Charles Tours

5.0/5 – 13 Reviews

$2,064 pp (USD)

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Adventure Your Way...

Adventure Your Way...

Charles Tours

5.0/5  
(13 Reviews)
Office In:
Tanzania Tanzania
Size:
5-10 employees (Founded in 2022)
Member Of:
TTGA & TLTO
Tour Types:
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations:
Tanzania TZ
Adventure Your Way...

Adventure Your Way...

Welcome to Charles Tours, a Tanzanian Tour Operator based in Arusha offering unique experiences all over Tanzania. (Wildlife safari, Birdwatching, Mountain expedition & Cultural experiences) Embark on an unforgettable journey under comfort of your professional driver guide. We know our country much better and we would love to show you all that make Tanzania truly magical. Get in touch today...

Reviews13

Not only is the guide a professional birdwatching expert, but throughout the entire trip, I was well
5/5

Not only is the guide a professional birdwatching expert, but throughout the entire trip, I was well taken care of in terms of food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation.

Due to other itinerary constraints, I only had two days to arrange birdwatching activities in Tanzania. I found Charles Tours through SafariBookings, and they offered a two-day birdwatching tour in the suburbs of Arusha that also welcomed solo travelers (Note 1).

I arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport on October 2, 2025, and Charles Tours helped me with the transfer from the airport to the hotel I booked myself. Compared to the transfer fees I found online, it was about $10 cheaper. So, if you plan to use Charles Tours as your guide in the future, you can also arrange the transfer with them.

This was my first time leaving Asia, so almost every plant and animal I saw in the wild was a first for me. But more than that, Charles Tours provided me with even more. When I was discussing the itinerary, I mentioned that I was primarily interested in raptors, and they tailored the existing schedule to meet my needs. During the two-day trip, we visited the suburbs of Arusha, Lark Plains, and Tarangire National Park, where we observed over 150 species of birds, including 22 species of raptors (Note 2)! While field observation does rely on luck, I believe that even with the best luck, seeing 22 species of raptors in just two days was possible because Charles Tours made thorough preparations—such as having a wealth of knowledge and experience about birds, closely observing throughout the journey, and customizing the trip to meet the client's needs.

Since my subsequent safari tour to Serengeti National Park was handled by another company, I got to compare and see just how rare the level of service provided by Charles Tours was. Some basic aspects that we might take for granted can actually be quite difficult to realize in this region. So, I’d like to list the advantages of Charles Tours:

1. A well-maintained, clean vehicle with air conditioning (other companies may not have this).
2. Safe and law-abiding drivers (for my two-day tour, the driver was the owner, Amani).
3. Hygienic and delicious meals (Amani knows good food).
4. Prompt responses and discussions regarding the client's requests (For example, I wanted to spend extra time photographing a particular subject, and not all drivers from other companies would respect their guests' wishes. I believe English proficiency was a factor here—both Amani and Nasr, the guides, were fluent in English and communication was seamless).
5. Comprehensive knowledge of birds and a genuine passion for them. While finding birds is a basic skill for bird guides, the most impressive moment for me was when we were birdwatching in Tarangire, and Nasr suddenly asked us to stop as we passed a large tree. He spotted a Verreaux's eagle-owl (a nocturnal species) sleeping in the dark foliage during our vehicle ride.
6. Not only birdwatchers, but Amani is also a bird photographer, so he knows where to stop the vehicle to give clients the best angles and lighting for photos—this was absolutely fantastic.

In conclusion, I was truly impressed by the two-day birdwatching tour provided by Charles Tours. Of course, we also saw many mammals during the trip. I believe if they can find birds, spotting larger mammals that are the main focus of a safari would be no problem for Charles Tours. I sincerely hope more people get to experience this excellent company, and once again, thank you to Amani and Nasr for treating me like a friend over the course of these two days!

Note 1: Before planning this two-day itinerary, I did some research on tours in Tanzania, most of which required a minimum of two people. This is likely due to the basic costs of running the tour. As a result, I ended up paying nearly the cost for two people.

Note 2: During the two-day birdwatching tour, we saw 16 species of eagles, 4 species of falcons, and 2 species of owls. The list includes:
Aquila rapax (Tawny Eagle)
Aquila spilogaster (Spotted Eagle)
Buteo augur (Augur Buzzard)
Buteo buteo (Common Buzzard)
Elanus caesius caesius (Black-winged Kite)
Gyps africanus (White-backed Vulture)
Gyps rueppellii (Rüppell’s Vulture)
Hieraaetus ayresii (Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle)
Icthyophaga vocifer (African Fish Eagle)
Melierax poliopterus (Grey Kestrel)
Milvus aegyptius (Yellow-billed Kite)
Polemaetus bellicosus (Martial Eagle)
Sagittarius serpentarius (Secretarybird)
Terathopius ecaudatus (Short-tailed Eagle)
Torgos tracheliotos (Lappet-faced Vulture)
Trigonoceps occipitalis (White-headed Vulture)
Falco ardosiaceus (Grey Falcon)
Falco ardosiaceus (Taita Falcon)
Falco rupicoloides (Red-eyed Falcon)
Polihierax semitorquatus (African Pygmy Falcon)
Glaucidium perlatum (Pearl-spotted Owlet)
Ketupa lactea (Verreaux's Eagle-Owl)

Best Birding Safari company in Tanzania. Communicative, Honest, Safe and boy do they deliver Birds!
5/5

I had the pleasure of joining a birding safari organized by Charles Tours for ten days in August, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The itinerary included iconic locations such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha NP, and Tarangire. I was fortunate to see nearly all of the large mammals close up-missing only the elusive rhino but my trip was focused on Birds and boy did Amani and Abdul from Charles tours deliver.
The birding aspect of the trip exceeded all expectations. I recorded 400 bird species and managed to photograph over 300 of them, thanks to the incredible expertise of my bird guide, Abdul. His deep knowledge of bird habitats and bird calls made every outing productive. 400 species in 10 days outside of migration is an exceptional total.
Amani, who organized the trip, did a fantastic job with all the logistics. From accommodations and meals to park entries, everything was seamless, safe, and well thought out.
There are hundreds of tour operators to choose from and we encountered many of them lost in the Serengeti so choose wisely.
If you're a birder or nature enthusiast looking for a well-organized, rewarding safari experience in Tanzania, I highly recommend Charles Tours. Their team's professionalism, local expertise, and passion for wildlife made this trip one of the best I've ever taken.

