Shamwari has changed a lot, very much for the better, since I was last there in 1998.
Long Lee Manor in Shamwari is a luxurious lodge with excellent facilities and very friendly staff. Shamwari Reserve itself is around 25k hectares now and perhaps double the size since we were there last, in 1998. Wild cats are now free in the reserve; they weren't in 1998. The quantity of game to be seen, very often with only our vehicle present, was superb, both large and small (the jackal pups? cubs? we saw beside their den were entrancing); elephants were to be seen frequently, and close up without being hassled and unconcerned by our presence. We were also lucky enought to see a pair of cheetah brothers make a kill, again very close, and on another occasion an unbothered leopard came out of a thicket and went round our vehicle before going back into another thicket. Our ranger was very alert to what we wanted to see, and while radio communication with other rangers back and forth could sometimes be intrusive, I guess it was necessary to locate where particular groups of animals were to be found. I suppose the big surprise was the number of rhino to be seen, including a few black rhino, though rhino are not my favourite species. We were there for four nights, but still didn't cover all the ground - which is very varied from open plains to bush to wooded valleys. Getting up at 5 a.m. every day is tiring but very much worth it(!) though on reflection and from my notes (I kept a daily diary) I think we saw more in the afternoon/early evening drives. Although there are another four or five lodges on the property, we did not often see other vehicles out on drives, and being a private reserve there were no local tourist vehicles as there are, say, in the Kruger. One final point - Shamwari has a tie up with the Born Free Foundation and their visitor centre in the reserve is well worth a visit.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic 5-day safari to Tarangire and Serengeti
Thanks Selma and Ngomi for organizing a perfect trip and Tuma, the guide/driver, for great company and a professional performance! We saw literally hundreds of elephants in Tarangire, we didn't know so many could fit in one 360deg field of view! Game viewing in Serengeti was excellent, with several prides of lion, cheetah, hyaena and even a close encounter with a leopard. Also all the other animals - gazillions of gnu of course, grazing from horizon to horizon on the green plains, topi (a new sight for us), dik dik and many others, birds such as ground hornbills, the colorful buffalo weaver, a secretary bird, kori bustards, various birds of prey, and others we still need to identify from photos. Tuma got excited with us over a busy dung beetle, and was always happy to stop for anything that tickled our fancy. I even got (painlessly) sucked on by a tsetse, also a novel experience (!?!) The accommodation was excellent. A booking glitch at one lodge was instantly resolved by Selma (while over-seas herself). The best thing about Makasa? The two delightful and professional owners.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing wild life and nice people
This is my second time in Tanzania, arrived to Dar es Salaam. I stayed outside city centre for 1 night, Blackwood hotel is quaint little 5 star hotel which was comfortable after a long flight! My experience was positive from landing, took an airport taxi and he was our go to driver through our whole stay. Very nice, efficient and standard pricing that was agreed. Flew to Kilimanjaro to do the safari. Serengeti, Tarangire, lake Manyara and ngorongoro. The wildlife is amazing, we saw all the animals we wanted to see, Zebras, Antelopes, Lions, cheetah, giraffes, hippos, rhino, wildebeest, monkeys and elephants. Staying on campsite overnight was definitely an experience. The weather in December is hot and cool at night. Would also say Kilimanjaro Adventure Safari club Did an amazing job. There was a lot of travel between national parks but generally the roads were smooth only within the game parks which is expected. We stayed at a few lodges, all outstanding and a couple of hotels in Dar es Salaam which we’re comfortable. Most importantly, people were very polite and helpful which made Tanzania much more enjoyable.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Partnership with SpotKenyaSafaris as French Travel Agent was always excellent!
I was living for a few years in Kenya and worked with Spot Kenya Safaris in partnership, and everytime all was perfect: hours of meetings, spots to see in Safaris, where to sleep, drivers, minivans, rates...
Well Done Guys! Keep continue like this!
Best 'Souvenirs' from France
Mama Maasai Yvelise & Babu Bruno
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mana Magic
Mana Poolsis is one of the most interesting and wonderful reserves in Southern Africa. I have now been 3 times and each time has been magical in it own way. Mana Pools is not easy to get too, it is a 4 hour drive from Harare, if you have to take everything you need with you and unless you are staying in private camp the accommodation is basic, but adequate. However all these things add to the charm on Mana. It is also one of the few reserves you are able to walk around without a guide. This is an amazing experience, if you feel up to doing this and are careful. To me it is not only one of the best reservesit is my favourite place in the world!
Manyara Game Drive
The safari was awesome! we did enjoy our game drive , we saw Lion , giraffe ,zebras , baboons and lots of birds .
The guide is widely experienced ! we really enjoyed the whole Safari
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It exceeded my expectations
Despite reading that December might not be the best month, we have had a great time.
The weather has been great, it only rained a couple of times during the night.
Nairobi is a mix of old and new, poverty and wealth, a painful clash.
The scenery and wildlife are unbeatable, especially if you spend the nights in tented camps and mix with the locals.
The road network is complicated and the traffic is a major issue. It takes way longer than expected to move from a to b. Double the time that Google maps tells you.
The only downside: merchants insist too much with selling items to tourists at extortionate rates, steer away from the "curio shops" and be prepared for maasai women standing outside park entrances asking for money - whilst it is understandable that they need to make a living, it becomes uncomfortable after you had to say no a million times.
Most beautiful place i've seen in my life
The Masai mara is the real Safari experience. After more than 60 countries visited, the Masai Mara must be the location that impressed me the most. It is so full of wildlife and it is so authentic and unspoiled. Beautiful.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Every trip organized through Karibu World provides one-stop shopping and reliable service.
I have planned many successful and memoriable trips for our family through the service of Karibu World. They know Tanzania and have the breadth of extended tour affiliates to accommodate all budgets and senses of adventure. I would recommend Karibu World to anyone who wants trustworthy, reliable service. Looking forward to our next holiday!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience!
We spent 4 nights in Tanzania and 4 nights in Zanzibar, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that it was the best trip of our lives. We got to experience the animals in the Serengeti in their natural habitat up close, sit on the blissful beaches of Zanzibar and feel so welcomed by the hospitable people and did not have to worry about a thing. We would definitely recommend Tanzania as a place everyone should go to at least once in their lifetime