KAMar Safaris -team of enthusiast!
Wild Hello Tanzania Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
-
Switzerland
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $104 to $573 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Sam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing African safari experience with Hello Tanzania!
My brother and I had our expectations blown out of the water on this trip!
Lodging: 5/5 - We stayed in two locations over the course of the trip, African Safari Glamping near Lake Manyara and Pumzika Camp within the Serengeti. Both locations were unforgettable and had incredibly kind and professional staffs. The food at Pumzika Camp definitely exceeded any expectations we had!
Safari: 5/5 - We had the same driver for all of our game drives who was very knowledgeable about the all of the different animals and locations we saw.
Communication: 4/5 - Sylwia was our point of contact for the entire trip. She was very professional and always very responsive to any questions. There were only two instances where this could have been improved. The first was one of the features of our trip (a canoe ride in Lake Manyara) was cancelled and we were only notified a week before the start of our trip. The second, in our first day at the lodge before our first Game Drive, we did not have an itinerary for when we needed to wake up by and when we were planning on leaving the next day until close to dinner. However, unexpected issues are always bound to come up and Sylwia was very quick to resolve them as they occurred.
I would definitely recommend Hello Tanzania to anyone planning on visiting Tanzania!
Email Cheryl | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A friendly, efficient and well organised safari.
Our first point of contact was Slywia, who was always professional and understanding of our needs. Our accommodation was riverfront and exactly what we had requested. The staff were very pleasant and more than happy to help us if we needed anything. Our game driver was terrific and experienced in searching for wildlife opportunities. Our guide was easy to communicate with and we learnt a lot of interesting facts about the animals we saw. Thank you for a great experience.
AT
Email Michael | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Selous with a 3-years-old
There are plenty of agencies in Tanzania offering similar safari tours. We have chosen Hello Tanzania as Sylwia really tried to adjust the trip for us to be perfectly suitable for a little boy who just turned 3. We even switched from our original plan of doing the northern circuit to going to Selous instead which we did not regret at all. Having no real comparison to other national parks we really enjoyed it having a quite diverse program - bush walk, boat safari, village tour, and game drive of course. The only downside was that the pool of the lodge we have chosen was out of order which Sylwia did not know either. Still she supported us to get a partial refund from the lodge afterwards.
All together everything was arranged as agreed and worked out very well.
DE
Email Cassidy Dauby | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and polite company. I would use them again.
First of all, I would like to reassure people shopping for a safari tour in Tanzania, that Hello Tanzania, operated by KAMar Safaris, is a real company. It was a little scary planning a trip to Africa and sending that much money to a Swiss bank account, but Sylwia was in touch the whole time and the trip worked out exactly as planned. If you would prefer to plan the trip in person, we found out they have an office in the Doubletree Hotel at Oyster Bay in Dar es Salaam.
This was the second company we tried on Safari Bookings. The first one advertised a trip price of about 550 Eur per person, but when I submitted my information, the quote came back as 900 Eur for adults and 800 Eur for children, which was way more than I had budgeted for. Supposedly, this was due to them putting us at a camp further in the park (which also requires more park fees). Unhappy with that, I wrote KAMar, and Sylwia came back with about 550 Eur for adults, and kids were 55% off... so way below the expected price for a family of four. For both, I had selected tented camping for a three day safari. We were picked up at our hotel (Doubletree) in Dar, and driven about 6 hours in a nice van to the park. Iddi, the driver, was very friendly and experienced, and had water in the car on the way out and brought boxed lunches for the ride home. He even swung by my friend's house in Dar to let me pick up our ferry tickets to Zanzibar, before dropping us at the ferry terminal and giving us some tips on how to get in and avoid the annoying swarm of porters.
