Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB, KINAPA, MNRT & TPO
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
RO
Email Victor Andrei | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
Having decided to go on a safari in Tanzania, we chose Kiliholidays for three reasons : the Farm of Dreams Lodge, the possibility of customization of our tour and the price. We had a 4 days private safari (2persons).
We wanted to do Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara & Tarangire NP with an extra day dedicated to going to a little hike to a waterfall on the Kilimanjaro and some fresh water springs. Do not miss Tarangire, it is the best in the dry season, a lot of wildlife. These 4 days we saw lots of antelopes, wildebeest, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, elephants, hippos and lions - in the decrescent order of the frequency seen (I guess :) ).
Mack, the owner, was very responsive as we exchanged more than a dozen emails with Q&A and defining our program. It was more than reasonably priced (compared to other offers on safaribookings.com). We then had to make an online payment of 300usd + 5% transaction fees. All went very smooth. The rest of the sum was payed in cash at arrival (bills newer than 2006).
We can recommend that you take a hotel night before and one after the safari so that you can start early and finish late - about 2h to Tarangire NP (the nearest national park).
The Farm of Dreams Lodge was splendid, tasty dinners, good cocktails, nice swimming pool. Food is included, but drinks are extra.
We had Edward as a driver and we have only good words about him. Attentive, full of knowledge about the wildlife and native people. He also had a wildlife guidebook with him and a pair of binoculars that we could use.
The only not top experience was the safari car. It was a little rundown. Seats comfy, but really old, AC sockets not working, windows very difficult to open/close. Nevertheless it was a safari car (Range Rover) with the open top that Edward drove effortless on every path, crossed rivers, climbed hills, a real 4x4. There was a fridge with water available for the entire length of the trip.
All in all we had a wonderful experience and could not recommend more!
ES
Email Rut Ibarra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
A great safari, the guide's attention, it was all wonderful, we could not be happier with our first safari in Nyerere National Park
FR
Email Farah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience with a quality tour operator
With Kiliholidays everything went very well.
Whether it was the email exchanges before our trip, or Mach was very responsive and answered all of our questions.
We asked for a guide in French and we had the chance to do our safari with Henri who was kind and spoke French very well, he was able to explain all the things we saw. Thank you also to our driver Tomsifou who is a champion of the steering wheel thanks to him we were able to see the lions very closely.
Thank you all for this amazing safari, I recommend kiliholidays to everyone.
Many thanks from Farah, Kenza, Idir and Abdel.
BE
Email yasmine D | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
first safari, great experience
we've always wanted to do a safari with my husband and we did it for our honeymoon. We visited safaribookings.com as we knew this website was reliable (a youtuber promoted it by sharing her safari experience). then we started checking all the different safari packages and found that the 3 days safari by kiliholidays tours & safari was reasonnably priced compared to some others. The lodge we stayed in (included in the package) was also nice. Communication with the owner (Mack) was easy and quick (mail and whatsapp). We agreed on the starting date for the safari and made some customized arrangements (hour to pick us up and drop off us at the airports, food we ate etc). then Mack asked us to pay 300 $ as a deposit + 5% fee as the payment is online. Don't be afraid, it's not a scam. We paid the rest of the money on arrival in cash in dollar. During the 3 day experience, you don't have to pay anything except tips and beverages for dinner at the lodge). Thomas was our guide for the 3 days, he's very friendly and has the eye to catch animals. He does his best to make sure you're happy and see as more animals as possible). We did Tanrangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara. We loved the 3 parks and saw plenty of animals (lions, bufalos, zebra, hyppos, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, hyena, beautiful birds ... and even an attack of a lion on a warthog). tasty lunch is provided every day and you will have the opportunity to eat among animals during the safari. There are plenty of bottles of water in the 4x4 so you won't be thirsty. The only thing I would have liked to be aware of is the tsetse fly. There were plenty of them in Tanrangire national park and we were not dressed properly to avoid them (tip Thomas gave us : don't wear black and blue clothes as the tsetse fly is attracted by them and they bite). I don't know if there is a repellent to avoid them, I suggest you do your research about it. Mack also offered us a night in a hotel in Arusha on the 3rd day as our plane left the day after. The hotel was ok for one night but the area is not really touristic. To sum up, great experience, I really recommend this trip!
PT
Email Mara Ricárdio Pacheco | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
Before leaving for Tanzania, we contacted several companies asking them to help us plan our 4-day private safari, depending on our interests and available budget (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro). Kiliholidays proved to be, from the beginning, the company most concerned with clarifying the doubts of someone who, like us, was going to do this for the first time, making us trust, even if from a distance. Upon arrival, with the fantastic Edward, his ability to simplify and streamline a safari with many kilometers covered and little time available filled us with enthusiasm! Edward was, without a doubt, our best Tanzanian friend, not just a guide! He helped us learn about the country's history, told us endless curiosities about the wild animals we came across in the game-drives, solved unforeseen events and even helped my fiance prepare the most beautiful wedding proposal in the world (within the Serengeti National Park) :)
For us, it is very important to hire services that meet our expectations and are carried out with professionalism. But above all, we like the person who accompanies us to be kind and able to relate to us with friendship and good spirits.
