Experience level: first safari
Great safari
We booked the mid range 2 day safari package (Tarangire and Ngorongoro) and it cost $800pp. This was my first time booking a safari and I didn’t even know where to start! I found this company through safari bookings, an online safari finder company, which helped. I was in regular communication via email with John, which also helped out my mind at ease. We paid $800 via card using pesapal and also had to pay 5% surcharge taking the total to $840, we paid the remaining $800 in cash when we arrived. Our arrival flight was changed to an earlier time and John was able to arrange a driver to come and pick us up from Arusha airport.
Day 0- we stayed at Green mountain hotel, which is a 3 star hotel; I’ve written a separate review for this. John met us at the hotel and gave us a briefing about the plan for the safari, including start times; we also paid him the remaining $800 and were introduced to our driver, Frank.
Day 1- after breakfast we met Frank at reception and started our 2hr drive to Tarangire. The jeep had a cooler, which was stocked with water (we had an allowance of 3L/day per person, which was fine as I usually drink around 2L/day). Frank kept us informed of things/pointed things out to us during the journey to Tarangire. Animals we saw during our safari: zebras, lions, pumbas, antelopes, elephants, buffaloes, giraffe, baboons, a leopard was spotted by someone but we didn’t actually see it. We then stopped off at the picnic site to have our packed lunch and it was delicious, especially the samosa and chicken! After lunch we continued the safari for a few more hours and saw more animals. After the safari we stopped off at a local shop where we were able to browse and buy souvenirs if we wanted; I bought some earrings and an Africa wooden plaque….they are open to haggling but don’t take the micky!
We were then taken to our 2nd night accommodation, Fig tree lodge, where we had dinner. I have written a separate review for this. When we originally booked our safari package, it was for marera valley lodge but after we had paid the deposit John emailed to say the accommodation was fully booked and that he will book country lodge instead, which I agreed. However when we arrived at the first hotel John told us that he had booked fig tree lodge instead, which he said was very similar to marera valley (I’ll have to take his word but from the research I had done online, marera valley and country lodge seemed to be much better so I was a bit disappointed as fig tree definitely felt more budget than mid-range).
Day 2- Ngorongoro- very early start, 5am breakfast and left the lodge at 5.30am and arrived at Ngorongoro around 7.30am. Animals we saw- bush buffaloes, zebra, wildebeest, jackal, lions, rhino and a leopard! After our game drive we stopped off at the crater viewing place to take some pics then we headed out of the park and had our prepared lunch at a local shop/restaurant. The lunch was rice, chicken and vegetables and it was YUMMY! After lunch we headed back to Arusha airport.
This was my first safari and all in all it was a great experience. John was helpful with the initial booking and questions and Frank was helpful for his knowledge during our safari. I would use this company again but I would definitely opt for a more luxury accommodation next time and ask for confirmation that the advertised accommodation is available before paying the deposit. Or perhaps I will arrange my own accommodation and use them for the game drives as this is the part I most enjoyed.
FI
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
15 day best Birding & Classic windlife safari in Uganda was fine but very exhausting trip.
The trip was extremely packed of action. I would say, too packed. The lodges/hotels were very good, but they often situated too far from the birding or safari areas. For that reason, we had to wake up (2 weeks) almost every morning about six a´clock and often it was impossible to get to sleep before 23 or even midnight.
However everything was arranged properly and the fasilities were in every place exellent.
Before the trip I was quite confused about what things really included in the price of the safari, and the real surprise was, that we had to pay 390$ more when we arrived to Uganda. Explanation was: the prices had rised so much! That is not good bisnes policy. We should have known it before the trip.
In nature I got unbelieveble experiances.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nice easy safari day trip from Joburg
Easy to book- good service. Friendly and knowledgable guides. Recommended if you want to see Pilannesburg but only have one free day in Joburg!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Felt well taken care of - great experience
We had a really good experience going on a 3 days trip to Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We saw many animals, it was beautiful! The cook was excellent and took well care of us. We advice you going during low season before the rain season (march) , we went in February it was perfect, they weren’t too many tourists.
The first camping site was awesome. We were by ourselves. The second one was busier and the toilet not the best but we still had a good time meeting people and watching a beautiful sunset.
The people at Suricata are so nice and helpful! We advice it.
SS
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fair price. All the accommodations were good and Jeff, our guide, was amazing!
We saw a lot in the first day and a half! Was amazing
NL
Fantastic
Had a very well organized trip. Got to see a lot during our safari, including the big five with a very experienced and super fun safari guide. A poor country, but at the same time very rich. Getting to know very nice and nice people. Visited the maasai, which in itself was quite an experience. Slept 3 nights in the bush camp (fantastic) In one word great! The country has a kind of indescribable attraction. Would like to go back
(automatic translation from Dutch)
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Linda S
The crater is well known for it's natural beauty and high concentration of animals available. As a result, it is the site of lots of day trippers. We got there early, but after 10am the roads were crowded with vehicles. When a lion was spotted, the drivers communicated with each other and everyone converged on the spot. We had dozens of vehicles parked in both directions trying to see the lions. It took forever before the vehicles sorted themselves out and moved on. The park really needs to limit the number of vehicles in the park or establish firm rules about how long a vehicle can remain in any one spot. This was the only park where we saw a rhino - from a distance.
DK
Great Round-trip Kenya and Tanzania
Fantastic experience! We watched the big 5 and many more animals. It was a rough travel because of the roads!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Nik A
Very high likely hood to see wildlife
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Elisabeth Maierhofer
Huge amount of elephants, very close