Kili Slope Tours And Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & ATA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $560 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DK
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good safari trip.
Safari with Kili Slope Tours and Safaris was incredible ! We had a very good and knowledgeable guide/ driver David Maro. He is very pleasant and cheerful man. Hi knew a lot about animals and plants and birds and was very attentive to us. He would stop the car whenever he saw us trying to take pictures from the windows and would wait patiently. The campsites had showers and toilets. I was impressed with the presence of hot water and relative cleanness in the middle of nowhere! We spotted all the animals .I would definitely recommend doing safari with Kili Slope Tours and safaris for its reasonable price, individual approach, attention to details and most of all professionalism in everything .
FI
Email Anna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awesome tours but poor tour management !
I spent some awesome time when exploring Tanzania. I joined into 2 tours operated by Kili Slopes, Mt. Kilimanjaro tour and Serengeti NP tour.
Im giving only 3 stars because of poor tour management.
+ guides + other personnel were awesome
+ landscapes were memorable
+ tour programmes were cool
Kilimanjaro:
- As a tipping culture not being common in my country, i was totally surprised when i was asked to pay extra 350 USD after my tour as a tip for the guide and personnel. I wasn't given any information about this arrangement beforehand, which annoyed me a lot. Im not definitely denying the staff wouldn't deserve and need the tip usually given, but as me being the only tourist joining the tour and still asked to pay for the normal tipping sum made this situation absurd. Moreover, I imagined the staff being paid enough for a decent income, obviously not. As a compromise, i gave them 100 usd.
- Again, when discussing about the matter of tipping, I was given the feeling by the tour operator, that as a tourist (and a white person ??) I'm supposed to be rich and afford to give away random extra 350 USD ! Oh, I am surely a millionaire, but only in my dreams.
Serengeti:
- My Serengeti tour was awesome, but bit messy. Considering this tour too, i wasn't given enough information beforehand, again including the thing with tipping. Other customers were having some more information, like list of equipment needed, which i never had. What comes to both of my trips, i thought i was having all the information in needed. Well, I didn't (even though asking for every possible information needed couple of times).
- Overall 6 customers attending to this Serengeti tour, and every person was having a different tour program. It was obvious right from the beginning that it would be impossible to coordinate everything. This is why some ppl didn't get what they were looking for - but ill let them to write their reviews on their own behalf, if they wish to do so. ++Our awesome guide Jackson did his best trying to fix it all ! ++
EE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great wildlife safari.
Our wildlife safari with Kili Slope Tours and Safaris Safari was very good. Guid David Maro had quality and value. It was a dream come true because of our guid were the best ever. Our unique itinerary was not just good but great. We focused on the astounding nature and wildlife encounters and were introduced to the joy of nature. The guid had great knowledge and experience, which was inspiring, educational and environmentally conscious. Great job and thanks for the kindness and memories. I would like to recommend to other safari travelers.
EE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic 5 days safari
We had fantastic safari for 5 days, which saw three different natural parks - Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. I comment our guide David Maro, who met us at the airport and was with us all the time.And we were also very pleased with cook, for good food. Many thanks for Kili Slope tours and safaris for good service.
NL
Email KJK | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kili Slope did it!
We were in between two companies that offer budget safaris with visits to (1) Tarangire National Park, (2) Serengeti National Park, (3) Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as well as (3) Lake Manyara. Eventually, we opted for Kili Slopes, for multiple reasons. Firstly, Kili Slopes promised a slightly more varied tour than its direct competitor. Secondly, the reviews here were very (very!) positive. Thirdly, the Kili Slope staff always responded promptly to any questions we had, and were always very clear about what to expect, for example what was included in the price (lunch, dinner, drinking water, transport from and to hotels, tents, and sleeping bags, etc.) and what wasn’t (e.g. towels). Perhaps relevant to know for potential future customers: As westerners (Europeans), we were quite hesitant to transfer a deposit to an account that – at first sight – appeared to be a personal account rather than a business account. However, the payment went safely and smoothly. So no worries (we would encourage to develop alternative payment methods though, e.g. through a secured website).
