African Scenic Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 100-250 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, TATO, IMEC, KPAP, Travelife, CARBON TANZANIA & FAIR VOYAGE
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The most fantastic experience of my life
I returned to Tanzania in January this year with my partner and another couple. I first went to Tanzania and went on safari with African Scenic Safaris 5 years ago, at this time I also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. The service throughout was 100% and it inspired me to return to see more of Tanzania, again with African Scenic Safaris. We spent 6nights/7days on safari which included 3 game parks, where we saw all of the big five, 1 night at lake Eyasi, where we visited the bushman and finally concluding our trip with a night at a Masai village.
Amanda was easily contactable via email and nothing was too difficult to organise and would always respond promptly - before, during and after our safari. She also helped us plan other activities in Tanzania, including around Moshi and on Zanzibar. Our safari guide was Grayson, he was extremely knowledgable, while having plenty of humour which made our safari full of experience and a thoroughly enjoyable time. Omari was our cook and the food throughout exceeded everyone's expectations and we were never left needing more. The cleanliness of the food preparations and the quality of the food was exceptional. We were very impressed with the vehicle which was well maintained, clean and better than most others we saw whilst on safari.
I would highly recommend going on safari or a Kilimanjaro climb with African Scenic Safaris. I have recommended quite a few friends and will continue to do so.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Awesome Lifetime Experience in Tanzania
Me and my friends went on for Safari and trekked Kilimanjaro with the team from African Scenic Safaris. Amanda has assisted us a lot starting from our initial enquiry and planning very efficiently. We went trekking for 6 days and the guides were professional and we made to the top. The food, the tent, the people were all great and all these were important to make our trekking success. Our guides were Ami and Daudi, and they talked and shared a lot with us during our trip and made it much more fun! We went to Safari afterwards for 4 days. The team rearranged the schedule for us so we could catch our flight on the last day. Although our schedule was a bit tight, we were able to see the big 5 and migrations of the wildebeest.
This was my first time to Africa and it has just been awesome. The team of African Scenic Safaris definitely provided what you needed and served us the best. Not only treating the clients well, they also address the potters fairly well. I highly recommend people visiting Africa to join the Safari and Trekking with them! :)
IE
Email Geraldine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing safari and experience in Tanzania
I’ve just returned with two friends from Tanzania after the most amazing safari experience with African Scenic Safaris. I choose African Scenic Safaris after my sister highly recommended them to me based on a safari she did with them a few years ago.
First and foremost, our guide, John, was absolutely brilliant. He was extremely professional, always informative and accommodating to our needs, friendly and fun, excellent at spotting the animals, and importantly a great and safe driver. He really looked after us from the moment he picked us up.
Our chef, Charles, was also fabulous, providing us with outstanding delicious food every day in abundance. The quality, quantity and variety of food throughout the trip was exceptional.
We did a 5 night 6 day trip which felt like the perfect length. We spent 5 days with the animals and the final day with the bushmen up at Lake Eyasi. We got to see the big 5 up close and learnt so much about the animals from our guide John whilst observing them. Amanda was so helpful with organising everything with us, as we were changing dates, deciding itinerary, and changing numbers of those going etc. She helped us with organising accommodation around the safari also.
I was highly impressed with everything with the trip from start to finish, from ease of organisation, the quality of the jeep and tent, the high standard, volume and tastiness of all the food to the professionalism and craic of our guide.
It was a truly amazing experience that I will never forget, and hope I will get to experience again in the future.
Geraldine
Ireland
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply the best!
I don't think I can truly say how great African Scenic Tours were in leading us up the Mountain! From the moment the driver in his Arsenal shirt met us, I knew it was going to be OK.
The team (and please forgive my terrible spelling of their names) led by Ammay, were just simply the most professional, kind, inspiring, funny and encouraging team I have ever had the pleasure of being part of.
Ammay was amazing, Antipas was quite simply a life saver, professional, funny and encouraging all the time. Without Emmanual who got me up and down safely, I personally would not have made it. The food was good, the tents clean, the toilet (thank God we hired that!) and ALL of the team were just FABULOUS. They ALL encouraged us, laughed with us and met us in the dark when we were running late (which was often). We were so well looked after when we arrived at camp. The tents were unzipped from us and our walking poles taken off us and put in the back of our tents. Honestly... nothing was too much trouble for any member of this team.
Rapheal woke us up every morning with lovely ginger tea and warm water to wash in as well as serving us every day. He even filled our water bottles up with hot water to take to bed in the cold nights - what a star!
I will have no hesitation in recommending AST to all my friends and family who want to climb Mount Kili.
Thank you once again for all your efforts and for the great team you gave us.
What an experience, what a challenge and what a memory!
NO
Email Andreas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Memories that will last a lifetime
From the start, our experience with African Scenic Safaris was a good one. They promptly responded to our every question, ranging from "Where should we stay?", via "What should we wear?" to "How can we charge our cameras?".
