RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safaris in three parks (Serengeti, Ngorogoro, Tarangiri)
I went on a Safari from the company Suricata. I found them on the website: www.safaribookings.com I really liked the service provided. The price was average market. But the price included meeting from the airport and transfer to the airport after the safari. The price also included hotel accommodation before the safari and after the safari. The hotel is very decent. The company is run by three very active and friendly men. All with good English (one of them is American). The service was provided at a very good level, so I recommend choosing them.
If we talk about the Suricata company itself, I liked the guide, the cook (as it turned out later, in comparison with all the others he cooked very tasty). Every evening, as a gift, well, dinner was given a bottle of wine. Food was always prepared in excess. The guide drove fast, but very carefully. Car: six-seater Land Cruiser.
Now about the trip itself: the safari lasted 4 days (3 nights). Parks: Ngorogoro, Serengeti and Tarangiri. Tarangiri is separate from the other two parks. All parks are different and differ from each other in nature and animals. Therefore, it is interesting to see all three, but you need to correctly evaluate your strength and desire. Drive 300 km from Arusha to Serengeti Park, the road is bad, so be patient or choose other parks. But the Serengeti is the largest park.
I went in August 2019. When they tell you, take warm clothes, this really means that you will need them. Be sure to take pants, a sweatshirt, a windbreaker, possibly another sweater. Also bring along a headlamp, pillowcase, soap, small shampoo, wet wipes, mosquito repellent. Personally, I did not take a windbreaker with me and regretted it. In the evenings there is a very cool and strong wind.
Bargaining in shops, taxis and markets should be 3-4 times. Everyone wants to make money on white tourists.
Yellow fever vaccine is best done just in case. Whether to be vaccinated against malaria, everyone decides for himself. Locals get malaria like a cold. Many tourists even having vaccinated have a high chance of getting sick. Just fly to Tanzania, before you go on a safari, buy a malaria test. If your temperature rises, you can immediately use the test.
Paying all the more profitable in shillings (you pay the safari in dollars). Therefore, change dollars at the airport or immediately after arrival in the city.
Have a good holiday and interesting adventures!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was an amazing experience! I could see the amount of work put in to make my family comfortable.
They were beyond my expectations! Everything went smoothly and according to plan.
SA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was marveloous tour keep on telling my friends
I think u will keep same spirit so that u will acquire more guests,
Expecting to hear more positive feedbacks from my friends and relatives
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We experienced tailored service from start to finish
We had no idea about what to look for in a safari holiday, so we got quotes from a number of operators we found on the web. All we told them was our planned dates. We went with Bensons because their response was full of positive suggestions and a detailed itinerary from the off. Pendo was a very responsive correspondent as we thrashed out the final itinerary and she got us hotels in all the price brackets we requested, mostly mid-range but one luxury two-night stay.
The only question mark in our minds at this stage was over payment of the deposit (and subsequently the balance of the account); if a potential client does not have a first-hand recommendation, it does feel a little risky to transfer large sums of money overseas to people we have never met! Surely there is a way to facilitate credit card payments? PS FYI sending scans of cards isn't a lot more reassuring than money transfers.
All that said, we couldn't fault the care taken of us when we got to Tanzania (a late arrival due to a missed connection was accommodated seamlessly). Throughout, we were in the care of our guide Amini, and travelling in a very comfortable Land Cruiser. We started with a long day's drive (10 hours) to the Western Serengeti. Even though this must have been a challenge for Amini, he still accommodated our desires to stop regularly to see wildlife, just because it was the first time for us, although he knew better views were available later in the trip. The Lahia Tented Lodge was a very special experience, all-inclusive with great service and excellent facilities, perched on a commanding bluff.
Amini took us for two days seeing every animal the Serengeti had to offer, we visited a Masai village then Ngorongoro, a staggering "lost world" where we enjoyed picnicking next to the hippo pool. Then we went to Lake Manyara, experiencing our only disappointment of the safari in not seeing tree-climbing lions (no fault of Benson's!). After a night at the Farm of Dreams, we rounded off our tour with a tour round the village of Mto wa Mbu. We got a great insight into a number of traditional lifestyles and crafts, followed by a nice lunch. We did rather regret having bought wooden souvenirs at the African Galleria when we visited the very craftsmen who were making and selling those products!
In summary, we had a wonderful trip with a friendly and knowledgeable guide, and from initial enquiry until our departure we were well looked after throughout by Benson's.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
From the beginning, Maryke was prompt with her communications with me. The transport staff was ++
Timely, prompt, thorough and professional. It was a pleasure working with the team.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
My parents and I took a 5 day safari through Tarangire, Ngorogoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara. Had a wonderful time that surpassed all expectations. We were very satisfied with all parts of our trip including the itinerary, lodgings, communications, etc.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was so amazing and had beautiful experience with them
Viola Tours and Travel are the most amazing people to your around with.There services are up to point and well reserved.If you want to have the most amazing services and the most enjoyable tour,try Viola Tours and Travel.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An all-around excellent experience
From our initial communications with Tukio Safaris till our guide, Josh, dropped us off at our hotel following our 6-day safari for my wife and I’s honeymoon, we had a truly incredible experience. On the planning side, Tukio was quick and thorough in answering all of our questions about our itinerary, and even made a few changes per our unique requests. In terms of the actual safari, we could not have had a better time. Our driver was personable, flexible, polite, and incredibly knowledgeable. He navigated the three parks we visited masterfully, and was just as masterful in thinking through every detail of our other travel, lodging, etc. We could not recommend Tukio Safaris more highly!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
poorly organise and managed.
very poorly oganised, and managed.hotlel resevation asked for perticular lodge not provided.park fees not paid in advance also comunication was big problem. every where we went we have to call for reservation . also resevation done at wrong lodges. driver provided excellent custmer service. i would suggest before you go and paid deposit please make sure all services provided are confirmed and paid.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lucy our wonderful friendly tour operator took lot of care personally
Lucy took up our trip at the last moment when we had a problem with another operator who fled and we are very happy that we got such a loving lady who personally came with us and saw to all the arrangements.
The roads to Masaimara and Amboselli were really disappointing and hope that government does something about it so that more tourists are welcome.
We did not get accommodation as we would have liked to mainly because of our old operator.
All our drivers were very well behaved and would specially mention James who was with us for 7 days. He has a very good knowledge of animals and birds and made it very entertaining. We managed to see the big five and many animals and birds and captured them with our camera.
I would reccomend Splendor Holidays for all tourists as their personal touch makes them special.