Visit Tanzania - Eastern Sun Tours
Eastern Sun Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & TAWTO
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $240 to $1,100 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Megan Pearson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable Experience with Eastern Sun Safaris
Eastern Sun Safaris delivered on every level. We booked our 5 day Safari directly with them and Mercy was fantastic with her communication. We changed our dates and flight times on numerous occasions and Mercy just fitted in around our requests.
The accommodation we stayed in was recommended by Mercy and was a mixture of wild camping in tents with animals sounds sending you to sleep at night, as well as more established camps such as Olduvai Camp in the Nngorongoro region which has a beautiful setting around a Kopje ( an outcrop of large rocks). All the accommodation was fantastic.
The food at each camp was very tasty, especially when you realise that some of the camps are truly in the wild and the cooks are working with very basic equipment.
Hassan, our guide was a very safe driver which is important in this part of Africa as the roads are often dirt and can turn to slippery mud after the rains. He was amusing and the more we chatted to him the more knowledge he imparted to us.
We were keen to see the Wildebeest Migration so chose the southern part of the Serengeti as February/March is the time of year when the wildebeest are giving birth on the flat grasslands in the south. We were not disappointed and had many wonderful animals sightings with Hassan's knowledge of the Serengeti knowing where to go to see the best sightings..
I would wholeheartedly recommend Eatern Sun Safairs to anyone wanting to visit the Serengeti. It was an unforgettable experience.
US
Email Rich and Tonya | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Thank you Eastern Sun!
Thank you to Mercy, Richard and the team at Eastern Sun. Four of us took a tour of the Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro for seven days and six nights with Eastern Sun. They did a great job setting up the lodging and getting us to and from Arusha. Mercy is an honest broker and Richard is a capable tour director. Thanks again Eastern Sun!
US
Email Anne Moelgaard | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable experience!
We chose Eastern Sun Tours Safaris based on their excellent reviews, and they certainly did not disappoint! We have never traveled in Africa before, so it's so important that you book with a trustworthy company - it's a lot of money, and a good chunk of it has to be paid before by a bank transfer, but everything worked 100% and we had absolutely no issues with anything. Nancy emailed us as soon as the transfer went through, to let us know all was well, and we felt in very good hands.
From the beginning, the communication with Nancy was excellent. She responded promptly always and answered all our questions. The 8-day trip she ended up putting together for us was just amazing.
I think we were very, very lucky to get Hassan as our driver! He's probably the best driver, I've ever driven with. He knows his landcruiser like an extension of his own body and always adjusts the speed to the conditions of the road and the traffic. We felt very, very safe with him. On top of that, it is obvious that he is very well liked by his peers, and has a ton of friends (not surprising, when you get to know him!), which means he always knows where the good sightings are. He'd "smell" a leopard from five km away, and then drive straight there and get us in the best spot of all. He did this over and over again, it's like he knows exactly where the animal is heading and can place the car right where it will cross the road fifteen minutes later. Amazing! We got absolutely stunning photos of two cheetahs walking straight toward us and crossing the road right behind our car. And an unforgettable experience with nine lions trying to ambush a wilderbeest - it got away, but it was still very exciting. We even got to see the almost extinct black rhino in the Ngorogoro Crater quite close up. It felt like every day was better than the day before - which had also been absolutely unforgettable.
We started in the Tarangire National Park, and had to stop every two minutes to take photos of new wildlife. We soon discovered, that if we stopped for every single one, we'd never get anywhere, there were so many new species. We totalled 42 different species of mammals during our trip, and this includes lion (we saw over 60 in total, including the most adorable cubs), leopard (five in total), cheetahs, elephant, buffalo, rhino (one), giraffes, serval cat (rare, because it's nocturnal), hippo, hyena, jackal and lots of different types of gazelles and other mammals. And that doesn't even cover the birds, which were also absolutely stunning.
Next up was Lake Manyara, where we spotted our second leopard, when it ran across the road right in front of our car. Wow! Then the road to Serengeti took us through the Ngorogoro conservation area - so, so beautiful! In Serengeti, we decided against taking the long drive to see the big migration, but stayed in the proximity of the hotel (Four Seasons - amazing!), and we saw so much there, that we did not regret it. This was where we had our close-up with the two cheetahs and Hassan also found a spot where a big group of lions were feeding on a newly killed zebra.
In Ngorogoro, we were lucky to see a black rhino. We were told, that the three days before we came, there had been no spottings, and we were lucky to get close enough to get good photos, which was also rare. Be sure to bring a good camera with a good tele-lens! I saw people trying to get safari shots on a go-pro camera (I'm not kidding) - what a shame to spend so much money on a safari and come home with go-pro shots. Go-pro is great for mountainbiking, for safari - not so much... That being said, we actually got so close to many of the animals, that we came home with great iPhone shots, too.
