Tomodachi Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- TTB & Travelife
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $40 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
SG
Email Sen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not trustworthy!
Bad! Poor execution and under-delivery of what has been agreed and paid for are my two biggest pain-points with Tomodachi. Even if the company had provided as advertised, I would still not recommend it due to poor overall service (last-minute arrangement and changes), lack of tour briefing (we have to ask what's going on all the time) and the tour guides are not helpful. The Managing Director is Joseph Mwema, and co-partner: Jasper Kishari.
Email Evie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall good but Tomodachi can do better
The driver/guide is good, the accommodation is wonderful;I had an unforgettable experience at Domel Wilderness Camps. But the company can do better. First of all it took Tomodchi moe than a month to confirm receiving our deposit. And then we were told the agreed accommodation was no longer available although we had double confirmed they were available before booking the trip. The car constantly broke up on safari. Finally, I asked about going to Mara river in the email with the company but we were never taken there and was told it was too far to drive there. The company could have arranged an accommodation closer to the river.
IT
Email Antonietta | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari-Best driver-be careful with pricing
We were supposed to be a group of 4 Italian friends; we ended up being only 3 as one of us could not travel at last minute because he got sick. We had a 10 days tour touching Tarangire, Manyara, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Lake Natron. We were extremely happy about the places, animals and tribes we have visited. All very authentic except for the Masai tribe in Ngorngoro that was quite touristic (paid 20 dollars each for 15 minutes very touristic tour); they were asking for money every now and then. Lake Eyasi and Lake Natron are out of the touristic places and so worth visiting. Other tour operators refused to offer Lake Natron as the road to get there was adventurous, and it was indeed. The best part of our trip was Chediel, our fantastic driver! He has never been tired of showing us things, telling us stories about animals (African tales and scientific things as well); he was able to spot the farthest ceetah and taking us close enough to count all the spots on the fur! He was joyful and nice all the time. He also very quickly solved the only problem we got while driving. The jeep sank into the sands and he worked hard to take it out. If you ever choose this tour operator please ask to have Chediel as your guide!!
Unfortunately we could not say exactly the same about Joseph, the tour operator leader, as he was paying more attention on money than on services. He did not provide us with a detailed program and he did not provide us with useful information for what is surely a difficult trip. For example, he did not send us general information on what to wear, what to bring, how a day/meal/dinner was supposed to be (I had contacted 25 tour operators for a quotation and most of them sent these on quotation without even waiting for us to book the tour). For example we were not told to wear a bathing suit when visiting the waterfalls in Natron; we were said we would have had wifi in every lodges while this was not the case for two out of seven lodges (and in other two the wifi was not really working although apparently available). At the end of our trip he helped us to arrange our connection from Dar es Salaam Airport to the ferry harbor (tricky! please allow you lots of time in advance as the traffic is horrible). We thanked him for this, but listen to my consideration: he charged us 50 dollars for the ride (which was absolutely fine) plus 7 dollars each on top of the price for the ferry ticket (that we had booked in advance) because apparently he had to change shelling in dollars to buy the tickets and the commission was to be payed by us (which I absolutely agree), BUT I disagree on EACH of us. Do you really think he paid three commissions and not one? do you ever change money in three different rounds for three friends or would you change money all together to avoid three commissions? Also, as said, one of us could not travel last minute. He gave us back less than 1/10 of the money paid by him saying it was just because of my kindness otherwise he would have not given the money back because apparently he had already used that amount to book the places and even payed the ticket to the parks (which were not). I understand this was last minute and high season, but let's try to be reasonable and honest. I do not believe he could not save money from all the amount my friend had paid and I explain you why: we had paid in advance only 1/3 of the whole trip, but we had not signed any type of contract. What if the all of us had not shown up at all? would he have risked to loose all of those money?? i don't believe so. And by the way when asked to provide a receipt he only issued one for the money we paid there and not for the ones we had send by bank transfer... One last thing... (and ok maybe this was a genuine mistake but when you have more things to complain about it's better to say)...he took me to the counter to change money I needed to give him... he gave me back 8 dollars less than due...
Having said all of this, I am not "Not suggesting" to book with Tomodachi, I am only suggesting to make sure your driver is Chediel and you make clear everything with Joseph before agreeing.
IT
Email Federica | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari
If you wish a wonderful experience in the majestic atmosphere of Serengeti, I warmly suggest to go with Tomodachi. The staff is friendly and attentive to any need the customer may have.
IN
Email Anurag | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
It was awesome services and good supporting me every thing was ok
Email Elliott | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enjoyable Safari
Joseph was very helpful with setting up all the requirements for a quick safari trip. Details were provided near to the trip but this is because they use last minute flights and accommodation deals and this was no problem for us.
The actual safari was really good and we saw lots of amazing animals and had some great food at the Jimbiza camp. My only criticism would be that there was a bit too much waiting around on the first day instead of planned activities. We were just around the camp from 10am - 4pm. Other than that it was great. The staff were very friendly and helpful.
AE
Email Apurv | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awsome and unforgettable experiences
Highly recommended!!!!
It was great getting engaged with tomadachi tours especially joseph.. we went to tarangire, ngorongoro and zanzibar.
We were 4 adults and one kid (3 years)
Experience was very good sfarting with safari, our guide was excellent and was very good in tracing animal in safari even at some place he took us off tge normal way to show some close view of elephants. It was really close. But our guide was also our driver and he was driving on highway also like safari speed. On highways even bikes were overtaking us. Not a issue since its with speed limit of 50 kmph.
Our hotel in arusha was not that great however since we werr the only one in entire hotel so we were given VIP treatment. My recommendation is to take hotel in arusha city center.
Or else of you want to do tarangire and ngorongoro then keep ur full stay at farm of dreams, this is an excellent hide out never experienced in my life.. farm of dreams is outstanding.
After safari , we went to zanzibaar. And come Yusuf who is partner of tomadach also. Overwhelmed with his hospitality.. he personally visited with us at all places. At one point we were stucked in some place and he immediately sent us the car to rescue us.
Joseph and yusuf are the best combination for your tanzanian adventures.
Email Narendra | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Had a fantastic time. Worth money spent
We had a very memorable experience vide this safari operator, as vehicle was in prim condition and driver cum guide was polite and charmimg even to the kids. Enroute accomodation at FARM OF DREAMS at Karatu was unique as well
NL
Email Leonard Klopp | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The safari with tomodachi was so perfect
i really reccomend this company to everyone, everything was in oder
DK
Email Idd | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the best in a life time
It was a wonderfull experience...Beautifull places The Ngorongoro, Serengeti..One of the beautifull places in the planet..Thank you TOMODACHI..