Let me & my team surprise you! Christopher Samwel
I Dream of Africa
- Offices In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2003)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $198 to $1,050 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
IE
Email Norma | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari with an amazing Independent Tanzanian Tour Operator
We are a family of 4 and Our Safari was 9 nights with Christopher and what an experience. He is legitimate, safe , registered with the Tanzanian Tourist Board and caters for the needs of his clients. All of the booking was done via Email and WhatsApp and money was transferred safely via inter Bank transfer. From the moment when he picked us up at the airport we felt comfortable. He and his son presented us with gifts of Masai throws called Shukas in case our early starts were chilly. It was a lovely gesture that we really appreciated.
We had opted for a mix of lodges and luxury camping. The 3 nights in the Serengeti Acacia Camps and 2 nights in Corfield camps Tarangire were beyond expectation and the highlight of our trip. The beds and food and staff were amazing. Christopher is an absolute authority on the local wildlife and fauna. He has eyes of a Hawk and can spot an animal a mile off. His Moto was always “ With the animals you need lots of patience “ . As he is a solo company and is the Guide he is not restricted to time and milage. We saw all the animals we wanted and sat for long periods of time watching the behavior of Elephant herds and giraffes. Christopher is an authority on wildlife including birds. We learnt so much. One of our party was unwell on day and he went out of his way to travel to a pharmacy. He sat with us at night and learnt about our family and enjoyed our Irish sense of humour. !
He made sure his Freelander was loaded daily with lots of water, biscuits and bananas in addition to our packed lunches. He took us to areas of the Serengeti that the bigger tour operators don’t always go to. A picnic on top of a Kopje one day was a lunch we won’t forget and will always treasure.
I would highly recommend Christoper and his company I DREAM OF AFRICA. A good Guide can make your Safari and Christopher certainly ensured we had an amazing time.
NL
Email Anna | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A dream came true.
In 2016 we had a wonderful camping safari with I Dream of Africa, visiting 4 national parks (Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro, Tarangire). But we had one more dream: to visit the Serengeti en see the migration. This happened in October 2018. We booked with Christopher again. We had kept in contact since our first trip.
It was a very happy reunion! Christopher and Warren (his son) fetched us at Kilimanjaro Airport and drove us to Songota Lodge where we spent two nights. From there we flew to Seronera Airstrip. In the meantime Christopher and Japhet (cook) had driven to the Serengeti and set up camp in Lobo. Christopher fetched us from Seronera and we had a two-hour drive to Lobo, during which we saw so many animals! Arriving at Lobo campsite Japhet met us in his white outfit with a tray of drinks, and a big smile! We were all very happy and emotional, meeting each other again.
We spent 12 days in the Serengeti beginning in the north at Lobo, and ending in central Serengeti at Seronera. Both Lobo and Dik-Dik were public campsites.
It was very relaxing to be in one place for a few days at a time. The tents were our “home”. We enjoyed sitting in front of them overlooking the wide open space of the Serengeti - watching the zebras, gnoes, antelope, giraffe and buffaloes pass bye. At night we heard hyenas giggling and lions roaring. We weren't afraid as Christopher had explained how to behave ... and to keep safe. We had a few gamedrives every day- sunrise to sunset. Christopher's expertise was amazing. He found so many animals. Everything from Big Five to the Small Five and everything in between - including the huge migrating herds. Christopher taught us a lot about nature, birds and wildlife behaviour.
At the campsite, Japhet was always busy looking after us with meals and drinks.
At the end of the safari we drove to Seronera airstrip, embraced with a warm and tearful goodbye.
We had a never to be forgotten time and recommend Christopher and I Dream of Africa to everyone!
And this saying is true:
You can leave Africa, but Africa never leaves you.
CN
Email CHEN | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Safari
Christopher is a very experienced guide, and the right decision for this trip to East Africa was to choose him. He's going to give us a different perspective so that we can see the animals from all sides. He said he didn't want us to just take some pictures, more to enjoy. We are very honored to be the first Chinese customer of his company. I hope his company will become better and better. If I come to Tanzania next time, I will continue to look for him as my guide.
