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
CA
Email Judy and Diane | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic bucket list adventure!
We found Makaska through another couple who had toured with them. We found them fast, reliable and efficient in responding. They understood our needs re: the safari and it met all our wishes. Fredrick our tour guide was excellent. He was very passionate about his wildlife and was willing to share all his knowledge. His driving skills were superb, as well as safety concerns at all times. He was not one to go off reading as some guides did. His main trait was his wonderful personality. We were able to share lots of stories and laughter. We highly recommend Makasa and Frederick as your guide.
NL
Email George | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari and very well organised.
Very well arranged and great communication. Our experienced guide really made the difference. Would definitely recommend this organisation.
DE
Email Anastasia and Andreas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Arrived as clients left as friends
In love with African nature and wildlife, we decided to choose Tanzania as our next holiday destination. We started looking in internet for tour operators and I accidentally came across Makasa. I read the reviews and I liked what I read, so I contacted Selma and explained that we wanted to go on Safari and then maybe to the beaches of Zanzibar. Selma sent us an itinerary and gave us so much time as we needed to read it through, to read about lodges and national parks. That is what I liked in particular: Makasa made no pressure and let us time to think everything over. Each time we had questions, Selma answered them in no time. Makasa is very flexible and if you, for some reason, would like to change something in your itinerary, it is no problem. They have a wide choice of lodges and activities to choose from.
Upon arrival to Tanzania, we were picked up at the airport by our guide Mathias and brought to the lodge in Moshi. Some hours later he took us on a tour around Moshi and showed us local food markets where we bought the most delicious avocados and bananas. We then drank delicious coffee at the local cafe, with coffee beans grown in the area. The next day we went to see beautiful waterfalls and then headed to Kilimanjaro starting point. Kilimanjaro area is very green and we explicitely asked Selma to let us stay a day or two in this area. We had a lot of fun with our guide, he told us a lot about local culture and we just had a good laugh with him.
Our safari experience was unforgettable. We visited in total 4 national parks and saw the Big Five. Our safari guide's name is Daniel. We saw so many wild cats up close, including leopards, that we wanted to see no more =) Daniel could spot animals some 200 meters or even more away!!! I do not know how he did that! He was very knowledgable, told us a lot about animals, their habits etc. He did that in an interactive way, by asking us questions and then giving the right answer. Every evening, at the dinner we discussed plans for the next day: what animals we wanted to see, what time we start safari and if we wanted to have breakfast before safari starts or during etc. So we knew exactly what we would be doing the next day. He is also a very careful driver and took our and his own safety as a priority.
Our lodges were great, and comfortable, especially the lodge in Serengeti National Park - we slept in the tents (tents are equipped with a bed, there is a toilet and a shower, laundry service also available - so no worries). Each night we fell asleep to the sound of roaring lions and grinning hyenas. We saw a leopard on the tree as we arrived to the lodge - he was just chilling there, 150 meters away from us=). Selma knew that such experience is a must in Tanzania. One of the lodges, at which we stayed, supports a children's home - it means 20 % of sales goes to the needs of this project. I visited the children's home myself and I can say children are taken real good care of and are getting good education. Another lodge, at which we spent two nights in Moshi, supports the local school, the primary purpose being the education and empowerment of girls. So it is definitely a noble purpose. It is one more reason to choose Makasa - they choose lodges that give back to the community!
After our safari adventure, we were brought to the airport, so that we could continue to travel to Zanzibar. There we were met by the driver (who drove very carefully) and brought to the hotel. The hotel in Zanzibar was also a dream. In Zanzibar we were free to choose our own activities, like snorkeling or Stone Town visit. But one can book activities in advance with Makasa.
We would like to thank Makasa's team for our unforgettable adventure! We will always remember our happy days in Tanzania.
NL
Email Sylvia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience
Thanks to Makasa our dream of going on safari in Tanzania became true! Our anticipatory pleasure was great thanks to the enthusiastic vlogs of Selma and also because of the quick and helpful e-mails from Fien to plan our perfect trip. A safari in Tanzania is absolutely worth the money. We felt like princesses in the beautiful accommodations, and the staff was always friendly and helpful. Our guide Kaleby was great: enthusiastic, lots of knowledge about wildlife and the parks, good English speaking, a good driver and always ready to make our experience perfect. We greatly enjoyed this trip and can recommend to everyone to make it with Makasa!
NL
Email Taciana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour with high quality service and guide.
I had a awesome experience during my safari. My guide was a great person and with a lot of knowledge about the place and animals.
The car, food and hotels are high quality.
Thank you for the great experience.
NL
Email Max | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professionally, friendly and well organized
In January we went to the holiday fair in Amsterdam.
We visited several stands specialized in Africa safaris
At the Makasa stand we had a click, it felt good.
