Our Head Guide Nico and our Signature Hot Lunches
Unlimited Expeditions: The Soul of Tanzania
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $400 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
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Email Daniel Pleasant | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzanian Safari of a Lifetime
After a lifetime of dreaming and a decade of planning, my wife and I finally took our first African safari in July/August 2018. One of the best decisions we made was selecting Soul of Tanzania to handle our week in northern Tanzania.
From our first request for information, the staff was always responsive to our many questions. Because of our time difference, I would send our questions in the evening, and could count on answers waiting in my inbox in the morning. It made planning hassle-free as we finalized our itinerary, customized the way we wanted.
We decided on an eight-day, private guided safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti, with a side trip to Olduvai Gorge and a balloon safari in the Serengeti. Soul provided us with four levels of accommodation to choose from in each area (five in the Serengeti), so to keep within our budget, we chose the most basic level, comprising Planet Lodge in Arusha, Rhino Lodge at the crater, and Ang’ata tented camps in the Serengeti. All were adequate for our needs, and Planet Lodge was outstanding.
But the element that makes or breaks your safari is the quality of your guide. Here’s where we really scored. Soul matched us up with Edward, a twelve-year guide who seemed to understand us immediately. From the first day, when we came upon a lion hunt in Tarangire, Edward had a knack for finding the animals we wanted to see, then having the patience to wait till we could get the perfect shot. He worked with us on a daily basis to come up with the program for the following day. From talking to other guests on safari, it was apparent that others weren’t having the variety and quality of sightings we were enjoying. That was all because of Edward’s superior knowledge and skill, as he found lion and cheetah cubs, not one but two leopards, and even a dik-dik (five minutes after I said I wanted to see one).
Edward was also great at producing our signature, envy-inducing hot lunches, and was a charming dinner companion to boot. Our last memory is of Edward, waving with both arms, as we took off in our small plane back to Arusha.
Kudos also to Ben in the front office for checking in periodically to make sure our safari was meeting our expectations.
We highly recommend Soul of Tanzania!
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Email Sean | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Erasto was the best tour guide hands down. He found every single animal we had hoped to see upclose!
Our experience with booking the excursion was very easy, they made us feel comfortable and tried their very best to make sure we were taken care of. The service exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide Erasto was very prompt and made sure we saw every animal possible which we did! The difference between what we saw and what others saw was quite different as he would find animals at a very close distance which helped us get amazing photos! The accommodations were very pleasant with friendly people greeting you saying Jambo and Karibu! My wife and I had an amazing experience and I am sure you will too with this company and Erasto as your tour guide!
Email Christina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life Changing
It has taken me a long time to write this review, because I have found it hard to put into words how utterly incredible, soul-nurturing and life changing my Safari with Soul of Tanzania was. From our first communication, it was clear that this company was a cut above the rest. As a sole traveller who has previously owned and run my own tour guiding business, my standards are pretty high! I value ethical and responsible tourism, and Soul’s commitment to minimising plastic waste was very important to me; as was their commitment to employing great guides (knowing I would be in a car alone with one for 6 days!)
The level of service I received was excellent – every email got a prompt reply, and all of my questions were patiently answered. I got a thorough briefing at the beginning of the tour, and was made aware that I could contact the operations manager at any time with any issues. Not that I needed to… Because from the moment I met my Guide Emmanuel, I knew I had made a great decision in choosing Soul of Tanzania.
The six days that I spent with Emmanuel were the most amazing and freeing six days of my life. He was a consummate professional - friendly, engaging and funny. He indulged my endless questions (really, I had a lot…) and patiently taught me all the Swahili words and phrases I wanted to learn. Tour guiding in Tanzania is no walk in the park – the distances are vast, the roads are challenging and the guides speak all day in a second language (I can’t help but empathise, having been a guide myself...) Emmanuel made it look easy, and I appreciate how incredibly hard that is to do.
Each morning the car was clean, stocked with warm food (in reuseable containers), wine and water; and I was greeted with a huge smile and a brief for the day. The car had a fridge and, very importantly, chargers for phones, laptops and cameras (which would quickly run out of battery with all the use they were getting!)