While in Tanzania, we had a little bit of a false start, because we needed more than an hour for our pick up from our hotel, despite the assurances of the chauffeur that he was near. We became a bit anxious. The delay turned out to be due to road constructions, so in the end that story made sense. We were more than compensated, though. Every other arrangement was carried out perfectly and with top service. David Maro, the owner of Kili Slopes, turned out to be a warm and cooperative person who listens well to the whishes of his customers. He also has a large social network with many connections throughout the country (and beyond), of which we made use in Zanzibar where we went after our safari. Taxis are crazy expensive there. David also takes good care of his personnel, which we found important. No wonder, because our driver, Francis, and cook, Khalid, were the best hosts we could ever imagine! Apart from Tanzia’s great wilderness, it was the staff and the employees of Kili Slope, who made our safari trip so unforgettable!
As they promised, we saw the big five - and many more species. From close distance we saw them migrating, grazing, resting, feeding, yawning, pooing, peeing etc. This may not come across as very spectacular, but realize… where do you see that in their natural habitat, this spectacular surroundings? Occasionally there was more action we spotted a lion about to attack a herd of antilopes, one going after an baby elephant, while mother elephant was warning the rest group; hyenas walking next to the car, acting as if we didn’t exist, lions eating from the carcass of an hippo, and the like. Francis showed immense respect towards the animals and the nature in general. He told about them and their behaviors with true passion. He was always full of stories and knowledge and often triggered our curiosity by giving us some kind of puzzle or riddle we had to solve, which made the long days traveling very entertaining. On the mountain road from Lake Manyara to Serengeti, for example, he would point to the many holes in the steep walls next to the road. How would ask how come – we think – did they arise. We had no clue of course, so he would and tell us elephants are; they dig them with their trunks. Next, our job was to come up with a reason why they would do such a thing (after which he would tell us this reason, of course, which I won’t tell here. Ask Francis!).
Almost always we had the best spot to capture the animals on film or photo. Either we were first to arrive or Francis knew some kind of alternative spot away from the many other tourist vehicles that could block our view.
Camping was a real adventure. From the first night on, we slept in tents. The first camping site and test can be called luxurious - at least if compared to the other camps and tents. We had a private shower with warm water directly next to our tent, for instance, and light (yes light!). Camping in the desert was a different story. We slept literally next to the hyenas, whose eyes we could see lighting up in the darkness and that were following every single one of us if we would leave the tent. And those who didn’t dare to go out could still notice their presence, either by their smell or by the fact that the garbage bags were torn. We were warned not leave our shoes outside the tent unless we wanted to get them stolen by those animals. Generally, there was no electricity in the desert camping sites, hence no light, and no true kitchen. But, like every other chef, Khalid used a flashlight on his head and fixed a menu on a single gas fire pit (which he needed to bring himself). Despite these ‘handicapping’ circumstances, Khalid was always able to prepare a fantastic meal, often better than the dinners we had in the restaurants in Moshi and Arusha.
One might think that a near $1000 for just a few nights camping under such conditions is much, crazy even, but then please do not forget that a major part is formed by the entrance fees to the national parks (already hundreds of dollars). Actually, it is quite amazing that Kili Slope can offer such a varied tour for such a price!
