50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had excellent service, bookings and changes well done an experienced driver - A great Safari
TSA has been in the business for a long time and the reason is that they are well organized and provide an excellent service. This is my second trip with them. All other people I know that took trips with them were as pleased with the safari as I have been.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Operator I have worked with to date
From planning to execution Base Camp was excellent. Achmed respond timely and was an excellent source to assist us with planning. He corrected an issue when one of our lodges went into renovation just before we came. He upgraded us at no charge and assisted my in-laws with a day room before their flight back to the states. He is an extremely personable man that you must meet! We are planning a new trip with him in 2016.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a Fantastic Experience!
I just returned to the US about a week ago from a two week trip to Tanzania that was arranged by Tanzania Serengeti Adventure. Our trip included a 7 day hike of the Machame Route of Mt. Kilimanjaro and a three day safari with a day each in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater National Parks. I can say without hesitation that this trip, especially the climb, was the best experience of my life. As this is a safari website, I won't elaborate on the Kilimanjaro trek TOO much, but it was fantastic. If you choose to take the trek during your trip to Tanzania, make sure to do your research and to train. I highly recommend the Machame route as it offered GORGEOUS views and allowed for ample acclimatization to the high altitude - all 20 trekkers in my group made it to the summit (some with considerable altitude sickness, but they still made it!).
Following our trek, we spent a night at Pamoja Explorations Lodge just outside of the center of Arusha. Pamoja was comfortable and featured fairly reliable wifi. However, the food at the restaurant was extremely mediocre and the service was very slow. I didn't come to Tanzania for the food at the lodge, though, so I was only slightly perturbed by the experience. After our night in Arusha, we were picked up by our three fantastic safari drivers - Philemon, Bryson, and Justin - all of whom were TOP NOTCH. The drivers were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, reliable, spoke excellent English, and were just fun to be around. Our first day took us to Tarangire National Park which turned out to be a great starting point. In Tarangire, we saw zebras, impala, elephants, and much, much more, and were given a delicious boxed lunch containing chicken, a sandwich, mango juice, water, crackers and cheese spread, and a Mars bar. Very generous! The second day of our safari was to Lake Manyara National Park and we were fortunate to see to huge herds of buffalo, an amazing hot spring, thousands and thousands of flamingos, and even a rare leopard! Justin, our driver, said that in 17 years of driving in Lake Manyara National Park, he had only seen 4 or 5 leopards during the day. We were VERY lucky! The highlight of the safari, however, was yet to come! On the third morning, we woke up quite early to get to the Ngorongoro Crater as the park opened just after 6 am. We had to wait for an hour or so at the gate because, unfortunately, the payment attendant at the park didn't show up for work! Fortunately, it was only about 75 degrees and cloudy so the animals that usually hide during the midday heat were out in plain sight all day! We saw tons of ostriches, wildebeests, hyenas, zebras, hippos, and much much more. The highlights of the third day, though, were the two black rhinos (endangered) and the pride of lions. The rhinos were spotted by our driver's sharp vision and were quite a distance away. Justin had a few pairs of binoculars in the car, though, that allowed us to see the animals close up! The lions were lying in a pride of about fifteen right next to the road and we must have watched them for close to two hours. They were simply fascinating. I learned that lions only eat once every three to four days and our group must not have been hungry - the buffalo were literally chasing them around. We also observed a few moments between lions that...ahem...probably should have been private. At the end of the trip, we were presented with a certificate stating that we saw all of the big five - the elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino - and were told that we were very lucky to see all of them in such a short period of time. I disagree to an extent. We were definitely lucky, but the drivers' skill, vision, and knowledge of the park roads definitely played into our phenomenal experience and they deserve much of the credit!
Our accommodations were provided at Tanzania Ric Lodge, a small, eco-friendly lodge about a half hour off of the main highway. To get to the lodge, the safari vehicles were literally four-wheeling on dirt roads. It was incredibly fun. Tanzania Ric Lodge is located in the middle of a scenic coffee plantation and our host, Blaise, gave us a tour and explained how coffee is grown and produced during our stay. The lodge was VERY comfortable, quaint, had six large rooms (our group took up the entire lodge), and had the best food that I experienced in Tanzania. The chef, Rosie, is a culinary artist! The breakfasts were superb (homemade toast, homemade jam, honey from the farm's bees, coffee from the farm, fresh bacon from the farm, beef sausage, fresh fruit, cereal, and eggs cooked to order) as were the dinners. The best meal of our trip, in my opinion, was had on our final night at the lodge. Rosie and her staff cooked us a barbecue meal featuring beef and chicken skewers, lamb, garlic bread, and roasted potatoes. It was out of this world! Every night also included a bonfire and the alcohol available (wine and beer) was affordable and appropriate. One of the best parts of the lodge, though, was the fact that no wifi was available. The lack of internet allowed us to get to know each other better (much of our group didn't know each other prior to the trip despite the fact that 19 of our 20 travelers attend the same graduate school. I'm the one person who doesn't go to their school as one of the 19 is one of my best friends from home) and to focus on the experience. In this day and age of always being connected, it was incredible to simply get away from everything and focus on enjoying yourself and experiencing the moment. Emails can wait (Written by a 27 year old).
