Getting muddy in the Serengeti
Kusini Safaris
- Located In:
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United Kingdom
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Member Of:
- African Travel & Tourism Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Francis | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Only one surprise.
Paul arranged our in Ruaha, Selous and Mafia trip. It was everything we'd hoped for and more. He understood our needs, budget and expectations and worked with locals to make sure that they were met at every step along the way. We had only one "surprise" during our 11 days and that was that there were no really no unfortunate "surprises" and in Africa, that is a surprise by itself!
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020No we don't like any logistical surprises. A pleasure to work with you Francis and I'm so glad you enjoyed your safari.
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Email Paul T | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Paul expertly managed a crew of 12 ppl across two amazing reserves over 10 days - not one problem!
Paul is an outgoing, professional, and laid back tour organizer and guide. I've never been on a group tour (and this one was all family) with less stress, fewer issues, or better organization and follow-through on all tasks. Paul knows Africa and knows how to convey it to his charges during the time he has with you. 6 stars if I could give it. (Thanks for the great memories and once in a lifetime vacation Paul!!!)
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Thank you for teaching me about stars, planes, rockets and all the other topics we covered! I'm glad I could take the stress out of a family trip. I think you've got my water bottle and I've got yours somewhere...
SR
Email Will Van Beek | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A well organised safari, no complaints wharsoever
Arusha, Onseahouse: good service, excellent food.
Chem chem:accommodation, food, guide extraordinary, five stars.
Serian's mobile lamai: certainly up to our expectations, excellent guide good food and an abundance of wild live.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Thank you for your concise review Will, an amazing safari to some amazing properties. Chem Chem straddles Tarangire and Manyara, and Serian Lamai is up in the Lamai wedge of Serengeti.
Email Kevin Cumming | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A once in a lifetime honeymoon for my wife and I with the best tour operator around!
Paul organised a once in a lifetime honeymoon for my wife and I this year and it is something that we will never forget!
We have dreamed of visiting Africa for a safari for a long time but deciding just where to go is not easy with so many options. We contacted Paul about organising a trip for us that would be a little bit more off the beaten tourist track of places like the Serengeti. We also liked the conservation projects that Paul Tickner Safaris supports and that helped us decide which tour operator to go with.
From the first day of contact with Paul and even after we returned he was attentive and provided a fabulous worry free trip.
We worked on a package together for a couple of weeks to find something that suited what we wanted within the budget we could afford.
We finally decided on Ruaha National Park in Tanzania and the Ikuka Safari camp. This would be followed by 5 days on the beach on Zanzibar.
After this decision was made the only thing we had to organise our self was our flights to and from the UK (although Paul did also advise us on this as well). We found KLM to be great for this flight.
Paul arranged everything flawlessly in country for us. Every pick up at every airport and anything else you can possibly imagine.
Ikuka Safari camp is a very special place and we could not recommend it highly enough. Paul’s wonderful relationship with the camp also immediately makes you feel very welcome on arrival.
The game viewing in Ruaha National Park is incredible. A short list includes: 6 leopards, 12 lions, Wild dogs, python, buffalo, elephants, giraffes and bird life that there is enough time to type out the variety. Truly a special place and a trip organised by someone that obviously cares a great deal for it!
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 20206 leopards! Wild dogs! A python!? Gees Kevin save some animals for the rest of us. What an honour to work with you guys on your honeymoon.
PT
Email Vitor Silva | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Everything went as expected.
Everything went as expected. Professionally organized. Paul took into consideration our prferences and he choosed the right camps avoiding the crowds. The game viewing was excellent; the camps fantastic, the people very friendly and the guides very professional and commited to find the right spots and action for a good photography.
The flights and transfer went smoothly and the hotel in Dar was well choosed.
Thank you Paul.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Thank you for your kind review Vitor, we really had to make sure you had a fantastic safari since you were coming such a long way!
Email Mike | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful memorable experience
All connections and stays went well. Arrival at Dar was chaos, hopefullly the new Terminal will sort this.
Slipway Hotel: Pleasant room overlooking the sea.
At Lake Manza animals presented themselves from the minute we got off the plane. Lake trips were a delight. I was happy with the candles, kerosene lamp and a torch to light the tent and it did add a little to the charm, others may be less impressed. The two of us had a driver and guide to ourselves most of the time and we felt exclusive. The lake trips were a delight with animals and birds surrounding us.
Ikuka was absolute luxury and everything including insect repellant, laundry and drinks was included. The driver was also the guide and there were up to four others with us. The driver was good but the support was therefore not so special. The camp being on top of a hill was good because it was cool but bad because it took a while to get down to see any animals. WE may have seen more animals from a river side camp . A couple we met from the riverside camp said that flies were not a problem and that they had seen many more animals including leopards. We did get a couple of tetse bites but no real problems.
