65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jessica Matthews is exceptional and considerate as she listens to help you plan your perfect safari!
How do we begin to describe our amazing 14-day safari adventure to Tanzania planned by Jessica Matthews of Dancing Zebra Safari Company? Perfect!
Jessica is an exceptional woman with whom to work, listening to everything one might want to do in Tanzania, while offering her insights from her numerous visits and connections. Because we had originally planned to go in August, 2020, we had lots of time over two years to have many questions and changes, and each was addressed by Jessica with much patience and understanding. Our safari turned out to be the PERFECT, expertly-planned combination of a Tanzanian wildlife and cultural safari. Every single detail was covered, and there was not the slightest glitch.
When we arrived at Kilimanjaro, we were met by our guide Ian Kiwelu, who looked after us expertly and professionally for the next two weeks. Each evening the three of us planned our tentative schedule for the next day. Ian is an exceptional guide with a kind, loving spirit. With his keen eyes and exceptional knowledge of the bush of Tanzania, Ian made sure we saw everything we wanted to see and more – animals, birds, plants, landscapes. He always made sure we had the best positions for viewing the animals, and he spent as much time as we wanted while he explained so much about the animals and their habits. He truly is the best! He has become more than our guide, as we consider him a friend with whom we have continued to stay in contact.
Our adventures included starting at Lamala Hamerkop House in Arusha, hike to a waterfall at base of Mount Kilimanjaro and coffee farm visits in Arusha and Moshi, Nomad Kuro Camp in Tarangire National Park, Nomad Entamanu Camp at Ngorongoro Crater with a Maasai boma visit, Lamala Tented Camp very near Mara River, Lamala Kuria Hills Tented Lodge, and returning to Hamerkop for one-last memorable day in Arusha basking in our memories and visiting with our new African friends.
One of our highlights was viewing three major Mara River crossings, the first less than a half-hour after we landed at Kogatende Air Strip in the northern Serengeti. Another was sitting in our comfortable 4x4 photographing lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, African buffalo, etc, etc. Some only an arm’s length away. We even saw a black rhino from a distance in the Crater. Yes, we saw the Big Five, but so much more! Another real highlight was getting to visit with and befriend some of the hosts and servers at our camps and lodges. It was wonderful learning about their homes and families. Because of their hospitality, kindness, and openness, we felt like we became part of their extended family.
The camps and lodges we visited were all exceptional. We were treated like VIPs at each camp whether a mobile camp or luxury lodge. We joked between us that we were sure they must have thought we were someone else, someone really special. The food was delicious, and every meal was exquisitely presented. The chefs were amazing! Several of our delicious meals, breakfasts and lunches, were packed so we could spend most of the day out in the bush. Although each camp was different, whether we had a hand-filled bucket shower, an exclusive outdoor shower, or a glass, tiled-lined indoor shower, every camp -- service staff, food and accommodations -- exceeded our expectations.
Thank you, Jessica, for planning our safari, PERFECT in every way!
Mel & Eileen Neville
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable experience
First of all an excellent person. He knows how to do what he does very well, very professional and with the main objective that tourists enjoy their adventure. I highly recommend it.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful service from Traipsing
Our arrangement with Traipsing stated in 2019 for accommodations in Sep 2020 but postponed to Sep 2021. Our contact was Sandra Nicol and she kept frequent contact with us and very efficiently arranged and changed our accommodations when Covid struck. Her communications with us were friendly, informative and efficient and we would have no hesitation in recommending her to others. During our journey in the last few days she has maintained that contact and gave us confidence and comfort for our trip. So thank you Sandra and Traipsing for a wonderful trip.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing !!
Best trip ever thanks to Pride of Maasai Tour! Noel and Lucas were great !! The 3 days spent in the Serengeti were unforgettable! Their organization, their enthusiasm and their professionalism allowed us to have a wonderful stay! Another 1000 thanks to both of them !! Noel and Lucas are really the best! I recommend them !!
(automatic translation from French)
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
I had such a great time... Me and my girlfriend... Definitely will do it again soon
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
*Wonderful Safari Experience*
We were travelling to Tanzania as a family of 6 people and Kilimanjaro Adventure Travel was the best choice for our dream trip. We were suprised with their quick responses and excellent customer service before we even decided which operator we should choose. Makoninde was really helpful in tailoring our itinerary according to what we wanted and our fantastic guide too. We saw all the big 5 and the great migration. We spent 9 days in Tanzania and will definitely visit again with Kilimanjaro Adventure Safari Club.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We went with Raymond and he was amazing.
Raymond our tour guide was professional. Took us very close to see the animals. Was very creative when we were stuck in traffic on our way back to Nairobi and found alternative routes to get us back on time
Efficient and reliable
The tour itself was amazing,breathtaking views, the desert experience was nice and overall the value for money was worth while.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Highly recommended tour operator
At first I just wanted to book overnight stays at Isunga Lodge. But Gerard and Karen, the very nice Scottish owners, offered me to make my whole one-week-trip over Isunga Expeditions. It was the best decision I could made.
I felt in very good hands right from the start.
All my questions were answered quickly and the trip was booked individually according to my wishes. Even short-term change requests were not a problem at all. The price was fair and the value for money very good because of the perfect service. I booked an all inklusive price with driver/guide, all accomodations, meals, fuel, entrance fees etc. So I was able to relax and enjoy the tour without having to worry about anything.
The trip to Murchison Falls NP and Kibale Forest was amazing. I have no complaints at all. And the driver/guide Charles was the best. He has so much knowledge about animals and plants. And he is very funny and likeable also. As a single traveller very important.
I can just recommend Isunga Expedtions. My next trip in Uganda (bigger roundtrip for 2 weeks) is already booked with them for January 2022.
