35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded all our expectations. Outstanding company. Friendly, caring & professional team.
The company's owner George and his team were fantastic from the outset, answering our many (many!) questions and giving us a lot of reassurance (we booked over a year in advance).
When choosing a climbing company, it was important to us that:
(1) It be a local, Tanzanian company, to ensure the profits stay in Tanzania;
(2) The guides and porters are employed by the company (rather than subcontracted at the national park gates) and provided with training, footwear, etc (we had read many horror stories of appalling porter treatment);
(3) Balance of good price with decent wages for staff and decent equipment for staff and us;
(4) Recommended highly by previous clients.
We spent many months looking at different companies and chose Kilimanjaro Brothers Climbing & Adventure as they met the above criteria and were highly recommended by all we contacted through Tripadvisor and Facebook. Throughout our info-gathering, they also came across as the friendliest and most accommodating.
We booked a private climb for the 2 of us (we are both females, in our 30s from Scotland). We chose the 8 day Lemosho Route, starting 6th September 2014, successfully summiting to Uhuru Peak on 12th and finishing up on 13th.
Our entire experience, from looking into the companies, to booking our trip, arriving in Tanzania and right through to being dropped back off at the airport, was beyond all our expectations. George Mtaki and his team were very friendly and we felt welcomed by their warmth and professionalism.
Our team of 16 on the mountain were outstanding. Always caring for our safety, wellbeing and happiness throughout the entire 8 days. We extend our gratitude and thanks to Gabriel our guide, Priscuse our assistant guide, Simon our porter and trainee guide - all of whom made it possible for us to reach the summit. Jeremiah our cook and Chas our waiter, who provided us with endless cups of tea and the most fabulous vegetarian food you could ask for. I don't know how they did it, on the side of a mountain! Many thanks to Isaac our tent porter, Christopher our toilet porter, Freddy our porter and Black Five card game champion, Stanley, Emmanuel and all the other porters. You are all wonderful, you kept us safe and happy, and we enjoyed our singing, card games and your enthusiasm to keep us going "Non stop, to the top!". We meant it when we said you are our Kilimanjaro family.
Please remember to tip your team generously. Happy to be contacted via Tripadvisor about this as we found the tipping amounts to be hugely varied across all websites. Before arriving, we asked George for a list of staff and the recommended tipping amounts (min to max) for each staff role, so we were prepared. Tips are issued to each staff member on the final day of the mountain, so remember to take this money with you in your daypack. We tipped at the maximum level and also gave away the majority of our gear to the crew. We do a lot of hill walking in Scotland, but we can afford to slowly replace the gear we gave away - a down jacket, thermals, Camelbaks, good socks, etc are usually far out of the financial reach of most mountain crews, so please do donate whatever you can to your team as it is gratefully received and shared out. By the end of your climb, you will want to give them the shirt off your back, believe me. Colours of clothing don't matter here.
In addition to donating our own kit, we also took out with us a large kit bag full of donated walking gear for the guys (from our husbands & friends). We flew with KLM so 2 kit bags each were within the hold baggage allowance. Please consider doing this as it really does make a huge difference to those working on the mountain. If your crew doesn't need the gear, there are plenty others working on the mountain who do need it.
The other thing we would suggest is to consider fundraising for and visiting some local Tanzanian community projects. Coming from a very materialistic, Western society, we found the whole experience really does change your perspective on life. We asked friends, family and colleagues if they would like to make a donation to Amani Children's Home in Moshi and Kilimanjaro Young Girls in Need school outside Moshi. So glad we did this as we ended up raising (with Gift Aid) approx £6,000 UK pounds for both charities combined ($9,000 usd) and took out a couple of big bags of donated clothing, footwear,football boots and arts/craft stuff. We spent a very enjoyable morning at KYGN school and afternoon at Amani. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!
We stayed at the Honey Badger Lodge just outside Moshi town. Highly recommended. Good food, lovely accommodation and gardens, staff excellent. Also very focused on community give-back.
