HU
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Antal Bekefi
Lovely small park with dense trees and a beautiful lake. Bit of a rainforest feeling. Lots of monkeys and elephants to spot, amongst other animals.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hwange National Park by Carolina
The park is large, there is a variety of wild animals and the guides are excellent.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful country with quality hospitality
We visited Tanzania in the first week of October. The weather was great. We had one day of light rain, but otherwise it was sunny and warm (not too hot). We visited Tarangire (so many elephants!), Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti (of course). We were in Northern Serengeti and witnessed a river crossing -- spectacular! In retrospect, I probably could have skipped Tarangire. I wanted to make sure I saw elephants, but there were plenty in Central Serengeti. The roads in the parks are dusty! Be prepared.
We loved our guide, but we had some issues with our tour operator, who is based in Tanzania. I wanted to use a local operator, but I think that led to some issues regarding the payment process. I might stick with a domestic (for me) operator so I don't have to deal with international transactions the next time around.
The hospitality at all of our lodgings was excellent. Service was top-notch. Tanzania, specifically the Serengeti (in my opinion), is a must-visit at least once in your lifetime.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Priceless Experience!
amazing experience with Safari Bookings/Obag!
we did a 3 day, 2 night safari from Dar to Mikumi by train (including all transport - car and train, 2 nights hotel stay and all meals/snacks/drinks)
definitely recommend the train option (1 st class if possible) - make sure to leave early morning and return evening.
Johnson was a great guide - very punctual and caring/knowledgeable. Our safari driver was George and he was fearless! best day ever seeing giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, crocodiles, hippos, buffalos and so much more!!
if it mentions all included, do not pay extra. only pay extra for tips :) everything else is included and you may need to remind them :)
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Life long dream realsed and it was worth it
Ever since I was a young boy I've wanted to visit Kenya for the wildlife. It may have taken some 60 years to live that dream but, boy, was it worth it. A lot of the thanks has to go to Laxa Trails Safaris for putting together a great safari.
The wildlife was just what that young boy dreamed it would be. It may have been 'low' season, so no vast herds of Wildebeest crossing the Mara into Kenya, but there is still plenty of animals to see, and the parks are quieter, so more chance of getting good unrestricted views of the big predators - Lion, Leopard and Cheetah.
The scenery, just spectacular. Big skies, open vista's. Everyone we met was open and friendly, we never felt threatened at any point, even when we took an unguided wander from one of the hotels we stayed in. The food was very good to excellent.
Is it perfect, No, there can be a lot of travel between sites and travel times are long due to the main roads being busy or on rough dirt roads. but I've been on worse. However, the rewards at the end of the journey are worth it. Will I go back? I have a feeling I will be back.
HU
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing untouched beauty with unthinkable amount and diversity of wildlife
We visited 4 parks (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Manyara) in 4 days with Kilimanjaro Adventure Safari Club. I am not particularly an animal fan and I enjoyed it thoroughly, despite the long distances that we covered with the 4wd vehicles. So we travelled as a group of 13 people (3 families with kids age 7-12) and took 2 vehicles for the safari. Gasper and Denis from Kilimanjaro Adventure Safari Club were our guides for the 4 days and we learned so much from them! They are real experts on every aspect of the wildlife, speak excellent English, are super reliable and have eagle eyes to spot the rarest animals while driving! I can only recommend this company, they have done everything for us to enjoy Tanzania and the wildlife as much as possible.
