US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best week of my life.
We saw the Big 5 and so much more--so many juvenile animals in the early summer! The weather was just lovely. We stayed at the Neptune Mara Rianta, and it beyond exceeded our expectations--BEST place to stay in the Mara. There was nothing we didn't immensely enjoy about our safari. The Maasai village visit and hot balloon ride were icing on the cake.
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience with It Started in Africa!
Just returned from a 5-day safari organised by It Started in Africa, what an outstanding experience! Our safari exceeded any expectation I ever had.
We visited Tarangire Park, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, the itinerary was great. We saw lot of animals and most of them really close! It was so exciting!
The team was fantastic! We chose a group safari and I couldn’t be happier with our ‘safari-mate’ Satish! What an incredible person to share this experience! Jonhson, our guide, was kwnoledgeable, familiar with local environment, nature and wildlife. He’s also an excellent driver and always kind! Pascal, our cook, was amazing! The food was incredible and soooo tasty! He was also so polite that we were grateful to have him in our team.
Thanks to all the people that made this experience unforgettable: Mathias, Andrew, Ludi and all the people in the guest house.
I would like to make special mention of João Oliveira (Marketing/Operations Manager).He was very helpful in all subjects and sent prompt responses. He was a big help in the planning of the entire trip and always friendly.
I must say that was an unforgettable experience with the most fantastic group we could ever wish, I would happily go to a safari with It Starded in Africa again and again!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Saw the Big Five and much much more!!
We thoroughly enjoyed our Tanzanian safari. We visited Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park including the northern part near the Mara river, and Ngorongoro crater. All of the accommodations were excellent. The Simba lodge had a watering hole right next to it where we saw elephants, zebras, warthogs, and storks. The tented camps in the Serengeti were very comfortable and close to the animals, including one night with a Hippo munching on grass right by our tent! We used Makasa Tanzanian Safaris. They were very responsive to all our inquiries. Our guide, Jamal, was AWESOME! He knew where to find the animals and was also quite knowledgeable about birds. We saw 40 different animals and more than 90 kinds of birds. We saw the big 5 and much much more. Some of the highlights were:
the massing of many different kinds of animals at the Tarangire river
spotting the African Wild Dog (Cape Hunting Dog) an endangered and very rare species
viewing lots of animals at the watering hole next to the Simba Lodge
seeing a large pride of lions comprised of 2 males, 5 females, and 13 cubs
a mother lion nursing her 7 cubs (she also carried one around in her mouth)
3 wildebeest migrations across the Mara river
2 female lions stalking and killing a zebra right in front of our eyes
Spotting a rhino up close
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable Safari
We were lucky enough to see the big seven. The weather was great. The tent lodges were exceptional. Very clean and comfortable. Our guide David Mushi knew how to spot the wildlife from a great distance. He always put us into position to see the animals up close. The people of Tanzania are very happy and friendly. Overall a phenomenal experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unbelievable wildlife and cultural experience with Ecobushman.
Isaac has an in depth knowledge and understanding of things natural and cultural in his native land along with the skill and enthusiasm to pass these on. We have been lucky enough to have enjoyed two expeditions with Isaac and would be back now given the opportunity. Don’t expect the ordinary - be prepared for experiences beyond those of the commonplace supermarket quality expeditions to see the big five if he organises your tour.
If you are fortunate enough to travel with Isaac, this might include such memorable experiences as:
stopping to right an upturned leopard tortoise, taking a detour to a lake formed by witchcraft and dancing like a sarus crane to teach children the value of the wildlife on their doorstep, giving a handshake with heretofore unknown significance to a man selling a cow in a remote market town – (Isaac sorted out my error with the greatest of good humour; I didn’t know that I had sealed a bargain to purchase the beast – he warned me there and then not to shake hands with the man stood with his three daughters!), adding a few pages to your bird book, eating the best fried tilapia in East Africa, hobnobbing with friends on a remote hill tea plantation, cooking eggs in a geyser to an audience of the entire Nairobi Girls Choir, enjoying an outdoor sauna over the “wife burner”, learning the subtle differences between the river nilot and the plains nilot, pausing to phone someone because a “new” bird just moved in to the region, getting up very early at least once to experience a breathtaking sunrise on the savannah, being forced to wait for your barbecued goat whilst the cook’s boy chased your supper down the road, having the opportunity to take that iconic fish eagle shot – (Oh well there’s always the next time to get it perfect!), sitting around the camp fire late at night with a couple of Tuskers curing each of Africa’s problems in turn and if you are very fortunate having the chance to meet his wonderful family and making a lifelong friendship.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This clue is in the company name but we felt we really got our money's worth and had a GREAT time.
Everything went smoothly, excellent communication with the office and ground staff. A friend recommended this company after her two student sons and young friends used them. Excellent value.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
So good I have done my "once in a lifetime" trip THREE times now!
Kenya has such variety of places to visit that you need to prioritize if you don't have a long time or a budget that allows you to fly from park to park. Most of the lodging out in the parks has seen a lot of traffic, so they can look a bit worn out, but the staff is always wonderful! Two of my visits were over Christmas/New Year's week and though there were definitely people out, it wasn't disruptive to the trip. Of course you will get loads of vans clustered together if you are lucky enough to spot a leopard and even lions draw a handful of vans. But other times we felt like the only van around!!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Safari with Makasa
We used Makasa Tanzania Safaris for a trip to Ngorongoro Crater and had an amazing time! We saw a ton of animals, a Maasai village and beautiful scenery. Our driver Jamal was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. Prior to our trip I was in email communication with one of the owners (Selma), who was just as great as Jamal. Selma answered our questions, booked us at a fantastic lodge (Endoro Lodge) and was very professional. I will be returning to TZ this winter and fully intend to book with Maksa again. Thanks for making our trip memorable!
Memorable safari experience
Every part of our trip was up to our expectations. Transportation was clean and comfortable and our driver Ali was the perfect companion
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome day tour in Ngorongoro
We just had one day available so that's what we wanted to see, the crater, and boy it was amazing! They took us there really really early so that we could make the most of the day. We saw a lioness hunting, cheetahs, huge huge huge elephants that were out of this planet. Car was great, driver (Emmanuel) could spot a rhino with just his eyes while we had trouble finding him with our scopes, though the binoculars they gave us were TOP. Highly recommended.