The Team
Safari By Z
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- African Travel & Tourism Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Heike & Thomas Beier | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tarangire and Ngorongoro at its best
We booked a 4 day Safari and discovered the Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Lake Manyara. We had such a wonderful time with amazing, breathtaking views of Tanzanias wildlife and landscapes. A heartfelt thanks to our guide Lemomo, who didn‘t only show us the secrets of nature but gave us a deep insight into the the Massai history and culture as well.
100% recommended !
Many, many thanks and best wishes.
Heike, Luise, Carlos, Thomas and Aaron
FR
Email Laurie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect !
What can I say except that this safari was extraordinary, thank you safari by Z!
First of all, Majid and Mwanaidi were exemplary in their availability and patience in organizing the trip, adapting to our constraints, finding the best compromises and answering our 1001 questions!
Then on site, we were welcomed by our driver-guide Fadhili and our French-speaking guide Albert for 7 days: 1 day tarangire then 2 days serengeti, 1 day ngorongoro, to end with the discovery of the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes.
It was amazing! We saw so many animals and so close! The lions returning from the hunt, the elephant brushing against the car, the lioness and her cubs that we accompanied on the way for hundreds of meters, lunch in the middle of the elephants, not to mention the leopard, the cheetah and its prey, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, herds of elephants, rhinos, flamingos... In short, just incredible! And we ended in style with the meeting of the Hadzabe tribe, a timeless moment.
Fadhili is a smiling, seasoned, attentive driver who always knows how to maneuver perfectly to always be in the right place in order to be able to observe the animals up close in peace, even with 10 cars around. He also knows how to adapt his driving to spare us during long journeys on damaged paths and to ensure that the 'African massage' is as gentle as possible.
Albert is a jovial, passionate, attentive French-speaking guide who knows so many things: we learned a lot about animals, Tanzania and its history, the tribes,... And who was remarkable with our 7-year-old daughter. He also knows how to adapt the organization according to our desires, but also according to the unforeseen events of nature.
The accommodations, the organization, the meals, the meetings, the sharing, everything was perfect. Really thank you all!
(automatic translation from French)
CA
Email Alec&Fanny | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mesmerizing experience with top quality service
This will be a long review, but after reading many small ones and a lot of research, I hope this comprehensive review helps you experience our safari done in September-October 2022. This is not a paid promotion and I am taking the time to help others.
First thing I started researching for our 7 day safari was on Safari bookings website. Here, I felt that the companies provided were legit and that I was not going to have any problems. There are multiple reviews of each company and a brief overview of what they offer to differentiate themselves from others.
After days of researching (soooo many hours), I came to choose Safari by Z as my tour operator. We were going to book a budget tour, but after hearing my friend’s story of sleeping on a wet bed for a week after a rainfall in the serengeti, we chose to go with the Mid-Range option. Yes, there is a big difference in price, but after our experience, I believe it’s THE way to do a safari.
So after reviewing different companies in the mid-range for 7 days option, I read tons of reviews and I liked the initial plan offered by Safari by Z. I also read in almost all reviews of people being so happy with their driver-guide named Fadhili. So I researched their itinerary and messaged them as I wanted to customize it. We did not want to visit Arusha park and highly suggest you do the same. Emails go back and forth with quick responses and the safari is booked and we asked for Fadhili to be our driver. We have booked a customized 7 day safari in the mid-range option and a private tour, so only my wife and I in the land rover.
I will spare how the meet and greet goes as Safari by Z gave 5* service and the surprise should be kept for you. Any questions you have, they answer so there is no need to go further.
Our itinerary was 2 days Tarangire, 1 day lake Maynara, 2 days Serengeti and 2 days Ngorongoro.
I will not go into detail of every single day what we saw and did as that should be lived by you. Also these are wild animals, what we saw may not be seen by you as these are wild animals.
So let’s speak about Fadhili. I only chose him because people had positive reviews about him on safari bookings and I can confirm that he is AMAZING. This guy is a book about animals. Ask a question, you shall receive an answer. His eyes are binoculars, like spotting a snake in a tree or a lizard on a rock. You will see Fadhili driving slowly on the roads, scanning and looking for anything as other companies are zooming by and missing the opportunities we ended up living. Remember, it’s like we are hunting these animals to capture the perfect picture and admire these animals, so these other companies flying by missed a lion sleeping under a small tree, missed the leopard sleeping on a tree branch, missed a lion eating her meal with her bloody face and paws and sooooo much more. Please note, the safari experience is not the animals nor the park, but your guide. A good guide gets you close to the animals, is at the right spot and is able to satisfy all your needs. We told Fadhili we wanted to see the big 5 and whatever else the parks had to offer. Fadhili listens to the radio as most drivers communicate their findings so we can all share the moment. When we would arrive, sometimes 5 or 6 cars were already parked near the animal, but Fadhili always knew how to get close and we always ended up getting the best angle. This guy is patient, and the more you're interested and in awe, the happier he is and the harder he works to continue that experience. I can talk about Fadhili for hours and he literally made the safari go from amazing to memorable. We always felt safe when he drove on the roads and when we stopped for souvenirs or bathroom breaks. The only thing I can suggest for you is to please let Fadhili be in charge of your Itinerary. He only has your interests at heart, so when he says ‘’we should be up at 5:30 am and leave at 6’’ LISTEN to him. His goal is to make your safari the best one possible and he really strives to do it. Trust him and I promise you can’t go wrong. As soon as you show interest, Fadhili is alive and will feed that interest. We learnt most of the animal names in Swahili, we learned other phrases, tanzanian culture and so much more.