Some concerns we had before our trip. 1) Hygiene / lack of clean toilets. Not an issue at all. None of us caught any infection, the hotels and the toilets are clean = Europe-like clean! 2) Will be a lot of travel. Yes it was a lot, we covered approx. 900kms in 4 days, mostly on dirt roads. But you see so many animals and time flies. 4 days of safari felt like 2 weeks, you collect so many new memories. This is the price you pay if you want to see stuff. Alternatively, you can fly into Serengeti with small planes, if you are not after the other parks. 3) It will be boring, it's all the same. Well, it is not. All these parks are different and they show you something new you have not seen in the other parks. If you need to pick one, go to Serengeti and sleep there in the park at least one night. Spending a night there is a must! We have stayed at Signature Serengeti Luxury Tented Safari Camp. It is absolutely amazing. There are people taking care of you so no worries about lions or hyenas. 4) Temperature - it will be too hot during the day and cold in the evenings. Perhaps we were lucky but it was neither too hot or cold. You can easily do the tour with a few T-shirts, a pair of shorts and a sweater. You have a roof in the vehicles even when it is open (it is elevated only so you don't get a sun burn). Take binoculars!! Good quality binoculars add a lot to the experience! If possible, bring for everyone as you will want to see the rare animals at the same time.
If you choose to go, you'll have one regret less on your deathbed...
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of my favorite trips ever!
My trip was for the 5-day package and liked the entire trip proposal.
Muza was our guide and he was always very kind and polite. He is an expert in what he was offering and guiding us.
We accepted the suggestion to visit the falls before breakfast and it was a valuable tip, as the park was emptier and the temperature was milder.
On the game drive day at Hwange National Park, we were guided by the Talks - also an expert at what he does. I had the chance to see many animals (lions, giraffes, zebras, wild boars, monkeys, antelopes) and learn several interesting facts about wildlife behavior.
I strongly recommend it!
US
35-50 years of age
Birthday Suprise for My Dad
This review is to thank Matata and his crew with such amazing experiences they provided for their customers.
I’m writing this on behalf of my father. Matata and I planned a suprise trip to celebrate my father on his 78th birthday in December last year. He had a blast on this ttip he called “ Experience of lifetime”. We are grateful for
Giving him this experience Matata. He said he loved everything and even being on an open car and he so close to Lon’s was scary moments but he had a blast and will never changed of for anything.
I will be using you again for his birthday this year and take him to another place that he has never seen before. Tanzania has so many amazing places to visit and you are the only one i trust to show him.
Thank you for what you do.
US
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible and Amazing.
Amazing time, we came from America and the service did not disappoint. We saw amazing animals, had great food, and went to some spectacluar locations. For a first time I do not think it can get any better than this. I would recommend this to anyone thinking of going. You will be satisfied!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The employees are wonderful, Lochinvar as a company ?
I suggest customers thoroughly research safarirs confirm where you are staying and the costs that are not included in the trip. There may be a lot of surprises. This was only the beginning of my 3 separate bad experiences.(the other 2 were Kenya julimas safaris (demanding cash for park entry fees). I googled and called the park and confirmed they accept credit cards)and Sabilom Kenya tours. (They canceled the balloon option after collecting $900, then offered, only after asking, $675.
I didn’t have to pay extra for Hwange Park because I chose not to agree with the “change.
” there was supposed to be a waiver. I never saw a waiver. Unfortunately, a lady on our budget trip was charged extra to go to hWange Park(according to her). I was told, She was advised to cancel that Hwange park game Drive and go to Zambizi Park instead. I was told they cited dangerous roads as the reason for the “change”She said she wasn’t granted any partial refund for the lesser Park, but says she felt intimidated in to canceling the hwange park. We went anyway( my partner and I refused to cancel Hwange) and she had to pay $420 extra cash or they would not take her, but we were going anyway . How can that cost $420 extra when it was included initially? . I feel bad for her and for all the other travelers that may have done the same thing and canceled that hWange Park. It was lovely. So many animals and the roads were the usual bumpy dirt roads but nothing serious. In the future, I would spend a little more money and get better hotels and be much more aware of the itinerary and reconfirm in writing.
Dealing with her problems($420) for the entire 8 days was troublesome. Mark( the owner I think) even asked my partner to write up a release for the customers to sign!!! I was there on vacation!
By the way Victoria Falls was dried up on the Zambia side.
I also want to say the The best company I’ve ever used for booking tours is: “Get Your Guide” they care, and have assisted in getting my refunds. The lady says tour radar has not helped yet to recover her $420 , that she feels was an over payment.
Make no mistake their employees are very good!! Fines, Cynthia, Lucky