Issa & Richard | Travel Consultants
Destiny Explorers
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2020)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $350 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 Enrico | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good overall experience
Me and my wife have been travelling with Destiny explorers on a 5D/4N safari at the end of september across 4 national parks in Tanzania (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara): I won't mention here how fantastic and adventurous the whole trip was...!
We booked plenty in advance (in January '23) but due to the company being quite small and the low season we would have probably found a seat also a few weeks before (but maybe not flights and accomodations).
We choose it because it was one of the cheapest company providing the tour we wanted and the accomodation (mid range) and the tour proposed were perfectly fitting our needs: to be honest we were a bit apprehensive about the reliability of the company and the personnel until we got to Tanzania and met the staff; being such a small, possibly unknown company and having paid such a lot of money in advance from the other side of the world made us feel a little worried until the last moment: the same feeling would have applied for any other safari company probably.
In one word we have no regrets in our choice!
PROS:
- being a small company we managed to keep the whole cost within our budget compared to the thousands of companies on this site
- the accomodations were absolutely gorgeous (2N in "Ngorongoro Forest tented Lodge" + 2N in " Serengeti baobab camp") and we couldn't ask for more despite them being cathegorized as "middle range". The food was also perfect, both for the buffet/restaurant dinners and for the packet lunches.
- this was a private safari, only the two of us on the jeep, deciding times and movements according to the guide: this was a huge pro compared to other companies providing group safari (we've seen even 8 people on a single car) at an higher cost.
- despite the low price we did absolutely everything else that all the company did; we went in any place and saw everything was possible to see and more; infact we kept meeting the same cars from all the different companies in every stops we made.
- Peter, our driver and guide was exactly the person we were aiming to have with us in the tour: he was extremly serious and professional, few words but the right ones at the right moment! His english was very good, he was listening to the radio to bring us to see the rarest animals when spotted.
- the car had 2 UK sockets with a 220 inverter to charge your phone or camera, an old fridge to keep your water cold (free bottles of water were provided), pop up roof, no AC, manual windows, lots of space.
CONS:
- main negative (or less positive) point would be attributed to the car and overall safety: on our last day in Serengeti we stopped at a gas station to get one tire fixed and one, that was completely worned out, replaced and we found out both spare tires on the back of the car were punctured and would have not be possible to use them in case of a flat tire during the trip until that moment; on our last day the morning pick up was delayed becase the car wasn't starting at all: our guide went above and beyond his duty to get it fixed fast. Car stopped suddenly due to an harsh brake and we had to be pushed by another car to start it. Seat belt wasn't properly latching. Fridge was old and little dirty inside. To summarize: a very very old car that definitively requires big maintenance that should be done BEFORE starting the tour and not left to the driver to fix it as an emergency. We were lucky that nothing major happened (we have seen other companies with very big issues on their cars that fully compromised the whole safari), but this shouldn't be left to luck: a break down in the middle of Serengeti would have cost us a couple of days to get a new car delivered.
- the food the accomodations provided for our packed lunches were good and appetizing yet little basic for somebodies needs: we were absolutely happy with our choices and to spend less than an hour for the pick nick (we were there to see animals, not to waste time in lunch and getting drunk!), but this might be a little disappointing for somebody: we've seen tables prepared with proper hot food (rice, chicken, soups etc) and even with beers and wines served in glass chalices... not what we were looking for, but just an heads up if you fancy that kind of "high standard" comfort.
- last but not least was a little/big misunderstanding at the very end of the journey that left us with a bitter feeling: I calculated and prepared a very decent tip for the driver based on what I read online being a fair amount and on our experience with the car damages and overall comfort. There was a moment of embarassment with the driver as I handed the money to him and he counted... he asked for more in a very polite way, 20 USD per person per day, total 200 USD! We got to find out we were actually paying his own salary as he was not receiving any money from the company. This was very disappointing from many point of views: we were not aware of this fixed price we had to pay, it could have been communicated from the very beginning (I just had enough cash to cover this but I was left without a dollar for the rest of my trip). Why was not this a fixed price per car but it was per person if this was the driver's salary? Tip should be a free choice in quality and quantity and not a fixed imposed price... we would have been happy to know and pay this from the beginning as part of the safari cost.