Greyson, our driver and guide, and Aidano, our chef, gave us an amazing 5 days and 4 nights in 3 different locations. We went to Ngorogoro crater, Serengeti for 2 nights, and finally Tarangire for our last night. All the time they did their utmost to make our trip enjoyable, delightful and exciting. Greyson had wast knowledge and incredible eyesight, spotting game in the most unlikely places. We got to see almost everything we wanted, but never found any rhinos. He would also be a welcome help when dealing with peddlers along the road, giving us sage advise on how to behave, what to expect, and what was fair.
Aidano, also known as Mr Delicious, or Mr D, truly deserves his nickname! His dishes were a true delight, and coming back to camp in the afternoon to find not only food, but delightful feasts, was always a great end to the day. His culinary skills on modest equipment in the middle of the Serengeti still amazes me to this day. How one cooks a pizza so fluffy and fresh on a gas burner I have no idea. Neither do I know how he managed to make the best french fries I've had out there on the wast savannas. Enjoyed it we did!
I cannot recommend them enough, and the team at African Scenic Safaris has been nothing but a delight the whole way.
US
Email Chris | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional. Budget Conscious. Detail Oriented. Amazing Guides. Unforgettable.
My sister and I wanted to go on a safari, with short notice and with parents who kept changing their availability on us at the last minute. Amanda at African Scenic Safaris was extremely accommodating and helped us update the schedule every single day for 10 days prior to our departure, and never complained once even when the parents bowed out!!!! (What can you say when your 65 year old papa is sick?) She helped us to craft a fantastic and affordable itinerary. Not only that, but she set us up with amazing guides, who were fun, personable, and extremely knowledgeable about the park.
As to the safari itself…it was amazing!! If you have a good guide, and a good cook, a safari like this is a high point of your life that you do not want to skip out on! I will never get over what it feels like to be up close to big animals who shake the ground when they walk. I know they make it feel cool in the movie theater, but it just doesn’t compare to the real thing =) Amanda provided TOP NOTCH guide and cook both…my sister and I felt truly spoiled…and I wish we were still on safari now =)
US
Email Sue Novikoff | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An exceptional experience in Tanzania for Kilimanjaro and a safari.
Doing Kilimanjaro for 6 nights and 7 days with African Scenic Safaris, and then immediately going on a 5 day safari, could be a logistical nightmare, and hard work. It was however, a once in a lifetime experience, truly incredible. Amanda worked tirelessly with us, reassuring us over our mountain fears, and seeing that our safari happened. Even when our return flights to London were changed at the last minute, she adjusted our safari and made good things happen. Not only did we receive professional, prompt and courteous assistance from Amanda, but every one of the African Scenic Safaris employees that we came into contact with, displayed such professional behavior. Our well being and enjoyment appeared to be the number one priority of every person we encountered.
Naturally there were nerves and fears about climbing Kilimanjaro, but our team of 22 made sure we were successful. From our incredible three course dinners, (I need those soup recipes!), filling breakfasts and lunches, we were never hungry, to the patient man assigned to the private toilet, to our waiter bringing us ginger tea, and being always attentive and patient (patience was a key trait all the team had), to our tent master, all the men and women who tirelessly carried everything we needed with smiles and support for us, to our truly wonderful guides Ame and Antipas. Their knowledge, patience, calming ways, support and belief in us made our trip the success it was. We often took a long time to get from point to point, but that was never an issue, as that is who we were, and that was accepted. The night we set off to climb the mountain, along with Ame and Anti we were supported by Musa and Emanuel, both incredible assets to the team, and to our success. While climbing Kilimanjaro was a serious challenge, I believe the constant support and belief in us from the guides and team, made it happen successfully and enjoyably.
African Scenic Safaris certainly helped my dream come true by exceeding any expectations I had (as well as really supporting the nerves!) in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
The safari following was incredible - Grayson was a very well informed guide, humorous, calm, and sharp eyed. Mr. D created the most amazing meals - after an exciting day of game drives to come back to a camp site for a gourmet meal was wonderful. Choosing to do the camping option is a worthy choice - being right there is an unforgettable experience.
I could seriously write forever about the wonderful time I spent in Tanzania, and how African Scenic Safaris were part of my truly memorable experience. I highly recommend them. Wonderful.
Exceeded our Expectations!
