RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most amazing experience
My wife and I went on a nine day safari with Safari 360, from Sep 16 to Sep 24, 2023. I will say upfront that this was the best vacation we ever had, by far. And please take this from someone who visited more than 40 countries, including China, Japan and vast natural areas of USA and Europe.
There were two key ingredients to having this amazing experience: the sheer beauty of Tanzania and the very professional services of Safari 360.
Let's start with the first. Each place we visited was unique and each day spent among the wildlife felt us disconnect from the mundane problems of our lives and appreciate how incredibly diverse and wonderful nature is. There is nothing you can compare seeing the great migration to. Or seeing juvenile cheetahs learning from their mother how to hunt an antelope. Or the amazing display of water buffalos, gazing at the Ngorongoro highlands, next from a school of hippos and some lazy hyenas. Not to mention all the lions and the leopards.
The second ingredient was the company we hired, Safari 360, and especially Edwin, who is a fantastic guide, teaching us so many things. His sense of humour, kindness and honesty made us feel like we were travelling alongside an old friend.
We wish to return one day to Tanzania and to explore more unique places together with Safari 360 and Edwin.
The accommodations, the food and the itinerary have exceeded our expectations. Literally, every place we stayed at delivered to its promises, even if they mid-range accommodations. Especially the quality of the food everywhere was surprisingly good, despite the remote locations of many of these camps. Petro Kazi, the owner, was very transparent during the entire process of crafting the itinerary, such that we get to see all the important places, while not spending money on rather useless experiences, such as night safari or walking safari, which are just hyped options, but with close to none chances of making you see something truly amazing.
I must confess that in the beginning I felt a bit unsure about how safe it would be us to book a tour directly with a small local company. But it turned out this is just fine. For us, as Europeans, and for other western-culture countries, this may not seem the safest bet, but our experience was literally perfect. And we paid for this a lower price than of we would have contracted one of the larger firms, who have European-based offices.
I was also very positively impressed by the people we met throughout the safari. They are happy and, despite the hardship, have a very good vibe.
And now, key recommendations and facts from our journey. Most important: try to book a private tour if you're a couple. It's so important to have a lot of space around you when you stay 9-10 hours in a car every day, for 9 days in a row. And you have way much freedom to turn around and look for animals in all directions through the pop-up roof.
Must do: Go up to Northern Serengeti, to see the great migration. We saw three massive crossings of the Mara River in one day. Visit the Hadzabe, Datoga and Masaai tribes. Especially the Hadzabe, one of the last tribes of hunter-gatherers in the world. Visit Tarangire and Ngorongoro crater. It's also good to spend one day before the safari in Arusha, like we did, to make sure you have some time to wind down after the long flight.
The only lowlights of the trip was the rather scarce number of animals from Lake Manyara reservation and the fact that we didn't see any rhino, despite spending 9 days looking for them. Seems they are still in pretty low numbers and unless you go to a special kind of reservation just for rhinos, there's little chance to see one in Serengeti or Ngorongoro. Also, the season influences their behavior and in September they are still mostly in the forests of Ngorongoro, rather than in the plain field.
Last but not least, some feedback to the feedback I read on the Internet before our safari. The overall level of danger is minimal, for any type of danger you may think of. You don't need any vaccine if you go directly from Europe to Tanzania, it's fine to have some malaria pills with you, but the chances of needing them are probably 1 in 1000. There were less than 50 tzetze flies around us during the entire trip and it's only 1 in 10.000 that carries the malaria virus. You calculate the odds. The food is very good and more than enough. I was reading reviews from folks saying that it wasn't up to the price they paid for. Let me remind such people that in a safari you pay 3-400 USD per room per night for a mid-range because of its remoteness and scarcity of accommodation places. You can't expect oysters and 100 hotels next to each other in Serengeti, because then there would no longer be anything special about that place. It would turn into a tourist resort. Same story for the quality of the bathroom etc. Still, we had really hot water every evening, some bathroom had even two sinks. What more can you ask in the middle of nowhere?
I will end my review by saying once again that this was the best experience of our lives and we hardly imagine something exceeding it. Maybe a visit to Papua New Guinea and then Borneo, both during the same trip.
And many thanks again to Edwin from Safari 360, our expert guide who helped us enjoy every second of this journey.
Carmen and Dan
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari with Serengeti African Tours
Lovely Safari with perfect help with the booking, before arrival and perfect help from our Guide Ombeni
We visited Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire in 4 days. Many hours in the car but ohhhhh what lovely scens with a lot of beautiful animals and lovley surrondings. Perfect help from the office before arrival wiht helpful informatin regarding Visa, what to bring and how to act in Tanzania. Also great help to change the accomodation so we could have the hotels/tents we wanted.
Picked up at the airport in Arusha and after that we were taken care of in a perfect way until the end of our Safari
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 day safari
This company was extremely organized and tailored the service to our needs. My mother and I really enjoyed ourselves and cannot fault the people involved. All who work for the company are extremely happy, kind and more than willing to meet your needs. Would highly recommend! Special thanks to James the chef, he's one of a kind, and to Derrick who was very nice aswell:)
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very positive and beautiful experience
The agency is very professional and punctual. The proposed activities are very beautiful experiences, due to the wonderful nature of the country and precise, careful and safe organisation. Excellent quality/price. They are also very nice. I highly recommend this agency
(automatic translation from Italian)
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An incredible gorilla trekking experience that I will never forget thanks to Musana Tours and Travel
The planning of the tour couldn't have been better tailored to my short period of just 4 days. This short period of time was perfectly organized and went exactly the same way. Starting with the pickup at the airport, all transfers, lodges and of course the gorilla trekking itself.
