50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip planner and problem solver
John organised a terrific trip for us. My first trip to Africa. John took us to less visited as well as the more visited places with the know how to get us there and away reliably, safely and comfortably. Excellent guides, accomodation and insights into how to minimise the hassles of Africa and maximise the joys. John brings a strong focus on cost control (probably more than we would do ourself) but not of the expense of a lux trip. A really excellent trip.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, tailor-made service for a fair price
We were in Kwengwa, Zanzibar and went on some trips organized by John of Tanzanite. He organized two tailor-made days of diving and snorkling for our family of five and a one day Salaam caves, lunch at The Rock and a visit to the Jozani Park. He gave good tips on what to do. The price he offered was below that of other companies but his service was great. He speaks English and German.
The trips themselves were a blast. The kids thought it was unforgettable too. Each family member preferred something else: swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, feeding turtles, spotting monkeys, enjoying lunch with a great view of the reef. The driver and local guide was Soleiman, a careful driver who also gave background information in English
It were great trips with a lot of value for money!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An absolutely incredible journey through Uganda – from mountain gorillas to chimpanzees, elep
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
**An absolutely incredible journey through Uganda – from mountain gorillas to chimpanzees, elephants and so much more\! 🇺🇬🦍🐘**
I’ve travelled to 78 countries, but Uganda has been one of the most fascinating, educational and memorable experiences I’ve had
One of the absolute highlights was gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Having the opportunity to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is something truly special\. The journey into the rainforest, the anticipation and the experience of observing these magnificent animals in the wild is something you simply cannot compare to watching them on television\. A once in a lifetime experience
Chimpanzee trekking was another unforgettable adventure It absolutely poured with rain, and we were soaked through, but seeing chimpanzees walking so close to us in their natural environment was unbelievable We even met a guide who had worked with Jane Goodall\!
Queen Elizabeth National Park was incredible too, especially the river cruise, where we saw huge numbers of hippos, elephants drinking and spraying themselves with water, and some beautiful birdlife We also saw a tiny baby elephant crossing the road with its family
But what made Uganda so special wasn’t just the wildlife itwas the people, the villages and learning about everyday life
We visited local communities, met the wonderful Coffee Queen, learnt how Arabica coffee is produced by hand, watched traditional dancing and saw how families live and work
Even travelling along the roads was fascinating Motorbikes piled high with bananas and all sorts of goods, colourful roadside shops, local markets and people going about their daily lives
Our tour guide Paul had previously been a history teacher, and the knowledge he shared about Uganda before, during and after colonisation was absolutely incredible I learnt so much that I never knew before\. It was like having a history lesson every day, but actually being in the places we were learning about
We also crossed the equator, enjoyed some lovely accommodation and met incredibly friendly and helpful people throughout our journey
And yes, there were long journeys, very bumpy roads, early mornings and plenty of rain But that’s all part of the experience
What I loved most was that Uganda gave us so much more than a holiday
It gave us an education, a different perspective on life and memories that will stay with us forever
**From the unforgettable mountain gorillas to the wonderful people and fascinating history, Uganda really does have something special
I would highly recommend visiting and experiencing as much of the country as possible❤️🇺🇬
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Tour Well Organised with No Stress
We had a really nice time on our tour with Owen through the North/Central Serengeti into Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara. We actually booked them through another company who arranged a Safari in Kenya and we were really impressed with the quality of the holiday that was arranged for us despite them not being who we initially contacted.
Our guide Owen was always on time and organised and knew the plan for the day. He was an excellent driver on the difficult roads and was quick to find sightings for us when we were on our game drives. His knowledge even of the lesser known animals was incredible and we weren’t even able to find a small bird which he didn’t know anything about :) He was great working with the accommodation staff as well and made sure everything went smoothly on our arrivals. He was also highly flexible and able to work the day plan around our needs. I would recommend him and this company to anyone looking to travel through Tanzania as it really contributed to how good a time we had during this holiday.
JP
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
All arranged within budget with perfect selection!
I was about to give up tour visiting Namibia because of limited budget but Indigo did arrange for me even as solo traveller and I had a wonderful holiday in Namibia covering all the highlights that I want to visit.
Thanks a lot Michele for all the arrangement!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommend- effortless and amazing.
Highly highly recommend this tour company! Every detail was effortless and seamless. They were always one step ahead. We did Masai Mara and lake nakaru 5 days safari with Raphael as our guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and the area. He made us feel very safe and taken care of! We will use them again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Absolutely Incredible Experience in Tanzania & Zanzibar! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An Absolutely Incredible Experience in Tanzania & Zanzibar! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Jasmine and Sarafika Tours! From start to finish, our trip exceeded expectations, and I am so grateful we trusted her to curate such an incredible African adventure. If you are considering traveling to Tanzania or Zanzibar, I HIGHLY recommend booking with Sarafika Tours!
One of the things I appreciated most about Jasmine was her excellent communication throughout the planning process and our entire trip. She was responsive, attentive, and made sure we had the information we needed every step of the way. As a Tanzanian woman and small business owner, Jasmine brings something truly special to her work. Her firsthand knowledge of the country, cultural understanding, and extensive network of local contacts made a tremendous difference in our experience. It was clear that she genuinely cares about her clients and takes pride in sharing the beauty of her home country with others. I love supporting women-owned businesses, and Sarafika Tours is a wonderful example of a business that delivers exceptional service with a personal touch.
