NO
Worked as a charm
Picked us up at the agreed locations. The drivers that took us between Johannesburg and our «safari-hotel» (Theodore was one of them) drove very considerate and was very nice. Good safari-guides.
NZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Short and sweet safari
We took a short 3-day safari with Serengeti Smiles and it was an excellent choice. We had a day in Tarangire and saw so many different types of animals including the most elephants I’ve ever seen. We had a very nice hotel stay for the 2 nights in Karatu with beautiful rooms and the friendliest people. Our second day involved meeting some local tribes by Lake Eyasi, the Hadzabe and the Datoga. Spending a few hours with the Hadzabe as they shared how they maintained one of the last hunter/gatherer lifestyles in the world was one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had. Another stay at our Karatu hotel with some time by the pool and our last day was at Ngorongoro Crater where we saw plenty of lions, hyenas, warthogs, elephants, baboons and the elusive black rhino. I can’t thank our guide Barnabas enough, he was really friendly and knowledgeable, he looked after us really well and made our safari a wonderful experience. His animal spotting is excellent and his laugh very infectious, we couldn’t recommend more!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Knowledgeable and authentic. Great English.
I’ve been to Africa many times, but this trip was truly special. I had the privilege of meeting Hussein, a wonderful guide whose passion for wildlife made every moment unforgettable. I did a 5-day safari in the Serengeti, including three days of private fly camping with Hussein and his team.
We saw the Big Five, and even ventured out on foot — an exhilarating experience! Hussein shared so much knowledge, even teaching me a little Swahili along the way. By the end of the trip, he was quizzing me on animal behavior — asking whether the animals we spotted were male or female, and who might have hunted whom. On our walks, we’d come across bones, and he’d ask me to identify the animal, its sex, and what might have eaten it. To my surprise, I knew all the answers!
It was more than just a safari; it was an adventure filled with learning, laughter, and connection. Hussein’s enthusiasm and expertise brought the Serengeti to life in a way I’ll never forget.
CH
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A kind and knowledgeable tour guide!
We had an amazing journey in the Tarangire Safari Park! Our guide Reggie was super friendly and always made us feel comfortable. While being knowledgeable, he was also prepared and we could see that he had a lot of experience in the Safari Park. He also provided a warm meal for us during the journey, which was great.
Overall, it was a very unique and fascinating experience, made possible by our guide Reggie!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Barnabas is the best!
Barnabas was a fantastic safari guide and I would recommend him to anyone. From the minute he picked us up at the hotel, he was informative and stopped throughout the journey to show us interesting places and tell us information about the local area including the history, farming, local culture and wildlife. We really appreciated his great sense of humour and positive energy which he brought whether it was 6am at the start of a safari or 7pm after a long day.
In both parks, Barnabas seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. We saw lions mating, elephants crossing the road with their calves, a rare rhino in the bush and many more animals including giraffes, hyenas, baboons, hippos, ostriches, gazelles, warthogs. He knew so much about all of the different species and would share facts with us during the duration of the safari.
Barnabas is an excellent driver and he was highly competent at navigating the roads. He was also super punctual and always met us on time and was where he said he would be. We appreciated his flexibility, for example, stopping off at a shop so that we could buy some artwork or starting the day early so that we could maximise our time at the national parks.
Overall, I would definitely recommend Barnabas to anyone wanting to see Tanzania’s amazing wildlife up-close. He is a truly great guide with a great sense of humour.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
Amazing experience with Serengeti landmark tours! We had a 7 days group-Safari through Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro with Issa, our incredible and super friendly guide who show us everything and more, we saw plenty of lions, elephants, ecc.
Raymond is always available for every question (what a patience!) and he organized everything properly, we had no problems at all!
We highly recommend this company for Safari!
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mesmerising
Nice guide . Nice helpful people .
Nice experience.
Worth a visit
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Safari — in More Ways Than One
We recently returned from what was meant to be a 10-day Kenya and Tanzania Epic Safari organized by John Rejeaeli from Tanzania Vacation Operations. It truly was an experience we’ll never forget — though not always for the reasons one would hope.
Our journey began in Nairobi, heading toward the Masai Mara. The Jambo Mara Safari Lodge was pleasant overall, though instead of the promised “excellent modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows,” we received a more basic wooden cabin. Still, the game drive was outstanding, and our Kenyan guide, Kibe, was exceptional — professional, knowledgeable, and determined to make our experience memorable. Thanks to him, we saw 4 of the Big 5 in just one day.
Unfortunately, once we crossed into Tanzania, things began to unravel.
Our Tanzanian guides arrived three hours late at the border, leaving us waiting with no explanation. Their vehicle looked more suited for retirement than a cross-country safari: missing windshield wipers, several mechanical issues, and, according to the VIN, produced in 1989. On the way to our first lodge, we had to stop multiple times — once due to rain (no wipers!) and again to fix an electrical short circuit. Because of the delays, we missed our evening game drive and were taken to a different lodge than the one we were promised.
The pattern continued.
The next morning started with a beautiful game drive — we even witnessed a great migration river crossing — until the car broke down around 9:30 a.m. After a three-hour wait and help from local rangers who brought a mechanic, we limped to the nearest town for repairs and fuel. By the time we returned to the park, it was too late for further activities. That evening, we again found ourselves at a different accommodation than what we had booked — a tented camp instead of a lodge. It was comfortable, and we were the only guests, but still not what was promised.
By Day 5, things briefly looked up. We enjoyed a seamless day in Serengeti, guided by Kelvin and Geoffrey, both incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife. However, as night fell and we drove toward our next lodge, the car’s headlights failed. Geoffrey had to buy a flashlight in a nearby Maasai village, and we crept along the dark road at low speed until we finally reached our (this time, correct) lodge.
The following day in Ngorongoro Crater, déjà vu struck — the vehicle broke down again. This time it couldn’t be fixed on-site, and we were evacuated to yet another unplanned hotel.
By morning, we finally received a replacement vehicle and enjoyed a wonderful day in Tarangire National Park before heading to Arusha. Sadly, the hotel there was, once again, not the one promised.
Our final two days were meant to be spent in Amboseli National Park in Kenya, and we hoped our misfortunes were behind us. Kibe met us at the border and, as always, delivered a fantastic experience. We arrived at Sentrim Lodge, as booked, and thought all was well — until the next morning, when hotel staff informed us that our paid reservation covered only one night. Upon contacting John, he asked us to pay for the last night (even though it was already paid) and promised a refund. A week and two reminders later, the refund never came, and we are now initiating a credit card dispute.
In summary, I would give zero stars to Tanzania Vacation Operations for the organization, communication, and repeated false promises — but five stars to our incredible guides:
🌟 Kibe (Kenya), Kelvin, and Geoffrey (Tanzania), who truly saved the experience with their professionalism, knowledge, and kindness.
CN
The guide who received us was a very responsible, conscientious, friendly and professional local guide. He was always able to keenly find the spots wh
The Serengeti is well worth exploring, allowing people to find their soul's home, embrace nature, listen to the pulse of life, the romance of the sunset, the breath of the grass, and the calls of animals.
(automatic translation from Chinese)
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Impeccably orchestrated experience that combined flawless logistics and authentic local insight.
Our experience with Viatu was nothing short of exceptional—their communication was prompt and thoughtful, service seamlessly professional, and every detail reflected remarkable reliability and value, culminating in a tour so immersive and well-curated that it felt less like a trip and more like a masterclass in hospitality and precision. Simone was our trip consultant and she was absolutely phenomenal.
