MJ Safaris & Adventure
- Office In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 1984)
- Member Of:
- TATO & EAWLS
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $230 to $990 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
CH
Email Dingo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nr 1
Only the best in town! No comment
Email Kennedy Otieno | 35-50 years of age
Excellent/timely service, very accomdative and understandning fellows.
I got into contact with MJ Safaris/Trekking Heroes after running the Kilimanjaro Marathon in 2019 as I stayed at YMCA Moshi were their offices are located. Abu(Jacksons brother) welcomed me so warmly and answered all my queries and gave me Jacksons contacts. Fast forward to February 2020 I made my initial deposit with the aim of hiking Kilimanjaro in Late March/Early April 2020 then Covid struck. Jackson Lyimo was so accommodative and understanding and assured me that my deposit was safe and I could hike the mountain whenever I was ready. On saturday 24th July 2021(almost a year and a half later) after finishing a work assignment in Moshi I popped into their office to check if I could do the hike, much to my amazement Jackson Lyimo and his brother Abu(this is the guy mostly at the office) organized everything and I started my hike on Sunday 25th a 5 day hike via the Marangu route, I did not have the hiking gear which they provided at amazingly reasonable fees for hire, despite the park fees having been reviewed up by the Tanzanian government I was not charged any extra fees based on the fact that I had paid my deposit almost a year and a half earlier. The hiking guide Athumani was one of the nicest, easy going fellows I have ever interacted with and is well versed with any info regarding safaris and hikes and the cook was excellent serving hot meals every other day, I was so well taken care of during the entire hike duration despite having haggled so hard to get discounted prices for the hike. Would recommend MJ Safaris/Trekking Heroes any day anytime for budget safaris and hikes in Tanzania
IQ
Email Ahmed Shkara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
Kilimanjaro 6 day Machame route
5/5
Godfrey Mbyallu and his assistant Mr G ran the tour.
100% recommended this team! You will enjoy your time and be very well looked after.
Some details:
1. Godfrey checked our clothing at the hotel. They strongly recommended some additions eg warm snow pants. Some we had to rent at a very reasonable price, some they let us have for the duration of the hike.
2. Godfrey was the leader and excellent at his job. He hand selected his team. His number 2, Mr G was a big man with a big heart! Trekking with them was a bit like travelling with a family. When you trek with them, you will understand why this was a great aspect of this team.
3. “Polepole” means “slowly slowly“. The first day is short and you can walk fast. Don’t! Walk at Godfrey’s pace. As you get higher and the mountain is steeper, you will need to have found your slow walking tempo.
4. The camp is always set up for you when you arrive thanks to the amazing porters. You get hot water to the wash your hands, then some snacks and hot water for tea or coffee. Later, soup arrives (always delicious), followed by a main course.
5. Breakfast included eggs, sausages, bread ...
6. Do a lot of walking before this track. Google training hints for Kilimanjaro - the fitter you are the more fun you will have.
7. Google the Kilimanjaro song. They sing it a lot and is cool if you can eventually join in. These guys are good singers and take every chance to do so!
8. Jackson was the person we organised the tour with. He manages MJ Safaris. He was very prompt to answer all our questions and was very helpful.
Our thanks again to Jackson, Godfrey, Mr G, the cook, the waiter and all the porters!
Email Paula Shepherd | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Budget safari that delivered all that was promised
Right from the start all our e-mails were answered the same date, communication was excellent. I was worried about booking with a budget company, but as we wanted to do safari and a Kilimanjaro climb, it soon be came clear how expensive it would be with other holiday firm's. Mj's was in our price range and we were more than happy with the service, from being met at the airport to being delivered back, all went to plan and we had a fantastic from.
