Vimat Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $40 to $910 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Joe T | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic family safari experience
This has been the best vacation we’ve ever had. Every aspect of our trip with Vimat exceeded our expectations! Throughout the entire planning process, Vincent was great at listening to our goals and creating a customized plan that met those exactly. He made sure we had the best chance of seeing the animals we wanted to see, got us to each of the places we were interested in, and even changed the lodging and accommodations to meet the kinds of places we wanted to be.
It can be nerve wracking sending several thousand dollars to a company you’ve never worked with before, especially when you can’t meet them in person first, but Vincent’s clear and consistent communication; guidance; and professionalism helped make it so much easier. I chose Vimat over all the other possibilities because of the quality of service and communication he offered.
The price of an 11 day custom private trip was very reasonable, and I actually think we probably should have paid more. We booked a “mid-range” package that had some accommodations that were nicer than any place we’ve stayed on 3 continents. The camps and lodges were all spectacular, but we were most impressed with the Karibu camps in the Serengeti. Every place was clean, welcoming, had great food, and fantastic rooms.
Our main guide, Alex, who worked with us throughout Tanzania was the most professional and skilled of the 6 guides we worked with in Africa. He knew the places very well, could teach us about the animals, saw things we never would have spotted, and always put us in the right place at the right time. He was very flexible, listening to us when we wanted to stop for something that isn’t “usually important,” and making sure we were ready before moving on. When our youngest fell ill, he accommodated a change of plans. He also showed real knowledge of the habits of animals, and because of his insight and patience, we saw amazing things. The other guests at the camps we saw were consistently jealous of all the cool things we saw, and Alex was a big part of that.
Parts of our safari took us into Kenya, where another firm that Vincent had worked with provided guides and transportation. The cooperation between Vimat and their Kenyan counterpart, Asili, made border crossings between Kenya and Tanzania a lot less complicated. This group also did an amazing job, and made sure that every part of our safari was wonderful.
We couldn’t have had a better experience, and we can’t recommend Vimat Safari highly enough. Thank you for Everything!
CH
Email Maurus | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari experiences in Tanzania!
From the first contact Vincent advised us perfectly and responded to all our wishes. Vincent was flexible and answered us by email within a few hours.
Our guide Alex knew everything about the animals and always anticipated correctly where they were. Due to the unlimited kilometers at Vimat Safari we were able to go everywhere and enjoy special moments just for us. Alex also took care of our well-being during the safari and took excellent care of the car. Alex drove us safely through the wilderness at all times.
The accommodations left nothing to be desired even in the middle of the Serengeti and we could enjoy the trip.
We can highly recommend Vimat Safari and our guide Alex.
US
Email Keiko & Michael | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent, professional and reliable service, would definitely book with them again
It was a trip of a lifetime and if I came back, I would definitely come to Vimat again. We got to see all the animals (yes, the big 5 as well) and so much more that I never knew existed, and it was just absolutely incredible. You will be assigned a guide to drive you, to teach you about the amazing wildlife, and accompany you in a lot of things. I believe a guide can make or break an experience, but I highly recommend Edward Lema to be your guide. He has a wealth of knowledge and will deliver you the service and experience beyond your expectations. My partner and I have a hearing loss, and he has shown patience and is just comfortable and fun to be around with. He is very talented and interesting person you’d like to spend your driving time with. The owner, Vincent, has been extremely responsive and accommodating and will make sure all your requests are being met in a timely manner. I highly recommend Vimat to be your Safari guide!
BE
Email Dirk & Bibiane, Roeselare | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not hesitate
We found the site of VIMAT Safaris after some internet search.
Our first mails to Vincent were always replied quickly and professional which gave us a good feeling from the start.
Arriving in Arusha, my wife's bag was missing due to an error from the cargo handler in Paris. Both Vincent and our guide Peter gave us a daily support to get it bag (what finally happened). But some impression about the Safari: It was just splendid! Peter was always sharp on time to pick us up at the lodges, although there was a very relax atmosphere, the trips were amazing. Thanks to Peter's "eagle eyes" we have seen so many wild animals. Lodges and tent camps were fantastic, food was great at all time
It was way beyond our expectations!
So just don't hesitate by choosing for VIMAT Safaris!
CA
Email Stephanie Boeke | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible!
A friend and I went on safari with Vimat just prior to the world shutting down for Covid in late Feb 2019. Our timing was perfect! An African safari had always been on my bucket list and we couldn't have picked a better tour operator than Vimat! Everything ran extremely smoothly. Our guide, Godlizen was amazing...Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable! Accommodation was good...particularly the nights we spent in a tenting lodge. Listening to animals roam around the camp was an experience like no other. Our guide found all the big 5 we wanted to see and then some. Note: we traveled stand by and we're unsure of our arrival date. We researched tour operators prior to leaving Canada
HR
Email Matija | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magnificent Kenya and Tanzania experience
WOW, what an experience! From initial ideas for the itinerary right till the 'Goodbye coffee' in Arusha Coffee House each detail was perfectly planned and executed by Vincent. This was our second trip to Africa so we contacted Vimat Safaris directly on a good recommendation from our guide Karato (who was with us on the first trip also) and the entire planning stage went perfectly. This time we decided to combine Kenya and Tanzania in a single 11-day trip with hope to see the crossings and some rarer animals which we didn't get enough the first time around.
