Base Camp Tanzania
- Located In:
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- Destinations:
Reviews
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Email Sara | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience, well planned, guide with great knowledge
We did a seven -day safari with Base Camp in November 2019, travelling the full northern Tanzania circuit including Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Lake Natron, Ngorongoro. We travelled mother and son, with Christina, our guide for the whole time, in a private Base Camp Land Cruiser. Christian was a great guide, he was brilliant at spotting all sorts of things which we would have missed, and he knew where and when to stop the vehicle to observe and take photos of the wildlife. We managed to see everything we wanted to see, leopard, jackal with prey, lioness hunting, warthogs, baby elephant for months including all the "Big 5", mainly to Christians efforts).
Booking the trip directly with Achmed in Tanzania (the English owner) was easy and friendly. Achmed answered all my email queries very quickly. He also met with us when we arrived and when we came back. Gave us a good briefing and various tips.
He organized wonderful lodges, we also stayed in tent for three nights. Two nights at Lake Natron in stone dessert. Fantastic to wake up and walk around and meet giraffes. At Lake Natron we climbed to a waterfall with Masai guide Lepara, very kind and helpful guide.
Thankyou Ahmed and Christian for a lifelong experience.
CA
Email Denise | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The safari package that Achmed was everything we wanted and more than met our expectations.
Achmed was an excellent communicator and responded to all our email questions promptly and clearly. He provided an excellent service. He met with us for a whole afternoon and shared his extensive knowledge of the Serengeti. The tour itself was wonderfully organized. Our driver/guide, Yuda, was exceptional - his ability to spot wild life was amazing. He was also lots of fun and readily answered all our questions. He was an excellent driver and took good care of us. Zacheria was the cook and helper and he cooked wonderful meals for us and always had a smile on his face. We saw all the wild life we had hoped to see and more! I highly recommend basecamp tanzania.
CA
Email debra | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
did not deliver
We decided to go with Basecamp Tanzania after reading the excellent reviews, in particular, the comments about the guides .... "incredible", "extremely knowledgeable", "beyond exceptional", "made experience most memorable", "walking safaripedia", "extremely competent", "taught a lot about animal behaviour and ecosystem", etc. etc. Pretty impressive. Unfortunately our experience was nothing at all like the reviews, extremely disappointing. We got a driver, not a guide, who could barely speak English. Attempts at communicating were frustrating and led to misunderstandings. We drove in silence. He stopped when we asked but often drove off while we were still taking pictures. He provided no information about the animals, the environment, etc. On his advice we changed when we visited the crater because he said morning would be better. It was completely clouded in, no views, to which he said mornings always cloudy?? This company was much more expensive than other tours we looked at but given the reviews thought it would be worth it. Not getting a proper guide, feel we paid too much for an experience that did not deliver what was promised. They had to have known this person spoke little English and was not a proper guide. All we received from the company was an apology. Missed out on a once in a lifetime opportunity.
IL
Email Yoav | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful
The managers were a joy. The guide (Thomas) was brilliant. The prices were straightforward. No bad surprises - only pleasure.
Email Adrian Thomas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant Safari experience
We did a brilliant 11-day safari with Base Camp in August 2017, travelling the full northern Tanzania circuit including Arusha NP, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We travelled as a family of 4 adults, with Robert, our guide for the whole time, in a private Base Camp Land Cruiser. Robert was a great guide, he was brilliant at spotting all sorts of things which we would have missed, and he knew where and when to stop the vehicle to observe and take photos of the wildlife. We managed to see everything we wanted to see, including all the "Big 5" (and loads more as well, including the wildebeest migration across the Mara River), thanks mainly to Robert's efforts.
Booking the trip directly with Achmed in Tanzania (the English owner) was easy and friendly. Achmed answered all my email queries very quickly. He also met with us when we arrived, gave us a good briefing and various tips, and he also met with us again on our return for our feedback.
We did a (luxury) tented lodge trip, and the accommodation and food was very good all the time. Beware - this trip requires long days in the vehicle, but this is necessary to cover the distances and also to be around in the parks at the right times - we would not have seen so much otherwise. We also wanted to do a day hike part-way up Kilimanjaro, which Achmed organised for us as an extra "add-on" day with a nearby overnight stop.
It was a brilliant, well-organised trip, and I highly recommend Base Camp Tanzania for a Tanzania safari of any duration !