All in all, we highly recommend Kilimanjaro Brothers Climbing & Adventure. 10/10. We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful, remote 8 day Lemosho route which gave us good opportunity for acclimatisation. We felt safe and looked after the whole time. Outstanding service.
Lots of information available on the company's website and on their Facebook page.
We are more than happy to be contacted via email if you have any questions.
Zoe Holdsworth & Jacqueline Rennison
Scotland, UK.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience with GT&S in all respects!
From the first email to the last, my dealings with Gondwana Tours and Safaris was first class. Steffi and Mark were prompt in their responses and always willing to cater to what I wanted from my safari. My trip was tailored to exactly what I wanted to see and within the dates required, even at short notice.
I received a detailed program and timely answers to all my queries, no matter how trivial.
There was no question or request too hard.
All in all, I had an amazing time away and would thoroughly recommend Botswana and Zimbabwe as destinations and Gondwana Tours and Safaris as the way to get there.
Thanks Steffi and Mark, will see you again in the future! :)
Awesome 6 days Budget Safari
We can't thank you and your team enough for the wonderful experience we had in Samburu and Masai Mara. The safari was awesome, and we have recommended Beacon Safaris to others who will be traveling to the game reserves in the upcoming months. We wouldn't have changed a thing!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The VIP safari experience
We have just finished a week safari organized with Galloping and it was the best holiday ever.
I decided to book through this company based on the great reviews they have on trip advisor and I must say that the service we got was even above what you can expect reading the reviews.
Both the efficiency of Walter organizing the safari and the competence of our guide Ayubu were second to none.
The organization was very smooth, I started organizing the trip less than one month in advance, but this was absolutely no problem for Walter. We had many email exchanges and he came up with a tailor made safari perfect for us. We stayed in top end lodges and we were very satisfied with his choice.
Walter will answer your emails within a couple of hours and always very precisely.
Payment of the deposit was also no issue at all. As soon as they get the money they will issue a payment receipt for you. I must say everything was handled extremely professionally.
When we arrived there was Ayubu our guide waiting for us at the airport.
We spent one week on the safari with him and he is an amazing guide, he spotted plenty of animals we would never have seen ourselves and he always knew the answer to all our questions! GPS is his fingerprint and animals must be on the map as we'll ;)
We had constantly the impression of having a VIP safari and be much better served than others, many times we were the first ones to see animals and later there would be other vehicles joining.
And last but not least we truly enjoyed his company during the week.
Ayubu is a very good driver and the vehicle used is very comfortable for the safari. I have some back problem but didn't have any issues on the bumpy roads!
There is even a fridge in the vehicle to keep your drinks cold and if you run out of battery you can charge your device while on the road.
If one day I would be back for a safari I'll definitely organize it with Galloping again.
35-50 years of age
Kilimanjaro trek lemosho route
I would highly recommend Tanzania Travel Company to anyone wanting to successfully get to the summit of Kilimanjaro. We were a group of people with mixed altitude experience. We found the journey exhilarating and the sense of achievement at getting up to the summit is immeasurable! We were supported by a group of experienced guides, chefs, doctor and porters. Their combined efforts made our journey to the roof of Africa an unforgettable experience. A big thank you to Ben, AJ, Doc, Jackson and Suleiman for all your help along the way!
PH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Be detailed
Mwanje the owner is fast in answering query, we were able to agree on the price as early as November 2013 and the terms of payment, I send my deposit as a guarantee of my travel, but after a month he ask again for additional deposit which is not our agreement, nevertheless I sent the money. On the later months he said again that the price rise up due to additional park taxes which based in my research it was implemented Sept. of 2013 way behind before we agreed on the price, he add the price US$ 125.00 pr person which I don't have a choice since I already send 2 times partial payment. I also make clear that I want car with aircon and he agreed to give us a Land Cruiser car with aircon, but during our tour, the aircon is not functioning. So my advice before sending money is to have a contract that in case all your agreement be change, he will return the money or you have the option to cancel your tour.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fun filled
World class experience. Wonderful trip. Great staff. Awesome safari indeed
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A good safari (but with disappointments!)
