Email Gary Pike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania - Kilimanjaro & Safari Magic make it Trip of a Lifetime
I travelled to Tanzania to fulfill a wish to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and then see the African wildlife that I had dreamed about since childhood. I can only say that the trip exceeded my wildest expectations. The people, wilderness and incredible wildlife made it a trip that will be hard to top. It was amazing! To sit at a breakfast table and watch lionesses stalking a herd of wildebeest just hundreds of metres away was one of the many amazing experiences. We saw all of the big 5 and more. Lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, cheetah, warthogs, zebras- you name it, we saw it.
Email James King | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Wildlife and Scenery
I spent three weeks in Tanzania in October - November 2024 and it was an amazing experience. I had gone mostly for safari and to see the famous animals, this delivered beyond my highest expectactions. I saw lions, leopards, and cheetahs, and all of these with cubs. Two female lions slept in a tree about two metres away form me, the only sounds their breathing and the breeze; I saw a leopard and her baby climb a massive tree together; I saw a momma elephant give her baby a tender stroke and embrace, with her trunk. I saw huge hippos, elegant giraffes, two different types of hyenas, jackels, a small cat called a Serval, and approximately one billion zebras and wildebeasts. I like birdwatching as well, and I saw so many exotic species: Ostriches, African Fish Eagles, the Secretarybird, the Gold Crowned Crake, Vultures, Love Birds, and Verraux's Eagle-Owl, among many, many others (for the bird nerds, I logged nearly 100 species without trying that hard).
The parks I visited were the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangiere, and Lake Manyara; they were all great but I recommend them in that order. For the Serengeti, I stayed in a fixed camp in the park itself for 3 days. This is a more expensive option, but I highly recommend this if your budget allows it: one of the greatest experiences of my life.
I also visited Mwanza and Lake Victoria, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro. These were all worthwhile, with different activities and tones. Mwanza is not very touristy and has good options for birdwatching, hiking and for seeing a bit more of a traditional lifestyle. Dar is very busy but has great shopping and cultural experiences; highly recommend the Tinga Tinga Art Cooperative, which is a treasure trove of wonders. Zanzibar is touristy, but has beautiful beaches and lively nightlife; my top experiences there were Paje Beach, wandering the labyrinth of Stone Town, and eating at the nearby Forodhani Garden Night Market (best on the weekend when it is most lively and fun). Finished my trip hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro which was very scenic, quiet and relaxing, a nice countrast to the bustle of the other places.
There are some challenges, as you find with any developing country; the wi-fi in most places is poor, I recommend getting a local sim card instead (cheap and good service). Some of the domestic travel options can be a bit unreliable; I would avoid buses and ferries if possible, and either fly from place to place, or hire someone to drive you.
But these are minor things, just to mention. Otherwise: the weather is warm, the people are friendly, the food (and local beer) is delicious. And the wildlife and scenery are just: INCREDIBLE. One of the best travel experiences I have had. Kwaheri and assante!
PT
Email Mariana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An incredible experience with a few caveats
I had never been particularly interested in visiting Tanzania, and the idea that safaris were quite expensive had always kept me from considering this option. However, when I started researching, I realized that it was possible to do a safari on a budget. I quickly understood that the price of safaris can rarely go much below €200 per day due to the cost of park entry fees. And here a controversial question arises: where does this money actually go?
It’s clear that the money paid for park entry fees gets 'lost' in the hands of the government, which fails to attract more tourism precisely because it doesn’t create better conditions outside the parks. It’s a shame to see that a country like Tanzania isn’t more developed, especially when tourists contribute so much through park entry fees.
A clear example… The minimum wage in Tanzania is less than €60, yet a foreign tourist or visitor staying at a camp inside Serengeti National Park during peak season pays around €150 per adult for every 24 hours.
Is it worth it? IT’S ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT! But at the same time, we understand that tourists are mainly helping the Tanzanian government get 'easy money,' because outside the parks, we see that nothing is being done to improve the quality of life.
When it comes to the tour agencies that organize these safaris, we encounter another 'system' designed to enrich the owners, while asking tourists to cover the salaries of the guide and support staff.
As a European, I’m not accustomed to tipping culture, and I don’t agree with it. If I pay for a safari, I expect to be paying for EVERYTHING… including a fair wage for the guide, the chef, and anyone assigned by the company to the safari. One day before starting the safari, we received
a document guide on the 'tip' we were expected to give at the end of the safari to our guide, cook, and other staff members.
According to the document, each person was expected to tip the guide $25 per day. Do you know the salary that the company I chose pays the guide? $25 per day! And this amount (the $25 that the company pays the guide) is the same whether it’s a low-budget safari or a luxury safari where tourists easily pay around €2000–€3000 per person for the experience. Is that fair? It doesn’t seem so to me.
