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
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!
I would recommend this tour for absolutely anyone who wants a great African experience. Myself and a small group of friends did a safari through Uganda, Kenya and finishing in Tanzania a few months ago. The tour itself was amazing visiting parts of the world you never dreamed you would go and experiencing things you could only imagine like trekking the mountain gorillas in bwindi impenetrable forest or whitewater rafting in the Nile! Our tour guide James was excellent and could spot animals from anywhere!!! I saw more wildlife in those 25 days then I have seen in my life!! We went way beyond the big five and were even lucky enough hang out with Mountain Gorillas, chimps, hunting dogs, rhinos aswell as everything else! James was great company a pleasure to be around and even taught us some Swahili words aswell as an easy song!! Our cook Costa was incredible I always looked forward to eating his meals. Everyday was an adventure with something different we did plenty of game drives, boat tours, walks, bike tour, white water rafting, bungee jumping and a night game drive. The tours there are great they really are tailor made to suit you which means you get the exact experience that your looking for! Overall the trip an amazing experience!!! I will definitely return for another adventure and recommend to anyone thinking of experiencing Africa.
US
Email Daniel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worth it! Exceeded all expectations and wouldn't change a thing!
Wow we don't even know where to start with our review of East African Safari, but basically it ends with smiles and two thumbs up! Simon was beyond helpful answering our many, many questions and was also very accommodating with our requests on length of trip, and where we wanted to stay at night. We E-mailed other safari operators as well but Simon's prompt and helpful replies, in addition to their community integration and conservation efforts, is really what sold it for us. This cost is a bit higher than other operators, but as we soon found out that it is 100% WORTH IT!
Just a few quick details about our trip: 10 days Safari, starting in Mwanza with stay near Speke Bay, and then passing through Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and finally flying out from Arusha.
Our guide, Cosmos, was beyond expectations and definitely one of the reasons the trip ended up perfect for us. He met us promptly at the airport in Mwanza with a big smile and immediately shuttled us over to the Tilapia Hotel so that we could relax after being on airplanes for 20+ hours. The place even had a pool and gorgeous view of the water so we felt relaxed and ready to go the next morning! Cosmos was waiting for us right when he promised, and after chatting for a bit we knew he was going to be a great guide over the next 9 days. We were both interested in learning Swahili for the trip and so were constantly bugging him for swahili translations but he energetically answered every question we had!
One of the first big highlights that made us glad we chose EASTCO happened when our original hotel for the second day, the Speke Bay Lodge, ended up being full so instead Simon got us rooms at nearby Serenity on the Lake lodge...which was one of the nicest places we've ever stayed! Throughout the entire trip there were multiple instances like this, where things didn't go exactly as planned (for those of you you've traveled to Africa this shouldn't be a surprise) only to find that Cosmos and Simon would improvise quickly to make everything perfect for us!
Every day had a pretty standard routine, Cosmos would tell us what time to meet him, we'd drive around watching wildlife, and then spend afternoons back at the lodges. My girlfriend and I are slow eaters so a few times were a little late to meet him at the vehicle but he would just respond with a smile and the usual Tanzanian response of "No worries! Pole Pole!" Cosmos' energy, promptness, and especially knowledge of African wildlife really were incredible. He'd usually spot and identify wildlife before we could even see them! We managed to see every bit of wildlife we had planned (including rhinos and leopards) and he even managed to find something I had absolutely been dying to observe...a leopard tortoise! I can't stress that enough with Cosmos, he will go out of his way to make sure you get a chance to see what you want and he has the eyes and intuition to make it happen. At the same time, he is also very patient and would sit quietly while we sat for long periods of time just to watch a pride of lions eating or hippos bathing.
Another reason we're glad we went with EASTCO: I accidentally left my cell phone at one of the lodges which of course is always a stressful situation. However, Simon called and had the lodge actually mail the phone to himself in Arusha, after which he personally organized a driver to BRING THE PHONE down to us near Tarangire park!! We didn't have to worry at all about the entire situation because it was handled perfectly by Simon and Cosmos, and phone was delivered back safely into my hands!
