US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Southern Tanzania
We had been on Safari in Northern Tanzania in 2008 visiting Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire. This time we visited the Southern zone of Tanzania namely Selous, Ruaha and Mikumi. Musa was our driver for the Safari and the Safari experience was much wilder and we saw a lot of action, it helps when the driver know his geography well. Next trip in a few years in Western Tanzania, can’t wait to see Gombe streams and the chimps.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
100% match with our wishes and needs! Already second amazing time with sunny safaris!
We just came back from a 14 day safari and are still wondering about this perfect organized and absolutely well done trip!
Right from the start we had an excellent communication with Jessica, answering all our questions, fullfilling all suggestions, adapting our wishes to reasonable timing , locations and activities. We felt more than comfortable already in planning our journey! Service was great, payment easy via bank transfer from germany (we paid 100% in advance) and everything was so amazingly good organized. Driving times, hiking, game viewings.....moreover, we even had the feeling, that in every camp/lodge we had the best rooms/tents..wonderful. Jessica even was calling us on our trip to check if everything is alright! Thanks a lot!
Our safari was a good mix of game drives (Arusha NP 1 d, Tarangire 2 d, Ngorogoro 1 d, Serengeti 5 d, Ndutu 1 d), hiking (Crater highlands 2d) and walking (Lake Natron 1d and Arusha 1d). For the price we paid, it was for real exclusive!
David was an outstanding wildlife guide and great driver. Never saw him looking up a map, even though we went mostly off the beaten track, being alone in the wild, especially in Serengeti. Always best informed where to go for finding the rare animals. We had such a great time! Driving was always secure and we felt very comfortable with his open-minded and hearty personality.
Well done!!!!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Adventure of a lifetime with Makasa!
Excellent communication and trustworthy travel agent in Tanzania! The benefit has been that we did not pay premium for the international travel agents, who use local Tanzanian companies anyway. We received value for money moving through Tanzanian Parks with a very nice, funny and knowledgeable Safari guide. What we have seen was truly unbelievable as we moved from Moshi with the views of Kilimanjaro to Tarangire through Manyara Lake and finally to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Excited, we enjoyed vist of jackals and hyenas and elephant family in the camp, observing the full cycle of life in Serengeti and seeing the Big 5! That was a trip of the lifetime and we now plan to repeat Safari adventure with our children age 7 and 12.
We stayed in the mix of permanent lodges and tents and that combination gave as a fantastic mix of luxurious conditions and safari excitement of having wild animals as your neighbours! The two venues we will never forget were in Maramboi Tented Camp and Kati Kati Tented Camp, simply exceeded our expectations by bringing adventure to our life! Special thanks to the ladies in Kilimanjaro Lodge – service amazing, food even more amazing!
If we go to Tanzania again that will definitely be with Makasa! I have also recommend them to my friends and colleagues.
(already provided)
(already provided) I think you asked if I would brief a brief description of my trip and can do no better that copy the note I wrote to Tribes at the time...
Dear Tribes team,
I have just got back from my Tanzanian trip which I must say certainly was more challenging than the last couple of trips you organised, as I battled to survive an attempt on my life (Uduzungwa), a series of bold robberies (Selous), and a potentially embarrassing international incident in Sadaani.
Impala camp in Selous was lovely in all respects. There was plenty of game in the immediate vicinity, and I had giraffe, bush babies and hippos around my tent most nights. The view in the evening from my wooden verandah as the sun set over the Rufiji river was absolutely wonderful. However, I suspect the camp at the absolute epicentre of game viewing is still Lake Manze and we had a longish drive to see most of the “serious” animals. Once we did so, we saw plenty of lions, a pack of 15 wild dogs and even a leopard which strolled right up to the vehicle which first spotted it (not mine, sadly- I only caught a few minutes as it disappeared into the deep bush). Hippo, monitor lizards and crocs on the river beneath my tent were commonplace and the birds were as I remembered them from my last two trips, spectacular. The robberies themselves were certainly very bold - vervet monkeys descended on my early morning tea and biscuits and left devastation in their wake; weaver birds ganged up to deprive me (successfully) of my breakfast cereal; and in the evening the bush babies distracted my attention and stole the delicious bread rolls from my plate.
Sable Mountain Lodge was an unusual place. It was very nice and comfortable, but there were relatively few birds or animals in the area, and it was surprisingly quiet in the jungle around the lodge. I had it pretty much to myself, which was a shame for the staff who were attentive and helpful. Abdullah, who has been at the Lodge since it was built, is absolutely charming.
The drive to Uduzungwa was very tough. It was fun to see the little villages and the women going about their routines (the men were sleeping, mainly), but it took about 9 hours and the roads for the most part, were ghastly. The last 30 k up to Hondo Hondo camp took over 2 hours and at times the road was indistinguishable from the bolder strewn streams which we crossed on the way. Fine for the more intrepid traveller, but I would say definitely not recommended for the casual tourist.
