Join us for your African adventure!
Alika Africa
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- Association for Promotion of Tourism to Africa
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $180 to $1,500 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
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Email Dawn and Eric | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magnificent trip in a magical part of the world!
I am happy to share our fabulous Tanzanian experience with Duma Explorer, and I would highly recommend this expedition company to anyone. Our party of six embarked on our 12-day adventure in late January 2020, after several months of research. We knew that there were dozens of options and outfitters, but we were attracted to Duma because of their reputation, their social responsibility, and because they employ their own guides and staff from Tanzania. The cost was also quite reasonable compared to many other companies.
Once we chose Duma Explorer, the planning with Stacy was very easy. She was flexible and accommodating. Communication throughout the planning process was generally handled by one other member of our party, and she shared Stacy’s ideas with us via email. We went back and forth with Stacy several times, to get the itinerary just right for our preferences. Stacy truly listened to our interests. As an example, we were able to minimize internal flights and to avoid long back-and-forth drives.
Our itinerary allowed us to go to Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, the Ndutu region, and Serengeti National Park. We ended our trip in the Kilimanjaro region, near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It was quite exciting to see hiking expeditions leave from the park entrance.
Isack was our guide and fearless leader, and we absolutely loved being with him for the entire trip. He was warm and funny in a very understated way. His vast knowledge of the animals, birds, topography, and people made for an educational and truly enjoyable experience. He took great pride in his job. Every morning we were treated to a completely clean Land Cruiser, including exterior, windows, and interior. We did not see many other vehicles given the same daily treatment. The staff at the camps were very professional and helpful, and they all seemed eager to make our stay enjoyable. The accommodations at the camps were all very high-end, and the food was well-prepared and plentiful.
Given the current world situation, we feel so grateful that we experienced this magical place when we did. We encourage anyone considering a safari expedition in Tanzania to book with Duma Explorer.
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Email Elaine | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Duma is absolutely fabulous!
As the main planner for a family group of 6, I looked at dozens (out of the more than 1000) safari operators in Tanzania. I was more than a bit nervous about ensuring that each of us had a wonderful experience. Duma nailed it--there is good reason why all of the reviews of Duma rate it a 5.
The combination of a locally owned/operated company in Arusha plus Stacy in the US to make planning easier is a plus. Add to that Stacy's patience (sure to ensure that your custom safari is just right), the seasoned, expert camp staff (all of whom are attentive, lovely to be around, and seemed so happy in their work!), and the luxurious tent camps.
We ran into flooding/muddy roads and while we enjoyed drinks and dinner and campfire, our guide Isack and the team at the Arusha office seamlessly moved us from our planned camp (flooded beyond reach) to a new campsite. We were totally spared any angst that might have marred our stay.
Even after 10 days in Tarangire, Ndutu/Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater pus a final night near Mt Killi base camp to see us off from Africa, we were definitely NOT ready to leave! Do stay as long as you are able.
We selected Isack as our guide because of the rave reviews he has received and we totally agree. An expert naturalist (knowledgeable not only about big and small animals, but also the birds, the vegetation, the geology and how the terrain is changing), he was by far the best tracker around and an excellent driver/mechanic (see: flood and mud above).
Duma will provide the experience that you want, at a reasonable price, and with the assurance that everything will will be done right. Even when nature interferes with your plans.
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Email Janet Smalley | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, Experienced, and Knowledgeable Staff - Could Not have Asked for A Better Tour Company!
Our family used DUMA Explorers for a Kilimanjaro climb as well as a safari trip, and could not have been in better hands! This was our first international travel experience, so I had a lot of questions and concerns! DUMA took the reins and really helped me coordinate the many legs of our trip, arranged for transport, recommended lodging, and gave me great advice on where to focus or time. This trip was a life changing event for our family, we loved every aspect of it! My daughter 21 yrs old, niece 24 yrs old, and I (51 yrs old) were the only members that climbed Kilimanjaro (yes, I was the slow one)! We had Msuri and Joseph as our mountain guides, they were excellent guides and really prepared us for what to expect and what to do (none of us had ever attempted a mountain climb, much less at this altitude). We never got altitude sickness like many others, and all three of us made it to the summit (I give full credit to Msuri & Joseph for getting me to the top)! The rest of the family joined us after our mountain climb and we did a 1 week safari with Alex. He was extremely knowledgeable, great sense of humor, spoke several languages, and we were able to see all the wildlife we were hoping to and many more we knew nothing about. What I loved most about DUMA is their involvement in the community and their commitment to the care and welfare of all their employees. They are fully committed to bringing a higher quality of life to the area, versus just selling tours.
