DZ
Email Adenan Khemais | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
amazing
It was an enjoyable trip ..
PT
Email Nicholas J D'Anna | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not as great as the first time
Returned to Tanzania after 18 years hoping to recapture the magic. Not quite. The first time was during the Great Migration and it was glorious. Huge herds with hungry predators picking them off. This time in June it rained both days in the Serengeti, there were no real herds, and I didn't see a single kill. It didn't help that my tent was leaky or that our guide was more interested in yelling at other drivers and on his phone than being a guide. The overloaded vehicle didn't help nor did the fact that he seemed uncertain who he was supposed to take on which tour.
Also getting into and out of my Airbnb in the center of Arusha was an adventure in itself because of the awful roads, one of which was blocked, forcing us to reverse a long way.
The one highlight was Zanzibar. I stayed in Kiwengwa at The Kichwa House, a locally-owned place, for three glorious nights. The beach was gorgeous, the locals friendly, the food great.
US
Email Gary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
what an amazing experience!
For our vacation to Tanzania we booked a 7 day safari with Safari360 that went to the Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara Parks. Once we got through customs the trip was an amazing time. Getting a Boeing 787 load of people all at once through customs can take time. Having our Visas before we left was a HUGE help. Lameck our guide's knowledge of the parks was very impressive and he was so personable he became like family before we boarded the plan to come home. Be ready to take 1,000s of pictures because of the scenery and animals are at every turn. EVERY person and I mean EVERY person we came into contact with during our trip made us feel like we were an honored guest and were going way beyond what we expected to make sure we were comfortable and happy. The Arusha Cultural Heritage centre is someplace you'll definitely want to visit if you're in Arusha along with the Arusha Central Market. Our guide arranged for a local (very helpful) to take us to the Central Market and around part of Arusha. One of the nicest places we stayed was Under the Shade Safari Lodge and the Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge was much nicer than a person might expect staying in a tent. It had a full bed, shower & restroom in our tent. We stopped at a Maasai village while on our safari and they showed us around their village even going inside a home & kindergarten school room. We're from America and US dollars were accepted every place we wanted to spend money at. Because the hospitality was so good Tanzania I wish I had taken more $1 bills than I did but was able to exchange $20 for ones at our Lodge. Your probably going to want to get more souvenirs than you think you will. Going back through customs was much easier since everyone didn't arrive at the airport at the same time. This was a once in a lifetime vacation that we want to take again. The people of Tanzania are absolutely amazing and as they told us in Swahili, polepole (polay polay), or slow down and enjoy your time.
CH
Email Claudia Hoffmann-Burkart | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful country with the most impressive wildlife.
We enjoyed lots of scenic places but the most we loved the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
CA
Email Joan Haysom | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Diverse
Tanzanians were very friendly and happy to have cisitors. At nonpoint did I feel unsafe. A safari trip to Serengeti is a must - we spent 2.5 days there and saw so many animals including many cubs and nearly a couple of lion or cheetah hunts. It was amazing! We had a local tour company Suricata that was excellent. We stayed in very nice but locally owned lodging which was amazing - good food, very clean, and staff that were so friendly and helpful. Forest Hill Hotel outside of Arusha was wonderful and peaceful. I don’t think there is anything compelling within Arusha. We also spent teo days at the end of the trip in Zanzibar at the Tembo Hotel which is a beautiful old historic building and perfectly situated for strolling around and beaching. The diversity of people and cultures in Zanzibar was fabulous. Tanzania is relatively stable, safe and very friendly and an amazing experience.
Email Mark | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stunning
We travelled to Tanzania in May23 and booked our safari through Roadside Expeditions Tanzania. The email communications from Paul were excellent and we couldn't fault the service we received. Our guide Justin was amazing and a good ambassador for Tanzania. Advising us of the culture and wildlife on safari. Tanzania is a stunning country with a wealth of beautiful scenery and many varied wildlife. We went to Tarangire Park where we saw elephants, giraffes, lions and the wonderful baobab trees. We also visited the Serengeti where we saw the big 5 safari and many more wonderful animals. Also Ngorogoro crater which was incredible too. There are nit enough superlatives to describe our Tanzania experience. All the hotels we stayed in were comfortable, people welcoming and friendly. We wouldn't hesitate to return to this wonderful country Tanzania.
