35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exellent... Kept safe... Guide was easy to get on with knowledgeable ..No hidden extras.. Brillant..
Everything thing was explained well...right from the start...
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All our dreams come true.
After 2 years of researching where to visit in Tanzania , I had a dream itinerary for a 30 day trip for my husband and I. I sent it off to several safari companies for quotes. Some didn't reply, some ignored some parts of the itinerary, and some were way too expensive. East African Safari Company included everything and had a vey reasonable quote. And, Simon was enthused about some of the "different" things we wanted to do. Beforehand, there were lots of emails back and forth to fine -tune the itinerary, to debate the merits of one place over another, and for Simon to make excellent suggestions based on his 20 years experience organising safaris. When we found out 8 months beforehand that our accommodation in Mahale National Park was ceasing operation, I panicked, but Simon went about working out the logistics for us to stay in the TANAPA bandas with our own cook. So much cheaper and so much better! Transferring money was simple as we could just transfer direct to the company's Australian account.
On the ground, everything worked seamlessly- our private transfer from Nairobi airport, a handover to our wonderful guide James and excellent cook Michael , and then our 20 days with them, in a mixture of lodges, tent camping at special campsites in Arusha and Serengeti parks, a banda in Manyara, donkey-portaged tent in the NCAA, and a hotel in Mwanza. The internal flights on Auric Air from Mwanza to Mahale and then Safari Link from Mahale to Mafia were also a great way to see a little more of the country.
Our safari was a mixture of interaction with locals ( former street-kids, Maasai, the villagers of MtoWa Mbu, Sukuma) wildlife viewing, and physical exertion( walking and canoeing in Arusha National Park, a 3 day trek from Nainokanoka to Lake Natron, 4 days chimp tracking in Mahale National Park and snorkelling and deep sea fishing off Mafia Island) All of it was terrific, but I especially enjoyed having the time to walk/tour with people and hear their stories. The wildlife viewing was wonderful, with James able to find many things on his own, and with judicious use of the radio to hear about special sightings. We happened across both a zebra and wildebeest migration in different parts of the Serengeti- animals as far as you could see. The chimp tracking in Mahale with our TANAPA guide, Peter, was hard work- hot, humid, steep hills, but so worth it to have the chimps walk right past you, less than 30cm away. After all the sweating , it was great to snorkel in Lake Tanganyika watching the cichlid fish. Our final 4 days on Mafia Island was great as a wind-down with more snorkelling and successful fishing.
Every single day was wonderful, with new things to see and do, but enough time to relax and just "be" in the landscape. Guides, cooks, camp crew, lodge staff were universally terrific at their jobs, and James, especially, surpassed our expectations. He was versatile, adapted to things as they happened, funny, enthusiastic, warm and had our very best interests at heart.
We cannot recommend Eastco highly enough. We'll be going with them again- in February 2016 hopefully.
CA
A truly wonderful, unique and personal experience.
Safari & Co was invaluable in planning our first safari trip to Africa. Mike Haines' knowledge and extensive experience in Africa translated into an amazing trip that exceeding our expectations. We wanted a very personalized trip that would provide as much variety as possible within our timeframe. Mike worked out a perfect itinerary that accomplished much more than we had hoped for. Everything ran perfectly from start to finish. The accommodations, guides, drivers were all excellent and every detail was handled seamlessly. We started in Kenya, travelled through Tanzania (Manyara/Ngorongoro/Selous River area) finishing off in Zanzibar. Our personal guides were very professional, extremely knowledgeable and they made sure our excursions were not only interesting but fun. Experiencing the wildlife in a natural habitat was only one part of this amazing trip. We learned so much about the countries and the people as well. Definitely left us wanting more, thanks to the fabulous planning by Safari & Co.
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
everything perfect. The guides, the car, the places we visit, the equipment, the food, the staff
Since the first time we emailed João , he was so helpfull . He helped us with the places to visit. We made a 7 day's safari tour in serengueti, manyara, ngorongoro wildlife parks. After we climbed the kilimanjaro Mount when all of us made the summit. Finally rest in amazing Zanzibar. Wonderful trip.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extraordinary holiday,special tour operator!!
If in a holiday stay in tree-house lodge,explore the Blide river canyon whit hot ballon,visit the Kruger park in search of the big five,and your children after a month to talk about it all whit enthusiasm,you can not but thank Enrica e Paolo of South African Dream.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Bucket List Just Became Longer!
From first contact to our sad farewells, Savannah Explorers excelled in making this a memorable trip. Our guide, Peter, was simply amazing - his knowledge of the flora, fauna, animals and parks was only surpassed by his passion for the same and his awesome personality. Yes, we saw the big 5, many of them very up close & personal. It was the multitude of other animals we were just as fortunate to see that made it so that every single moment was special.
They even saved the day by chasing down one of our bags that didn't arrive with our flight - unfortunately containing most of Arlene's clean clothes - and getting it to us late on day 2 without any disruption to our itinerary.
Before we went, this was a once in a lifetime experience for our bucket lists - now we can't wait to explore more of the region, but only when Peter can be our guide!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
“Time of my life!!!” Loved every minute!!
I started planning my trip in Feb of 2014. I had no idea what I wanted and where to get it. I came here and read a lot of reviews on a lot of safari companies. I found the best reviews on Safari Infinity so I gave them a shout. From the very first reply I was impressed. It was prompt, professional and Lucia gave me all the information I needed and also asked questions to make sure I was getting what I wanted. She was not pushy, or demanding and I really liked that she didn't send multiple emails to me after to "convince" me to use them. She always replied to me within a day or two so there was never any waiting or worrying.
