It Started in Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- IATA, TATO & TALA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $550 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply the Best, Unforgettable and Stunning experience...
To be honest, when I contacted Joao Oliveira for Safari, I became bit suspicious as he used to reply usually within 1-2 hours (even in the night). Also, Safari company is quite new and therefore had to search for how genuine they are, before transferring advance payment. Reviews about the company made me to trust them. Joao helped to arrange and make safari itinerary in the best convenient way. I was completely satisfied with his responses towards my all questions and queries.
We made a safari for 5 days, 1 day Tarangire ( 1 night at Maramboi Campsite), 3 days Serengeti (2 nights at Ikoma bushcamp Serengeti), 1 day Ngorongoro crater (1 night at Rhino Ngorongoro). Fabulous locations, fair arrangements, good food and facilities.
Tarangire was nice experience but we spotted mainly elephants, giraffes and zebras (no cats) which we spotted also in Serengeti and Crater, and therefore it would have been no harm in skipping Tarangire. Manyara lake is famous mainly for Flamingos, which was not our primary aim to spot in Safari. Serengeti and Crater safaris were mind blowing. We could spot all big 5 animals (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Black Rhino and Wild-Buffalo).
Martin, our tour guide, guided us in all possible ways. He has eyes like an eagle and could spot animals even a km far. Binoculars provided by company made our safari much more interesting and exciting. Instead of Joao (as he was out of station), Mathias helped us.
Overall, I would recommend It Started in Africa 100%. They know how to make your once in a lifetime safari memorable in all ways. They are very joyful, friendly and fantastic.
US
Email Tanya, Alex and Alex Jr. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It will take your breath away!
Last year we had absolutely amazing trip with It Started In Africa. It was really difficult to find a company which can provide high level service for all our family with 2 years kid. And with the guys we had so nice adventure! Professional guides showed us hidden places full of wildlife. All accomodations met our needs. After one year we find out that we are missing the places and the guides and want to repeat it again.
It was more than trip around Kenya and Tanzania, it was like we met another home and got a lot of moments which took our breath away.
CH
Email Azadeh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari company organized the best trip!
This was one of the best safari adventures I have been on. Bernard organized the perfect itinerary for us, with a lot of back and forth with me to ensure that the trip was exactly what we were looking for. Martin the guide met us at Kilimanjaro Airport with a very comfortable land cruiser (which sounds like an oxymoron but it really was!) that we spent the whole week in. He was incredibly knowledgeable, flexible, and with a great sense of humour. We visited four different national parks (Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Tarangire), and each one was an amazing experience. All in all, I highly recommend It Started in Africa, and will definitely recommend them to everyone I know.
PT
Email Ana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unique and Unforgettable Experience
We had a unique experience. It was recommended to us by a friend and we had a fantastic experience that we highly recommend.
During the preparation of our safari days, Bernard, was always attentive and with quick answers and always available for any of our questions. It was a pleasure to meet you in person. Thank you very much.
Our whole experience was fantastic and we had Martin as our guide who was amazing. Always very professional and concerned in finding the best spots to show us all the animals. He was always very careful, patient, and available, and with a lot of knowledge of all the parks and animals.
Martin was amazing since the minute we pick us from the airport until the last minute he drop us in the airport. He was also very available to help and guide us during our stay in Arusha in the days before and after the safari.
Thanks also to our cook, Mandy, who made us really good food.
Thanks for the amazing days we had and the unique and unforgettable experience you gave us.
Email Alan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent, I would choose them again
Our experience with It started in Africa was excellent. We prepared the trip 3 months before, I made changes to the suggested scheme and they agreed without any problem.
They asked me for an advance deposit, with a prior online contract, I asked to have a guide in Spanish and they gave it to me. Regarding the price, it was excellent, the cheapest I found.
The day arrived, they picked us up at the airport for an additional fee (it is 1 hour away from Arusha), they were punctual, the next day the tour began, Martin as driver and Masei as guide in Spanish. Both were friendly, attentive, super responsive, they also gave us a private cook for us alone who stayed at the campsite to give us excellent elaborate meals for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, he was also super friendly and introspective.
Regarding Martin (driver) I must say that his interest in seeing the animals and looking for the best positions was noted, he is a human GPS inside the parks that are enormous, he never stopped driving and asking us at all times if we were satisfied, safe and if all was well. We were able to see the big 5 and it was thanks to him
Masei (guide in Spanish) is Masai and gave us good information about animals and the Masai also collaborated with photos, super friendly.
There was good communication with the company at all times, before, during and after, where they showed interest in meeting us, they invited us to a bar to have feedback and we had a few beers.
Without a doubt, I would choose the company again for its good prices and communication and the same safari team, they are already missed, good people.
(automatic translation from Spanish)
Email Sophia Aussie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not book!
I many problems with this operator. The guide asked me to pay entry into a park then later again w a hotel booking I already paid for which totalled $500usd. I think they hope we feel bad and then let it go. I luckily didnt carry mich cash on me and refused. There was messing abt and possibly no hotel stay. I stood my ground and demanded reimbursement for the amt owed. I was also taken on a shonky coffee tour not like described but by 2 rogue kids.
I was in tears fighting them 2 hrs before my airport transfer and ended up arriving to the airport w 30mins to go.
From my Tripadvisor review i was contacted by numerous people who were swindled their deposit. The company went down, changed names then restarted again under it started in africa.
After my review they offered me monetary compensation to take my review down. I refused. Then coincidentally my tripadvor account kept sending me emails that i wanted to reset the password. Im not accusing anyone of hacking but it was interesting times.
I was emailed by Bernard to review my trip again so they could use it for other travellers. Hope this finds everyone well as a clear warning! I do not advise putting any deposit into this company. Other tours exist so research well and contact the reviewers
US
Email Joe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy to work with. Responsive to e-mails
Communication was easy. Service was good. We climbed Kili with them and had a great tour guide and team. They then helped coordinate our transfer for a safari in the Serengeti which was good. Guide was okay. Vehicle was a bit old but it was only my wife and I which was a great treat.
I'd recommend them and would travel with them again.
PT
Email Manuela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly an amazing and unforgetable experience.
We loved our safari. It was a memorable and wonderful experience.
Alex, our guide, was excellent! Could not expect more. Thank you so much!
Email Nov19 | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly Recommend
Fantastic experience with the family. Great tour and stunning places to enjoy. Excellent job
Email Ally & Mariam | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best and affodable than the one we used before. Extremely exceeded our expectations.
Hi everyone.
My wife and I, had a great time of 8/9 days trip with IT STARTED IN AFRICA to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro and it was a great experience to speak the truth! Chicho was an excellent and expenrienced guide loaded with a lots of knowledge of the wildlife and understood the total culture of the region. He continuously explained us everything we wanted to know about the region and the wildlife. He also knew where to find animals all the time he was asked. As a person he was a really great travel companion in a trip like that. We saw the Big 5 and a lot of other amazing animals and very diverse landscapes (from desert raods to highland forests). The accomodation on the trip was excellent, especially the Acacia Tented Camp in Serengeti where we slept in the national park itself, had a luxorious tent, great food and very friendly staffs. The whole communication bit and the trip organization was fabulous (many thanks to Bernard, honestly you are a great asset to many of explorers!). The boss Baraja was very nice, friendly and helpful and he picked us up personally from the airport. The safari car was new and comfy, clean all the time , (VALUE FOR MONEY).
We highly recommend It started in africa to all travellers and certainly we gonna be in touch again for the coming January, but this time around we will be four of us as my sister in law and the husband will be joining us.
