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:
- $230 to $1,250 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
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
fantastic tour
They did an excellent job of catering our tour to exactly what we wanted. My wife and I were on a time crunch and only had a week for the tour. Christopher did an amazing job of tailoring a tour to fit exactly what we wanted to see. He knew the migratory patterns of the animals and the exact spots to take us in the offseason to ensure we saw the "Big Five." He booked incredible lodgings for us each night and had a full schedule for us each day.
He was great about last minute changes and delays in our schedule. He would alter the daily schedule to accomodate our wishes and would go out of his way to make sure we were happy and well taken care of. His knowledge of the area was incredible, and would answer all of our questions with enthusiasm.
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking at booking an African safari, and would 100% use him again in the future. He can accomodate any budget.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very well done!
We used Chris for a multi-park visit to Tanzania last week. He was pleasant, professional, informative and well prepared. I would recommend him without hesitation.
SE
Email Anders Drejare from Sweden | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We went to the Real Africa
... are You lookìng for luxury hotel, dry martinis and free WiFi? Okay, then stop reading now but if You want to experience the real wildlife, then just hang on.
For most people a travel in Africa is a dream and if You go, it’s a memory for life. I’ve already travelled a lot world wide and when I now go to Tanzania, I want to be in the real Africa with my wife. It’s was the time for our precious holiday and should also be our private safari, not a bunch of people lined up like regular tourists in a half dousin jeeps.
Therefore I checked about 20 operators in October 2014 and after some information on mail and personal talk on telephone with Christopher Samvel, manager of “I dream of Africa”, me and my wife agreed to go with him around Christmas on the 9 Day Budget Camping Safari in the north of Tanzania. Christopher have been many years in this business and told me later this trip was a new concept from his idea. For us the value was to be close the nature, to really feel that we are in Africa and to get a lot of information in a causal way.
We fly December 19th from Dar es Salaam to Arusha and Christopher pick us up at the local airport for transfer to a very nice lodge at the hillside. The next day our trip started in his heavily loaded Toyota Landcrusier. There was also the chef Dodo, a nice guy who did all cooking in some american-european style with an african touch and had good manners that we appreciated a lot.
Actually the safari was 8 days out. We stayed always inside the parks at camp sites that provided some variable standard about showers and toilets. Christopher was very active to solve any problem we faced. Mostly me and my wife slept nicely in our tent but could also listen to lions roaring at rather close distance in the night, hyenas, monkies and elephants until the birds chat at daybreak. There was no fences or walls around the campsites, so we was alright a part of the real wildlife. To stay inside the park made it easy for a game drive at 6 am after coffee with the sunrise and in the afternoon until sunset. The morning and the late afternoon is the time we enjoyed the wildlife most.
Our safari continued like that in the national parks Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti (2 nights), Ngorongoro Crater NCA and Tarangire (2 nights). We had the opportunity to see the big five and much more. I shot several thousands of pictures with my new telephoto zoomlens 150-600 mm and sometimes my small pocketsized camera was enough because we was often close the animals! It seemed like we was on the right spot in the right time.
The safari trip was very inspiring and we really experienced very much. I think that Christopher have a mission to show the wildlife he love and he was always eager to share his good knowledge of animals, birds, vegetation and even insects. This was very valuable to us. The itinerary was followed like planned, although Christopher was open for some flexibility if we wanted. There was never poping up any extra or hidden expenses according to our Camping Safari. We can highly recommend Christopher, operator ”I dream of Africa” and we say Happy New Year to Tanzania. Christopher told us that he will also offer more diverse theme trips, that looks interesting.
NL
Email Mariska | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A amazing personal safari with i Dream of Africa
My boyfriend and I (both 29) were looking for a private guided tour where we could create our own itinerary. After doing some research, we found "I Dream of Africa" www.idreamofafrica.com through reviews on the internet. I Dream of Africa is a local Arusha based company, so you support a local company.
We corresponded through email (more than 50 J) and by thelephone with Christopher. Together we created a custom safari. Christopher, was our guide and driver throughout the 7 day safari, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. He shared much knowledge about the wildlife and environment. And he was always on the lookout for animals. Christopher knew how to approach the animals. Besided that, Christopher knows a lot about Tanzania and the economic and political issues in the country.
We experienced a lot of advantage of a private tour, such as:
- you can stay in one spot as long as you want.
- You don’t have a tidy schedule.
- You really experienced the wild life if you stay on the public campsite.
- During lunch and dinner you have time to discuss about things.
We stayed on the local camp sites in a tent. The facility are basic but very clean and the food prepared through the cook was very good, fresh and healthy. It was sublime to be out in the middle of nowhere listening to lions and elephants. They where only several hundred feet away. One time early in the morning there was a big family of 20 elephants just 100 meter in front of a camp site. It was amazing. We felt very safe and Christopher is really looking afther you.
We really recommend "I Dream of Africa" If you are looking for a interesting and personal safari. You will have a amazing experience with Christopher.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Maybe our best trip ever!
We are a spanish couple in our 50s and have traveled to several countries in our lives, so this was not one of our first holidays! Our safari took place in Tanzania for 14 days
I contacted I dream of Africa (Christopher Samwel) because a colleague recommended him. We arranged everething with him by email, following his recommendations about the trip, number of days at each location, etc.
The safari was excellent, one of our best experiences in our lives. We travelled alone, just Christopher and us, this allowed us more freedom than a group safari, spending more time where we wanted to.
