CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Saw all big fives! Deeply experience the culture, animals and humanities of Tanzania
For Agency choosing, I was recommended by Rednote platform. At the beginning I also compared many travel agencies, but Summer Winter turned out to be the most cost-effective and the most satisfactory in terms of its itinerary design. According to our needs, besides the most important part Safari, they also arranged a one-day trip to Kilimanjaro, hot springs, coffee, cultural experiences and so on. During the planning stage, boss Johnson went out of his way to coordinate and revise for us. The final plan was extremely satisfactory.
The experience after the official start of the trip was also very good. The guides Pancrass and Norin were both very nice. Pancrass had an extensive network of contacts, and he helped us arrive at the location of the animals in time. We saw almost all the animals we wanted to see, and also received very detailed explanations, allowing us to better understand the habits of the animals. His driving skills were excellent, also very humorous and cheerful, took good care of us. The two guides gave us a very satisfactory experience!
Summer Winter also helped me reserve a restaurant for a birthday celebration. It was very surprising. It was the first time I celebrated my birthday in Africa. Truly very touching and unforgettable.
I am extremely grateful to Summer Winter. You guys made me totally fall in love with Tanzania. This trip will be an extremely unforgettable trip in my life. I think I will come back again!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super trip
We had an amazing safari experience. Our guide, Tman, was excellent throughout the trip. He was very knowledgeable, informative, and passionate about the wildlife and the area. He shared interesting facts, answered all our questions, and made sure we had the best possible sightings. His enthusiasm and expertise made the safari both enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great safari experience!
PE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly Recommended: Professional, Friendly, and Memorable
It was an incredible experience. The entire staff was very attentive from beginning to end, and the accommodations were excellent. Our guide, Godi, took us to the best spots in each of the parks and reserves to see the Big Five, and we did it! Lunches on safari days were homemade and freshly prepared (not box lunch). The vehicle was clean and restocked with drinks every day. Furthermore, they not only picked us up from the airport the night we arrived but also dropped us off at our accommodation after the safari (in Kilimanjaro). If you have the opportunity to book this experience, don't hesitate to do so with Lion King Adventures, especially with God Bless.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari Experience with an Outstanding Guide (Culvert)
We completed a 4-day, 3-night private safari with Ndutu Green Explorers, visiting Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park (2 days), and Ngorongoro Crater. Overall, the experience was excellent and exceeded our expectations.
Before the trip, communication was smooth and professional. Vivian responded quickly to our inquiries and was very flexible in adjusting the itinerary according to our needs. She paid attention to many small details, including dietary restrictions, accommodation preferences, flight changes, and special requests. When our international flights were disrupted and we had to modify our travel dates, she helped update the arrangements without any issues. Payment was also flexible. As a group of four friends, we were even able to split payments among different travelers.
Our flight arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport around 6:30 AM. Due to slow immigration procedures and a baggage issue that required additional paperwork, we did not leave the airport until after 9:00 AM. Despite the delay, our guide Culvert patiently waited for us the entire time. He helped with our luggage, welcomed us warmly, and introduced us to the local area during the drive to Arusha.
The safari itself was fantastic.
Our guide Culvert deserves special recognition. His driving was excellent. He drove carefully on rough roads, slowed down at bumps, and handled crowded areas very smoothly. At the same time, he was confident driving through the bush and positioning the vehicle for wildlife viewing and photography.
His experience in the parks was obvious. Everything from park entry procedures to route planning was handled efficiently. I asked him how he navigated through the Serengeti, and he explained that he uses landmarks, rocks, and terrain features. I honestly could not imagine how he managed it, but he always seemed to know exactly where he was going.
His wildlife spotting skills were remarkable. He could identify animals from incredible distances, sometimes when the rest of us could only see a small dark dot on the horizon. Many times I needed binoculars just to confirm what he had already identified.
Communication between guides was also impressive. The vehicle radio system allowed guides to share wildlife sightings, which helped maximize animal viewing opportunities throughout the trip.
What impressed us most was how kind and helpful he was. We saw him helping other safari vehicles when they became stuck. One evening, a member of our group mentioned that she needed sanitary products and had forgotten to bring some in the middle of the savannah. Culvert drove to another camp in the dark and managed to find them for her. We were genuinely touched by his willingness to help.
Another funny moment was when we quietly discussed wanting to try baobab fruit. Somehow he overheard us and later bought one for us to taste. We appreciated the gesture very much, even though the fruit itself was not particularly delicious!
The meals during the safari were generally very good. Most lunches were served as hot packed meals rather than simple cold lunches. We typically received rice, meat dishes, fries, fruit, soft drinks, and sometimes grilled chicken. The meals reflected the dietary preferences we had communicated before the trip.
Wildlife viewing was outstanding. Thanks to Culvert, we saw all members of the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and even black rhino, although the rhino was understandably far away because of its rarity. We also saw cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, warthogs, hippos, hyenas, antelopes, secretary birds, pelicans, tortoises, and many more species. Seeing a wild tortoise was actually one of the biggest surprises of the trip.
For future travelers, I strongly recommend bringing the best camera equipment and longest lens you can. During a safari, you quickly discover that focal length is never enough. Also bring good sun protection and prepare for dust, especially during long game drives.
