(already provided)
(already provided) I think you asked if I would brief a brief description of my trip and can do no better that copy the note I wrote to Tribes at the time...
Dear Tribes team,
I have just got back from my Tanzanian trip which I must say certainly was more challenging than the last couple of trips you organised, as I battled to survive an attempt on my life (Uduzungwa), a series of bold robberies (Selous), and a potentially embarrassing international incident in Sadaani.
Impala camp in Selous was lovely in all respects. There was plenty of game in the immediate vicinity, and I had giraffe, bush babies and hippos around my tent most nights. The view in the evening from my wooden verandah as the sun set over the Rufiji river was absolutely wonderful. However, I suspect the camp at the absolute epicentre of game viewing is still Lake Manze and we had a longish drive to see most of the “serious” animals. Once we did so, we saw plenty of lions, a pack of 15 wild dogs and even a leopard which strolled right up to the vehicle which first spotted it (not mine, sadly- I only caught a few minutes as it disappeared into the deep bush). Hippo, monitor lizards and crocs on the river beneath my tent were commonplace and the birds were as I remembered them from my last two trips, spectacular. The robberies themselves were certainly very bold - vervet monkeys descended on my early morning tea and biscuits and left devastation in their wake; weaver birds ganged up to deprive me (successfully) of my breakfast cereal; and in the evening the bush babies distracted my attention and stole the delicious bread rolls from my plate.
Sable Mountain Lodge was an unusual place. It was very nice and comfortable, but there were relatively few birds or animals in the area, and it was surprisingly quiet in the jungle around the lodge. I had it pretty much to myself, which was a shame for the staff who were attentive and helpful. Abdullah, who has been at the Lodge since it was built, is absolutely charming.
The drive to Uduzungwa was very tough. It was fun to see the little villages and the women going about their routines (the men were sleeping, mainly), but it took about 9 hours and the roads for the most part, were ghastly. The last 30 k up to Hondo Hondo camp took over 2 hours and at times the road was indistinguishable from the bolder strewn streams which we crossed on the way. Fine for the more intrepid traveller, but I would say definitely not recommended for the casual tourist.
This is a shame because Uduzungwa and Hondo Hondo camp are certainly to be recommended for the sheer jaw dropping variety of unusual animals, birds, plants and insects. I saw five different primate species in the space of an hour around the camp within a few minutes of my arrival. It was also lovely to be welcomed by Belle and Ginger, two of the best turned out and well cared for donkeys in Africa, whose main duty (apart from welcoming guests) is to keep the grass down efficiently. Worth mentioning too, because I like to think I know a fair amount about European mycology, were the fungi, which were astonishing in variety and weird beauty, most of which I could not even begin to place in general families, much less identify as species.
The camp was the most basic I went to, and could possibly do with a quick Health and Hygiene visit, but was perfectly nice, and the staff absolutely lovely. I suspect that they obviously struggle with the heat and humidity (as did I), and mould stuck the pages of books together and pervaded the tents. I got severe diarrhoea and since another (non hiking) guest did too, I am not sure it was just the exertion of the hiking which was to blame. I also fell down a waterfall and ended up having to do a makeshift dressing with loo paper, which may have aided rather than stopped the bacterial infection which followed. Since the place is too remote to have a Duka La Dawa (chemist) anywhere close, it would have been advisable to have taken a much better First Aid kit with me.
Of course it was the trekking which nearly killed me. I had imagined that the distance and timings in the publicity were for the benefit of the “chubbier”guests (after all - who takes 4-5 hours to do a 6 km walk?), but they were not. I told my guides that they were trying to murder me on the longer Hidden Valleys walk, and they laughed, but my goodness I did find it hard. I had two guides and a ranger with a gun (I can perfectly understand why this was necessary, as we scared a leopard off its kill by one remote stream) and they were marvelous, solicitously carrying my haversack, then my camera then my hat, as I divested myself of everything remotely adding to my weight on the 8km relentless climb up. On the 8km climb down I was ready just to curl up in a ball and allow myself to be rolled down. Was it worth it? - goodness yes, but I am sure I would have enjoyed it more if I had not been hallucinating.