African Scenic Safaris exceeded our expectations in every way, starting with the planning of our trip and throughout our Kilimanjaro trek. My friend and I hiked the Machame route in seven days with African Scenic Safaris in July 2015. From our very first inquiry, we had an immediate response and in the months before our trek, the owners continuously sent detailed information about what to expect. They were extremely helpful in helping us prepare and in catering the trip to our needs. We were surprised that upon our arrival in Moshi, the owner and our head guide came to meet us and give us a briefing on the trek. They made everything very simple so we didn’t have to worry about anything. The company works with a very skilled and motivated team. We were very pleased to get to know the head guide and assistant guide very well throughout the trek, as well as the cook, camping master, and porters. Our expectations for food and service throughout the climb were surpassed 110 percent. Every morning we were awoken with tea and were fed delicious hot meals and snacks. The guides were extremely well experienced on the mountain and were happy to chat with us throughout the entire journey. We felt very confident about reaching the summit with their knowledge of altitude and pacing. Not only did we have an incredible experience trekking to the roof of Africa, but we made some really great friends amongst the team as well. We definitely recommend African Scenic Safaris to anyone wanting a personalized, well-organized, enjoyable experience.
CA
Email Andy & Erica | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Honeymoon Experience
We went on an 18-Day trip with African Scenic Safaris, 14 of which were on mainland Tanzania and 4 of which were on Zanzibar. We were on a private tour, just the two of us, and I can safely say that is THE way to go on safari. The whole experience was so personal. Being able to choose when we wanted to leave in the morning, how long we would stay on the game drives, and how long to stay at a particular location being amazed by the animals was a luxury that we noticed some of the larger tour companies and groups were not afforded.
Our guide David was so knowledgeable, creating two amateur animal behaviourists in us by the end of our safari. He had a great eye for spotting animals in the bush, but wasn't too proud to congratulate you when you managed to find one first (though he might tease you a bit if you were to get overly excited about a rock or branch which resembled an animal). When minor problems arose (like a broken zipper on the tent or a rock wedged in the jeep's brakes), David was quick to solve them, while making sure that we were still comfortable and happy. David was even a bit of a photographer, taking many great shots of us over the course of our journey together.
Our chef Ommy made sure we were well-fed. Correction: VERY well-fed. Daily, we had 4 or 5-course meals for dinner with no repetition of entrees or soups (which were something we looked forward to regularly). Breakfasts were similar every day, but had so much food that if you wanted to only eat one portion of them, you would find them very diverse. Lunches were usually packed to-go, so that we could spend the day on the game drive without having to return to camp, and was more than enough to satiate us. Several times, we had the privilege to enjoy a brunch prepared by Ommy when we had an early morning activity. What he can do with so little North American kitchen luxuries is astounding. Highlights include his fresh baked, pizza, lasagna, and a traditional African dish called ugali. Once or twice we had special requests, and he was very accommodating.
We chose to sleep in tents, rather than the lodges. The tents had more than enough room for the two of us, and with the provided mats and sleeping bags, were quite comfortable as well. Just to point out for any prospective safari-goers, tenting is the way to go if you want a cook; sleeping in lodges means you have to eat reheated frozen food, rather than the three square meals prepared fresh daily (again, which were always delicious and filling). Trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night should prove to be an adventure.
Each park we visited (Tarangiri, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti) had something different to offer in terms of landscape, but the animals we saw were mostly consistent. That is not to say that it was boring or tired, as nature never ceased to amaze us. We saw all members of the Big 5, and a wealth of other animals (including a cheetah with 5 cubs!), all of which were incredible to see so close in their natural environment. Our add-ons to Ol Doinyo Lengai (a volcano near Lake Natron) and Lake Eyasi were wonderful experiences. The volcano was a gruelling hike (be prepared to double the time estimates given to you, and keep in mind we were the only group to reach the top that night of the many that attempted) for inexperienced climbers like us, but the sunrise view and the surprise at the top were worth it. At Lake Eyasi we had an unforgettable time of visiting a Bushmen tribe that MUST be experienced for anyone who has time.
In Zanzibar, Scenic Safari booked us into excellent hotels in great locations (the Stone Town seafront and a secluded beach resort). Transfers to and from the airport were all planned for us and ran very smoothly, although there was some confusion on our end regarding our final one, Amanda was easy to reach by email and phone from the resort and was able to clear it up for us.
There is only one concern we had on the entire trip and that was the estimated driving times given to us on the itinerary. The estimates were often far too low (we drove for double the posted time). As Canadians, we are used to long driving times to get to any other city, and were a bit annoyed to have to sit in a car longer than we were expecting. That being said, the trip was INCREDIBLE and an adventure of a lifetime (see the 5-star review) and African Scenic Safaris comes with a high recommendation from us.
Email Ian | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
We chose African Scenic Safaris on the basis of a recommendation from friends who had previously travelled with them. From the very start, we were most impressed with the efficient and speedy responses from Amanda re our planning and organisation. Grayson was our driver/guide, and he did a fantastic job. The time allocated to each of the national park /conservation areas was fine; we never felt rushed or as if we should have allotted extra time in our itinerary.
Late May, early June was a great time to travel - weather was warm; safari traffic was not busy; accommodations we stayed at were virtually empty; there were so many animals - all to ourselves! And we saw the migration. What an experience.
We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending African Scenic Safaris, and guide Grayson. We would use them again on any future travels in Tanzania.