Makasa is owned & managed by Selma and Ngomi Kamm
Makasa Tanzania Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Adventure of a lifetime with Makasa!
Excellent communication and trustworthy travel agent in Tanzania! The benefit has been that we did not pay premium for the international travel agents, who use local Tanzanian companies anyway. We received value for money moving through Tanzanian Parks with a very nice, funny and knowledgeable Safari guide. What we have seen was truly unbelievable as we moved from Moshi with the views of Kilimanjaro to Tarangire through Manyara Lake and finally to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Excited, we enjoyed vist of jackals and hyenas and elephant family in the camp, observing the full cycle of life in Serengeti and seeing the Big 5! That was a trip of the lifetime and we now plan to repeat Safari adventure with our children age 7 and 12.
We stayed in the mix of permanent lodges and tents and that combination gave as a fantastic mix of luxurious conditions and safari excitement of having wild animals as your neighbours! The two venues we will never forget were in Maramboi Tented Camp and Kati Kati Tented Camp, simply exceeded our expectations by bringing adventure to our life! Special thanks to the ladies in Kilimanjaro Lodge – service amazing, food even more amazing!
If we go to Tanzania again that will definitely be with Makasa! I have also recommend them to my friends and colleagues.
NL
Email Gerda en Paul | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fast and fabulous
Last minute is an understatement of our trip. Monday night we decided to travel to Tanzania, Wednesday night we arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Makasa managed to organize a fantastic trip within this short timeframe. Excellent service, very quick communication and a perfect itinerary. Because of our fast decision, the whole trip was a big surprise to us, but it met all our expectations. Accommodations were superb! One day we woke up close to Tarangire National Park with a fantastic view of zebras, warthogs and wildebeests roaming the landscape between our terrace and the hills at the horizon. The next day we slept in the middle of Serengeti, surrounded by hyenas and lions, roaring in the night. In Ngorongoro Conservation Area we spotted 2 rhinos, which completed our big 5 checklist. We have seen so many animals! Before and after the safari we took some time to relax and to visit some local villages. Despite their poverty, Tanzanian people are very friendly and we loved their hospitality. We hope to be back soon!
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Email Charles A | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic photo safari with many outstanding photo opportunities
Makasa provided me with a memorable safari experience. Selma was always outstanding responding to my questions via e-mail and helping me develop the perfect safari based on what I wanted to see and the kind of accommodations I desired. She made many helpful suggestions, but she was always tuned in to my wishes.
The safari itself certainly was outstanding in every way. I was fortunate to have Ngomi as my guide, and I doubt there is a better, more knowledgeable guide in Tanzania. He and Kalebi, our driver, were outstanding in finding outstanding animal photo opportunities and made many helpful suggestions on when and how to get the "perfect" photo. I got many many photos of the "Big Five" in addition to many great photos of other animals and birds. Ngomi was always able to identify the animals and birds, including the scientific classification. And his eyesight is unreal -- he could spot a leopard tail in a tree or a black rhino 1000 meters away. I have nothing but great memories of my safari, and hopefully will be able to return for a follow-up; I know Makasa will help me plan the perfect second safari!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great experience!
The plan they made for us was excellent, we visited four national parks and saw lots of animals. In Ndutu we experienced the migration with the wildebeests and their calf's, as well as the zebra's with their fowls.
Communication with Makasa Tanzanian Safaris was very easy, fast replies and suggestions according to what we wanted.
The driver/guide was very professional, easy going, patient and informative.
Accommodations were what we expected. We had a great time!
Email BrianR | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb safari, well planned and delivered. Extremely satisfied customers.
I thoroughly and unhesitatingly recommend Makasa. Selma listened to what we wanted, made some very good suggestions and tailored our trip to meet our needs. And then made changes in dates we wanted for us too. Communications were excellent - rapid replies to emails and even skype!. the service was faultless - everything worked perfectly. We had a variety of accommodation - tented lodge, mobile camp and hotels - all very differnt but all very good. it added to the charm and variety. Francis, our guide, was excellent. 'Eagle eyed' and brilliant at both spotting birds and wildlife - we are interested in birds as well as animals. He is extremely knowledgeable and informative, and has a good sense of humour. And he always got us a front row view of the everything. The highlight had to be our private viewing of the lions mating 10 meters from our car!!!!!
We thought this was probably the best holiday we have had. I cannot praise Selma, Francis and the staff at Makasa enough. I'm glad we chose them based on others reviews. (We did get quotes from 3 others too but they didn't come anywhere near Makasa in terms of personalisation or listening to what we asked for.) We've asked Selma for tips for a southern route safari - i wouldn't bother with anyone else after this experience. So in short, excellent people to deal and travel with, superb safari, good value for money. heartily recommended.
NL
Email Hein & Akkie Daams, the Netherlands | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professionals with a personal touch
The communication between the customer and Makasa is friendly and precise. Makasa manages the expectations with reality of mother Nature and have a very good choice of the accommodations.