Reply from Charles Tours
Reply from Charles Tours
Posted on Sep 23, 2025

Dear Ken
Thank you so much for this outstanding review and for choosing Charles Tours for your birding adventure!
It was truly an honor to host you on this 10-day journey across Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes in northern Tanzania. We’re absolutely thrilled that you recorded 400 species (and photographed over 300!) — an incredible achievement that reflects both your passion and Abdul’s deep birding expertise.

We're also grateful for your kind words about the care and attention Amani put into organizing every detail. At Charles Tours, we take great pride in combining professionalism, safety, and local knowledge to create seamless, unforgettable experiences.
Your recommendation means the world to us — and we hope to welcome you back again in the future for even more birding magic.
Asante sana

The Best of Ngorongoro: Incredible Host, Incredible Adventure and Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience!
5/5

An absolutely incredible experience at the Ngorongoro Crater thanks to Charles Tours! This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime journey, made undoubtedly exceptional by our phenomenal host, Amani Charles. His knowledge of the crater, wildlife, and the local ecosystem was boundless - he shared so much fascinating information, making every sighting and every landscape feel even more profound.

We weren’t just driven around, we truly experienced so many different areas of the crater, always finding the best spots and getting unparalleled views of the diverse wildlife. Amani’s passion was infectious, and his ability to spot animals that we would have otherwise missed was remarkable. This wasn’t just a tour; it was an immersive educational journey led by a true expert.

In addition, we visited the Elephant Caves, Endoro waterfalls, the Archeological Museum, Shifting Sands, and the absolutely beautiful island of Zanzibar. If you’re planning a trip to Northern Tanzania, I highly recommend booking with Charles Tours! Asante Sana, Charles Tours, and especially Amani, for such a magical and unforgettable adventure!

Reply from Charles Tours
Reply from Charles Tours
Posted on Jun 19, 2025

Jambo Jerrell,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words! It was truly a pleasure hosting you in Tanzania. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience and appreciated the passion and knowledge we strive to share with each guest.
At Charles Tours, we’re committed to creating unforgettable, immersive and sustainable journeys—and your feedback means the world to us.
We look forward to welcoming you again in the near future.
Asante sana!

Fabulous safari tour company
5/5

I had a great time with Charles tours.

I just spent a one day in Arusha national park though, there services were amazing!

Not only they were very excellent with communication and quickly responded but also their arrangements were perfect. I got sick the day before tour, and requested to change my lunch menu for the light stuff in last minute. They prepared tasty soup, salad, vegetables, and fruits for me. It exceeded my expectations. They did more than they could do to satisfy my request, I really appreciated their hospitality.

My driver Amani is the best! He was not just incredibly professional but so kind and fun throughout. He has the great passion for this job, he loves nature and animals, especially birds! He was excited more than me when he found the beautiful birds!🤣 It made me had more fun. At the end of the tour he gave me beautiful pictures for the presents.

Charles tours gave me a unforgettable experience in my lifetime. I highly recommend them if you're going.

Reply from Charles Tours
Reply from Charles Tours
Posted on Mar 19, 2025

Jambo Asuka.
Reading your review truly made our day. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience about us!

We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed your safari in Arusha National Park, even with the last-minute changes. Taking care of our guests is always our top priority and we’re glad we could make you feel comfortable with a light and tasty meal.

Amani will be over the moon to hear your kind words! His passion for nature and birding is contagious and we love that his excitement made your experience even more special. It’s those little moments—like spotting beautiful birds together—that make a safari truly unforgettable.

It was a pleasure having you, and we’re beyond grateful for your recommendation. If you ever find yourself back in Tanzania, we’d love to take you on another adventure!
Asante sana.

Fantastic day at Arusha National park
5/5

Massive thank you to Ahmani (sorry for the spelling) for making our last day in Tanzania such a memorable one!

We booked a 1 day Safari trip to Arusha National Park with Charles tours, everything was really well organised with clear communication from the beginning. We got picked up from our hotel nice and early in a 4x4 with a 360 roof which made seeing all the animals and birds really easy and fun!

Ahmani shared so much knowledge of African wildlife and local culture and we definitely went away feeling like we learnt so much from him! It was so easy to see his passion for his country, culture and wildlife! We had a great lunch sitting in a private opening right next to a waterfall and had coffee and drinking water provided all day!

Thank you again Ahmani and Charlea tours, couldn't recommend the company more!

Reply from Charles Tours
Reply from Charles Tours
Posted on Mar 6, 2025

Jambo Natasha.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for choosing Charles Tours for your safari in Arusha National Park!
We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable experience with Amani—no worries about the spelling, he’ll be delighted to know how much you appreciated his knowledge and passion.

It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed the well-organised tour, our comfortable 4x4 with 360° roof for wildlife viewing and the special lunch by the waterfall.
We always strive to create unforgettable moments and your feedback reassures us that we’re on the right track.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another adventure in Tanzania!
Asante sana.
Charles Tours Team

Other Safaris & Tours21  – Offered by Charles Tours

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Charles Tours, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Charles Tours.