US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Paul's love/knowledge of Tanzania was obvious in the AMAZING trip he organized for our family.
My husband and I found Paul on the internet and were impressed with his reviews. We liked that he had not only spent much time traveling in Tanzania, but had such a deep love and appreciation for the country and the people. As such, we felt 100% confident with his responses to questions we asked him during the planning stages and felt 100% confident he was creating an amazing itinerary for our family (of 5). Paul was always quick to respond to questions and sent our itinerary electronically, complete with daily activities and pictures of the accommodations and the surroundings. While the pictures were absolutely stunning, they didn't hold a candle to being there in person! When we arrived at our first camp, Paul had chilled champagne waiting for us in our tent as a welcome gift. We visited 4 areas: South Serengeti (Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp Kogatende), Ngorongoro Crater (Nomad Entamanu Camp), Ruaha (Ikuka Safari Camp), and Selous (Sand Rivers, Nomad). The staffs at each place were incredible hosts. Everyone was kind, accommodating, knowledgeable. Our guides were outstanding. They each worked incredibly hard and had a deep respect for the environment and animals. They took great care to not just make sure we had a great experience, but to make sure we had as little impact on the land/animals as possible. We had community dinners most nights (food was delicious!) with other guests at the camps, which the entire family really enjoyed. In addition, because our trip was in late December, the staff went to extra effort to make the holidays special for everyone there. I happened to be celebrating a birthday while we were at Ikuka, and with the help of Paul and the staff, I was treated to a special day, complete with champagne and a cake. It was a birthday to remember! We had zero problems with transfers, accommodations, etc. Everything was exactly as Paul's itinerary stated it would be. I highly recommend to bring more tip money than you expect you will use. I was deeply moved by the kindness and the work ethic of everyone and wished I had brought more tip money. Other highlights include: fly camping/hiking in the Selous, game drives (of course!), sunsets/sunrises, picnics in the parks/preserves. Although our balloon ride over the Serengeti was cancelled because of wind, I have heard from other travelers that this is a must. It is impossible to pick a favorite place as they were each special. I will say for our first trip to Tanzania, seeing the wildebeests during their migration and the plethora of animals in the Serengeti was quite moving. Overall, this trip left us in awe. It's was an amazing experience and Paul could not have planned a better trip for us. If you are looking at other tour operators, I would advise you to talk to Paul, too. We did and it solidified our decision to go with Paul. Simply put, his heart and soul are attached to Tanzania and he wanted us to love it, too. It showed in the amazing trip he put together for us.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They are cheap for a reason
We book a budget 4 day safari with Bobby Tours, mainly based on the price. At the time I couldn't find much about them in the way of reviews on the internet but what I could find was ok. Anyway we turn up at the office ready for departure only to be told that we hadn't transferred enough money when we did our bank transfer. I had taken a copy of the paperwork showing we had transferred the exact amount they quoted but they wouldn't budge, so in the end we ended up pay about 100 dollars extra. Not a good start.
The car was old, had no working seatbelts, no windscreen wipers (not ideal when speeding down a motorway in torrential rain to the airport) broke down twice, the poor driver had to fix it both times. The tents were old, musty, but adequate I suppose.
The first night we stayed at a 'Bobby Tours' camp site. we were driven well away from the main strip where everyone else seemed to be staying to this deserted field, we were the only ones staying at this site, ran by a family sat there playing with machetes and looking like they wanted to kill us, not a relaxing night at all. Thankfully the next night was at a campsite where many others were staying too so we felt a lot more comfortable.
The driver was fine, as was the chef. Management and equipment not fine.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Experience of a Lifetime!
After a lot of consideration we decided to go ahead with Soul of Tanzania for our honeymoon. Our 5 day safari was tailor made and focused exactly on what we had asked. Right from our first email exchange with Soul to the time we said our goodbyes, everything was given special attention. What's special about Soul is that when they say - full board - they mean serious business. We had hot lunches everyday with new dishes and a mini fridge at our disposal which was always stocked with beverages and fruits!