Email Hugues Debeyser | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Operator that delivers and goes beyond expectations
We had the experience of our life in the Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Arusha Parks. Achmed, the owner is really going the extra mile to make your stay unforgettable. We travelled as a family of 4 with our cook Zaccharia and driver/guide Yuda. Zaccharia serving us a variety of delicious local and international dishes. Yuda being an excellent spotter and knowledgeable guide on fauna, flora and country. Both working hard to give us the best experience. Lots of humour shared as well during the week! We opted for the camping safari to experience the real thing, and we did! Animals all around us, no fences, just fantastic and unforgettable. We have seen so much, that it is hard to believe there is anything left that we haven't seen, thanks to Yuda and of course a bit of luck. A special treat were the Wild Dogs, an event that made Yuda even very excited and Achmed jealous when we returned to base. Last but not least a special thank you to Achmed for reorganising our trip twice as we missed our connection flight to Tanzania and arrived one day later, and reorganising our Mt Meru Climb into a memorable walking and touring Safari in the Arusha Park instead, where we came meters from the animals with an armed Ranger by our side. Thanks to our guide Robert for the day, and driving our son to the clinic for treatment. We will recommend Basecamp everywhere we can and hope to come back to climb Mount Meru or the Kili with you!
US
Email Jennifer | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Remarkable Safari with Base Camp Tanzania
I have used Base Camp Tanzania for two safaris and believe they are the best in the business. Their expertise ensures you will have the best possible safari experience. My most recent safari was in November 2016 and included days in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Thanks to our guide, Thomas, we saw an incredible number of animals. His spotting skills are phenomenal and he was able to anticipate the movements of the animals which led to great positioning for viewing and photos. Highlights included seeing the wildebeest migration, lions on the prowl for water buffalo, and lions mating. A tented camp was recommended and spending three nights in the middle of the Serengeti was nothing short of amazing!
Achmed Phillips, the gregarious company owner, met with us before the safari to review the itinerary and afterward to hear all of our safari stories and share some of his own. Laughs are guaranteed with Achmed!
I highly recommend Base Camp Tanzania!
CA
Email mario isita | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
a very good operator
when you choose and pay online an operator for your travels and holidays,you never know what you can find in the reality, also if the reviews on tripadvisor are the best ones....this time we met a very good,professional one.The driver was not young, so very careful in the savana,not a race but a long,well planned walk...the hotel proposed were good or simply beautiful.The general organization precise and well managed. In few words, someone you can trust
CA
Email Denise | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My Safari
I was part of the group of six that on safari with Base Camp Tanzania as reviewed by Brian. I agree with everything as reviewed by Brian. I know there are many safari operators but I can't imagine what any of them would have better that what was provided to us by Base Camp Tanzania. I would not hesitate to use this company.
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Email Brian | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Base Camp Site Ltd - So awesome!
We were a group of 3 couples (relatives) and got in touch with Achmed based on great feedback from close friends who went on safari with them in 2013. We had planned out safari for January 2015 but due to Ebola outbreak we asked Achmed about postponing for one year. He said OK, no problem. They rebooked everything.
Our Luxury Lodge safari was tremendous:
- Stayed in Arusha for a relax day after arriving via KLM
- went to Arusha NP, Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP (2 days), Ngorongoro Crater NP.
- Added Zanzibar: 4 nights in Nungwi beach resort and 2 nights in Stone Town (in hindsight 1 night would have be fine)
- Achmed greeted us the first night, took us through everything to expect, Do's and Dont's, and lots of laughs.
- Joseph, our driver was super. Punctual, uncanny at spotting, good reference books along, talking with lots of other guides along the way getting the latest, listening and responding to our every question or request. sensitive to trying for the best picture, and had uncanny anticipation as if he was an "animal whisperer"
We asked along the way to stop at an orphanage to make a donation so Joseph picked one for us. They took us in and talked about its start and all they are doing we left our packages and money.
In addition we asked to stop at a Maasai village. again, no problem. But had to pay $50 for the group, each couple was escorted by a prominent male, dancing, singing, visit inside a hut, explanation of their lifestyle and customes, answered all our questions, visited their kindergarten, their animal enclosures, and were encouraged to buy their crafts, which we did.
- The safari lodging gave us a tremendous and varied experience that we truly appreciated for the "Africa" memories we have beyond the game drives
- Traveler's checks were a running joke with Achmed till almost the end of our trip. 2 couples brought them to pay the final payment...but Achmed's bank was so slow in clearing them into his account that we were practically done before he had received full payment.
- Achmed met up with us again after the safari for a debriefing, sharing our exciting stories, and more fun laughs.
Oh, we had specifically requested to add on the hot air balloon but in hindsight the time of year without Wildebeast migration where the balloons go made it a little disappointing - However it is an unbelievable experience (saw a leopard with a cub, lions, hippos, lots of giraffe, elephants). We had always wanted to do a balloon ride so why not over the Serengeti!!
Finally, Base Camp was very highly regarded by the manager at the Zanzibar Nungwi beach Langi Langi resort for being totally trustworthy and reliable for their resort. They have had dealings for many years.
Our group agrees with their assessment.