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35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Challenge 2017 – 5 Germans, 12 days, camping only
We're not the average safari tourists. Moreover, we're Germans. Having been to Southern and Eastern Africa more than 50 times, my husband and I had never before hired a tour operator. Having accompanied us on a few camping safaris in the past, my parents are now almost 80 years old and thus entitled to their own driver and luxury camping. On our 12-day-itinerary were Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Serengeti and Lake Natron, camping was to be on special campsites in the parks only (these are remote places in the bush with no facilities whatsoever and rented to one party exclusively).
I started looking for a company willing and able to embark on „Challenge 2017“. Most of them first „hakuna matata'd“ everything but then suggested their fixed package tours and showed zero flexibility.
Brenda was the first to answer my email saying she was positive they could provide just what we were looking for. She organized camp beds for my parents, a mobile bucket shower and portable toilet. She promised we'd travel with a chef serving more than just canned food, noodles, and toast. She provided fantastic customer service and outstanding communication although my parents' health seemed to upset our travel plans more than once. If not for her, I might have just cancelled the whole trip at one point.
My parents and sister travelled in the Landcruiser with Kakasii driving, chef Moshi and camp assistant Vera occupying the empty seats. My husband and I drove along in our own vehicle but rode with Kakasii for the game drives when the camp was set. We were happy to see that Kakasii is an excellent driver since the roads and tracks can become a challenge during the rains. He was on the radio nonstop chatting to other guides and drivers to find out about the road conditions and where to find the game. Even though we've seen our fair share of wildlife Kakasii managed to delight us with some extraordinary sightings like tiny lion cubs, lions up in a tree, cheetahs hunting, and many more. And there was plenty of time for birds and smaller creatures as well.
Although it was the first time Kakasii and his team have stayed on special campsites they quickly established a routine and made sure my parents in particular were always comfortable and never had to lift a finger except when holding a fork full of Moshi's treats. For chef Moshi it was a real challenge to pamper us with culinary delights like self-made pizzas and pies, tasty meat and fresh vegetables and fruit from his makeshift kitchen consisting merely of a gas cooker and a small fire under a tarpaulin against the rain/sun. Not only was it relaxing to have someone cook for you in the bush but Moshi's cuisine is a true delight (as is the man himself). He has spoiled us beyond belief and we've all gained weight.
Since Tanzania Choice Safaris have been perfectly able to meet „Challenge 2017“ you can be sure you're in the best hands for your own personal safari adventure whichever way of accomodation you may choose for yourselves (staying in lodges, however, means you're missing out on Moshi's food!).
Enjoy your Tanzania(n) Choice Safari!
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above and beyond expectations!
Mwajabu was so helpful in planning this surprise safari trip for my husband during our honeymoon! She is absolutely the BEST! She is so sweet, well organized and goes out of her way to make sure your experience is unforgettable. True five star service.
We were staying in Zanzibar for our honeymoon, and Abdul picked us up from our hotel and took us to the airport. The night before I realized I forgot to pack the SD card for my GoPro camera. Knowing that it was Ramadan, and the only shops that sell these kinds of tourist goods would be closed I was sure we were out of luck. In hopes of a miracle, I messaged Mwajabu who had Abdul running around Stonetown to find a particular SD card after sundown when everything was closed. Abdul somehow found someone to open their shop to sell him an SD card for our trip the next morning. Above and beyond!!!
After taking a small plane from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam then to Selous, we arrived at Lake Manze camp. We went on 3 game drives in our short 36 hour trip to Selous. Our guide Kalisti and driver Mgoma were so knowledgeable and showed us tons of animals including African elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, zebras, hyenas, as well as several species of birds and so many other amazing animals I couldn't list in this short review. The food at Lake Manze was also incredible. The staff was great, the tents were not just tents, they had a shower, vanity with sink and flushing toilet. True glamping!
In all, the experience was one that we will never forget, and hope to return with the help of Mwajabu and her staff again in the future.
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35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent all-around
Susan at Pembury Tours was very responsive to our interests and arranged an amazing first trip to southern Africa including safaris in Botswana and a visit to Victoria Falls. She was flexible, attentive, and did not inundate us with options but instead gave a couple choices for each location that suited our criteria. Of the ones we picked, all the accommodations were fantastic. The transportation and all other logistical arrangements were also perfect, which was even more challenging given that my mother had an accident while in a remote location and had a be treated at a hospital. When this occurred, Susan was immediately available and made all the arrangements for a smooth and timely transport so that my mother could have good medical care. Her services and local knowledge were indispensable to us as first time visitors to Africa, and even allowed us to catch up with the others in our party to finish up our vacation together. I would definitely recommend Susan and Pembury Tours and would use them again not just for their excellent product but also for the peace-of-mind they provide.
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Once-in-a-lifetime trip.
African Safari for your Safari adventure. About the only thing I might reconsider is whether to go to all four national parks. They all had something different to offer but we saw almost all of the larger wild game (lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, cape buffalo, giraffes, wildebeast, zebras, etc.) in Serengeti--obviously Serengeti is a must see. The one major animal we did not see in Serengeti, the Rhino, we spotted in Ngorongoro--a thrilling volcanic crater created millions of years ago. I might conclude that Tanzania seemed to be a safe country. Despite being populated by Muslims, Christians, Catholics, etc., and having numerous tribes, there did not seem to be the religious and tribal strife you see in some other African countries.
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Our family safari trip was exceptionally well organized and the driver was very knowledgable.
The service both before and during the trip was excellent.
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What an experience!
Working with Megan from Discover Africa to setup our safari was a breeze. She manage to get us to all of the locations we wanted to get to and the camps we wanted to visit. She was incredibly responsive and helped us with any questions or problems we had. (Don't forget to find somewhere to store your hard sided suitcases when you switch to duffel bags!).
All of the Sanctuary Lodges blew our expectations out of the water. Our tracker Sky at Chief's Camp was amazing and we spent four hours one day tracking down a rhino until we finally managed to see it making our trip complete! The staff at all of the Sanctuary camps were incredibly and being able to go in either private or small groups (4 total people) game tracking made the experience infinitely better.
My only advice to fellow travelers would be to try to take a day trip to see Victoria Falls from the Chobe area instead of going to a camp in Zambia. We found the Botswana national parks to be an overall much better experience than those of Zambia.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing! Best safari we have ever done!
Everything was perfect. Can't wait to go again. Charity and Joseph were both fantastic and the whole trip was well organised and just amazing! Really reccomend these guys - we will definitely be going back!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
East African Safari
Elisante is friendly and professional. I highly recommend using African Savannah Trekkers if you are planning a trip to East Africa. Tanzania has so much to offer, it's the best of both worlds with the adventure of a land safari and then relaxing with a cocktail near the crystal blue waters of Zanzibar. You will have memories that will last forever.
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical Experience with Gorilla Tours
While every tour will take you to the jungle to see gorillas, I believe Gorilla Tours did exceptional in the following areas:
1.) Driver was really nice and friendly! This is so important as you will spend hours in the vehicle and its nice to be feel comfortable with the driver from the first second. He made us feel safe on the entire drive and was easy to make candid conversation with.
2) Lodging was incredible. We really enjoyed the dinning room which felt like a family house. You sit at table in a large living room and are served delicious food. The ambiance was just perfect and simple.
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything was great!!!
Everything regarding the safari tour was great. Would not hesitate at all to use Wildebeest Safaris for any future safari tour needs, and would highly recommend them to anyone considering a safari tour.