US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extraordinary Safari with Zohar
I just returned from Safari organized by Zohar African Safaris, and they exceeded what were my already high expectations for them. Initially, we had numerous pre-trip conversations with Lili Maximillian and Ken Firestone to customize our journey. In addition to wildlife, we wanted to visit with local people and meet with NGOs. Lili arranged our itinerary to accomplish these objectives. Our guide for 9 days was Sammy Sikumbe, a man of many talents -- eight years of elephant research, expert ornithologist, consultant to US zoos and lecturer in US schools, friendly, funny, knowledgeable, speaker of seven languages and player of four musical instruments. A conversationalist who could respond to our many questions on wildlife and conservation, but also the wider context of Tanzania people and politics and culture. Zohar also arranged for local guides - residents in areas where we visited tribal villages -- to introduce us to their people (in Mto Wa Mbu, Lake Eyasi [Hadzabe and Datoga] and Ngorongoro highlands [Maasai]). Finally, Zohar set up encounters with local NGOs working in areas of public health, land rights and conflict mediation - where we gained deeper insights into challenges and solutions to improve local lives, sustain livelihoods and protect traditional cultures and threatened wildlife and habitat. Every night, we enjoyed comfortable accommodations and great food. Elephants rumbled outside our tent one night, we woke and took our cups of coffee to greet them in the morning - a gentle and memorable meeting. I whole-heartedly recommend Zohar to anyone who wants to go beyond the beaten track of other Land Cruisers and engage with the broader context beyond the game parks, as well as experience Serengetiti, Ngorongoro crater, Manyara, Tarangire and other places where extraordinary wildlife gather.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Top vacation
Booked with Kikwetu shortly before leaving to Kenya. They could organize the trip according to our wishes. Livingstone was our guide in Kenya. He really showed knowledge about wildlife and did his level best to show us the big 5 and more. In Tanzania we had a mismatch with the first guide, but it was quickly solved by Kikwetu. Peter was an excellent tour guide who i would recommend to anyone going to Tanzania. The tented camps in Tanzania are of a bit lower standard then the ones in Kenya, but very exciting to wake up during the night due to the sound of hyena's or lions.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the best experiences of our lives.
We've just come back from our 5 day safari and it was honestly incredible beginning to end. This was our first safari and we had a strict budget. I contacted so many operators and Best Day won me over, not only because their price was so reasonable, but also because Peter responded to every one of my many emails and requests so promptly and politely. On arrival Peter came to meet us in our hotel and we knew we were in good hands. He introduced us to our guide/drive called Dulah who was a great companion and had a wealth of knowledge on every animal and plant we came across, and also gave us a great introduction to Tanzanian culture. He had the eyes of a hawk and the driving skills of a very experienced driver who knew the never ending routes of the national parks like the back of his hand. Every day was the Best Day, from Tarangire to Ngorongoro to the Serengeti and it just got better and better.
The accommodation Peter had booked was incredible. Eileen's Lodge was gorgeous, but what blew us away was Katikati Luxury Camp in the Serengeti. Such unexpected luxury. Our highlight was eating breakfast whilst watching a family of elephants walk by. And it was certainly an experience living so close to the wildlife. There were no fences so having a guard have to walk you to and from your tent when the sun went down to keep away the animals was unforgettable.
We also went on the hot air balloon ride which Peter organised. Peter and Dulah were very professional and helped me to keep it as a surprise for my husband. A highly recommended experience, floating over the Serengeti as the sun rises, spotting elephants, leopards and lions. Then having champagne and an epic English breakfast in the middle of the park. If you can afford it, do it for sure.
All we can say is that we're happy we chose Best Day. They are a small local company and they provided a friendly, professional and personal service. We couldn't have asked for more.
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb experience
Since first contact to the end all the staff were always very helpful and gentle. I had a great, amazing experience in both the 4 days safari to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro and the one day hiking in Kilimanjaro. Friendly guides and cooker. Very good vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser with open roof). Finally, when I had an unexpected situation, manager Silvia met me at the hotel and helped me to find a flight. And for brazilians there are people who speak Portuguese! I recommend going to Tanzania Parks with It Started in Africa.
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari trip
Very well organized trip and lovely lodges. We had a problem with our luggage that were held in Kenya and William managed to bring them back to Serengeti..
Many thanks to the entire team, especially our guide Julius and to William.
US
Great trip - Reliable Operator
We had a really nice safari in Tanzania (we had a short span of time to travel, so the company made a special itinerary for us). We had a fantastic guide, Richard. He was attentive (but not overbearing!) and just nice to hang out with for a couple of days. Overall enjoyed the safari very much. I'll also say that after looking for a bunch of different options (Kenya, Tanzania, etc) Shadows of Africa was one of the few, that kept sending us different itineraries (we changed our minds a lot!), and checking in about our plans. Overall very good service.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Western Cape Adventure
We just returned from our visit to S. Africa that included a 3-day tour with South Africa Tours. The Southern Cape, Safari and Little Karoo tour packs so much into such a small amount of time - it matched our needs perfectly. Unfortunately, Craig was unavailable to guide us, but Jen (his substitute) was terrific, with a very positive attitude and a wealth of knowledge covering the history, land, people and animals of this amazing area. The lodging, food, and stops were all top rate. We have no reservations about recommending this tour operator to those visiting S. Africa, or any other destination they might offer.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great 3 day safari to Mikumi
Grassroots arranged a 3 day safari to Mikumi. It was a private safari for our family of 4 adults.
Our driver/guide was Kenneth and he was great. He was a safe driver and made sure that we saw all the animals we wanted to - including the lions. Kennet picked us up as arranged in Dar and dropped us back to our hotel south of Dar.
We stayed just outside Mikumi at Camp Bastian. The accommodation was in basic huts but they were clean and the food was great. We felt very safe and the staff were efficient and friendly.
The safari was great value - I am pretty sure we could not have done it cheaper if we had arranged everything ourselves.
Mikumi itself feels fairly small and this year they have burnt a lot of the grasslands. As a result it is easy to see the wildlife but the outlook is a bit bleak.
Overall, we highly recommend Grassroot Safaris as a trustworthy and good value company.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our trip far exceeded our expectations, which were already pretty high!
I couldn't praise Wildlife Safari's enough. From our initial enquiry when our questions were dealt with helpfully and quickly, right through to the end of our trip. Admittedly the amount and variety of wildlife we saw made a difference, but the guide, attention to detail, standard of accommodation and scheduling were all excellent.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect !!
I was in Tanzania just a month ago, with an organized tour just by Roberto.
Total availability in planning, in any changes or customization of the program, velocity in response to each question, by mail or messenger, choice of various lodges to stay overnight on the tour, make everything much more reliable, I would say ... perfect !
And when you realize that in 10 days of safari there has never been a problem, if all the places visited were always better than you expected, if you spend 10 days with a guide and a jeep all to yourself, if the guide is so good, helpful, knowledgeable, speaks good Italian and becomes your friend (Peter, priceless!), if you add unplanned excursions among children, huts, paddy fields, coconut trees and banana trees ... sickness africa is guaranteed!
Thank you !