Dancing Zebra Safari
- Located In:
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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
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Email Kristen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy and delightful from start to finish!
We had an amazing time on safari with Dancing Zebra! Jessica and Abdullie did a great job with the early planning stages - they were responsive to our needs and requests, plus they just seem like nice people. The itineraries are presented in an easy to understand and visually appealing way. Plus, their local connections really help with planning and pricing; they were checking in on the properties and local partners in person while we were organizing the trip, which made us confident in their recommendations. The safari itself was effortless on our end and we ended up really enjoying the itinerary they had recommended. Our vehicle, guide, and lodging were superb! Dancing Zebra checked in during the trip to make sure everything was going okay, but we really had no response other than thank you! I would definitely recommend using them for your safari.
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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!
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Email Erin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazingly thoughtful and there for us 100%
Quite honestly, I was a little hesitant to book with Dancing Zebra because I had trouble finding online reviews, but I couldn't be happier that I booked our honeymoon through them.
From the very beginning, Jessica was flexible with our budget and needs and gave us an excellent recommendation for a 6-night safari. Every aspect and every quesiton was thoroughly covered by both Jessica and Abdullie. They gave us a full breakdown of what to expect each day from both the driver/tour and the accommodations through both an online portal and a customized pamplet that gave tips on everything from the details of the accommodations to tipping customs to even what to pack for the trip.
We actually ran into a problem with a self-booked flight heading into the safari--the flight had been cancelled without any notification to me or my husband. I contacted Dancing Zebra to let them know, and Abdullie was all over it, even though the flight had not been part of the itinerary that Dancing Zebra had covered. He was able to get in touch with the airline that cancelled and helped to ensure that I was booked on another airline to get to Kilimanjaro Airport to be in time for the start of our safari.
While our guide, Peter, was amazing and knowledgeable throughout the entire trip, the most enjoyable part of our trip was our stay at the Nasikia Naona Moru camp in southern Serengeti. My husband and I were thrilled with how luxurious the tent was (the epitome of "glamping"), but what really made the stay was the staff. They were so kind and thoughtful--I had the flu throughout the entire stay and they made sure I had enough fresh ginger tea to cure an entire family with the flu. The last night we were there, they made us a special dinner outside, underneath the stars. The staff sang and danced us a farewell song and we had such a wonderful time!!!
I cannot thank Dancing Zebra enough for the amazing honeymoon that we had.
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Email Heather | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Comprehensive and Quality Service
Dancing Zebra Safari helped us plan and ensure a wonderful experience with the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda.
There are many moving parts to traveling in Africa and I highly recommend utilizing a travel service like Dancing Zebra Safari to help navigate the details and logistics that are involved. Their local expertise allows you to relax because you know they've thought of everything and you can simply focus on the experience. Once all is confirmed, they provide very detailed information about what to expect, what to pack and what to consider as you're preparing for and executing the trip.
We had a wonderful guide, Jean-Marie, who is a lovely human who was knowledgeable and provided great service. We learned about Rwandan culture and developed a deeper appreciation for the country's history and spirit through the many hours we spent with him. We will never forget the immersive mountain gorilla experience. It was beautiful to witness them in their home and to observe their behaviors up close. Obviously you must keep your distance for a number of reasons, but it's an intimate encounter nonetheless. The staff at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel took great care of us and even provided foot massages and cleaned our hiking boots upon returning from the treks.
A suggestion for consideration is related to tipping. While tipping range guidance is provided and tipping is not mandatory, it's hard to imagine not tipping the locals who work so hard and provide such great care and service. To this end, it would be great if the tipping amounts were determined prior to the trip and included in the overall costs. This way, you don't have to carry a bunch of cash with you and can fully relax. This said, you will still want cash on hand for unexpected needs or unexpected tipping. For example, we weren't prepared to tip the gorilla or monkey trackers.
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Email Ken | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra Safari is the BEST!!!!
