The Amazing Shadows of Africa Guiding Team!
Shadows of Africa
- Offices In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $1,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
US
Email Ken Meuchel | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic safari experience in Tanzania
In short, our safari was a visual extravaganza accompanied by sensory saturation...the trip of a lifetime!
Thanks to my son's suggestion, we went on a father-son safari to Tanzania...something I had long dreamed about but never thought would actually happen. It was a truly amazing experience from top to bottom. Shadows of Africa is a top-notch company that accommodated our every need and was very responsive to our numerous questions and requests. (Thanks Jake & Stacy!) I highly recommend using them for your safari adventure in East Africa.
We quickly bonded with Edwin, our driver-cum-guide, who was terrific in every respect. He made the trip with his affability, local knowledge, driving skills and ability to spot animals we would have never noticed in passing. A real pleasure.
We were fortunate to see the Big 5 plus large numbers of other exotic critters such as giraffes, zebras, ostriches, hippos, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, crocs, baboons, monkeys, mongooses, 13 antelope and many bird species. Also witnessed the spectacular Mara River crossing; the wonders of the vast Serengeti; a lioness stalking/killing a male gazelle & holding it down so 4 younger family members could chow down; a few dozen vultures feasting on a fresh roadside zebra carcass; 18 lions sauntering off into high grass; 2 mature leopards sharing the same tree (mating season); an elephant family taking a river mud bath; a cluster of 16 adolescent ostriches; marching columns of wildebeest/zebras/buffalo; and lots of baby animals. Many of the animals were on or near the road making for great photo ops.
During our 10-day safari in late September, we stayed at several unique lodges and 2 tented camps which added greatly to our enjoyment. The staffs were welcoming, friendly, efficient and helpful. The food, especially the tasty hot soup for every dinner, was a special treat. Assante!
I really enjoyed visiting 3 local tribes and being exposed to the fascinating local culture. Our specialist guides for the day trips were outstanding.
After returning home, I made a lengthy list of my memorable experiences to savor in the future. Thank you Shadows of Africa!!!
IE
Email John W | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari holiday
My experience of dealing with Shadows Of Africa from start to finish was easy and stress free. From the initial consultation with Elijah over email to the drop off at Nairobi airport by our most excellent safari guide Ken, it was nothing but a pleasure.
The holiday we were delivered fit our budget nicely and delivered serious bang for our buck, from the 4 day safari to the coastal resort stay afterwards.
The safari itself which was the focal point of the holiday was amazing. We saw everything we could have hoped for and would go back in a heartbeat. I'd have no trouble recommending Shadows of Africa to anyone
US
Email PatBethMego | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magnificent Megafauna
We had only six days to experience a the most exotic wildlife spectacle on Earth -- the Serengeti of Africa -- and we needed a tour company that would help us make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We chose Shadows of Africa because they were easily the most responsive of the many tour companies to our email inquiries, they offered us many options, and we felt more secure sending a large payment to an office inside the US. We booked our ticket to Arusha and Shadows of Africa arranged the rest. Our budget allowed a mix of mid-range and high-range sleeping options, and they were all exactly as advertised (no surprises is nice). The tour ran on schedule, but there was also plenty of latitude to make some last minute changes. Our tour guide spoke good English and was very knowledgeable about the travel logistics and the ecology of this amazing ecosystem. We were quite pleased with the experience and am comfortable recommending Shadows of Africa to host your experience.
US
Email Steven K | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible, all-inclusive trip!
A group of friends and myself booked through this company for a two part vacation; climbing Kilimanjaro and exploring the Serengeti. I thought it was going to be very hectic and confusing, and I packed a lot of what-if items just in case...
I could not have been more wrong!
They took care of absolutely everything. Every meal, every stop, every attraction was well thought out. Our guides for Kilimanjaro, Amir and Hussien were very, very knowledgeable and professional. We picked their brains the whole hike, and there was not a single question they could not answer. The porters worked incredibly hard for us too. By the end of the climb, they all felt like family.
The Serengeti was equally amazing! our driver #Ritchard# was impressive in his ability to find every animal we were looking for, and he knew everything about them! We saw all of the Big 5! And we got very close to almost every creature we came across (except the rhinos, they're tricky) All of our accommodations were spectacular, from luxury tents in the Serengeti (buffaloes relaxing outside my tent!) to the Serena Crater Lodge (amazing place, awesome entertainment!)
At first I thought the trip was a little pricey (around $2,300) but when I found out what other tourists we met were paying (some of them upwards of 5k!) I soon realized we got the best deal for what we paid for. Again, absolutely amazing and I would do it again in a heart beat.
NL
Email Aniek | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!!
Before booking with Shadows of Africa I have looked at several different safari companies to compare what they had to offer so I could make my decision. The reason for choosing Shadows of Africa was their always quick response, they were one of the lowest in pricing but had amazing reviews, not a negative thing to find. And I do not regret my decision at al! We had such an amazing experience!! We only had time for a 4 day safari to see Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara, but we have seen so much and it didn't at all feel like long distances of driving.
