Widman Tours & Safari
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
IT
Email Silvia e Ale | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
our guide was very kind and helpful
it took us about eight hours from dar es salaam to mikumi due to traffic. We left very early and this allowed us to visit the Masai village on the first day. on the second day we did the game drive which was very nice, the safari guide Stan was very good and explained many things to us about the animals (we saw hippos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, antelopes, lions, crocodiles, wildebeests, buffaloes) .
the resort was really nice and the food very good. I recommend a walk in the village. on the third day we left early as we had to leave for zanzibar and take the ship to dar es salaam, our guide helped us a lot in getting tickets and checking in. Fortunately, the driver was very careful and good.
FR
Email Jonathan Pucci | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mistakes and delays, very bad experience
As an intro, I’d like to mention this is a copy paste of my comment on trip advisor.
I am not surprised after coming back from our trip there, to see the previous comment « Unprofessional experience », as it is exactly what we just lived too.
We chose the 2 days « memorable safari », between Tarangire and Ngorongoro.
On our first day, 30min delays at our hotel, and guide not reachable, you start to wonder if you haven’t just been scammed.
Then apparently out of nowhere, Widman was expecting us to have to full amount in cash to pay on the day for the parks entrance fees, even after our 10% deposit on his bank account, so we went withdrawing to our limit around 850$ in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS, their currency)
Then you’re supposed to wait for the lunch boxes somewhere but the guy did not show up so you go somewhere else and again you wait. While waiting, the guide is paying for Tarangire entrance, in US dollars ! So actually they had the money.. anyway we are nice people and decide to focus on the trip ahead.
That being said, we enter the park at 11:50 ! After leaving at 8 our hotel in Arusha. Maps says 3h drive, so we were (departure supposed to be 7:30), more than a good hour late.
Rest of the day goes quite normal in the park, even though another group saw a family of lions that we did not.
We reach our lodge at 7pm, not the one advised on the website, price half cheaper according to booking but we paid everything now so.. diner is at 7:30, so not much to relax, but people and food were nice though so ok we’ll see afterwards our overall satisfaction before complaining.
The next day, we are asked to be ready at 7 am, even though Ngorongoro is not far away from Karatu (our lodge city), to go pay for the Ngorongoro entrance, as it did not work the day before !
Then the mess begins :
We skip the breakfast, but have to wait the bank opening at 8, so we take breakfast, I am asked to help and try paying online about 450$ to enter there and there refund me, but it does not work (see our good faith again), so we go to the bank, it finally opens at 8:30, we wait, our guide goes to pay, we wait about 40min in the car, getting harassed by locals wanting to sell their objects, we finally are able to go there but the guide is feeling « dizzy » so we get one of his friends to pass the local police check (small doubts about legal but well..), we get to the gate late but surprise, paiement is not accepted yet because of a network issue, so we wait until 10:45 to go through, and after a bit less than 1h drive get into the crater around 11:30 ! And we were ready at 7 ! (1h drive for maps)
It’s not done, we enter the crater, and after 1h inside the car stops, technical issue, we cannot continue, it’s 12:30.
I did not mention above that on the first day we already realised that no gauge in the car was working, so not speed indicator, no fuel indicator since the beginning, all cars were overtaking us whenever a 50km/h limit panel was there as our guide did not know his own speed and went slower.
From there we wait 1h expecting our guide to find a solution and thank god a car with french people inside was nice enough to take us back for almost finishing the tour (1 small hour as they were on the way back). So we get out of the crater, after spending total 2h inside, only 1 with Widmans car.
Then our guide had paid for a bus to take us back to our hotel on the second day before our going back, even there, the price doubled when the bus arrived and we’ve been asked to help, to which we said no and the other company « Simba » actually paid for our return (they had to arrange themselves). It’s the least they had to do.
Now for two days we’ve been asking for a partial refund, explaining all this to Widman, and he only accepts to give 100$ back and begging for us not to post our experience, but that is clearly not enough for us.
So overall, delays, mistakes, very unprofessional people, and bad experience.
Not saying that the previous comments are false, but I imagine Widman is getting bigger with new guides and experiences, but he clearly does not know how run his business correctly. From other feedbacks on Tanzania, other companies were much more prepared and experiences were fantastic, so we strongly encourage anyone to look at other companies.
Reply from Widman Tours & Safari
Posted on Feb 1, 2023Basing on our agreement we made during the confirmation of his booking we agreed that if possible may make down payment 10% or full amount but he decided to make the down payment only 10% while other amount we agreed to payee after arriving as he acknowledged above but he didn't give as we agreed hence delayment states by finding the area to get the money and it was week end,early morning that's why most of financial institution was closed even in second day as he acknowledged that he was required to wait until the banks is open so that we wil get the money for paying Park fees and other operation cost of the trip hence delayment occurred and rember we agreed either to pay full amount or 10% and the remaining after arriving so if he was having good faith why he didn't make full payment? Also why the challenge it happens he is blaming to me while he was the first to breach the terms why don't we solve together and 10% usually is for preserving your booking and making surearence that you will make the Safafar use,though 10% it won't be enough for all park fees and Creator fees go the Natinal parks portal comprere what he made payment and the park fees needed to be payed.
Mechanical issue it true was happed during game driving but we made other arrangements by asking other campy to make the game with them and we payed them as Widman Tours and Safari. No any additional cost we asked the customer.