I cannot rave enough about Jessica and her team and just how thorough and thoughtful they were throughout the safari planning process and while we were on safari. We returned two weeks ago from Tananzia and my wife and I had the experience of a lifetime - and we owe it all to Jessica, Dana, Edsen and the rest of the on-the-ground team in Tanzania. Honestly, we can't stop telling stories to our family, friends and co-workers - to the point where we are probably getting to be a bit annoying!! :) Also, this is the second time I've worked with Jessica - about 18 months ago she planned a solo trip for me to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas - which I also highly recommend!!
With this trip, we spent one night at Lion's Paw in Ngorongoro, five nights at Lemala Nanyukie Lodge and two nights at Baraza Resort and Spa in Zanzibar. There were two situations throughout the planning process where we had to make itinerary changes and Jessica and Dana were all over it - super responsive and supportive.
Each day started bright and early - on the road by 6am so we could appreciate the beauty of a Serengeti sunrise - and each day it was absolutely stunning!! Breakfast in the bush was just so cool and we were back to our camp by 1pm for an incredible lunch (7 hours in the bush each day goes by quickly!)....and regarding lunch, well every meal at Nanyukie was incredible! I'm a 'soup nerd' and all of them were just outstanding! The last night I asked to meet the chef because we were so impressed by him and his creations...he actually shared with me some of his soup recipes!! We also asked for local Tanzanian dishes on our last night and they made a feast for Edsen, my wife and me - it was all just wonderful...pilau, wali, ndizi-nyama, etc - all incredible!! The entire camp staff was so welcoming and warm...my wife commented that as much as she loved the safari experience and witnessing the incredible wildlife, what she loved the most were the people she met. They were all so thoughtful and caring -and they were also just fun to chat with...really great staff!!
Now onto Edsen - our driver, guide, caretaker and the man who can spot a cheetah in hiding in the tall grasses 40 yards away - he's amazing!! Not sure how someone can navigate the dirt roads of the Serengeti while keeping his head on a swivel so skillfully...we were in awe. Six days with Edsen went by very fast and we were sad to say goodbye to him - I've had a lot of private guides over years in a number of countries and some were really good, but none of them compare to Edsen. When you book with Dancing Zebra - if don't get the privilege of Edsen being your guide, then you will get Ian and I hear nothing but wonderful things about him too - we met him briefly at camp and he seems like an awesome guy.
The word I constantly use when people ask me about our safari is 'special'. It's so hard to put into words the experience of being in the vastness of the Serengeti and witness its beauty in some many forms and at the same time know you are in such great hands with all staff members and that you are truly cared for...this vacation will be hard for us top! And I'm quite certain we will take another safari in the future - and it will be with Jessica and Dancing Zebra!!! If there is a word to better describe just how much I highly recommend Dancing Zebra, then please insert here! :)
Thank you Jessica, Dana and Edsen, you all made an incredible lifetime experience so very special for Lindsey and me - and we are so grateful!
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Email Steve S. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Another fantastic safari with Dancing Zebra!
This was our third trip in three years with Dancing Zebra Safari Co, and once again we had a fantastic safari! Dancing Zebra owner Jessica Matthews is simply the BEST for organizing an African safari, especially in Tanzania, where she spends lots of time and knows very well. She has all the connections to get the best deals at the best camps at the best locations for the season. We were very pleased with the Lemala camps we stayed at. I have had past trips with other safari companies, but they do not come close to the Dancing Zebra experience!
Our safari driver/guide, Ian, proved again he is the best guide in Tanzania. We saw hundreds of lions, many cheetahs, including several thrilling full speed cheetah chases! We also spotted rarely seen animals like Serval and Caracal Cats, and Bat-Eared Foxes. Ian knows the spots to take us to, which maximizes our chances to see the most wildlife, which we did. Every safari with Dancing Zebra, and Ian as our guide, turns out to exceed our expectations!
We have another trip planned next year with Dancing Zebra Safari Co, this time to Botswana, and we are looking forward to another great experience!