Kenya side of the trip was handled by Vimats partner, Asili Adventures, who warmly welcomed us (Thanks Monica!) and introduced us to our Kenyan guide, Martin. From the beginning we started checking off our wish list items by visiting Lake Nakuru with intention to see rhinos and our first encounter happened straight away as we entered the park! We stayed at wonderful Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge whose staff was exceptionally warm and welcoming. Next day we had a short game drive in Nakuru with another sighting of rhino family with a calf and a special treat of a leopard resting in a misticaly lit forest. After Nakuru we departed for Masaai Mara where we stayed at Enkorok tented camp surrounded by beautiful nature and friendly staff. Even a short evening game drive produced some beautiful sightings combined with a stunning sunset. Following day we had the whole day scheduled for Mara game drives and hoping to see the crossings and it paid off. Along with sightings of lions, cheetahs, giraffes and countless birds (we recorded around 120 species in total on our trip) on who Martin was very well informed and helped us with determination, we witnessed our first crossing and it was stunning!
Following day was mostly spent on transition from Kenya to Tanzania where we said 'goodbye' to Martin and 'hello' to our friend Karato who was our guide for the rest of the trip. Our next destination was northern Serengeti and route took us through Isebania border crossing and over the northwestern part of Tanzania where Karato showed us many cultural sights while on route. Travelling in pandemic time had its uncertainties so our intended destination, KatiKati camp wasn't able to accommodate us, but Vincent took care of everything and we were treated with an upgrade to Mara Mara Tented Lodge with stunning views and fun and uplifting staff. Northern circuit of Serengeti brought us, among other animals and birds, another 2 crossings and witnessing a lioness hunt. Next day we started our way towards central Serengeti where northern bush was replaced by endless yellow grasslands where we took some iconic Africa pictures of lion cubs, elephants under umbrella trees and cheetah family on the hunt. Staying the second time in Serengeti Serena Lodge, we were treated with a 'welcome back' cake and a hearty song from the staff. Serengeti portion of the trip ended with a mandatory visit to Naabi Hill where we took some breathtaking images of the endless plains and continued onwards to Ngorongoro crater and Ngorongoro Serena with a second 'welcome back' cake that day! After a half day game drive in the crater we started for Tarangire national park and settled for the night in Tarangire Safari Lodge with #awesomeview of Tarangire river which offers non stop game sightings. Our last day we spent on game drive through Tarangire where the scenery was dominated by giant baobab trees which, in combination with abundant wildlife, provided us with magnificent photos.
In total we crossed 3000km, took 3000 photos and experienced uncountable sightings. Both Martin and Karato answered all of our questions, explained everything we wanted to know and were a perfect trip companions that helped us forge memories for life. Finishing this trip of a lifetime, Vincent met us in Arusha Coffee House for a final 'goodbye' where we shared our experiences with him with some nice Tanzanian coffee.
We cannot express enough our gratitude to Vincent, Karato and Martin for making this trip a possibility in these uncertain times!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Maja, Marjanca & Matija
US
Email Sam | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Guide gave the best info of any tour!
Fantastic experience! Communicated via WhatsApp and operator kept us well-informed. Our driver was so knowledgeable and friendly, and always had some interest tidbit to share. I learned more from our first day with him than I did in five days with other tours. Definitely recommend!
AE
Email Dave | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Trip of a lifetime!
We are a family of 4, with 2 teenagers and selected VIMAT at short notice for the 5-day luxury safari. Well, it turned out to be the trip of a lifetime with childhood dreams of the Serengeti being experienced in reality, truly amazing.
Vincent, the owner of VIMAT, responded quickly on both email and WhatsApp and was very helpful in setting up the trip, especially with accommodating last minute changes as we lined up our flights and the connections. We were met on arrival at Kilimanjaro airport and completely looked after until our departure. All the accommodations and arrangements were flawless including the arrangements for pre-departure COVID testing in the middle of the Serengeti. The results were ready within 48hr.
A huge shout out to Peter our guide: He was fantastic! He has in-depth knowledge of the area, an incredible ability to spot game and is like a textbook for bird identification. This trip was more than just seeing wildlife, it was about experiencing the endless Serengeti plains and refreshing our minds. Unlike some tour operators that are limited by a set mileage Peter had free range and this meant that we travelled extensively to areas that were more remote and were witness to some incredible game viewings as a result.
We highly recommend Vincent Matari’s company VIMAT and would definitely use their services again in the future.
IT
Email Amanda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable, professional, friendly tour operator
My two parents, boyfriend and my two younger children (ages 7 and 5) enjoyed a eight night northern Tanzania circuit tour in June 2021 and it was absolutely incredible. All of our three lodges and one glamping type camp were over the top luxurious. (Think infinity pool overlooking the open Serengeti.. Wow!)
The owner, Vincent, responded to my emails immediately throughout the entire planning phase and also while we were on safari. I wanted to add another night to the beginning of our trip and it was no problem at all. Vincent also made all the arrangements for our COVID tests needed to fly out at the end of our trip.
Peter was our guide and driver for the entire trip and was fantastic. He was a very experienced guide and knew so much. Also, he was great with my children and my elderly parents. Not only did he know about every single animal, but he knew his birds, which was perfect because my father is an avid bird watcher. Vincent and his company is a newer safari group but don’t be fooled because they know exactly what they are doing and are super professional and helped us at every turn. I learned with all my other safari company quotes that even the more expensive safari groups use the exact same lodging places and the same 4 x 4 Jeeps, but were quoted unreasonably higher. I highly recommend Vincent and Vimat.
CZ
Email Leona | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything went well and smoothly!
We had an amazing time on Safari. Vincent adjusted the program based on our wished, we did both lodge and camping and was great. Our driver Boniface had a perfect eye for the animals and was very knowledgeable! I recommend 100%.