All in all, our experience with Tanzania Serengeti Adventure was amazing. I'm not sure if I'll ever return to Africa (my next conquest will most likely be Aconcagua, South America's tallest peak), but, if I do, I'll definitely be using TSA to plan my trip. HIGHLY recommended.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional attention to details. Willing to make your time count. Able to accomodate all needs!
I had the pleasure of meeting Kanuth and his team in Tanzania. His staff and services are professional, pleasant and personable. I was made to feel at home and welcome. No request is too big. The trip to Mikumi National Park was exceptional. We were able to drive into the midst of a pride of 8-10 lions and lioness as they rested by a stream and waited for the cool evening. We were amazingly close offering stunning video and photo opportunities. I am pleased to say that I remain in contact with Kanuth because he is the best and I know that I will see him again in the future as returning to Tanzania is just a matter of when.
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Rick Johnson
Lake Manyara NP was our first foray into the African wildlife scene and we were not disappointed. Lions, hippos, giraffes, flamingos, baboons, elephants, gazelle, impala, monkeys, and birds, birds, birds.
The best piece of advice I can offer for Lake Manyara or any other safari is to make sure you have a good guide/driver beforehand. You might have to pay a little more for a top guide, but it is well worth the cost. If you can afford a private guide/driver, even better. Ours was exceedingly knowledgeable about the environment and the wildlife. He was able to spot and point out animals that we would have never seen our own. A place like Lake Manyara is quite scenic to drive through, but when someone is able to point out and describe things you would not otherwise notice, it makes the experience truly memorable.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safe, professional, reliable, the best!
Kanuth Adventure Safaris encompasses everything you need and want for a great safari. I am the travel coordinator for a non profit called Kulea Childcare Villages and we bring teams to Tanzania. We use Kanuth for our safaris. The vehicles are great and we feel very safe. All of the drivers are experienced, knowledgeable and trustworthy. Their knowledge of the parks and wildlife is excellent! They respond promptly and are focused on customer service. A great safari experience.
20-35 years of age
An unforgettable extraordinary experience with amazing animals
Gombe Stream National Park is mostly known for its chimpanzees and the research of world famous primatologist Jane Goodall. As the park is small and situated in forest in a hilly area you walk through the park with a guide. A day's hike will get you around the park and get you to see the chimpanzees from very close up. As they move around all the time it can take a while for an encounter, but the guides know the park and the behaviour of the animals very well and are therefore excellent at tracking them down. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat was an amazing and extraordinary experience! It's very fascinating, and quite indescribable. Definitely something to go experience yourself.
The scenery is beautiful, there are plenty of baboons and other monkeys, and the forest is right next to Lake Tanganyika. This is also how you reach the park: by boat from Kigoma. You can either enquire at the Jane Goodall Institute when a boat is going from there, or go to Kibirizi and take a local boat from there. This will take you up to the park in about 3 hours, regularly stopping at villages along the shore. This is definitely a great (local) experience and I would recommend to take one of those!
There are 2 places for accommodation in the park itself. Camping is not allowed, so there is no other option than that. There is a forest lodge and a (sort of) motel (it was still being build when I was there). Since there are usually not that many visitors in the park you can take your chances and just go, but if you want to be sure you can book beforehand. If you're for example staying in Kigoma in Nzimano Hotel (highly recommended: lovely staff, great local food, quiet and peaceful, overlooking Kigoma bay), the staff there will be able to help you with bookings.
Kigoma can be reached by plane, but there is also a train going from Dar Es Salaam to Kigoma twice a week, which is well worth the trip. The train crosses the whole country, so you will have an amazing view of the country (it passes through the capital Dodoma, through the Uluguru mountains, over vast plains, and much more). I can very much recommend to take the train in Tanzania. Great experience!
Highlights of Kigoma: Gombe Stream National Park, local markets, Ujiji (where explorers Livingstone and Stanley met), Lake Tanganyika (with apparently an enormous range of unique fish), Amani Beach, Jacobson's Beach, MV Liemba (old German ferry going every week around Lake Tanganyika to Bujumbura(Burundi), Kalundu-Uvira(DR Congo) and Mpulungu(Zambia) and back to Kigoma), Katonga(small fishing village).
