FR
Email Diane | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing when you don't get ripped off!
We booked a Safari tour with Crater Explorer on Safari Booking.
Exchanges where nice but only by WhatsApp, we didn't receive any receipt, anything confirming us the booking, but anyway, we thought it was quite normal in Tanzania.
Arrived in Arusha, the guy from Crater Explorer (Emanuel), ask us to pay the globally by cash a day before the safari without giving us any receipt (what is suspect).
Hopefully we were with a local Tanzanian at this time, who thought it was a scam.
And actually he was right! During the day the safari was very nice, we saw many animals, parks are extremely beautiful BUT for the accommodation it was the opposite of what we paid for. We were supposed to sleep in tents IN the park and actually we slept in a dirty lodge outside of the park, in a city center very noisy! We were very very disappointed, and we didn't get any refund, anything.
Just as advise, please verify safari agencies that you promote on your website, and make sure they do what they sell!
CA
Email Farzin Mou | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Breathtaking
The scenery is unbeatable and the experience is something I would recommend to everyone in a heartbeat. The company was good considering it was a budget travel company. The quality of some of the meals could have been a little better. But overall, the company's hospitality was great - they gave us a bottle of red wine to welcome us which was a nice touch! I would recommend these guys for all budget travelers. We actually ended up going to all the places and lodging exactly where all the more expensive groups were. Richard and his team are professionals and will take care of you to the best of their ability.
PT
Email Sophie | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A real adventure!
It was a good adventure! The wildlife, the parks were amazing! The only thing we did not enjoy was our guide. Not very nice, not available to show us around the park, we were always the last to leave the the camp and the first to return. The last day we waited 2hours for him to get inside the park, he was sitting aroud and talking to some other drivers. Our cook was great, and al the meals were perfect!
DK
Email Mette | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Over all amazing experience
We went on a 4D/3N safari trip to Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Both Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro were great experiences with lots of animals and beautiful nature! Serengeti on the other hand was a bit disappointing in our opinion. Not many animals and the roads were not good. Beautiful nature though.
We chose tented camps which was a different but great experience as well. Close to animals.
NO
Email Andrea | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good sightseeing, bad food
The safari itself was pretty good. We got to see almost all the animals, and camping was very nice. We were given all necessary equipment.
The food on the other hand, was not what we expected. People in our group had various diets/allergies, and these needs were not met. The chef had heard nothing about our requirements although all of us had informed staff about this when we booked the safari. Since he didn't know about allergies and diets, he had not bought the groceries suitable for our diets. It was also difficult to communicate properly with the chef because of the language barrier. He did find a way to cook food that everyone could eat, but it wasn't optimal.
Email Haris | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magic scenery, amazing wildlife, unique experience, but the car broke 3 times...
The scenery and the experience was one in a lifetime.
The guide (driver) was very nice, took us to the good spots and we managed to see amazing wildlife.
The cook we had with us was also great and ate some delicious food.
Unfortunately the car was very old and let us down multiple times.
Overall the experience is something I strongly recommend but I counln'd leave out that the car gave us troubles.
QA
Email Carlos Del Rio | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience. Mountaineering, Safari and Beach in a single trip.
Wildlife in Tanzania is overwhelming. Weather was not that good, with floods and long power cuts. Accommodations quite good, not so the lunch boxes during the Safari. Same food for six days. Transportation and guide excellent. It was worth it overall.
PL
Email Anna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing beautifull experience
Definetely worth to go in november, it is not so crowdy there are plenty of animals and big five too. I was impressed by the travel servis, they are soo helpfull and caring. Weather was just perfect, no rain at all. Prepare yourself for long hours in the car, the roads are bumpy. I highly recomend to take binoculars to admire sleeping cheetah on the branch or birds from long distans.
Email Aussie chick | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded expectations of what I thought I’d see
Tour guide was great but was given a different itinerary to what I’d agreed with from the booking company.
So double check with guide before starting the tour.
The accommodation, vehicle and guide were really good , but there was obviously a small disconnect between the tour booking company and the guide company they contacted to.
Also had some issues with the international banking transfers when paying the booking company and we ended up paying an extra $500 AUD than we should have , so be careful with that. The booking company said the transfer hadn’t gone through but our banks said it had. So some robust discussions were had .
However the safari itself was amazing and I’d highly recommend going to see Tanzania.
DE
Email Justine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An overall great Experience
I was overall really happy with my safari and definitely want to come back some day!
We had some fantastic cat sightings in the serengeti; some lovely elephant, giraffe, monkey action in Tarangire ( turned to be my favourite park from this trip (beautiful Baobab trees and wildlife!) as the migration at that time was not yet back in the part of serengeti where we were the big herds are not really there; you will still have great sightings but just take that into consideration what time of the year you go.
Weather was solid; accomodation was either tent or in a very pretty bungalow. Great food(!) & great guides. The only slight critique point i had was that you change the people in your car quite a bit, I had expected to be in the same group for the whole trip; maybe that was due to low season though.
From my experience I would increase my time in tarangire next time and maybe (if you have to choose and can´t do all the NP)- skip lake manyara NP as the others were a bit more exciting. This is a personal preference though.
