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
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Email Katy and Jim | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Over and Above Expectations
With a short amount of time to make arrangements for a safari before volunteering at a hospital in Tanzania, we immediately felt comfortable with Selma and Ngomi, the communication and arrangements. We relied on their experience for the best trip for five days and we were not disappointed; we only wish we had more time. Everyone at Makasa will make you comfortable and do whatever it takes to make your adventure top-notch and unforgettable.
We started in Tangere National Park and saw an amazing number and variety of animals with the close up experience of a small herd of elephant going around both sides of the Land Cruiser. As we entered the Serengetti National Park, there did not seem to be any wildlife around, but as Humphrey took us further in, it couldn't have been more alive. The number of zebra, gazelle, reed buck, impala, hyena, etc. is amazing. We saw a female lion miss a zebra kill because of a split second hesitation of which of two zebra to take down. A courting male lion was clueless to the pride preparing to take down some zebra approaching, thus he ruined the hunt with a growl to the lioness as she approached the pride. Humphrey saw a leopard (the second of the trip) and as we approached she crouched, and pounced, but missed the rabbit she was after. She spotted a reed buck but was also unable to successfully make a kill. In the Ngorogoro Crater another drama occurred involving a pride of 16 lions, 5 more male lions, buffalo preventing an attack on a lone buffalo, and a group of hyena circling and killing a wart hog all near the hippo pool.
Humphrey is an excellent guide and eager to share his knowledge of the animals, the eco-system, and Tanzania while spotting animals and making the whole experience fun. His English is outstanding as he can discuss classes of rock, their formations, and try to confound you with riddles.
Humphrey and Ngomi went above and beyond to make sure we had accommodations at the end of our safari when communication with people outside their company did not come through. We will be forever grateful to Ngomi for his persistence to communicate on our behalf with hospital personnel and shuttling us into town for supplies to make us comfortable as we began our volunteer time. Meredith helped us connect with Arif who made three weekend day trips unforgettable as well.
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Email Marta | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, patient and knowledgeable tour guide, the car was in great condition, clean and new.
The person we booked through was polite, honest, helpful and knowledgeable. Our expectations of the experience were correctly set and matched-
We could really tell our tour guide was passionate about conservation of wildlife and had our comfort and safety at heart going went out of his way to give us a unique experience.
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Email Coen Muller | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Family Safari in Tanzania
Makasa is the ideal travel agent for organizing your family safari. Based in Tanzania, with excellent local knowledge they will help you to realize your safari plans in a very efficient, personal and friendly manner. Domestic flights and all accomodations were as presented and expected.
They work with guides who have excellent knowledge of wildlife and flora. Who know how to make everyday interesting and ensure that your trip is hassle free. We visited Lake Manyara, the central west part of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater as well Mafia Island for diving and whaleshark watching. Stayed in tented camps, spent a day in the Olpopongi Masai cultural village and enjoyed staying in perfect lodges (with swimming pools).
In short don't bother looking for another agent.
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Email Jan & Kitty Jansen, Santa Fe, NM | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not anything negative to say!
At least 120 safari operators are active from Arusha or Moshi in Northern Tanzania. Thus, the choices are ample and difficult. When we decided to go on safari, we chose to make a 2-week safari while we were already in Europe, in order to avoid additional jet lag. We contacted Makasa at the advice of friends, and are very happy we did. They responded rapidly, were open to specific wishes (e.g., visit to the Oldupai gorge), and suggested the best game opportunities for our January trip.
While the Northern Great Migration in August to October is far more popular, our stay in Europe during the winter months made the Southern migration more feasible. Makasa suggested that we also visit the Lake Ndutu area in the southern Serengeti.
