Dancing Zebra Safari
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- Africa Travel Association (ATA) & The International Ecotourism Society (T.I.E.S)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $550 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Tracy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
I traveled to Tanzania for safari in Ngorongoro Crater and the Eastern Serengeti and to Rwanda for the Gorilla Trek in May 2023. I made the trip with my twenty something son and future daughter-in-law. I cannot say enough good things about Jessica Mathews and her team at Dancing Zebra Safari. From initial planning through the end of our trip, Jessica made everything easy and seamless. Her knowledge of these countries and the contacts she has made in Africa allowed us to see the best there is to offer. I followed her recommendation to travel from mid to end of May just before the high season to avoid the crowds and am so glad we did. We had hours on the Serengeti without another tour in sight.
Our private guide in Tanzania, Ian, was wonderful and extremely knowledgeable about the Serengeti, the many animals to be seen and where the animals would be at any give time of day. As a result, we were able to view all of the animals residing in the park multiple times including lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hyena, cheetah, endangered rhino, hippopotamus, wildebeest and even the elusive leopard. Without the summer crowds we were also able to view the animals close up, sometimes within only a couple of feet. It was truly magical.
Wanting the truest experience as possible, we stayed in a beautiful camp in the bush of the Serengeti, accompanied by a local lion pride. We came to understand that the lions were not much interested in us and had never attacked camp residents but we were accompanied throughout the camp by a Masai warrior just in case. :)
We then proceeded to Rwanda to see the gorillas. Rwanda is a beautiful country, very lush and tropical. Our private guide, Frank was terrific and as with Ian, was with us daily to make sure all was well and that we got where we needed to go. We hiked approximately two hours to see the gorillas - shorter hikes are available - and upon reaching the gorillas sat amidst a family of about 10, including a nursing baby. It was beautiful to spend time with these amazing, surprising gentle souls while they interacted with each other and on occasion with us. For anyone, who dreams of this experience - as I have for so many years - I strongly recommend taking the trip.
More general information - accommodations were lovely, opulent and beautifully decorated, consistent with the environment. In each location, we each had our own dwelling, consisting a large bedroom, bathroom, sitting area and balcony and in one case, even a private soaking pool. Meals were taken in a communal dining area and the food was quite good and plentiful. Staff at all of the accommodations were welcoming, friendly and professional, ensuring all of our needs and desires were promptly attended to.
This was a bucket list trip for me and it exceeded my expectations in every way. Thank you Jessica, Ian and all of the Dancing Zebra Safari staff for making this dream come true. xoxo
US
Email Darren & Angie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect safari week!
Our safari was expertly planned by Dancing Zebra Safari and their guides Ian and Edson made our family’s trip unforgettable. They made sure we saw “the big five” and so much more. Ian even found our cell phone in the middle of the Serengeti after backtracking to figure out where it had gone missing…a miracle and a testament to his amazing client service! We had spectacular accommodations at both Lemala Ewamjan and Nanyukie. The food was excellent and the staff were so warm and attentive. We didn’t want to leave when it was time to go home.
US
Email Patty & Jeff | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jessica and her team is amazing!
This was our first Safari experience and we had the most incredible time there! We decided to do 15 days total 10 days in Tanzania and the 5 days in Zanzibar to relax at the beautiful beach. Our tour guide was the best! His name is Thomson, he knew all the birds and we were able to see the big 5! He was extremely knowledgable of the whole safari experience which made it so much more rewarding. I would highly recommend you all to book with Thomson as your tour guide, he was the one that made this trip a memorable and once in a life time experience! Jessica and her team were very responsive and made sure our trip was seamless and on point! We will be using their services again if we plan to go back!
US
Email Jennifer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime experience
We had a great experience on our safari traveling around Tanzania. We are a family of 4 (two parents and two teenagers). Having our own private guide (Ian) with us the entire time allowed for a worry-free trip.
We loved the overall experience, but especially loved the higher end Lamala properties we visited (Nanyukie and Mpingo Ridge). The accommodations were magical, the staff world class and the food delicious. We loved the sun-downers we did throughout our safari and the unexpected surprises that came with each one.
