35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serengeti Smile rules 🙂
I spoke to Albert the owner at Serengeti Smile and he was able to arrange everything we needed without a problem . Communication with him was smooth and easy.
We did 6 days of the best safari ( + 3 days Zanzibar) ever and this was due to our guide Champion.He is full of skill, knowledge and character.
We've seen a lot of things and had a great time and fun .We couldn't ask for better guide ❤️.
This company is highly recommended and I'll choose them again
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very Very pleasantly surprised
14 wonderful days with Oreteti Tours! I, having never been in Africa or South America, was very paranoid about diseases, insects, and whatever else I had heard about. Turns out, early July in Tanzania is fabulous; 83 degrees F high each day, jacket cool each night, ZERO mosquitos, zero biting flies, amazing wildlife. I'm a bit of a birder, and Raymond (one of the drivers) had a local thick bird book (and experience) to help me ID about 55 new birds. I would recommend Joseph and Oreteti Tours without reservations... the days were long, but the accommodations were very good and we saw incredible amounts of wildlife.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable experience
We did a 5 day safari in Tanzania (visiting Tarangire, Northern and Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro) and it was a unique experience. Our guide Semle with his experience in the field definitely helped us to catch the big 5 very quickly. The accommodations were really good, beyond our expectations. Really high standard, all the comforts and most importantly, they were clean and the food was really good. The agency also supported us in our second part of the holiday in Zanzibar and managed to book us transfers from the airport and a great hotel in Matemwe (Villa Kiva). Once again the accommodation exceeded our expectations for the view, cleanliness, service and food.
We give 4 stars instead of 5 for 2 main reasons:
1) the trip was already very expensive (yes, and we knew it!) however, tips were “mandatory” every day as stated in a document from the agency 10 € per person per day. We are always happy to help but the agency should not force customers to give mandatory tips considering the overall cost.
2) the flight to Zanzibar was booked in the late afternoon so we lost 1 day of vacation with our guide going shopping (because we had nothing to do) and then he took us to the airport 3 hours early which was more than enough. We would have preferred a morning or mid-day flight.
Overall we are very satisfied with our vacation and Savannah Explorers is a reliable provider that we highly recommend ;)
CN
detailed and responsive
Nice safari trip led by Axis safari and our Kevin，good organization and super guidance on-site.
US
Meru Slopes gave us one of their best tour guide, Florian.
We’re 100% satisfied with our 10-day safari tour, the guide, the accommodations, the food, and the number of wildlife sightings we experienced through Mr. Florian’s expertise.
Our guide, Florian, spoke the code language of the other guides using short-wave radio to locate notable timely sightings and then buckled up because he’d drive quickly over dirt roads (the infamous African massage) to get to the location for a sporadic viewing of cheetahs, leopards, lions, rhinoceros, and wildebeest crossing the Mara River for example. We witness the timely viewing with front row seating of a wildebeest eaten by a crocodile, ostriches matting, and lions matting on the endless prairie.
Our accommodations consisted of lodging and glamping. The lodges were like a protected compound, like a garden of Eden, often very different than the surroundings. You always felt safe and secure and comfortable, sometimes with very talented local entertainment. The glamping in the Serengeti was very comfortable, and there was excellent service and guards to protect you at night if wild animals showed up. One guard I spoke to carried a bow and razor-sharp arrows to deter persistent wildlife. No guns. The tents have modern comforts like running hot water, flush toilets, mosquito net beds, closets, chairs, and desks.
A wide variety of food, fruits, vegetables, and meats are locally grown and always fresh and delicious. You are always full and satisfied with three timely meals daily. Bottles of water, non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine are provided. An open bar is always available in the evening.
We are delighted with the wildlife sightings since we saw the big five and many creatures we’ve never seen before. Florian was well-versed, giving us insights and knowledge about many flora, fauna, and tribal cultures. The Massai culture is the most interesting. We visited a several Massai villages greeted by very hospitable hosts. As I mentioned earlier, the local guides are collectively a brotherhood, a fraternity of guides who speak a code language only they understand on the radio to ensure you see wildlife that otherwise is hidden from the inexperienced viewer.
Our trip was a success from the beginning (late August) to the end (early September). The weather is comfortable, with very few bugs. Bring a jacket for cool nights at higher elevations. The timing was impeccable, and Florian's ability to circumvent any trouble we might have had with the vehicle was due to his forethought and timely vehicle maintenance. Each driver is responsible for their 4 x 4 Toyota 6- to 7-passenger vehicle featuring an extended luggage compartment and pop-up roof. We observed other guides having problems with flat tires, overheating, and poorly maintained diesel engines, but not our truck because Florian takes responsibility for ensuring that his vehicle is well-maintained before leaving the office.
The animals won’t bother spectators in the vehicle when viewing closeup. We only become prey when we exit the vehicle. I hope this helps.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Margaret
Wildlife more than I could imagine. Every 5 or 10minutes we were discovering new animals amazing
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing country, amazing people
We spent unforgettable two weeks in Tanzania with mountain (Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro, summited both) and safari (Serengeti and Ngorongoro) experiences. The people were unbelievably kind and friendly and always took care of us. We had almost perfect weather conditions and felt safe all the time.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exciting
Overall, I really enjoyed my safari experience. I got to see leopards twice. I would have liked to stay a bit longer to watch animals in their daily activities such as the elephants- but the other passengers may have other interests and needs. The guides did their best to be accomodating. I tried a night drive which I would not recommend- I did not see much. My last drive was amazing- I went on a dirt road without other vehicles around and saw a few amazing birds since we went at a slower pace. The guide was very knowledgeable beyond the Big 5, which I appreciated. I was very lucky and saw quite a few animals in my first two drives, so after that it was a plus. I also did the Panarama drive. The scenary is beautiful but the driver was not very good at informing us how much time we had in each location- so we rushed through some of the stops that were gorgeous and then ended early. Fortunately, the driver allowed us to go to one more location that was not part of the tour. It would be good to figure this out at the beginning of the day. The tour company helped me figure out the logistics so that I could do everything that I wanted to in very few days- and the women at the lodge were also very flexible and accomodating. I would recommend this company to others.
ES
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent 15 day safari covering parks in the north east, central and south of Kenya
Best memories organised a super holiday with a 15 day safari and 6 days on the coast. Everything was very good in all of the parks even the medium level ones. Food was good and the people very friendly. Anthony was an excellent driver/guide and we literally saw everything from the big and and ugly five to kills and elephants mating.
Recommended
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stunning country
My trio was spectacular, we hot to see plenty of wildlife and enjoy the nature.
The only downside was the hotels offered, i chose a middle budget safari and however the hotels werent dirty or anything, they werent super clean. Also they offered me on my quotation different hotels to the ones that i end up sleeping into.
The food was ok.
If you get the chance to do the hot air balloon ride, do it. You wont regret it at all. It was by far on of my highlights.
The people were also friendly and i felt safe in the country most of the time as female solo traveler.