One quick word about prices, because I see a theme of complaints about the cost of the park fees and guides on Tripadvisor. I think the guides are $20 a day and I tipped each on top of that. They were great, although their knowledge of the flora and fauna could be better. They were out with me for a full day (9 hours) which works out at a little over $2 an hour before tip. That is not a high price for any Western tourist to pay, frankly. Likewise the Park fees are absolutely justified having regard to the sheer scale of the park management tasks which they cover. Of course locals should not have to pay those sort of fees and they do not, but visitors from Europe, America and Australia are incredibly privileged to be able to afford to travel the world to see such beautiful places, and should not feel resentful about the cost. London and Paris are no different – try visiting London Zoo with children, for a real wallet busting experience.
The drive from Uduzungwa to Sadaani took 9 hours and even the so called "good" non Tarmac road through to Sadaani was gruelling. Maybe it was just an age thing, and I am sure my bottom was much more resilient when I was younger.
Sadaani is quite a different experience, and although there was a lot of game to be seen, we had to work much harder to find the few individual zebra, giraffe and elephant and the birds. Lions are in the park, and the previous guests saw 10 of them. I saw none, but the driver told me that near Sadaani village they have become man-eaters, the last person served up as dinner, was only as far back as December last year. The warthogs are to be found in the middle of Sadaani village grazing happily with the goats and chickens. They are not stupid, and have worked out that it is perfectly safe to hang out in a non pork eating Muslim community, which will probably also keep an eye out for lions.
Tent-with-a-view is very nice and quirky, and the beach was by and large completely deserted. I did get to talk to the fishermen, who were friendly and laughed a lot. The food was good and baobab ice cream is really very nice. Hassam does a hilarious Del Boy Trotter impression - “lovely jubbley!” - how did that happen?
The drive back to Dar es Salaam was fine until we got within 10 km of the airport - that last bit took almost as much time as the rest of the 150?km journey. I would not willingly undergo that experience again on a full bladder.
Oh, and the international incident was when the male park guards tried to sell or even give away their very large female colleague to me. Olivie (for that was she) roared with laughter as my Swahili only just managed to keep pace with the most obvious innuendo and rudery. I am sure my wife and family would have been thrilled (not) if I had brought her home as my second wife. Mind you, there was plenty of her to go round.
All in all a super trip, but I now need a little lie down.
Tanzania is a very full on safari experience, but incredibly rewarding for anybody who is prepared to be a bit forgiving. The people are charming and have a great sense of humour, and thrilled if you tell them how lovely the country is . It needs more visitors - we in the West ask a lot from the Africans to care and manage the heritage of their wildlife, but we have to realize that it comes for them at a huge cost – in not many parts of the world do the major tourist attractions (think British Museum and Buckingham Palace) destroy your crops and eat you, so we have a duty to support them as much as we can.
General misinformation is also to blame for the current dearth of visitors – apparently the Ebola scare has decimated the numbers despite the fact that Tanzania is at less risk of an outbreak than Europe.
Now, about my next trip...
With very many thanks
Marcus
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Dream Safari
My friends and I had spent some time in Bagamoyo before spontaneously deciding to do a safari. A friend of mine recommended Vic Consult Tours & Safaris to conduct the tour.
He helped us book the flight (fasjet) from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, we arrived at night at Mwanza Airport into a rather intimidating bus station and were relieved to be met by Vic Consult Tours & Safaris staff who immediately took care of us and our bags and whisked us off to a comfortable hotel. The safari was planned to begin early the next morning and I was desperate for Internet access to sort out flights which could not wait until after our three day trip.
I mentioned this to Victor, the owner of Vic Consult Tours & Safaris, and so the next morning Victor came to the hotel at about 6:00 a.m. with his personal laptop to make sure that I could get onto the internet before he waved us off on our trip. Now that is going out of your way for your customers.
The trip itself was incredible, especially the Ngorongoro Crater. However, I would imagine that whichever of the various possible itineraries you can choose, and parks you can visit, they will be spectacular. Our driver, Joctavian, was super and things were done at our pace while still keeping to a set schedule which allowed us to fit everything in, and the chef was very talented - I certainly didn't expect such good food from a basic camping safari! The tents themselves were actually very comfortable and we didn't have to lift a finger, everything was done for us. Victor, Paul, and the chef made the trip incredibly special and personal. We all felt very safe at all times and would go back at the drop of a hat. I will certainly never forget it!
Stefano
Taipei.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded My Very High Expectations!