Our Safari guide Nelly, was great, informative, fun and very protective. He made our Safari experience wonderful. Also two of our group went on to summit Kilimanjaro, Machame route and the guides were helpful and looked after one of us that struggled with the excersion and altitude, to make sure he was able to reach the summit, then get him down quickly. All the food was great and tastie on safari and on the mountain. Tents were good quality and vehicles were good, I am sure we had a just as good experience compared to people who had paid a lot more for their holidays. Also the Keys annex hotel we stayed in before, inbetween and after was great, helpful fun stayed, lovely food and nice bar and really comfortable need, which are heaven after your Kilimanjaro climb. Really, if you are in any doubt about booking with Mj's, go ahead. They really do deliver what they say and I am sure you will have a great time.
Email Erling & Lesly | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kilimanjaro 6 day Machame route
Godfrey Mbyallu and his assistant Mr G ran the tour.
100% recommended this team! You will enjoy your time and be very well looked after.
If I return, I would only want to do the climb with these guides and their team.
Some details:
1. Godfrey checked our clothing at the hotel. They strongly recommended some additions eg warm snow pants. Some we had to rent at a very reasonable price, some they let us have for the duration of the hike.
2. Godfrey was the leader and excellent at his job. He hand selected his team. His number 2, Mr G was a big man with a big heart! Trekking with them was a bit like travelling with a family. When you trek with them, you will understand why this was a great aspect of this team.
3. “Polepole” means “slowly slowly“. The first day is short and you can walk fast. Don’t! Walk at Godfrey’s pace. As you get higher and the mountain is steeper, you will need to have found your slow walking tempo.
4. The camp is always set up for you when you arrive thanks to the amazing porters. You get hot water to the wash your hands, then some snacks and hot water for tea or coffee. Later, soup arrives (always delicious), followed by a main course.
5. Breakfast included eggs, sausages, bread ...
6. Do a lot of walking before this track. It is way harder than the Inca trail. Way harder! Google training hints for Kilimanjaro - the fitter you are the more fun you will have.
7. Google the Kilimanjaro song. They sing it a lot and is cool if you can eventually join in. These guys are good singers and take every chance to do so!
8. Jackson was the person we organised the tour with. He manages MJ Safaris. He was very prompt to answer all our questions and was very helpful.
Our thanks again to Jackson, Godfrey, Mr G, the cook, the waiter and all the porters!
Email Holly Williams | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poorly organised, vehicle not as advertised, terrible communication
I did a three-day safari organised through MJ. It was a really disappointing experience in terms of the organisation, and not matching what I actually paid for. I contacted the company afterwards and was impressed by Jackson's swift explanation, apology and offer to partially refund the cost - but after successive emails and excuses from them went quiet, and never actually did refund me, which is a really poor way to run a business.
I am aware joining safaris are liable to be a little slow and chaotic, and I was patient about this - even when I nearly ended up being taken to a different country! But not being provided with the agreed kind of vehicle on the final day made me feel like I needed to officially complain.
On the first day, on arriving in Arusha, I was put on a bus that was going to Kenya - and only realized it wasn't the right vehicle when I was asked for a passport! No-one from the shuttle bus transport company knew anything about a safari. This was alarming, as a solo female traveler suddenly in a different city, not knowing where to go.
After being driven around for a while by a taxi driver who had no clue what was happening, I had to use my international data roaming to get online to find MJ Safaris number, which cost me a further $10. No phone number was provided when booking. I was then taken to the correct hotel to join a safari group, but it was not a great start!
On the second day, I was told to get up for breakfast at 6am. After waiting three and a half hours, we finally left at 9.30am. This was frustrating.
On the third day, again there was a delay at the campsite, as my driver struggled with a card payment. At the entrance to Lake Manyara, we again waited for a further hour - something to do with the card, or it being a Sunday? It wasn't clear. Again, this delay was frustrating.
Worse, however, was that the car I was in was not a Land Crusier 4x4. It was just a taxi. This meant the windows were blacked out, which was not good for viewing animals. There was a sunroof, but of course it was open to the sky. The sun was very fierce, and I had to avoid it to prevent getting sunburnt, which also made things difficult. They did not have any binoculars, which made viewing animals more difficult. You couldn't stand up when the vehicle was moving, as the sunroof was not padded. I also had safety concerns given there were animals such as baboons who might have jumped in! Finally, the vehicle was clearly unsuited for some of the roads/rivers it had to travel on; it was a very bumpy ride, and the driver was evidently nervous about driving through water.