Tips for future tourists: (1) be prepared; it can be freezing cold at night, for instance! (2) Be realistic; don’t expect you’ll see as much hunting as in those documentaries on National Geographic or Discovery Channel (chances are great you don’t see any kill or even an attempt). A film crew stays there for three months, and often during the great migration, when food is plenty, so that attacks are also plenty. In addition, hours and hours of film material condensed to an hour or two that only shows the highlights, which are thus rare. Realize you are there for 5 days, so expect maybe a few minutes comparable to that documentary material. If more, consider yourself very lucky. The most important thing about safari, we found, is that you’re there, in Africa, surrounded by wild animals, by the exotic smell of the desert, by beautiful colors, by !@# heat !@# and cold!. The experience is that you’re part of that nature (not watching your t.v. with the remote control and pizza slice within reach), (3) realize you’re a guest. I would be curious to read some reviews of guests by safari tour operators, but I expect ratings of people who take budget tours to be more positive (on average) than ratings of people who take luxury tours. Perhaps that can be even considered an additional reason take a budget tour, like the one we took with Kili Slopes. In this regard, the company deserves another compliment. They dealt well with the very … how to say … different personalities on board. Partly as a result of this, we enjoyed our company to the last minute. We hope Francis and Khalid did so too. We thank them, as well as David.
Breathtaking safari in Serengeti: Excellent guide, beautyful camp sites and very good service!
Everyone should visit Serengeti, it is just like that. Our guide Zigi was very competent and friendly, and we talked about a lot of different topics, and he shared from his life, we truly appreciate that. He knew a lot about the animals behaviour and where to find the best view spots. He was also very observant and service minded regard to our needs. The car was a little bit small, and it would have been nice to have some fruit and coffee along with us on the quite long drives. The camps were just perfect, good service and ok food and the feeling of being in the middle of the home of the wild animals, that was fantastic. I will recomment this company and especially Zigi as a guide to my friends any time. Thank you so much for this memorable trip!
IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very good. excellent director
We had a very good time with David Maro the director. We saw beautiful places and animals.
US
Email Kathryn Nance | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our guide the cat whisperer
Communications with David Maro where easy, once i figured out he was using WhatsAp. My friend and I were coming from different places and the transfers were smooth for both of us. The accommodations in Arusha were clean and pleasant with a lovely garden. Our driver/guide, Ziggy, really had an uncanny connection with animals, he not only knew where to find them but how they would behave. At one point dozens of other vehicles were watching a leopard in a tree near a small creek. Ziggy knew what the cat was looking for from his perch and drove us downstream where we waited a few minutes. Sure enough here comes the cat strolling down the stream and sits down in from of our vehicle to get a better view of the prey, a warthog across the road. We got to watch it get lunch! Pretty special. That gave us the Big Five!.
Accommodations were wonderful as was the food, especially at the Serengeti Mawe Luxury Camp where George of the Bush greeted us warmly and offered free drinks from the bar, as it was Christmas Day. Hanging around the fire at night hearing tales of animal encounters was so welcoming. And when it was time to leave we got a drumming-singing send off.
We decided to amend our program and go to Tarangeri Park instead of Lake Eyasi. I turned out to have walking pneumonia and Ziggy and David were quick to find me a doctor in Karatu, at the Lutheran hospital. My doctor has 30 years experience and was very kind. Visit and meds totaled $25! Having mobile phone connection made changing plans easy. David was so willing to be flexible for us; I felt very well taken care of. Ours wasn't a luxury tour, rather a mid-range, but the attention to detail and willingness to work around our needs was quite touching. We enjoyed it so much we added another day. David even called me after I got back home to make sure I arrived safely and was healthy. Now thats service!
IN
Email sumant | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very friendly, fantastic experience in terms of placement of the vehicle and knowledgable.
They speak very good English and used to communicate with us regarding the park. Did exactly how I had asked them to place the vehicle. As I am a wildlife photographer I am more worried about the angles I want with respect to the subject.
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic trip!
We booked an 11 day Safari to Kenya and Tanzania, visiting Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Natron. These places were spectacular and we saw lots of wildlife, including the migrating Wildebeast crossing the Mara river and a vast amount of animals in Ngorongoro. We had a fabulous time on safari and everything was taken care of - our guides Tom and Nova were brilliant, very knowledgeable and friendly. I would definitely recommend Kili Slope in Tanzania and Right Choice in Kenya.