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Email Jonathan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a Lifetime Experience
We just got back from a week long budget safari in the northern circuit of Tanzania. We had an incredible time and we are grateful to Stacy and her team at Duma Explorer. It was a pleasure planning our trip with Stacy. She was always available whether by email or phone to discuss plans for our trip.
Our guide Isack MsuyaI was awesome! Besides for having an incredible eye for game¸ he was very professional and responsible. There was a lot of logistics that went into our trip and Isack was on top of it and provided a smooth experience. As a whole we felt that all of Duma’s employees that we came in contact with were professional and took great care to make sure our trip was special.
On our las day¸ our flight was cancelled. We were supposed to leave the Serengeti at 2:45 pm but had to leave 10:30 am. That meant we were going to be stuck at JRO for close to 12 hours. Before I could even reach out to the office to discuss other options¸ Isack got a message that they already arranged to have a guide meet us at the airport when we arrived and take us to Arusha National Park. They also arranged for us to have a walking safari at the park which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.
I highly recommend Duma Explorer and if we ever make it back to Tanzania I will for sure be using them again.
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Email Sophie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience, Wonderful Company
Fantastic company!! We are in our early 30’s and decided to go on a private, 2-person safari in late August 2020 in Northern Tanzania. We decided to go with Duma after contacting about 15 different recommended companies from Lonely Planet. We went with Duma as they were the easiest/fastest to communicate with (Stacy), had the best price, had unlimited miles/gas & water, pays their employees fair wages, and showed professionalism.
What we experience was beyond our expectations. We went with a camping 10-day safari where we saw over 5 national parks including the Serengeti. Everything was well planned and organized from the time we booked to picked up from the airport to dropping us off at the end of the trip. The food was great, we were always well taken care of and informed. During camping, we were able to be close to the animals while always feeling safe under the stars.
If we had gone on a safari during the high season, I would have preferred lodges as you would not have to wait for showers or camp in close proximity with other campers. However, low season camping was the perfect option for us.
Guide (Isack):
We had the best guide, Isack. He takes great pride in his work, loves and respects nature, cares about his clients, and was always very professional and funny. He has amazing eyesight, fantastic ability to track animals, and an incredible amount of information to share about the ecosystem, history, and every animal you see. He respects the animals and the park which is not always the case with guides. We absolutely loved spending 10-days with Isack. He has loads of information to share, but also allows you to experience the sounds of nature. We were able to see absolutely everything we imagined and more. You can tell he’s quite experienced as he navigates the vast Serengeti off memory.
We were able to see all of the below but not limited to:
Rhino (Just one but they are very hard to spot)
Giraffes
Lions (male, female, cubs), including a hunt & mating
Elephants
Water Buffalo
Wildebeests (including watching 2 river crossings)
Cheetahs
Leopard
Zebra
Owls
Baboons
Impalas/Water Bucks/Topi/Gazelle/DikDik
Silver backed monkey
Crocodile
Hippo
Eagles
Flamingo
Hyenas
Jackel
We are not birders, but more birds than I could possibly name.
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Email Jean M | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a first-rate experience with Duma Explorer, from booking to trip execution
Duma was easy to communicate with, even with different people within our group doing some different things for part of the trip.
I only did a one day safari excursion to Tarangire National Park after our Meru and Killimanjaro climbs. But this was a last minute request from us, and Duma pulled it together, no problem. Sweet taste of safari, inspiring some of us to return again for the real experience, the next year. Our experience definitely exceeded expectations.
