IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 3-day safari in Selous Reserve, perfect organization: definitely to recommend!
PERFECT! That’s how I can describe the safari we made with Kiliholidays in August. I was travelling with my 19 year old daughter and my 14 year old boy and we were 100% satisfied under all respects. Having limited time and budget, we chose Selous Reserve in the South, because it is only 5 hours by car from Dar-es-Salaam and offers an amazing experience of African wildlife during the dry season. Despite the short notice (few days) Mack, owner and manager of Kili, was quick and efficient in replying (overnight, both by e-mail and Whatsapp) and arranged perfectly our trip, advising us to the best to make the most out of the few days we had at disposal. His price was inclusive of everything and competitive compared to similar proposals found in the web. Our driver and guide Joachim was knowledgeable and always ready to answer our questions about Tanzania and wildlife, definitely an enjoyable company. Food was prepared nicely by cook Daniel, who took our preferences well into account.
On the first day we were picked up at the ferry dock from Zanzibar short before 9am, the travel to Selous was itself a worthwhile experience through Tanzanian inland, in particular the last 100 hundred chilometers of dirt road through small villages. Our comfortable 4-wheel private vehicle showed absolutely no problem during the three days and went successfully through several routine police controls. We had a quick lunch in a local restaurant on the way and arrived at Selous Hippo Campsite – a small suggestive campsite outside Selous reserve - right in time for a wonderful sunset boat safari along Rufiji River: two hours among hippos, crocodiles and an amazing birdlife, definitely a plus of this trip.
The following day Joachim drove us the full day through Selous Reserve, where we were overwhelmed with an incredibly abundant wildlife: dozens of giraffes, impalas, zebras, gnus, hippos, crocodiles, a few buffalos, lions, etc. They were often very close to our vehicle, which had a pop-up roof allowing us to enjoy all this at the best. Only elephants were difficult to spot on that day, but Joachim and our local guide Amir did not give up searching until we met a nice family including a baby elephant.
Accomodation was in a comfortable tent for three persons, Daniel served us breakfast and dinner under a pleasant veranda facing the river. For our day in Selous and the travel back to Dar he prepared tasty lunchboxes.
The 2-hour walking safari we had on the last day, accompanied by a local guide and an armed ranger, was really interesting and instructive tour and completed nicely our Selous experience. We left the campsite at around 10 am, as planned.
Back in Dar es Salaam, Joachim helped us get our tickets for the ferry back to Zanzibar on the following day and then drove us to a budget lodge he had booked for us as per our request: definitely an attentive complete assistance from the first minute to the very last one!
Should we get the chance to come back to Tanzania to visit the parks in the North (we are already dreaming of it), we will surely choose Kiliholidays again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful experience with an excellent guide
A perfect 4 day trip which showed us the true wildlife and bush of South Africa. Our guide was excellent with a passion for his subject which shined through. But he also read us, his clients, perfectly and gave us an experience which catered to our level of interest. Accommodation was lovely in a private game reserve where the staff, food and setting could not have been better. The personal touches and general attitude of Red Safari was wonderful and this is a company I will be staying in touch with and using again for my next trip to Africa. Many thanks Jaco and Red Safari.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent experience
Excellent service. Extremely friendly and well knowledgeable guides. They were always ready before departure and I never had to wait on them. I will definitely use them again in future, so I highly recommend their services.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
My experience with Chabo Africa Adventure was incredible and will now have lifelong memories.
The communication was very smooth and easy process. The service was extremely good and certainly lived up to my expectations. Also, the safari tour was really nice, we got to see many animals and our guide was very knowledgable with lots to add as we toured the park. He was a great professional at his job and highly recommend him to others who are traveling to Africa for a safari.
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
World Class tour operators
Our experience with Safaris to Tanzania with Dahlia Tours&Safaris was changed our life a lot, their Safari guides were easy to deal with, great communication and always able to answer our questions and offer advice. The Safari was our second in Tanzania but the hospitality and guidance from Dahlia Tours&Safaris was absolutely world Class, you will never know they operated from just last year unless they told you (very honestly).
