We did not go into the crater this time but went for a short walk with a guide before heading to Manyara for game viewing. No lions in trees, or rhinos like we saw on our first trip in 1984, which was a sad reminder of how much has changed. The township of Mosquito creek no longer a collection of small dukas, but campsites, small motels and lodges everywhere, and obviously an important tourist stop. We left late afternoon and head towards Naitolia Camp for the night. Large massive beds, surrounded by nets and canvas. Outdoor shower and toilet which was fun! Heard elephants feeding during the night, breaking trees branches and the growl of a lion but obviously far away.
The pre dawn chorus of birds was what I will always remember from our stay here. We were up early with quick cup of tea and light breakfast as we were walking towards Boundary Hill Lodge. Being hot and humid during the day we wanted to do this as early as possible, and headed out with the Masai guide Sanagar and Allano. We walked for about four hours and made it towards the banks of a sand river. Wilson was waiting here for us with the land rover which was a relief! It was good to get out an walked though, saw some terrapins in the water holes by the side of the road, evidence everywhere of the elephants that had passed through during the night, giraffe and zebra not too far away. The tracks of hyenas and bat eared foxes in the soft sands. Flowers and greenery everywhere.
Boundary Hill was just as we remembered it, views still as spectacular as ever. Costa had taken over the kitchen at Naitolia and was also here taking charge at Boundary Hill. Obviously 20 plus years of seniority has its perks!
We had two nights here, and the first morning we were woken by gentle knocking at our door and a morning cup of tea with biscuits. This was just before the sunrise, and my wife was excitingly pointing off in the distance. Once we woke up a bit I could see why she was so excited, Kilimanjaro stood low on the horizon between Mt Meru and another closer mountain which I cannot remember the name. We sat on our balcony and watched the Snows of Kilimanjaro change from apricot to pink to white as the sun broke above the horizons. Finally losing sight completely as the clouds covered the peak. Memorable!
We left Boundary Hill, driving through the park on our way to Lake Babati for the night. Tarangire was so green, elephants everywhere, lucky glimpse of a couple of lions and a cheetah on an anthill in the distance. We arrived at lake Babati late afternoon and headed straight out on the lake in a dugout canoe. The object this afternoon was the hippos here. As we got closer the guide would hit the paddle on the side of the dugout, and sure enough in the near distance a hippo or two would raise its head and investigate this strange sound. Then disappear back beneath the waters. Lucky enough to also see some pied kingfishers here as well as the beautifully coloured Malachite Kingfisher. We stayed the night at the Trinidad guesthouse, clean and comfortable. No meals so we ate dinner at a nearby bar and restaurant.
After an early breakfast of a egg on bread (no toast!) with a boiled beef frankfurter on the side we headed south towards Dodoma for the night. Lots of roadwork’s on the way, but fascinating trip through forests and open countryside. Closer we got to Dodoma there was rocky hills. We stayed the night at the Simba Motel.
Another long day which we had planned on as we headed south towards Udzungwa National Park. A lot more traffic around to what we had been experiencing and arrived late afternoon at the park rest houses. Very comfortable, very new and large rooms. First night meal was a bit bland so we convinced Wilson and Costa to take over the meal plans for the next two nights!
We woke early the next morning and headed off to the park for a day of trekking, butterflies everywhere, lush greenery, birds and some monkeys hiding in the canopy. Lunch at the waterfall was a relief as it was hard going today! Returned to the park resthouse, and glad for the showers! Costa and Wilson had performed miracles and enjoyed a delicious meal in the open banda with a cold beer or two.
Our second day was spent down in the Kilombero swamps, we took a dug out canoe, and spent half the day exploring the area, no special bird sighting. Another superb home cook meal at the park resthouse.
We had a long day of driving ahead of us, so we went to bed early an up before dawn to get on the road. We were heading to Dar Es Salaam and took the scenic route through Mikumi National park, well the only route in reality. Even though we tried to reach Dar before peak traffic it still took us a couple of hours to work our way through the traffic here. Wilson and Costa dropped us off at the best Western Coliseum, a few emotional farewells. They were going to stay the night just outside of Dar before the drive back to Arusha the next day.
We had most of the day in Dar before catching our flight. Went to the Hilton Double Tree for dinner overlooking the ocean. Taxis in Dar are not cheap though, I think it was 40,000 TS, about $30 AUSD each way! But wanted to catch a sight of the ocean before we left.
Overnight at the Best Western was very comfortable very friendly staff.
Went looking for the New Africa Hotel to see what changes had been made since the cup of coffee we had here 30 years ago while waiting for the Tazara train. Massive changes everywhere in Dar Es Salaam.
Headed to the airport early, as traffic jams apparently a nightmare here, even though we were staying on the airport road!
So ends another fantastic experience, and can’t thank Simon, Wilson and Costa enough for leaving us with more memories.
Email Liv | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Second time around and just as spectacular!
