50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Budget Joining Safari, Good Driver/Guide, Excellent Service
I contacted MJ Safaris based on reviews here and Jackson Lyimo promptly responded to my questions and provided info. Jackson provided a bit of discount to bring the price down to $950 for 5D/4N safari, including pickup from Moshi in a local bus/shuttle and drop-off to KIA airport at the end of safari. I paid a deposit via Credit Card and the remainder at the beginning of Safari in Arusha (in both cash $ as well as Tanzania currency).
This was a budget joining safari meaning people join as and when they are ready to start their safari. On the first day, we were only 2 but the remaining 4 days, we had a full house of 6. The accommodation on all 4 days was basic. First day in Panorama Camp, we had an African Igloo Hut while the remaining 2 nights in Serengeti and one on the Ngorongoro Crater we had our own tents that were carried on top of the safari vehicle. A cook was with us all five days who would make food and you could get vegetarian food - but do specify your requirements so they can buy things in advance in Arusha - once you are in Serengeti, there is nothing you can get anywhere (Hint: buy your own food in Arusha before the safari starts).
Our driver/guide Emmanuel was courteous and helpful and could spot all kinds of creatures. We were very lucky to see Cheetahs over 7 times and a Rhino up close! That was the highlight of the trip. If you want to see wild creatures in their natural habitat, this safari is a must. We also visited a Maasai Village on our way out of Serengeti and that was another highlight of the trip.
Again, since this was a budget joining safari, no matter who you book with, you might join the same group! However, MJ Safaris was a trustworthy and reliable agency that provided all the services they promised and I have no hesitation in recommending them highly.
A final note: a Chinese girl on our safari paid only $800 for the exact 5d/4n safari but she came at the last moment so if you can join at the last moment, you might be able to get the best prices!
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organised individualized trip to cover the areas we wanted to see in Rwanda and Uganda
The trip went well , very well organised and we did see what we wanted to – including the trip to the Gorillas – amazing.
Our guide/driver was excellent – a very careful and good driver on sometimes appalling roads, he was also a great game spotter – we got a marvellous experience of tree climbing lions! Do pass that on to the company you used.
One of the unexpected highlights was the trips on the boats – to Kazinga channel, to the Murchison falls and to the source of the Nile. Especially in the first two – we had great game viewing from the comparatively cool of the boat with excellent close up views of a wide variety of animals. While Uganda does not have the huge numbers of game we have seen in say Botswana and Kenya – this way of seeing them was great and could be promoted for Uganda.
EG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing trip
Amazing and helpful tour operator , i spent beautiful time with them and if i will come again the first choice is face of africa
can't describe how happy i was
I had just the most amazing honeymoon , we spend some amazing 10 days in tanzania visiting every single place, Hotel was great and Safarihub was really involved and they made sure that our time spend there will be amazing .
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Must see
Our overall experience was really good, but mostly because of the wildlife and the scenery. To be able to meet these georgeus animals in their natural habitat, it is just an amazing experience - without words. Just have to see.
On the other hand, some annoying experience is also followed our trip. For example the daily tricks, frauds - like the immigration officer just put the 50 dollars directly into his pocket, when he realized that we are two of us, and we are paying by cash.
Also was really disappointing to see, that on the private tour - where we pay 150 USD for the trip and for the entry tickets to the national park - our tour operator bought us "children resident tickets".
So instead of paying for the national park 30 USD, he only paid 3 USD and just split the 27 USD with the other guys... And after that, we got a 1 USD meal, without any option to choose.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gorgeous !!
It's now the 2nd time I booked a safari with Planet Africa Safaris. First time was a 10day Safari and 1 week on Zansibar, Pongwe Beach Hotel. We are just back from our 2nd safari an all I can say is: The Organisation is perfect. Correspondance by e-mail always very good. Excellent planning and recommandation of the lodges...just tell them what is your idea and at least in 48 hours you'll get a made to order itinerary. Prices are always very reasonable. What we liked is that nearly everything is possible, nothing seems to be a problem. The tour guides (we had Jackson Mbise, Harry Lucas, Venant and Kivuyo) are excellent. If you plan a private safari, it's also possible to go with Planet Africa Safaris.
One of our best travel experiences.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An experience made epic!
Benjamin was our guide for 2 nights in the Camdeboo National Park. He met us punctually on location with clear directions and a very warm welcome. We had an awesome trip with great game viewing and wonderful recommendations of places to visit within the reserve. Benjamin was enthusiastic, patient, knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. We had a puncture and it rained while we were camping, but nothing phased Benjamin, or was too much trouble. He was calm, helpful and considerate at all times. We had fantastic tents, comfy stretches, bedding, towels, everything we needed. Benjamin has endless energy but goes about his tasks in a relaxed but diligent manner. We had interesting chats, tasty food and enjoyed his great company. Highly recommend a trip with him...
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience!
The itinerary was great because we got to experience different national parks, each unique on its own. Distances are long and roads can be slow to travel, but at the end it was worth it. Accommodations are ok for the budget you're paying. There were some details at our last lodging with our shower but nothing to be very concerned of. The guide was very good, he knew everything about the places we were visiting, we just didn't like when we would make unannounced stops where we weren't told what was going on as everyone is speaking Swahili and we're stuck in the van.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari Multiways: professionalism and reliability for my first safari in Tanzania
I’ve just came back from a 7 days safari (1-7 february 2018) organized by Safari Multiways.
I discovered this small company by chance in September 2017 reading a travel report published on a photography Italian web site that mentioned Safari Multiways. So I decided to send an email to them asking for a safari itinerary and a quote.
Romeo, the owner, replied promptly to my email and sent to me a tour itinerary at a lower price than all the other companies that I had written to, till that moment.
Since then, I have written many emails to Romeo for several weeks in order to organize a tailor-made safari and he has always been very kind and professional answering to me promptly with clear information that I had asked for.
Defining the details of the tour with Romeo, step by step, email by mail, was really nice and we easily understood each other immediately, although my English is not good.
The final tour was the following: Ngoro Ngoro Crater (1 day), Lake Ndutu (south Serengeti) to see the great migration of wildebeests (2 days), Central Serengeti (2 days), Lake Manyara (1 day).
I payed 30% of the total cost in advance by a bank transfer for confirming hotel reservations and I payed cash the balance at SM office when I arrived in Arusha.
During the safari our driver, Omari, was very professional and skilled in spotting wild animals in the savannah. He answered friendly to all our questions and worked to meet all our requirements. Furthermore, he was used to check the Land Cruiser and clean it inside every morning before leaving the camp and starting a new game drive.
The 8 seats Toyota Land Cuiser was in good conditions and I also really appreciated that it had 2 spare tyres and not just one, as often I saw during others safari in Kenya.
Regarding the accommodations, Rhino Lodge in Ngoro Ngoro and Fanaka Lodge in Lake Manyara were nice and clean, but in particular I liked very much Serengeti and Ndutu Heritage Tented camps. They are really wonderful camps: high standard of services, nice and comfortable tents and delicious food. Really great accommodations.
What else can I add? After 3 safari in Kenya and 1 in Malawi, this was my first safari in Tanzania and I enjoy very much thanks to the professionalism and reliability of Safari Multiways and when I decide to go again to Tanzania I will surely refer to this Company.