Meru Mountain Treks & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Budget & mid-range tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $160 to $550 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IT
Email Elena | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
To be avoided. Poor equipment and agressive manager.
We booked a 4days/3nights safari at Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. No complaints about the safari itself (we saw a lot of animals and enjoy our time) but about the old/ruined equipment used by Meru Trek Company and about the rude modes used by his manager, Ibrahim.
We had 5 flat tires in less than 2 days!!! I can understand some bad luck…but 5 tires punctured is not a matter of bad luck. It means you have a problem with the tires you are using!! I work for the tire industry and I know what I am talking about. The tires mounted in our jeep had almost no remaining tread and this is, beside a legal issue, a safety problem!!! These 5 flat tires caused not just loosing time from our safari, but also late arrivals to the campsites, to have to mount the tents with almost no light, late dinners and the disadvantage to remain for 3 hours in the middle of Serengeti waiting for someone to come to help us. Not just the tires were not at an adequate level, the driver did not have a proper torch to illuminate while performing the changing operations, the lifter use to lift up the car was getting blocked from time to time and once risked to catch up the driver while changing the tire under the car. Tents used by this company have zips broken, meaning cold and insects getting into your tent and in case of rain, also the rain (by the way, not all the tents were waterproof either).
When we went back to Arusha and we were taken to the main office, we tried to explain to the manager, Ibrahim that the equipment was not the appropriate and beside not even asking for any excuse, he just became very aggressive, not listening and not allowing anyone except by him to speak. He accused us to ask for a refund (we never mention this word or ask for any money back). Our purpose was to give him a constructive feedback to improve few things, but he did not listen to any reason. He started blaming us we were liars, and saying God will judge us in the Final Day….Honestly speaking if someone has to be judged is not me….but the person whose last sentence is: “you should be just happy to be back ALIVE from your safari…”. This is the person you will face if things do not go smooth.
It is up to you the choice, but to me it is not worthy to put your life at risk with bad car equipment, to loose time of your safari, to arrive to campsites late, to suffer cold because of bad equipment and to deal with this kind of person… at the end cheap turns to be more expensive!
US
Email Wilson | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent safari adventure
We had a fantastic experience with Meru Treks. While planning our safari, we looked into a number of different operators offering camping safaris, and throughout the process, Meru Treks' staff were the most responsive and helpful of all the companies. When we finally arrived for our adventure in Tanzania, our guide, Cosmas, and cook, Amani, provided cheerful, friendly and knowledgeable service throughout our trip. We could not have asked for better daily work from them. Cosmas' wealth of expertise on the landscape and wildlife gave us an unforgettable experience, and Amani kept us very full with plentiful and lovingly prepared food throughout the week-long safari. Camping equipment was functional and clean, our tents were set up quickly and with minimal work on our part, and we kept to an incredible itinerary that gave us the chance to see all the highlights of Tanzania's amazing natural beauty. We loved getting to know our Meru Treks staff, we brought home memories to last a lifetime, and we would unhesitatingly travel with Meru Treks again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
What a fabulous trip!!
My appreciation to Meru Mountain Treks and Safaris, they are real experienced and professional, we booked for the 5 days safari to several tour companies but Meru Mountain Treks and Safaris were the fast to respond and their information was precise. The trip was fabulous, we had a wonderful driver who was real experienced, the cook was also wonderful, we real enjoyed the trip.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was absolutely amazing and all the details were just perfect!!
Great addition of safari and lakes at the end. We could never have put together such a well-planned visit by ourselves. Amazing! Thank you Meru Treks team....we would definitely recommend!!!
Email Anthony | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Adventure of my life time
I was only a Tanzanian in a group of 5, two kenyans and two germans; actualy this was my first time to Lake manyara, serengeti and ngorongoro. the transportation and accommodation was perfectly arranged, we enjoyed a safari as a family and managed to see all the animals i was dreaming to see before. hunting lions was an adventures to me, i wish i would not leave the national parks. thanks Meru mountain treks and safaris ltd, you made a history in my life..
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not recommenable at all
I booked a 4-days-Safari to Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park and ended up doing the tour with a very friendly french family. At first, also the owner of the company seemed to be a nice guy. Later that turned out to be a false first impression.
The first day we stayed in small bomas, the dinner was reasonable and their was enough food.
We found out the next morning that a another guy would join us for the next three days. Unfortunatly, we had to wait for him, which delayed our drive to the next park, but was of course not the fault of the very friendly south korean guy, who told us that he actually didn't book his safari with the same company we did. Before he joined us, we also spend about an hour at a garage to get the shocker of the jeep repeared.
The time we spend in the parks was great, we saw many animals and really enjoyed it. The smallest problem we had, was that the zippers of the tents that the safari company provided couldn't be closed. One of the things we really got annoyed about was that the driver and the cook didn't stick to the programm which was given to us when me made the booking. One morning, we should have left at six, but they said seven would be early enough because we would have been at another park to early. This would have ment an extra payment, as it was planned for us to stay until afternoon the next day (as you might know the entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours) and only goes to show that the programm was actually full of promises that weren't kept.
