Our family welcomes you to Tanzania! Karibu sana!
Tanzania Choice Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $1,700 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Whitney | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nothing but good memories!
We had an incredible experience with Tanzania Choice Safaris. From booking with Brenda to cruising with Kakasii, everything was excellent. Brenda made sure we would have good accommodations for our children and electricity all night long for my dad's CPAP machine. Kakasii took us to the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Crater and both were wonderful. He made sure we saw absolutely everything we wanted and made sure we got every picture we hoped for as well. We took three children ages three and under and he was so patient and loved them as his own. Despite all the messes we made and even when the kids yelled in front of the lions, Kakasii made us feel like we could relax. We absolutely enjoyed every part of this experience and we would recommend Tanzania Choice Safaris to everyone we know and love!
DE
Email Anna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Challenge 2017 – 5 Germans, 12 days, camping only
We're not the average safari tourists. Moreover, we're Germans. Having been to Southern and Eastern Africa more than 50 times, my husband and I had never before hired a tour operator. Having accompanied us on a few camping safaris in the past, my parents are now almost 80 years old and thus entitled to their own driver and luxury camping. On our 12-day-itinerary were Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Serengeti and Lake Natron, camping was to be on special campsites in the parks only (these are remote places in the bush with no facilities whatsoever and rented to one party exclusively).
I started looking for a company willing and able to embark on „Challenge 2017“. Most of them first „hakuna matata'd“ everything but then suggested their fixed package tours and showed zero flexibility.
Brenda was the first to answer my email saying she was positive they could provide just what we were looking for. She organized camp beds for my parents, a mobile bucket shower and portable toilet. She promised we'd travel with a chef serving more than just canned food, noodles, and toast. She provided fantastic customer service and outstanding communication although my parents' health seemed to upset our travel plans more than once. If not for her, I might have just cancelled the whole trip at one point.
My parents and sister travelled in the Landcruiser with Kakasii driving, chef Moshi and camp assistant Vera occupying the empty seats. My husband and I drove along in our own vehicle but rode with Kakasii for the game drives when the camp was set. We were happy to see that Kakasii is an excellent driver since the roads and tracks can become a challenge during the rains. He was on the radio nonstop chatting to other guides and drivers to find out about the road conditions and where to find the game. Even though we've seen our fair share of wildlife Kakasii managed to delight us with some extraordinary sightings like tiny lion cubs, lions up in a tree, cheetahs hunting, and many more. And there was plenty of time for birds and smaller creatures as well.
Although it was the first time Kakasii and his team have stayed on special campsites they quickly established a routine and made sure my parents in particular were always comfortable and never had to lift a finger except when holding a fork full of Moshi's treats. For chef Moshi it was a real challenge to pamper us with culinary delights like self-made pizzas and pies, tasty meat and fresh vegetables and fruit from his makeshift kitchen consisting merely of a gas cooker and a small fire under a tarpaulin against the rain/sun. Not only was it relaxing to have someone cook for you in the bush but Moshi's cuisine is a true delight (as is the man himself). He has spoiled us beyond belief and we've all gained weight.
Since Tanzania Choice Safaris have been perfectly able to meet „Challenge 2017“ you can be sure you're in the best hands for your own personal safari adventure whichever way of accomodation you may choose for yourselves (staying in lodges, however, means you're missing out on Moshi's food!).
Enjoy your Tanzania(n) Choice Safari!
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Email Daniel Scheldrup | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly Unbelievable African Adventure!
Brenda and Kakasii, owners of Tanzania Choice Safaris, did an amazing job putting this trip together and I couldn't be happier with the final outcome! Brenda was in constant communication before we left and I really appreciated her video-chatting with us ahead of time to go over the travel plans, touch base with us and answer all of our questions. She has a talent for organization and it definitely showed in how smoothly everything came together.
We started our trip by spending two nights at Kakasii's childhood home in Uswaa, which was an incredible experience. Meeting all of Brenda and Kakasii's friends and family, eating a traditional barbecue and being able to experience part of Tanzania that you would totally miss out on with a giant, impersonal tour company was truly a great way to start the trip and would have alone been worth the trip to Tanzania!
After that we completed a six-day Kilimanjaro climb. Brenda and Kakasii had us complete the climb with a guide named Festo and I couldn't be happier with how well he had the trip organized and the friendliness of the guides and porters. We ate each meal with the guides and learned so much about local Tanzanian politics, customs and daily life. Festo clearly knows what he's doing and safely got us all to the summit, even when none of our group had previous high-altitude experience!
Kakasii was our safari guide for a five-day safari to Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Kakasii is so friendly and social that I don't think we ever stopped laughing with him, which was tough to do since we were all so tired from the climb! He has so much experience going on safaris that it clearly showed. We were able to see so many amazing animals standing just feet from our car that it was really more than I could have hoped for. We saw leopards lounging in trees, huge herds of wildebeests, a lioness with a dead wildebeest staring down a male buffalo, a cheetah with two cubs and all of that is just scratching the surface. Kakasii and Brenda have developed relationships with all the hotel/lodge owners that we stayed with so we were always treated exceptionally well and stayed in some truly beautiful locations.
Brenda and Kakasii could not have been more helpful in providing such an amazing experience and I really cannot recommend Tanzania Choice Safaris enough! Thank you again for such an unforgettable trip!
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Email The Allen Family | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime! Perfectly planned as we asked, and exceeded expectations!