Also, we had planned (and paid) to stay at the Rhino Lodge near the Ngorongoro crater because it was a more budget friendly lodge option, but on the day were supposed to head over there Cosmos got a text from Simon telling him to put us up in the Serena Wildlife Lodge instead!! For no extra cost to us! For those of you unaware, Rhino lodge is a budget lodge away from crater rim, while Serena is one of the few luxury lodges that actually sit on the rim...with an incredible view! This was a very pleasant surprise for us, and I have to be honest, that hot shower felt incredible after a dusty day in the crater.
The final days of the trip were spent in East African Safari's own lodge, the Boundary Hill Lodge (can check out our review on TripAdvisor) which also exceeded our every expectation. Reading about the history of the lodge was inspirational, basically created to help support the local communities (and indeed even 50% owned by those same communities) and an inseparable part of the Tarangire Conservation Area. One our final day Cosmos took us around souvenir shopping and even offered to help bargain with vendors if we needed the backup (a very nice offer sometimes when buying things as a traveler!).
In summary, if you want a dependable, quality, top-notch safari with a guide who is friendly and very knowledgeable...then pick East African Safari Company! Also I should mention that Simon also organized all of our airfare to other places around Tanzania. We picked them because of their integration and support of local communities and incredible work with wildlife conservation (basically the entire reason Boundary Hill Lodge was even created) but found that they also provided a better Safari trip than we could have ever hoped. Absolutely worth it!
Email John Atchison | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The family trip of a lifetime
Thank you Simon from East African Safari and Touring company for your suggestion for our 5 day safari through the Serengetti and Ngorongoro Crater, your communication in the lead up and organization made this a smooth ride. Our safari with our children aged 14 12 and 9 was a fantastic experience we were amazed by the closeness and abundance of wildlife we were able to see and on our final day we witnessed a pride of lioness stalking some zebra whilst 20 or more young lions roamed around our safari vehicle. At nights we were impressed by our campsite which was very well organized and the meals were great, the experiences the children were able to gain by sitting around a campfire freely talking and singing with the local Masai was priceless. Our driver Innocent was great with the knowledge he was able to share with us about the local wildlife there seemed nothing he wasnt able to tell us
Email Simone | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Second safari and just as fantastic as the first
This was the second safari we did with East African Safari and Touring Company (Eastco) and the trip was just as good as the first.
We went on our honeymoon with Eastco and on this trip I took my parents. I had emailed a few other companies for quotes but the communication I received from David was excellent, really quick to reply, and very willing to answer any and all my questions.
The trip did live up to our expectations and in many areas exceeded it.
The wildlife of course was a highlight, as was the interaction with the guide, the Masai at Tarangire and the Tingatinga artist at Boundary Hill Mr Nchimbi.
Boundary Hill Lodge was special, beautiful views, wildlife, being able to go for a bush walk and night drive all added to the experience of this quiet, well managed lodge.
We also stayed at Ol Tukai beautiful and quiet as well on the shores of Lake Manyara.
The wildlife lodge at Ngorongoro had beautiful views but as expected with a lodge of this size the food was very good but not excellent. The view and easy access to the crater made up for it.
In the Serengeti we slept in Eastco's own camp ensuite shower and toilet and perfect locations to catch the wildebeest birth.
If you have not seen the calving, with hyena and lion, vultures and jackals you should go, it is an amazing experience. Even though we had been before we probably enjoyed the trip and wildlife better this time round.
I would recommend a Tanzania safari and you can't go wrong with Eastco.
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable experience!
I had heard many great things about East Co Safari so I was very excited to begin my tour and I can conclude that the safari tour exceeded my expectations by far. All of the organisational aspects were taken care of and I didn't have to worry about a single thing. On our tour we had two cars and four workers who provided everything we needed and assembled and dissembled camp everyday while we were out exploring. The food was something that exceeded my expectations by far. Costa, our chef, provided incredible 3 course meals every night, cooked breakfast and cooked lunch each day, which was something I really did not expect. We even got our shoes and clothes cleaned after the gorilla trek! The safari cars were in great condition and the drivers took great pride in their vehicles, which have pop out roofs so you're able to game watch! The guides/ drivers were extremely friendly, fun, knowledgeable and easy to get along with. You can ask them about almost anything with regards to East Africa and they could tell you! The fact that they fit in like locals and interact with the locals in such environments, allows you to also immerse yourself and sometimes go "off the beaten track" with the drivers as safety really is not an issue. I never once felt unsafe on my safari and I think that is a part of what made it so fantastic! With East Co I found that we never got bored doing the same thing over and over again because each day something different was planned and we wouldn't get stuck doing the same styled adventure each day. I didn't have a care in the world and was just enjoying every minute of it and I truly accredit that to the quality of the service and smoothness of the itinerary, along with the kindness of the workers. My trip only went for 15 days however I would have gladly carried on, because with East Co, everyday provides something different and exciting.