Both camps:
* No mosquitos,
* held evening meals at a long table big enough for all guests. It was good to swap stories,
* had well designed and substantial "tents" with mosqito proof zip up gauze screening. The beds had the comfort of a top class hotel.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020You're totally right Mike, some folks like the more rustic approach, some not so much. So it's nice to have a contrast. You got your stripes for a proper Southern Tanzania safari, chaos in Dar, some tsetse fly bites but most of all a great safari. Thank you for your detailed review, very useful for fellow travellers.
Perfect
Nothing can compare to having Paul with you on your journey. He planned our trips, but had he not been with us each step, we would have missed so much. He is as knowledgeable as your guide and anticipates your needs. BEYOND EXPECTATIONS.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020This is three sentences more than you managed when that elephant was saying hello to you! Thank you Claire.
CH
Email Luc Sergeant | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
You don't have to care about anything, Paul has already cared for you.
I've already been several time in African countries but it was my first time in Tanzania. From our arrival to our departure, everything was organized and well organized. Quite incredible ! Even if you are blind, as a perfect adviser, Paul country's knowledges gets through so that you can discover how beautiful is the nature. The places we've been we're out of time and all our guests take care at all our wishes.
Close to the main building at Ikuka lodge in the Ruaha National park, is a tall three as tall as Paul is, tells us Mark the owner. It looks like the roof rests on that three as you can rest on Paul for your safari. In fact, Paul had preserved it when the lodge was builded. It now gives shadow and is used by a lot of birds just for a stop or even to build their nest. If I could be one of them. Thanks Paul.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020You know I got in a lot of trouble for saving that tree Luc. It's always growing and stays green throughout the dry season, not because it's next to the swimming pool but because it's a magic tree! We'll have a drink under there next time.
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Email Rajy A. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful attention to detail and a trip that was crafted with our family's best interests in mind
The thing that impressed me most about Paul Tickner was that we felt he was truly creating an experience for us. He didn't have a package A, package B, package C, etc. that he was trying to fit us into. He took the time to ask what we wanted out of our Tanzania experience, and offered ideas and suggestions. We went back and forth a number of times, and Paul was very patient with us. As a true "once in a lifetime trip", we obviously wanted to make sure we planned the trip we have always dreamed of -- being from the States, it wasn't practical for us to say "too bad this didn't work out, we'll just come back next time", because there may not be a next time. We explained to Paul what it was we wanted, and he was a wealth of information. He encouraged us to see Southern Tanzania, which was a terrific recommendation as we loved Ruaha and Selous so much. We stayed at amazing lodges/facilities, and some of the other guests (who had also used Paul) and many of the staff at the lodges (who were familiar with Paul) had nothing but good things to say. If (or when) we do make it back to Tanzania -- we'd definitely use Paul again to plan our safari.
As a bit of a background, we did come from the States. We were a family of five with three children (19,16,14). Paul did an outstanding job.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Rajy, I certainly like to think it's a case of 'when' you'll be back in Tanzania rather than 'if'! Our tailor made approach doesn't suit everyone, but when it works, this is what can happen. I would say that you were very patient with me as well, the perfect team.
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Email Marv Weidner | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Five Locations - Five Incredible Experiences
Paul and I together planned five very diverse experiences over a 3 week Tanzania safari. First was Arusha in the North and a deep dive into this high paced African city and all of the wonderful diversity of people, cultures and perspectives it holds. There I spent most of my time in the local markets and places not often visited by tourists. Chem Chem was my first deep dive into the bush and Tanzania's amazing wildlife. Here at Chem Chem, the guide, the Maasai warrior companion for walking safari, and the hospitality are simply exceptional. On to Ndutu in the Serengetti with Nomad Safaris, more exceptional guiding and a team with deep respect and care for the wildlife. Here I watched a male Cheetah finish a kill on a Wildebeest and much, much more. Then to Ruaha National Park in the South for its abundant elephant populations, big cats and as elsewhere remarkable bird species diversity. Finally to Chole Island in the Mafia Archipelago where I lived for several a in tree house.
Paul's knowledge of Tanzania, its people, its wildlife and the biodiversity of this beautiful country made this experience possible. Its is hard to imagine a better experience than I had with Paul Tickner Safaris. It doesn't get any better than this. I would give Paul my highest recommendation and my deepest thanks.
Reply from Kusini Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2020Marv when you first contacted us you said you wanted to really experience Tanzania, to meet people, to see wildlife and to learn along the way. Your open minded attitude made it a pleasure to work with you, a fellow wanderer. It's a joy to be a part of a journey like this.