IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Experience with our Guide Victor John
We just returned from a 5 day trip to Tanzania and we had booked with Thomas Cook who in turn subcontracted to Leopard Tours. Our experience with Leopard Tours was excellent and the entire trip went smoothly without a hitch. it is THE biggest TO in Tanzania with over 200 vehicles, so while the quality may vary depending upon who your guide is, we were lucky to have had the best guide I have known in my life.
There was a representative, Samwell who received us at the airport and helped us complete the formalities quickly and another person, Charles, who met us at the hotel even though it was a Sunday evening to explain the program for the tour. We visited Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.
The next five days, it was the guide Victor John who drove us around and made our tour memorable from every aspect. He was hard working, passionate, knowledgeable and seemed to genuinely care about the animals as he told us a lot of anecdotes and shared a lot of interesting trivia. He was an excellent driver, very professional and extremely committed. He would never cut corners and do his best to spot animals and despite driving for over 11 hours a day, he would insist that we make the best of our time and maximize the game drives. He had a brilliant eye and could spot the wildlife even if it wasn't easy. The vehicle was also well equipped with a radio device to communicate information and he had strong binoculars which aided in improving the experience. Thanks to him, we ended up seeing 10 cheetahs, 3 leopards and easily over 50 lions in Serengeti itself! Traveling with Victor was a pleasure and I would definitely recommend him to all tourists visiting Tanzania.
DK
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari with great highlights. 12 inspiring days in Tanzania and Zanzibar for a family of 5 grown up.
We went to the best national parks of Tanzania: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Natron, Lake Manyara. After that we went to Zanzibar for a relaxing stay. On the safari we saw a lot of interesting animals, and our excellent driver was very informative and easy to cope with. The staffs at the tented camps were helpful, and the cooperation with the bureau solved a disturbing problem with the flight transportation. On Zanzibar we arranged excursions on the island and had an interesting stay in Stone Town.
The only small problem was a guest manager at The African Sun Sand and Sea Resort who was a bit strenuous.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
We did the 3-day Masai Mara safari and it was amazing. We saw so many animals and they guides were great.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything just as expected or better
Evertything went very well, from the booking to the trip. Jackson is a really trustful guide, drives very well and knows the parcs and reserves just like his pockets. The accomodations were stilysh and comfortable. The only thing is that maybe we could have split the trip from Masai Mara to Nairobi in 2 steps as doing so in just one shot is pretty long (>8 hours).
Other than I would higly recommend Tekko Tours.
Bravi davvero!
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful nature, nice and reliable staff
I had a great experience with this tour company, managed and owned by local people. I did both hiking and safari with them and I truly suggest to do both of them, because you will be able to have a more comprehensive visit of different environments. Particularly, Mr. Castro Kapela was very nice and helpful. He is a very kind and reliable person: I had many big bags with me and I left them at his home while I was doing safari and he kept them properly without asking me nothing, while he also was very honest in dealing the prices.
During my 5 days safari I saw very different landscapes and literally all the animals. This area of Africa is definitely one of the best choices for safaris and I really recommend Kilimanjaro Trip Safaris.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good communication, service and price!
It was easy to communicate with them before arriving to get some info regarding the tour. We were also happy to be picked up on time. We were very satisfied of our guide who was very knowledgeable and patient. He was also a perfect and brave driver.
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good safari experience, but a few minor issues
We were very happy with Selous River Camp which Gecko booked for us and with our Selous safari guide Magire, who although young was excellent at spotting animals, knowledgeable and patient.
Gecko's booking and payment process was smooth and efficient and we received vouchers for the flights, safari and accommodation quickly.
However, there were a few minor issues, and while they didn't impinge on our overall experience they are worth pointing out.
- Although Gecko booked us on a flight landing at Mtemere at 12.30, Selous River Camp was informed by the company that we would only be arriving at 14.00. So when we turned up more than an hour earlier they had unexpectedly to prepare us an earlier lunch (which they managed with customary efficiency and courtesy).
- While all the other companies' open-sided safari vehicles we encountered in the reserve had individual high-backed padded seats, the vehicle provide by Gecko came with harder bench seats with little in the way of padding or back-rest. We managed the eight hour drive along often rough "roads" just fine, but for anyone with back problems this could be an issue.
- Other companies served the picnic lunch provided on safari on a foldable table and chairs carried in the jeep and set up for the occasion, while we ate ours standing up, plates balanced on the bonnet of the jeep. Again, no big deal for us, but indicative of a slightly lower level of service than the competition.
To be fair, we booked our safari with Gecko at the last minute, less than a week before departure, and it could be that at this stage no other vehicles were available; however we would advise anyone booking with the company to inquire closely into just what sort of vehicle and service to expect.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
IT was absolutely perfect!!!!!!
Everything was perfect, the pick up at the starting point, the facilities, the guide we had during the safari.
Above all, the guide (Joshua) was very good, he found out where all the animals were, he explained very interesting things to us and it was very pleasant during the 5 days that our experience lasted.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Beyond outstanding!
We have just returned from an incredible trip to Mana Pools with Khangela Safaris, made all the more enjoyable due to the professionalism and expert knowledge of Mike Scott, our guide and his tracker Bernard. The camps were more than comfortable, hot showers provided every day, delicious meals (provision made for Vegans and Vegetarians). Evenings under the amazing night skies were enhanced by Mike's many stories, as well as visitations by hyena and ellies very close to camp. Both Mike and Bernard were excellent trackers which enabled us to see lions on foot on several occasions. However, just staying in the camp provided us all with many amazing sightings of wild dog, buffalo plus large numbers of baboons, who kept us all entertained by their antics . Mike's knowledge of birds and trees was beyond impressive, which augmented the enjoyment of each and every remarkable day we had in this very special place. Beyond amazing!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unsatisfactory
I paid $250 for this service with tour guide but our driver James was a driver only. He didn’t provide any info about the Masai or animals. Further, he yelled at us in the beginning of the tour for taking a photo when we didn’t know the rules. This ruined the mood of the safari entirely. He also made us feel bad for expecting water free when it was in the itinerary. Lastly, English literacy and customer service in general was poor. For $250 I expected more :(