Our guide Edwin was very experienced, any question we had he could answer it right away. Every animal and bird he could name and he did his best to find all of the big 5 for us, and he did! Not only the big 5 but so many other animals zebras, hippos, giraffe, hyena, jackal, many different birds and other small animals and as a highlight of our trip 5 cheetahs! A mom with her 4 cubs eating away on a thomson gazelle they had just killed. And we were the first ones there!
All in all an awesome safari with a very reliable company! We would recommend them to everyone and definitely use it ourselves again when we will have the possibility to visit Tanzania again!
US
Email Anne-Marie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever !!
My husband and I just got back from a 10 day Safari In Tanzania. Shadow's of Africa was the company we used and we couldn't be happier. They were very professional and always there for us when we had questions. This was our first Safari and definitely not the last and I would book with them again, they were so helpful in finding something that was good for us , making us feel so comfortable through the whole process. We enjoyed everything about our trip, we saw amazing wildlife and a lot of it , our guide was fantastic,the food was good everywhere and the lodges were all amazing. We had been wanting to do A Safari for a long time and this was above all expectations. Don't wait and book ur trip !!
CA
Email Laura N | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Safari and Kilimanjaro Climb
I can't say enough about how great our trip to Tanzania with Shadows of Africa was. From start to finish, everything was handled professionally. Our trip began with a five-day safari in Lake Manyara National Park, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater with guide Siriko and cook Silvanos. Siriko was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We still can't believe how he managed to locate those leopards! His easy laugh and laid-back attitude made the experience very enjoyable.
The second part of our trip was the highlight, hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro in seven days via the Machame Route. Our head guide August has been guiding up the mountain for close to 20 years and his experience and calm demeanour inspired our trust. Assistant guide Amiri was equally capable and supportive, often setting the pace for our little group. Our guides and team of 12 porters, cook and server worked hard to make our lives easier.
Last but not definitely not least, we have to mention Natasha and the office staff in Arusha, who welcomed us back, allowed us to hang out at the offices and use the Wifi and loaned us a driver and vehicle for our last day before our evening flight back to Europe. Our trip was nearly over--they didn't have to be so accommodating, but they made us feel like family friends.
We would highly recommend Shadows of Africa for a safari and/or Kilimanjaro hike.
US
Email Karthik | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
1 Day safari to Ngorongoro crater
I chose to go on a 1 day safari to Ngorongoro crater in the last minute, through shadows of Africa. My experience with Jake in coordinating the schedule was outstanding. He made every attempt to make the schedule work. The email responses were very prompt.
The safari itself was awesome and couldn't have asked for a better experience! Richard was my guide, he is very experienced, friendly and knew his ways around at the crater!
There was no delay in the arrival/departure times. The lunch was good too and most importantly we were able to see most of the animals!!
I would definitely recommend Shadows of Africa to anyone I know without a doubt!
US
Email Jason D | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari, Superior Staff and Coordinators
We did a long safari (5 days Kenya, 8 days Tanzania, 5 days Zanzibar). We were met at the Nairobi airport and loved our Kenya guide. He really worked hard getting to locations broadcast on the radio with rarer animal sightings. The whole family loved Ken the driver. We knew about Masai Mara and Amboseli but Crescent Island and the walking safari amongst the animals was an unexpected highlight. We transferred to Tanzania midway through the safari which is an awkward border crossing. Our Tanzania driver was very knowledgeable. We had wonderful upscale resorts throughout our stay. It was a mix of luxury tent and gorgeous hotels. My wife developed pneumonia in Kenya that didn't improve with oral antibiotics. Our coordinator Natasha in Tanzania was superb with rearranging our trip so that my wife could get IV antibiotics and we could see game parks closer to Arusha. We still had awesome hotels and I was so impressed with how helpful and caring she was.
Email Jeff | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Look no further for your safari.
On a friends recommendation my wife and myself chose Shadows for our three day safari to Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. Very helpful advice from Victor and Natasha. Our guide for the trip Mussa was a wealth of knowledge, and having twelve years experience he knew the parks and animals behaviours very well. On our trip, at the end of the wet season when the grasses and vegetation are lush, we did not see leopards, but thanks to Mussa we saw every animal and bird we hoped to see including two black rhino! When our camera charger was damaged during the journey to Dar Mussa made sure it was not a problem, he looked after us wonderfully.
We were collected from Arusha bus station, Victor and Mussa helped us buy our tickets for the return trip to Dar. Our over night stay at a hotel McElly's was comfortable and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
The Country Lodge at Karatu were we stayed after each day, lived up to its name. Lovely gardens, great showers with hot water and good food. Phoebe and the rest of the staff were also extremely friendly and very attentive.
As to the safaris themselves it's difficult to choose a favourite place. Each one was wonderful in its own way and more than lived up to our expectations. You will not be disappointed! Regarding cost it was probably mid price range, we felt the quality of accommodation and care we received was excellent.