Reviews
DE
Email Martin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Flexible, Reliable Service with Budget Price for Safari in Northern Tanzania with Great Sightings
Type of Safari: We are a couple from Germany aged about 50 years and booked a private safari with Njofu Expeditions in budget lodges for one week to Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Arusha National parks in early November 2019. Contrary to other businesses, the quote also included a bush walk in one of the National Parks with a local ranger, a visit of the historical Olduvai gorge and museum, as well as a cultural visit at a local farm area and market while a visit in a Masai village could be arranged for additional costs. Although we did make safaris in six different African countries before, this was our first safari in Tanzania.
Booking Process: We got a quote with a reasonable price compared with other businesses. Before booking all questions were thoroughly answered in short time and some suggested amendments were made for our personal taste without any problems. We did need to pay 30 % of the price in US-$ at the time of booking, while the balance was paid upon arrival. Though some e-mails were lost and never reached them or us after booking, finally everything worked out very reliable as agreed upon. After the safari, we did stay one week in Zanzibar, which we did book with a local German company, since that was cheaper to separate.
Lodges: We did stay in a night in Bougainvillea Lodge and Country Lodge respectively and two nights in Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp (a fully furnished tent with en suite shower and toilet), all of which were of good quality and friendly service. The night of arrival, we did stay in Arusha Outpost Lodge, a historical building with average quality. The best lodge however proved to be Olea Africana Lodge, where we were greeted by some dancing Masai and given a personal attendant. After returning from dinner, we found the fireplace in our bungalow already lit. Breakfast was served directly next to the pool in the open over viewing the landscape. Dinner was good and providing a variety of choices in all lodges and a bit more simple in the tent camp in Serengeti (where everything has to be imported a real long way), but lunch bags provided by the lodges were about the same simple food every day. All lodges did have a swimming pool which we could still enjoy in November.
Guide: The guide and driver, Moses Anderson, did have a lot of experience, spoke perfect English and average German. He waited for us in time at the airport and was flexible enough to incorporate some personal wishes into the agenda, while sometimes a little distracted by his many communications with his office, since he is the head of Njofu Expeditions. He has a lot of knowledge in how to find animals and also could show us the different types of trees and birds, which we saw in his guide book. Additionally, he knew where to find very clean toilets on the route and adapted the number of visits in souvenir shops to our wishes. Enough drinking water was provided for free.
Sightings: Since the great migration had just reached southern Serengeti, we did literally see tens of thousands of wildebeests and thousands of zebras. We saw more than a hundred hippos in just one place, altogether more than 40 lions, 22 hyenas and alone in Serengeti 14 cheetahs, a couple of which while hunting. Some elephants and lions came less than a meter to the car. Also, we did see lions, ostriches and baboons while mating. The only rhino seen in Ngorongoro was very far, as was the leopard also. And upon returning to the airport, for a short time Mt. Kilimanjaro became visible, since the clouds lifted.
safari tour
Excellent trip. We got to see all kinds of animals, including the big five. Our guide was first class. Food superb. Everything worked out smoothly as planned. Recommended
Email Michael | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lucky
My family, my friends, my betrothed and me enjoyed a 10-day holiday trip to tanzania. The team of Njofu Expedition, namely Moses Anderson and Isa, took parfectly care for us and made our time in Tanzania to an unforgettable, unique and perfect experience. Everything was well organized. The staff was friendly and attended our wishes very well. In particular, they reacted to our specific interest in avian wildlife, helped us to find the animals and offered interesting information about local nature, wildlife and environment. At the end of the day all questions were answered. Accomodation was well selected and very convenient. Programme covered all desired aspects of a "Safari Holiday Trip" and thus our mixed groupe of veterinarians, human doctors, tax auditors, paralegals, animal keepers, building desingners and biologists left Tanzania happy, relaxed and motivated.
Email Solomon Robert | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lucky
I was lucky enough to have a work trip to Arusha in Tanzania in mid December and followed this with a three day safari to Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. All of this was arranged by Moses Anderson of Njofu Expedition. The details were discussed by email and in advance of my visit and all the necessary bookings for accommodation and permits were made by my host. Definitely a dead good smooth process with a quick reply to any questions I had. Anderson, as I gather he likes to be called, was also also involved with my work trip so he met me at Kilimanjaro Airport at the start of the trip. This also gave us plenty of time to discuss the safari side of things and what I would like to see and visit.
Giraffe were top of the list for me and this showed off Anderson's skills and knowledge to perfection. By the lunch on day 2 (Lake Manyara) these wonderful beings had proved elusive. Radio calls and chats with other guides revealed no one had seen any Giraffe that day. Anderson knew that no one had been to a particular area of the NP as a bridge over a river had been washed away. So, putting his off road skills to the test off we went there that afternoon. About 10 minutes later, rounding a corner there was a head peeking over the acacia trees about 50 metres distant. Yippee. Giraffe. Slowly, a few more emerged by the lakeside and then, just around the corner a large male having a nibble and almost posing for the camera. One of the best life experiences for me.
I also saw lots of other life there including lion, zebra, wildebeest, cape buffalo, elephants galore, monkeys and baboons, ostrich, jackal, hyena, rhino, lots of birds from a small weaver bird though to kites and vultures and a tortoise. Hippo out of the water was another highlight.
Anderson's knowledge of the habit of all we saw is impressive and he helps you to understand the animal behaviours you observe. Much more than just a visual experience. His spotting skills are impressive too, a good example being when looking past me out the side window he said 'rabbit'. I couldn't see a thing so well hidden was it. Of course he's good with spotting the bigger things you'll go to see as well.
We also had plenty of good conversations about life in Tanzania in general and also the UK and learnt a lot from each other. A big shout also goes to the Country Lodge in Keratu where I stayed for a couple of nights.
I had a wonderful time on safari thanks to Anderson and Njofu Expedition and am already planning my next trip there. Three or four days in the Serengeti to hopefully catch up with those elusive leopards. I'm sure Anderson will find them.
CN
Email Shariff | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best experience
Best Safari I recommend Njofu Expedition for
Excellent trip. We got to see all kinds of animals, including the big five. Our guide he was first class and knowledgeable. Food was superb. Everything worked out smoothly as planned.