Emmanuel took the time to get to know me and learn what I wanted out of the Safari, which meant that I got to spend the time seeing all that I wanted to see. I had no interest in the ‘Big 5’, I just wanted to experience the animals and landscapes as we encountered them – from the adorable Mongeese, to Jackals, thousands of different types of birds (which Emmanuel could name all of), and the hundreds of thousands of peaceful herbivores of the plains – Gnu, Twiga and Pundamilia. Seeing them all was a thrill to me – and the up-close encounters with Leopards and Lions was a bonus. Each day my experience of the last day would be exceeded – from a huge convergence of Zebra ringing out their chorus in Tarangire, to a hunting Lioness in the Serengeti, to the incredible, unimaginable and awe-inspiring spectacle of the Great Migration.
Emmanuel was skilled at finding positions that allowed for photos free of obstructions, yet remained incredibly respectful of the animals we were watching. By day three, and heading towards the Northern Serengeti, my heart was loosening – jolted free by kilometre after kilometre of rutted tracks, and by hour after hour of watching animals at leisure, work and play. Until this moment, I had not understood what it is to be wild, to share in the vastness of nature untamed. Every day Emmanuel would say to me, “Christina, you are free”… And for the first time in my life, in that great wilderness, I felt that I was.
I went specifically to see the Great Migration, and we were lucky enough to witness three river crossings in one day in the Mara Region. That incredibly special landscape has captured my heart forever, and I feel so grateful to have experienced this with Emmanuel. Thank you Soul, for your commitment to the wild places of Tanzania; and thank you Emmanuel, for making my short time in the wilderness such a unique and memorable experience. As you drove, and I stood on the passenger seat with the wind in my hair, I lost a part of my soul… Forever left to wander into the endless horizon, under an ever-changing Savannah sky.
Asante Sana.
You will see me again :)
PT
Email Alex C | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excelent
It was just great.
It's safe, it's beatiful.
It's a beautiful experience.
We loved our guide: Vincent!
Email Marlene | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari guides and company!
We went on a 10-day Safari through Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti (July 2018). We chose Soul of Tanzania as they were highly recommended by friends, and they truly lived up to that glowing recommendation! Our guide Nico was extremely welcoming, friendly, professional, patient, and knowledgable. He always got us in great spots for photos, but was respectful of the animals and knew how to read their behaviour. As a very experienced guide and driver, we felt very safe at all times with Nico. He truly loves and is passionate about Tanzania's people, culture, animals and landscapes. It was nice to be collected and dropped off at the airport by the same person -- he was a lovely friend by the end! Also, during the booking/planning stages, the Soul of Tanzania staff were very responsive and easy to communicate with, especially Miguel, Iris and Rachel. We would highly recommend Soul of Tanzania, for excellent guides, well-maintained vehicles and a high-standard Safari experience.
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Email Kimberly | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime!
My dad and I took a trip with Soul of Tanzania in July 2018 for my 40th Birthday. After much research of safari companies (it is overwhelming!) I chose Soul of Tanzania as I felt booking with a Tanzania-based company was important and I felt there would be a more personal connection to Soul. I knew I made the right choice from the beginning! The sales team, Miguel C (he is wonderful!) and Christina F ,were amazingly responsive and helpful, answering my initial 20+ emails prior to booking. I appreciated that Soul could work with any budget and book with any accommodation in the country, so that I could truly personalize and "splurge" on a smaller, more intimate luxury camp in the Serengeti while starting off with nicer budget lodges in Tarangire. Back in December 2017 I had originally requested Ben to be our guide, however he had since been promoted to Operations Manager (congrats Ben!) by the time we took our safari. However, Deo, who was hired to replace Ben, was amazing with his 22 years of experience, internal GPS, bionic eyes, quick and witty sense of humor, deep SOULful voice, and signature "pose" for photos :) Not only did we see the Big 5, we saw the Migration herds, a Black mamba snake and Deo pointed out when we saw a "baby, 200 year-old" Baobab tree in Tarangire that we probably would not have appreciated otherwise. Deo became a friend and we enjoyed spending time with him whenever we could! There were small, but nice touches of hospitality and service; Deo surprised me with buying my favorite popcorn at the visitor's center while I was in the restroom, Deo gave me Tanzanian shillings for a souvenir so that I didn't have to trade in USD. Deo went above and beyond to provide an amazing safari experience.
