CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The ultimate private camping safari in Northern Tanzania coordinated by Warrior Trails
Our 40th Anniversary was spent with Warrior Trails and was the lifetime experience we were hoping for. My husband and I are seasoned travelers having either treaked or scuba dived in many parts of the world - from Papua New Guiana to Galapagos to the upper waters of the Amazon in Peru. We look for cultural connections, exceptional events and opportunities of flora, fauna or wildlife that tend to avoid places where there are a lot of other tour groups. We also wanted to find a local Tanzanian operator.
Warrior Trails did it all. We were looking for a customized private trip of about 18 days involving north and south Tanzania and a stop off in Zanzibar as a break between the two safari events. William had many suggestion to offer and was receptive to our requests. For the 12 days in the north we mainly wanted private wilderness camping with and occasional night at one of the smaller tenting camps for a bit of respite and civilization!
Warrior Trails wilderness tenting experience was exceptional with good quality 8x8 foot dome tent with cots, nice clean sleeping bags, pillow and blankets for us; a netted tent for dinning; a shower stall and well maintained tent toilet stall. Clamian the owner of Warrior Trails upon reviewing our extensive and unusual itinerary generously upgraded us to have two vehicles – our 4x4 for us and our guide, then another support vehicle that brought along our cook and tent/site equipment and would be all set up upon our arrival. We also desired “special camping sites” which involved Warrior Trails coordinating with the various Parks and Reserves for beautifully designated wilderness sites away from the busy public campsites. Our evening visitors wandering near or through our campsite were exceptional including lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hippos and more. Jackson our guide always kept us safe! Of the meals Emmanuel a certified chef prepared everything from a traditional Tanzanian beef rice pilaff to a quiche cooked over open fire coals.
The safari 4x4 vehicle with pop up was in great shape. Jackson with many years of experience as a guide was intuitive as to seeing signs of pending wildlife. We learned going “Poly Poly” (slowly) reaped rewards and sure enough he would spot the tip of a lion’s tail or the ear of cheetah in the tall grass and then with patience for the experience to unfold we would have the animal viewing of a lifetime!
Logistically Warrior trails was always on top of everything from the efficiency and flow of the electronic bank transfer for deposit and payments; to the smiling face of Loomey one of WT’s young tour guide /office support who greeted us at the Kilimanjaro airport outer gate on first arrival; to the unexpected smooth efficient lovely mini site tour and lunch in Arusha when plan schedules had to be adjusted on the way to Zanzibar. At no time where we ever left waiting or wondering about needed supports or flow of our trip.
Yes everyone goes to African for the animals but of equal value we found were the cultural visits and walking tours with rangers.
Of ranger walks – not often for the animals but to take in the land on foot and visit with the rangers. Starting in Arusha National Park with an hour hike to water falls walking through giraffes and Africa buffalos - just meters away. Then later near Ngorongoro Crater by Munge River water fall for beautiful valley views and watching Maasai boys and warriors herding their cows; Lake Ndutu (just south of Serengeti) and then lastly at Lake Manze. Don’t expect or desire herds of animals passing by but enjoy being quietly with the land and stretching your legs after previous hours or days of exciting truck safari drives. These solitude walks will stay with you long after! You don’t have to be a major trekking to do these 1 -2 hr events…just reasonably fit.
A major highlight and privilege of our trip was our overnight stay at the Simangori Maasai Boma (Village) were Clamian’s family come from. Our visit involved a community welcome; observing the respectful goat preparation and grilling for the evening feast; partaking in their daily evening dancing; next morning seeing the children in their new school; visiting a mother and her family in their clay home and hearing of her culture; a hike with Maasai warriors / elders and learning of their values, history and hopes. The Maasai are a private proud people so having the opportunity to be invited into their community is a rare event. Warrior Trails’ establishment of the Maasai Foundation to support living conditions, schooling and employment opportunities is a great initiative. As a traveller it is feels good to support a local operator with a vison of giving back to the community as well as offering possibly the best local tour operation out of Arusha!