Selma explained to us what the possibilities were.
We told her what we wanted to see and do and what our budged was.
Makasa organized a 9-days safari in tented lodges and 7-days at the beach resort Dream of Zanzibar.
October 30 we left and everything was perfectly arranged.
Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro airport, a Makasa employee was waiting for us, and brought us to our hotel in Moshi.
The next morning Selma, Ngomi and our guide/driver Humphrey came to the hotel to welcome us and to give us the last details. And of we went.
The safari was great, especially thanks to Humphrey, he was not only a good driver, he was a guide with a lot of knowledge about the animals and he spoke perfect English. He was an entertainer, quiz master, butler and very enthusiastic, if he saw a cheetah or a leopard he became even crazier than we were. We have not only seen the big 5 but also so many other animals.
We wanted to see the migration of the animals, but due to the climate change the animals were still in the north. No problem for Mr. Humphrey, then we just drove to the north. We are eternally grateful to him for this, what a spectacle. Breathtakingly beautiful, not to describe with words, you have to experience this. Not only by seeing it, but by feeling it, smelling it, hearing it, tasting it.
After this beautiful experience it was time to go to Zanzibar. We stayed in the beautiful resort Dream of Zanzibar, here we enjoyed the nice weather and beautiful beach.
Thanks Makasa for an unforgettable dream trip.
US
Email K.C. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a lifetime!
Makasa organized a beautiful safari for our family group of 6 (ranging in age from 25-75). Selma was responsive and flexible during the planning process, attending to every detail. We feel that we got excellent value, and from the minute we arrived in Tanzania everything went very smoothly.
Our guide, Ally, was magnificent!! When you're spending 10 days with a total stranger it can really make or break the whole experience. Ally was incredibly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna - we saw all the animals we had hoped to see, plus over 100 species of birds! He was an excellent driver (no small feat on miles of bumpy dirt roads), and his kind and cheerful demeanor ensured that we always felt safe and well cared for. He never rushed us and was always happy to stop for pictures or to answer questions.
My husband and I had been on safari before in Kenya and Botswana, so we had some idea of what to expect, but our adult children were completely blown away by the sheer number and variety of animals!
The accommodations were quite varied and unique and we received excellent service at all of them. We had one person on crutches and another with dietary restrictions, and we were accommodated very well.
I highly recommend Makasa to anyone considering traveling to Tanzania!
CA
Email Melanie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great 3-day safari!
Overall, this was a great experience!
Selma communicated with us along the way and she was very responsive. We loved the diversity of the 3 parks that we visited (Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) - each of them were very different and had a lot to offer! Our guide, Robert, was knowledgeable and kind. We stayed at Simba Karatu Lodge for the 2 nights and it was absolutely beautiful and the food was great.
The one thing we were disappointed in is the lunches. When you are paying thousands of dollars, we would expect better food, not just a piece of white bread with cheese and some fruit. I am not sure why we could not get leftovers from the previous dinner or a better quality lunch. We communicated with the lodge several times about our food restrictions, but they had no idea how to make a vegetarian lunch box and one without dairy. They messed up all 3 days, even after clarifying what we could and could not eat. We were especially disappointed because the food at the lodge for dinner was great! I am not sure why they could not have made more effort for the lunches. Overall, this is not a big deal, but I had much higher expectations given the price we were paying.
DE
Email Karsten | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A well organized safari journey above our expectation.
The communication with Makasa / Selma was always good and our wishes for the safari were all included. The service was very good, even before and during the safari. Makasa is a very competent company with friendly staff, well maintained equipment and well trained tourguides. We were travelling with four persons, my wife, me and two girls. All the experience of Makasa together with the guide David has made our safari to an unforgettable journey. David was the best that could happen to us. His experience, coupled with the necessary serenity, made the safari always smooth. The selected lodges with the longer duration of the safari was a very good combination. Even the wishes of our two young girls for vegetarien food was always fulfilled, and this also for the daily lunchboxes! Also our guide in and around Moshi, Mattis, was a very friendly and attentive guide. If you are looking for a safari away from the crowd, we can fully recommend Makasa for anyone considering traveling to Tanzania.
NL
Email Denise | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great vacation.
We had a great experience with Makasa, the communication with Fien was always good and fast. The accommodations are really nice with nice people. Maramboi and Kenzan Ndutu where beautiful and we have a nice view from or tent and lodge. A safari in Tanzania is absolutely worth the money. We saw everything and more what we wanted to see.
Our guide, King, was magnificent!! When you're spending 10 days with a total stranger it can really make or break the vacation. King told us a lot about the fauna, animals and the culture of Tanzania. It was very nice to travel with him and we had a great time!
We can fully recommend Makasa for a trip in Tanzania! We will come back!
Asante sana Makasa.