When we initially booked the trip, we booked for 2 nights in the North Serengeti, however the migration herds were still in the West come July. Ben and Deo and the staff made arrangements for us to switch lodging so that we could stay in the west to see the herds! This was much appreciated and we were so grateful to be able to be close to "The Greatest Show on Earth," and witness this very special natural event.
Soul had also been informed that I was celebrating my 40th birthday, so they had made arrangements ahead of time with the Pakulala Safari Camp at Ngorongoro crater (highly recommend this camp!) with a personalized birthday cake, candles and singing around the dining tent to the "Jambo, jambo Bwana/Kilimanjaro." None of the other guides were in the dining tent and I was worried Deo wouldn't be there, but he came to sing and celebrate--it honestly wouldn't have been the same without him; it's a celebration I'll never forget!
We enjoyed the hot picnic lunches and all of the lodges were beautiful and hospitable, particularly the Kiota Camp in Central Serengeti and Pakulala Camp in Ngorongoro. I have had several friends inquire about my trip and many want to know which company I booked with; I am excited to share with them about Soul and Deo and can confidently make these recommendations. Asante to all!
US
Email Kimberly | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime!
My dad and I took a trip with Soul of Tanzania in July 2018 for my 40th Birthday. After much research of safari companies (it is overwhelming!) I chose Soul of Tanzania as I felt booking with a Tanzania-based company was important and I felt there would be a more personal connection to Soul. I knew I made the right choice from the beginning! The sales time, Miguel C (he is wonderful!) and Christina F were amazingly responsive and helpful, answering my initial 20+ emails prior to booking. I appreciated that Soul could work with any budget and book with any accommodation in the country, so that I could truly personalize and "splurge" on a smaller, more intimate luxury camp in the Serengeti while starting off with nicer budget lodges in Tarangire. Back in December 2017 I had originally requested Ben to be our guide, however he had since been promoted to Operations Manager (congrats Ben!) by the time we took our safari. However, Deo, who was hired to replace Ben was amazing with his 22 years of experience, internal GPS, bionic eyes, quick and witty sense of humor, deep SOULful voice, and signature "pose" for photos :) Not only did we see the Big 5, we saw the Migration herds, a Black mamba snake and Deo pointed out when we saw a "baby, 200 year-old" Baobab tree in Tarangire that we probably would not have appreciated otherwise. Deo became a friend and we enjoyed spending time with him whenever we could! There were small, but nice touches of hospitality and service; Deo surprised me with buying my favorite popcorn at the visitor's center while I was in the restroom, Deo gave me Tanzanian shillings for a souvenir so that I didn't have to trade in USD. Deo went above and beyond to provide an amazing safari experience.
When we initially booked the trip, we booked for 2 nights in the North Serengeti, however the migration herds were still in the West come July. Ben and Deo and the staff made arrangements for us to switch lodging so that we could stay in the west to see the herds! This was much appreciated and we were so grateful to be able to be close to "The Greatest Show on Earth," and witness this very special natural event.
Soul had also been informed that I was celebrating my 40th birthday, so they had made arrangements ahead of time with the Pakulala Safari Camp at Ngorongoro crater (highly recommend this camp!) with a personalized birthday cake, candles and singing around the dining tent to the "Jambo, jambo Bwana/Kilimanjaro." None of the other guides were in the dining tent and I was worried Deo wouldn't be there, but he came to sing and celebrate--it honestly wouldn't have been the same without him; it's a celebration I'll never forget!