We just completed another safari with eastco in march. for something different we decided to some walking safaris so visited tarangire, arusha national park and mkomazi. Not being our first trip to tanzania, we were looking for something a bit different and ask simon to prepare a safari which combined walking and some culture.
the walk at tarangire started near lemoti village on the masai steppes and we walked west towards the tarangire conservation area, bush camping each night. although very wet! it was also a great time to visit as there was lots of wildlife around, wildebeest and zebras after the first day, a couple of nights with lions grunting and roaring, and even elephants as we got closer to tarangire.
this was a very different experience, the two days were very much a immersion in masai culture, we saw them bring the herds into the boma in the evening, brendan tried the blood and curdled milk mixture and we sat around a camp fire with some of the elders and children till late.
as we walked the next day we say the children collecting water from puddles beside the road, a rich reddish brown colour! our guide loi said it was better than walking 10 kms to fetch water!!
each afternoon loi and costa, our cook, decided when we should stop and set up camp. this consisted of loi and brian cutting the grass and clearing as space, setting up the tents while costa was preparing dinner.
the last two days walking was a bit exciting, with long grass we heard before we saw any of the wildlife. coming across massive elephant prints deep in the mud, and also the large paw of a male lion along the wet sand of the track.
the last night of the tarangire walk was at naitolia camp, luxury after four nights camping in the bush. Massive bed draped in net, outdoor toilet with a view and shower. it was the last night here when we heard the lions rumbling and growling. it seemed so close but was told the next day most likely a couple of kilometers away.
we then went to arusha national park for two nights at hatari lodge. fantastic views across the plains to kilimanjaro one afternoon after a storm. walking on the slopes of mt meru for half a day with a park ranger, buffalo and giraffe, bush duiker and colobus monkeys.
the next part of our adventure took us to mkomazi national park. we had decided to do a a full day walk here, from one camp to another with the park rangers, and the guide wilson and costa packed up the camp and met us that afternoon at a new campsite. scenery here was so dramatic, mkomazi is surrounded by mountains and with the black thunderclouds, a late morning rainbow it was so spectacular. the guide musa (I think) was very informative, we saw tracks of a puff adder in the sand, hyena and jackals. we also saw a large herd of eland in the distance, warily keeping their distance with a couple of oryx mixed in.
after two nights camping in mkomazi, we climbed up the pare mountains to tona lodge. Perched on the edge of the mountain overlooking mkomazi and kenya. brilliant location. food and service was a bit so so! We spent two nights here and walked through the local villages along steep and winding roads. every building seemed to cling to the edge of the mountain slope.
We drove back to kilimanjaro the next day, and a day room at Panone Motel near kilimanjaro.we said our goodbyes to wilson, costa and brian, and had hot showers before transferring to kia for our flight home.
Second trip with eastco, totally different to our first wildlife extravaganza but just as rewarding.
US
Email Stephen B | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A bespoke Safari experience..
This was to be my first East Africa experience and i selected this company based on the recommendations of a friend. I was able to work with David to craft a wonderful and unique safari/ cultural experience in Tanzania. I had to adjust my itinerary several times due to unique factors, but all along David was able to accommodate.
This was not a low budget trip and my accommodations were all top notch.The guide and driver provided, Lazaro and Wilson, were wonderful ambassadors for their country and Masai tribe. I left the country regarding them as friends, not merely service providers.
If you are looking for an upscale safari experience, at a reasonable cost, I can recommend this company
US
Email Krystel Bryans | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
What A Amazing Trip!
Just got back from an amazing African safari trip! Eastco was amazing all throughout our tour in the northern Tanzania. From the first contact online to the last day of our safari trip, the staff was always available to answer our questions. When we arrived, our amazing tour guide James welcomed us and stayed with for the next 7 days! He spoke English well and made sure we were comfortable and enjoying the tour.
I must say, Serengeti national park was life changing. I couldn’t have imagined how many lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, gazelles and many other animals we saw. Aside from the memorable animal sight-seeing, the hotels and lodging exceeded my expectations. Top notch hotel service… top notch food and top notch stay.
Not only do I praise Eastco for the experience but also recommend them! You won’t go wrong with Eastco.
US
Email Dennis Rose | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best touring Company!
Simon accommodated my needs for touring dates and schedules. I experienced no problems with the deposit and payments. No day was boring during my tour because they made sure we had something enjoyable to do or see. I enjoyed not just the animals in the wild but also the culture and cuisine of the locals. They had very good accommodation and wonderful customer service, which together created tremendous value. My Trip to Africa helped me exercise my fingers and camera lens. I am glad I went with East African Safari and Touring Company.
US
Email Mabel Wright | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
What an incredible experience!
Thank you for taking care of us from beginning to end.
I’ve worked with various travel and tour companies for the past years and I must say, EastCo is definitely one of the best ones. My friends and I were on a 12 day tour and had visited the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Mkomazi, Tarangire and Amani Nature reserve. It was a spectacular game viewing experience and the lodgings were impressive. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend EastCo. They were more accommodating than what I expected.
US
Email Bryant Lucas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I highly recommend!
It was a wonderful Trip. Simon quickly responded to my emails during the inquiry and planning the trip. He was very flexible with the schedule, pick-up and drop-off. Our guide was prompt every day and we have seen a lot of different animals, especially the “big 5” of Serengeti! Aside from receiving 5 star services, we also received 5 star hotel and lodging – the rooms were fabulous and the meals were delicious.