Getting muddy in the Serengeti
Kusini Safaris
- Located In:
-
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
Efficient, knowledgeable and spot on recommendations.
We were looking for a secretive and relaxing getaway on Tanzania's Mafia island. Paul Tickner Safaris' first recommendation was Ras Mbizi lodge and it was absolutely spot on. Deserted beach, wonderful staff, great food, interesting activities, all for a very reasonable price. PTS booked flights and nights efficiently and professionally, keeping us informed every step of the way. Highly recommended!
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best travel organisor ever
We never went on a safari with Paul, but he helped us setup up an amazing trip to Mafia Island including flights and transfer. He's polite, knowledgeable and professional. I can really recommend him.
Custom experience, personalized service
Paul was great to work with. He put together an excellent custom package for us based loosely on what we saw on the Safari Bookings website. He was very conscious of our budget and came in with an excellent package that met our price point. He was super flexible when we wanted to change. Best of all, his communication was great. He answered all our questions promptly as we were preparing for the trip.
On the ground in Africa, service was awesome. Paul is a very knowledgeable guide, but even better he is a great communicator and made sure to focus our game drives on the things we wanted to do. Paul is very personable, and it was easy to have a great time on safari with him.
Highly recommended. Southern Tanzania was great - we saw all the game at half the price and none of the people.
Email Paul Phillips | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not your average Safari
My partner and I spent two days in Ruaha national park with Paul Tickner and I have to say we both found it a life changing experience. His accommodative nature and limitless knowledge of the animals and surroundings made our time there rich and fulfilling as well as comfortable. At times we passed other people on safari with the regular safari companies and I felt sorry for them, only spending a cursory amount of time viewing the animals before moving on with guides that seemed semi interested. Paul has a contagious love for the park and its inhabitants which is charming and his level of service is of the utmost professionalism. He is also a keen photographer so if you like taking photo's he is helpful and knows all the best spots for opportunities. We could not have anticipated a better safari.
Email Aili | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An incredibly interesting and memorable tour - a real-life Attenborough experience!
Paul Tickner Safaris provided excellent service long before I had even set foot in Tanzania. Everything was organised and communicated to me in a manner that dispelled any anxiety prior to the excursion - Paul is highly knowledgeable - not only about wildlife and conservation, but also about the culture and travel within the country. I was constantly blown away with his ability to answer ANY queries I had.
Paul made the entire journey as easy as possible, which made for an extremely worry-free trip. Since this is the first time I have visited East Africa I was expecting some difficulties on the way, but Paul completely removed any troubles and was clearly ALWAYS considering my comfort and safety.
The safari tour was unbelievable. Ruaha National Park is absolutely huge, but it seemed as if Paul knew it like the back of his hand! He would stop the car whenever I saw something I wanted to take a photograph of and kept his sunny disposition for the entire trip. He'd also speak to other drivers on the safari to see if there were sightings of lions (which I was particularly keen to see). Being able to speak to the locals in Swahili, it meant that Paul was accurately able to locate two sets of lions for me to take photographs of which was a dream come true.
My main takeaway from the safari tour was how much Paul cares for and respects the animals and the local communities. There was a real personal feel to his tour which I doubt you would get from other safari companies. At one point during the tour, he stopped the car nearby a group of elephants napping under a baobab tree. I had numerous questions about the behaviour of the animals and the tree itself and it felt like I had a David Attenborough sitting next to me telling me everything I wanted to know. He was constantly able to provide me with information about the area, the birds, local culture, conservation, the animals, the vegetation, etc.
Paul also organised flights, accommodation and transfers for me so I could take a mini-break in Zanzibar. The hotel I stayed at was on the beach and brilliant value for money - it was a beautifully relaxing way to end my trip in East Africa.
I highly recommend Paul's services and suggest that everyone takes a trip to Tanzania to indulge in a mind-blowing experience! Thank you Paul Tickner Safaris for providing me with a holiday I will never forget.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Authentic wildlife and photography safari in Ruaha National Park Tanzania
In the short time I was there we had an amazing safari, wildlife experiences and photography we're key on my list. Totally living up to my expectation's in every way, Wildlife Connection a conservation initiative with Paul and Hannah was really impressive. The concept of human and elephant conflict with local farmers to protect these magnificent animals is awesome and a must see while you are there.
US
Email Jen Whalen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An idyllic, private conservation safari experience.
My 15 year old daughter and I recently traveled from the US to Tanzania for a conservation safari with Paul Tickner Safaris. We had been on safari in the Serenegti the previous year with the whole family, but my daughter and I returned to southern Tanzania for a more in-depth cultural and conservation-minded experience. We spent 10 days in and around Ruaha National Park with Paul as our guide. It was nothing short of fabulous - we definitely got what we were looking for! The landscape is breathtaking, the animals are plentiful, and the people are kind beyond words. And Paul is an expert on it all! 5 stars for Paul Tickner Safaris. We cannot wait to go back!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Guiding at its best
I have now been on safari with Paul Tickner Safaris several times. I keep coming back because of the "off the beaten track" trips into rarely visited areas of Tanzania, especially Ruaha National Park. Paul is an incredibly talented guide and his knowledge of conservation, wildlife and of the culture is unequaled in Tanzania. Highlights of our trips include hearing a leopard while on a foot safari, hundreds of species of birds (identified by Paul) and great photography in the early morning and evenings. Highly recommended!
Email Marco Marini | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best holiday we've ever had
Paul is many things: tour operator, safari guide, conservationist, somebody deeply involved with his local community. But above all he's a great guy.
Paul arranged a trip to Southern Tanzania for me and my girlfriend, 1 night in Dar, 3 in Selous, 3 in Ruaha and 4 on Mafia Island. He listened to our requirements and budget constraints and put together a tailored tour that delivered way beyond our expectations. Everything worked out really smoothly and as planned.
Every bit of our tour was incredibly enjoyable, but best of all was the Ruaha leg, during which Paul was our private guide. Ruaha NP is a special place with a rough charm that's hard to describe, and driving around it all day with Paul was absolutely captivating. He is a very knowledgeable guide and passionate about conservation - something that really came across at every close encounter with elephants, lions, leopards and all the other amazing animals we were able to observe with him. Thanks to him we learned a huge amount about behaviours of different species, as well as the challenges for the park and conservation in Tanzania more broadly. He was keen for us to experience as much as possible, but without overdoing things, making sure we also had the time to take to simply take in the scenery and enjoy the experience of being in the bush.
This tour was our first proper safari and now we can't wait to go back. We wouldn't hesitate recommending Paul to anyone who's thinking about a safari holiday in Tanzania.
Email Rebecca | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lovely people and a great trip
Paul and his wife Hannah went above and beyond to ensure our dietary requirements were met in a country that has never heard the word vegan! We really had a great time and appreciate the amount of effort you went to to ensure we were enjoying our trip. Calling our guide to check in on us while we were on the actual safari was a very nice touch!
Thanks ;)