We were undoubtedly super happy with our safari and we already miss the days we spent in the jeep. We hope to repeat it soon!
PL
Email Mariusz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Solid and reliable safari operator
We have made arrangements about safari and negotiated the rate with Mack by email. When coming to Arusha, all agreed conditions were confirmed and we have not got any unpleasant surprises as described sometimes in the case of other safari operators. We decided on the option of a 6-Day Tanzania Experience Safari. In general, the itinerary and conditions of the safari were precisely as described by Mack in the correspondence before arriving in Tanzania. As for the accommodation during the tour, the Charity Hotel is not a good option for resting before starting the safari. At 10.00 pm a new large group arrived at the hotel and pandemonium of noises and rumours started. It lasted until 2.00 am. As for Farm of Dreams Lodge and Acaccia Lodge in Serengeti Park, both were really excellent and exceptional places leaving us with really good memories and positive feelings. Staying in Serengeti Park with comfort assured by Acaccia lodge was unforgettable.
On the first day we have been to Tarangire National Park, then going to Serengeti National Park for the next two days, and finally, on the last day in Ngorongoro Crater. All these places must-see if you want to have the feeling of Africa savannas. Unfortunately, the transfers between Tarangire and Serengeti and then, Ngorongoro take much time, but it seems it is unavoidable. Especially, that distances are rather high and roads in bad shape.
As for seeing animals, as usual, it depends on your lack and time spent in the park, especially Serengeti Park. There are huge herds of antelopes, elephants, buffaloos and other herbivores, predator cats are more difficult to run across. In some places, you can see also ponds practically filled with hippos.
We have travelled with Thomas, a drive and a guide, who was extremely patients in overcoming road difficulties and tracking for animals. Thomas was a splendid guide having a lot of extremely interesting knowledge about all animals met in the savannah. We can recommend him as a really good guide for this trip.
After returning to Arusha we had spent one night in town as our flight back to Zanzibar was on the next day. Mack offered that we will get a tour around Arusha before departure, to have some time for shopping places and seeing the art gallery, with Thomas, free of charge. Then we were escorted by Thomas to the airport.
To sum up, it was a great experience, thanks to Mack and Thomas, and there was actually nothing we could complain about. The only thing, we have thought afterwards, that maybe we should have selected an option with an additional day in the heart of Serengeti Park as it is a vast area and not so many places can be explored during 2 days. We can recommend Kiliholidays as the operator of safari tours - the option we have chosen was a mid-range private tour. If coming to Tanzania next time, f.e. for the tour to Kilimanjaro, we surely consider Kiliholidays.
AE
Email Salman Abdulla | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised and highly accommodating
Our experience with Kiliholidays was great. Firstly, they were very responsive and accommodating to our request, since our itinerary didn't fit with their standard offerings. Despite that, Mack (tour organiser) helped tailor a program especially for us to fit our tight 4 day schedule. Our tour included Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Parks.
Second, our tour guide Edward was an expert guide, skilled driver, and very hospitable host at the campsites we stayed at. He never failed to give us little facts about each animal or environment we encountered. Peter was also a great chef making great hot meals and cold packed lunches.
Third, the sights themselves were breath-taking, both of the animals and the different landscapes we saw! Would highly recommend Kiliholidays for anyone considering.
RO
Email Silviu Prundeanu | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The greatest safari guide named Thomas
It was a wonderful 3 days experience, having Thomas as our guide, a great guy with eagle eyes, calm and joyful
RO
Email Florina Udristoiu | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well prepared
We had a good experience, the safari guide, Thomas was very good: safe driving, good English, well adapted to client's needs and most important, has excelent knowledges about the National Parks and spots animals where no one else could!
NL
Email Marie Driessen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Un unforgettable family experience & adventure organised and operated by great people!
From the first contact with Kiliholidays till the end of our family trip, it has been a wonderful und unforgettable experience. The owner, Mack, suggested the perfect trip for our family. Always quick with responding on emails, telephone calls, honest and clear with the agreements that were made. We booked the Migration 6-day trip to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, real value for money and guided by an amazing person, our guide and driver Julius!! He is the most caring guide and driver you can wish for. A lot of knowledge about Wildlife, the environment, the Masai and Tanzania in general. He is a real gentleman, caring about the safety for the family and very flexibel concerning special wishes during the safari. He made our trip fantastic!!
If you want to book a safari with a trustworthy and experienced company, you should go for Kiliholidays! And you also should know that Tanzania is a very safe country for travellers (also corona wise, no danger at all), the people from Tanzania are genuinely friendly and you feel very welcome.
Kiliholidays, Julius & Mack, many thanks for this unforgettable trip!