The animals were amazing, and we saw everything we had expected. Unfortunately, some of the areas were overcrowded with safari vehicles which felt a bit intrusive on the animals. Our guide knew many areas that were remote and made for a more intimate experience. The cultural experiences were very special and made us feel as if we gained a better understanding of the way of life in Tanzania. I highly recommend the banana plantation lunch cooked by local ladies followed by a tuk tuk tour around the local village.
Overall, we had a great experience on our safari and would recommend it for anyone!
US
Email Leonard K. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, comprehensive, responsive, delight to work with, and an in-country expert.
Dancing Zebra was recommended to us by friends who had an amazing safari, and we in turn have done the same. We had great back-and-forth during the planning stages, and they were very flexible accommodating everything we were asking for that wasn't the usual experience. As the trip near we received a personalized booklet of 30+ pages that had answers to every travel question we could imagine and many that we couldn't. Once our trip began, there was never a moment when we were left to wonder what would happen next. (Well, there was an airline strike in Kenya, but that had nothing to do with Dancing Zebra and we were ultimately well taken care of!) I could tell you all about the once-in-a-lifetime experiences we had, our personal driver who did so much to make our trip above and beyond, and the incredible animal and scenic encounters. But instead I will just say that both of us agree that every moment of our trip exceeded every expectation. Thanks to Dancing Zebra for making it all possible. Dancing Zebra is so much more than a travel agent. Their understanding of the area and their personal relationships with all of the vendors combine to create a seamless, top-notch experience.
US
Email Steve M | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible skill and ability to translate our objectives in to the perfect vacation.
This was the trip of a lifetime for our family. Our sons are in their early 20s and we have never traveled extensively as a family. A close friend used DZ a few years back and I jumped on his recommendation. Jessica listened to all of our requirements and took care of every detail. We wanted to be taken care of, not worry about anything, and have accommodations that were top-shelf. Every aspect of the trip that DZ controlled was fantastic. Our trip to Tanzania was 10 days over the holidays. We stayed at 3 lodges all within the Lemala Camp group at Nanuyukie, Kuria Hills, and Mpingo. We also stayed at Lemala's Hamerkop House on arrival and departure which gave us a nice soft landing. They were all fantastic locations and incredible accommodations, among the best we've ever stayed at anywhere in the world. Plus, the food was terrific. Our favorite lodge was Kuria Hills for its breathtaking location and that we were the only guests for the 3 nights we were there. The staff prepared an unforgettable Christmas Dinner that we will remember and cherish forever. All aspects of the arrangements were met. Our guides were amazing, and the internal flights between lodges were great. We arranged 2 long drives between locations to add to the experience. Each of the Lemala camps were designed and built eco-friendly which I found impressive given the remote locations. Additionally, DAZ proactively monitored our arrival and progress through the trip. Jessica was in direct contact with the lodges throughout the 10 days which gave me confidence that everything about our trip was going to be great.
US
Email Vic | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A professional team dedicated to provide their guests with a lifetime experience
I met Jessica and her team back in 2020 at the Bay Area travel show. Their cheetah photo on display surely caught my attention and soon we started building an animal focused safari trip to Tanzania together.
We had a lot of tricky situations in our group due to members weren’t able to travel because of COVID restrictions and changing numbers of travelers last minute. From the start for two entire years, Jessica worked tirelessly to listen to our needs and helped us sort out all the postponements. She was always there for us the entire time to handle questions and deal with travel logistics in a promptly manner. I cannot thank her and her team enough for what they’ve done for us! For this, I totally recommend Dancing Zebra!!!
We were in Tanzania for 14 days and spend an abundant amount of time with the wildlife at Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti NP! All the camps/lodges we stayed at (hamerkop house, Kuro tarangire, entamatu, lemala nanyukie, Lamai Serengeti) were beyond amazing with kind hearted staff members! It’s very hard to pick a favorite since they each had their own uniqueness.