Christopher is in one word, a superb guide and person. He knows very well the nature and animals, as he is a nature ethusiast and knows all the answers to any question you make him, from the customs of big mammals, to the name of any kind of bird.
I would not doubt torecommend I dream of Africa to anyone.
US
Email A. Maxwell | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
More Than We Dreamed
Wonderful. We could stop there as that sums up our trip.
However, there is more to say. If you are considering going on a trip to Africa, we believe there's only one company to do it with. I Dream of Africa. From the very beginning, Christopher and I Dream of Africa, were very pleasant to work with. It was extremely easy to communicate via email with Christopher. There were sometimes, that it would take a day or two for him to respond, but that was because he was out on safari during those times. And when he would respond, it was very professional and courteous, but most importantly it was thorough and would address all of our concerns or provide adequate updates about our upcoming trip.
It's been 6 months since our trip and we still talk about the memories or look at pictures when we were with Christopher. I Dream of Africa planned every detail of the trip other than when how to get to Africa. From the moment we stepped out of the airport, our guide was there to greet us and begin our adventure. Our guide, Christopher is the owner of the company and takes pride in everything that he does. He goes above and beyond to make the trip full of memories and a pleasant experience. In our opinion, having a local guide and local company made the trip that much more. We would see other guides and tours along our journey, and you could tell their guide did not carry the same appreciation for the animals as Christopher. We were able to see the things that we wanted to see and things that we had no idea even existed, and Christopher would take the time to explain their habits, names and other things we did not know about the animals. We shared many laughs with Christopher as he would never cease to surprise us with finding something new and having the patience as we would sit and enjoy the beauty of Tanzania.
Tanzania was welcoming and wonderful from the very beginning. Every lodge that I Dream of Africa booked for us, was extremely friendly and hospitable. The culture never stopped welcoming us and we always felt safe, no matter where our adventure took us. We had to go into town a few times to stop at a pharmacy, and we when we could not find the needed medicine, Christopher knew where else to go. He knew every area that we went to and with such ease, that we felt not only safe, but glad to have him there to truly guide us.
Since returning home, we have already discussed taking a trip back to Tanzania during another season to see what else I Dream of Africa could show us! We have not made plans yet, but know that when we do, there is only one company we will be in contact with. We highly recommend I Dream of Africa and Christopher.
IT
Email Matteo Righi from Italy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Totally marvellous! In July too!
I went with Chris and his Company to safari last year at the end of July. Not properly the perfect time as you read in Lonely Planet! But I Think isn't true because was an amazing experience! The company helped me to find all the animal I want to see. And I got it!
I Dream of Africa and his team was the perfect people to experience and visit (and to understand) Africa and all you need for a perfect safari.
Email Sophie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding -the best tour guides I’d recommend to all my friends and family!
Christopher and Warren (father and son) who own and run “I Dream of Africa” leave no detail to chance.
Communication in the lead up to arriving was excellent, with our 9 day trip completely personalised to fit the needs of our 8 member family (3 generations)
Other companies we contacted only wanted to assign us a driver and set us off on their pre-set itinerary.
A wonderful family, business driven, excellent communication and exceptional knowledge of the area and animal's.
During our Safari, Christopher and Warren became and remain part of our family.
If you go to Tanzania - Go with “I Dream of Africa”!
US
Email Heather | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Chris is not only organized, punctual and professional but the kindest man you'll
My husband and 3 daughters just completed a fabulous 7 day Christmas safari with Christopher. He was recommended by a dear friend who had taken her family (3 sons) on safari July 2023. -We went to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Lake Masek and Central Serengeti. Christopher planned the perfect itinerary -we truly wouldn't have changed any of our lodging choices and we saw such diversity in topography and animals. We loved the majestic 2700 yr old Baobab trees speckling the Tarangire, the lush Jurassic Park' like feel of the Ngorongoro, the giraffe sculpted acacia trees in Lake Masek, and the Great Plains of the Serengeti. We saw lions, huge herds of elephants (200+ elephants), the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra, giraffe, hippos, hyena and so so much more! My daughter has a recent diagnosis of Celiac and Chris worked with each location to be sure she had gluten free celiac safe options. We can not say enough good things about Chris Samwel and I Dream of Africa!
DE
Email Nicole | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect Safari with genius guide!
We did a 6 day safari as a group of 2 women with Christopher and his son Warren and it was amazing. Everything was perfectly organised, from picking us up at the airport to saying goodbye in Arusha. Our guides were incredibly welcoming and planned safaris to our wishes every day. The selected hotels were always nice, especially the camps in the national parks! Christopher is a genius when it comes to wildlife viewing. It's just amazing how he discovers every animal while driving, no matter how far away or well hidden. So we were mostly alone as the only safari car at ingenious places like lion packs, jaguars or cheetahs. In addition, Christopher has an unlimited knowledge about the behavior of animals. We two guests had very different wishes for the safari (one wanted to see cats, the other the migration of steppe animals), Christopher fulfilled them both perfectly balanced (in fact we were between a migration and were able to watch a cheetah calling his brother). We were very happy to have done the safari with I dream of Africa, because firstly we had the most beautiful safari, and secondly we were able to support local people from Tanzania instead of large companies where you sometimes also have young and not yet so experienced guides gets assigned. I would 100% recommend Christopher's company "I dream of africa" to anyone considering a safari in Tanzania. I will definitely come back. Thank you for everything!
