TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not only is the guide a professional birdwatching expert, but throughout the entire trip, I was well
Not only is the guide a professional birdwatching expert, but throughout the entire trip, I was well taken care of in terms of food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation.
Due to other itinerary constraints, I only had two days to arrange birdwatching activities in Tanzania. I found Charles Tours through SafariBookings, and they offered a two-day birdwatching tour in the suburbs of Arusha that also welcomed solo travelers (Note 1).
I arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport on October 2, 2025, and Charles Tours helped me with the transfer from the airport to the hotel I booked myself. Compared to the transfer fees I found online, it was about $10 cheaper. So, if you plan to use Charles Tours as your guide in the future, you can also arrange the transfer with them.
This was my first time leaving Asia, so almost every plant and animal I saw in the wild was a first for me. But more than that, Charles Tours provided me with even more. When I was discussing the itinerary, I mentioned that I was primarily interested in raptors, and they tailored the existing schedule to meet my needs. During the two-day trip, we visited the suburbs of Arusha, Lark Plains, and Tarangire National Park, where we observed over 150 species of birds, including 22 species of raptors (Note 2)! While field observation does rely on luck, I believe that even with the best luck, seeing 22 species of raptors in just two days was possible because Charles Tours made thorough preparations—such as having a wealth of knowledge and experience about birds, closely observing throughout the journey, and customizing the trip to meet the client's needs.
Since my subsequent safari tour to Serengeti National Park was handled by another company, I got to compare and see just how rare the level of service provided by Charles Tours was. Some basic aspects that we might take for granted can actually be quite difficult to realize in this region. So, I’d like to list the advantages of Charles Tours:
1. A well-maintained, clean vehicle with air conditioning (other companies may not have this).
2. Safe and law-abiding drivers (for my two-day tour, the driver was the owner, Amani).
3. Hygienic and delicious meals (Amani knows good food).
4. Prompt responses and discussions regarding the client's requests (For example, I wanted to spend extra time photographing a particular subject, and not all drivers from other companies would respect their guests' wishes. I believe English proficiency was a factor here—both Amani and Nasr, the guides, were fluent in English and communication was seamless).
5. Comprehensive knowledge of birds and a genuine passion for them. While finding birds is a basic skill for bird guides, the most impressive moment for me was when we were birdwatching in Tarangire, and Nasr suddenly asked us to stop as we passed a large tree. He spotted a Verreaux's eagle-owl (a nocturnal species) sleeping in the dark foliage during our vehicle ride.
6. Not only birdwatchers, but Amani is also a bird photographer, so he knows where to stop the vehicle to give clients the best angles and lighting for photos—this was absolutely fantastic.
In conclusion, I was truly impressed by the two-day birdwatching tour provided by Charles Tours. Of course, we also saw many mammals during the trip. I believe if they can find birds, spotting larger mammals that are the main focus of a safari would be no problem for Charles Tours. I sincerely hope more people get to experience this excellent company, and once again, thank you to Amani and Nasr for treating me like a friend over the course of these two days!
Note 1: Before planning this two-day itinerary, I did some research on tours in Tanzania, most of which required a minimum of two people. This is likely due to the basic costs of running the tour. As a result, I ended up paying nearly the cost for two people.
Note 2: During the two-day birdwatching tour, we saw 16 species of eagles, 4 species of falcons, and 2 species of owls. The list includes:
Aquila rapax (Tawny Eagle)
Aquila spilogaster (Spotted Eagle)
Buteo augur (Augur Buzzard)
Buteo buteo (Common Buzzard)
Elanus caesius caesius (Black-winged Kite)
Gyps africanus (White-backed Vulture)
Gyps rueppellii (Rüppell’s Vulture)
Hieraaetus ayresii (Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle)
Icthyophaga vocifer (African Fish Eagle)
Melierax poliopterus (Grey Kestrel)
Milvus aegyptius (Yellow-billed Kite)
Polemaetus bellicosus (Martial Eagle)
Sagittarius serpentarius (Secretarybird)
Terathopius ecaudatus (Short-tailed Eagle)
Torgos tracheliotos (Lappet-faced Vulture)
Trigonoceps occipitalis (White-headed Vulture)
Falco ardosiaceus (Grey Falcon)
Falco ardosiaceus (Taita Falcon)
Falco rupicoloides (Red-eyed Falcon)
Polihierax semitorquatus (African Pygmy Falcon)
Glaucidium perlatum (Pearl-spotted Owlet)
Ketupa lactea (Verreaux's Eagle-Owl)
MT
Nature Travel Namibia made our trip an unforgettable experience.
Petra at Nature Travel Namibia organised a wonderful trip. Communications with her were easy, we were surprised how quick she was to answer any queries we had. I can only compliment her efficiency and patience over the 6 months we took planning things. The trip she created for us was even better than we ever expected. Delano, the guide we were allotted, was great. He was very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about Namibia; its history, wild life and landscape. Every lodge we stayed in was special in different ways. I would recommend Nature Travel Namibia to anyone interested in visiting a truly interesting country. we have come away with wonderful memories. Thank you Petra and Delano.
MY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great
Noreen and koki were excellent guides. They took extra effort to give us the best safari experience at Pilannesberg
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely amazing
Doreen has done such an amazing job at finding the animals and making sure we always got the best shots! I can only recommend !
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank you Thomas for the nice and friendly Trip.