Our guide Daniel who was truly a professional, left no stone unturned in order to get us up close and personal with the 'Big 5'. His knowledge about the flora and fauna of Tanzania coupled with his hospitable and friendly nature was more than we could have asked for.
We had a six seater land cruiser to ourselves. It had charging points which really helped in charging our cameras and phones. All national parks have check points and picnic areas which are quipped with clean bathrooms which was a blessing!
I would recommend booking with Soul to not only our friends and family but everyone out there who wants to experience African wildlife in it's full glory. We would never be able to forget how this experience made us feel.
Most definitely, this wouldn't have been possible without Soul Of Tanzania!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful people who know their stuff
Gilmag is a group of responsive people, they always provided me with the information I needed in a timely manner. They care and were really helpful in finding me the right package to fit my budget including the best affordable accommodations during my whole trip. We had the most friendly guy as our tour guide and we drove in a well kept and most rugged SUV I have ever riden, the scenary the services were spectacular, I can't wait to go back.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing vacation!
We couldn't choose a better Safari Agency. "Tanzania Roadside Expeditions" was perfect for us. Paul was always eager to answer all our questions and in a very fast way (I must say). It was like he was online all the time. :) We felt like we already have a friend, even we meet only when we get there.
We put so many questions (because for such an adventure there is a lot of logistics to set) but Paul answered very calmly to all. And the most important thing, he tried to find a solution to all our problems. Thank you, Paul, for everything! Asante sana!
Tanzania is a country that should be visited at least once in the life time (in my opinion) and if you are lucky to have Edwin to be your guide it will be perfect. Yes , you heard well: Edwin won our hearts! He is so kind, calm, friendly, sensible, patient. He also has a good heart! He is like an Encyclopedia. You will quickly understand that he is a very experienced guide. He helped us see all the things we wanted to see. You have to trust him and his abilities because he really knows what he's doing. But the most important thing it was that we felt all the time that we were in vacation with a very good friend. We will really miss you, Edwin! Nakutakia kila la heri!
About safari (it means Journey in swahili)...
We stayed 3 nights (4 days) in 3 different types of accomodation: Kudu Camp - Lodge (superb), Kati-Kati Tented Camp (best safari experience possible!) and Rhino Lodge (cosy and quiet).
The car (Toyota Land Cruiser modified) was very comfortable and very strong for those kind of roads.
Food: very good; european-american style but you find also local type of food.
Experience: fabulous! We saw all the animals and landscapes that we planned to see.
Logistics: transfer, contacts and all other things ran smoothly.
Tip: have patience and trust your guide!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Day thanks to a very committed guide
The whole African Heart team made the safari more than perfect for us. Marc from Holland was very welcoming and great to communicate with, and the guide Salim was dedicated as well to show us the best views ánd animals. Tarangire was beautiful
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Raw Bush Adventure
Tanzania is beautiful and Kilimanjaro Budget Safaris hosted our safari very smoothly. The last 7 days of our camping safari have been filled with wild safari adventure. It has been wonderful from the moment we landed in Tz and started our safari the following day in the morning.
Major favourite points of the safari are black rhino in Ngorongoro, dancing with Hadzabe bushmen, picnic lunch in the bush, waking up to natural African sounds, enjoying the African sunset after game drives........ infact it has been great. We chose camping option rather than sleeping in lodges to experience the raw bush experience and there are no regrets as it has been quite comfortable and the delicious food complements to the our private camping cook Jackson.
Sleeping in a tent in the parks is very exciting as the night is filled with sounds of wild animals passing near the campsite. The game drives in Serengeti are very special as you follow the wildebeest in the open expansive plains for miles.
Wonderful experience at the right price. This has been a very different experience from seeing animals in the zoo and will come back sometime for more.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Guide Victor - best guide ever from Bobby tours!