This is a shame because Uduzungwa and Hondo Hondo camp are certainly to be recommended for the sheer jaw dropping variety of unusual animals, birds, plants and insects. I saw five different primate species in the space of an hour around the camp within a few minutes of my arrival. It was also lovely to be welcomed by Belle and Ginger, two of the best turned out and well cared for donkeys in Africa, whose main duty (apart from welcoming guests) is to keep the grass down efficiently. Worth mentioning too, because I like to think I know a fair amount about European mycology, were the fungi, which were astonishing in variety and weird beauty, most of which I could not even begin to place in general families, much less identify as species.
The camp was the most basic I went to, and could possibly do with a quick Health and Hygiene visit, but was perfectly nice, and the staff absolutely lovely. I suspect that they obviously struggle with the heat and humidity (as did I), and mould stuck the pages of books together and pervaded the tents. I got severe diarrhoea and since another (non hiking) guest did too, I am not sure it was just the exertion of the hiking which was to blame. I also fell down a waterfall and ended up having to do a makeshift dressing with loo paper, which may have aided rather than stopped the bacterial infection which followed. Since the place is too remote to have a Duka La Dawa (chemist) anywhere close, it would have been advisable to have taken a much better First Aid kit with me.
Of course it was the trekking which nearly killed me. I had imagined that the distance and timings in the publicity were for the benefit of the “chubbier”guests (after all - who takes 4-5 hours to do a 6 km walk?), but they were not. I told my guides that they were trying to murder me on the longer Hidden Valleys walk, and they laughed, but my goodness I did find it hard. I had two guides and a ranger with a gun (I can perfectly understand why this was necessary, as we scared a leopard off its kill by one remote stream) and they were marvelous, solicitously carrying my haversack, then my camera then my hat, as I divested myself of everything remotely adding to my weight on the 8km relentless climb up. On the 8km climb down I was ready just to curl up in a ball and allow myself to be rolled down. Was it worth it? - goodness yes, but I am sure I would have enjoyed it more if I had not been hallucinating.
One quick word about prices, because I see a theme of complaints about the cost of the park fees and guides on Tripadvisor. I think the guides are $20 a day and I tipped each on top of that. They were great, although their knowledge of the flora and fauna could be better. They were out with me for a full day (9 hours) which works out at a little over $2 an hour before tip. That is not a high price for any Western tourist to pay, frankly. Likewise the Park fees are absolutely justified having regard to the sheer scale of the park management tasks which they cover. Of course locals should not have to pay those sort of fees and they do not, but visitors from Europe, America and Australia are incredibly privileged to be able to afford to travel the world to see such beautiful places, and should not feel resentful about the cost. London and Paris are no different – try visiting London Zoo with children, for a real wallet busting experience.
The drive from Uduzungwa to Sadaani took 9 hours and even the so called "good" non Tarmac road through to Sadaani was gruelling. Maybe it was just an age thing, and I am sure my bottom was much more resilient when I was younger.
Sadaani is quite a different experience, and although there was a lot of game to be seen, we had to work much harder to find the few individual zebra, giraffe and elephant and the birds. Lions are in the park, and the previous guests saw 10 of them. I saw none, but the driver told me that near Sadaani village they have become man-eaters, the last person served up as dinner, was only as far back as December last year. The warthogs are to be found in the middle of Sadaani village grazing happily with the goats and chickens. They are not stupid, and have worked out that it is perfectly safe to hang out in a non pork eating Muslim community, which will probably also keep an eye out for lions.
Tent-with-a-view is very nice and quirky, and the beach was by and large completely deserted. I did get to talk to the fishermen, who were friendly and laughed a lot. The food was good and baobab ice cream is really very nice. Hassam does a hilarious Del Boy Trotter impression - “lovely jubbley!” - how did that happen?
The drive back to Dar es Salaam was fine until we got within 10 km of the airport - that last bit took almost as much time as the rest of the 150?km journey. I would not willingly undergo that experience again on a full bladder.
Oh, and the international incident was when the male park guards tried to sell or even give away their very large female colleague to me. Olivie (for that was she) roared with laughter as my Swahili only just managed to keep pace with the most obvious innuendo and rudery. I am sure my wife and family would have been thrilled (not) if I had brought her home as my second wife. Mind you, there was plenty of her to go round.
All in all a super trip, but I now need a little lie down.
Tanzania is a very full on safari experience, but incredibly rewarding for anybody who is prepared to be a bit forgiving. The people are charming and have a great sense of humour, and thrilled if you tell them how lovely the country is . It needs more visitors - we in the West ask a lot from the Africans to care and manage the heritage of their wildlife, but we have to realize that it comes for them at a huge cost – in not many parts of the world do the major tourist attractions (think British Museum and Buckingham Palace) destroy your crops and eat you, so we have a duty to support them as much as we can.
