In front of our office
Northern Circuit Adventure
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $195 to $580 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DK
Email Philip Brainin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A good safari (but with disappointments!)
Prior to our safari we spent much time studying the northern wildlife parks to make our perfect safari itinerary. Michael Ndallo from Northern Circuit Adventure could offer us the perfect safari trip according to our plans, 5 days and 4 nights camping. However, on departure day when on our way to begin the safari, Michael Ndallo informs us that he has changed the agreed itinerary without noticing us - to fit more people into the group. By doing this he left us no choice but to go on a safari which was not what we had planed.
Our driver and guide, Masha, did an excellent job through the entire trip, he is a bomb of information regarding wildlife and nature in Tanzania. We always felt very safe and comfortable in his company. He delivered game drives of highest quality. Our chef, Rodriguez, shared with us his good cooking skills, varying between traditional and European food.
Camping on the second night our equipment was wet from rain. The mattresses and sleeping bags were so dripping wet we were able to squeeze water out of them. Waking up the 3rd day with freezing cold bodies and wet underwear, this was not how we imagined camping. The day was spent sleeping and feeling ill in the safari car - a ruined safari day. All other days camping facilities were fine, except the matresses kept being squeezingly wet and the sleepingbags humid.
Before reaching the first park on the 1st day the brakes of our safari vehicle broke down, why we had to spent time in the mechanics. During the five day trip we had a flat tire four times and in addition to this we had to spent time in a police check point, because the tires were in so bad condition the police would not allow us to continue. Finally when ascending the Ngorongo Crater the battery of the vehicle caused problems and we had to make another stop. Michael Ndallo is a great guy, we enjoyed his always happy attitude and eagerness to help us with flight tickets to Zanzibar after our safari. He came to pick us up upon arrival to Arusha and was awaiting us when returning from the safari.
In summary: If you want to support a local Arusha company Northern Circuit Adventure is a choice. If you have spent time making an itinerary and you have a signed contract, do not expect Michael Ndallo to respect it. Bring your own sleeping bag if you want to stay warm. For lost time in the safari, e.g. the day after our wet night, Michael Ndallo refunded us 30USD, to be spent on a night in his partnership hotel, equal to less than 2% of the total amount paid. Additionally we spent very much unnecessary time with a broken car and learned how to change tires. In contrast to this our guide did the best game drive we could ever imagine, the food was above average and the atmosphere good. Safari is about seeing animals and so we did to a maximum.
Reply from Northern Circuit Adventure
Posted on Sep 24, 2014Hello Philip,
Greetings from Northern Circuit Adventure Arusha Tanzania and also thanks for the safari review you have submitted into our page to the Safari Bookings.
First of all we would like to say sorry again and apologize for what happen to your safari regarding the program changes as we had a discussion into my office the day of your arrival because of the other joiners who miss they are luggage’s in Nairobi and they didn’t make it to join you as the safari planed that’s why we have to reverse the itinerary.
Secondly also we would like to say sorry for the camping equipment gets wet and this is because we didn’t predict the weather in Serengeti National Park what will be as your safari here was in the dry season (September) and our staff put the gears on top of the car and we have already been learning about that and we promised to our features clients this will never happen again including to put the new tires as you can see all of our reviews are positive.
Thanks and we love to hear positive and negative reviews so we can improve ourselves!
Best regards,
Northern Circuit Adventure
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari on a budget
We did the two-night, three-day safari of Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara. Staying at the Sunbright Tented Lodge. The company provided a great service, our guide was great and the cook's food was very good.
MX
Email Agustin M. Arriaga Diez | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Service and very reliable & professional company
Totally recomendable and reliable!
Michael was very helpful since our first contact, listened and tailored our Safari just how I demanded it!
Our 4 days safari was an unforgettable experience, for us it was the perfect timing. We shared vehicle with another 3 persons which made it more interesting and fun.
Nixon our Guide very experienced and always helpful and friendly, going out of the stablished to make our overall experience unforgettable!
I Do recommend you to book through Northern Circuit Adventure and communicate with Michael!
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
"Unbelievable experience"
We had a great time with Northern Circuit Adventure with 5 people.
Mike(the director of Northern Circuit Adventure) is so helpful and reliable.
Firtht of all, I had a lot of concerns(payment, diseases...), but Mike taught a lot of things kindly and cleared them.When I arrived at Tanzania, he welcomed me with open arms and when I departured from there, he saw me off wiht a handshake.He is really great guys. I never forget him.
We visited Arusha N.P, Lake Manyara N.P.Ngorongoro C.A and Tarangire N.P(4Days 3Nights).
All of them was fantastic ! ! !
I could see all of Big 5(The African Elephant, The African Rhino, The African Leopard, The African Lion, The Cape Buffalo) except Leopart.So many elephant in Tarangire ! I was very surprised and impressd.
Our guide Geofrey was "super" . He taught us a lot of things about Safari and let us take pictures until we were satisfied with it.