We ended up in Arusha National Park, which is small (it didn't feel small at all, though), and absolutely stunningly beautiful. We went on a walking safari with a ranger there, and got up close to giraffes and buffalos (not too close, of course). That was fun! We also got amazing photos of flamingos flying in front of Mount Kilimanjaro. Ahh...
Another highlight of the trip was our visit to a Masai village on our way back from Serengeti.
The car is a Toyota Landcruiser with a roof, that pops up, so you can stand up and take photos. There is a powerpoint, so you can charge your devices, which was a very nice feature. And also a cooler for drinks. It was surprisingly comfortable, considering how much of the driving was on dirt roads (where you get the "African massage"). We stayed at luxury camps and lodges, and they were all amazing, but I'm sure you can also get a great experience with the cheaper lodges. Most of your time is spent on the road anyway. I think, Eastern Sun Tours Safaris got some good deals with the lodges - we felt like we got a lot for our money.
I could go on and on, but to sum it up, I'd go back in a heartbeat. And I'd definitely choose Eastern Sun Tours Safaris again! They were amazing!
DE
Email Family Nilovic | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Family Choice !!!
First: Eastern Sun did a wonderful Job. We (2Adults/3Kids-Aged 12y/8y/7y) have been on a 10 days Safari Tour in July 2015. Mercy was always listening to what we wanted to see and we had a regular email updating of our trip giving us good advices- until it was perfect. We as a family would like to say a huge -thank you- to Eastern Sun Tours- and would like to recommend this Tour Operator to all Visitors/Families with Kids!! All was very professional and well organized- from the pick up at Airport-to the End of Safari Tour at the office of Eastern Sun. We have had a very good Driver (Hassan) who took every time care of save driving and had a lot of Knowledge- explaining us everything of plants and animals as well as the local way of people living.This all made us enjoying an unforgettable and memorable Safari. Thanks once more. 100% Reliable!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Value
This is a very reasonably priced company that offers fantastic service and excellent value holidays.
We took a ten day trip to see the great migration calving with them in February. They created a tailor-made, private camping tour for two people for as much as it would've cost to join one of the larger companies standard tours sharing with other guests. Highly recommend going on a private tour as it means that you can choose how long you want to spend at each animal sighting and you get the charging powerpoint in the truck all to yourselves (a big deal if you need to charge multiple devices). Another bonus is that you can choose the dates you are free. The destinations we visited included: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti Central, Serengeti South (highly recommend in February for viewing predators hunting or with their kills), Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.
The guide and cook set up and packed all the camping facilities, allowing for us to kick back and relax while viewing the beautiful scenery. The company provided us with sleeping bags, matresses and pillows free of charge and bottled water free of charge everyday. We didn't expect the food to be the highlight of a camping safari, but our cook Stephen really had a command over spices and made the most delicious soups for entree everyday which was always followed by a tasty, generous main and dessert and warm drinks afterwards.You will not go hungry. He uses a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits, which was important to us as we like healthy, wholesome meals (so many cooks load up the pan with oil, leaving to you feeling sluggish). We still talk about his soups today, he really made an impact on us, he is also just a really nice guy.
The 4x4 trucks are equipped with a fridge, powerpoint, roof that pops up so you can stand while on safari and, most importantly, a radio (so other guides can share what they have found). Our guide, Hassan was one of the most respected guides amongst the Tanzanian guides. He always got us the best, or a very good, position for viewing but he never compromised the welfare of the animals, as some other guides from other companies sadly did. Due to this respect from his fellow guides, he was always in the loop with what was the latest animal sighting.
I have nothing bad to say about this company, they are very professional, friendly and they don't rip you off. I couldn't imagine doing a safari in Tanzania any other way.
DE
Email Birgit T. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Many, many best thanks, dear Merci and dear Simon for your perfectly organize of my trip!!!!
Dear Merci, Simon and your Team!
Many, heartly thanks to you for your best organizing my trips;
so, so many, many heartfelt thanks also to:
- Nasero my best 4-star cook,
- Richard a super guide and safe driver,
- Hamsa my wellknown informed, politly Guide in Zansibar,
- Mohamad my safty and just in time, punctually and safty driver in Zansibar.
Eastern Sun Tours organicided the following Safaris & Tours for me super excelently & perfectly:
1. Full day Safari in 'Arusha NP. visiting 'Momella Lakes' with Canoeing on one of the Lakes with his breathtaking flamingos,
2. Excellently organiziced Full day Safari in Ngorongoro Crater NP.,
3. Full day Safari visiting the Olduvai Gorge with 2,4 Mio. years old human footsteps: Arriving just in time with
Museum of excellently excavation work there was pioneered by Louis and Mary Leakey beginning in 1931.,
4. Three full day Safaris in Serengeti NP. with unique impressions, including a visit to the impressively designed
Serengeti Visitor Center,
Seeing the big deartrpis of gnus and zebras behind the Serengeti National Parc Gate:
Many, many thanks to our driver Richard "Right time, right place!!"
