AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Small company with a very dedicated owner
Paul, the owner of the company, really puts a LOT of effort into planning your safari and make the best out of your stay. The safari itself was amazing and the accommodations fully met/exceeded our expectations. Our driver was very knowledgable, however, he made it very clear that he would rather be with his family (it was around Christmas time). We of course understand this but this put us in a very uncomfortable situation. He only answered our questions but did not tell us a lot by himself. We also booked a beach vacation on Zanzibar with Tanzania Roadside Expedition after our safari. This part we wouldn't book again with them as we had a very unpleasant experience in the hotel booked for us (but Paul was again VERY helpful).
All in all we absolutely loved our experience and think it is very rare that someone puts as much effort into client servicing as Paul does. It was not "perfect" due to some things as listed below but your value for money is great and you sure will have a great vacation if you book with Tanzania Roadside Expeditions.
NO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good and professional service.
We have had a long process choosing our favourite vacation in Africa. Marhaba Holidays provided excellent service all the way. They helped us find the best locations, prices and local flights. Lot's of good advice, great flexibilty and a friendly tone all the way. Malingu Felix did a very good job for us, thank you very much!
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
8 nights Kenya and Tanzania Safari
We are 3 friends from Spain Who booked a Safari for 8 nights to Kenya and Tanzania the last January. We booked It from Spain, 2 months before going.It was really good. Good experience. This company was much cheaper than others, so that was one reason why we booked with them.
Jimmy was the person Who organised the trip for us and he is really attentive. Every time we wrote him, he answered rapidly.
We were all the Safari with an other company but the organiser of the Safari was swahilli paradise.
The cons:The planning was not as we expected. We were told that in Masai Mara we would do 3 safaris (1 afternoon Drive, 1 all day, and 1morning Game Drive) but the last one we did not do. Moreover, We were not picked up in The airport as they have told us. We were a lot of time travelling from one point to another. The rest was good, and Happy time there. Good lodges and meals included.
Then in Tanzania: the car was much better. I do not know why but we had to stay in the entrance of all the parks like 2 hours to enter because something happened with the money of the company. In Tanzania we slept in tents.The water entered in the tent during 2 nights and our luggages became wet during the travel from Manyara to Serengeti.The rest was good, beautiful landscapes, and we had a lot of time for visiting the parks.
All in all, we had very good time, good drivers, no problem with the car.The price was good, cheaper than others companies. So I think is worth It. The price and the kind of trip is more than good. So I would recommed this company.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Almost as expected，but nothing is perfect
I just write the problems that I donot feel good，maybe it is not your control。
1，prepare some menu on the papers，so as to tourists search what we can order in the camp。
2，more water in the bus，500ml or 1000ml water is not enough for one person in hot days。
3，when we back from Maasai Mara，there are many roadblocks on the road，and those local villagers collect the money。it is a bad impression。
4，The traffic police want the money。(I don't feel a violation of traffic)
5，In the Hell's Gate National Park，not only one driver tell the tourists that they must find a guide and pay 20~30 dollar。But actually, we can walk by ourselves。it feel bad even if I don't spend any money。
And one thing that I feel really good is a communication:after we seen the rhino，the driver tell me that just Chinese buy rhino horns in the market。There are fewer and fewer rhinos now。please tell more Chinese that donot but any animal horns。And then I tell the driver “no buy，no dead！”I think the driver have a strong sense of responsibility，I admire such people very much。
Another fact:Many Chinese sent emails to Kenyan travel agents, but did not respond. So we can only find Chinese agents.
NO
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We booked a safari in 3 days and 2 nights by Hello Tanzania , by Silwia to Selous game reserve
We did not know anything about our trip and trusted Hello Tanzania .We had already been in Zanzibar for a week and wanted to be picked up and fly to Selous. Our trip was well organised and everything was good. We had full program. all time , with boatsafari our first day in Jimbiza camp.Wesaw a lot of birds , life along the riverside and swimming hippos.Day 2 was a full safari day, with outdoor lunch.We saw a lot of animals like lions, elephants, giraffes, will pigs , hippos , sebras and a lot og other animals. We saw the animals very near . Guide and driver was clever and nice persons- always safe driving and smiles.
Nice food and service in Jimbiza camp , but the swimming pool was not clean .
Day 3 : walking safari in the morning -meeting Kiddi , the buschman. Nice and many tips to survive ....after that we took a walking tour to the little village, to see how they live today. We got lunch before leaving with airplane back to Zanzibar . Thanks to Hello Tanzania for a well organised trip for us 4 from Norway.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good experience
The Agency is well organize, the personnel is very kind and helpful. The transport it is not very comfortable, the car was quite old and since we had to expend many hours in the car, on very bumpy roads, it was a bit hard for us. The tends were just very simple and basic with a lot of mosquitoes and the mosquito nets were not very functional. Food was good. Overall we had a good experience, we saw many animals.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great experience
spend 10 days in Tanzania and it was truely a once in a lifetime trip. The Serengeti is amazing. Ali was prompt in getting back to us.
The only downside was getting swarmed by people trying to sell you stuff anytime we would exit the vehicle.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organised, communication could be better though.
The accommodation was great, well organised trip, our driver was excellent, good car. The communication and pre-trip information could have been better. We were not aware of mandatory tipping (which is quite high), also not aware of an additional guide for Rwanda - certainly didn't need one.
FI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing, wonderful safari!!
We did the 5 optimistic day in Serengeti by this company and it was very good experience.
Hotel Venice where we spent 1.night is very good hotel. Safari was well organised and David is super guide and driver! He has very good knowledge of African animals and we learned so much from him. During 3 days in Serengeti and Ngrongoro we saw lions, leopards, gepards, monkeys, crocodile, hippos, rhinos,elephants, zebras,giraffes,hyenas,jackals,eagles,buffalos,ostrichs,mongooses etc....David eyes are amazing to see the animals so far!
Food was very good during the safari. We spent 2 nights in camping area: 1 night in Seronera camp and 1 night in Simba campsite. Simba camp is better than Seronera camp ( toilets and dinning). Take a good flasflight and toiletpaper , you need them in camping site.
Mattress are quite thin in tents.
David takes good care of clients and he has good sense of humor.We had so good time with our team!!
Everything went very well and we are happy to have this experience. It is something everyone should do at least once in a lifetime! African animals are just so great....
Communication with the customers by the company could be more active before the safari....
We can highly recommend this company!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service, friendly staff ....
Previous to taking my trip to Kenya I was in constant communication with Kennedy the managing director of the company
He was very responsive and answered all my questions quickly
When I arrived to Nairobi he collected me in person from the airport
The camp he had chosen for me was exactly what I had hoped for
An excellent service from start to finish and nothing was left to chance