Asseri the founder with clients at Ngorongoro
Orongai Africa Safari
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $145 to $750 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Elfriede Tychsen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safari through Tansania with a perfect giude
We went two times with Assere Nniko for a safari from Kenya through Tansania. We visited Arusha- and Mount Meru National Park, went to the stunning Ngorongoro Carter and finaly to Serengethi Nationalpark, especially Lake Ndutu. We had a wonderful time there and we stayed in wonderful lodges. All was perfect organized.
Email Scan Infoto | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable emotions with Orongai Safaris
Simply wonderful!
We are two female travelers who love traveling and exploring different places in the world. For a long time, we were hesitating to go for African safari as we knew that it would require organised trip, which is not our way of traveling. Yet, as a last-minute decision for my birthday, we have decided to visit Tanzania.
I have contacted several companies organising Safaris in Arusha; Anna form Orongai Africa safaris, unlike others, immediately responded with a great itinerary at a reasonable price.
When we arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our charming guide Fredy was waiting for us. As a welcome surprise, Fredy prepared a table with Champaign, snacks, and water.
It is impossible to express the experience we had over next 7 days. Everything was perfect and luxurious. Fredy was all in one, great driver, professional guide, and a fantastic companion. As mentioned in other reviews, Fredy has truly an Eagle Eye, and we were able to see probably everything that Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro crater has to offer.
We loved Acacia Luxury Camps; it was like Shangri-La in the middle of National Parks. The food was terrific, cleanliness of the hotels was spotless, and the staff hospitality beyond all imaginations.
Where else in the world you can see walking family of Giraffes against sunset from your terrace, or hear Lions roars during the night?
Orongai Africa safaris car was in great shape, and with Fredys exceptional driving skills, we were able to pass any road obstacle the nature prepared for us, and it felt so safe to watch lions from proximity.
Tanzania is an incredible place, and I have learned so much about its nature. All these days spent in safari, we felt relaxed, safe, and happy. It did not feel like we are traveling with a guide, rather more like with a dear friend.
I genuinely recommend Orongai Africa Safari group and Fredy as a Guide to everyone who wishes to have a perfect holiday.
We will be back! Thank you for everything.
AE
Email Saeed Althani | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing experience, I am lucky to book my trip with Orongai and I enjoyed the most
The whole experience was outstanding. i booked the trip in short notice and I had a quick and easy communication.
The Driver Fred was a friendly and polite with a long-standing experience allowed us to achieve more than expected ( Leopard with a kill, lioness with kill , Cheetahs with cups ..etc)
Email Stephen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Family Safari Adventure.
I had a family safari, with my wife and two young teenagers. It was great fun and everything we hoped. I worked closely with Martha over the internet to organise the details. I found her very reliable and willing to get back to me quickly and to help me clarify details of the itinerary. I was able to specify the types of accomodation and vehicle and food requirements. She sent me links to websites etc so i knew we were talking about the same things. Our safari was amazing for seeing the animals, experiencing the Masai Boma and the Hadzabe tribe at Lake Eyasi. We visited the Manyara, Trangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater over eight days. Our driver, 'Good Luck', was happy, friendly and a very safe driver. He helped us with what to expect during the visits to different places. He was great on the game drives at finding out what animals were around and got us into good spots to see them up close. Our 13 year old son especially enjoyed laughing and joking with him. Experiencing Africa any time is pretty full on, Martha and 'Good Luck' helped us do it comfortably and confidently. Thanks Guys!
US
Email Ja | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome guide and driver!
Our Safari tour took us to Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, lake Manyara, lake Natron. We added a morning and took a four hour hike at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our driver and guide, Good Luck, was our good luck! He is very knowledgeable. We saw so many animals, elephants, giraffes, Buffaloes, rhino mom and baby, many lions, zebras, leopard and cheetah, hippos, many more, big and small. It was an incredible experience that we will not forget.
The communication could have been better. We booked the tour and settled on the itinerary, cost, route and accommodations. The night we arrived, the order had changed, as well as the accommodations. We preferred the original order because we added one night on the end because it was our favorite place. The tour operator upgraded one night which was good. However, at two other places, we were not told of the change until we drove up and did not recognize the place from the websites that we had previewed. We very dismayed that one of these was the last place that we especially wanted to visit. The last place was nice but our tent was broken into while we were sleeping and our iPhone and camera were stolen. The accommodation owner was very helpful.