The trip was perfectly planned with little input from us. All of the accommodations were top notch. We wanted to have a safari as well as cultural opportunities. We saw many reserves, all selected were vastly different which kept things interesting and afforded us the opportunity to see a plethora of animals and Tanzanian countryside. Our guide was extremely knowledgable about all of the flora and fauna and the local culture in all areas. Not to mention the fact that he engaged each traveler, and met all of our individual needs. He even modified some of the routes due to the weather. We were up close and personal with all the animals! And what a driver! There were some terrible rains with roads washed out, yet he got thru them or around them. The last two nights were at an amazing lodge run by the Maasai, the experience was priceless. The whole experience was perfect from planning thru implementation. We could not have asked for more! I have already started working on a return trip, my recommendations and appreciation could not be higher.
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Email Chad Anderson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect...Just Perfect
Our relationship with Tanzania Choice Safaris was incredible from day one. Brenda demonstrated great flexibility in helping us build an itinerary that was perfect for us, and she had several suggestions on creative ways to help us reduce the overall cost of the trip. We exchanged numerous emails in the weeks leading up to the trip and connected via Skype, all of which helped make us feel really comfortable about our trip. Even in retrospect, we could not imagine any single aspect of our trip being better than it did. Our Kilimanjaro guide (Festo) was beyond professional and turned into a friend who ensured that we reached the summit - the entire crew was incredible. Kakasii, our safari guide, also became a wonderful friend. His understanding and knowledge of the Serengeti, Tarangiri, and Ngorongoro Crater put us so close to every animal we dreamed of seeing, and more. He put us in places other guides didn't know about, and his patience allowed us to see things few tourists were able to observe. Even beyond providing the trip of a lifetime, Tanzania Choice added such a wonderful personal touch - the dinners shared, the stories told, the adventures experienced...Brenda even helped arrange for a surprise anniversary gift for my wife! Tanzania Choice Safaris is the absolutely best company to use for your Tanzania trip!!!
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Email Marta | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amaxing and unforgettable trip of a lifetime.
With no one to compare to, this being my first safari, I can only say, I don't think other companies can beat Tanzania Choice Safaris. A family owned company that cares as much for their clients safety and experiences as their own family, can only be given a 5 star rating.
Because of the excellent communication I felt I knew these people before I arrived in Tanzania. This trip was beyond expectations. The intinirary was so carefully planned to include all my requests and some suggestions that I hadn't thought about, i.e. a balloon ride over the Serengeti, which should not be missed! Our guide Kakasii was excellent. His experience (more than 14 years as a guide) made this safari so much more than I had anticipated. I saw all the animals, and experienced the Migration of the wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River that many people missed. He always seemed to know just where we should be, at just the right time to experience an a cheetah and her cubs feasting on a recent kill, lions mating, crocodiles killing a wildebeest and so much more!
The accommodations planned were all very good, the food and service in the tent lodges was great. In a couple of overnight stays we were the only guests at that lodge so we really felt special.
While there are many safari companies out there and I saw many of them, Tanzania Choice Safaris was definitely the best choice for me, and I would highly recommend them.
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Email Kattie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kakasii is the best - you will be glad he was your guide!
I absolutely loved my Tanzania Choice Safari. Everything from the number and variety of animals we saw to the delicious food we ate exceeded my expectations. Kakasii was born to lead safaris. His sense of humor, knowledge of where to find animals and when, and the fact that he seems to know EVERYONE in Tanzania means that no matter what, he is going to make sure your experience is the best it can be. When I visited, the highlight was seeing literally hundreds of elephants as they migrated, including a momma and her baby RIGHT on the road.
His wife, Brenda, is American, and does an excellent job of managing the itinerary and booking. She is conscious of the little things that non-Tanzanians value in travel planning, like prompt and clear communications, attention to detail, and options. She anticipates your needs and works hard to make sure you get the experience you want to have.
HR
Email Matt | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Leslie was an amazing safari guide!
This tour exceeded all expectations. From the moment we arrived Mr Leslie was friendly, kind, and patient with our family of 4. Through our 6 days in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti, Leslie was so skilled at seeing and sighting all manner of animals. His knowledge seemed limitless and he patiently answered all of our questions about the animals, the parks, and life in Tanzania. We had so much fun and were very sad to leave this beautiful country. We will certainly recommend Tanzania Choice Safaris, and Leslie specifically, to anyone we know who is planning a safari. Thank you so much for an amazing experience!
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Email Dan Lenort | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Choice experience from arrival to departure
There are no strangers here; Only friends that you haven’t met yet. - William Butler Yeats
Tanzania Choice Safaris is the company founded and operated by Kakasi and Brenda Kimaro whom I now hope to count as friends. Between them they are a class act, catering to an outstanding experience. Brenda maintains a long list of resources and options that ultimately allow you to create a boutique experience. Kakasi has an extensive list of contacts and seemingly knows everyone you may cross paths with. Our safari guide was Noel Kimaro, Kakasi’s nephew. Noel was not only our guide, but our host and educator. Being in the family gave him the latitude and experience to make our tour truly exceptional.
From the arrival at the airport to the drop off at the same, we were under their wing. While our trip might not have been a common itinerary, it flowed smoothly with some great surprises. Church, picnic, tours of multiple dispenseries/hospitals, the Safari with multiple lodges, stops at the African Galleria in Usangi, and Sanaa in Arusha rounded out our trip.
Documentation, emails, and even a Zoom call prior to our trip outlined everything. Should I ever go back, there is only one company I would consider as my safari guide, namely Tanzania Choice Safaris.
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Email Larry I. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Safari by Tanzania Choice was wonderful!!!
On the recommendations of friends we booked our Tanzania safari with Tanzania Choice. This is a small company that has the personal touch vibe. The tour was well organized and a pleasure to experience. Our driver, Noel, was superb. Personable, professional and joy to hang out with! A true expert on navigating the reserves, locating the animals and at the same time we were always on schedule. All in all I would have no doubts about booking with Tanzania Choice next time.