Prior to our safari we spent much time studying the northern wildlife parks to make our perfect safari itinerary. Michael Ndallo from Northern Circuit Adventure could offer us the perfect safari trip according to our plans, 5 days and 4 nights camping. However, on departure day when on our way to begin the safari, Michael Ndallo informs us that he has changed the agreed itinerary without noticing us - to fit more people into the group. By doing this he left us no choice but to go on a safari which was not what we had planed.
Our driver and guide, Masha, did an excellent job through the entire trip, he is a bomb of information regarding wildlife and nature in Tanzania. We always felt very safe and comfortable in his company. He delivered game drives of highest quality. Our chef, Rodriguez, shared with us his good cooking skills, varying between traditional and European food.
Camping on the second night our equipment was wet from rain. The mattresses and sleeping bags were so dripping wet we were able to squeeze water out of them. Waking up the 3rd day with freezing cold bodies and wet underwear, this was not how we imagined camping. The day was spent sleeping and feeling ill in the safari car - a ruined safari day. All other days camping facilities were fine, except the matresses kept being squeezingly wet and the sleepingbags humid.
Before reaching the first park on the 1st day the brakes of our safari vehicle broke down, why we had to spent time in the mechanics. During the five day trip we had a flat tire four times and in addition to this we had to spent time in a police check point, because the tires were in so bad condition the police would not allow us to continue. Finally when ascending the Ngorongo Crater the battery of the vehicle caused problems and we had to make another stop. Michael Ndallo is a great guy, we enjoyed his always happy attitude and eagerness to help us with flight tickets to Zanzibar after our safari. He came to pick us up upon arrival to Arusha and was awaiting us when returning from the safari.
In summary: If you want to support a local Arusha company Northern Circuit Adventure is a choice. If you have spent time making an itinerary and you have a signed contract, do not expect Michael Ndallo to respect it. Bring your own sleeping bag if you want to stay warm. For lost time in the safari, e.g. the day after our wet night, Michael Ndallo refunded us 30USD, to be spent on a night in his partnership hotel, equal to less than 2% of the total amount paid. Additionally we spent very much unnecessary time with a broken car and learned how to change tires. In contrast to this our guide did the best game drive we could ever imagine, the food was above average and the atmosphere good. Safari is about seeing animals and so we did to a maximum.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
bad food, and not enough of it
We stayed at two safari places in Selous Game Reserve, Sable Lodge and Rufiji River Lodge, selected by Gecko. Sable had OK food, but small portions that left you hungry. Rufiji River Lodge had food that was not at all pleasant or appetizing -- you just ate a bare minimum to stave off hunger. At $300/pp/day, I expected better.
Also, the train trip to Selous was not pleasant. 3rd Class or whatever it was is a real surprise for Westerners. Nothing bad happened, but it felt on edge.
Other than these, Gecko did a fine job. I wouldn't use them again, though, I don't think.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exceptional service! This company goes the extra mile!
I would not hesitate to recommend TTC to anyone considering a safari or Kilimanjaro trek in Tanzania. I recently trekked up Kilimanjaro with TTC and their equipment is far superior to other local companies in particular their waterproof luggage bags, comfortable dining tent and portable commode toilet. Their staff were very professional and knowledgeable always going the extra mile to help us when we were tired; such as helping to pack our bags; washing dirty clothes, blowing up mattresses and bringing extra drinks and snacks up the mountain for us. On the summit night all the guides were very attentive to each individual on trek and the local doctor didn't miss a thing - subsequently we all achieved the summit. The tour went without a single hitch and all the small extras were really appreciated. Thank you - we will be using your services again!