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 Ruth | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
great, well-organized safari exceeded our expectations
Our trip to Tanzania with Makasa Tanzanian Safaris was great. They organized everything for our in-country stay, starting with arranging our flight from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar. The driver was waiting for us at the airport in Zanzibar to take us to our hotel on the other side of the island. He was courteous, friendly and informative. He and all our guides spoke perfect English, so there were no communication problems. Makasa also arranged for our tour of Stone Town and a spice farm, again with a terrific guide. They suggested a hotel in Zanzibar which sounded very nice, but because we wanted to do snorkeling we chose another closer to that activity. They made all the arrangements. In other words, they give suggestions, but are willing to work with you to meet your needs. They also arranged the driver to return us to airport in Zanzibar and they had made the plane reservations to Kilimanjaro, where we were again met by a very friendly, courteous driver. We had thought we wanted to do only a 4-day safari, but because of distances and time of year, Selma suggested a 7-day safari. We are really glad we took her suggestion. Four days would have definitely been too short. On the morning of the safari our driver/guide met us at the hotel and we were off! Not only was he a very good driver and very pleasant, but he was also very knowledgeable about the animals, their habits and habitat. He spoke fluent English as well as fluent Spanish. The safari allowed us time to see the wildlife without ever feeling rushed--plenty of time for pictures--and we also had the option to visit a Masai village.
The accomodations were great--Rhotia Valley tented camp the first night, 3 nights at a tented camp in the Serengeti and the last 2 nights at Sopa Lodge at Ngoro Ngoro Crater. It was nice to experience the more rustic accomodations first and then have the last 2 nights at the lodge. Great planning on Selma's part to do it that way. And the rustic accomodations were not really roughing it at all--tents, but comfy beds, hot water, showers and flush toilets and solar lanterns. And you could hear the birds and other wildlife from tents.
I also liked that profits from both Rhotia Valley and hotel in Moshi go to support an orphanage and a school, respectively. Sopa Lodge was nice, but at all the other places since they were smaller and more casual we were able to interact with travelers from different places--Spain, Norway, Sweden, France.
We also took a day excursion to a waterfall at entrance to Kilimanjaro Park, and you could also do a day hike on Kilimanjaro trail. Since it was the beginning of the short rainy season we viewed the Great Migration in the Serengeti. Amazing!
I highly recommend Makasa. They are experienced and know what they are doing and will take care of everything.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic 5-day safari to Tarangire and Serengeti
Thanks Selma and Ngomi for organizing a perfect trip and Tuma, the guide/driver, for great company and a professional performance! We saw literally hundreds of elephants in Tarangire, we didn't know so many could fit in one 360deg field of view! Game viewing in Serengeti was excellent, with several prides of lion, cheetah, hyaena and even a close encounter with a leopard. Also all the other animals - gazillions of gnu of course, grazing from horizon to horizon on the green plains, topi (a new sight for us), dik dik and many others, birds such as ground hornbills, the colorful buffalo weaver, a secretary bird, kori bustards, various birds of prey, and others we still need to identify from photos. Tuma got excited with us over a busy dung beetle, and was always happy to stop for anything that tickled our fancy. I even got (painlessly) sucked on by a tsetse, also a novel experience (!?!) The accommodation was excellent. A booking glitch at one lodge was instantly resolved by Selma (while over-seas herself). The best thing about Makasa? The two delightful and professional owners.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly organized honeymoon - safari and zanzibar
For our honeymoon we were looking for a holiday that combined a safari with some nice relaxing at the beach. We contacted Makasa and immediately received an example itinerary which already included most of what we wanted and with a lot of information about the possibilities. Everything was still flexible, so we changed a few things to get exactly what we liked. This all went very smoothly, with quick responses to emails and it was always clear what the costs would be etc. Whenever we had questions (although most were already answered in the practical info we received) we got a clear answer.
The trip itself was amazing! Everything was organized perfectly, from the moment we were picked up at the airport. We saw lots of animals during our safari, even on transfer days, and our guide had hawk-eyes, spotting animals in the distance while driving on the bumpy roads. Because we had a private safari, we could spend our time where-ever we wanted for as long as we wanted, which made the trip even better. Because it was low-season, we didn't see many other cars, so it really felt like we were out in nature in the middle of nowhere. The accommodations were very luxurious and the food was great.
For the (even more) relaxing part of the holiday we went to Zanzibar. We booked some tours there also via makasa, so we had the same guide for both days, making it easy to switch around the order of the tours to make it more convenient. We only didn't know the time we would be picked up for the first tour, but a quick call to makasa solved that immediately.
To summarize: we had a really pleasant experience with Makasa. Everything was flexible, adjusted to our personal preferences and arranged perfectly. The guides were very knowledgeable and made sure we were comfortable and happy all the time. The price is right, especially for a private safari that is planned around your wishes. If we will go to Tanzania again, we will for sure book with Makasa again!
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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
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!