NL
Email Marleen Pieterse | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Serengeti Dream Time
A beautiful camping journey of 12 days in the Serengeti guided by Christopher Samwel Sululu. Just being inside this incredable great migration is really a dream! Not chasing the "big five", but just watching the stories...the young lioness with her new born, alone on a rock. One hartebeast seeking shelter in a herd of zebras. A little hipo sticking close to his mother in a rescue pole full of hipos, because the river has run dry. And the endless lines of Wildebeasts in search of water and food. An endless journey of walking. Thanks for everything!
Email Thomas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable experience
With two fellow students we decided to do a safari while we did an internship close to Mwanza.
Out of two safari’s I did this one was the most incredible.
First of all because of the guide, Christopher, who knew the perfect places where to camp and where to drive. He understands that privacy is key to the experience and we camped a few times with almost no company. During game drives we had several incredible encounters with leopards, lions, cheetahs, elephants and even rhino’s. A combination of luck and skill of Christopher, who has ridiculously good eyesight.
Second the service was perfect as everything we wanted during the safari was taken care of. Especially the food was very nice.
And lastly because Japhet en Christopher are just amazing company, We loved Christophers stories about the wildlife, and Japhets’ jokes.
Would love to do this trip again!
NL
Email Maria | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable safari
In one word: GREAT!
The safari we (a family of 5 persons) had in Tanzania with Christopher and his team is unforgettable. He is a passionate expert-guide with a lot of knowledge and experience and he is a very good driver too. Also: Christopher is a very nice person !
We learned a lot about wildlife (from the Big Five to the little termites), about the balance in nature, the dangers of climate change. Christopher is always searching for new possibilities to observe the animals, away from the touristic routes. Instead of following other jeeps, we were often alone in a beautiful and vast landscape, experiencing unique encounters with lions, elephants, special birds etc.
In the evenings, around the fire, we shared experiences and stories. The ambience was always nice. Christopher told us also a lot about culture and tradition, the young history of Tanzania and the challenges of today. He felt very responsible for us, ensuring that we had a good time from the beginning to the end. The food Geoffrey made was excellent every day, made with attention, love and humor!
We did not stay in lodges, we preferred camping: hearing the beautiful sound of nature in the night, watching giraffes and zebra's nearby, in the amazing early morning or evening light. Our tents were always in a beautiful spot with the best view.
Idreamofafrica is a little Tanzanian company. Personal contact, flexibility, a good atmosphere are main characteristics. We preferred to support a local Tanzanian company above booking with a foreign, European travel organization. It turned out to be a very good choice!
We really recommend Idreamofafrica to everyone and wish Christopher and his team all the best. We hope to see them again soon.
IT
Email Luigi e Patrizia | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
my best African safary experience
An experience in Africa is always something special that leaves you feeling great and makes you carry in your heart that feeling that only those who have tried it recognize as "mal d'Africa". I traveled in almost all the countries of southern Africa but, the wonderful experience that I lived with my wife Patrizia in August, led by Chris, the best guide I know, is and will remain indelible in our minds. The Dream of Africa is precisely the realization of a dream and thanks to the expertise and skills of Chris we have lived the experience of a real private camping safari. Nothing is left to chance, from the planning of stops in the camping areas, to the daily safaris that are organized in the parks where indescribable emotions are lived, until the evening return where we find Japhet who, with just as much mastery prepares delicious dinners in the heart of the savannah. In our nine-day trip we visited the Parks of Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, the crater Ngoro-Ngoro and the Tarangire. We were lucky enough to see the lions climbing on the trees, to experience the thrill of a night safari in Lake Manyara, on the Mara river we had the opportunity to see the great migration of the wildebeests, an incredible show, hundreds cattles that in a neat row of Indian cross the waters to go to the green areas where they can find more food and water. An incredible show that nature offers us! not to mention the exciting encounters with groups of zebras, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, hippopotamuses, elephants and for all the surprise of finding ourselves in front of a meter away a lioness with three affectionate puppies! what intense days! and in the end the magnificent sunsets that only in these lands can be admired. We recommend to those who intend to organize a safari and live a real experience in Tanzania to contact without delay our friend Chris and his team of I Dream of Africa, we do not we'll never thank him for the magical days and nights spent together.
