NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Profesional and flexible
The groups have a maximum size of twelve travellers spread over two cars, you always have a spacious window seat. Both the drivers and the tour leader are well prepared and try to avoid any delays. They are also informed/educated about the country, culture, roads, parks and animals. We had nice accommodations, vehicles and in the parks we always had a ranger. The tour was very complete (without extra costs). Overall we had an excellent tour through Uganda.
EG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Budget Safari
Everything was great, safe, and affordable (for budget safari). The guide was very helpful, Martha is too patient and answered all the questions and the concerns. The people tried to do their best to make my trip to Kenya a great one. I can say, I spent less money in Kenya than what I will spend in my country for the same period of time. Masai Mara was awesome, Hell's gate was too nice, I was very happy and the other tourist from all over the world had the same feeling.
All you have to take care about is the hotels, sometimes they try to deceive me to take more money (for ex. fees on Wi Fi !!!) but this happens anywhere in the world that's why it is ok for me.
If I come back, I will choose big time safari. I will recommend it to my friends too.
Thanks.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Five day safari and trip to Zanzibar
In the beginning of 2014, we wrote to Ben and Marion of Caracal Tours and Safaris: We will arrive on April 17th and depart on 3 May. Could you put us together a trip including a safari and Zanzibar? Marion asked us some questions about our needs and very soon we got a tailor-made proposal from her, including hotels, lodges, transfers and flights to Zanzibar. Marion has compiled a wonderful trip for us. The first days we stayed in Moshi, followed by five days safari, then again a few days Moshi and finally five days at Zanzibar.
This period falls in the rainy season, but we have not seen much of that. A few cloudy days with occasionally a shower, but during the safari we always had nice weather. Only in Zanzibar we had one day with a lot of rain. The advantage of this period is that it is quiet in the national parks. Also prices of hotels and lodges are much lower than in the high season.
The highlight of our trip was definitely the five-days safari. Go to http://www.caracalsafaris-tz.com/reviews/Gerrie-en-Gerald.html for a photo impression. In particular, the Serengeti is truely unique. The reality is much more impressive than anything we had seen on the internet and TV.
Ben is an excellent guide who really discovered all things to discover. Again and again he shows you things you were not able to find yourselves. And do not forget: he is a great driver. We have had five great days with him.
Ben and Marion, thank you very much for this wonderful holiday. Tanzania has become an unforgettable experience to us.
Gerrie and Gerald
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Land tour of Namibia
We were picked up at the airport by Thinus with a warm smile and welcome. The week we spent with him was interesting with beautiful scenery. He was very knowledgeable and a real gentleman. We stayed in good lodges in different locations. Sossusvlei was amazing with wonderful dunes and interesting landscapes. The accomodation was beautiful as was the choir in the lodge that sang for us. We stopped at a lagoon side view in Swakopmund for lunch as then saw the Pelicans. Damaraland was very different. Thinus our guide grew up there and had stories concerning his childhood. His courage impressed us in sharing these memories that are so intimate to him. The views at sunset were beautiful and the village we visited a fond memory that lives on. Etosha was much more a traditional saphari but the richness in animals was extraordinary. We saw herds of elephants, several lions, zebras amongst many other animals.
Namibia is a large country. The people are very friendly, the scenery due to the lack of water very different and well worth visiting. With Thinus one is in safe experienced hands. We would recommend him without any hesitation. At the end of our trip we had not just a tour guide but a new friend.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Barney is the best!
So happy to have had Barney as our guide. We learned so much and had such a great time. He is not only knowledgeable but also very funny. We can't wait to go back and see our new friend!! Will definitely refer him to others for a trip of a lifetime.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing game view in Ruaha
We were met by Michael at the Airstrip of Iringa and driven to Ruaha. Michael was an excellent driver and guide. He knows a lot about the animals. It was both fun and interesting to discuss with him the differences between Tanzania and the Western society and culture.
Besides he is very friendly and obliging!
After getting back to Iringa, we were taken by George to Mbeya. He is a very safe driver!
I can highly recommend UB On Safari! Be sure, they want you to live an experience of a lifetime and are happy to make flexible changes if you wish so.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My experience with Chels was excellent. I could not have imagined a better experience
The service was fantastic. I would recommend Chels to anyone wishing to experience safari in Tanzania. The guides and other staff were knowledgeable, friendly, capable, and overall fun to be with
US
I recommend Daigle
I took a solo tour of Tanzania's southern circuit with Daigle Tours in July of 2014. Although I was a bit wary of using a smaller tour company, the experience was smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. I initially chose them because they were more flexible, working with me to adjust a set tour to meet my needs. I was picked up by my guide at the airport, taken to 4 lodges that ranged from good to amazing, and dropped off back at the airport. In between, the game drives were awesome, one of the best travel experiences I have ever had. There are lots of safari companies out there, but I can definitely recommend Daigle.
IT
Great!
It has been a great experience. Jeremy was of a super great support. A special thank to Charles and Kapande, two Angels!!!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
EASCO
I was nervous when I got to the Kilimanjaro airport because the phone number I had did not seem to be working. So I was pleased and relieved that a driver, whose name was Cosmas, was waiting for us with a warm smile, a helping hand and bottles of water!
I knew we were staying in Arusha because the overnight multiple flights made it too exhausting to head straight out to the Serengeti. But I had not looked up where we were staying, and so it was a delightful surprise. I had thought we would be staying in a small hotel in town, but we stayed at the Hatari Lodge inside the park, and the lodge and its operators and employees gave us our first impression of what being on Safari is like. And it was hospitality at its best. They met us with warm wash cloths, a deliciously refreshing watermelon ginger concoction, and a friendly explanation that we must close and lock the doors and windows so the monkeys don't come in and steal all our shiny things! In the park, we saw thousands of flamingos, a wart-hog battle, and a walking tour to a beautiful waterfall! Several giraffes greeted us in the morning, munching on trees about 30 feet from out front porch. The monkeys gave us a great show, trying to sneak into the bar, while we were eating breakfast.
The next day Cosmas delivered us to Arusha airport without incident, and we flew on a Cessna Air Caravan over the Ngorogoro Crater to Seronera and there we met James, who was our guide for the rest of the Safari.
James was awesome in every way! We saw all the animals for which the Serengeti is famous and also had the opportunity to take a walk through a small village. Each place we stayed in had its own special charm and the staff always made us feel comfortable and welcome. The food everywhere was quite delicious. Riding around in the Land Rover, free from traffic, seat belts, and surrounded by big open skies and melodious song birds was a delightful, if very dusty experience! I would have hated to have to be seated in a larger tour bus for so many hours a day. Being able to stand up for most of the drive made all the difference to us, and because we were not with others, we could linger longer or hit the road to the next site at will. Also, spending most of the day with James was wonderful as we learned a great deal about the local wild life, a bit about Tanzanian current events, and shared many, many laughs.
If you are afraid of lizards, don't like bumpy roads or dust, and are afraid of getting stuck in mud ruts or having to push a truck for a few steps, then this trip is not for you! We met a young couple who were clearly distressed because they didn't like camping! This made us laugh, because the tent camp we stayed at was so clean, so bug free, had comfortable beds, had indoor toilet and hot shower and had a chef quality meal offered at the end of each day. It's really not roughing it!!! But if you have some adventurous spirit and love the sound of the lions in the distance and the greeting of giraffes and zebras in the morning, then, please, take this amazing trip. And if you can, definitely take it with James!!!