Aardvark Safaris Tanzania Staff & Guides
Aardvark Safaris Tanzania
- Located In:
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United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $190 to $300 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Susan Cole | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely knowledgable, friendly, efficient and very environmentally conscious.
I could not more wholeheartedly recommend a tour company!!! Very open communication before and during, organized, clean vehicles, and the staff knowledge was just amazing. We were driving back from a day trip in Mzomazi Park, and our driver points out a sleeping leopard in a tree probably 100 yards from the road. We could barely find the tree, much less the leopard and we weren't safely driving on a dirt road! All 3 drivers (one being the tour leader) had vast knowledge of the birds and animals, including how to be ecologically friendly in our viewing of them. Consistently we saw other tour companies race in too close, scaring birds and animals that we had been cautiously observing from a safe distance. I will say this was an expensive trip as vacations go, but the lack of hassles, excellent accommodations and meals, along with the amazing sightings just made it totally worthwhile. Despite traffic in cities and the culture being less sensitive to timeliness than Americans, we were always picked up to start on time. I would be almost afraid to do another trip because I just don't believe it could get any better. We saw lions 9 different days, had this spectacular leopardess with cubs sighting (we watched them for 2 hours), and overall saw 336 species of birds and 58 animals/reptiles. The tour was well balanced with efforts made to keep everyone in the group happy--had a lot of serious birders and photographers along, but still took time to see cultural and archeological sights as well as shopping. We totally loved the staff members and know you can't go wrong with this company on a trip of a lifetime!
Email Karen B | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Aardvark Tanzania Safari Experience Personalized to Your Interests
Aardvark Safaris created a safari experience unlike any other. Gus Mwangotya, the owner and primary guide is exceptional. We previously met Gus on Safari with one of the big commercial Safari companies and became life long friends. He started his own company Aardvark and it offers all the same first class treatment and accommodations we previously experienced but now he has the ability to personalize and customize rather than follow the "script". Safaris are intimate, no big groups. Gus a native Tanzanian pursued his masters degree in environmental studies in the US at Prescott College in Arizona. He speaks perfect English as well as several other languages. He is so accommodating - going above and beyond on every little detail. He is charismatic and fun with a great sense of humor. My husband and daughter and I wanted to be out on Safari dawn to dusk every day and he accommodated this with enthusiasm always looking to show us new and exciting things every day. We saw more animals and birds with Gus than ever before - he has an uncanny ability to know where to find them in their habitats at different times of day.
Aardvark will customize the Safari for you any way you want or you can choose from any of their established tours - and they will still personalize for you . So different than the big commercial Safari companies.
Our last day there Gus arranged a true bush dinner for my daughter's 30th birthday - it was an experience of a lifetime and a complete surprise to all of us. What a way to end our 10 day trip. We will be back soon booking with Aardvark - none better!
Be sure and get the right Aardvark Safari (there are a number of Safari companies with Aardvark in their names)
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Email Kay | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Once In a Lifetime Bucketlist Experience
As others have indicated, for me this was the experience of a lifetime. Augustine and David were exceptional guides. They were able to answer all of our questions and their knowledge of the animals, birds, flora and fauna were amazing. Food and Lodging were exceptional. I particularly enjoyed the Simba Lodge. The rooms were lovely and the view with zebras and wildebeests was spectacular. On the cultural side, the visits to the Hadza and Datoga villages gave us a true glimpse into tribal life. I can't say enough about Augustine and David's abilities with their vehicles. We encountered some truly trying driving conditions and came thru with flying colors. Thanks again Aardvark Safaris for a truly amazing experience!!!
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Email Steve Van Slyke | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Can't Imagine a Better or More Comprehensive Safari
Our tour covered Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Oldupai Gorge, the Serengeti, Lake Eyasi and visits to the Hadza and Datoga people. We saw virtually all of the big mammals and many small ones as well like Banded Mongoose, Cerval Cats and Bat-Eared Foxes. With the hawk-like eyes of our driver-guides Augustine and David we also saw and identified several hundred species of birds. We were also informed about the tree and plant life we saw along the way.
We were amazed at how Augustine and David were able to take shortcuts through the bush where there seemed to be hardly any tracks let alone roads. Their driving skills in pouring rain and slippery mud were amazing.
