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
PT
Email Daniela Duque | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A lifetime experience
My boyfriend and I just returned from a 6 day safari with Shadows of Africa and it was the most amazing experience that we ever had. Our expectations were high but they were certainly exceeded.
We want to thank Marjeta that arranged everything perfectly and had been always so helpful and easy to correspond.
We also have to thank a lot Loma, our amazing driver who was so friendly and who did his best to give us the best safari experience ever. He is really experienced and always knows where to go and where to look to see the animals. And he has such good eyes that he can spot leopards in trees far far away. Also, Loma has so much knowledge to share about the animals and their behaviour, the land, the massai, etc.
We were so lucky that we saw the big five, lots of leopards, cheetahs, a crocodile, hyenas, gazelles, elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras hippos, etc, etc. And we also managed to see scenes just like those of the National Geographic documentaries like lions hunting and lions stealing food from a leopard in a tree. It was so amazing!
All lodging facilities were above expectations and all the staff was so lovely.
From start to finish, everything on this trip was so good that made this holidays absolutely unforgettable.
We would definitely recommend booking with this company and asking for Loma has your driver!
Tanzania will always be always in our hearts!!
US
Email Dave Pryor | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
HIGHLY RECOMMENED TOUR WITH PROFESSIONAL STAFF
NOTE: The bottom line to a successful safari is your driver....period! His knowledge of off-road driving, translating local dialect, wildlife identification, and inside information on Africa is paramount to your safety and pleasure.
Our driver, Dickson Julius, was one of the best 4WD vehicle handlers I've ever met....and I personally know a LOT of good drivers, including F1 and NASCAR racing driver friends. His driving skills, stories, knowledge, and sharp sense of humor made our trip a remarkable experience that I'll never forget. Highly recommended! Be forewarned: This experience includes vehicle breakdowns, getting stuck, hot weather, and extreme terrain driving. It's as real as a safari gets and that's the beauty of and this trip.
The food overall on our safari was of good quality and served ample portions. All of the Massai warriors (who provided our protection) and staff we encountered were both friendly and professional. The days we spent "roughing it" in luxury tents (with functional toilets and showers) were stimulating in particular sort of way. There was just enough "grit" to get a realistic feel of camping while the calls of lions and hyenas lurking just outside your tent made your senses come alive. Anyone wanting to experience what it feels like living on the edge in the wild?....then this is for you. You will not regret it.
JP
Email Wataru | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari !!
The guide CASTRO BONZO, the driver DICKSON JULIUS, Thank you very much.
We were really able to enjoy the nature of Africa. It was an exciting and fun trip. We could see BIG FIVE which we were looking forward to, and we were excited about the animals we saw close to. Since it was BABY season, we met many cute children of animals.
We had valuable experiences, to see wild animals, balloon safari, delicious meals, luxury tents. Thanks a lot.
ASANTE SANA
DE
Email Charlotte, Thomas + Dirk | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Five wonderful days in differen national parks
Although our safari is already five weeks ago we would like to give you some feedback. It was a wonderful journey and a fascinating experience. Our fantastic guide, Edwin (Eddy the eagle eye), was awesome. He saw animals on the horizon with the naked eye which we could hardly recognize even with binoculars. So we only can say "thanks" to our guide that we have seen the BIG FIVE completly. Every thing has been well organized. It was our first safari in Tanzania but certainly not our last one. Thank you for a wonderful week we will never forget.
US
Email Dennis Haren | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All we asked and more.
Loma provided us with the experience of a lifetime. My mother had a stroke 3 months before we were scheduled to leave and Jake and Stacy provided us with our guide Loma. He accommodated our every need. He always kept us informed on what was next but still asked us what we wanted to see next. He NEVER failed to deliver. We were able to photograph the Big 5 and cared for my mother as if she were his mother. Thanks for everything from the planning and recommendations to following through with everything promised.
Best. Adventure. Ever.
Great company, amazing people. We traveled to Tanzania, and stayed at the Ngorogoro Crater and in the Serengeti.
Trip planning from initial outset with Jake and Stacy at SOA was so stress free and fun. They happily provided solid recommendations and answered each and every question (no matter how trivial); their replies came within the day if not immediately. As an unexpected bonus, they created an interactive online trip itinerary, with a map of our trip, descriptions of the camps/accommodations, and general info on the areas we would visit, among other things. Each and every time we changed plans, they updated the itinerary. Without prompting, Jake and Stacy sent loads of information on travel reqs/visa/vaccinations, packing, and also on the areas, animals, and culture. And they were so friendly while doing it! Their advice and answers made it all fun, and we felt very prepared at each step while there. Jake and Stacy also happily connected us with their representative in Zanzibar, who was happy to book transfers and a tour for us, although we had arranged the flight/hotel to Zanzibar on our own (also great service there!).