Thank you Thomas for the nice and friendly Trip. It was a pleasure.
TR
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exellent
The communication, service and reability was good. Our guide Thomas was very good and friendly
Amazing
I highly recommend a tour with Kiliclimb. Moses was great. His main concern was making sure I had the best experience I could, which I did. I loved Tarangire so much the first time, I signed up for a 2nd day. He also took the time to meet me and get my feedback from the trip, which was great customer service.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable Kilimanjaro Trekking
We had an incredible Kilimanjaro trekking experience. The support team provided us with all the support we needed, and with their help, we reached the summit a day ahead of schedule thanks to the the outstanding support by our guides, Martin and Clinton. They kept us motivated the entire time. The food was restaurant-quality, far better than expected on a mountain, the equipment provided was of excellent quality.
I can't recommend them enough. Thank you all so much for an unforgettable experience!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
9 days of pure Ugandan Magic- Incredible Honeymoon Adventures.
9-Day Best of Uganda Safari Tour with Gorillas
Our 9-day Uganda Safari Adventure was nothing short of extraordinary — a journey filled with wonder and unforgettable memories. The itinerary included some of Uganda’s most spectacular destinations: Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way, we were treated to breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the kindest people you could ever hope to meet.
One of our first highlights was the white rhino sanctuary. It was deeply moving to witness the rangers’ dedication to conservation and to stand just 10 meters from a herd of seven rhinos, including a baby. The sense of protection and care surrounding these magnificent creatures was truly inspiring.
Murchison Falls took our breath away — especially at sunset. The next day on our boat safari, closely watching hippos and buffalo share the riverbank with a crocodile was a moment of pure magic.
Chimpanzee trekking was another incredible experience, and patience truly paid off. While some groups left early, we were rewarded with an intimate encounter — within a meter of a calm male chimp resting with his hands behind his head, while others wandered nearby or groomed each other. It was beautiful, peaceful, and humbling.
Of course, the highlight of our trip — and the reason we came to Uganda — was gorilla trekking. Words can hardly capture the awe of standing just a few meters from a family of 11 gorillas, including three playful babies. They reminded us so much of human children, tumbling and swinging through the trees. The silverback’s low grunts and the rangers’ calm responses showed such mutual respect and understanding — a relationship that felt sacred to witness. The forest itself was breathtaking, and although the hike could be steep at times, it was well worth every step. A relatively easy 30 minute hike down to the gorillas, who then kept moving so we moved along the mountain side with them. Our group was wonderful, supportive, and patient, especially when one older lady needed a hand on the climb back up the mountain side.
Other unforgettable moments included spotting two tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and two elegant female leopards in Queen Elizabeth National Park — a true privilege to see. On top of the countless beautiful elephants, giraffes, kobs, etc.
All our accommodations were comfortable and welcoming, with several surprising us with lovely touches for our honeymoon. Our favourite stay, though, was Elephant Hab — thanks to Barbara and her team, who made us feel so genuinely cared for. They were simply wonderful. (I’ve written a separate review for them because they truly deserve it!)
And finally, the biggest thank you goes to our guide, Shafik. He was exceptional — kind, knowledgeable, and so easy to be around. When we had a tyre issue early on, he handled it calmly and efficiently, ensuring our adventure continued with minimal disruption. His thoughtfulness went above and beyond — surprising us at the end of our trip with one of my canon photos, block-mounted as a honeymoon gift. It was such a touching gesture, and we couldn’t have asked for a better person to share this journey with.
If I had one small suggestion, it would be for tour companies across Uganda (not just Tubale) to service their vehicles more regularly. We noticed a few breakdowns along the way, though thankfully ours didn’t slow us down for too long. These things happen when traveling, and a little flexibility — and kindness toward your guides — goes a long way.
Having now visited seven African countries, I can honestly say Uganda felt the safest and most welcoming of all. The countryside is stunningly diverse, the wildlife abundant, and the people are simply beautiful — friendly, generous, and full of joy. When we had tyre trouble, every passerby offered help, and other guides jumped in with tools to assist. Driving through the villages, children ran to the roadside waving and laughing — the sense of community here is something truly special.
Uganda stole our hearts. It’s a place of breathtaking beauty, deep kindness, and unforgettable encounters. We leave with full hearts and endless gratitude for everyone who made this experience so magical.
Thank you Shafik, Tubale & Uganda for having us ♥️
DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Life-Changing Safari Experience with Makini Tanzania Safaris
As a solo female traveler, I couldn’t have asked for a more thoughtfully planned and professionally executed safari. From the very beginning, Naomi at Makini Tanzania Safaris was exceptional — not only did she organize every detail with care, but she also stayed in close contact throughout the journey, responding promptly to any questions or needs.
I had booked a mid-range safari, but what I received felt like high-end luxury. Compared to others in our combined group (from two safari companies), I was treated to an unforgettable night inside the park at a luxury tented lodge, complete with a magical drive through Maasai villages — while others stayed outside the park. It was a deeply personal and enriching experience.
The wildlife encounters were breathtaking, and the vast open grasslands and atmosphere of the parks left me absolutely speechless. Every moment felt like a gift.
Thank you, dear Naomi, for your dedication, warmth, and outstanding support. I wholeheartedly recommend Makini Tanzania Safaris to anyone seeking an authentic and elevated safari experience. Truly an adventure of a lifetime!