My four-day tour in Uganda with Africa Adventure Safaris was outstanding! The planning with coordinator Nelson, the pick-up at the hotel, the Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the lodges, restaurants and the games drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park were all world class. Guide Joseph Sabiiti was extremely knowledgeable and professional. I give Joseph and the team at Africa Adventure Safaris my highest possible recommendation.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Expect the Unexpected
East Africa Wild Adventures was simply great. Very experienced, very informative, and wonderfully friendly.
I can't recommend them enough, and have been telling anyone I meet that is interested in a safari (which is almost everyone that I tell about my experience) that they should plan through East Africa Wild Adventures. From the moment we landed in Kenya, we felt absolutely comfortable, happy and taken care of.
I think when most people consider a safari, there are several stock romantic images that come to mind. Wild plains, lions lazing in the grass, certainly herds of various animals crossing your path, but like everything in life it was the unexpected things that truly made this safari a once in a lifetime experience. A wild buffalo bursting out of the grass being pursued by a pride of 20 lions (and escaping), a lion stalking a herd of wildebeasts and using your land rover as cover walking so close you could reach down and touch her, and driving through a migrating herd of zebras and wildebeasts numbering 2 MILLION animals. I have never seen anything like it, and expect I may never again.
IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
woooow!!
Absolutely wonderful! My wife and I stayed at a hotel in dar, and the driver pikd as up and was very kind to us- all the way to the safari and back.
we will definitely come back again! I will definitely recommend this trip to all of my relative.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My family had a blast in this tour.
They have good communication skills, the services were prompt. Since this was my first tour with a tour company, I was afraid that I would disappoint my kids after a long wait for this vacation which they were so looking forward to. Can i say my family can't wait to go back to Kenya and have another tour. I would definitely use this tour company again and again when we get the opportunity to travel again too Kenya.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Courtesy, knowledge, safety, AND adventures to surprise and thrill.This to
This safari was way beyond expectations. Communication with the Director and the Guides was excellent .
The guides were extremely well informed and even passionate about the environment and the animals who lived there . They really understood the wilderness , respected it and had a deep knowledge of the nature of the wild life that belonged there.
The atmosphere was of helpfulness or mindfulness and the food was to die for !
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely the trip of a lifetime, thanks to Iris & Jordan
I was initially a bit nervous about organising a safari in Tanzania from the UK, but after reading other reviews here, and getting proposals from several companies, we decided to go with Tanzania Serengeti Adventure.
Iris & Jordan were thoroughly professional throughout, and made the whole thing really easy for us. They were very quick to respond, happy to work within our relatively modest (for Tanzania !) budget, and put together a five day programme especially for us, which worked out beautifully.
The accommodation they selected was much more luxurious than we expected and I could go on for hours about the all the wildlife and wonderful sights we saw.
Our guide, James, has worked for TSA for many years and was simply excellent. On the road, he's a reassuringly safe and considerate driver. He has a perfect mental map of the game reserves, and what we might see where. His knowledge of the animals, birds and trees is encyclopaedic. And he's a nice bloke too.
Even after the safari was over. Iris and Jordan found us a wonderful place to stay for a couple of days before coming home, and saved us some money by booking it for us at their discounted rate.
All in all, it was just perfect, a truly unforgettable experience. If we had the chance to do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm very happy to recommend TSA to anyone.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had an amazing experience through out my Safari tour with them
I went on a safari with Surf Africa Tours on my own. At first, i was a bit nervous about being in a new place on my own. Surf Africa Tours took great care of me, and I felt safe and in great hands all the time. The service was door to door (they picked me up and dropped me off at my hotel in town) and the safari itself (at Masai Mara park) was amazing. I stayed at the Mara Sarova Lodge, which was absolutely stunning. We saw so much wildlife, and the driver was knowledgeable, courteous, and professional. I would definitely recommend Surf Africa Tours to anyone looking to go on a safari in Kenya. I definitely plan to use them again!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Simply the best choice we made on a Safari
We made the best choice ever: Surf Africa Tours was highly recommended by our friend (Frances) who used them in March, 2015 and what a wonderful time my 6 years old son and me had. The choice of accomodations has been excellent, nice cars, safe driving, great care to satisfy our desires and reasonable price.
We strongly reccomend especially for a safari with children and probably will be back someday to see other areas.