As for the safari itself, our guide, Loma, deserves a separately devoted paragraph, with super special appreciation and recognition. Loma was a perfect fit for us, he was so fun and friendly, and our trip would not have been the same without him! He picked us up from the airport in a happy mood, and even after spending 5 days in the car with us (many 12+ days) and away from his home, we became friends and were promising to return to visit his family and kids. Having grown up in the area, Loma is very knowledgeable about the areas (seriously impressed that anyone can navigate the Serengeti without a map!), the culture and people (he had an answer every time we asked what or why), the vegetation/plants, and definitely the animals (even the birds!). He knew the specific habitats and behaviors of each animal, and made very good on his promise for us to see each of the Big 5 -- twice! He also tracked the ever-elusive cheetahs! Loma allowed us to get some very great photos. He was also very attentive in general, and made sure that we were always comfortable and doing well, even when we got to the camps. He got up and out early with us and made sure that we experienced every bit possible, but remained totally flexible to whatever we wanted (shopping included!). On the last day, he even arranged a trip to the local village at Mto wa Mbu to see the banana plantation, meet the local tribes, and shop their art and carvings. Loma went above and beyond to make our trip extra special. It really felt as though he was enjoying his time on safari with us, and I hope that he enjoyed it as much as we did.
The jeep was comfortable and clean, and appeared no different than any of the other jeeps that we passed, except perhaps even a bit nicer than most. It has a roof which easily pops, binoculars, a power strip, and a cooler where we sometimes packed wine for lunch. There were only 2 of us, and we had plenty of room to move around.
SOA offered 5 star service from our initial inquiry all the way through. I would return and use this company (and guide!) time after time.
US
Email Ashley and Konstantin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exciting and Relaxing 5 day Safari in Tanzania
My husband and I recently returned from a 5 day, 4 night Safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater June 29th – July 2. Our Safari started in Serengeti after we flew from Kilimanjaro Airport to Seronera airport. We were happy we chose to fly instead of drive because this allowed us time for a game drive on the first day (and avoided extra bumps and dust while driving) and we loved the atmosphere of the Seronera airport. We were picked up by our driver Dickson who was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. He provided great recommendations but tailored the trip around our needs and how we wanted to spend our vacation (for example starting a little later in the morning because we needed some extra sleep after 2 days of flying).
The driver is an important part of your Safari experience. His knowledge of the parks and roads is what will ensure an eventful but safe experience. Dickson had several years of experience, so he knew the roads, the animal habits, and how to avoid potential issues with the vehicle while navigating the rough terrain.
In Serengeti, we stayed in the Kati Kati camp and were very pleased with the accommodations, food, and service. The camp feels isolated and rustic, but has all the comforts one needs. In Ngorongoro, we stayed in the Ngorongoro Wildlife lodge which had great views of the park; the food here was not as good as Kati Kati. We enjoyed both accommodations but preferred the Kati Kati Tented camp.
While in Serengeti, we did the Hot Air Balloon safari and highly recommend the activity. It was expensive, but probably the highlight of our trip. We got to see plenty of animals from the balloon and enjoyed a terrific breakfast afterwards. Overall, everything went smoothly and as planned and we recommend using Shadows of Africa for a Safari in Tanzania.
CN
Email Yanmin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hakuna Matata !!!
The tour was so amazing. Our operator Chris planned the best vacation for me and my wife!
And most importantly, our guide Alex is sooooo.. wonderful!
We spent 9 days together. With his skills, knowledge and experience,
we were led into this great savannah which is far more beautiful and miraculous than we can ever imagine.
The wild animals, the view, the people, the accomodation, the food, the whole trip was perfect.
We will definitely recommend Chris and Alex to our friends as the best operator and guide for safari in Tanzania！！
US
Email Pat | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful! We saw so many animals! We saw animals hunting, mating and taking care of their young! A+
A trip to Tanzania was number 1 on my bucket list. To make this dream happen, I contacted “Shadows of Africa” to help me put this trip together. I could not picked a better company! The trip was wonderful in every way.
I did my homework before I contacted “Shadows of Africa” and had a general vision of what I would like the trip to be like, parks to visit, timeline, and accommodations. Jake McCormick and Stacy Breen, the Safari Specialists, with “Shadows of Africa” listened to my vision, and did their best to make it happen. They answered all my questions in a timely manor. They made good suggestions to make the most of our trip. The accommodations they lined up were wonderful. A good, balance between tented camps and lodges, all well run, that added to our safari experience. Shadows of Africa has a USA office in addition to an office in Tanzania.
