Beyond expectations
We had a wonderful 8 day tour in Tanzania with Tanzania Exclusive Adventure, we were lucky to see the big 5 and our driver guide James was superb. We highly recommend!!
US
Once-in-a-lifetime trip.
African Safari for your Safari adventure. About the only thing I might reconsider is whether to go to all four national parks. They all had something different to offer but we saw almost all of the larger wild game (lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, cape buffalo, giraffes, wildebeast, zebras, etc.) in Serengeti--obviously Serengeti is a must see. The one major animal we did not see in Serengeti, the Rhino, we spotted in Ngorongoro--a thrilling volcanic crater created millions of years ago. I might conclude that Tanzania seemed to be a safe country. Despite being populated by Muslims, Christians, Catholics, etc., and having numerous tribes, there did not seem to be the religious and tribal strife you see in some other African countries.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Car crush & stolen money - make sure not to book any trip with It Started in Africa!
The safari with It Started in Africa was a series of bad adventures and lost money.
The trip started with a car crush with a fuel truck in the middle of Ngorongoro conservation area, caused by our car breaks malfunction. It was very dangerous situation, fortunately we managed to continue the trip next day in a new car (even it worse shape), without very serious injuries, but being really shaken up, in pain and with multiple bruises.
Secondly, the problems with financials appeared. Enough though we covered all the fees and permits in advance we were forced to pay again for entrances to National Parks. Not only we had to cover the expensive payments again, but also we were hold on each gate for hours, losing time planned for our safari (above on a whole day that we already lost due to the car accident). Moreover, it turned out that the company did not pay their subcontractors as well, e.g. for our car rental. Therefore, on a final day of our safari we were hunted through the Ngogoro crater by the car owner, who insisted on immediate car return. Instead of enjoying the nature we were forced to participate in multiple arguments between our driver and the car owner about the missing money. The problems continued also upon our arrival to Zanzibar where we had to repay multiple transport fees, which again we already covered by us before.
We discussed it with the ITIA office multiple times and did not receive any attention or support, at certain point the office simply stopped answering the phone or returning emails.
We are also aware that this was not an exceptional case, as during our trip we have met several other groups, who had to repay the fees already covered and like us lost a lot of money.
We selected ITIA as tour operator due to their highly positive reviews at TripAdvisor. Unfortunately, those turn out to be absolutely not true. Not only they stole money from us, but most importantly they did not ensure safety and support during our trip. Make sure you never book any trip with It Started in Africa office.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thieves!!!!
I booked a Safary with them and everything was fine until a hotel made a charge in my visa because they didn't pay the hotel when I already payed them all my expenses
I tried to get in contact with them but never answer
Don't book with them!!!
EG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bad experience with Bencia Africa Adventure and Safaris.
My wife and I booked a 5 day safari and paid $1700 before tips. They lied about the cost of the park entrance fees which we discovered later. The accomodation was substandard and not what we were promised. The car broke down on our last day and we were delayed for several hours. As a result we had to stay an extra night in an awful hotel provided by the travel agent. On our return to Nairobi Bencia demanded an extra $150 per person. They didn't apologise for the delay or the disruption to our schedule. They refused to bring us to the airport on our return. Despite our insistence they forced us to return to outside their office building. We had requested to be dropped at the airport or at other points along the way even though we were late for our flight. We refused to enter the building as they were demanding extra money from us. Within two minutes eight of their staff blocked the entrance to a nearby restaurant as we had sought refuge there. They aggressively harrassed and intimidated us and were trying to extort money from us. One of their employees picked up a rock and an altercation ensued between him and a customer of the restaurant. We are very grateful to the customers and staff of Sizzler restaurant on the same street. They protected us and helped us to get into our taxi unharmed. We needed to be protected on the way to the car as they were continuing to follow us, as indeed did the employee holding a rock. I would strongly advise anybody not to use this company.
We would greatly appreciate your help in resolving this matter.
Regards,
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very Attentive and Knowledgeable. Unforgettable Experience -Great customer service-free wifi in car!
I highly recommend Joe from Aslili Explorer as your tour guide for an African safari. I went on a 4 night Serengeti tour him and it was an amazing experience. He's from Arusha and has many years of experience as a tour guide and operator - so you are in great hands. He picked me up from my hotel in Arusha and dropped me off at the airport on my way to Zanzibar. His vehicle is clean and roomy - he has free water, snacks, and wifi throughout the entire trip. He has guidebooks and binoculars as well. He is also very knowledgeable about the area - from the terrain, to the wildlife and climate, to the animals and migratory patterns - he knew where the game drives were and how to get there. He doesn't just do the same trip every time. He tailors your experience to the time period and the current environment, so that you can get the maximal experience possible. We even went out before sunrise one morning because I wanted to catch a lion hunt down some zerbras! He's also a smart and funny dude and his English is very good. There were no hidden fees/costs and the lodging's were all the same as in the itinerary.
US
Great Tanzanian safari with outstanding guide
Our family of three generations (85 yr old Grandma, daughter, and grandchildren) had a most wonderful 6-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater safari with our guide, Jonas and Safari Hub. Everything was well considered and all of our accommodations were comfortable. The Tortolis Tent Camp was fantastic, especially listening to lion calls at night. After one lodge made a mistake in our room location, Safari hub went out their way to correct it.
Jonas, our guide, was very attentive to learn everyone’s needs and desires, from young to elder and fulfilled them all. He is a highly experienced animal guide, knowing just when and where to view the animals and he shared his knowledge, enthusiasm and love for them. Every day brought us a new surprise-lion prides, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, migrating wildebeests, fighting dik-diks, mating lions! Jonas goal was to make us all happy and he more than succeeded!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stole our Money -F*** these guys -Do not trust them!!!
They stole $5000 dollars from us for our Honeymoon - Do not send them money-they will screw you over. They did not provide the safari, and did not give us our money back.
CH
nice trip
went with my family to a trip in Tanzania, I must say our guide Mabu was simply amazing, the Hotel was quite nice and we saw lots of simply amazing animals and landscapes, our trip was quite nice :)
US
50-65 years of age
had fun
went with my boyfriend to Tanzania few weeks ago , and im happy to say that Safarihub lived to our expectations , our guide hotel , car and everything was quite ok