Communication was absolutely smooth and uncomplicated and an individual request on my part was also taken into account, which was definitely not part of the booked tour as standard (visiting the city of Kigali, before heading back to the airport).
All of this was available at the lowest price among all the offers I received.
I would like to briefly mention which lodges I stayed in, namely “Bweza Gorilla Lodge” and “Lake Bunyonyie Eco Resort”. These lodges were simply fabulous! With super nice staff, delicious food and fantastic rooms.
And also, a big shout out to Matiya, he got me everywhere safely and quickly and was a great companion.
All in all, I can 100% recommend Musana Tours And Travel! I always felt like I was in great hands, Richard and the entire team were not only very polite and courteous, you could chat with them about anything and have a lot of fun.
I would like to thank you for this wonderful experience and for making my short trip unforgettable.
Both Thumbs up!
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Best experience ever
We did a 5 days safari and it was perfect! Our Guide (Alex) was the Best!! Always doing evertything for us to feel good and happy! You don't have to worry about nothing because everything was very organized and even Better that We though it will be! Thank you for everything
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Experience
Let's get to the facts!
Want an experience? You have hot it.
Leonard is the person that organized everything, at the end we have to thanks for the fact it was a little Sick but did not cancel nothing, we make and delivery.
The driving from DAR to Mikumi is far, and the driving is not the same the European know, for me was ok, maybe for same People scared a little, but for me is a part of the experience.
The car is comfortable, have much room, have pillows, is clean, it's good for this long distance.
The driver and the Safari, well at this point we meet the driver Ladislaus, and what a person! Calm, intelligent, and hard working, he make everything to give you a nice experience, and for my opinion this guy as perfect, impossible to do better.
Dinner at the hotel, sleep and breakfast, this is another part of the experience, the food is very good and the room was nice inside a nice "nature resort" the room is a small house no windows but protected for the bugs, i put a carpet at the door because is have a space form the floor to make it more secure.
You'll listening everything, the sound of the wild, the night animals there.
But again you are slipping in a safari you want wild? This is the best wild / comfortable combo they can get.
5 Star because it was a nice overall.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Such an amazing experience!
For our first trip in Tanzania we have selected AT - The Adventure Travelling to arrange a comprehensive tour of the parks in northern Tanzania. our requirements was not just to se the wild life but also to meet local people.
The wild life was just amazing and our guide Elinasi was just impressive to find the way to meet the animals to the closest. He has great knowledge of them including birds and smaller animals.
Our experience became even more unforgettable when we met the local communities of bushmen or Tchagas.
Such a magnificent journey in VIP conditions. Thank you The Adventure Travelling!
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
PERFECT EXPERIENCE
I went with my girlfriend and we booked a 5-day safari. Luckily for us, our guide was Alex. He managed to explain everything we asked, from plants to animals and curiosities about the country. Always willing to help and available for whatever we needed. It was without a doubt a unique and worthwhile adventure. We were lucky enough to come across 5 other great people. As Alex said, we were a family and he was Papa Alex
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable, Understanding, Reliable, Someone with whom we would happily work with again
Back in June 2023, we had no idea about how a Safari trip should look like and the only thing that we knew for certain that both of us have back issues and hence, can't travel between places by road. None of the group travel operators would accommodate this customization. While looking for a boutique tour operator, I stumbled upon 'Chalo Africa' and Smita's phone number from the internet. I tried my luck, made the call and rest, as they say, is an extremely satisfying experience. She talked with us over the phone, re-assured us that the travel is not strenuous and the hotels that she would chose would ensure that we get the physical comforts as we needed. I confirmed the package but honestly, we tuned our expectations such that we don't feel disappointed.
Now, after the trip, I would like to correct myself and admit that all the hotels that Smita and her team arranged for us just exceeded our expectation in terms of hospitality, care and most importantly, the warmth of the people, be it the manager or the guide or even the askaris would took us to-from the tents. We visited Amboseli (Elarai Camp), Ol Pejeta (Asilia Bush Camp), Mara (Asilia Rekero) and Naboisho (Asilia Camp), in that order. Each one of them were unique in their own ways. In Amboseli we were looking at the Kilimanjaro peak while lying on the bed, in Ol Pejeta we visited the Rhino Sanctuary, in Mara the Hippo hustled beside the tent at night and pooped everywhere and when we thought, we have experienced it all, the camp at Naboisho, just overwhelmed us with it's sheer luxury (not even counting the lions those roam around in that conservancy like street dogs in Bangalore. When you guide says "do you want to see lions?", it is better to challenge him by saying "no we want to drive for an hour without seeing one"). Overall, from the moment the Asilia person picked up from our hotel at Nairobi to the moment they dropped us back there (9 days later) we could totally focus on the nature only and not worry a bit about the logistics including the flights and all. It is a bit on the costlier side, but worth it.
I would like to conclude by saying that this trip has helped 2 people who had no idea of a safari and in not at the best of their health, to overcome their inhibition and fear and we are grateful to the whole of Chalo Africa team for that. Smita said that "you both will fall in love with Africa when you complete this trip" and we can shamelessly agree to that now. We are going back soon.