General misinformation is also to blame for the current dearth of visitors – apparently the Ebola scare has decimated the numbers despite the fact that Tanzania is at less risk of an outbreak than Europe.
Now, about my next trip...
With very many thanks
Marcus
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari, Beach & Padi all in 14 days
The itinerary and accommodation was fully organised on our behalf by Safarihub. We chose to go with Safarihub due to their high number of reviews, informative website and good prices also not forgetting well experienced safari consultants whom we spoke to in the London and Arusha office. We spent a total of 8 days in the national parks followed by a week in Zanzibar, where I managed to get to the first level of my Padi course. Which is something I have wanted to since I was a child. It was an awesome experience and I look forward to returning sometime in the not so distant future.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari
Had an excellent Safari with Mr Joseph, coordinated by David very lucky to see Masai Mara at its best. Accomodation and living was excellent n food was amazing...had a wonderful time
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was merverllous going for a safari with bencia africa advanture and safaris
The safari was to our expectation,we enjoyed every bit of it.The Tour Guide was so social, knowledgeable and so lively.The cook was wonderful with fantastic meals.The accommodations were superb and the people there where so kind and welcoming.The staff members are so kind with good heart for helping.We enjoyed our tour to our maximum with Alfred Tour Operator. I recommend Bencia Africa Adventure And Safaris.
ES
35-50 years of age
Professional staff always aware for you and your comfrotability and if you are hapy
It was not my first safari in Africa but I felt as it was because of Asante staff's passion, They were always willing to seek and find ainimals until sun gone and show as small places in towns or markets because we told them we love that kind of places. They know a lot how to manage a long and dusty safari to make your day at last. No doubt to repeat in Northern Tanzanania or to say my friends go with Asante and you will connect with Africa, the real Africa.
Northern Tuli - The Undiscovered Gem!
We came in from South Africa through the Point Drift border crossing. What a way to cross the Limpopo river! After a short drive through the Tuli reserve in out Land Rover, we made the night at Molemo bush camp. It was amazing, making camp beneath a lone huge tree, not far from the water. The shower was with hot water, and no roof - the night starts were glorious. We enjoyed the quiet, the wildlife along the river, and the friendly staff. Overall, the place is great for piece and quiet, lots of birds, monkeys, and antelopes.
Best ever visit to this wonderful place of red dunes and its wonderful denizens!
Wildlife - saw nearly everything including a cheetah chase/kill and nearly every day cheetahs for the 1st 8 days. Brown Hyena and Honey Badget accommodating for good images.Birding was great with good in flight photography opportunities. Had a bit of rain - bagged Lanner Falcon and Gabar Goshawk bathing in the road. Cheetahs drank in the road after the kill. Magical photography opportunities. I love the scenery, the landscape, the place - but then I am born in Africa and was raised in this type of dry, hot, beautiful country.
The accommodation in the three main camps are great to adequate - Twee Rivieren, Nossob and MataMata. The best is Twee Rivieren. Some of the Nossob accommodation is hot and cramped but it is still better than camping. There are also the wilderness camps, quite a few and some really remote that have a bit more luxury and is normally small but well kept and maintained. Be warned, it is hot and the gas fridges cannot always cope fresh food may go off quickly.
Summer can get >45ºC in the afternoons and winder is below zero at night. But the place makes up for this with its wonderful wildlife and photographic opportunities. There is an adequate shop at Twee Rivieren selling the basics. Be aware the park is 250 km form Uppington, the largest town in the area and one should come prepared and stocked-up with what you need. Take your own water as the water in the camp tastes funny to horrible, depending on your palate. It is clean and potable, it just does not tastes nice. Roads needs to be taken with patience as it is very corrugated. They pull a tyre grader behind a tractor on a regular basis but rather come in a 2X4 and not a normal sedan vehicle. Long stretches of the road, especially between Melkvlei and Nossob, runs in a deep rut which makes it nearly impossible to see anything adjacent to the road. We never make use of guides because we are citizens and do our own driving. Please note the following about open vehicle driving - it is charming, but it is dusty and can get quite cold. You cannot necessarily stop as long as you want at what you want to, especially if you do photography. The dust is a real problem - do not try to changes lenses!
Al this said, we always have a great time. This is the place to see the Cape Fox, the Bat-eared fox, honey badger and brown hyena. Cheetah and lion is nearly a guarantee and this is one of THE places where you may see a cheetah kill. We have seen two cheetah chases ending in a kill and numerous cheetahs at a kill. Then Kalahari lions are THE king of the lions with their black manes and large feet. There are also resident raptors and other birds that are more readily approachable if you do photography than what you will encounter elsewhere in SA. Overall. as we say : I f once the red sand of the Kalahari got into your socks, your will always want to come back. This is one of the best safari destinations in the world!