QA
Email Andy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We flew in from around the world for a family Christmas and New Year that no one will forget!!!
Ten months were spent planning our family Christmas Safari. E-mails to East Africa Safari with questions during these 10 months were promptly answered. When the day came to fly to two different airports (Arusha and Kilimanjaro) from different parts of the world (USA & Qatar), it all came together seamlessly thanks to the careful planning, on time flights, and the commitments met by East Africa Safari. We all met in Arusha on Christmas Day at the time estimated several months prior (15:00) and we enjoyed a Christmas day together that was out of the ordinary. The next day our 22 & 25 year old kids quickly connected with our good natured guide, Melckizedeck (Melk), who knew the territory well and had many contacts throughout the Maasai communities of the Serengeti. Mingling with the villagers and local culture added an unexpected element to the trip. At the end of the 7 day adventure we saw many animals, had lots of laughs, and shared experiences we will remember forever. We left highly pleased with East Africa Safari and I would recommend them to anyone.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic!
Simon of East African Safari Co created a wonderful, well-tailored travel safari for our group of 3. We did a long safari of 16 days and he made it very interesting, varied and covered all of the area highlights. We visited five national parks/area and also had numerous interactions with the local population and culture. The staff was outstanding (we LOVED our guide), food was excellent and the lodging was very nice. All of this was done for nearly 1/2 of what other safari companies were charging. Simon was in frequent contact with us over our four months of planning and responded quickly to any questions or needs we had. Overall, we had the best time and highly recommend East African Safari company. We are looking forward to our next trip to eastern Africa and will certainly use EAST Co again in the future.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
EASCO
I was nervous when I got to the Kilimanjaro airport because the phone number I had did not seem to be working. So I was pleased and relieved that a driver, whose name was Cosmas, was waiting for us with a warm smile, a helping hand and bottles of water!
I knew we were staying in Arusha because the overnight multiple flights made it too exhausting to head straight out to the Serengeti. But I had not looked up where we were staying, and so it was a delightful surprise. I had thought we would be staying in a small hotel in town, but we stayed at the Hatari Lodge inside the park, and the lodge and its operators and employees gave us our first impression of what being on Safari is like. And it was hospitality at its best. They met us with warm wash cloths, a deliciously refreshing watermelon ginger concoction, and a friendly explanation that we must close and lock the doors and windows so the monkeys don't come in and steal all our shiny things! In the park, we saw thousands of flamingos, a wart-hog battle, and a walking tour to a beautiful waterfall! Several giraffes greeted us in the morning, munching on trees about 30 feet from out front porch. The monkeys gave us a great show, trying to sneak into the bar, while we were eating breakfast.
The next day Cosmas delivered us to Arusha airport without incident, and we flew on a Cessna Air Caravan over the Ngorogoro Crater to Seronera and there we met James, who was our guide for the rest of the Safari.
James was awesome in every way! We saw all the animals for which the Serengeti is famous and also had the opportunity to take a walk through a small village. Each place we stayed in had its own special charm and the staff always made us feel comfortable and welcome. The food everywhere was quite delicious. Riding around in the Land Rover, free from traffic, seat belts, and surrounded by big open skies and melodious song birds was a delightful, if very dusty experience! I would have hated to have to be seated in a larger tour bus for so many hours a day. Being able to stand up for most of the drive made all the difference to us, and because we were not with others, we could linger longer or hit the road to the next site at will. Also, spending most of the day with James was wonderful as we learned a great deal about the local wild life, a bit about Tanzanian current events, and shared many, many laughs.
