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
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.
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!
US
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.
NL
Email Douwe and Manchu | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful holiday, custom made and completely stress free
We had a perfect experience with Makasa tour operations. We had our own plans and views on the trip to Tanzania, but Selma's advice on lodges and activities made the trip much more memorable. Without exception, the lodges we stayed at had very kind personnel and the environment was absolutely stunning; both the expensive and the less expensive ones; she definitely knows what she is talking about!
The Safari guide Makasa had arranged for us was much more than just that; he was very good companion and became a friend we hope to show Holland sometimes. His knowledge of wildlife was overwhelming, not only about the big cats and those kind of animals, but also about the variety of birds and plant life. Whereas some tour guides are more like drivers, our guide was a real safari guide who was able to spot animals and happening (like the birth of an Impala) other guides drove past without spotting the happening.
During the whole safari tour as well as our trip to Zanzibar, everything had been thought out for us and had been pre-arranged, making this a completely stress free holiday.
We recommend Makasa tours to whoever reads this, as well as to any friend in Holland who thinks about going to Afrika.
BE
Email Wim and Nicole | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Makasa organised an unforgettable private safari for us
After searching for safari companies at the internet, we have chosen Makasa for the following reasons : 1. After a first contact via mail, we got immediately a 'good feeling' - 2. The owner (Selma) understood what we wanted and after some iterations, we got the ideal itinerary for us - 3. We could communicate in our language (dutch) - 4. The price was ok
The contract and related info was very clear.
We arrived in Zanzibar and via a domectic flight we flew to Kilimanjaro where our safari started. We did a coffee tour in Moshi, stayed a night in a masaai village and visited folowing parks : Tarangire (2d), Lake Manyara (1d) , Ngorongoro (1d) and Serengeti (3d). When our safari started, Selma and her husband came to our lodge in Moshi and presented our guide : Francis. He knew a lot about the animals and made us see the big 5 (rinos in Ngorongoro but far away). In fact he made sure that we had an unforgettable safari. He even asked another lodge/tent with better view for us in Maramboi tented camp where we stayed 2 nights.
The jeep was ok and we were provided water during the game drives. When we used lunch boxes, Francis made sure he got coffee for us.
After the safari we had a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
All the lodges and hotels we stayed in, were ok.
To resume, Makasa arranged all in a professional way : excellent guide, lodges, hotels and domestic flights. They know the country and understand how a safari should be.
We would certainly chose Makasa again.
NL
Email Jeroen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank you Makasa for a really great Safari tour!!!
We as a family of four with children (12 and 10) wanted to do not only game drives and beach time in Zanzibar but also experience the culture and the people. Selma understood our wishes quickly, was great, very helpful and informative in her communication and customized the itinerary perfectly. With of course game drives to great Safari Parks but combined with visits to a Secondary School, Orphanage, Masai village and Local Family.
The tour was great! From arrival till departing everything was very well organized.
The accommodation was picked well with really nice food, even in the Masai village and the tented camp in the Serengeti (those were great experiences), the transport was timely and without any hick ups (the rooftop safari jeep had even charging possibilities!) and the guide was really outstanding. He was very knowledgeable, not only about the animals but he answered also a lot of questions about the customs and the culture of the Tanzanian people and Tribes. He managed to show us all the animals we wanted to see and we even were lucky enough to experience 2 big wildebeest river crossings. A really amazing sight!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Selma and Ngomi, we had an unforgettable trip and we recommend everybody who would like to do Tanzanian’s northern circuit to definitely go with Makasa Tanzanian Safaris!!!
NL
Email Sander and Sandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly arranged, very good guide
We have made a nine day safari arranged by Makasa. At first we had some doubts because we only had contact by email. The good reviews on the internet and the personal attention made us choose for Makasa.
We had a very friendly and experienced guide which we could also have a good laugh with. He spotted many animals we could not have spotted ourselves. We made a trip to Lake Manyara, Tarangira, Serengeti and NgoroNgoro. We have seen every animal we wanted to see.
We think it is important to learn something of the culture when we are on holiday so we told Makasa we wanted to see something of the local villages. At Rhotia Valley we had a morning walk along the hills with an excellent local guide, who was originally a member of a local tribe. We visited a family and experienced there way of life. This was very impressive. We recommend everybody to taste some culture and not only go for the game drives.
We finished our trip in Zanzibar. We were unfortunate to experience 3 days of fully clouded weather in a five day stay. Zanzibar was ok for us, but we saw some nicer places. Outside the resort it was very busy. Next time we would rather go to a more quiet island.
But never the less. Makasa took care of everything and we did not have to worry about anything.
Even our guide waited with us at the airport until we had checked in.
Although we did not have any problems it is nice to know that someone in Tanzania is available to help you at any time.
Therefore we would really recommend Makasa arrange your Safari.
US
Email Roberta and Nicole Parseghian | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Makasa safaris planned the most amazing safari for my daughter and myself. Selma is the best!!!
Makasa Tanzanian Safaris planned the most amazing safari for my daughter and myself. My daughter was doing a service project in Arusha at a school for ten days and when that was finished I joined her. Selma put together a trip for sixteen days of tented camps and lodges that were outstanding. We went to Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, The ngorongoro crater, the Serengeti and Zanzibar. We had our own safari jeep and a wonderful driver named Nasoro. Our trip was mapped out so that we would get the most natural and educational expierences. Our driver was so respectful, funny, loving, protective and knowledgable. My daughter and I were so excited to see the wonderful country and people of Tanzania. Selma and Ngomi are exceptional at planning out any adventures that you could imagine and are honest and caring about every detail of the itinerary. I have reccommened them to numerous friends and family. Makasa is the best and I am truly blessed and grateful for the journey of a lifetime that they planned for us.
ES
Email Josep M Dosta Punti | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
All was perfect, the guide was excellent, Makasa arrange it all, not even small problem.
Very nice people. They just do the programe as per your wishes and they do a good job taking care of you and taking good care as sometimes there is things you dont know but they already did all for you. Im very happy and we had an excellent time. Also our driver was excellent, fantastic, we told him what we wanted from the beginning and he undertood very well and we get on extreamly good. They will ask you to pay in advance but dont worry, totally safe.