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
US
Email Myung | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Experience
Wow! Where should I begin to tell this incredible journey of my lifetime?
I am always cautious making online reservation for travel especially when it involves never visited countries thousands of miles away. I browsed so many Safari companies before selecting Makasa. I chose Makasa because the reviews were very positive and the photo of the Kamm family made me feel comfortable.
Thus, my husband, my son , my girlfriend and I began our journey to Africa for 9 days. When we arrived in Kilimanjaro airport the representative from Makasa was waiting with big smile, which made me feel relieved. We stayed one night at Kilimanjaro Lodge, which generates income for the girls school. The room was simple but clean and I was glad to know that by sleeping there, we were helping the school.
Next morning, we were on the way to adventures in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
I could not express enough how fortunate we were to have Humphrey as our guide. I have travelled far and wide around the world but no one matched Humphrey. His extensive knowledge about animals and their habitat,, names of trees and flowers along the way amazed me. He regularly had us sit around the table after lunch giving us lectures about the ecosystems of national parks and Massai tribes and other important information about animals and their habits. After so many years of his same profession, he was still passionate about his work. I will never forget how excited he was when we saw a black rhino lumbering away on the plain. He was incredibly professional, courteous and humorous. He was never tired of answering our questions until the last minutes of our departure and actually he was happy that we wanted to know all about animals and trees. He also had an eagle vision and could spot animals from far away without a mistake. No animal escaped from his sight. My son challenged him that we would see 25 lions. We saw 57 lions.
Everyday was a surprise. We saw a cheetah feeding on its kill and 6 vultures and an eagle landing on the carcass.
We saw lions mating. We saw a leopard in a tree with its kill (a gazelle) dangling from the tree. We saw a pride of 11 female lions relaxing in a tree while the male lion and his mate rested nearby. We saw a black rhino. We saw hyena stealing a carcass from vultures while a black-backed jackal followed him.
In all, we saw the Big Five, the Ugly Five, and an ant lion, one of the Small Five.
The lodgings were superb. We stayed at Maramboi in Tarangire, and Sopa Lodges in Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Every lodge had breathtaking views and the food was excellent.
Makasa made this all possible and I would not hesitate to recommend Makasa Tours to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania.
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flawless vacation
We're just back from a tailor-made safari and golf vacation in Tanzania.
Makasa organised a tour just as we wished, including a day of golf.
According to Murphy's law always something has to go wrong , but this time the law was not applicable.
Everything was perfect. Perfect organization, perfect guide (thank you Humphry), perfect weather (25 degrees and sunny), no mosquito's, no health troubles.
We saw everything we wanted to see (animals and yes, even the Oldupai gorge) and had a great last day of golf with Ngomi.
(For golf players: Safari and golf is a perfect combination. Who can say he/she played golf in Tanzania!).
NO
Email Kristin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best holiday ever, everything perfect organized
For many years I have been saving money for my dream of going to Africa. And this summer my dream came true! Thank you, Makasa, for making this the best holiday ever, a fantastic experience we will never forget. I don’t have enough words to describe how incredible an awesome our journey was.
We started in Olpopongi, very interesting to see how the Maasais are living and learn about their life and culture. When we arrived, they sang a welcome-song! I am so grateful for being introduced to these friendly people.
Our first safari-day was in beautiful Lake Manyara, and the first we met, were elephants! I love elephants, this was the moment of my life! The next days were in Serengeti, then Ngorongoro. We are very happy and pleased with all the accommodations. Endoro Lodge was especially luxurious, but all the lodges and tented camps were really nice. And the food! Excellent! Everywhere! And the lunch-boxes! So good! Dinner was especially nice in Kenzan tented camp, where they lit a fire, and placed the tables outside by the fire. Dinner under the star-lit African sky. So beautiful and magic.
The safari was amazing, seeing all these wild animals in close range, in their natural habitat. We have taken hundreds of photos, and I have written diary every day, so the memories will stay forever. Thanks to Makasa for the little gift; the note-books and pens! Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongora was all truly amazing! But if I knew how cold it would get, I would have brought warmer clothes. But we had a blanket, nice for early morning drives, so it was no problem.
Our driver, Kaleby (I called him Kaleb the whole time, sorry), was fantastic. He was so full of knowledge, knew everything! And kind, helpful and always in a good mood. I feel so lucky, we must have had the very best driver/guide.
Zanzibar was a paradise, a peaceful place to enjoy the sun and sea! Kilima Kidogo was really nice, good food and friendly staff. And a pool-table, the boys used that a lot! The teenagers were completely satisfied with everything, they have also had an experience of a life-time. Kilima Kidogo was resting, a life in slow-motion with no shoes or make-up for a week. Lovely.
We are very, very pleased with all of Makasa’s arrangements. Selma and Yohannes Ngomi met us at Kilimanjaro Lodge, and made sure that the lost suitcase was delivered along the route the next day. I like the concepts of Kilimanjaro Lodge (Mama Clementina Foundation) and Rhotia Valley, were tourist and tour-operators can help local projects by using the lodges.
Everything was just great. Everyone we met was friendly and helpful. Nothing could have been better. We are so damned lucky living in Norway, never have to worry about having enough food. Or water. We send our children to school without thinking about it, and never giving one thought to those who not are able to the same. I know we are privileged, but this was a good reminder about how lucky we are, and that we have a duty to help the ones that are less fortunate. It is useful for the whole family, especially the kids, to see with their own eyes the big difference between the Tanzanian life and the Norwegian.