Following a couple of days in the Kilimanjaro and Maasai areas closer to Moshi, we travelled to Tarangire National Park (NP) and saw many adult and baby elephants, in addition to Cape buffaloes, gnoes (wildebeests), and various antelopes. We stayed in a tented lodge close to the park and were visited in the evening by 3 elephants which were grazing about 20 meters from our tent. Next stop was Lake Marynara NP to watch flamingos, and even some tree-climbing lions. In the Lake Ndutu area off-roading was allowed, and we came very close to lions and cheetahs. The numbers of gnoes and zebras traveling south were innumerable.
Next stop was Serengeti NP, where we again saw many lions, cheetahs, and even 3 leopards. Here we also stayed in a tented camp, which was convenient, had excellent food, and even hot showers and internet access. The last stop was Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site is very peaceful, beautiful, and we saw 4 rhinos, although from a great distance.
Makasa had organized everything splendidly, and it all went off without a hitch. Our guide/driver Jamal was not only very nice, but he had vision like a hawk, encyclopedic knowledge of the local fauna and flora, and the instinct to predict where animals were going. His English was impeccable, although his Swahili hard for us to understand. We had not a single negative experience and saw far more than on a safari to Kruger Park ten years earlier. The Great Migration was awesome to watch, and we saw every single one of the Big Five (Lol, how silly to find that important!). The best part for us was the stay at Lake Ndutu, where we saw lions, cheetahs, and hyenas from less than 20 meters. It was amazing that the animals completely ignored the Jeep.
We are very happy to recommend Makasa to travelers from Europe and also from North America. They are competitive, responsive, and will provide you with an unforgettable safari.
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Email Guillaume D. And Laura R. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a life time
We had a great experience with Makasa. First before the trip, they were very helpful to propose itinaries tailored made for our wishes. Once arrived it went perfect and the teip was beyond our expectation. Our guide/driver was fantastic with great knowledge of animals and local life and driving safe too! Also the accomodations were very nice, with friendly staff and great locations!
Overall all we defenitely recommend Makasa.
Hakuna matata!!
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Email Petra | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip organized by a fantastic organisation
We have been able to make an unforgettable safari thanks to Makasa. We have combined a safari with a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
During the safari we had a great guide, he knows a lot about nature and animals. Thanks to his experience we have seen many animals, including the big five! Everything was super arranged! the communication with Makasa is super good. The lodges and tented camps where also good.
Thanks to Maksa we have been able to make our dream trip
Makasa and our guide Kaleby gave us an absolute exceptional experience
Selma at Makasa arranged our 12 day itinerary and accommodations without any hitches or glitches. Our safari and lodgings exceeded all our expectations. The staff at all our stays made us feel
most welcome and the meals were great, especially at the bush tents.
Our guide Kaleby took excellent care of us throughout our adventure and was very professional, patient and considerate. Kaleby answered all our questions about the animals and birds as well as the culture and people of his country. He had the Big 5 covered by day 7 and scored a 3-cat-hat-trick (lion, cheetah & leopard) in the same day...he is an Ace in our books. He made our trip fun !!
We will most definitely recommend Kaleby and Makasa. Well done !!
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Email Kees and Jolanda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Quick and clear response, well experienced guide/driver
Everything was conform we expected. Communication was excellent. Safari tour and accommodation fine. Our driver Daniel was an expert!
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Email Gert and Corry | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari! Highly recommended.
In February we made a safari with Makasa. From the beginning till the end it was fantastic. The safari itself, but also the service, the equipment, the communication and the organisation were beyond our expectations. In planning the trip they were very sensitive to our expectations and possibilities. Our guide Frederick taught us a lot about the annimals and the ecosystem and he managed the trip in an excellent way, so we have tremendously enjoyed the wildlife.
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Email Renilde | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Makasa Safari in Tanzania : an expirience I will never forget
I can say nothing else but everything was excellent : the organisation, the safari trips, the camps, the meals , the pick nicks , the jeep ....
I would like to say special thanks to our guide, David, for his excellent driving, his shared knowledge about the animals and the landscape, his endless patient while we were taking photographs and videos, his suggestions......
It was a journey that I and my friends with me will never forget !