We travelled for the third time with Makasa and again our guide David did a brilliant job. This time we did Tarangire NP, Ndutu, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Our first goal was to experience the migration and calving season of the wildebeest. Lucky ones as we are, we did it on the border of Ndutu and Serengeti. Lucky ones. Overall again was this safari total different as the safaris before. Therefore our opinion is mother Nature has always her surprises.
NL
Email Huib and Christina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream trip
It's been over three months since we have been on safari in Tanzania, we still think back almost every day with pleasure.
We started our trip with a visit to a coffee plantation. With much enthusiasm was explained to us the process from plant to coffee by a traditional coffee farmer. (We can start our own coffee plantation now!) Wonderful green area.
We visited Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Serengeti National Park has made the biggest impression on us. The beautiful nature, many animals, the night at Kati Kati tented camp. Just imagine, waking up at night 3 o clock of the frolicking of gazelles around your tent. The moon was full so good view, unforgettable.
Our guide Tom has on a quiet way and with love for nature and animals, many of his knowledge shared with us. He has ensured that we have seen the "Big Five". We have experienced a lot of fun. Tom knows a number of Dutch words and he has done his best to learn us some Swahili words. Also his way of driving on bumpy roads was good, we have us no time felt unsafe.
Tip: do not forget your binoculars.
Selma from Makasa has mapped out for us a trip that perfectly fits our wishes. She responded quickly to the mail that we have sent and no question was too much for her. She also gives a good indication what to expect at the accommodation. In short, she knows where she's talking about and is genuinely interested in your wishes. During our trip we also have to contact her sought, even then she helped us very well.
Tip: Do not doubt the balloontrip, it is worth every penny.
We have also on Zanzibar very enjoyed and had a good time. Sandies Mapenzi Beachresort is beautiful, good food, good bed, friendly staff.
Makasa had arranged for our transfer from airport to resort. With the guide who took us to the resort, we made later two trips. Stone Town and the "Blue Safari". The "Blue Safari" was also a very nice excursion, for a reasonable price (similar to the beach boys there). This was all well organized.
Want to book a safari in Tanzania, Makasa is highly recommended.
Selma, Tom and all the others who made our trip memorable, thanks
Huib, Christina, Rinus en Addy
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magnificent holiday
Me and my friends has been to Tanzania for a safari which we arranged together with Selma, we told her what we would like to see and she made us an trip proposal. A few things we changed from the proposal and that's no problem at all for Selma (Makasa). All of our contact went throughout email and i must say she is always quick in answering the email.
We went out for a 8 Day safari, Tarangire National Park, Ndutu, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
During our safari we stayed in Lodges but also in a Tented Camp in Serengeti, what a special place to be ! Surrounded by nature and the wild animals , you become a part of Serengeti , indescribable how beautiful iT is . Our guide Kaliby has done a really good job, amazing how much he knew about the flora and fauna, we have seen amazing coulered birds and mostly he knew the name, and otherwise he looked it up in his, what we called it, 'Birds and animal Bible' . Kaliby is a modest patient guy who could tell a lot about Tanzania's nature and wildlife, we have been very lucky with him , every time when we saw something special and we have seen many !! , he took his time to spend at the place to be. All days except the transfer days were planned in consultation. We have had a great memorable safari in Tanzania, thanks to Makasa Tanzanian Safari's !!
So for those still searching for the right Safari Tour organization i highly recommend, Makasa Tanzanian Safari's.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Saw the Big 5 with Makasa
We loved our safari with Makasa Tanzanian Safaris. From the moment of our enquiry, through booking, and taking care of special meals, Selma was incredibly responsive to our emails.
On arrival in Tanzania we were met at the airport by a Makasa representative and taken to Moshi to rest after our flight. We then spent 10 days on safari. We visited the Maasai Olopopongi Village - an incredibly interesting cultural experience. From there, our guide David took us to Tarangire Lake Manyara parks, and from there we transited Ngorongoro to the Serengeti where we saw the Great Migration- what we were really hoping for. We saw a pride of lions on an early morning game drive, and saw rhinos in the distance in Ngorongoro Crater.
In each camp, we were comfortable and well looked after. The breakfasts and dinners were very tasty. Our guide, David, was very knowledgeable about the animals and their behavior. He also was well prepared and very friendly with the other guides, which gave him inside knowledge about the movement of animals within the parks. We felt very safe with him driving us around Tanzania.
We wholeheartedly recommend booking a safari in Tanzania with Makasa.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful, Wonderful Safari
We had a ten night safari with Makasa that took in a night at Olpopongi Masai Village, a day at Lake Manyara, 4 nights on the Serengeti and two days in Ngorogoro Crater. After that Makasa organised our internal flights, transfers and accomodation on Zanzibar before we came home. Every part of the safari exceeded our expectations. Our accomodation in various lodges and tented camps was superb. Our driver and guide, David, was wonderful and extremely knowledgable. He really made sure we saw as much as we possibly could whilst we were with him. We managed to see all of the 'Big 5' and had amazing close encounters with lions, cheetah and other animals that were absolutely incredible. Everything, from the initial pick up at Kilimanjaro Airport to our departure from Dar Es Salaam was flawless. This was our first safari, but it definitely won't be our last. I cannot recommend Makasa enough.