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Email Jean Luc | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
5 days of extreme beauty!
The five-day safari was marvellous ! We saw amazing sceneries, very diverse across the 5 days. We were extremely lucky to see the Big 5 and more. Our guide, Omar, was a true safari expert and his experience was at times reassuring. Camping in the natural parks the last 2 nights was very special and watching the sunset in the morning was magical. Accommodation was good as well as food, thanks to Babu, our cook, who was very sweet.
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Email Darrell & Olivia W. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Dream Honeymoon
Our parents generously gifted us a 5-day safari in Tanzania for our honeymoon. We, honestly, didn't know what to expect, but we were so excited. This safari absolutely lived up to all of our hopes, and it ended up being one of the craziest, most exciting adventures we have ever experienced. We were absolutely blown away at all of the wildlife we encountered, and every day something absolutely incredible happened. We saw all of the Big 5 (including a mama and baby leopard, which is a very rare treat), we watched a cheetah stalk and kill a Thompson Gazelle, we ran into 5 elephants on our walking tour (which was a crazy experience that our ranger quickly and safely got us out of), and we had a pack of lions kill a buffalo 4 feet from our tent in the Serengeti (I couldn't make that story up if I wanted to... It was truly one of the craziest experiences of my entire life). One thing that surprised us was how many babies there were in late August/early September. They were absolutely EVERYWHERE. We saw the young of almost every single animal that we encountered on the safari, which made for fantastic photos.
Our tour guide, Julius, was GREAT. He knew so many facts about the wildlife and the landscapes, and he somehow always knew where the animals would go. He always predicted their direction and got us over there, away from the rest of the vehicles and up close and personal with the beautiful animals. He always tried his very best to help us see everything we wanted to while we were there. We were totally pleased with our experience with him, and we definitely recommend requesting him if you are able to!
The only negative side to Tanzania is that there is a constant pressure to tip. Even if the safari company tells you that you don't have to tip the locals, the locals make it awkward if you don't (tipping your tour guide and ranger is totally understandable, but the tipping expectation is totally out of control everywhere you go). If someone cleans the public bathroom you enter (which is every single bathroom), they stand around waiting for you to tip them. If someone rolls your carry-on one room over, they stand around waiting for you to tip them. Our worst experience with this was when we went to visit a Masai village without being warned that they would be expecting us to pay (if we had known this fact, we would have opted out of it). When we got there, the chief's son welcomed us..... and told us that he charged a $50 entry fee. We just stood there with our jaws dropped open. (I am sure they are used to retired, more wealthy tourists, but we were just a young, newly married couple who was gifted this trip. We are definitely used to budget traveling and avoiding super pricey places, so this was a total shocker.) We, then, turned to our driver and asked to leave because we simply couldn't afford it. We were told, however, that we couldn't leave because we had already driven 30 minutes to get out there and they had prepared everything. We were dumbfounded at this answer. The chief's son, then, asked us what we could afford. We uncomfortably said $20, which he accepted. It was an extremely awkward situation, and neither of us enjoyed the Masai village at all because of how pressured and cornered we felt. We just wish they would have been upfront about it instead of being sneaky (we later found out that they pretty much do this to everyone- surprise them with the fact it costs money after you are already there). If you are thinking about going on a safari in Tanzania, just bring extra $1 bills for tips everywhere you go and be warned that "Do you want to go visit a Masai village?" = $$$$$$.
Other than that factor, though, Tanzania was an absolutely incredible experience. From the incredible wildlife, to the really fancy and fun glamping tents (which all had bathrooms and showers in them), to the unbelievable experiences we had, it was truly the greatest way to start our marriage off. We absolutely recommend booking your safari through Shemeji Safari, and we can say from personal experience that the end of August/early September is a fantastic time to go!
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Email Gonzalo Perez-Caballero | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari experience with Soul of Tanzania
The communication with Soul of Tanzania to arrange our safari was fantastic, Sandy provide us all information we need and all possible combinations of parks to visit and every type of accomodation. She asked soon and efficently to all (really many) questions and doubt we had. So no problem at all in book whatever you want to organize with this company.
Since we arrive to Tanzania we realize that people from Soul of Tanzania were always worried to satisfy our needs (food, shopping, what to see, where to stop, etc...)... so finally we enjoyed a lot seeing all animals we dreamed to see in their environment, and with the additional information provided for our fantastic guide Ayoub ( he was always trying to satisfy everythinh or place we want to see or go). We expend 6 incredible days thru Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire parks seein (and feeling) what we have seen many times on tv.
The extension to Zanzibar was also amazing with tropical beaches and also visiting Stone Town in a half- day tour. Relax, rest and enjoy every moment.
I can finish without recognizing that every people we met was incredibly kind and always smiling and helping tryning to make us feel the best possible. I will never forget Karibu, Hakuna matata,... thanks to all of you,
The expirience is unforgotten, something to remember forever. Anything I can say or any photo I can show will be far to show what we lived there.
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Email Meg | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely incredible!
The wildlife is absolutely incredible in Tanzania. The scenery is breathtaking and the accommodations were amazing. Not one bad thing to say! Our guide was the best possible guide we could have had. We were sooo happy we got the chance to tour around with him. He made the journey so much fun! All around the experience was everything we imagined and more.
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Email Ofir Ottolenghi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a wildlife! You must come and look
We visited selous game reserve for a three days of safari. On the first day we had a boat tour on the river. Saw many birds, crocodiles and hipos. Enjoyed a spectacular sunset.
We expected a tent for the night, as was written in the reservation, but we got a very nice small building with toilets and shower between the trees and monkeys.
The second day was a full safari day. Lets the game begin! Lots of zebras, giraffes, gnus, impalas, two elephants in close look, four lioness eating a pumba from a distance of three meters, hyena and lots more. We could not expect more than that (a leopard would be nice...)