My boyfriend and I usually like to travel independently. In Tanzania, the two of us traveled with our Shadows of Africa guide and driver Dickson Julius in a Toyota Land Cruiser, modified for safari travel. What a fantastic guide and driver he was! Dickson strived everyday to make our trip memorable. We just didn’t see animals. We saw animals doing thing like hunting, mating, or caring for their young. Dickson could read the movements of the animals, and knew when “something special” was going to happen. We saw so many birds and animals! Elephants, leopards, cheetahs, lions, impalas oryxes, jackals, hyenas, warthogs, rhinos, zebras, and MANY more. Dickson was a master at navigating the terrain. One evening, while we were in the Serengeti, we had a heavy rain storm, so the next day the roads were sloppy. That didn’t stop Dickson. He knew those conditions would be the best to see the hippos. When we saw the hippos that day, they were active in the water, with their mouths open, enjoying the infusion of fresh rainwater. Dickson was able to drive the Land Cruiser to places I never thought we could get to. But, he also knew where not to go. There was a river in Tarangire National park, that he decided not to cross at the first crossing. So we crossed it at a different location, further up river. Later in that day, we can back to the first crossing and there was another land cruiser stuck badly at that crossing where Dickson knew not to cross. I would love to go back to Tanzania, and without a doubt, I will use Shadows of Africa and hope to get Dickson as our driver.
Our trip consisted of 1 day in Arusha to overnight after arriving from USA, 2 days at Tarangire NP, 1 day at Lake Manyara NP, 2 days in the Serengeti NP- Ndutu Region, 2 days in the Serengeti NP- Central region, 1 day Ngorongoro Crater, 1 day Lake Eyasi, 1 day near Mt. Kilimanjaro and airport to fly home. Our trip was late February and Early March.
US
Email Rachel Perteet | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, knowledgeable, flexible, confident
A trip to Africa was dream of mine since I learned of Mt. Kilamanjaro in a National Geographic magazine as a child. After much research (and talking with MANY safari companies), we chose Shadows of Africa and couldn't be happier that we did. From the beginning, we appreciated Jake and Stacey's quick and thorough communication. They listened to our desires and made recommendations based on what we wanted and their experience. They were always very open to the changes we wanted to make and gave us options to make the trip just we wanted. I am normally a "budget" traveler but wanted to really enjoy the "extras" in my dream trip. We chose to do a private tour for 2 weeks (this was the right amount of time for us) and really enjoyed how customized it was.
We started in Uganda to see the gorillas. I would never have known to visit Uganda otherwise and we were so happy that we started our trip there. I can't say enough good things about our guide Patrick. He made us feel like his friends from the very beginning. He was knowledgeable, funny, attentive, and seemed genuinely excited to show us his country and the animals in it. We felt completely safe and welcomed by everyone we met. Though seeing the gorillas (within a few feet!) was the most incredible part of our trip, Patrick truly was the gem of our Uganda trip. We were up and out early every day to see as much as we could. Patrick gave us options to take it slower if we wanted but we loved his willingness to spend our days exploring. We headed to Tanzania next and this was my feeling as we left...
"Looking out the small window as the warm plane takes speed and height over the bumpy Entebbe runway, I am struck with an acute mix of sorrow and gratitude. I am overwhelmed to say goodbye to a place I never knew I wanted to visit and came to deeply love in a span of six days. This spectacularly beautiful, rough, chaotic, welcoming, exquisitely unique, corner of Eastern Africa will forever be embedded in my memories. As we rise through the clouds and the patch of Lake Victoria disappears, a brightness grows steadily as my mind wanders back to the hours my eyes were opened to see Uganda."
Go to Uganda. :)
Tanzania was everything you think of when you see pictures of Africa. SOOOO many animals. The herds were huge! The landscape was breathtaking and I spent so much time feeling like I was in a movie and this couldn't be real. My pictures could not do it justice. The Serengeti is stunningly beautiful. We stayed in the park and were able to see the stars of the southern hemisphere. It was an unexpected joy. We spent the last two days in Kenya in Maisa Mara and enjoyed a hot air balloon ride. It was a great experience to see the animals and landscape from that view.
The lodges and camps that Jake and Stacey chose for us (we did a mix of mid-range and luxury and asked for a mix of"tents" and lodges) throughout the trip were wonderful. We did not spend a lot of time at our lodging as we wanted to be out on game drives as much as possible but each one was unique and comfortable. Some of the nicest accommodations I have ever had were on this trip.
Overall, our trip was more than we could have possibly imagined. We were very pleased with Jake and Stacey's planning and the comfort and ease they gave us as we planned such an unforgettable trip. With any trip, things can happen you don't expect and we were always pleased with their handling of our questions and concerns. You won't be sorry that you took a trip to Africa. I said it was the trip of a lifetime but now its hard for me to grasp that going back wouldn't be in my future.
Thank you to everyone at Shadows of Africa for taking such great care to show us the trip we could never have imagined.