The accommodations were absolutely immaculate! Every hotel and lodge we stayed at was clean, beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming. From Moshono Hillside Hotel in Arusha to Tarangire Ndovu Tented Lodge and Marera Valley Lodge, every property was thoughtfully selected. Kisiwa House in Stone Town was a wonderful place to experience the island's history and culture, while Casa Del Mar Beach Resort provided the perfect opportunity to slow down, relax, and enjoy Zanzibar's beautiful beaches. The quality of the accommodations really stood out, and we were impressed with how well everything was arranged.
The transportation and logistics were just as impressive. Every driver we encountered was kind, professional, punctual, and accommodating. Airport pickups, hotel transfers, flights, excursions, and scheduled activities were all coordinated for us. Everything worked out smoothly, and we never had to stress about figuring out where we needed to be or how we were getting there. Traveling between multiple destinations can be overwhelming, but Jasmine took care of the details so we could focus on enjoying our vacation. That peace of mind was invaluable!
The safari experience was absolutely incredible, and our guides, Showtime and Jackson, deserve a special shout-out! They were SOOOOO nice, kind, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Their warm personalities made the game drives even more enjoyable, and they helped make our time in the parks truly memorable. Exploring Tarangire National Park and visiting the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater were unforgettable experiences. Seeing the wildlife in its natural habitat was amazing, and having guides who were so friendly and enthusiastic made the experience even better. They helped make us feel comfortable and added so much to our safari adventures.
My absolute favorite experience was the hot air balloon safari! It was breathtaking and easily the highlight of the entire trip. Floating above the African landscape and taking in the scenery from above was an experience I will never forget. It was peaceful, exhilarating, and truly once in a lifetime. If you book with Sarafika Tours and have the opportunity to add the hot air balloon excursion to your itinerary, DO IT! It was absolutely worth it and created one of the most special memories of our entire African adventure.
I also loved the variety of experiences Jasmine incorporated into our itinerary. We enjoyed exciting wildlife safaris, visited a Maasai village, and explored the rich history, architecture, markets, and culture of Stone Town. We then transitioned to the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, where we could relax and soak up the island atmosphere. The itinerary struck the perfect balance between adventure, cultural immersion, and relaxation. We were able to experience so much without feeling like we had to manage all the moving pieces ourselves.
What truly sets Jasmine and Sarafika Tours apart is the combination of thoughtful planning, local expertise, reliable connections, and genuine care. Every detail felt intentional, and the entire trip flowed seamlessly. It was reassuring to know we had someone who understood the destination, had trusted people on the ground, and was committed to making sure everything went well. Jasmine made the experience feel personal rather than like we were simply booking a standard travel package.
Jasmine, thank you for helping make this trip one we will remember for a lifetime! Your hard work, communication, attention to detail, and passion for sharing Tanzania with others did not go unnoticed. Thank you to Showtime, Jackson, and all the wonderful drivers and hospitality staff who contributed to such a fantastic experience.
If you are looking for a travel curator who is knowledgeable, well-connected, communicative, and genuinely invested in creating an unforgettable trip, Sarafika Tours is the company to book with! Whether you want an African safari, cultural experiences, a relaxing beach escape, or a combination of all three, Jasmine will help bring your vision to life.
I wholeheartedly recommend Sarafika Tours and would absolutely trust Jasmine to help plan another adventure. Supporting this woman-owned business was a great decision, and I encourage anyone considering Tanzania or Zanzibar to give her a call. You will be in excellent hands!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Chobe National Park by Rebecca Sandiford
Incredible wildlife, life in Chobe still feels very wild and undiluted by mass safari tourism, compared with somewhere like the Ngorogoro crater, where there are almost as many jeeps as animals.
CA
An impressive country
We loved our trip, 6 days in Jo’burg and 8 in safari. We developed a connection with the city that will stay with us forever, the feeling from the inside of a giant country that is building its way towards the hopes of Mandela and a whole nation. The safaris in Kambaku and Klaserie Misava were excellent, there was no room for any disapointment as everything was exactly as expected and better. A special mention for Kambuku and Timbavati in general, where the sightings were the best. Kambaku has a stellar team right now, genuine and empathetic towards guests. Hard to beat friendliness and hospitality. Misava is spectacular and a must see, the staff was very good and friendly also. A great itinerary that speaks volumes about Family Safari’s knowledge and competence.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enchanting, wild and beautiful
We had an incredible experience of a 2-night camping safari in Chobe national park. Our amazing guide Caleb was knowledgeable, funny and always accommodating. Our chefs at camp were phenomenal, we were quite blown away by the quality and taste of the food served considering its prepared in the wilderness. Beds in the tents were really comfy and the safari vehicle is also very good, giving everyone visibility of animals.
We went in early October and were very lucky to see amazing animals (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Monkeys, Giraffes). Of course animal sightings are not guaranteed but Caleb did everything in his power to help us see as much as possible. Chobe itself is beautiful and the experience to sleep in the busch amongst wild animals is once-in-a-lifetime.
I also want to credit Leon, Lance, Terry and Nelson as lovely and professional members of the team.