In terms of wildlife viewings, both of our two guides were simply beyond incredible. I had a lot of meaningful conservation related conversations with them and their pure love for the bush was reflected on every single game drive. Ian was with us for the longest. This person truly knows the national parks like his backyard:) I had no doubt from the beginning that I was gonna see a lot of cheetahs but when we were at Serengeti, it was almost two to three different sightings of cheetahs EVERYDAY!!! I’m always impressed with Ian’s skill to find the most memorable sightings and be as close as we could to witness everything yet creates a comfortable space between us human and the animals!! This is what I consider an ethical guide with professionalism! The sightings gets better and better everyday that it’s just too hard to pick the most memorable one:) It’s definitely worth considering visit there during the off peak seasons as for most sightings, we were the ONLY vehicles beside the animals!! We even got to see the migration^o^ if I could retake my safari, I would stay even longer!
In short, I’m forever grateful that I met Jessica and Ian 2 years ago! If you want to create a lifetime memory in Africa be it honeymoon or casual vacation, look no further than dancing zebra! You’ll definitely be in good hands with this knowledgeable, wonderful team of people!
I look forward to go on safari with them very soon! Asante Sana Team dancing zebra
Xx
US
Email Jill Tolles | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing, attentive and responsive to all of our needs.
We took our family on this once in a lifetime trip to see the majestic animals, meet the welcoming and resilient people of Tanzania and Rwanda, and explore the unforgettable landscapes of Africa. Jessica was incredibly accommodating and responsive to our needs and desires. Everyone we met along the way from our guides to the hospitality staff were warm, knowledgeable, and a treasure to get to know as people. We have already referred Dancing Zebra to numerous friends looking to explore Africa either on Safari or in the Virunga Mountains with the world-famous gorillas. I cannot recommend them highly enough for your Africa Adventure!
US
Email Sarah Mason | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra was very thorough, truly cares about its clients, and has a passion for Tanzania.
Our experience with Dancing Zebra was fabulous from start to finish! We booked our Tanzanian safari + Zanzibar beach honeymoon through them. The trip was awe inspiring and unforgettable! 10/10 would recommend booking your trip with them. This was our first time to Sub-Saharan Africa, so we were unsure what to expect and how to get around. They made sure we were taken care of every step of the way and there wasn't any guesswork (which was a huge relief). Communication was clear, timely, and thorough. It was reassuring that they booked us at places they had personal experience with and recommend based on their own travels.
Edson, the driver we were booked with, was amazing! We adore him and will ask for him when we visit again. He is a wealth of knowledge, helped us find a good spot for photos, and has a great eye for spotting animals and recognizing the different bird calls.
We opted for more comfortable luxury lodgings, and the value for the pricing was excellent. Each location was wonderful, with meals included and comfortable rooms.
If you want an amazing experience all around and want to work with someone that truly cares and has a wealth of first-hand experience, then do not hesitate to book with Dancing Zebra Safari!
US
Email Steve Shames | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Another great Tanzania experience with Dancing Zebra Safari Company!
This was our fifth trip with Dancing Zebra Safari Co. and I have said this in previous reviews, but it’s worth saying again -- Jessica Matthews, the owner of Dancing Zebra, is the best out there in organizing a private custom safari! She has all the connections and knowledge to put together a great safari.
Several years ago, we went the cheap route and did a “group” safari with a large tour company. They have rigid itineraries, and we really did not have much say in where we went and what we did. It was ok, but we decided to do a private custom safari next, and after shopping around, we came across Jessica and Dancing Zebra in 2019, and we have been with her ever since! We consult with Jessica about where we want to go, how long, the luxury level of the lodges to fit our budget, and she puts together a custom itinerary for us.
Our Safari driver, Ian Kiwelu, who calls the Serengeti his “backyard”, seems to have a detailed map of the entire Serengeti in his head! He knows every road in this vast wild area, no matter how small or remote, and has something of a sixth sense of where to go to find the animals. We saw all the usual African animals, including all the big cats. And we saw thrilling events, like full speed cheetah chases, and large wildebeest herds crossing the Mara River as part of the Great Migration. We were there towards the end of the river crossing season, but we saw two river crossings the first two days, with only minutes of waiting. Later we found out that others at our camp had waited for up to 8 hours at different spots of the river, and did not see anything. So it really pays to have a driver like Ian, who just seems to know where to go. The Lemala camps where we stayed, were great as always. After 8 trips total to Africa, I can say they are the best. So thanks again to Jessica and Ian for making this another great safari!
