US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worth it! Exceeded all expectations and wouldn't change a thing!
Wow we don't even know where to start with our review of East African Safari, but basically it ends with smiles and two thumbs up! Simon was beyond helpful answering our many, many questions and was also very accommodating with our requests on length of trip, and where we wanted to stay at night. We E-mailed other safari operators as well but Simon's prompt and helpful replies, in addition to their community integration and conservation efforts, is really what sold it for us. This cost is a bit higher than other operators, but as we soon found out that it is 100% WORTH IT!
Just a few quick details about our trip: 10 days Safari, starting in Mwanza with stay near Speke Bay, and then passing through Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and finally flying out from Arusha.
Our guide, Cosmos, was beyond expectations and definitely one of the reasons the trip ended up perfect for us. He met us promptly at the airport in Mwanza with a big smile and immediately shuttled us over to the Tilapia Hotel so that we could relax after being on airplanes for 20+ hours. The place even had a pool and gorgeous view of the water so we felt relaxed and ready to go the next morning! Cosmos was waiting for us right when he promised, and after chatting for a bit we knew he was going to be a great guide over the next 9 days. We were both interested in learning Swahili for the trip and so were constantly bugging him for swahili translations but he energetically answered every question we had!
One of the first big highlights that made us glad we chose EASTCO happened when our original hotel for the second day, the Speke Bay Lodge, ended up being full so instead Simon got us rooms at nearby Serenity on the Lake lodge...which was one of the nicest places we've ever stayed! Throughout the entire trip there were multiple instances like this, where things didn't go exactly as planned (for those of you you've traveled to Africa this shouldn't be a surprise) only to find that Cosmos and Simon would improvise quickly to make everything perfect for us!
Every day had a pretty standard routine, Cosmos would tell us what time to meet him, we'd drive around watching wildlife, and then spend afternoons back at the lodges. My girlfriend and I are slow eaters so a few times were a little late to meet him at the vehicle but he would just respond with a smile and the usual Tanzanian response of "No worries! Pole Pole!" Cosmos' energy, promptness, and especially knowledge of African wildlife really were incredible. He'd usually spot and identify wildlife before we could even see them! We managed to see every bit of wildlife we had planned (including rhinos and leopards) and he even managed to find something I had absolutely been dying to observe...a leopard tortoise! I can't stress that enough with Cosmos, he will go out of his way to make sure you get a chance to see what you want and he has the eyes and intuition to make it happen. At the same time, he is also very patient and would sit quietly while we sat for long periods of time just to watch a pride of lions eating or hippos bathing.
Another reason we're glad we went with EASTCO: I accidentally left my cell phone at one of the lodges which of course is always a stressful situation. However, Simon called and had the lodge actually mail the phone to himself in Arusha, after which he personally organized a driver to BRING THE PHONE down to us near Tarangire park!! We didn't have to worry at all about the entire situation because it was handled perfectly by Simon and Cosmos, and phone was delivered back safely into my hands!
Also, we had planned (and paid) to stay at the Rhino Lodge near the Ngorongoro crater because it was a more budget friendly lodge option, but on the day were supposed to head over there Cosmos got a text from Simon telling him to put us up in the Serena Wildlife Lodge instead!! For no extra cost to us! For those of you unaware, Rhino lodge is a budget lodge away from crater rim, while Serena is one of the few luxury lodges that actually sit on the rim...with an incredible view! This was a very pleasant surprise for us, and I have to be honest, that hot shower felt incredible after a dusty day in the crater.
The final days of the trip were spent in East African Safari's own lodge, the Boundary Hill Lodge (can check out our review on TripAdvisor) which also exceeded our every expectation. Reading about the history of the lodge was inspirational, basically created to help support the local communities (and indeed even 50% owned by those same communities) and an inseparable part of the Tarangire Conservation Area. One our final day Cosmos took us around souvenir shopping and even offered to help bargain with vendors if we needed the backup (a very nice offer sometimes when buying things as a traveler!).
In summary, if you want a dependable, quality, top-notch safari with a guide who is friendly and very knowledgeable...then pick East African Safari Company! Also I should mention that Simon also organized all of our airfare to other places around Tanzania. We picked them because of their integration and support of local communities and incredible work with wildlife conservation (basically the entire reason Boundary Hill Lodge was even created) but found that they also provided a better Safari trip than we could have ever hoped. Absolutely worth it!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
the best operator in all Africa!
mercury zanzibar safari for me is the top service in all Africa. Mister Ndamungu, the boss, is a special person.
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The one of greatest safari companies.
The company think of the needs of tourists the best such as the balance of destination and costs. Thanks to this company, I could have a trip to ngororo and serengeti. Also, the company replys the soonest. This helps tourists so much. I really thank this company.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unbelievable experience with Mercury Tours
We went to Mikumi National Park with Mercury Tours, it was a greatly experience, we really enjoy safari. Our driver guide is a great person. I recomende this companie because they have very good relation, and they are very seriously .
LU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari experience
The pick-up was at the hotel and in time, good driver/guide who brought us to Selous and Mikumi in a 4x4 Landcruiser. Food during the 4 nights was above expectations and we enjoyed it very much. Lot to see in the reserves, quite a long drive from Selous to Mikumi, but interesting.
Overall very good safari experience, Thanks.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional and well organized
Did the two day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Tour, which was amazing. Mdee, my tour guide was very professional, an excellent driver and very knowledgeable. I felt safe and well taken care of the whole trip.
I would highly recommend booking this safari tour because it will assure that you will see a lot of animals in a short period of time. Within the two days I spotted all of the big 5 animals. And besides that many, many more.
Also the hotel where we spent the night was very good, clean and the food on the complete trip was plenty and also very tasty.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing tour experience
Me and my friends had a tour in various game parks and did various activities, then slept in luxiours hotels
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The family trip of a lifetime
Thank you Simon from East African Safari and Touring company for your suggestion for our 5 day safari through the Serengetti and Ngorongoro Crater, your communication in the lead up and organization made this a smooth ride. Our safari with our children aged 14 12 and 9 was a fantastic experience we were amazed by the closeness and abundance of wildlife we were able to see and on our final day we witnessed a pride of lioness stalking some zebra whilst 20 or more young lions roamed around our safari vehicle. At nights we were impressed by our campsite which was very well organized and the meals were great, the experiences the children were able to gain by sitting around a campfire freely talking and singing with the local Masai was priceless. Our driver Innocent was great with the knowledge he was able to share with us about the local wildlife there seemed nothing he wasnt able to tell us
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent service from Grace Nyaga as always
Travelled to Nakuru recently and once again, Grace came through with excellent and meticulous service. We really enjoyed our stay and the Bonfire experience she provided
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Priceless Maasai Mara experience courtesy of Grace Nyaga
The customer service was excellent. I particularly loved and appreciated the regular updates from our agent, Grace Nyaga, noting that we booked and travelled during Covid-19.
The journey to Mara and our stay at Emaiyan luxury camp absolutely met our expectations. The food was very amazing