The camp KAMar put us in was Jimbiza camp in the Selous preserve. I chose Selous, because it was a closer drive than the other parks. Looking back, we could have probably asked for more (airplane to the park, or even a different park), but I didn't know what possibilities were out there. We toured in mid-June, which is just the beginning of the tour season, so we basically had the camp to ourselves and there had only been two other people there in the previous two months (two Russian ladies were there on our first day, but flew out the next morning). The camp was right on the Rufiji River, outside the Selous Game Preserve. Judging by the equipment and reviews of other parks, it was one of the more affordable camps, and was probably more like camping than some others too. It was fairly primitive, and the equipment was a little older, but everything was orderly and the staff (maybe 10-15 people) was very friendly and attentive. They kept the camp very clean, but it was in need of some renovations. The pool was basically a monkey pond, not that we had time to go swimming. The sun goes down there at 6:30pm every day. The water was sort of clear and had a roof over it, but I'm not sure how they kept it clean, as there didn't seem to be a filter... and of course, baboons were playing around it. The food in camp was interesting, and drinks (even water), while in camp, cost extra. For lunch the first day we had spaghetti bolognese with nutmeg in it. It was nice, but an interesting choice for a safari camp. The dinners were very good, with bread shaped like animals. The meals were all three courses, with the excellently trained waiters serving from the proper side and bringing the food at appropriate intervals. The breakfasts were also multi-course, and very good. The boxed lunch and picnic in the bush were also nice, and our guide set up a cool spot for us to eat, while we watched elefants and giraffes. One thing we would have liked would have been a more traditional menu that let us see that side of th culture more. Maybe they have had complaints in the past from closed-minded guests, and just wanted to be safe. Either way, my hat is off the cook for making due out there with minimal resources.
The tent itself was covered by a hard roof (above the canvas roof) and had a porch and a hard-stand bathroom in the back. It had a toilet, shower, sink, fans, mirror, beds, blankets, pillows, desk, shelves for clothes, towels, porch chairs, backup solar lights, carpets, wood floors, and a lock to keep the baboons out. The cleaning man came every day while we were out to make the beds and take out the trash. It was basically a hotel room that smelled like mosquito repellent... so pretty nice camping.
On the first evening, we took a sunset boat cruise on the river to see the hippos and walk around on a sandbar. We enjoyed that, even though the kids had expected to be eaten by crocs.
The second day we spent about 10 hours driving in the Range Rover, looking for animals in Selous park. We saw antelope, giraffes, elefants, hyena, wildabeasts, water buffalos, pigs, birds, baboons, monkeys, hippos, and lion footprints (they were fresh, and we drove around looking in the tree lines, but never found it). Our driver had been working there for 25 years and the guide had only been there six months, but was very knowledgeable as well.
The third day, before driving back to Dar, we had a walking tour in the bush with a "bushman" and an armed guard. the bushman was funny, and put on a good show, while also teaching us about the woods. He had grown up in the bush with his grandparents, but had long-since gone off to school and might even be a doctor. He was a good actor, though, and was a highlight.
FI
Email Hanna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect!
We wanted just tonsay thank you for the amazing safari in Mikumi park last friday! Everything worked out perfectly as promised and we saw all the animals possible to see!
DE
Email Onur | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very Nice
We booked a 3-day safari with “Hello Tanzania” in Selous Game Reserve. The organization with Silvia was very professional. We had a lot of questions in advance that were all answered quickly and detailed which gave us a happy feeling. Silvia contacted us even during our stay in order to ensure that we are satisfied. We stayed in Jimbiza Camp which is very close to the entrance of Selous. However, it is not a luxurious accommodation but very authentic and in harmony with the beautiful nature surrounding it! The staff is also very nice and helpful and always ager to make you feel happy and comfortable!!! Breakfast and Dinner, as well as lunch at the first and second day were included and we were positively surprised by the quality and taste if it (not stomach problems ).
The boat safari on the first day lasted for about 2 hours. We saw some beautiful bird species and several hippos at sunset.
At the second day, we went off for a whole day (8 h) safari trip in Selous Game Reserve. Our driver was very friendly and competent, he told us a lot of things about the animals and was eager to show us every single species that lives in the reserve! This was a really once-in-a-lifetime-experience! We saw loads of giraffes, zebras, bucks (different types), elephants, lions, crocodiles, hippos and water buffalo! After 4 hours, we had a break in the shadow of one of the biggest tree types in the world which was an experience in itself (toilets available).