In conclusion, as I mentioned before, Fadhili ended up suggesting not to visit the same park twice as it becomes repetitive. Apart from the Serengeti, he was right not to visit the same park twice. We had no choice with Tarangire as those were the two first days and all the accommodations were reserved but we ended up only going to Ngorongoro once where we got to see a rhino in the distance. He suggested to go visit the Tonga and Hazabe tribe and that was CRAZY. The Hazabe hunt to survive. You experience them hunting an animal, if you’re lucky kill the animal and then skin and eat it. This is their culture, their way of life and being able to experience this was truly unique all thanks to Fadhili. As Fadhili mentions, if you don’t see a specific animal you wanted, who cares, there are too many experiences offered that should be lived.
So thank you Safari by Z for your hospitality, your service and your effort to make sure we are as happy as we can be. All the tented camps and lodges were 5* and could not have been better.
Thank you Mwanaidi for changing our lodge into the Serengeti camp. Hearing zebras eating grass and the hyenas laughing throughout the night was an experience we will never forget.
Fadhili, thank you so much for everything. You are kind and truly were the highlight of our safari. Keep up the great work and I truly hope people appreciate your knowledge and your being. I hope your dreams come true and really hope to see you again. Assante Sana Fadhili.
NL
Email Lelja | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
We are very happy we have booked safari with safari by z. They have listened to our wishes and budget. There were also surprises like a little cake for our honeymoon for example. The safari guide was very friendly. Overall it was an unforgettable experience!
Email Elisa Eps | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari
Everything was perfect : the guides, the car, explications, the lodge.
We had the chance to see the big 5.
We have beautiful memories in head.
Thank you !
Email Sherril | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Couldn’t ask for more!
What a fabulous way to celebrate our honey moon! From the ease of booking and planning to the fabulous service, Safari by Z we’re exceptional! We wanted to get married on the first day I. Arusha. They organised everything hassle free for us and were even our witnesses! Fadi was an amazing driver. Saw everything we wanted to and more. Baby leopards only a few days old as well as lion cubs and cheetah cubs! 5 leopards and 8 cheetahs in a day as well as too many lions to keep count! Comfortably vehicle, bonus to have wifi all day! Made our honeymoon absolutely memorable - highly recommend! :-)
Amazing Experience by Safari by Z
Everything was amazing! We met LeMoMo after collecting our luggage at the airport and was on full adventure mode! Tarangire, NGOrongoro, and Serengeti were our destination made incredible by our awesome guide- Lemomo. He is knowledgeable and well versed on the land, animals and culture as he is a local. My gf and me checked off the Big 5 in less than 48hrs. We were up close and personal to so many animals, even a pride of lions enjoying their kill- this was beyond exciting and unnerving for me to be so close and always felt safe. Our
National Geographic experience narrated by the best Safari guide. His customer service and care is exemplary- I am beyond grateful. I plan on returning with my children and will be requesting Lemomo as our guide- I absolutely do not want anyone else.
CW
Email Cheryl Smart | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellant and knowledgable guide
First communications. We are seven hours time difference and accounting for that all communication was immediate and helpful. The trip only includes your party and you can change the itinary to suit you. The camps and lodges were all excellant and the staff helpful. Their hospatality helped make the trip. Our focus was seeing the animals and our guide, Lemomo, made it happen. So many great animal experiences! Safari Z truely gave us the experience of a lifetime.
Email Morgan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic from start to finish
We had a fantastic time with Safari By Z, from the initial enquiry to the end of our safari. Communication was fantastic throughout, the price breakdown of each individual element of the package was super helpful. LaMomo our guide/driver was knowledgable and friendly, he allowed us time to stop everywhere we wanted whilst also pushing us on if he knew there was something else we would not want to miss. Fully recommend. We are already saving to come back!
US
Email Matthew | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our tour guide was amazing with his knowledge and personality. Everything was incredible
Everything was coordinated perfectly with the Safari by Z team. All accommodations, travel recommendations etc. were organized with no issues. The flexibility with the team to make any changes went flawlessly. Communication before the trip was exceptional and made us feel very comfortable.
During the actual safari, our guide made sure to make the down time while driving entertaining and informative. The meals provided were high quality and delicious.
Any one looking for an affordable and high quality trip to Tanzania Ihighly recommend reaching out to Safari by Z.