Our experience working with Duma on our Killimanjaro trip made us sure that we would use them again on any future safari trips in Tanzania. It is also important to me that they are an ethical employer, who takes the well being of their great employees, seriously.
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Email sv | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
DUMA EXPLORER THE BEST TOUR COMPANY IN TANZANIA!
In October our family was hesitant about traveling to Tanzania during the pandemic. However, we decided to go and we are so glad we did! Duma Explorer planned a trip of a lifetime. My husband and daughter climbed Kilimanjaro- which was an amazing accomplishment! My younger child and myself did a safari, trekked through the Ngorongoro Highlands an climbed Mt. Lengai. At the end of our adventures we all met up and spent a few relaxing days at the beach. Duma Explorer made the trip smooth and so easy! The staff and guides at Duma are incredible and we left feeling like they are part of our family! If you are remotely thinking of going to Tanzania, don't hesitate, book with Duma, and they will take care of everything! They are definitely the BEST tour company in Tanzania! If you want to speak with me further, reach out to Stacy, owner of Duma and she will give you my contact information.
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Email Katriina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience all the way!
Duma Explorer was an easy choice for us. Starting from the fast replies we got from Stacy and the reasonable prices considering the quality of the camps, our experience was five-star worthy. Stacy made our booking easy and was very flexible as the situation was tricky with covid and we were afraid that our flights might be cancelled.
A special thanks to our driver Ebenezer! What a gentleman! His knowledge about the animals was unparallel. We also felt very safe with his driving which can't be said of all the drivers we saw. I highly recommend having him as your guide.
The camps give you a great safari experience with luxurious tents and very nice common spaces. One of our main wishes for the safari was that we want tents, so we can be part of the surroundings but still have a comfortable stay. The Chaka Camps were perfect for this. It felt like a dream, watching the sunrise from our luxurious tent and having a cup of coffee on your own patio. I also liked that the design of the camps is very modern with an african twist.
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Email Yulia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Real safari
We had 6-days camping safari in December 2020 with Duma Explorer and it was really impressive. They helped us to creat optimal program according our requirements and gave useful tips about optimal flights, transfers and recommended very cozy lodge in Arusha. Thanks for Stacy and Omary for the perfect organization.
Our “field” team, guide Ebenezer and chef Jamal, are professionals and they really help us to open wild nature of Tanzania. For example we saw all big 5, different birds and rare animals like cheetah and leopard and got a lot of details for their life and behavior.
Some recommendation if it’ll be your first safari:
- [ ] It’s equator but nights are cool and even cold, warm closes is necessary
- [ ] Showers in the public camps are very basic, you need your own soap, shampoo, towel etc. Camps in Serengeti and Tarangire have cold shower, in Ngorongoro there’s hot water.
- [ ] It’s useful to have repellent, it was no mosquitos but a lot of CC fly
- [ ] Lighters and batteries are necessary for the camping nights
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Email Kissila Izidoro | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The trip of my dreams!!
Let me start by saying that I have always dreamed of a safari trip to Tanzania. I told my husband of this dream and he decided to surprise me by putting together a 2 week safari/beach birthday trip for us. I’m not going to lie, I was a bit worried about leaving him to plan it on his own (I’m always the one who plan/book our vacations). Thankfully he chose to book it with Duma Explorer, and I could not have been happier! Every single detail was thought and taken care of! From airport transfers, to the registrations in the national parks (I didn’t even know we needed that!), and the location of the lodgings, Stacy thought of everything which gave us (especially me) peace of mind and the opportunity to just relax. The hotels and lodges we stayed were absolutely beautiful with great views and delicious food. Our guide Isaac had over 25 years of experience, and you could tell by the way he could spot animals from a distance and know every detail about it (I’m sure he had superpowers). We saw all the big 5 and then some. We were more than happy with our experience, and I could not have asked for a better way to celebrate my birthday (Christmas and New Years too). This trip will be one I will never forget! Anyone who asks us how to book a safari trip to Tanzania, Duma will be my one and only answer.
This is a very happy and satisfied customer!