That being said, I have to say that I loved the experience... but I wish Tanzania would start to understand that it needs to build a better infrastructure, and that starts with using the money that tourists leave in the country to improve the conditions within the country itself.
CH
Email Priska | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful holiday
We had a perfect holiday in Tanzania. Started with 2 days Stone Town (Zanzibar) then headed for a safari to Serengeti and Ngororo, followed by a beach holiday in Zanzibar. The wildlife was extraordinary, the beach was beautiful, the people were so friendly and helpful. We enjoyed a perfect family holiday.
BR
Email Elisangela Souza da Silva | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania, the parks and reserves were one of the most incredible natural places I've ever seen.
Tanzania, the parks and reserves were one of the most incredible natural places I've ever seen.
Email John Anderson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful destination, culture and people surrounded by spectacular wildlife.
Fantastic time with Bujo tours who created real memories for our family in Tanzania. We were a family of 5 (including 3 teenagers 13 to 15) travelling from London in October 2024. We had 3 days including River, Game Drive and Walking and couldn’t have asked for a better experience in a beautiful country full of fantastic people. We saw everything Elephants, Lions, Zebra, Hippo, Impala, Hyenas, Hogs and so many more animals and Birds, too many to list. The weather was fantastic high 20s everyday. Go and enjoy. Thanks guys. The Anderson’s UK.
CA
Email Jocelyn Castonguay | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing to see so many different animals in the wild and to experience the beautiful scenery.
Our 8 day tour in Tanzania was absolutely wonderful! Great seeing many different animals in the wild and the scenery was incredible. Our tour guide was very careful with his driving when we went high and around some bends. I do not like heights but I was comfortable with his driving. The Arusha Farm House is a beautiful place to stay, with a swimming pool, lovely surroundings and very good food.
CA
Email Janice Verhoeven | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awestruck
I cannot rave enough about my four day safari in Tanzania. My husband and I visited Serengeti National Park as well as Ngorongoro Crater in September. We booked the safari with Habari Adventures (also hiked Mount Kilimanjaro with the same tour company) and cannot say enough good things about both the safari and Habari. The guide was very knowledgeable about the animals as well as respectful by keeping enough distance so as not to disturb. The vast size of the parks and the number of animals we were able to view is indescribable. We were lucky to see the big five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo) along with numerous species of both animals and birds.
We stayed at two lodges within the parks and both facilities were amazing. All of the staff were warm and welcoming! I also liked both lodges were small and blended with the environment Food and atmosphere also great.
As a whole, I loved Tanzanian and would really love to return to explore more areas of the country.
Email Paul Grimaldi | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fascinating and friendly country with all you could want from a safari holiday.
We chose Tanzania because ‘everyone’ it seems goes to South Africa or Kenya yet there was reputed to be excellent chances of seeing the 'big five’ in this less visited country. I also consider where I go politically [where I spend my money] and whilst no government pleases everyone, Tanzania appears to be heading in a good direction. Our first visit to ‘Africa Proper’ did not disappoint in any way. We met so many friendly people - even those clearly relying on selling their goods to tourists were friendly whether or not we bought anything. Staff at lodges and resorts were wonderful. Food everywhere was excellent. For the reasons listed above we also wanted to book with a company based in the country so all our money goes there. Through Safari Bookings we found a tour by Safari Soles which was adjusted to suit our requirements - with a few days to visit Zanzibar. I could not praise Safari Soles more highly. Communication beforehand, nice mid-range accommodation a friendly guide with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all the fauna and flora and a proximity to most of the animals that was well beyond our expectations with perfect logistics throughout. We particularly enjoyed our ‘luxury’ picnic lunches with hot food, wine and proper plates etc. while many other groups were unpacking their cardboard packed lunches. And all for less money than half the time with a tour group based in the West - and ours was a ‘private’ tour. For ‘mid-range’ accommodation we were very happy; huge beds, plenty of space, nice en-suite facilities and a balcony in all the lodges and camps. More money spent on this would have been unnecessary since they were just overnight stays after long days. I’d advise if you have more money to spend - stay longer! I would also add that Tanzania is clearly a country of talent and enterprise. Souvenir items were more expensive than anticipated - although bargaining is the name of the game. But there is considerable artistry and with dollars to spend, one can purchase some beautiful things. We are recommending Tanzania to all our friends that express an interest in a safari and recommending Safari Soles as their tour company.
Email James Heald | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The wildlife is spectacular
I did a safari across the Serengetti. The accommodations and food was first rate and I saw some amazing animals including 2 black Rhinos. This is a tour that everyone should take in their lifetime
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