All in all, we saw everything we wanted and hoped to see, including a Bush dinner and night drive. Serengeti was the best. Awesome experience!
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Email Ginger | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
AMAZING Safari!!
My friend and I booked a mid-range 5 day African safari with Orongai and it was truly the best trip I've ever been on! Before the trip, the office staff at Orongai was prompt in responding to our emails and answering all of our questions, as well as tailoring our safari to our wants and needs. When we arrived in Arusha, we were picked up by our driver, Fredrick, who was amazing!! He was our driver and safari guide for the entire 5 days and he was polite, highly knowledgeable, trustworthy, and made our trip really fun! We visited Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater-all absolutely breathtaking! I had seen pictures of these places before, but none of them were as beautiful as seeing it in real life. You really have to see it to believe it- both the landscapes and the animals so up close and personal! We saw cheetahs, lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, gazelles, and many more. The accommodations we stayed at were all very nice tented camps (all with AMAZING views!!) with friendly staff and yummy food. We enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and getting a taste of the local Tanzanian culture! One thing (among many) that we loved about Orongai is that it is a locally owned company- owned and run by Tanzanians! I highly recommend booking with Orongai and hope you, too, enjoy a trip of a lifetime! If I ever make it back out to Tanzania, I will be sure to use them again!
NZ
Email Trevor and Faye Strange | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything we hoped for.
From the first contact and organising of our Safari with Martha, to the Safari itself we are very happy to endorse Orongai Africa Safaris. We had a wonderful experience that was made even more memorable with the experience and friendship of our guide, Goodluck.
CA
Email Michele | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
16 Day Kenya-Tanzania Solo Safari - Exciting to Say the Least
16 days with 8 different accommodation spots and a border crossing, there are bound to be a few things that might go off the rails. I would suggest anyone undertaking such a challenge have an open mind and be able to roll with the punches. I did a lot of research prior to booking my Safari with Orongai and in the end, they offered the best value for what I was looking for; a mix of luxury and tented accommodation with a full itinerary. First what needs to be noted is Orongai is relatively new to the Safari tour industry, but the Founder, Asseri is not. As such, they are continuing to learn and grow. If you are looking for that PERFECT nothing better go WRONG experience, then I recommend you pay the $10 to $15k US per person and book with a company that has been around for 30 years. If you are looking for value and won't get absolutely rattled if things don't go 100% according to plan, then you will have the trip of a lifetime like many others have indicated in their reviews.
Like a few others, I had changes presented to me upon arrival in Nairobi that had not been communicated prior to leaving Canada. I addressed the lack of communication with them in this regard and we came to a mutual agreement. Like some others, I too had accommodation changes that I was not expecting. Again, I stressed the importance in communicating changes to their clients prior to them arriving for their Safari - no one likes surprises, especially if they are going to be perceived as negative.
So here's my adventure:
- I arrived in Nairobi to learn my luggage did not. Martha and Asseri delayed departure for my Safari while they tried to figure out how they could retrieve my luggage once it arrived and get it to me while I was on the road. They helped make arrangements with the hotel, etc. They didn't have to - they didn't lose my luggage, the airline did. I was 5 days without my luggage!
- As a single female, they were concerned with pairing me with a young, male guide. They hired a new guide/driver that was supposed to be more experienced. James turned out to be friendly enough and very aggressive when it came to maneuvering the safari vehicle into position for the best wildlife shot. I got the best photos and did not have a professional camera with a 2 foot long lense. The downside was James' english was not very strong and he was not as outgoing and personable and I would have liked. An outgoing, personable driver with a good sense of humour was part of the criteria I requested for my Safari. As I was travelling solo, I needed to have a driver that was willing to engage. He also ended up taking more risks then he should have with the vehicle; taking short cuts that were not authorized by Orongai.
- Due to 'confusion' with regards to my itinerary my driver chose to skip taking me to the Nakuru Rhino reserve/drive and I missed out on seeing any Rhino's on this trip; a big disappointment for me. To make up for this, Asseri had my driver take me to Naivasha where I was treated to a private boat tour on the lake at Orongai's cost.