NL
50-65 years of age
lost in africa's wilderness
No accommodations what so ever (must be self sufficient (water!)). Only/mostly (very) deep/heavy sand tracks which are difficult to navigated. Recommended to drive in a party of at least 2 vehicles.
Grumpy elephants, which are not accustomed to people. Not much wildlife, but we saw honey badgers!
Deep in the Heart of the Chobi Reserve
I had to good fortune to spend two weeks in the Chobe National Park & the adjacent game reserve, and have never seen so many elephants in my life. It is a beautiful park, and is teeming with wildlife. It was also a nice respite to not have as many tsetse flies following you around. The local guides we were with were elephant experts, and had even names certain ones based on the tracks they left, and could tell elaborate stories of how they spent their days based on their comings and going. The weather was very mild for Africa standards, and the abundance of water at the time made for some great game viewing. I highly recommend this area, especially for people who don't have a lot of experience on safari, as this would be a great entry level safari. You're definitely going to see lots of wildlife.
35-50 years of age
Aberdare National Park, a haven of unspoilt nature in Kenya
By Samuel Kuria*
Aberdare National park lies in the central part of Kenya and saddles between Mt Kenya to the East and forms the Eastern wall of the rift valley to the west. The total area of the park is 767 km2 with boundary roughly running along the 10,000ft contour. A popular tourist destination, it is a real natural wonder when explored by the relaxed intrepid traveller who has more time to venture deeper to explore its numerous marvels. To the eastern lowlands lies the salient area with two tree lodges, The Ark and Treetops. This is the region most tourists are exposed to since a lot of tour operators offer itineraries passing through Aberdares with on average 1 night at either of these tree lodges. The highlight of these nights is watching animals come to the floodlit watering holes at night. However, the downside is that one never explores deeper into the Aberdares since the operator drops the gusts at Aberdare country club (for Ark guests) and Outspan hotel (for treetops guests) and then they are bussed to the tree lodges after lunch in the afternoon. So game viewing is either limited to and from the short drive to the lodge or a few hours in the afternoon, usually at an extra cost.
The highlight of the Aberdares in a drive through, either from East (salient area) to west through Mutubio gate of vice versa. From the salient area, one can enter through the Ark or Treetops gates near Mweiga or Ruhuruini gate south west of Nyeri. Other less used gates are Kiandangoro, Wandare, Shamata and Rhino. However, it is important to enquire the nature of the roads through these gates before embarking on a safari since some are not motorable through the year.
To do this one can be on self drive using a good 4 X 4 jeep or organised by a tour operator. As one crosses from the salient up the Aberdares you experience variety from scenic views and abundant wildlife in the salient to dramatic vegetation changes with the climb. Wildlife is most abundant in the salient where herds of buffaloes are guaranteed to see and other mammals such as warthogs, Elephants, buffalo, bongo and black rhino (in salient and Northern Aberdares) among others represent large mammals. Carnivores include lion and leopard and hyenas, whereas baboon, black and white colobus and sykes monkeys represent primates. The park is home to most endangered species which include: the rare Bongo, Giant Forest Hog, Packs of the now very rare Wild dogs and Endemic mole rate and mole shrew. The prolific bird life features 250 recorded species
Above the forest is a belt of bamboo, a favourite haunt of the Bongo, a rare and elusive forest antelope. At 10,000ft. The bamboo gives way to moorland, home to eland, spotted and melanistic serval cats. Other features are the giant alpine varieties of lobelia, groundsel and heather.
As one climbs to the moorland, the topography is diverse, Mountain ranges and peaks soar to around 14,000ft., giving way to canyon like V- shaped valleys that give way to gentler valleys separated by steep hills and rocky outcrops. Streams and rivers cascade down through spectacular waterfalls. Some of the spectacular waterfalls include the Chania, Magura and Karuru falls in the moorland where one can get out of their vehicles and walk to the base or viewing points in case of Chania or Karuru falls respectively.The park is an important water catchment providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of central rift and northern drainage basins.
A distance of abot 70kms from Ark or Treetops gates, it can take about 2-3 hour to exit Mutubio gate to the west for the sharp descent to the Rift valley near Naivasha town. Thereare a number of Public campsites at Reedbuck, Ruhuruini, Wandare, Shamata for those who would want to spend more time in the park. Entry to the park is by Safari Card only which may be loaded at the Mweiga Park HQ.
*The writer is a Kenyan Travel expert and Director of a Kenyan tour operator