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Email Tara Delaney | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Family vacation to escape 2020 Safari
My husband and two teenage children booked a safari tour of Tanzania with Dancing Zebra Safari Co (this was my mine and my husband's second time to travel to Tanzania through Dancing Zebra). Both trips were amazing and different. Jessica knows Africa and has a special love for Tanzania. Our trip consisted of two mobile tented camps and two permanent luxury camps. We love each place for different reasons. The food was superior at each camp. Our guide, Ian, has been a guide for 16 years and it shows in his expertise at finding animals and his driving abilities. He also took such good care of my family! To spend two weeks with my family, watching the awe on my teenagers face as we watched group of cheetahs, or stood quietly in the safari jeep as a huge heard of elephants calmly passed by us (within arms distance). We have been able to travel extensively as a family but both my children said that this trip will always be the MOST memorable trip as a family. Thank you to Jessica and Dancing Zebra Safari Co for giving my family such incredible memories. Tanzania is so beautiful, the landscape, the animals but mostly the people. This experience has left an indelible imprint on my family.
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Email Steve S. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Dancing Zebra Safari team is the best!
This was our second safari with Dancing Zebra. Tanzania was open for business after their Covid 19 lockdown was lifted, and we were eager to go, so Jessica quickly got us a discounted rate at a luxury lodge in Northern Serengeti, where the Mara river crossings were in progress! Jessica’s connections and experience make her the finest safari agent we have ever used. She put in the extra work to make sure we had everything we wanted in a custom safari. She is the absolute best at planning safaris!
And our driver/guide Ian is simply the top safari guide in Africa! I say this after 5 trips to Africa, so I have had many guides. He knows the Serengeti so well that he was giving directions to several guides who were a little lost. Everything that could be seen, we saw! Ian is the best! And our camp, Lemala Kuria Hills was great. After 11 nights there, they gave us a fabulous sendoff with song and dance!
To summarize – the Dancing Zebra Safari team is the best!
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Email Phil and Meg | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a wonderful escape including extraordinary wildlife sightings with the two best guides ever.
Our trip to Africa was absolutely amazing and except for the minor blip of no pick up in Kilimanjaro, all went very smoothly. You clearly strategized every phase of our trip. You not only know the best properties, but the best rooms which you select and then you specifically select a person at the property who looks after our every need. This was particularly true in Tarangire where our every need was attended to by a member of the staff that you selected, who knew you and who was intent on impressing you with his attentiveness.
Both of our guides, Amos in the Serengetti and Masa at both Ngorongoro and Tarangire were stellar. Both had in depth knowledge of every plant and animal as well as their behavioral characteristics. They both had a great sense of humor, would engage in fascinating conversations about any topic. They both became our friends. Towards the end of the trip, any anxiety that we might have had over the trip simply disappeared. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire trip from start (well almost) to finish. The entire safari was designed for our specific needs and unique and very special.
Our favorite parts of the trip were getting to know the Tanzanian people. So warm and friendly. All were most gracious hosts. Probably the most exciting part of the trip was watching about 2,000 wildebeests cross the Mara River on two different occasions. Sadly a zebra was lost on the first crossing and a wildebeest on the second crossing. However, the crocodiles appeared not to be sad.
Thanks again for putting together such a wonderful trip. You were always fully accessible and very responsive to us as we planned the trip, often giving us the impression that we were your only client, which we know is not the case. Thank you again!!
Phil and Meg
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Email Wendy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Catered to all of my Desires!
This was the best company I have ever worked with. I was traveling alone and so requested some very special side trips such as cooking with a Swahili woman, visiting tribes that others may not get to meet, in addition to the Massai so that I could gain a greater cultural understanding of Tanzania. Jessica Mathews, one of the co-owners was wonderful to work with and added in a trip to Jifundishe: a woman's micro lending program, women's beading program to grow self-sufficiency and free library and schooling as well as many other activities that related to my personal interests.
The guide that was assigned to me, Daniel was exceptional. I would strongly suggest asking for him when you go. He is a highly educated guide, intelligent, culturally sensitive, and was able to answer EVERY question I had. And it was all fabulous. After researching and speaking with many companies, I chose Dancing Zebra. One of the best choices in travel that I have made. I believe because this is a small company, they are able to give personal attention to your needs and interests. I emailed Jessica several times to ask for advice on tipping on the special events I did - like cooking and she always responded fully and promptly. If and when I return to Tanzania, I would never consider any other company. The entire trip was perfectly planned to my desires. I can't point to one favorite because it was all fabulous. The attention to detail was superb.