- Asseri met me at the Kenya/Tanzania border to take me to the Serengeti for 2 days. Crossing the border, and getting another Visa is quite an undertaking and to have the assistance and support to be guided through that process by him was very helpful and appreciated. I was hosted by Steve at the Kati Kati Tented Camp right in the park - it was amazing.
- Most of the lodges and tents that I stayed at, although there were some changes were quite nice.
- The biggest concern with accommodation was in Nakuru where I was placed at The Legacy Hotel; a hotel, not a lodge or a tented camp. In the middle of the night a man entered my room with a key. I suspect with the intention of stealing from me; as he had a key, he must have been an employee, but I will never know as he took off before anything could be done. I addressed this with Martha who addressed it with the hotel. The result is Orongai will not be placing any clients in that hotel in future.
- My driver made another unauthorized deviation near the end of my trip on the way to Mombasa. Because of this, Asseri again paid to have me taken on a private 5 hour tour through Mombasa to make up for it.
- The end result is 'James' will not be hired for any future safari work with Orongai
Communication, communication, communication. It is key, especially with a trip that was as complicated as mine was. And remember, you aren't always going to have internet or wifi access when you are out on Safari - be prepared for that.
Orongai is new, they are continuing to learn as they continue to grow; this is to be expected. They did their best to make right the things that went wrong; that is all you can ask of any company. Even with the few bumps in the road along the way, I had a fantastic experience - something I will never forget, and I now have friends in Arusha; Martha and Asseri.
If you are planning a 5-7 day Safari, you will not be disappointed like the many others that have posted reviews. If you are planning a Safari that is longer and has you moving every day or two to another location, be prepared for some hiccups along the way.
I definitely recommend them. Just confirm your itinerary prior to leaving your country of residence.
DE
Email Fernandi Victor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best honeymoon we could ever have imagined
Orongai nafrica safaris helped us organise a personalised safari for our honeymoon which included the great migration and the big five. As it was our first safari and a special ocasion, we had many uncertaininties and questions when we started the booking. From the very beginning Orongai nafrica safaris´s sales team (Annas) were very attentive, informative and provided their best recommendations to make our honeymoon special. All the process went smoothly.
During the safari days we were lucky to have the best possible person to be our guide/driver. Azaria is a kind person, patient and with a strong passion to make the experience enjoyable for the guests. He is not just a very knowledgable guide, but also a fantastic driver and a great person. Azaria has a great eye to spot the animals, but also would always ask us how we were feeling in order to adapt the journey to our needs. It was great to see that so many other guides as well as park researchers would come to Azaria for tips and advice too. It really made us think he is "the man" hahaha. Also was nice to see how he stopped his journey to get down in the mud to help another driver whose car got stuck.
The trip organised by Orongai nafrica safaris was amazing. Our itinerary was very well planned with enough time to see the animals, the 3 main parks, amazing sun rise and sun sets and always staying in very comfortable and clean accomodations with surprisingly good food.
All in all we could not recommend more Orongai nafrica safaris and especially would also want to thank to our great guide Azaria for making our honeymoon really special.
ES
Email Bernod George | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Orongai africa safari and Wilson = amazing wildlife encounters!
I just completed a 7-day safari in Tanzania with Orongai Africa safari - I highly recommend this company! This was my seventh trip to Africa and was definitely one of the most memorable.
Our guide, Wilson, was extremely knowledgeable, and taught us a great deal about not only the wildlife, but also Tanzanian culture.
All staff at our lodges/campsites were very kind and helpful; they would go out of their way to accommodate our requests.
I especially enjoyed the Acacia camps, as they were situated within the parks, and made us feel at one with the wild! The manager of the Acacia Migration camp, Hassan, was very funny, and his positive energy flowed throughout the camp.
The beds and pillows each night were super comfy, and the showers were great.
The food each day was delicious - we preferred to pack our lunches in lunchboxes and eat them on the go, as opposed to having a longer sit-down hot lunch (we were eager for more time on the game drive searching for animals!).
We had the most fantastic animal sightings, including numerous leopards, heaps of lions, four cheetah families (cubs!), hyena (including a stripped male) and a pack of wild dogs, which are extremely rare!
We spent a whole day in Arusha, which I highly recommend; we strolled around the non-touristic markets, attended a local church service which we happened to walk past, and just absorbed the atmosphere.
Highly recommend Wilson and Orongai Africa safari!
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