My husband and me were in January on a 3-days fly in Safari in Serengeti plus one night in Arusha after arrival. The entire trip exceeded our expectations.
From the first contact with Hussein in the office everything was perfectly organized incl. Hotel in Arusha (Arusha Planet Lodge), transfer from/to airports, flights (Arusha-Seronera and Seronera-Kigali), and the accomodations while on Safari: Kubukubu Tented Camp - extraordinary fantastic staff and great location and Arcacia Camp - also very great Camp!
When our Safari guide Victor picked us up from the Seronera airport, the Welcome couldn´t have been nicer - he did prepare in the shade a table with chairs, plenty of drinks and little snacks and we did sit down and talked about our expectations for the Safari. The three days we then did spent with Victor were an unforgettable adventure - he became a friend to us - he puts all his heart in what he is doing.
He has so much knowledge about the wildlife and he did let one of our dreams become true - We travelled quiet some extra miles and got rewarded: We saw the GREAT MIGRATION - how great was that?! Without words!
That was definately our highlight, but also all the other wild animals were incredible.
Victor was also interested in photography, which was definately a bonus - we shared our best shots.
We definately will recommend Bobby Safari - and LVictor as a Guide!
Asante Sana ... we will be back ...
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Safari ever
Baraka organized everything smoothly. It was the best safari ever. We had a great time. Thanks
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life time experience exceedi expectations for a very spoiled and seasoned traveler and nature lover.
I always wanted to go to subsaharian africa to experience safari. I had the chance to go in February this year, as I was on work related matters in Botswana. I had no idea about how it works, what are the options, tourist traps and so on. I also had a limited time to plan. My first encouter with gondwana was on Safaribookings where I was ghoing through offers and reviews. I wrote a generic and very simple and naive set of requests and sent it out to 5 tour operators. I had a fixed date for the Safari, between 31 January and 8th February. Did I mention that first contact made was on 21st January? Yes. it took only 10 days between my first contact with Mark Hathaway from Gondwana to the actual start of my safari. apparently people plan it months ahead. I had not the luxury to do so.
anyway, based on my very rudimentary perspective what I want and what I THINK I want, Mark was a perfect consultant. dont get me wrong, the other offers I received were also interesting, at least I had three final contenders. However Mark was the must responsive, quickest in responses and grasping what my wishes are and what I can have in such a short time frame. I also had the feeling like talking to a real person doing a personalized safari for me, not like being tossed a prepared safari schedule.
I gave my financial limit so we can plan more easily and Mark came up with several options, in my opinion stretching as much as possible the benefit for me. I know for sure he could have sent me to some mediocre places and have another customer in his pocket.
I to four different places, Splash camp by kwando, Lagoon by Kwando, Pangolin in Chobe, and one night at Vic Falls. everything was seamles, meticoulusly planned. The camps were faboulous. when Mark suggested one site I was not so much sure about given my preferences I have not raised before, he was responsiove and changed the offer and customized it - to my absolute satisfaction. I went during !low season! but I have not seen anything low in my experience, except of the number of people - there were times when it was just three people in the whole camp with all the activities. Or the animales, the game, I had encouters I would never dream off. Marks choices of the sites was perfect. the staff at kwando properties is super professional, friendly, and curteous. I really enjoyed every minute spent there. Pangolin in Chobe with their photographic equipment was an amazing end for the safari, before I went to the Vic Falls. Mark knew exactly what I wanted, or at least he had enough customers to help lost causes like myself who want to see as much as possible but dont know enough. I really assure you that it is worth going with gondwana, instead of the usual safaris I have seen in chobe, overcrowded cars with 9 people staring and trying to get a picture of one animal. tracking, walking safari, boat cruises, in lagoon and rivers, mokoro, all that was perfectly managed and complemented with the professional attitude of the Kwando staff either in camps or outside such as the guides or trackers. superb Job!
I would definitely recommend Mark and Gondwana Tours. And I am definitely coming back.