I was very nervous about paying that kind of money to someone in another country but after speaking with her multiple times I became more comfortable. ( I also like the fact that she was from Canada, but living there now)
It was a friend and I traveling.
We started with another Tour operator in Uganda to see the gorillas then went with Safari Infinity for the Tanzania portion of the trip. She arranged our flight from Entebbe to JRO and had a driver pick us up there. He was clean, on time, and smelt good! ( the last one in Uganda really smelt of body odor) He also spoke very good English and had a great smile.
First thing he did was offer us a drink from the cooler. That was awesome.
(I needed one after the episode at the Entebbe airport!) long story!!
He took us to the Bay leaf hotel where Lucia and Simon met us in person. She was very friendly and hospitable. I liked her immediately.
Our hotel was beautiful and the staff was great.
Our driver (Eric) picked us up the next morning and took us to our first destination, Tarangire
(after a stop at the Snake farm in Arusha)
We arrived at Tarangire and were shocked at how beautiful everything was and how clean. The Tarangire Lodge was gorgeous and the view from the deck was incredible. My first 5 minutes there I found a baby elephant walking between the tents with a broken leg and no mommy.
( I was assured afterwards vets had seen him and had been keeping a close eye. That made me very happy) I was amazed I could get so close to him and he had no fear of me. ( yes I know I should be so close.. but whatever!!)
Our first night sleeping there was a lion outside our bungalow roaring. The sound lulled me to sleep..
Our game drive was amazing. Eric is so smart and experienced and knows all of the animals, their habits and how to spot them from miles away. He has been doing this for almost 20 years. He was very fun to be with and very patient with us. From there we went to Manyara, ( that was not so great, ( not alot of big animals, but gorgeous hotel and beautiful park) Ngorongoro, then to central and north Serengeti and to Zanzibar for our final 3 days.
The tented camps were the best! Being out in the thick of it all was truly an experience to remember.
Staff everywhere was so accommodating an friendly. ( Especially great at Serengeti wilderness camp north. Claudine was amazing) Food was good everywhere we went. And the buckets showers were the best!! So hot!
Eric, our driver, was always on time. He always had the jeep kept clean and in immaculate shape and knew so much about everything. I was amazed. His driving skills were incredible. Some of the stuff he got us through was pretty hairy..(He even stopped to help with another truck who was stuck in a ditch with a truck full of clients)
When I had questions I would text Lucia and she always replied right away and was in contact with me whenever I needed her. It was very comforting.
I had a "lady" problem part way through the trip and could not find what I needed anywhere out there. Eric took it upon himself to call Lucia and they had my "supplies" flown in to me in the middle of the Serengeti! lol...Totally above and beyond!!
That was the most incredible thing anyone's ever done.
We saw two river crossings in two days at the Mara river. Countless other animals ( all the big ones) and he even spent 2 hours extra for me one day trying to find a leopard and he cubs somebody had said they saw.
I could go on for days about the trip but its just not the same. You have to go and see it for yourself.
I cannot say enough good things about this company and the staff. It was perfect and stress free right from the start. All of my fears about safety and every other issue I had read about were gone the minute I was picked up. And I was pleasantly surprised during the whole trip I think I saw only ONE mosquito!! (all that bug spray for nothing!! ) lol
The only thing I wasn't to keen on was the boxed lunches. After a couple days of that I was tired of them. Same thing basically at each place. I kept forgetting to ask for a peanut butter and jam sandwich and on our last day there when we were getting on the plane Eric gave us our "box" lunch to take with us. I said no, I'm not hungry and I dont want another lunch box. He convinced me to take it anyway saying I might get hungry later. He was right. 5 minutes into the flight I wanted to eat. I opened the box and to my surprise there it was. A peanut butter and jam sandwich!! Amazing. He is such a kind good hearted person and is always thinking of others first.
Oh, another thing.
I dont know if it was planned or accident but we ended up just the two of us, We didn't have anyone else join us and after seeing the other vehicles with people crammed in there like sardines, I was SO HAPPY about that. Being hot and sticky and trying to move and get good pics with all those bodies would have been a nightmare!!!
Lucia and Simon, thank you so much for everything and for being so amazing.
I really feel like Lucia is a great person and consider her a friend.
I will DEFINITELY be back as soon as possible.
SAFARI INFINITY IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Out of this world
Well what can I say about the great safari experience I had with It started in Africa, to say this company bent over backwards to help me would be an understatement. They did everything I asked and more, from collecting me at the airport and arranging my hotel and doing the same for my return home but lets get to the safari, WOW it was fantastic we started off in Tarangire then onto the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and finally Lake Magyars. The driver and guide were great, stopped when asked and the guide knew so much about the animals. We got to see all of the big 5. Now onto the chef, well the food was out of this world!! 3 meals a day and was top class. The guys would also bring me to local shops in the evening to get some beers and snacks. If I ever have to opportunity to go back to Tanzania I know the 1st call I will be making will be to It started in Africa.10/10
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Enjoyable time and extremely accommodating
Overall, an excellent safari. Particularly appreciated the flexibility in making my arrangements as I wanted them including determining exact timing during the safari itself. The accommodations were varied and superb (and the massage at Ngorongoro was welcomed after a day on bumpy roads.) The food was very good, much better than I expected, including the box lunches. I felt like a cherished client. And, of course, the experience with the animals was top-notch. Highly recommend.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Partner in Planning a Safari
Michelle at Thorn Bush handled all of our (many) questions as we had never taken a safari before.
She helped us throughout the process, booked a great rate on the two lodges we stayed, and even double-checked our flights (which had changed that morning) and let us know we had a new departure time before we left.
They are a great operator for a memorable safari.