OVERALL CONSIDERATIONS:
All went fine and we had an awesome experience.
Destiny exporers was exactly what we were expecting in terms of costs, quality, services so for us it was a 9/10 choice, but it could not be for everybody if you wish to pay slightly more and have a better comfort and safety.
Reply from Destiny Explorers
Posted on Oct 20, 2024Greetings Enrico,
Thank you for your trust also for choosing Destiny Explorers to your host in Tanzania.
It's a previllage for us to host our clients and meet their expectations regardless of being a small company. We really appreciate that and it gives us energy to continue doing our best as much as we can to delivery unforgettable experiences.
Moving forward, we will try to provide more details in our presentations about the tour to avoid any miss-information.
Again, thank you for pointing out the vehicle issue as we discussed during your trip that we are going to sort out everything in our vehicles to make sure our clients are comfortable and nothing to worry during their trip with us.
Although break down is quite normal in the parks due to the rough roads as you witnessed major issues in other companies' vehicles. Luckily for us, we were able to fix all the minor issues in our car on time and make you proceed with you trip until the last day. It make us happy that we met your expectations and you enjoyed your safari with us.
-Regarding Tipping
To be honest is an appreciation to the service provided and not compulsory to be given to the service provider based on what has bee recommended by the company. I think it suppose to be the exact or more than what has been recommended by the company only if the clients are happy with the service provided and met their expectations. And with no doubt this was in details in the itinerary. Bad luck this scenario happened between you and our safari guide/driver. We apologies for all that happened and make you feel embarrassed or humiliated in any way or another.
As Destiny Explorers managing director and the entire team we shall work out on this and make sure it does not happen again to our future clients.
Again thank you so much for selecting Destiny Explorers out of many big companies in Tanzania.
Sincerely,
Issa Hamisi.
Owner and Travel Consultant at Destiny Explorers
IT
Email Aleksij Kralj, Elena Carli | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Destiny Explorers is a very professional company.
Destiny Explorers is very reliable. All the accomodation were good, especially the village in Serengeti. Our tour guide Noel was very kind and friendly. We would recommend Destiny Explorers to all the tourists.
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Email Marta | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience - excellent guide
Me and my partner had the pleasure of going on a six-day private safari with Destiny Explorers at the beginning of September, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! From start to finish, the organization and attention to detail were exceptional. We visited stunning locations including Tarangire National Park, Lake Natron, the northern Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Each stop was breathtaking and offered unique wildlife encounters. The itinerary was well-balanced, giving us ample time for game drives while also allowing for moments of relaxation.
Our guide, Gilbert was always friendly and fun, making the journey even more enjoyable. He is an impeccable driver, ensuring that we always felt safe on the roads. He is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about wildlife and ecosystems, and we were amazed by the incredible variety of mammals, reptiles and birds we spotted. He provided fascinating explanations about each species and it was great to learn so much about the local ecosystem. Gilbert made sure we got the best views of the Big Five and wildebeests migration at Mara River, sharing insights about the animals and their behaviors. His passion for nature is evident and really enhanced our experience.
Issa, the company manager, was helpful in planning our itinerary and selecting accommodations that suited our mid-range budget. He was also flexible and made a small adjustment to our itinerary during the safari, allowing us to visit Olduvai Gorge and its museum, which was a highlight for us.
The accommodations provided by Destiny Explorers were comfortable and offered stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Each location was well-chosen, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the beauty of Tanzania. The food throughout the trip was delicious and catered to our dietary preferences, which was a nice touch.
We chose Destiny Explorers mainly because they are a local Tanzanian company, and we believe it's important to support local businesses in our travel choices. The dedication and commitment to providing a great experience were evident in every aspect of our safari.