We book with them very lately but we drop to Tanzania and amazed how everything was ready for us, from accommodation and transportation. Bryson, our driver and guide, and the company director, Brian, was amazing and truly local guides. They are full knowledge about safari and the local community as well, all the time they did their utmost best to make our trip enjoyable, delightful and exciting. We got to see almost everything we wanted, seen Big 5 was our life dream which come true. Our 6Days/5nights Safari was enjoyable I have ever experience.
Their Choice of accommodation for us was very amazing, we slept in tented camps in the Bush, with Lions roars so close during the night! The food was very best and so fresh no one will ever think that they can get that from Africa.
The Dahlia Tours&Safaris team has been nothing but down to earth guides.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable safari with Bramwel Safaris
There were four of us traveling with Bramwel, two adults and two children. We had 5-day safari. Fred from Bramwel was our guide. We were very lucky with him. He is extremely nice person and very knowledgeable, professional guide. He picked us up from the Kilimanjaro airport and this is how our journey has started. We visited Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire parks. We have seen all animals we wanted. Serengeti with its Katikati tented camp was the best. Bramwel recommended us good places to stay according to our budgets.
I recommend Bramwel as a reliable safari operator. I would go with them another time.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Look no further- just go with alligator adventures
Everything about them is amazing. Meshack the owner is a star. Polite , courteous,, helpful, punctual and responsive. I pestered him to no end while planning the trip over 6 months and he was always ready to help. He even went over and above the call of duty by planning a surprise for us for our anniversary.
You must choose the safari guide Peter! He is fabulous. You can see he is a veteran and knows the best places to show you and take you to. Very flexible on our requirements and non intrusive on our privacy.
We took a private safari for a couple with them. And I will recommend everyone I know who goes to Kenya to go through alligator. They are a small but personalised outfit - which will ensure that you get an exclusive , customised experience.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Super company! Super holiday!
We found Makasa via google amongst other tour operators. I contacted several of them (about ten) and Makasa was the fastest, most reliable and efficient in responding. Also, they were not only fast but to the point, they completely understood our needs and requests and wishes. We also skyped and Selma really took time to assure she understands us (family of four with two fairly young boys) in order to prepare our dream holiday. And what else can I say? She achieved it to the fullest!
We would also like to particularly thank our guide Victor who analyses very much how his customers are, what they want, what they like and (re-)acts accordingly. He was good fun too! I am sure there are many other good guides at Makasa but we were very happy with Victor.
I would also like to mention something "basic" which however is not always done by other companies: Makasa is one of the few that I have seen that never had any issue with the car. They service the cars like crazy!! Sounds norma, but it is not! We saw so many with punctures, shocks were gone or other things that can really ruin or at least delay your safari and you do not want that. It is as simple as that. So, we found that Makasa was slightly more expensive than others, we also found it was worth it to the last penny, because it meant safety, security, efficiency, reliability and above all a great holiday. Thank you Selma and Victor!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Animals to see everywere
We had a excellent adventure with Gofan, They were polite and helpful from my enquiry by email to meeting at the hotel and then on the safari trip. The camp site in the safari was exactly like the advert they sent and photos and the driver did everything he could to find all the animals we wanted to see and to get has close has possible. On way home some one bumped into the back of us, which wasnt our drivers fault but the company sent a car straight away and drove us back. Were both very experienced travelers and wood happly recommend them for a fare price and a exciting trip.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It Started in Africa - 5 Stars! Maasai Mara, Kenya
After weeks of research my best buddy I decided to book a private safari through It Started In Africa. Why? Pretty simple: Helder and the entire crew were very professional, responsive and informative. The transaction was very smooth, once we got to Nairobi, Kenya, the hotel pick up was on time, and the logistics and our itinerary was crystal clear and very well set up. The camp we stayed at (for 3 days) was very clean, safe and they delighted us with the most delicious food. The Maasai Mara itself it's one of those things that every person should experience at least once in their lifetime. This is the first time I write a review online ever, but my experience with It Started in Africa demanded it. If you are reading this and you are unsure whether to book a safari through It Started in Africa, I assure you; you will not regret it at all and you will have an amazing experience just like we did. All the best you guys!