US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic Company!
I’ve owned and operated a photo safari company since 2016, and have been bringing people to Africa on safari since 2012. My review is completely uninfluenced.
I first met Godlisten of Rumi Safaris in 2021 when I brought clients to Tanzania on a Great Migration photo safari. Godlisten was our driver and local guide. I immediately liked him for his comfortable and professional demeanor. Once we hit the road, my respect grew exponentially. He was a good and safe driver, great communicator as he shared insights about what we were seeing, and very thoughtful about our comfort. I decided that he would be my source for all of my trips to Tanzania, and he’s the person to whom I refer solo travelers outside of my trips—and no, I don’t receive a commission for those referrals. I refer people to the best providers around the world because I want them to have exceptional experiences.
Godlisten and Rumi Safaris are perfect for my clients. Not only is he excellent at spotting wildlife and birds, he gets us in position for photography. As a pro photographer, I need perfection so my clients can get exceptional photos. A quarter of a tire forward, “this much” to the right, those instructions are the difference between a perfectly clean shot versus a blade of grass in front of an animal’s eye. Godlisten hits it every time. From the beginning, he took the time to learn why I needed precision, and he’s taken that knowledge to a level that gives every client an advantage for a deeply immersive trip whether or not they are a photographer.
Godlisten started his own company, Rumi Safaris, to better control the service he provides to tourists and to better provide for his family. His in-depth knowledge of his country and culture offer his guests a unique spin during their visit. His knowledge of wildlife, their habits and territory, and his passion for sharing Tanzania’s wild treasures means that you will not just see elephants, you’ll feel like part of the herds. Your heart will pound as you share the nervousness of the first wildebeest to go over the edge into the Mara River. Your heart will rumble and swell with the reverberating roar of a lion calling to his pride. Because he owns his own company, he takes great pride in knowing that guests enjoyed every moment of the trip and got great value for their investment.
Through it all, you’ll feel safe on the roads. He’ll find out what interests you the most and you'll love the accommodations and itinerary Godlisten puts together for you. He’ll skip the tourist traps and help you find an authentic experience. You’ll create a friendship with someone who sees you as more than an income. Godlisten sees you as a vital part of this moment, a guest who is sharing an incredible adventure, and ultimately part of the family of the people of Tanzania. He’s truly an ambassador for his country, community and culture.
If you are searching for a meaningful experience and a provider who is invested in the success of your bucket list trip to Tanzania, I highly recommend Rumi Safaris. I believe you’ll be writing a similarly glowing review after your 5-star trip. :)
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very Good
We saw the big five animals (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant) in 2-Day Flying from Zanzibar to Tarangire & Ngorongoro! The lions we saw it 3 times and the rhino and leopard only once, due to their rarity.
The guide was very helpful.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A trip of life time!
Dear all in Tanzania Vacation
We were on Safari and had an excellent time with our Joshua at Tanzania. They are very friendly and professional. They both worked hard and did their best to help us with this extraordinary safari. John replied to our emails and messages promptly, which saved us a lot of time. He is very knowledgeable and answered our questions patiently. He picked us up in the early morning from the airport when we could still see stars! I highly recommend booking your safari directly through Tanzania Vacation. You will be in good hands. It was a trip of a lifetime!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great tour with professionals - management and guides were thoughtful, game drives excellent
The choice of trip was somewhat random, but I have never regretted choosing Crater Explorer. From the beginning there was close communication via WhatsApp with Emanuel, the owner. Everything could be discussed, supplemented and clarified beforehand. Very professional. The pick-up from the airport was unproblematic and punctual, as was the pick-up from the hotel. We were a very nice and harmonious group from three countries. Our guide Gordon is the best, very knowledgeable and interested in giving us information about animal life.
The first day in Tangarire started off well with cheetahs, lions, a leopard, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, baboons and much more.
After an impressive day, we spent the first night in a tent, but before that we had dinner that was prepared by the guides on site. Like the whole trip, it was very good and varied. There was also something for vegans in our group. The next day was the long drive to the Serengeti. The Ngorongoro Crater was hidden in the fog, but above the Serengeti there was blue sky and sun. Halfway through the Serengeti there was a breakdown, a shock absorber spring had broken. Our guide and driver Gordon then made a temporary repair with a branch, with the help of many other drivers, who all stopped and gave support. For a while we were the main attraction with the broken-down car. The temporary repair lasted until we reached the campsite, where we saw an impressive sunset and the sunrise was also very colourful. After fixing the branch again, the safari through the Serengeti went surprisingly smoothly with many animal sightings, as for example hippos, hyenas, of course lions and all the other . The lunch break at the picnic area was also in unique surroundings and with good food. The day in the Ngorongoro Crater actually brought the missing black rhinoceros, thus completing the big five. In the morning at the campsite up there we had a visit from an elephant, and a few giraffes stopped by at the Serengeti camp. With Lake Manyara and a short tour through Mto wa Mbu looking at the rice fields, the artists and the banana plants and tasting banana beer and banana wine we did a smooth final day of our tour. It was really a great experience.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience
Our guide Barack made a lot of effort to ensure that we saw all the animals and he also enriched us with a lot of knowledge and information about them. The food was always freshly cooked and very tasty. The tents were always set up when we arrived and equipped with sleeping bags and mattresses. Top safari!!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I compared it for a long time and chose this one, it’s really great!