Overall, we highly recommend Destiny Explorers for anyone looking to explore the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Tanzania. A special thank you to Gilbert for making this experience so memorable; your kindness, peaceful nature, expertise, and driving skills made all the difference. This trip exceeded our expectations, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone should have at least once!
US
Email Za & Kia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extreme Professionalism and Excellent Customer Service
Destiny Explorers have excellent customer service and experienced drivers. Destiny Explorers were very accommodating with our last-minute reservations and met all of our lodging expectations. Our driver, Peter, excelled at ensuring we saw "The Big 5", our favorite animals (Hippos & Giraffes), several species of birds, beautiful landscapes, and tons of amazing wildlife (including Brother Cheetahs, a Leopard Cub, and Hyenas). If you are planning a Safari to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, or Tarangire National Park, choose "Destiny Explorers" and ask for "Peter". You will experience memories of a lifetime, safely "Up Close & Personal".
DE
Email Elisabeth | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great life experience
The tour was a great experience that we will never forget. Uncomplicated pre-planning and pick-up as well as the great tour with our guide - easy, friendly and exciting, communicating in English was no problem. Our guide did his best to make sure we saw everything, so we went home with no wishes left unfulfilled. Big 5 ticked off! Accommodations were as expected and vegetarian meals by arrangement were no problem. We would recommend it to anyone.
DE
Email Andrea | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very Reliable, very informative, well organised
This Tour was very good, Driver was very patient, he could answer every question, we saw many animals
Email Ana White | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best experience! Fantastic communication with a local operator and excellent safari guide
We booked a 6-night safari with Destiny Explorers and have nothing but good things to say about the whole experience! The communication with Issa was great and he was very prompt with responses. We customised our trip a bit and really appreciate his efforts to accommodate some special requests. Then our safari guide, Tom, was extraordinary. He was so knowledgeable, and it was a real pleasure to spend a week with him. It became evident very quickly that he had a lot of experience predicting animals’ behaviours, finding the best spots to get close, and a chilled personality that made us feel so lucky that he was our safari guide. I have so many examples to share but some of the highlights were:
1. Stopping to wait for a large male elephant to get close to our vehicle. He told us what he thought the elephant was after and to stay quiet. It was an amazing experience. We got close to several other elephants in herds in the Serengeti and it seemed like Tom always predicted their next move, so we got first row viewing to them playing in the mud, etc. while other vehicles tried to get closer.
2. Late driving in the Serengeti on our way to our accommodation looking for adult male lions by the river. We didn't see any vehicles in this area, and it seemed to me that Tom made the effort to stay a bit later and knew the spots we would find animals resting by the river. He was very respectful and didn't disturb animals, whilst managing to get close and staying as long as we wanted observing them.
3. We found a cheetah and stayed close for about an hour while it kept looking for pray, and we kept trying to get the best picture. Tom also knows a lot about cameras and tried to help us with settings to get the best picture. That day we saw 2 cheetahs and the staff in our accommodation couldn’t believe it, since they are hard to come by but Tom was able to spot them from miles away without binoculars.
4. Every day Tom helped other guides (from different companies) with car troubles, and it seemed like everybody knew him. We always felt safe and that we got the best possible experience while out in the vehicle
SE
Email Dimitri | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
My wife and I went on a five-day safari with Destiny Explorers in late October, and it was truly unforgettable! The landscapes were beyond words, from the Serengeti's vast plains to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. We were thrilled to see all the "Big Five." Our guide, David, was friendly and knowledgeable, making every game drive exciting and informative. The company manager, Issa, helped us plan an itinerary with perfectly suited accommodations. Each lodge was comfortable and close to nature, blending comfort with authenticity. The food was delicious and adapted to our dietary needs, a thoughtful touch. We highly recommend Destiny Explorers for exploring Tanzania's remarkable wildlife and scenery!