US
Email Stephen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Experience and Value
We had a wonderful time with Christopher and I Dream of Africa (his company)! He provided a top notch safari that exceeded expectation. His goals and day plans are guided by years of experience. We are especially thankful he made efforts to avoid the large crowds that can occur at the big parks in the busy season.
We did a "budget camping safari", but it was the highest class camping we've ever done. Military grade tents, cots, and bedding, with a skilled full-time cook proving three fresh made multi-course meals a day. Camping allows you to be on-site at the national parks so you can get off early see the wildlife all by yourself, before the crowds of other safari groups get there. Also you can stick around to see the sunset over the wild savanna, hours after the lodge-staying crowds have left.
It is also clear the Christopher cares for the wildlife and conservation, and doesn't just look at it as a business opportunity. He knows the flora and fauna extremely well, and dives into the books if there's any uncertainty.
Finally, many of the popular safari companies are foreign owned (lots of Indian and Chinese). It's a great way to support a local entrepreneur in a country that needs all the help it can get. You'll be doing this with the opposite of a sacrifice: getting a top of the line safari as well.
NL
Email Marleen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
True experience
A real dream!! To see , hear , smell the dust of Africa. To sleep and hear the animals pass, to see them eat, drink, rest, take care of there children. To see there first and there last steps silently , close by. Christopher Samwell did grow up here. He knows!! Gives you time and opportunity to stand close to all animals. So that you can experience a litlle part of there lives! "I will be back!!.....;-) Thanks!
A special trip!
We would like to begin this review in saying that our safari with Christopher and Jaffet has been one of the most memorable experiences of our lives, mostly because of the passion and the professionalism of our guide, who planned out the best travel itinerary in the little time we had available.
It is impossible to fully describe the sight of lions strolling around the jeep and the limitless nature in which eyes get lost in trees, herds and across the horizon. It might sound like a cliche to talk about the elephants at sunset the hippos at sunrise, the gazzelles and the pelicans. We loved the nights spent in the savannah, where you can hear the calls of animals in the deep silence and the sky turns into a ceiling of stars.
The most important thing to describe is the magic that we experienced in those four days with the morning light surrounding our tent and the warm wind, carrying exotic fragrances.
The skills of the organizer Christopher was impressive. He created the perfect tour, varied and unconventional; you realize it when you have the luck to be among a pack of lions with no one else around.
Everything accompanied with delicious african cousine!
(italian)
Iniziamo questa recensione scrivendo che il Safari in Tanzania con Christopher e Jaffet è stata una delle esperienze più belle della nostra vita.
Non solo perchè il Safari è un viaggio meraviglioso, ma anche e soprattutto per la serietà, la passione e la professionalità della nostra guida, che ha studiato un itinerario per farci vivere al massimo i pochi giorni che avevamo a disposizione.
Forse è inutile descrivere i leoni che ti passeggiano di fianco alla geep oppure gli immensi spazi naturali in cui gli occhi si perdono tra le mandrie, gli alberi e l'orizzonte. Come forse è inutile raccontare degli elefanti al tramonto o le albe tra ippopotami, gazzelle e pellicani.
Forse la cosa importante da descrivere è la magia in cui abbiamo vissuto per quattro giorni, la luce del mattino che ti avvolge la tenda, il vento caldo che porta profumi sconosciuti. E soprattutto la bravura degli organizzatori che ci hanno fatto amare le notti passate in mezzo alla savana quando senti solo i versi degli animali nel silenzio e il cielo si trasforma in un tetto di stelle.
Christopher ha creato un tour perfetto, molto vario e poco convenzionale, te ne rendi conto quando hai la fortuna di osservare una famiglia di leoni da solo, senza altre jeep intorno.
Il tutto accompagnato da una squisita cucina africana!