My African itinerary was completely my own, and it was very customized, and it was a 7-day safari + 3-day trip to Tanzania. My friends also flew to Tanzania from all over the country. At first, I found many companies on safari booking and sent emails to consult, but it was obvious that many of the replies were irrelevant. After several rounds of communication, the hotel and itinerary given by meijo were the best. Our guide Miko was very experienced and humorous. We watched the big five in Ngorongoro on the first day of departure and were stunned. There were new surprises every day afterwards, leopards 🐆 carrying antelopes up trees, cheetah cubs, and lions mating. The most amazing thing was in October, when we watched two Tianhe crossings in the morning. We all said that we should just change our name to "Dream Travel Agency" and we can see anything we want. We also experienced heavy rain on the grasslands in the dry season. There were many stuck cars in front, and everyone went to help. The photographer said that the people here are more united. The road to Lake Natron is also very bad, but the scenery is super beautiful. I always thought there were only two accommodations here, and the travel agency changed me to another newly opened one, which is much better than the two hotels uploaded on Xiaohongshu. But I wasn’t careful enough and didn’t pick up any flamingo feathers. I should have looked for more and brought some back!
(automatic translation from Chinese)
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Trip - Top Level Care and Concern for Detail
We were thrilled with our Safari adventure. Catherine from Reteti was the perfect tour manager. She met us at the airport and made sure all of our questions were answered and we were safely in the hands of our driver Bernard. She followed up with us at the end of the trip to make sure all of our expectations had been met.
Our driver Bernard was fantastic! He has a great sense for where the animals will be and is very skilled at getting the jeep in for best view. He knows when to wait and when to move on! In only two days we saw lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, topis, warthogs, antelope, monkeys, gazelles, impalas, alligators, hartbeasts, and more. One highlight was seeing a cheetah take down a thompson gazelle! We know they can't guarantee the animals, but the drivers do all work together to track the movement across the plains.
We stayed at the Mtito camp and felt it was an excellent value. The service was very personal and the chef delighted us with beautifully presented four course meals each night. The staff was very friendly and responsive. The "tent camp" added to the wilderness experience of being in a tent, but it is large and has high ceilings, shower, etc. for a very pleasant stay. The camp is just 10 minutes outside the park and there are actually some advantages in cost for not staying in the park.
We chose the tent camp because it came recommended to us, and was friendlier to our budget, but Kim & Catherine from Reteti can find any kind of accommodations you desire. Give them a call, they'll take good care of you!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable, professional, and knowledgeable. Serengeti Smile offers an unforgettable safari experience
We had the pleasure of booking a 4-day safari with Serengeti Smile, which took us through breathtaking locations like Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti, Karatu, and the Ngorongoro Crater. From the very first moment we were picked up at the airport, we knew we were in good hands.
Our main guide, Justin Kimambo, and his assistant, Ombeni Alfred, made the journey an unforgettable experience. Justin is a young but incredibly experienced and professional guide, who impressed us with his calm and composed demeanor and vast knowledge. No matter how long we were on the road or what challenges arose, he always stayed calm and knew exactly where to spot animals in their natural habitat.
His ability to spot wildlife was astounding—he often noticed animals we would have never seen as amateurs. In addition to his professionalism, his sense of humor made the drives even more enjoyable. We always felt safe and the entire safari went smoothly, perfectly according to plan.
A small incident on the last day of our trip showed how committed and reliable the Serengeti Smile team is. Unfortunately, we had a technical issue with our vehicle, which can happen on safaris. Justin did everything he could to fix the problem, and when that wasn’t possible, he quickly arranged for a solution. Another guide took us to the entrance of the national park, from where we were gradually transferred back to our hotel. Although the transfer was time-consuming and a bit tiring, especially since we had long-haul flights the next morning, Justin did everything he could to ensure the transition was as smooth as possible.
We wholeheartedly recommend Serengeti Smile and especially Justin Kimambo. His professionalism, knowledge, and calm attitude made our safari a unique experience. For future trips, perhaps the transfer could be organized a bit more efficiently in unexpected situations. However, overall, the safari was an incredible adventure that we will never forget.
Thank you, Justin, for these wonderful days!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgattable Safari with Fidel!
If you're traveling with young kids, look no further—this is the perfect fit! We were beyond impressed with Fidel, our guide, especially with how he handled our hyperactive 3-year-old. He kept our little one engaged the entire 3 days we were on safari, which is no easy task!
Fidel’s expertise and passion for the wildlife made our trip truly special. Not only did we see all the iconic animals—lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, and more—but he brought each experience to life, making sure we didn’t miss a thing. From chasing breathtaking sunsets to spotting crocodiles and hippos up close, Fidel ensured we had the full safari adventure.
One of the highlights was having a picnic lunch right in the middle of the wild—surrounded by the beauty of nature! His knowledge, friendliness, and people skills made us feel comfortable and well taken care of throughout the journey.
It was an absolute pleasure being part of such an amazing experience. Highly recommend this safari with Fidel for families or anyone wanting a memorable adventure in the wild!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding service, with a knowledgeable and friendly guide.
From start to finish we found Goldfinch Adventures to be helpful, friendly, thorough and thoughtful. Kelvin was great helping us book the tour we wanted. He gave honest opinions about what we should do & where we should go. The price was very competitive too.
Our tour guide Ludwig (Ludo) was brilliant! He navigated us around the Serengeti and Ngorogoro crater, safely and successfully. We saw the Big 5 and so much more! We were a small family of 3 and although it is part of the job description Ludo was warm and friendly. He had a good balance of giving us time to ourselves but also joining us for meals etc.
He gave us insight into life in the Serengeti and also Tanzania itself. We felt very at home in this wonderful country, where the people all seemed warm and friendly.
I will be recommending Goldfinch, Ludo, safaris and Tanzania to all friends and family.
Thanks to all - asante!