Thank you so much! We are very pleased with Makasa, and will recommend you to everyone.
CH
Email Natalie Bold | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Super company! Super holiday!
We found Makasa via google amongst other tour operators. I contacted several of them (about ten) and Makasa was the fastest, most reliable and efficient in responding. Also, they were not only fast but to the point, they completely understood our needs and requests and wishes. We also skyped and Selma really took time to assure she understands us (family of four with two fairly young boys) in order to prepare our dream holiday. And what else can I say? She achieved it to the fullest!
We would also like to particularly thank our guide Victor who analyses very much how his customers are, what they want, what they like and (re-)acts accordingly. He was good fun too! I am sure there are many other good guides at Makasa but we were very happy with Victor.
I would also like to mention something "basic" which however is not always done by other companies: Makasa is one of the few that I have seen that never had any issue with the car. They service the cars like crazy!! Sounds norma, but it is not! We saw so many with punctures, shocks were gone or other things that can really ruin or at least delay your safari and you do not want that. It is as simple as that. So, we found that Makasa was slightly more expensive than others, we also found it was worth it to the last penny, because it meant safety, security, efficiency, reliability and above all a great holiday. Thank you Selma and Victor!
Email Bert Cassidy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great friendly service, went to a lot of trouble to meet my needs.
Had a great trip to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. Ally our guide was knowledgeable friendly and flexible.
Accomodation supplied was first class.
Email debbie baird | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastically well organised trip...amazing safaris and variety of accomodation, simply brilliant!
I was attracted to the prompt and helpful initial communication with Selma having googled safari companies after failing to get the holiday I wanted from UK based tour companies.
With my wishes and her knowledge we came up with an amazing package, visiting 3 national parks and 1 conservation area plus a stay in Zanzibar at the end, to make a 15 day holiday. From beginning to end, everything ran smoothly, we had our own superb guide in Jamal who made our safari experience so memorable. Our accommodation along the way was varied in location and type which was interesting, always the staff were friendly, professional and helpful and generally the food was very good. The tented camp in the Serengeti was just a wonderful experience. I added a balloon safari to my itinerary last minute before we left the UK, which again was well run and great fun and probably a must do.
When we arrived in Zanzibar, the hotel upgraded us to a chalet near the beach and facilities as I had mentioned to Selma that I'd had recent knee surgery.....what a kind and thoughtful gesture. We wanted a good hotel here to relax in at the end of our holiday and this came with Selma's recommendation...it was stunning, beautiful and so well run. The food and ambience were simply exceptional.
I would definitely use Makasa again and recommend to anyone wanting that special holiday with that special touch.
NL
Email Jaap and Nicolle | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Most beautiful holiday ever
We had an amazing time in Tanzania, for the greater part thanks to Makasa.
Our safari trip could not have been any better. We saw the most amazing animals, and not only in a lazy, sleeping position, but also in full action. A leopard climbing up a tree with his just caught prey in its mouth, group of lions eating a buffalo who had just been killed by them, three cheetahs hunting an impala but being scared off by a lion cup, a group of lions climbing a tree one by one, and so on. Of course, seeing some amazing actions requires an awful lot of luck, but we also had an excellent guide (Nurdin Kuwe) who was up for anything and enjoyed the whole trip just as much as we did, which really made our safari experience one we will never forget.
Makasa's accommodations were also more than just average and our email contact with the office, before as well as during and after our trip, was excellent (quick, trustful and extremely helpful).
So to anyone contemplating whether to make a safari trip in Tanzania, don't hesitate and book it with Makasa. I'm sure you will not be disappointed.
CA
Email Madeline Dykstra | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Vacation Yet!
We cannot thank Makasa enough for the best vacation we have ever had! We did an 8 day Safari and 5 day beach vacation in Zanzibar. From beginning to end, Selma and Ngomi were great to deal with and our emails were answered promptly and completely. They matched us up with a driver (David) perfect for our needs and he was fabulous with the children and all of their questions. He definitely had a big hand in making our trip so great - great driver, professional and very knowledged on all of the areas and animals. The itinerary and all accommodations exceeded our expectations and we were well looked after throughout the entire duration of our trip. They put together a Tanzanian experience for us that we never would have found on our own. We would definitely recommend them to anyone!
FR
Email Andre en Nelly | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best vacation ever.
We had a great trip (19 days) organised by Makasa Safaris .Our guide Kaleby was a very good flexible and friendly driver .Seen a lot of wild animals the big five in the different parks and reserves. The lodges, tented camps, the food, everything was good organised.
NL
Email Tom & Marjo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Holiday was beyond expectations.
Makasa did a great job organizing our vacation, especially since we only booked a few weeks in advance. We decided to do an 11 days safari and a week on Zanzibar. Selma suggested to also visit Ndutu so we could watch the migration, very happy we did as we would not have wanted to miss this, what a great experience. The contact with Selma was very easy, and all our questions were answered promptly. In was also a nice gesture that someone of the Makasa team came to meet us at the fist lodge to welcome us. Our guide Victor was really great, he safely drove us through Tanzania and managed to find us the big five and rescued a baby wildebeest to find it's way back to it's mother, really exciting ! He was great company and with full enthusiasm told us about the country, the people and animals. Thanks again Victor ! All in all we had a great time! Asante sana!