EG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
excellent vacation
We took 4 days safari with Siafu Tanzania Safaris Ltd to lake manyara national park,Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti national park,we saw a lot of animals,Emmanuel is excellent guide taking care of us,we highly recommend this company to any one who want safari to Tanzania
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience! We will recommend it!
We had been recommended Jocky Tours by a friend who did a Safari with them and we were so happy to have contracted it with them.
We had a great time!! Staff ( Isaac and Joseph) were VERY nice and friendly.
Joseph came pick usup at the airport even though our flight landed at 23.00 and then he dropped us in a hotel we had booked for the night. Next morning he came for us at 7.00 am, very friendly!
Isaac was our driver and guide during the 5 day Safari we did and he made us feel very welcome and safe.
He knew evreything there is to know about the animals and the environment. He did his very best so we could have an excellent view of the animals all the time, Thanks Isaac!
We stayed in a camp in Maasai Mara which was what we expected! Clean and safe. Friendly staff. All good.
We recommend to visit the Maasai village, it was interrsting to visit their houses and learn a bit more of their culture.
Lake Nakuru and Naivasha were great but maybe it could have been done in one day instead of two. However we enjoyed it much.
We transfered 15% of the payment in advanced through their website and itwas totally reliable. The rest we paid cash when we reached their office in Nairobi.
ASANTI SANA!
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Perfect safari trip.
I would definitely recommend Shizi Safaris, if you dont know which company to choose. We just had to tell them what we wanted to see and experience and how many days we wanted to be on safari. Within a very short time, they had arranged the perfect safari for me and my friend. Everything was very well organized, the food was great and the driver was a very nice man who knew almost everything about the animals. It really was a wild and amazing experience.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best service beyond the boundries u r th best amng good job
Thy are upto date ...modern facilities..meets individual expectation
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive, reliable, committed to serving their clientele
Hamadi was very good at communicating and helping me to set up this unexpected opportunity for a very short 2 day/one-night safari. Winnie, my guide for the two days ,was very reliable and knowledgeable about the animals and ecossytem. I traveled alone as an older single woman and was very comfortable throughout - last minute changes, on my part, came up, and Hamadi was very flexible, and again a reliable communicator.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
WOW! What a rush!! This was the adventure of a lifetime!
My friend and I spent the entire month of July in Tanzania under the care of Adventure Makers. We had the time of our lives! The accommodations were spectacular and ranged from having a balcony overlooking the Ruaha River with its herd of hippos to luxury tents in the Serengeti right in the middle of the wildebeest migration. Our guide, Stephen, spoke beautiful English and was a laugh a minute. He was also quite skilled at finding the animals in the bush - he seemed to know all the secret locations. His knowledge of the natural history and myriad of cultures in Tanzania was unmatched. You could tell he is very proud of what his country has to offer. Needless to say, a month in the bush means something is bound to go not quite as planned. After all, This Is Africa. But Stephen handled any little hitch seamlessly and in such a way that it added to the overall positive experience of the trip. I would, without hesitation, recommend Adventure Makers to anyone considering an African safari.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience and a very exciting trip!
We went to a 7 days safari trip in this year’s thanksgiving week. The weather was beautiful, comfortable during the day time and a little bit chilly in the evening, so you do need a jacket. This operator has competitive price. The trip can be tailored to accommodate your interests, very flexible . Our guide/driver Fredy is very experienced and hard working young guy. He would do extra efforts and drive extra miles in the game drives to take us to see all different kinds of animals. November is a short rain season in Serengeti National Park area, but don’t worry, it only rained 2 nights in the week when we were there and some drizzles in one day, but gave us an opportunity to see a small scale of migration, because some zebras and wild beasts migrated back to Tanzania. Even a small scale of a migration, there were thousands of animals and the dust stirred by animals can be seen miles away. We were really amazed. Another breathtaking scene was 4 lions, 1 female and 3 males, came to the road and walked with us. If I dared I could touch the hair of one male who passed by just outside our window. Also we were happy with all the hotels/ tent we stayed. Excellent food and very friendly people and good services. I just wanted to say we had wonderful time over there and truly appreciated Fredy’s efforts to make every day very exciting for us.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Coordinator was great but driver was rude
The coordinator Angela G. was extremely helpful and accommodating. I highly recommend her!