We enjoyed the hot picnic lunches and all of the lodges were beautiful and hospitable, particularly the Kiota Camp in Central Serengeti and Pakulala Camp in Ngorongoro. I have had several friends inquire about my trip and many want to know which company I booked with; I am excited to share with them about Soul and Deo and can confidently make these recommendations. Asante to all!
CN
Email sara | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience
Just coming back, Soul of Tanzania made our trip a lifetime experience, esp thanks to our guide, Ahmed, who beard in his mind every road in Serengeti, and is rich of knowledge of animals, which made us to see so many lions. We can tell that he loved his job, everyday he drove a lot and show no tired, and he also knows a lot about photographing, always helping us to catch good light. BTW, we enjoyed our warm lunch and even wines, wow, thank you so much, Soul of Tanzania. Highly recommend to my friends.
MT
Email Godfrey Grima | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic, the stuff of dreams.
We have been to a large number of countries and this was not our first African safari, having already visited South Africa and Swaziland before, but our trip to Tanzania was definitely one of our very best trips ever anywhere. We travel a lot, in fact these last 12 months alone we have been to Italy, Norway, England Russia and India (tiger safari). The trip in Tanzania was perfect throughout. We wanted to have a good safari and then a couple of days relaxation at a beach resort and so we contacted Soul of Tanzania. They were very helpful and patient with us in the planning stages. When we were happy with the package we paid and waited for the day to come for our trip. As soon as we arrived we were picked up by Nico our driver/guide. Nico was a very knowledgeable and efficient guide and a superb driver. He knew we wanted to see as many animals as possible and he worked hard, from dawn to dusk to make our dream holiday come true. Whenever he spotted something (which was all the time) he always expertly and deftly drove up close to the action. We came up close to all kinds of animals including lions, but we always felt safe and protected by Nico. He was always calm and great to get along with and answered all our questions. He was patient with our requests. He knew we wanted to see the Great Migration of the wildebeest and with his expertise he managed against all odds to drive us to within feet of this migration crossing the Grumeti River. National Geographic stuff!! One day our game drive stretched beyond sundown, (due to distances involved) and he turned the rest of our drive into an impromptu night game drive!! He used to keep an eye out for the time due to the large distances involved yet always give us enough time to enjoy the wildlife milling around us and to take all the photos we needed. The jeep was always kept spotless and well supplied with drinks and goodies, and when it was time for lunch he used to park at the allotted site, lay out the tablecloth and serve us hot lunch, tea and biscuits much to the envy of other tourists with other companies who happened to be near by. When it was time to leave we left behind us a friend. If I had to go back I would simply head straight for Soul of Tanzania offices and if possible ask for Nico! The rest of the holiday was spent in Zanzibar at the Gold Resort (another review). Well done Soul of Tanzania. Everyone did his job to perfection, from planning to implementation. We know why you chose that name!
KR
Email Jiae Lee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond Safari
It's been a decade to cross off the bucket list. Africa is the most place I wanted to go so bad. With tens of research, followed by the instinct I finally chose the company, Soul of Tanzania.
Indeed, we just relieved as soon as we met our guide, Heaven at the airport. As we felt like it would be a great journey, it went so fantastic during our safari.
The lunch time, as I viewed through the reviews, we served warm and nice meals like a picnic. It was much more ROMANTIC with 'real nature' than I thought. People around us wondered about our company, even one of them came to us and asked in person.
During the safari, Heaven tried to show us 'Big 5' and it really worked. Thanks to Heaven's efforts, we could have some great chances to see wildebeests' migration, cheeta's eating on the tree and zebra's bath and drinking. When I was in the middle of the wildebeests on the field, it's like we are in the heaven on earth.
As Heaven wrote on the back widow, we flew really high. Thank all other staffs as well for prompt replies and the support with heart to be our trip great.
Especially, thanks to Heaven, we enjoyed our trip with Heaven who loves and is passionate and thankful about his job. We were not only exploring the nature, but also learned and touched a lot from his attitude. Also, we were a great team!
Above all, the most important thing to be a great trip is not just where to go, but who is going with you. Anyone who is interested in. Just take this. You'll be on the right track.