The driver did a really good job, all things considered, but the booking specifically stated it would be a different vehicle.
I was very disappointed by the disorganization of the trip, but especially the fact that it deviated on the last day from the vehicle as advertised and paid for.
MJ Safaris explained when I complained afterwards that all this was because a group had cancelled at the last minute, and so I had been subcontracted out. I appreciate mistakes can happen, and appreciated their response, which offered to refund the cost of the final day. But it was doubly frustrating to be offered compensation and then just to have follow up emails completely ignored.
"This company met my expectations"
Jackson from MJ Safaris was prompted to answer my questions from day one. I had an amazing time in Tanzania, got myself a private 6 days game drive, and glad I did, more freedom in terms of photography. Thanks to my guide Jimmy, we were able to see the big 5. Amazing scenery and beautiful fauna. Good food cooked by my private chef.
Hakuna Matata, they will take good care of you, get ready for a complete and total escape...
CA
Email Natasha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Had a great time and great experience!
I my first time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and I was provided with a perfect team and guide ( Bariiki), by Jackson. Everything was very organized - we did the Marangu route for 5 days. It wasn't the first mountain I've climbed, but it was the first mountain I've climbed with a guide, and it was a great experience - I enjoyed it very much. It was such a good experience that half a year later I came back with my family and we hired Jackson again to climb mt. Meru. Luckily we got Bariki as our guide again and it was an amazing trip. I am very satisfied with this agency and highly recommend it to others.
IN
Email Ali Asgar Hanif | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip and a wonderful experience
We 2 couple had visited Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara and our our was operated by Mr Jackson Of MJ Safaris & Adventure.
We had a very satisfying tour , though our tour was short we had a very wonderful experience. We had a very fair dealing with Mr Jackson as he was quite cooperative and a very reasonable man.
If ever I or my friends have to visit this place , I will do it through Mr Jackson. My trip was tailor made according to my budget and likening , as such I found him very flexible.
Whatever place he had selected for our stay was quite comfortable and service oriented. There was no extra demand from his side I only paid him the amount that was quoted by him.
CA
Email Sandra | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing adventure 5 star from top to bottom
Before we went, my husband and I contacted many budget safari tours, and Jackson from MJ safaris was always proactive in answering all our questions and provide valid answers. We felt very reliable and we booked with MJ. The trip was so amazing and it was a once-in-a-life time experience. Both our tour guide/driver and chef are so professional. Our tour guide is majored in zoology in university and he knew the animals, we ended up seeing a leopard very close by, just crossing in front of our jeep, because our tour guide knew that it was going to rain and the leopard would go down the tree from far away, so we listened and he was right.( It is rare to see a leopard closely. ) we also saw a cheetah hunting for an impala, elephant herds crossing in front of our jeep. Female ,male and baby lions close by and a male lion laying right behind our jeep... There are so many breathtaking moments, you name it...The accommodations were very well organised as well, the guide and chef set up our tent every time, so it is worry free. All you need to do is enjoy the scenery. it was a private tour for me and my husband, the jeep is a nearly new land cruiser. (Never had any problems during the tour), driver had very good driving skills and drivels super safe. The chef cooks delicious meals, and my husband and I heard that Masai lamb is much more delicious than regular lamb ,we bought a live one on the way, and the chef BBQ , stewed and stir fired and made curry rice for the us under very limited cooking conditions. Very delicious. The staff tried very hard to make your trip a perfect one and it was a perfect trip for us for sure. Also I need to mention, they were very very punctual, never late for our tours.. I highly recommend MJ safaris and adventure to our friends and family.Lastly, we met a group of people from the U.S., Australia and New Zealand who did mount Kilimanjaro climbing with Mj safari, they had very positive experience as well. So go ahead and book with confident !