Team in Tarangire National Park
Gecko Adventure Tanzania
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TATONA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $195 to $950 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mikumi 2 Day Safari
I went on the two day (overnight) safari to Mikumi back in April and had an amazing experience.
I was picked up in Dar early morning by a friendly driver/guide. As a solo traveller it was great to have a driver that was friendly, chatty, and keen to talk about all things Tanzania. I must admit, I did have a few Konyagi’s the night before so I did sleep for part of the journey out to the park.
We arrived at Mikumi after a four hour drive and checked into our lodgings in the park. I would definitely recommend staying in the Bandas within the park. The sounds of the animals you hear all around you at night is incredible. Such a good experience!
We set off on an afternoon game drive in the pop-top cruiser. Great vehicle with plenty of room (especially as I was the only person in it!). This park is full of wildlife and we saw it all – Elephants, Giraffe, Lions, Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Hippos, Impala, Baboons, loads of birdlife, and lots of other critters. My guide was very knowledgeable, both about the park and the wildlife that calls it home, telling me everything I wanted to know about the animals.
Sunset in the park was amazing, as was sunrise the next morning. We were up early for another game drive and again saw plenty of animals. We spent all morning exploring more of the park before getting back to camp for lunch then making the drive back to Dar where I was dropped off at my accommodation.
Overall it was a great experience made special by a fantastic guide/driver. I found the two day/overnight Mikumi experience perfect for the short time I had in Tanzania. If you are after a Safari experience but have limited time then I would recommend Mikumi.
Brilliant!
US
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
SCAM- avoid at all costs!!
Rama the owner is a very smooth communicator, and it’s easy to be very impressed with his handling of your booking and answering your questions, etc. But despite trusting him a lot, he completely scammed us.
First, take a look at the reviews he has on TripAdvisor, Google, and SafariBookings. Pretty impressive review scores. But take a closer look at the reviews themselves. Do many of them appear fake? Are they written mostly by reviewers with only one review, written by other local safari operators and/or have poor grammar? Are some of them written by “Rama Mo” himself pretending to be a customer?
Our first clue that something was amiss was when we tried to find the office that Rama claims to have. He told us specially what building his office was in (it’s also marked on Google maps in this prestigious location). The office does not exist.
Once we realized this, we asked to see the car that was “being repaired” as part of his story. This was the night before we were to leave on our trip. During the trip to see the car (which was honestly bring repaired as described, but based on its condition did not appear ready for departure the next day) we talked casually to him about our trip and how excited we were (that it was our honeymoon).
One hour after he returned us to our hotel, he sent a group WhatsApp text including an unknown person saying that his “business partner” (really just one of his drivers posing as his “partner”) was unsatisfied with the price Rama has agreed to and that the trip (which was to start the next day) would be 3x more expensive!! When I protested that we had agreed to a price weeks ago (Rama had gone so far as to specify what kind of USD bills to bring and I had sent him a picture of the bills laid out on a table), they refused to even acknowledge the deal they had agreed to. It was clear that they decided to take advantage of the information we had given them — that we were on our honeymoon- to try to extort us for 3x the price. How messed up is that?! The trip is now ruined and Rama has been increasingly dishonest in trying to justify this 3x price increase (we’re talking about thousands of dollars). It’s actually been quite embarrassing as Rama has repeatedly made new claims and I just keep responding with a screenshot of previous messages he sent contradicting his new lies. Avoid at all costs!!!
CN
Email Alya | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely disappointed and will recommend not to use them
Communications:When he knows there is a problem he decided to avoid answering the phone, other than that he responds ok.
Service:Not good, we definitely didn't get a good place to stay nor the trip was done as discussed!
living up to expectations:We found ourselves in a deserted camp-not sure if it was a camp-one hut with a small dining area.No other customers were there even though it is the season.
The food(ad the waiter) was brought in the car with us-which by the way was apparently a frozen chicken and eggs and we lived off that till the next day's lunch when we finally had enough and wanted to move camp.Of course we had to pay for the new camp as well!!after we complained to Rama/Gecko and his response was it's not his fault!!!
The Safari tour:
We booked two nights and three days:
First day:
the plan was to drive us from the ferry, have lunch and head to the camp and catch the ferry.They came on time to pick us up, however the trip somehow took longer than they expected so we ended up not having lunch and running to catch the boat.
Second day:
We drove up to the game park no problems.
Third day:
We were supposed to have our walk in the game park , we ended up just walking around our camp cause Gecko-Rama-decided to not buy the entry ticket and save some money!!While it only costs about 130 dollars for two people and we paid him more than one thousand dollars for two nights and we ended up paying again for another camp because the camp he chose for us was terrible, even the waiter came with us to the camp and he was the only waitron top of that we were the only customers staying there and I couldn't sleep the whole night!
