$1,282 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateThis Tour Is Offered By
Great Escape Trails
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
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TZ
Great Escape Trails is a safari brand company with the team consist of the most knowledgeable safari specialists based in Tanzania with experience of serving abundant clients from various places around the world including Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa.
Reviews74
An extraordinary safari experience — beyond every expectation
We recently completed a custom-designed 10-day safari with Great Escape Trails to celebrate a milestone 50th birthday, covering Tarangire National Park, Lake Natron, the Central Serengeti, Ndutu, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. The itinerary itself was tailored specifically for us, built out from a shorter trip to give us the experience we were really after. We researched four different operators before choosing Great Escape Trails, and we are so glad we did.
Planning & Itinerary — Thom
From the very first interaction, Thom set Great Escape Trails apart. He was responsive, thorough, and genuinely invested in making our trip perfect — working with us to custom-design our itinerary from scratch, helping us fine-tune every detail, and going well beyond his brief to advise on accommodation after the tour and how to make the most of any extra time we found ourselves with. That level of care and personal attention is rare, and it was the deciding factor in choosing Great Escape Trails over their competition.
Our Guide — Hans
Hans is, quite simply, exceptional. His knowledge of the wildlife, terrain, and ecosystems is extraordinary — and his ability to navigate the Serengeti without so much as a GPS seemed almost supernatural. In quieter areas, he drew on years of experience and deep personal knowledge; in busier locations, he used his network of fellow guides and his radio to make sure we were always in the right place at the right time.
The result was extraordinary. He got us closer to wildlife than we ever imagined possible — within metres of lion cubs playing in a tree, elusive leopards lounging on low branches, a cheetah with a fresh kill, elephant families crossing the road directly in front of our vehicle, and a large group of giraffes surrounding us completely. He balanced all of this with genuine respect for the animals and for other visitors. Worth noting too — the wet season arrived unexpectedly early, and Hans navigated some seriously challenging deep mud conditions with complete composure and skill. It never once disrupted our experience. If we had self-driven, we would not have seen a quarter of what we did — and we would almost certainly have been hopelessly lost, or genuinely stuck.
By the end of the trip, Hans felt more like a good friend than a guide. We had learned each other’s sense of humour, shared stories, and the whole experience felt warm and natural. Saying goodbye was genuinely difficult.
Accommodation
Once we hit the road after our first night in Arusha, every property delivered something special. The range was part of the adventure itself — a fixed lodge in the Central Serengeti, a mobile camp in Ndutu, an eco lodge near Lake Natron, and comfortable accommodation in nearby towns for the other nights. The level of facilities naturally varies across such a diverse itinerary, but every night felt right for where we were and what we were doing — beds were comfortable, food was generous, and hosts were warm and welcoming throughout.
In Summary
A self-drive safari might appeal to some, but we cannot imagine having experienced anything close to what we did without Hans and Great Escape Trails behind us. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to mark a very special birthday, and Great Escape Trails delivered something truly bespoke — not an off-the-shelf package, but a trip designed around us. We would wholeheartedly recommend Thom, Hans, and the entire Great Escape Trails team to anyone considering a Tanzania safari — you will not regret it.
CA
Knowledgeable and interested in sharing his beautiful country.
What can be said. Totally awesome - the variation of animals; being able to see them in the wild living their life. Without Thom we would have missed some beautiful situations - his knowledge of the animals and their characteristics enhanced the trip.
Why go to this beautiful country without the BEST to guide you.
NL
Amazing experience
The four of us had a fantastic safari. Tom is truly the best and funniest driver imaginable. He immediately puts you at ease from the start and speaks excellent English. Perfectly understandable, especially for Dutch people. Tom knows the roads like the back of his hand and knows exactly what he's doing. He adapts perfectly to our needs. He's also clear about his expectations, such as what time he'd like to leave and the schedule for the day. One of our locations turned out to be unsuitable for overnight stays, and he had it completely resolved before we knew it.
Even during the safari, Tom drives incredibly smoothly and comfortably. He knows where to find the perfect spots and stops at the perfect spots to admire and photograph the animals (the photos are barely zoomed in). He happily jumps in front when possible, but always with respect for the animals! He's happy to back up a bit if he notices an animal is uncomfortable. His knowledge of the country and its animals is also commendable. Along the way, we learned a lot of interesting facts, and he was able to answer all our questions about the animals! In short, I would highly recommend Tom to everyone! We miss him already!
(automatic translation from Dutch)
NL
Amazing
Very good company. Everything is taken care of and most importantly the guide is great. He made us all feel comfortable right away and is really good at his job. 20 years of experience and it shows. He really knows all the best spots and is very knowledgable about the animals (including birds) and their behaviour. He could answer any question we had. The safari jeep is very comfortable and practical. Overall amazing experience and would recommend this company for sure.
NL
Knowledgeable and adaptable
There was a few hiccups at the beginning but our guide quickly adjusted them to help make the experience good! Great game drives in the Serengeti!
Other Safaris & Tours38 – Offered by Great Escape Trails
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5-Day Margical Ndutu Migration Calving Season Safari
$1,749 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP), Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
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7-Day Explore Tanzania Grand Safari
$2,475 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire NP, Mt Kilimanjaro, Moshi (End)
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7-Day Honeymoon Safari in Tanzania
$3,288 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
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3-Day Top Noch Tour-Short and Sweet
$1,265 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Moshi (Start), Mkomazi NP, Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Moshi (End)
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3-Day Grand Tour Serengeti & Crater
$1,165 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Central Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire NP, Arusha (End)
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4-Day The Best of Best Serengeti
$1,398 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Central Serengeti NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)