Our last day started with a cup of tea at 6 am. After that, we went on a short walking safari with a local guy who was dressed and painted in a traditional way. He told us some things about racking animals and their natural behavior. I must say it was a nice and even kind of funny little adventure but not that spectacular since it is rather a show/demonstration of their ancient life than a real authentic encounter with a “bush man”.
All in all, we had an amazing time and are very thankful for a trouble-free safari trip. Thanks to Jimbiza Camp and Silvia for this Once-In-A-Lifetime-Experience!
AR
Email Marcos | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excelent experience
We had an amazing experiece with Hello Tanzania!
Eddie the driver who took us all the road from Dar to the campsite was really awesome. The campsite was lovely and really confortable. It’s more a hotel than a camping, they have beds, private bathroom, roof, flor and light but you are at te middle of nowhere infront of a beautiful river! The boatrip at sunset was memorable and the game drive with Susan was incredible.
PL
Email Ania Zara | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hello Tanzania is excellent!
Hello Tanzania organized for us a 3 day safari from Dar to Selous Game Reserve including transportation and accomodation and additionally helped to arrange accomodation and transportation in Dar el Salaam and on Zanzibar. Sylwia, the owner is a very responsive,open minded person who alwyas provides best service and is open for client needs.The both stays in Dar as well as safari were prepared very well. The driver was always on time,very kind and helpful and in clean, good car.The safari was amazing and accordingky to offered programme.Giving opportunities to see wild animals and african natural environment.The boat safari was a relaxing,calm boat trip and observing hippos,crocs and beatufil birds.Safari with Hello Tanzania gives you unforgetable memories with save,reliable organizer.
Africa is beautiful!and Hello Tanznia puts all its effort to make it also comfortable and safe for European turists.
The beauty of african safari is its wildness.
I highly reccomend Hello Tanzania!:-)
CA
Email Don McLean | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really committed to your experience
I just got back from a 5 day safari to Selous Game Reserve and I can't speak highly enough about that park. Simply stunning. I'm absolutely gobsmacked. Go go go. As for the service it was top notch all the way starting with the quoting process. I wanted something customized for 5 days and only in Selous in order to maximize my time in the park. Selous is only a 5/6 hour drive from Dar es Salaam however it does mean a days travel there and a day back. I wanted more than the 3 and 4 days tours being offered so I began asking for quotes on 5 days. Sylwie went out of her way to put something together for me that not only took into consideration the time but also the cost as I am a budget traveller and, let's face it, safaris are expensive. I ended up staying in two lodges with a village walk, two bush drives, a river trip and a walking safari. Everything was top notch. Very professional and very courteous every step of the way. And Sylwia checking in on me regularly to see if all was going good. Very classy. As for accomodation.......Jimbizi camp was my favourite as it really does have the best views of the river, not to mention a wonderful staff who go the distance to make you feel at home. Go. Relax. And rest assured you will be well looked after in this most wonderful and awe inspiring of places.
CH
Email Anita | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safary experiance, excellent service
Me and my friend have been on the Selous Game Reserve safary for 3 days and it was just amazing!
Already the organziation of everything worked very well and we had no issue.
The safary started with a nice boat trip where we could see a lot of hippos and a huge crocodyle! Followed by a beautiful sunset, whis was a nice start of our holidays. The logde where we stayed was very nice and the people there very helpful and kind. Also the food was excellent!
The safary drive on the second day was a great experiance! We have seen lions very closely, giraffs, elefants, and also the very rare wild dogs! And even if we would not have seen all those beautiful animals the nature itself with the beautiful landscape and our driver as well as the ranger let the heart smiling :)
On the last day we had a walking safary done by a local which was very interesting and done on a funny way.
It was really a perfect trip and we would in every case rechoose KAMar Safaris (Hello Tanzania) as operator.
Thank you so much!
Best regards,
Anita & Sabrina from Switzerland