If you are afraid of lizards, don't like bumpy roads or dust, and are afraid of getting stuck in mud ruts or having to push a truck for a few steps, then this trip is not for you! We met a young couple who were clearly distressed because they didn't like camping! This made us laugh, because the tent camp we stayed at was so clean, so bug free, had comfortable beds, had indoor toilet and hot shower and had a chef quality meal offered at the end of each day. It's really not roughing it!!! But if you have some adventurous spirit and love the sound of the lions in the distance and the greeting of giraffes and zebras in the morning, then, please, take this amazing trip. And if you can, definitely take it with James!!!
Email Aoife Byrne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ticked all the boxes and that little bit more... you can have confidence in EAS&TC!
So to try and keep this short and sweet (as I know the hours it takes researching the different Safrai operators, reading reviews etc.. it is almost a full time job!!
Planning the safari
- They say patience is a virtue and it is!! Thankfully Simon of East African Safari had plenty of it as we had questions, questions and more questions and never once did it become a big deal. He was even happy to provide guidance on the areas of our trip that we weren't going to be booking through him. His brochures and itineraries were not as high end as some of the other operators but it is simple things like that that allow him to be the most competitive Safari company, pricewise that I researched (I resarched 8 in great depth.) He provided really honest and solid advice on some other things like visiting an orphanage.
On the Safari
- We were really pleased with our itinerary and got to see everything - except the elusive Rhino but we were just unlucky with the weather and nature has a mind of it's own!!
Our guide
Jimmy looked after us so well over the 5 days went to great lengths on the last day to make sure we saw cheetahs and leopards. He knew everything and dealt with my million questions everyday very well.
Accommodation
We stayed in a mix of tented camps and lodges - all were great but Boundary Hill lodge at Tarangire was stand out - it was beyond our wildest dreams. The beautiful brick lodges, the outside dining and the amazing service made it one of the most special nights of our whole holiday - you actually need to see this place to believe. Our morning walk with the Masai gifted us with a leopard sighting which added to specialness of this gem.
Food
Really good everywhere and plenty of it.. Don't go on Safari expecting Heston style but be assured that you will get great basic food that is full of taste and you will never be left hungry!
The extra stuff that makes a difference
We were a group of three girls travelling together and unfortunately one of the our bags never arrived to Dar Es Saleem. When we explained this to Simon he invited us to his house the day of Safari to drop off the missing baggage form and to chase the bag when we were on Safari. Unfortunately due to the airline's mistake the bag didn't show up over the Safari but Simon had someone trying everyday. The day after we finished safari he organised for us to be collected at our accommodation to collect the form and had a cuppa waiting for us. It's nice to know that an operator will go that extra mile for you, even after payments have been made!!
I would highly recommend East Africa on all fronts!
Email Richard | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari capped off by Wild Dogs at Naitolia Camp while on a early morning walk.
My wife and I did a 12 night safari in August 2014 with Eastco (East African Safari and Touring Company) starting in Mwanza and ending at Boundary Hill Lodge Tarangire. The various accommodation were excellent, food great varied and plenty. African soup is special.
The high light of the safari was the night spent at Naitolia camp ( 1 night) and the walk to Boundary Hill Lodge the next morning, we saw while walking wild dogs running along the road in front of us before they slipped off into the bushes and grass. Even our guide was amazed.
Boundary Hill Lodge perched on top of a steep bluff provided beautiful views over the conservation area below. There were a lot of elephants in the area and even some we saw drinking out of the pool.
Boundary Hill also offered Masai village visits and Tinga Tinga painting.
We also stayed at Speke Bay lodge (5 stars) Mbalageti (5 also) We camped at Eastco's Horizon camp, simple, clean but very nice wildlife everywhere but then again this was the Serengeti.
Perhaps the only disappointment on the trip was our stay at Sopa Lodge, I agree the descent road is an advantage but the lodge is extremely large and what I would call part of the institutanlized safari accomodation so often offered by Tour Companies. We preferred the smaller more boutique lodges and camps. These camps are a speciality of an Eastco trip. The communication before the safari was excellent, the service from the guide and all staff at Eastco also excellent. The trip exceeded our expectations to such a degree we have booked a 30 day trip for 2015 again with Eastco.
Simon certainly knows how to design a private trip to suit individual needs.
The 4 x4 was clean and excellent for the type of bush roads we went on.
All in all Tanzania is an excellent safari destination and Eastco (East African Safari and Touring Company)
an excellent Tanzania based tour operator