US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great team and a wonderful safari
We would recommend Breakdown Safaris to those who want a personalized experience for their safari and other adventures in Tanzania delivered by an incredible team. Fan and Kathy were great from the very first email contact, honestly explaining the challenges of an unusually wet season and suggesting alternatives for us to consider. In the end, we spent time in Zanzibar, had a wonderful visit to the eco-educational resort on Chumbe Island off its coast, and explored Ruaha National Park with them. The lodging, transport, and activities were all professionally arranged and tailored to our travel style and desires. We loved the two nights on Chumbe and the snorkeling was amazing (as was the food!). The accommodations are basic, but appropriate for the goals of the eco-lodge and staff were fantastic on the island. Chombe, our “fixer,” who met us at each stage while we were in Dar to help us get to hotels and transport, was great. Always early and professional. The highlight of the trip was simply spending time with the co-owners of Breakdown Safaris (Kathy from the USA and Fan from Tanzania) who accompanied us on our Ruaha safari. We had some very special moments in a park in which we were one of only 3 or 4 vehicles we saw in 3 days. Unlike the mobbing of lions and chasing of cheetahs we experienced at times in the Ngorongoro and Serengeti region, we were always the only vehicle at special wildlife experiences such as watching a pair of hungry lionesses begin their nighttime hunt or less than week old elephants struggle to keep up with the herd. We loved it all. We also enjoyed staying at the park cabins, although a little hot, they were very comfortable with a nice bathroom, bed and sitting room and the best view in the world of the lake and night skies where we could listen to wildlife such as hippos, hyenas, and lions through the night from the safety of our cabins. We especially enjoyed chats with Kathy and Fan as we drove through towns on roads that challenged us all! What a great trip.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
“flawless from beginning to end”
I start off by thanking Joao, the Customer Service Happiness Manager, who is the reason that I chose this company. From the time I started my safari research, to our safari, Joao and I exchanged hundreds if not thousands of emails with every single detail that concerned us. Joao made us feel 100% comfortable and never tried to push anything on us, which made us choose this company, and we are 100% happy with our decision. This company certainly has the human factor that we needed and attention to details.
I cannot recommend it started in Africa enough, our every day pick up was on time, our drivers in both Kenya and Tanzania were very punctual and courteous. Jackson is absolutely lovely and helped us every step along the way. Our whole trip was exactly as planned, an out of this world 7 day safari with our 5 year old. The drivers are quite knowledgeable and calm with a good level of English. The safari vehicle, though it looked a bit old or rugged (no wonder with the roads), did not let us down. I did about a year of research for this trip, and I found It Started in Africa to have competitive prices for their packages. Here are a few pointers which we discovered along the way that our driver did not seem to know much about, which is understandable as most people do not look for the same things. If you are planning to purchase a tanzanite, the further you are from Arusha, the better the prices will be. Also, if you are going to Zanzibar after, most crafts are cheaper there than anywhere on safari. If you do the Masai village visit, keep in mind that the prices for their crafts are about 10 times higher than anywhere else, but if you wish to help the community, purchasing from them is a great option. Overall, I give this company 5 plus stars, we had an unforgettable experience and we owe it all to a fantastically run company, It Started in Africa.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Trip
We took the 4 days Kruger tour, including 1 night at the Mohlabetsi private safari lodge, one night at Satara and one night at Skukusa. I had been on a Wildlife Safaris tour in 2007 which was excellent, so I didn't hesitate to book with them again. As in 2007, Clive was the guide. Clive is a fantastic guide and professional. He is totally committed to making sure you see as many great things as possible, and when we were on the public park drives he talked to the drivers prior to the drives to tell them up to the minute spottings. He did everything he could to make our holiday fantastic, and it really was. We saw all the big five, with a number of very good leopard sightings. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and would certainly book with Wildlife Safaris again.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really nice 2 days safari experience & bike tour
We started our tour with Homeland Adventures with a 5-days-Biketour around Kilimanjaro area. We got many information before the start of the tour and stayed in frequent contact with the very friendly tour operator Muksin Mush. They figured out an individual tour for our wishes and budget. The tour itself was very interesting and a lot of fun with our guides Goodluck and Raymond. Thank you guys again!
We saw different landscapes, wild animals like zebras on the way and visited nice places like hot springs, Materuni waterfalls and Olpopongi Maasai village. The rides on the bike have been exhausting by 35°C but still good to handle. The accommodations were really local but what we asked for and the food the same. So you get the real tanzanian experience.
After the biketour we continued with a 2 days safari trip to Tarangire national park and ngorongoro conservation area with a 4WD. We had nice company with Jan Schulte, the tour operator from Tansania Erfahren and his family. We had a really nice experience seeing a huge amount of animals with four of the big five only missing the leopard.