To the issue of refund i accepted as human but infact all money he they used in his trip basing on his expranation above he acknowledged that we get accomodation,he entered in the park, he used our car also other guys car which we payed our self.
In Bussines perspective in humanity point of view I wanted to refund such amount to make composertion for the challenge hapend we thought he was disabled physically but after long discussion we realized that the guy he assumed like he didn't use the money in his trip and dimanding a lot of money while he knows that other money it is difficult to get like park fees and hotel costs.
All in all I used my efforts to apporojoze he didn't accept my apology that's why he decided to put our discussion in these areas or let use assume the principal of saying that always the customer is correct even the fact of two parts is above plus other 11 reviews are positives this it can prove some time customers are unique in expection and beheviour actually I'm still question on his faith and intention above all we still well coming him to make Safafari with use if he want to come in Tanzania.
Thanks
Regards
Widman Masika
Director of Widman Tours and Safari Tanzania
ES
Email Erika | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari
We had an amazing safari with Widman Tours. There were some very last minute changes fom our side, but they responded quickly to our messages and made requested adjustments. Communication was smooth from the beginning to the end.
The value for money was great. We saw all imaginable animals and even spent some extra time at the national park, which was wonderful.
Overall, very reliable and professional tour operator. Couldn't have asked for more perfect safari experience. We highly recommend Widman Tours & Safaris!
He is a walking encyclopedia for Flora and Fauna a
Spot on time at the pick up spot had an eventful journey to Ruaha National park. Our tour guide had organized all payments and was smooth all the way to the park. We had a wonderful 3 day trip with breath taking sunrise by the Ruaha river to adventures game drives and evening camp fires. Our tour guide knew all the spots to find game crowned by a pride of 7 lions. It was a great trip for the family; thanks Widman Tours and Safari.
BG
Email Kalin Botev | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari in Nyerere National Park!
We had a fabulous four-days safari in the Nyerere National Park in February 2022. We spent our nights at a small camp on an island in the Rufiji river. Our bungalow was right on the bank of the river with a magnificent view to the mighty Rufiji. Each day we took a boat to and from the park which really added to our daily safaris. Our guide, Gilbert was simply great! He was very professional with lot of knowledge about wildlife and where to find it. He did his best to show us the beauty of the park. And even when we gave up on something, he did not and showed us how patience pays :). We will definitely another, longer trip with him and I recommend Gilbert to anyone who wants to go on safari.
DE
Email Simone | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awesome experience of Ruaha Nationalpark
The early morning drives in Ruaha were amazing. Together with my guide Rainelly I spotted besides many more lions, elefants and a leopard.
Best sight of a leopard ever.
I loved it.
LV
Email Michelle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memorable One-day Safari with Outstanding Service
We recently did a one-day safari with Widman and his team, and overall, it was a great experience. From the start, Widman was very accommodating, making sure all our requests were met, which we really appreciated.
On the day of the trip, the team was professional and approachable, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. But what truly stood out was their genuine and friendly nature, which made the experience even more memorable. Widman’s decision to join us personally was a nice touch.
For a one-day safari, we were pleasantly surprised by how much we got to see. The team’s effort to make the most of our time was evident, and we left feeling like we’d experienced more than we expected.
We’d definitely recommend Widman and his team to anyone looking for a well-organized and enjoyable safari experience.
DE
Email Gökhan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The entire experience was very well organized, from the booking process to the safari itself!
We had an amazing two day Mikumi National Park safari with Widman Tours & Safari. The entire experience was very well organized, from the booking process to the safari itself. We were picked up at the hotel on time and during our drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park we were able to see a lot of Tanzania and the driver also drove very well and safely. Our national park safari guide was knowledgeable, friendly and ensured we had a memorable time by pointing out all the wildlife and explaining the landscape in detail. The accommodations were comfortable and the food in the National Park was excellent. We saw a wide variety of animals, including the Big Five, and the general atmosphere was both exciting and relaxing. We would highly recommend Widman Tours & Safari to anyone looking for an unforgettable safari experience!
ES
Email Mohamed el abbassi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best in all tanzania
10/10!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It has been an experience that cannot be forgotten. This company is the best without a doubt. We had a guide called Method who was attentive during all the visits, watching the smallest detail so that everything was perfect (and everything was perfect thanks to him). With him you feel safe all the time, he explains everything, apart from being kind, friendly and very professional.
It is also worth noting that we had 2 guides on the safari, the guy who was driving, made us see all the animals (which is very very difficult to see them all) there were about 30 groups in cars from different companies, we were the only ones who managed to see all the animals. We will definitely return in the future without looking anywhere else. Apart from the safari, they can help you with anything else you need. A totally trustworthy company!!!!
Many thanks to the entire Widmans team and especially to our guide Method ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
(automatic translation from Spanish)
ES
Email Manon ter | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SAFARI IN MIKUMI PERFECT
Very, very good communication with the agency. The safari in Mikumi Park was just incredible, we were able to see lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, hippos, antelopes, zebras… Our driver: an excellent driver, very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive! Special thanks to our guide Method, who took great care of us and always made sure we were happy during those three days!! Many thanks to him and the whole team. This agency deserves 5 stars, we recommend it 1000%. And now we’re heading to Zanzibar, and we will definitely call on them again!