Of the memorable lodges and tent lodge camps we stayed at via Warrior trails great organization:
Aruma River Lodge – great 1st night respite after 18 hrs flying
Rhoitia Valley Tented Lodge – beautiful views / vistas between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater
Fumba Beach Lodge – on Zanzibar – great 2 day beach front retreat with diving, beach, and pleasant dining area. Nice ½ day tour through Stonetown on way to airport – wished we had taken 1 more day and spent a night in Stonetown itself
Lake Manze Adventure camp – in south Selous area - excellent blend of water boat safaris and day safaris
Our trip would be considered a bit on the edge by some but it was what we wished for and had a hard time finding. Thank you Warrior Trails for making it happen.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Visting Kruger National Park was the best experience of my life
Staying in both Punda Maria and Skukuza, I was able to get a huge diversity of landscape and wildlife. Although I was on a private research program, I was able to see more wildlife than I could have imagined. I saw over 200 species of birds in the Kruger and numerous other animals. I saw 8 leopards, elephants every day, numerous rhinos, giraffe every day, multiple lion prides, and many other incredible sightings. The food and acomodations were equally wonderful. Punda Maria was great as was Skukuza.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fabulous first safari experience at Kapama
The park is beautiful with a wide diversity of landscapes and animals. We saw a leopard and her cub before we even checked in at the lodge. Although at first captivated by the lions, the elephants quickly became my favorites and watching their behavior was endlessly entertaining. We saw all the Big Five over and over but never got tired of spotting something new. The Lodge itself was beautiful and we loved our Royal Suite where we could shower with a view of animals in the bush. The food was good and plentiful, it always seemed to be mealtime! The sunsets were dramatic and we even got to experience an earth-shaking thunder storm. We learned a lot from our tracker and guide, enjoyed mixing with other guests from all over the world, and completely fell in love with South Africa. We can recommend Kapama River Lodge to everyone. This was our first safari, but not our last!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Will Sweet
The best three months of my life were spent in South Africa. From the Cape to Kruger, everything is amazing. I saw over 350 species of birds, incredible mammals, and gorgeous views.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Denise
There were beautiful birds everywhere and we wished we were more knowledgeable about them.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
3 day safari and 3 day beach Excellent holida
I have just returned home after a 2 week holiday in Tanzania visiting family and we did a 6 day trip with Eastco . It was not our first trip to East Africa nor will it be our last. We had previously been on safari so as we were visiting family in Tanzania we decided to do a 3 night visit to Tarangire staying at Boundary Hill Lodge and 3 nights on the beach at Tanga. Boundary Hill Lodge was excellent, plenty of wildlife especially birds. The lodge overlooking the savannah below was private, comfortable and the food excellent in the extreme.
We spent a day driving to Tanga from Tarangire and stayed at Eastco's camp right on the beach. What a beautiful spot. The tide in the morning went way out so if you wanted an early morning swim, a walk was required first.
On our last day there it rained all day, really heavy, but this didn't spoil the fun.
The highlights here would've been the walk around the village and the peace and quiet.
The tents were simple but for a beach holiday with sand everywhere what more do you need.
The drive down was interesting with stops at Moshi, Same and Segera. The children loved the fresh fruit bought by the roadside. All in all it was an excellent 6 day trip and Eastco did an excellent job. I work with a lady who has also visited East Africa with Eastco and they also had a fantastic trip.
Tanga is beautiful, and different.
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!!!
Our guide, Godfrey, was amazing, he could spot everything.We saw a leopard in hunt, cheetahs, hiyeanas, ostriches, elephants, giraffes and much more!!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best safari possible
First rate communication, paid deposit on line very easily. Balance when we started our Safari.
The Land Cruiser was great - comfortable, open roof for standing, our guide was very knowledgeable of the animals, trees and birds. The overnight lodge accommodation was outstanding. Three fabulous days, saw all of the big 5 and all within a few metres. Didn't need the binoculars we bought. Will need a long time to review the hundreds of photographs
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari experience
Booked 6D/5N safari with Sunny Safaris on the recommendation of a friend who had used their services earlier and we were not disappointed. Our driver Hamisi was really helpful and knowledgeable and helped us spot animals (inc big 5) from a distance. He would drive to places where the other operators were not crowding and allow us to take pictures in peace. The transaction of booking the safari was quite easy (thanks to Masha and Ally). We were picked up from the airport and dropped back in time for our flights. The safari was well planned and the lodges were quite good. The food was great including packed lunches. Hamisi, our driver, was a safe driver and quite patient with us in terms of timings.
I would definitely recommend them!
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fishing in uganda.. :)
We traveled with cul tours, and it has been a very Nice experience
we did go to murchion falls national park for fishing...
The fishing is one of a kinde.. Maby the best fresh wether fishing in the world...
And the nature is amazing..
Stephen the man in charts of the company is a amazing man, and he made the trip fantastic..
We did fishing 4' days and game drive the last.. We even saw lions.. :)
Cul tours is a very good company, who is thinking at the clients all the time..