SK
Email Petra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Slow life vibes in amazingly beautiful nature with rich wildlife
During our 2 weeks holiday we went for 5 days private safari and rest of the time we spent at Zanzibar. It was just wonderful experience. We booked safari with local operator Gosheni which was very reliable, knowledgable and professional from the first email exhange until the end of the trip. We started at Tarangire NP where we had quite private feeling due low number of other cars which we met. We saw lot of wildlife, mainly elephants, zebras, antilopes, wild pigs, girrafes etc. We spent night directly in the park at amazing lodge. We opted also for night safari which was nice mainly due to beautiful sky full of stars. When it comes to animals there were not many but still it has its spirit. Next day we moved to Serengeti what was 6 h drive but there is always something interesting to see so journey was not boring at all. And Serengeti itself is WOW. Endless land, animals wherever one looks. We felt like in the movie. Driving with open roof, admiring mother nature while listening to our guide who provided us with information about country itself, tribes and their culture and of course aboute animals. After two nights there we visited Ngorongoro crater which was already more crowded, also because of its size. It was indeed beautiful, however after Serengeti it didnt have such wow effect for us. Still, we could see few spieces which we didnt in Serengeti, such as hyenas, flamingos and black rhinos. After night spent at the rim of crater we moved to Lake Manyara which is smallest from all 4 parks and with less wildlife. But we had best seeing of leopard there. Safari trip ended with visit of Masai village. It was very interesting to listen to their life style and traditions and we definitely do not regret the experience. Though, the fact is that for viligers the focus is on selling their products. Nevermind, we enjoyed. After safari we moved to Zanzibar. Island has beautiful white beaches, is very green, service at resorts was at high level and people very friendly. We enjoyed marine life while diving, spice farm and walk in the rain forest. We had rented car as we prefer to be on our own. Driving was safe as there is low speed limit at island and not heavy trafic (except Stone town), however roads are not in good condition so one needs to be careful. Roads going to resorts are not paved so even short distance may take quite long. And get ready for plenty of police checkpoints. Drive by all rules, otherwise police officer may not think twice to fine you (without receipt of course :) ) All in all we enjoyed Tanzania incredibly and can only recommend it to nature and beach lovers. One needs to be ready that prices for tourists are really high and at Zanzibar there are many local guides approching foreigners with their service offer what can be bothering. But... thats just the way how they try to do their best to earn money for living. In general people are very friendly and helpful. And country is simply beautiful and has a lot to offer.
SI
Email Ales Pavlic | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream safari destination and more...
Bucket list for Tanzania mainland:
- safari in Tarangire to see hundreds of zebras, lots of elephants with magic scenery with baobabs
- safari in Serengeti to se lions, gepards and especially leopards who are hiding in rock formations covered with trees and bushes
- safari in NgoroNgoro crater to se big heards of zebras, wildebeasts, Thompson antelopse, hippos, tribes of baboons, and with some luck also an illusive blach rhino
- foothils of Kilimanjaro with Materuni waterfalls and coffe production demonstration in local village
- Chemka hotsprings with monkeys in jungle around, jumping in the watter "Tarzan style" with rope "liana"
Bucket list for Zanzibar:
- visiting rare Red columbus monkeys and blue monkeys in Jozani jungle
- visiting Prison island with giant Seyshelles turtles and snorkeling in coral gardens around island
- having dinner in spectacular Rock Restaurant near Pingwe
- spending all day in Nungwe beach snorkeling in coral gardens all around and having sunset dhove sailing with drums music
- swiming with dolphins and snorkeling in coral reefs near Mnemba atol
- try sea food in Forozani night market (near old fort) in Stone town
- survive dala-dala bus trip from Stone town to Nungwe village and back
US
Email Nathalie Os | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Down to earth and vibrant
Tanzania is an exceptional country with amazing, friendly, and caring people. The nature and wildlife are unreal. The way of life is also very inspiring (pole pole). I highly recommend to anyone that wants to have a positive experience and a big adventure.
US
Email Bennett E. Harris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Serengeti, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Ngorongoro crater are worth it!
Be sure to also discover the cities of Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar.