The driver Simon M. made inappropriate comments, was rude, drove unsafely, and was passive-aggressive when we made inquiries (that were paid for in the itinerary). His tour of Lake Nakuru National Park was rushed and we had to insist to get to spend time viewing the game (again all prepaid for).
The meal and tour at the Kericho tea plantation hotel that we requested was extremely disappointing: the food had an insect and the waiter did nothing about it, the paid tour lasted 15 min only and we only were allowed to see a tiny lot that is unused but had old tea bushes. Deviating to Kericho was unfortunately not worth the money.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustworthy company, extremely well organized, great price and service, and great tour guides!
Just came back from a 4-day safari with Meru Slopes this past December, 2017. Amazing company and safari!!! If I ever end up doing another safari, this will be the first place I check for rebooking! My friend did all the pre-communication in advance with Geoffrey, so I can't speak from personal experience about setting everything up, but I was told that Geoffrey (the owner of this safari group and the Arusha Tourist Inn) was very good in responding on WhatsApp and answered mostly all of our questions eventually. They do require cash deposit of approximately 30% up front via wire transfer, but that seems perfectly normal for most safari groups. The rest is paid in cash USD upon arrival at the Inn. All accommodations were what I expected or better than expected. especially for the price! The meals were way better than I was expecting, and there was always extra food each night. Geoffrey and his staff go above and beyond to help us be comfortable in the best way possible! Before I start, Let me say that I do go car camping several times a year here in CA and other US States at national parks, and backpack as well several times a year, so I am somewhat used to doing this kind of stuff. For a more detailed review of our itinerary feel free to read below:
Arrival Day: It was arranged that someone would be at the airport to pick us up when we arrived in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro Airport...the driver (Emmanuel) went above and beyond for picking us up. My friends and I got separated on our flights in and missed our flights to Tanzania from Kenya. My 2 friends arrived 2 hrs later than originally expected, and the Emmanuel was waiting for them, and took them to a local restaurant while they waited for me to arrive. I showed up 5 hours later (around 11 PM) and they showed up with my friends to pick me up as well. The drive from the airport to Arusha Tourist Inn (in Arusha) is roughly 1 hour drive. Emmanuel is really friendly, and never felt unsafe in his car while he was driving.
We arrived at the Arusha Tourist Inn (which is I believe also owned by Geoffrey, the owner of this safari group). The location is a bit weird for an Inn at first arrival, considering the front door is facing an alley with no signage outside, just a sliding door, and behind a private gate, but otherwise it was fine. You enter from the alley, then walk upstairs and the lobby is there. We were greeted by Geoffrey and given 2 separate rooms. Rooms were fine, actually better than what I was expecting. There was hot water (kind of), flush toilets, and all rooms have mosquito nets around the beds as well, so during peak season, I could see that being extremely useful. No AC or anything, so it can get hot at night fyi. Also only a bar of soap provided, no shampoo or body wash or lotion, so make sure to bring your own toiletries.
Day 1: In the morning was given a meal from the restaurant downstairs as part of the Safari booking, and loaded the car and headed out on our day 1 with a different driver, who was extremely friendly and enthusiastic and answered all of our questions! Did a few hours at Tarangire National Park where we saw tons of wildlife up close. Amazing experience!!! We were dropped off at a place called Lilac Lodge (believe there are some reviews of this place on Tripadvisor, but essentially glamping) near that park for our first night, where our driver handed us over to a new driver, and the staff at this campsite lodge thing took over from there. Lilac lodge was pretty nice...a gated little area with tents for some groups, a bar where you can buy drinks, and also wooden cabin lodges (which is where we spent night 1 at). I've stayed in Yurts, lodges, cabins, etc, and this one was no different. Has beds, a flush toilet, and shower. not the cleanest shower, but I would say on par with other kinds of similar accommodations, so it was nice, also better than I had expected. Really good box lunch during the day (burger, chicken leg, and some other snacks and box drink). Also really good dinner and breakfast the following morning was provided at the lodge. Bring your own toilet paper FYI because none of the places have it outside of the Inn.
