our staff at jackpot office in arusha
Jackpot Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & IGS-http://interpretiveguidessociety.org/
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours that can start every day (clients assist with camp chores)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Jon Cox | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jackpot safaris arranged our safari to Tanzania
We visited Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Park. I have visited some parks cross Africa but Tanzania in my view, rates right up there amongst the best. Of course you have to get the timing right the big herds follow the rain and we did get the timing right. But it was Jackpot safaris the delivered a very special safari. Their arrangements worked like clocwork, not easy given the remoteness and terrain, small and remote, just perfect. But it was the quality of the guides their knowledge of the fauna and flora that made it so special. The guides were the best i have enjoyed in Africa and Jackpot Safaris is a wonderful conservation conscious safari company.
CH
Email Nicolas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I would recommend Jackpot Safaris to my best friends
Where do I start? Planning a safari isn't an easy thing to do. Of course one can read things about the parks, but what really is relevant and valuable is the advice from locals on the current/actual situation. You hardly get this on the internet, you can get it from the operators in Tanzania. Andrew the manager and George the guide were very helpful in this respect, before and during the trip. Without this excellent exchange and advice, I would have ended up wasting my time and doing the wrong things like other people we crossed.
Generally speaking, I think the key factor of success and satisfaction is the operators staff, especially the guide. The equipment, car, food etc. is quite the same for all operators. The size of the company doesn't really matter either. Again, it's all about the knowhow and experience of the staff, don't worry about the rest. If you are thinking about touring without a guide, forget about it. Not that it's not possible, but you will loose an enormous lot of time figuring out how everything works and it will be difficult to communicate with other drivers/guides. Having a guide will make a huge difference. I can confirm that our Guide George was far better at his job than guides of other operators we met.
What else? I wasn't happy about the food to be honest. If I ever go for a tour again I would remember to speak about this before the tour starts. Once the car is packed that is it. You eat what is brought along ( for those camping like we did). I would have preferred African food rather than European food. Besides there are so many things which can and went wrong when an African cook serves European food.
Costs. I still can't figure out why the tours are so expensive. But let me tell you, I researched and negotiated with several operators and finally went with Jackpot for approximately USD 200 per person per day. We stayed at the campsites and slept in tents 5 days / 4 nights. There were two slightly cheaper deals from operators with foreign investors. And a lot of operators with higher prices. If you go on safari and know that it will cost a lot of money, I recommend doing business with local companies! Else a great percentage of your investment will stay in your home country or get transferred to foreign investors.
I would recommend Jackpot Safaris to my best friends. And I would advise them to contact the manager Andrew and do business with him directly rather than going through a travel aganecy in the home country.
Email Lynsey | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experiences and excellent staff!
I've travelled twice with Jackpot - both times to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Each time the communication has been great in the lead up with Andrew going out of his way to make sure all the options were offered and our trip was designed how we wanted. We had two stellar guides in George and Albert who couldn't have been better! Our chefs (Jackson and John) kept us full to bursting with their lovely food. The experience of being in the Serengeti was amazing and, on both trips, we saw the big five - including the remarkably rare black rhino. Thank you, Jackpot, for two amazing trips!
NL
Email Femke & Flip | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jackpot and a great safari trip
Jackpot Safaris arranged everything very perfect! We had a great guide/driver, accommodations are really nice and Andrew replied all the time very quick to our e-mails during the preparation of our trip!
Thank you for the very special and nice trip and keep on the good work Jackpot Safaris!
Email Braeburn International School, Arusha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Camping in the Rift Valley with 9 and 10 year olds
We all loved every minute of our 4 day safari investigating the tribes and geographical featuresof the Rift Valley.
The vehicles and drivers were great - with chilled water provided and the drivers being kind and friendly to the children. We had to drive off-road to meet up with the more remote tribes and it all felt like an exciting adventure - going across dry river beds and parking under baobab trees. The camp site was perfect with nice clean bathrooms, deliciously cooked fresh food each day and a pool for a refreshing swim. All the arrangements we had requested were well planned with guides to take us on our walks through the forests and to visit the different tribes. I would recommend Jackpot Safaris again.
RS
Email Dusan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very nice experience, the Jackpot safari we have managed to hovering the beauty of Tanzania
Service was excellent, accommodation and guides are also fulfilled my expectations.
I recommend Jackpot Safaris to anyone who wants to visit Tanzania and feel the spirit of Africa.
PL
Email Katarina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
best trip of my life
I liked Tanzania that much, I decided to come here to live with my family. Thanks Jacpot safaris!!!!!!
NL
Email Bram & Ellen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
7-days Machame route Kilimanjaro
The trip was amazing, especially the team of porters, the cook and the guide made this trip memorable. There guidance to the top was excellent. Whit their smiles, food, songs and laughter we made it to the top! Once again special thanks to the guides Livingstone and Sanga!
The team of porters on the mountain makes the difference between other companies. With this team I can strongly recommend Jackpot safaris.
Bram & Ellen
DK
Email Julie S. Rasmussen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly, fair and fantastic!
Because of only positive reviews from others, we asked Jackpot Safaris to arrange our Kilimanjaro climb. We didnt regret it! Andrew (the owner) was both fast, friendly and honest in replying to our emails (and many many questions), making us feel safe about the arrangements before leaving. The climb was amazing and the guides Livingstone and Sanga and the rest of the crew did everything to fulfill our needs and to help us achieve Uhuru Peak, while being very attentive of us every step of the way, making sure we were ok and able to continue. Based on this positive experience we used Jackpot Safaris for our 5 day tent-safari as well. Once again, we had a fantastic guide (Yassin) and cook (John) who did all they could to give us an unforgettable experience. And they did! We saw all the Big Five, including being only meters away from both lions, leopards and elephants and seeing vultures and hyenas fight for a dead animal right next to the car. We cannot recommend Jackpot Safaris enough and will definitely use them again if we return to Tanzania.
RO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great people for an unforgettable experience!
We were three girls in this safari and we felt safe and pampered for the 4 days we were together with Jackpot Safaris. The driver and the cook provided great services and were always considerate of our needs and the manager made sure we got to experience the best of Tanzania's natural parks even on a tight budget. We totally recommend it for whoever feels like enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience in an authentic way!