The last day started in a morning walk in the bush with the giraffes and pumbas and two rangers explaining about the bush. Very interesting.
And now to the long drive back to Dar es Salaam. With nice scenery and small villages.
In the beginning we arrived Dar es Salaam by ferry from Zanzibar. The ferry was very convenient and on time. On the way back to Zanzibar we took a flight. Except for a dally in the flight it was very good. Only 20 minutes flight.
The bottom line - I deeply recommend Tanzania and Zanzibar (which is part of Tanzania) as a target for a different excitement and vacation .
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Email Stefano Sala | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in August, simply amazing
Incredible experience! We saw serengeti and ngorongoro. Onesmo was exceptional both as a guide and as a driver. Always helpful and above all very good at driving and always before all the other jeeps to see the animals. Salim the cook was also very good. Tanzanian style lunches, all good and healthy. Stayed in a tent inside the parks. The camp was more comfortable. Brushing your teeth with zebras is priceless. In general I recommend 100% of this agency.
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Email Sruthi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime in Tanzania
We just returned from a 10 person family safari to Tanzania, and it was a trip of a lifetime. Helena from Soul of Tanzania helped me plan this trip over several months and she was a pleasure to work with. She patiently answered all my questions and was extremely accommodating throughout, including multiple changes to the itinerary, accomodations, and number of people.
Every place we stayed in was clean, beautiful, had impeccable service, and served delicious food. We had several vegetarians in our group and they had no issues with meals. We heard lions and hyenas outside our tent in the Chaka Camps at Serengeti and Tarangire, had beautiful views on our balconies at the Serena Ngorongoro, and fabulous rooms at Escarpment lodge in Lake Manyara. The staff in each place was friendly and helpful, and we had a comfortable stay throughout the safari.
Our guides for the safari were unbelievable. They told us stories from their personal experiences of over 10 years, and kept our group entertained. They were also very patient with our large group which also included a 1.5 year old. Thanks to their efforts, we saw 56 (!!) lions, 12 cheetahs, a cheetah kill, 2 leopards, and countless elephants, giraffes, hippos, antelope, hyenas, wildebeest, zebras, and buffalo. We also spotted a caracal, elands, and other rarer animals thanks to the keen eyes of our guides. The guides were knowledgeable about these animals and made sure we found and saw the animals as close-up as possible while prioritizing our safety.
We opted for a balloon ride over the Serengeti, and this was an unbelievable experience to see animals from a bird's-eye view. The champagne breakfast which followed in the middle of the Serengeti was amazing as well.
Soul of Tanzania coordinated our trip from start to finish, and even had a check-in point before we began the safari to ensure our expectations were met. They also coordinated our transfer to the next destination in Nairobi, where we stayed overnight before flying to Cape Town. I plan to use SOT again whenever we return, and highly recommend their services to anyone thinking about a Tanzanian safari.
*This review is also posted on TripAdvisor*
Email Dawn Hip | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everyone, should see and experience Tanzania
It was unbelievable. I was super worried about my 25yr daughter (Jacinta) safety, so I went with her and made sure we booked a great company. Mid/Range tour Serengeti with Lion King Adventures for 7days and everything was perfect. I’m pretty fussy and was totally blown away with service, accommodation 5+, security, food and the most amazing people we met, including locals.
Would highly recommend Arusha Giraffe Lodge prior or after tour. Arrange Lodge driver to pick you up (low price), because you really need security and safety at all times. Best(chef-Jasin) in Arusha and beautiful accom/family owned. My son is head chef in very exclusive restaurant and would very much love meet Jasin and learn his techniques. Staff incredible, a must especially if you like lovely accommodation, secure place, transport at decent price. Please tip well, they deserve every penny you can afford. Much better than a 4.5* hotel and they never ask
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Email Muniza Hassan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything we imagined and more!
If you are at all on the fence about booking a safari to Tanzania/serengeti, I say book now!
I'll start with the cons:
1) long turnaround time to hear back from tour company prior to trip. We had to follow up several times on multiple occasions, and it still would take 2 to 3 weeks for us to get a response.
2) no a/c or minifridge in keep, although advertised. The weather was mild enough that we did ok, but the afternoons would get unbearable when the jeep wasn't moving.
Pros:
1) CLEAN! We have been to several national parks across the US, and travel frequently internationally as well, and by far I was so impressed with the cleanliness of the parks and especially the restrooms at the parks (random I know, but still important!)
2) safe! We never once felt unsafe, not from animals nor from locals when we went roaming around in the city. Although aggressive salespeople, the people are harmless.
3) the beauty and the nature and the animals! We saw everything and words nor pics can do justice to the beauty of the serengeti and also the ngorogoro crater.
4) our guide hassan was very well informed and had an answer to all of our questions. He was very mild mannered, detailed, and made sure we were comfortable at all times.
5) the food is nothing special, but we didnt really go for the food anyway.
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Email Clare | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience thanks to this fantastic company
I would highly recommend this company. Everything was just fantastic. We had trouble with lost luggage on our way to Tanzania and the guide, Freddy was so helpful sorting it out resulting in their safe arrival. He was so knowledgeable on safari and his sharp eye meant we saw all big 5! We were so impressed with the food, Robert the cook was highly skilled particularly when you take into consideration the lack of equipment / supplies when out in the wilderness.
The only thing we could fault was the Fact that the truck was a little old and had high seats meaning if you’re over 5 5” you’d have to duck down slightly to look out the window. They do have newer trucks though with lower seats so it depends on who the guide is.
Overall it was a once in a life time experience and we would recommend Shemeji to anyone interested in a budget safari in Tanzania.