Another problem was the fact that there was not enough food for 5 people. When we came to the campsites after a long day, we had to wait for our food for more than an hour twice, while all the other travellers from other companies were already served. It made me upset, when the cook even delayed our moring game drive because he obivously didn't get up early enough to prepare breakfast. The portions were small and compared to what we were served the first evening and what people from other budget safari tours were having, the choice was too.
Also, I had the impression that our driver had no idea where he was going and didn't seem to have control over the car at all. On the way out of the Serengeti we almost overturned after a speed bump and drove into the bushes. How could the driver or the cook even dare to ask for a tip after their services had been so horrible?
When we came back to Arsuha and spoke to Ibrahim, the owner of the company, he wouldn't even listen to us. I was in his office with the french lady and her son. The cook had been taking pictures of some rice and a tiny bit of sauce we left over, so Ibrahim shouted at us and said we were lying when saying there was not enough food. He wouldn't even listen when we told him that we didn't finsh the food because their was no meat, no vegetables, barely some sauce and only this pile of rice left over. It was not possible to have a proper conversion with him and after he had called me a "bitch"and said "fuck you" to me, I decided to leave the office, because this was just getting ridiculous. The french lady asked me to stay which was not a good idea at all, because Ibrahim got very aggressive. We asked him again to stop shouting at us and really felt like I was in kindergarten. When I told him he was behaving like a child, he got up, took my glasses, cracked them into pieces and threw them on the floor. He even shouted silly things about us being christans, complained about us using up to much of the milk powder, claimed he had never had any complaints like this and reproached us for having too high expectations concerning the food. I really could't believe it! Just because he didn't want to take the critism of his clients serious, especially not from a white yound lady, he got violent. Moreover, he pushed the french lady out his office and might have broke her arm. I didn't find out, because they left the next morning.
I haven't experienced anything like that in the last 7 months in Tansania and Uganda. Next time I would definetly spend a hundred dollars more to avoid this kind of hassle. There is still no guarantee that everything will work out fine then, but I think in this case it's worth spending a little bit more money!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This company did an amazing job making sure I made the memories of a lifetime!
Ibrahim, the owner and operator, communicated with me immediately and regularly whenever I had questions or concerns about the trip. I hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro and had no issues making it to the top. This company gives you one night of accommodation and is very welcoming when you first arrive. It can be a bit stressful making such a large deposit, but your experience with Meru Mnt Treks will be worth it.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
agence to be absolutely run away from
Your experience(experiment) confirms in 2015. The man did not change.
a very unpleasant experience with Meru treks and Safari. Violent person in charge on the customers who are not satisfied.
Insufficient food, guide - driver novice. Cook hooligan and liar to get out of trouble. Never at the hour. End-of-life vehicle
We asked ourselves the question to know if he did not get back the rests of the other agencies to feed his customers. To verify.
Agency to be absolutely run away from.
You know now
Positive experience
Climbed Mt. Meru. All went as expected, it was a budget lodge trip. I can recommend. Michael the cook was exceptional.
GR
Email Andreas Constantinou | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent! beyond my expectations!!!
When you arrive in Arusha with endless number of Safari companies...you are lost in chaos! I suppose i was very lucky to find Meru Treks. Ibrahim was so informative and honest and after 1/2HR i was convinced to take a 4 Day Safari with another 2 people. If i knew there quality i would take 5 or 6 Days!
Day 1 TARANGIRE NP was fantastic with beautiful landscapes and close up views of animals. Tarangire River provide some fantastic views of Elephants. Staying at night in Panorama Camp was an experience by itself! Cleanness,Service,Views...all perfect!
Day 2 SERENGETI NP a long drive to the Gate but it pays you well after you start a Game Drive through the endless planes. Our driver Omani was super! we spot all Big 7 in the Park! Afternoon Game Drive finished at 7pm at Seronera Campsite. Another lovely meal prepared by Marcus our excellent chef and sleep with the sound of a rain!
Day 3 The night rain clears the atmosphere so when we start our 6:30 am Game Drive is was very fresh and clear.Highlight of the morning was the spotting of a Cheetah. 11 am back to the Campsite for a Branch and then Game drive out of Serengeti at 3pm and then drive to Simba Campsite .
Day 4 6am early drive to Ngorongoro Gate and descend to the Crater for an unforgettable Game Drive at the floor of the word biggest Crater. We started with Lions and finish with Rhinos! In the meanwhile: Elephant,Buffalo, Zebra,hippo,hyena,jackal,ostrich,gazelle etc...After a lovely breakfast by a Hippo Lake we drive back to the Camp for Lunch. An Elephant pay us a visit just before we left, what a perfect way to end our great experience!
Fantastic people and fantastic Safari. Thank you all!!!