Day 2: Serengeti National Park, which is a 4-6 hr drive away, so day 2 is really just getting out to the park and straight to the campsite. Did get a flat on the way there, but that was fixed in about 30 minutes or so, so no big deal. I guess flats happen, so just don't be upset or anything if it happens to your truck. :) Second driver was also really friendly and able to answer all of our questions! Also saw tons of wildlife, which is what you would want from a Safari. Second night accommodations are in tents, like a car camping campsite. Bathrooms and showers were not quite as clean as the first lodge, but hey, it's tent camping, so you really can't expect much. We were given tents, a mattress pad, and sleeping bag. All things are used and may not be in the most clean condition, but it works and does the job. If you have a thing about super clean bedding, bring a sleeping bag liner with you, which is what I did, and problem solved! FYI this is camping in Africa, so there will be wild animals around at night, which is to be expected. Saw a few ___ cats (bobcat-sized animals) or something in the campsite before heading to sleep...but once again to be expected in the wilderness. Your tour guide will tell you what to do and not to do, but yeah, just don't wander around at night outside late night or anything and you'll be fine in the tent. More than enough food for meals once again. Bring a flashlight/mini lantern or something (preferably with the red light to not attract the bugs), because there wasn't much for lighting for the first half of our dinner when we were there. Flip flops might also be advised for the showers. I didn't have them and was okay, but wish I did.
Day 3: Morning for a few hours in Serengeti, then go back for lunch at the campsite and then head out to Ngorogoro National Park. This drive was also a few hrs away, and when we arrived, mainly just went straight to the campsite again to set up camp. Night 3 camping accommodations are way nicer and cleaner than the previous night. Still in a tent, but the bathrooms were much cleaner, and eating room was completely enclosed with lighting and tables already, etc. All meals are as always great food, and way more food than we could eat. FYI, they do have armed guards supposedly at this camp place, so at least you know there won't be anything too dangerous there, but they don't manage the wildlife that can be there. I woke up in the middle of the night and there was some buffalo or something a few ft away from a few tents over. I was told there were zebra and some other animals grazing right next to tents in the night too. pretty awesome!
Day 4: wake up, spent a few hrs driving in Ngorogoro then go back for lunch, pack up, and headed back to Arusha Tourist inn for our last night before ending the following morning. After tent camping and lodge camping the few days before, the Inn was really nice to have. Dinner was provided as well as a little to-go box for breakfast which Geoffrey gave us, which he really didn't have to, but were grateful that he did. Emmanuel came to pick us up, and take us to the airport the following morning, and once again was timely and just great in everything!
One tip I do have, is if you are thinking about doing a 4 day safari or longer safari, 4 day gives you a good taste of the safari but I would have wished for one day extra in Serengeti or Tarangire. You will most likely see almost all the animals you would want to see from 4 days, but it will be short, maybe only getting 4-5 hours of safari each day, and the rest is camping or traveling. Some of the longer safaris and include Manyara. Manyara we were told by our guide is extremely dense trees and you are mainly looking for birds and can be quite boring. If you are not interested in bird watching, skip that one and spend more time in Serengeti or Tarangire.
Overall, amazing experience with a really great company! Honestly, all the companies follow the almost the same itinerary and stops, and the lunch boxes are all the same across the board. What makes this company stand out from the others is the price, and the service they offer! Geoffrey and all of the guides and drivers and staff really go out of their way to help us and make us feel at home. I never once felt unsafe with them, and it's a bonus that the owner of this safari group also owns the Inn, so it makes everything smoother with the arrival and departure, and with what they can give us for meals, etc. The drivers also really know their animals, and can spot stuff so fast...and they were always completely honest with us with everything. We were also able to see the Big 5 (Rhino, Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo) and a ton of other animals! The safari is really just an amazing experience that I think everyone should do at least once in your life. If you're okay with tent camping/glamping, I would not hesitate to suggest Meru Slopes for this over the other 700 safari groups! Thanks again for an amazing experience! Your company and safari really made me fall in love with Tanzania!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
exciting and memorable experience!
Going on Safari with Steve, is fantastic his knowledge is great and he will keep you entertained the entire time, you will not get bored. Tanzania is great for Safaris and Steve just made it better! Fantastic experience and very well done.