5. Impressive non-stop flight from Serengeti Airport to Stone Town Airport,
7. Seven Days relaxing in Zanzibar with the following perfectly, safty and just in time organizided Fulpl day Trips and
adventures: - very interesting Leadership of historical Stone Town,
- Visiting Sultans Palace, Sultans Arabic Bath and one of the many Spice Plantations, a perfectly Tour,
- Guided Visite of the Jozani Jungle with his famos Colobus-Monkies and ist mangroves,
- Sailing-Tour with snorceling and picnicing with one of the old Dow-Boats.
The hotel in Stone Town, selected Eastern Sun Tours, I experienced a fairytale as in "Arabian Nights"! Best
All trips, Safaris, Walks & Visites are just in time, punctually and perfectly well done: The first choice!!!
Heartly thanks for made it possible all these unique impressions:
I would be made immediately organizes this trip from your company Eastern Sun Tours!!
...and only again, with you,
Merci, & Simon with your SUPER Team of Eastern Sun Tours!!
Birgit T.
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Email Carlo E. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
My heartfelt thanks, love Merci, dear Simon for your Super organizing our trip!!!!!!!!!
Many, many thanks to you for your Super organizing our trips;
and also again so, so so, many, many heartfelt thanks to:
- Nasero our best 4-star chef in the world,
- Richard our super guide and safe driver
- and last but not least, our helpful and caring Maasai guide Papaa!!
Please pass it on.
We can provide all three naturally only recommend and Nasero, Richard & Papaa would book again immediately!!!
The same applies for guide and driver Mohamed Hamza on Zanzibar.
Eastern Sun Tours has organizid the following Safaris & tours for us super excelently & perfektly:
1. Lake Manyara NP. Full day Safari,
2. Ngorongoro Crater NP. Full day Safari,
3. Ngorongoro Crater to Empakai Crater Walking Safari,
4. Lake Natron NP. with Safaris & Visites to Lake Natron Flamingos, Human Foot Steps 2,4Mio. years old Foot
Steps, Walking Safari to the Waterfall, Visite to the Visitor Center,
5. Visiting above the active Volcan Oldonyo Lengai,
All trips, Safaris, Walks & Visitings are just in time, punctually and perfectly well done!!!
Many heartly thanks for the made it possible unique impressions: We would be made immediately organizes from you this trip!!
Again and again, with you,
Merci & Simon and your super team of Eastern Sun Tours
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most amazing experience, will DEFINITELY use Eastern Sun again!
My two friends and I went on an Eastern Sun Safari in May 2014. We did 4 nights, 5 days. Not only was it INCREDIBLY affordable for the accommodations we received but I cannot say enough good things about Mercy (the woman who helped us plan our trip) and Eddie, our driver. Mercy was prompt in replying to all our questions, was flexible in changing our accommodations since we flew into Kilimanjaro rather than Arusha and provided pick up from our Arusha hotel as well as a ride to Kilimanjaro airport on the last day of our safari. She was warm, welcoming and incredibly helpful. She even provided us a list of things to bring and the light coats we brought were perfect for the chilly mornings (other tours hadn't provided this list and so many safari go-ers were freezing in the mornings)! Eddie our driver was sweet, knowledgeable, and fun. He did everything he could to make sure we saw every animal. He was patient and informative and we could tell he was dedicated to making sure we had the perfect safari experience. We saw tour guides that were new and inexperienced, got lost frequently. I felt awful for those safari go-ers since it was clear their experience wasn't as smooth or as eventful as ours. I was so, so happy with our experience and would not hesitate in using Eastern Sun Tours again or referring them to any family and friends. After an amazing 1 week experience with a WONDERFUL safari guide, 4-5 start accommodations, and just the most helpful staff I could imagine, I would give Eastern Sun Tours 10 stars if I could!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable trip!
We cannot speak highly enough of your company. From the initial planning, through to the actual trip, everyone was so helpful, offering help and advice all the way through. We had a fantastic time....thanks to your smooth arrangements. No hitches at all, & very good value as well.
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Email Hilary Lyne Dechant | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience start to finish, very well-run operation
My husband and I did a private Northern circuit safari with Eastern Sun last December. We had a truly amazing experience and would book with Eastern Sun again in a heart beat! Mercy, who runs the office is a great communicator and was very understanding and helpful when we had to reschedule our tour last minute because of surgery my husband needed. She was also quickly and patiently answered all of my questions about the tour and different parks. Our guide, Arib, was fantastic! One of the kinder men I've ever met, he was also incredibly knowledgable about the animals and parks and had a great sense of humor and way about him. These are important qualities for someone you'll be spending 7 days straight with to possess! The tour itself was perfect — we saw the big five and many more, experienced part of the wildebeast migration and loved all of the accommodations provided. The meals were also much better than we had expected and the tour was sensitive to some dietary restrictions I have. Overall it completely exceeded our expectations and was an A+ experience!