We would recommend Homeland Adventures and Tansania Erfahren to everyone looking for individual tour organized by friendly people who care about the customers wishes. Anytime again :)!
Thanks Cathrin & Timo
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exceptionally efficient and nothing is too much of a problem with immediate responses
The booking was tailor made to exactly what we requested and after confirming the tour, the confirmation was almost immediate. No matter what day of the week Luxury Safari always respond whether on tour or initialising the details. Where service was required the company always ensured this was efficiently available. The whole process more than lived up to expectations. Our safaris to Marataba and Thanda were superb with first rate accommodation, service, food, drink and wonderful safaris for both birds, animals and insects. Great guides. The holiday also including staying in lodges in the Drakensberg Mountains which so enjoyable with fantastic scenery. Overall a wonderful experience.
BY
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect safari, excellent partners www.kenyatanzaniasafari.com
The Destination Consultants - a family business of Nick and Susan. They are interested in each customer and therefore try to accommodate all the tourists wishes. Our trip to Kenya with Nico was superb. He did everything that we asked for (and even more). I have dealt with a number of tour operators in Kenya, but now I know it's not just another travel agency, and I have a new good friend in Kenya. I hope that those who will have to deal with Niko will remain very satisfied. All the best of luck and to Kenya to meet with The Destination Consultant
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gleeful to choose Kenya Budget adventure!
If somebody is looking forward to have an exquisite and mesmerizing experience in the Masai mara with the wild life, here's a chance. They will always exceed your expectations to amaze you. We were little skeptical about a comparatively new company but from the booking to the reception and the entire trip arranged, was smooth and flawless.
The entire team has wonderful coordination among themselves. Commute, food, water, stay and game drive was profoundly taken care of, as per our request. We were really happy to have such an experienced and dedicated guide and driver 'Martin'. Inspite of having bad cold he didn't stop or deviate our program. He continued with the drive for 3 days in Masai mara till we were transferred to another car on the way to Lake Nakuru. He did his best to show us the best of Masai Mara.
Our Trip organiser 'Ruth' is very prompt and helping. Her instantaneous help starting from making of payment to choosing a nice place to stay in nairobi is worth mentioning. Her persuasion is simply fantastic. So, no matter from which part of the world you are traveling, you can completely rely on her reception and arrive at Nairobi.
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
best services
i have used this company all they know is just give best services
NZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I hit the jackpot!
I can honestly say I really landed on my feet choosing Kathy and Fan of Breakdown Safaris to tour with. A more delightful and knowledgeable pair would be hard to find and I left with two new dear friends.
The whole trip, from my first tentative enquiry to the last day, was fantastic. They both made it so easy and everything went perfectly on so many levels, from the organisation to the actual safari. It truly more than lived up to my expectations. I fell in love with East Africa in that week, a feeling that has only intensified.
I saw and learned an astonishing amount, laughed my head off, watched in awe, felt an intense sense of spiritual well being and healing and came away a rejuvenated woman. Such an experience cannot be quantified in money terms, so if you are contemplating this trip and feel concerned at putting a fair chunk of your holiday fund into this experience, stop worrying, it is worth every cent and a hundred times more.
Put your faith in these guys and you will walk home a different person. I guarantee you will love every minute!! I'm even happy to be contacted personally.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful experience, great Safari guide and excellent service!
We wanted to combine a visit to our daughter who was doing an internship in Tanzania with a safari/beach trip. She had arranged her trip through Caracal Tours & Safaris, so it seemed the most logical choice to do the same. All mails and questions were always answered promptly, even though Marion was about to give birth to their second child. Marion prepared a schedule that made it possible for our daughter to join us for the latter part of the safari. We went on the 6 day trip and were really impressed by Ben's eagle eyes and knowledge of all animals and especially birds. We saw the big five, thanks to Ben who seems to be able to spot a canary at a 5 mile distance. He is a very skilled driver who is capable of simultaneously driving and having a conversation and even then spot animals miles before we did. Also his sence of humour and the sometimes philosophical discussions we had during our trip were really great! But beyond all this, they have been a tremendous help when our luggage got lost, they kept in contact with the airport and Ben spent hours to retrieve our bags when they finally arrived and the only comment was: that is al part of the job. We slept in really diverse but all very nice locations and had a wonderful time! After the safari on December 24th, Ben drove us to our next destination and we still feel a little bad that that even made him miss Christmas eve at home, because he had to drive all the way back again all by himself (abt. 8 hour drive!) luckily he was back home again on Christmas morning. In addition to that, they have been really great to my daugther and her friend, helping them in many many ways, for which we are really thankful. All in all, an experience that exceeded all our expectations!