Serengeti Smile Team
Serengeti Smile
- Office In:
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2020)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board & AMREF FLYING DOCTORS INSURANCE
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $160 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Kathyrn | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable, Safe, a friend wanting our African adventure to be better than our dreams!
My husband organised and planned our African adventure through Serengeti Smile, we have been spoilt and enjoyed every moment!! If you're lucky enough to have Domi as your guide, you're in for the safari of a lifetime.
Domi collected our family of four (2 adults and 2 older teenagers) from our hotel in Arusha and guided us through four incredible national parks – Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. From the moment we met him, we knew we were in safe hands. He welcomed us with beautiful beaded bracelets, which was such a thoughtful touch and set the tone for the whole trip.
Domi is everything you could hope for in a safari guide. His English is excellent, he's incredibly knowledgeable and he struck the perfect balance between sharing fascinating information and giving us the quiet space to simply enjoy the wildlife and take photographs. He always welcomed our questions and genuinely wanted to know what we hoped to see so he could tailor each day's adventure around us, but wasnt ever pushy !! After seeing beautiful elephants, our daughter turned to us and said, "I just want to see a crocodile now and I'm all done.." kind of in gest.. but sure enough, the afternoon he found a crocodile!! Needless to say it had her smiling like 🐊!!
His driving skills were outstanding. We always felt completely safe, even on some very challenging roads and his experience meant we were consistently in the best position to see the animals up close without ever feeling rushed or intrusive.
Thanks to Domi, we saw every one of the Big Five, the Ugly Five as well as some of the Small Five along with countless other unforgettable sightings. Just when we thought the day was over and we were heading back, he'd somehow spot a serval, a family of warthogs, or a hornbill we'd have otherwise missed. His eyesight and instinct for finding wildlife are nothing short of remarkable!
The jeep was always stocked with cold water, Coke and other drinks, which was hugely appreciated, especially after long game drives.
We also really enjoyed spending time together over meals, particularly at Serengeti Classic View Lodge, where it was a pleasure to get to know him better. His company was warm, friendly and professional throughout, and by the end of the trip he felt like much more than just our guide.
I'll be writing a separate review for Serengeti Smile because we've been so impressed with the company from start to finish, but Domi absolutely deserved a special review of his own.
He played such a huge part in making this one of the most memorable holidays we've ever had.
Thank you, Domi. We couldn't have asked for a better guide and we'll be talking about this adventure for years to come!
CH
Email Roberto | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, reliable, and passionate about creating unforgettable safari experiences.
An unforgettable experience that we will always carry in our hearts!
A heartfelt thank you to our guide, Erik, and our driver, Joshua, whose professionalism, kindness, great experience, and sense of humor made our journey through the incredible Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the majestic Serengeti truly unforgettable.
We were incredibly lucky to see the Big Five, but every moment of the safari was exciting thanks to the amazing variety of wildlife. We saw zebras, gazelles, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, vultures, hippos, rhinos, and many other animals living freely in their natural habitat. It was a breathtaking experience that left us speechless.
A special thank you also goes to Godian for the excellent organization and for always being available to answer all our questions, making us feel supported and well taken care of from our very first contact.
Tanzania gave us memories and emotions that will stay with us forever. We highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for an authentic and unforgettable adventure!
Roberto, Lara & Sira
Email Connor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy to talk to and plan your personalised safari
My girlfriend and I have just had the most amazing safari in Tanzania visiting 3 amazing parks. We booked with Serengeti smile and they were easy to talk to and very helpful at helping plan the safari package we wanted. The 3 parks made each day a very fun different experience. Our guide/driver Nicholas couldn’t have been any better friendly, fun, knowledgeable and a good driver which can be hard on the difficult roads. He taught us a lot of great facts about all the animals but also the culture of the places and people. Thanks to his help we managed to see the big 5 and many other once in a lifetime sights. Couldn’t recommend booking with Serengeti Smile and our driving Nicholas highly enough as combined they made our trip unforgettable.
Email Halle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experienced, responsive & professional
Our guide, Nicholas, really made our trip unforgettable. He knew all the parks extremely well and was focused on helping us find and spot our favourite animals. He had extensive knowledge of all the animals but also the locations we were visiting helping us learn whilst on the move. He was always patient whilst we watched and allowed us the time to take as many photos as we wanted. His experience and passion for wildlife played a huge role in helping us spot not only the big 5 but many more animals we thought would be impossible to see.
After a change in plan, we managed to book our first ever safari trip with Serengeti smile only a couple of weeks before our trip. They were accommodating and professional in organising our perfect trip taking into consideration everything we wanted to do and see. With it being our first safari we didn’t know what to expect but this experience couldn’t have been any better.
Thank you Nicholas and Serengeti smile for the best trip
CN
Email zt | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service and high cost performance
Customer service replies via WeChat are a bit slow. The safari guide was very professional and we were able to spot many animals. Additional services like the lunchbox could enhance the experience. Overall, it was a very good travel experience.