The places we stayed, a mixture of luxury lodges, permanent and mobile tent camps were all fantastic, with great food and service.
Aside from being great drivers and guides, I can't imagine more knowledgeable naturalists among their competition. Whether you're a serious birder, botanist or just want to see the wildlife of Africa, Aardvark will fulfill your needs.
Email Roger and Kathy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An outstanding trip organised by Aardvark to visit gorillas and Serengeti
An amazing trip - exceeded all expectations. Highlights included seeing the Gorillas in Rwanda - a group of 10 on first day and family of 20 on the second. Virunga Lodge is a spectacular place to stay.Easy flight into the Serengeti with no issues re vaccination certificates on entry - luggage also easy on small planes - we had soft luggage but many had larger cases on wheels.Lamai camp fantastic and guides outstanding- travelled west to see start of migration although it was running a few weeks late.
Stay at Highlands excellent near the cater - took about 50 mins to reach crater but bonus being inside national park- no delays or queues.
Overall a great trip with many memories- a big thank you to all lodges for handling all specific dietary requirements so well.a great trip organised by the team at Aardvark
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Email Will Flemer | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly Wonderful Experience
This trip with Aardvark was absolutely amazing. Augustine, trip leader and owner of Aardvark, is one of the nicest and warmest people I've ever met, and his knowledge of wildlife and conservation is expansive. He loves what he does, and it makes for a much more personal and rich safari experience than can be had anywhere else. Aardvark focuses on eco-tourism, not just sightseeing, which is more sustainable and respectful approach to running a safari. Our other driver, Junior, was also incredibly knowledgable and kind. I really can't praise both of them enough for how much they accommodated us, while also being respectful of wildlife (i.e., not getting too close just to get a picture). I won't go on safari with anyone else.
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65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Experience
Augustine and Walt, and the drivers provided us with the trip of a lifetime. The total experience was beyond my wildest expectations. The accommodations where great and their locations where perfect. To be in Tanzania and view the wildlife and meet the people was everything you can imagine and more. I would highly recommend Aardvark Safaris Tanzania to give you the perfect African experience.
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Email Laura | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional Tanzanian Experience
We have now travelled with Aardvark Safaris Tanzania twice, and would do so again without question. The knowledge, experience and great personalities of everyone involved in our trip made it a very special two weeks. The schedule was adapted to meet our group's interests, and our guides never hesitated to take time to allow us great experiences and photos. They did an amazing job of allowing us to enjoy the moment, like stopping to watch elephants bathe, while keeping us remarkably on schedule. Additionally, they went of their way to understand our interests, and ensured that we had the best chance to see what we were hoping to see. There are not enough superlatives to describe the trip and the people. Having travelled with other safari companies, we can say confidently that no other compares!
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Email Toni | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Over the top wonderful!
Fabulous tour with Aardvark Safaris Tanzania. Our group spent the better part of two weeks visiting Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Oldupai Gorge, the Serengeti, and Lake Eyasi. All our accommodations were unique, welcoming and clean, including four nights at Katikati, a temporary camp in the Serengeti, where we dined in the open air and slept in canvas tents with toilets and showers. Driver guides Augustine and David were superb, with astounding knowledge of birds and mammals. Augustine went out of his way to make sure this trip exceeded our expectations. We've been on safari before. Compared to Aardvark, that earlier safari was more like visiting the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. This was a true adventure, and we were in the best of hands.
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Email Tammy Gu | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Safari
I can't imagine a first introduction to the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, local people, and conservation practices of Tanzania more incredible and in-depth than the one I experienced with Aardvark Safaris Tanzania. Augustine Mwangotya is one of the kindest, most welcoming, and most knowledgeable people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. For the two weeks that I spent in Tanzania with Aardvark, Augustine was not only our group's tour leader, but our teacher and more importantly, our friend. Because Aardvark Safaris Tanzania practices eco-tourism, our safari was not only a photographic opportunity, but also an educational one in which we all attempted to truly respect Tanzania's wildlife and understand the varied lifestyles of the country's people. I am constantly missing our Aardvark tour guides and when I again return to Tanzania, I will, without a doubt, be going with Aardvark Safaris Tanzania. Thank you so much for the experience of a lifetime!!