*We were looking forward for this holiday, and we paid well and discussed all the arrangements in advance, but still nothing was done according to plan.It is very unfortunate to be treated this way.I would not recommend nor wish this to happen to anyone else.
IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
woooow!!
Absolutely wonderful! My wife and I stayed at a hotel in dar, and the driver pikd as up and was very kind to us- all the way to the safari and back.
we will definitely come back again! I will definitely recommend this trip to all of my relative.
GR
Email Efi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gecko adventures is the most professinal safari operator
Gecko adventures is a very professional company. Their cars (open landcruiser 4x4), their guides (our guide was Said), the lodges with which they work together are all excellent. The company employees (we worked with Rama) are also very efficient and help you to take the right decision quickly and in the right way. We visited Selous and we were impressed from the landscape, the safari itsself and the mudhuts of River camp.
TR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A quite good safari trip from Gecko Adventure
We made a two day safari tour in August 2013 in Mikumi National Park with Gecko Adventure (Mr.Rama). I did the reservation from homeland, and there was almost no problem with tour organization. This was the only organization that sent me the exact tour schedule (hour by hour), and we fully complied with this schedule. We stayed in Mikumi Wildlife Camp (inside the park) and it was perfect, clear and friendly. The safari guide (Mr. Sky) was also very good, he made his best to fulfill all our requests and hence we were able to see all types of animals in two day game drive (some guests in hotel haven't seen any lion in two days, but we were able to see 8 lions just in a half day drive). The only disappointment was that the safari vehicle was not the same as promised. It was a van instead of jeep but later in safari it had no disadvantage.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Selous Safari experience
Our family trip (a couple with a child) for the All Saints Holiday 2013, was just great! It must be said that with the quote offered by Rama, it was the on extent and really personal, since we were really alone, in family, in the 4/4 and in our various excursions.
The days in safari were pure bliss. A lot of animals to low distance of our vehicle: Lions and lions, giraffes, wildebeest, monkeys, gazelles, elephants, hippos, birds etc. Finally, a feast for the eyes, unforgettable memories and photos worthy of the greatest stories of National Geographic!
The safari-boat was also very friendly. The night at the Selous river camp, we were escorted back to our hut by a Maasai and fitted with a whistle and a flashlight, we lurks, the leopard and the elephant which may cross the encampment. It is finally a lizard which has surprised us! In short, the authenticity and thrills, great!
The lodges, of any beauty, are bound by a staff just as charming and attentive. Special Mention for the Sand Mountain, or Mbacha and his entire team have been great, both in the lodge (meals, bar) that during our visits the village Masai or game-drive.
The transfers by plane toward the reserve of the Selous and between the lodges, as well as the return on Dar-Es -Salaam in 4/4 by the road were also friendly and the opportunity to see many scenes of life in passing through the villages.
Thank you again for everything to Rama for the organization of this stay and your professionalism. We are pleased of our trip which will remain unforgettable.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A tailor made safari with experienced guides
Before safari, communications have been great: answers to our questions were provided promptly. Program was very clear. Flexibility for last minute changes was helpful and can be highlighted. Changes to the original program were proposed to better fit to our expectations. During trip, guides were always on time and able to adapt to changing environment. They were offering high class service with smile. The general impression is reliability.
NL
Email Francesca | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
5 days full of emotions
We went in a group of 4 girls. We had an amazing time and saw two wonderful and beautiful parks. Selous and Mikumi are complementary, with different animal populations and different landscapes. It was really worth it all the hours in the car to have such a diverse experience. In between the parks we drove through Ulugoro mountains. The car ride itself was as amazing as a Safari day, thanks to the marvelous landscape. The tour wouldn't have been the same without our fantastic guide: Gasto. He really took care of making sure we were having the best of our time, and didn't give up in our pursuit of the different animals. If it's your first safari, or if you're an experienced traveler, I definitely recommend Gecko Adventure Tanzania!
FR
Email Phillippe | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Marvelous boat and land safari combined with an unexpected walk with a unique bushman
The 3-day & 2 night tour at the selous river camp was perfectly arranged with Gecko Adventure Tanzania. The package containing the flight transfers, a half-day boat safari, a full day safari in the selous reserve and a walk with a bushman was an ideal combination for a short but intense immersion in this lovely landscape. Once you have seen all or most expected birds or wild animals, the final walk with the bushman sound like an amazing and unforgettable surprise.
Many thanks to the selous river camp team. We are glad to have such an experience in these conditions and with this agency.