A Trip We Will Never Forget
We recently went on a safari and chose Serengeti Smile after reading consistently excellent reviews across multiple platforms, including SafariBookings, Google, and TripAdvisor. With so many local operators available, the choice can feel overwhelming, but from our very first inquiry, Serengeti Smile stood out. Fredrick was incredibly responsive, professional, and informative throughout the entire planning process. He helped us put together a fantastic itinerary, answered all of our questions promptly, and stayed in touch until the day we arrived. It was also a pleasure meeting him in person. Thank you again, Fredrick, for making everything so smooth and stress-free.
The only aspect we were less happy about was an additional surcharge requested about a month before the trip due to fuel price changes. While we understand that operating costs can fluctuate, receiving this request so close to departure was somewhat unexpected.
For our safari, we were paired with Deo as our guide, and we could not have asked for a better experience. Deo was absolutely outstanding. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about wildlife and conservation. From the moment we started our journey, he made sure we were comfortable, informed, and enjoying every moment.
Deo had an incredible eye for spotting animals and seemed to find wildlife that many others would have easily missed. He took the time to explain animal behavior, ecosystems, and local culture, which added so much depth to the experience. His expertise, patience, and enthusiasm made every game drive exciting and educational.
One particularly memorable moment was when Deo imitated the calls of a baby wildebeest. A nearby family of spotted hyenas immediately heard the sounds, got up from where they were resting, and started walking toward us looking genuinely confused, as if they were trying to figure out where the lost wildebeest calf was. Watching them approach with that “wait… who called?” expression was both fascinating and hilarious, and a perfect example of how knowledgeable and entertaining Deo was throughout the trip.
He also made sure we had plenty of opportunities for amazing photos and always positioned the vehicle thoughtfully so we could get the best possible views. Thanks to him, we saw everything we had hoped for and much more.
Beyond being an exceptional guide, Deo is a genuinely kind and warm person. By the end of the trip, he felt more like a friend than just a guide. We will always remember the wonderful experiences and memories he helped create.
Thank you, Deo, and thank you, Serengeti Smile, for an unforgettable safari. We had an incredible time and truly appreciate everything you did for us.
CN
Email CHEN | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lost in the magic of the wild
Unforgettable Safari with Joshua!
From airport pickup through Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, Joshua was incredible. He shared amazing insights into Tanzanian culture and the Maasai people. Thanks to his tracking, we saw the Big Five, wildebeests, and diverse birdlife from perfect, close-up angles.
Highlights included "honeymooning" lions, the three lion brothers, Cheetahs, and rare black rhinos. We even watched unique moments like vultures feeding and hippos resting among crocodiles! Joshua’s dedication and passion made our trip magical. Highly recommended!
ES
Email Estefania | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Piniel was very attentive, flexible and kind. I absolutely recommend his service
It was absolutely amazing!! The booking process was very smooth an easy, and they answer all your questions immediately. Once you get to Tanzania, the service is excellent, they go above and beyond to make your experience amazing . The classic view Serengeti camp is perfect, right in the middle pf the Serengeti where you get to relax watching the zebras go by with a beautiful sunset. Amini, our safari guide took us to see all animals within his control, and we got to see the big five!!
ES
Email Óscar | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip and unforgettable wildlife encounters
We had an incredible safari experience from start to finish. The itinerary was well organized, the lodges met our expectations, and everything ran smoothly throughout the trip.
A special mention goes to our driver, Libe, and our guide, Daniel. Both clearly have many years of experience and know the parks so well that it sometimes felt like they had a GPS built into their heads! Thanks to their remarkable spotting skills, we were able to see an amazing variety of wildlife, including animals that are often difficult to find. May God preserve that eyesight for many years to come!
Daniel speaks very good Spanish. He was able to explain the animals, landscapes, and local environment clearly and answer all of our questions throughout the trip.
Even in the busier parks, they knew how to avoid the biggest crowds whenever possible, making the experience more enjoyable. They were always friendly, attentive, and genuinely concerned about our well-being, adapting to our needs along the way.
We would happily recommend this safari and especially our guides, who played a huge part in making this trip so memorable.
Excellent Safari Guide – Highly Recommended
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for our safari guide and driver John Paul.
He made a huge difference in our trip and truly exceeded all expectations. His knowledge was exceptional—there was never a question he could not answer. He was always professional, proactive, courteous, and willing to help.
His excellent English made communication very easy, and his experience and strong relationships with other guides and lodge staff greatly enhanced our safari experience. Thanks to his dedication and communication skills, we were able to see the Big Five during our one-week trip, something we know is not always easy to achieve.
We were also impressed by his attention to detail. Every morning, the vehicle was spotless, cleaned and fully prepared for the day ahead, with everything we needed for a comfortable safari already organized and ready.
He deserves five stars and more. We are very grateful for everything he did to make our safari so memorable.
Thank you for having such an outstanding professional on your team.