And our cook Sweetbart was "gerea". He made great food every day. In particular, I liked his soup... I wanna have it again.
On the other hand, there is some points they need to make better.
I spent 2 days in a Camp site, but a quilt was a little unhygienic...
and its showers didnt't have hot water, only cold, so I was freezing only when I took a shower.
Howerever, if I go to Tanzania again, I will choose this great company again !
I reccomend Northen Curcuit Adventure to you, strongly.
They must realize your dreams !
Very Special Thanks to Mike, Geofrey, and Sweetbart ! See you again.
US
Email Emily | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great budget safari for Serengeti and Tanz National Parks
The owner/ manager Mike was very helpful, personable, and responsive to our questions and requests. He asked if we had any dietary restrictions so that they could plan the meals accordingly, and gave us detailed itineraries of what we would be doing and when. He even helped us arrange tours with other companies on the days we weren't on safari and got us a more affordable mode of transportation to the airport (which was HARD to find!) We looked at other companies and this was one of the more affordable safaris we could find, and being able to pay online cut out extra exchange fees.
The safari itself was great, better than I would have expected. What made our trip though was the driver and cook (Hassani and Pius, request them!!) They took EXCELLENT care of us, were super friendly, professional, overall wonderful people. Our driver/guide was a walking encyclopedia of information on the fauna, flora, geography, culture, etc of the area and he was a very safe and cautious driver. We talked to other groups at the campsites and it was clear Hassani was one of the most experienced, professional and friendly driver/guides around.
I would recommend anyone I know to use this company.
US
Email Shira and Jeremy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible Safari Experience
We had a phenomenal time with Northern Circuit Adventure. Mike was extremely responsive and accommodating to our schedule, even when our flights got shifted around and delayed we were able to contact him and arrange for an alternative pick up place and time. Once on the safari, we loved every second of it. Not only did Northern Circuit arrange 4 fantastic days including trips to 4 national/conservation parks and a Masaai village, but we were guided by Dennis, an extremely, fun, lovely, and knowledgable person. Moreover, we did the budget safari, but felt the accommodations were above and beyond what we were expecting -we stayed at wonderful camping site with amazing food and entertainment and slept in a luxury tent (which included lights, chargers, and a private tent bathroom with a shower). We have never written a review of anything, but we strongly feel that Northern Circuit deserves the highest of praises and strongly recommend it to anyone interested in going on a Safari in Tanzania. Feel free to email us by accessing our information through Northern Circuit for more information or to verify the recommendation.
NL
Email Heike a/d M | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Safari
We had a great safari with Northern Circuit Adventure with 9 people & 2 cars. First we had a organisation who was cheating us, i'm glad we found this company and we can trust this company. We stayed at Sakina Campsite. Robbert, a very nice guy of Sakina Campsite, introduced this company.
In one hour we booked our safari, the director of Norther Circuit Adventure just asked his wife to make 9 lunchboxes as fast as possible. So sweet.
Our trip (5 days, 4 nights, based camp) was great!!! We saw the big 5. Unfortunately we were very lucky to see the Rhino. Very far away, but we saw him!!! We saw so many lions, buffalo's, cheetah, elephants and pumba's. And so close to the car. :)
The only thing that could be better.... We had not enough of water at our trip. They said: 1,5 Liter pp a day. We didn't have that much bottles... In fact we should bring our own water bottles because we ran out of water....
Thanks Director, Guides and Chefs!
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great time, great souvenirs, great services
We spent a great time in Tanzania thanks to an extremely committed staff. From the first exchanges by email, which Mike answered without delay including the personalisation of the tour, to the safari itself with a friendly and accurate guide together with tasty-food maker chef.
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent budget choice
Mike is very communicative and responds quickly to emails. Elias (guide) was excellent, lovely, knowledgable and friendly! We had a great experience with Northern Circuit. Great choice of camp in the Serengeti as it was well located and reduced long driving time each day. Good, hearty food and comfortable vehicle.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
High quality budget safari!
This safari starts with the contact to the owner of the company, Michael. Michael is a very nice guy who will do anything to make sure his customers will get the best possible experience. Everything from answering your mails the same day, making sure your arrival and stay in Arusha is as good as it can be and even to make sure you will get safely back to the airport by helping arrange transportation. When he found out some customers were annoyed with the early prayers at a mosque close to the accommodation he used, he moved it to another location without any question.
The actual safari was beautiful! The guide (Deco) was great at spotting the animals and we saw them all! He was never in a hurry, he let us have all the time we needed and he also seemed to enjoy finding the animals. He was there because he liked the wildlife as well, not because of us. The cook made great food as well and there was plenty of it!
The car we drove was an old worrier, who luckily survived yet another adventure. We saw many cars broken down at the side of the road, especially at the end of our 5 day journey, but we didn't have any major problems.
The campsites have what you need and some of them more, so you can rest and get ready for the next day.
I was positively surprised by the quality Northen Circuit Adventure could provide in any way, since this is a budget safari.