Regarding accommodations:
Hhando Coffee Lodge (our first and third nights) was very pleasant. The staff welcomed us with cold towels and juice, helped carry luggage, and provided comfortable rooms. Its location is convenient for visiting the Ngorongoro area. Breakfast was excellent and the service was attentive. I would rate it 4.8/5.
Serengeti Classic View Camp (our second night) had both strengths and weaknesses. The biggest advantage is its location inside the Serengeti, which saves significant driving time. The staff were friendly, food choices were varied, and there was even a staff member who spoke some Chinese. However, several members of our group experienced mild stomach issues after dinner, and we also encountered problems with hot water availability. It took nearly an hour before hot water became available for showers. Considering the remote location, some inconvenience is understandable, but overall I would rate it 4/5.
The only disappointing experience during the trip was at one of the souvenir markets on the road back from Ngorongoro. Prices were extremely inflated compared to local Maasai markets, and bargaining practices felt somewhat aggressive. However, this had nothing to do with Ndutu Green Explorers or our guide.
Overall, this safari was smooth, exciting, and memorable. We saw incredible wildlife, took amazing photographs, and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. Vivian provided excellent support before the trip, and Culvert was one of the best guides we could have hoped for.
I would happily recommend Ndutu Green Explorers to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A true partner in our holiday
I admit to initially being nervous booking our Safari holiday with a non UK operator. However with a little research we found African Family Safaris and started to explore our holiday. The team were just super, their knowledge was local, they knew every camp we looked at and helped us navigate so many options - all with no pressure or frustration with my [lots] of questions. The price was brilliant, so much better value than I'd found with UK providers. They provide an app which was bespoke to our tour and itinerary, very useful to keep us on track. When we landed in Botswana, two of the team set up a WhatsApp group with them and us so we could reach them at anytime if there were questions or issues. We didn't have any issues, but Lisa & Nadine were there with us the entire holiday and helped out out with a few small changes we wanted to make.
I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this team to help you plan your own Safari. First class.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Helpful
Great trip
Everything was very well organised and all went to plan
Our driver ,Godfrey, was a big help making sure we got everywhere on time, encouraging us to try local foods,taking us through stunning landscapes and being an excellent safari guide.
Seeing the gorillas up close was an amazing experience but we thoroughly enjoyed the whole tour.
Would highly recommend
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phenomenal! Couldn’t recommend more
We loved every minute of our safari and would recommend it without hesitation. Martin was an outstanding guide and truly made our experience at Pilanesberg exceptional. His knowledge of the bush is remarkable; he could identify animals, birds, and tracks instantly and always had fascinating context ready to share. Beyond his expertise, what stood out was his energy: upbeat, warm, and genuinely enthusiastic without ever feeling rushed. He moved efficiently without sacrificing the moments that mattered, making sure we never missed a thing. We saw all
The animals we were hoping to see! Our transport driver Thabo was also wonderful, punctual and great to ride with. If you have the chance to book this experience, do not hesitate.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding
In the words of Coldplay, this really was an adventure of a lifetime!! I felt incredibly honoured to get so close to nature and thankful for every day. Uganda is a stunning country with amazing people ready to welcome you with the warmest smile..
All of this was made possible by our incredibly professional tour guide Collie from Kajie Safari- this man is an absolute legend with incredible values, a real gentleman who goes above and beyond to make sure your holiday is everything you want it to be. As a single female travelling, he was incredibly respectful and made sure our safety was a priority. (including reminding me to add sunscreen.!!) booking with a local tour company was a bit of an unknown but definitely the best choice I ever made – it’s obvious to see local guides have a strong presence and are well respected / better established within the lodges and on the Safari treks than other companies to ensure their customers have the best experience– if you are looking to go on a Safari please please please use a local company – Kajie safari was outstanding and cannot recommend enough.
The communication from booking until our airport drop-off home was exceptional - quick speedy responses with honest advice always given.
The photos below speak for themselves!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 4 days Safari with Julius
We just finished a 4 days / 5 nights private safari journey with Akondo Adventures and our amazing guide Julius. We did Serengeti (2), Tarangire (1) and Ngongoro crater (1) and got to see the big 5.
I was really able to disconnect and enjoy every moments of the safari, since Julius was taking care of everything. No worries (Hakuna Matata) with him which is exactly what I needed.
He was very knowledgeable, safe driving, caring and we couldn't have asked for a better guide for our first safari. He made sure to ask if everything was okay, at every accomodation, at every meal, every spots we visisted, to make our experience the best. We learned so much through Julius experience and passion and he made sure to stop at the very best spot every time for me to get the perfect pictures.
Our car was very comfortable, clean and perfect for animal sighting.
From the company, the journey was great, well-planed even though we were on a tight schedule and planned this trip last minute.
Every accomodations was amazing and every meal (breakfast,lunch and dinner) was excellent which is a big plus for me on a trip.
Also s/o to Ezequiel our driver to and from the airport, who made us feel much welcomed as soon as we stepped in Tanzania, which made our journey great.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Julius was amazing! He taught us so much and helped us see the Big 5!
Our first trip to Tanzania couldn’t have been better thanks to Julius. People like him are what make the Tanzanian tourism experience so special. His knowledge, passion, and determination helped us see the Big Five, and he made every moment unforgettable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would recommend him to anyone visiting Tanzania!
