Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB, KINAPA, MNRT & TPO
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Monte Thakkar | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Tanzanian Safari with Kiliholidays - Edward, Mr Mood & Mack are amazing!!
My recent safari adventure with Kiliholidays Tours & Safaris was nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the moment we embarked on our journey, the team ensured that we were well taken care of, providing exceptional service and value for money.
Our knowledgeable and skilled guide, Edward, went above and beyond to provide us with an unforgettable wildlife experience. His expertise and passion for wildlife shone through, and I'd rate him 11/10 stars. Not only did he know where to find the most spectacular sightings, but he also shared intriguing stories and facts about the animals we encountered.
In addition to our incredible guide, Mr. Mood, our talented cook, made sure our culinary experience was top-notch. As a vegetarian, I was delighted by the variety of delicious dishes he prepared, especially his signature fresh onion soup. It's evident that he takes great pride in his work, ensuring that every meal was not only tasty but also nourishing.
Before our trip, we communicated with Mack from Kiliholidays, who was extremely responsive and helpful on both WhatsApp and email. The itinerary he crafted was professionally designed and visually captivating, making it worthy of Instagram. Mack also offered us a fantastic price for the trip, making it 100% worth every penny. The entire journey was well-planned and executed seamlessly, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the Tanzanian experience.
Overall, I highly recommend Kiliholidays Tours & Safaris for anyone looking to experience the magic of Tanzania. Their commitment to excellence in communications, service, value for money, and reliability is unparalleled. Don't miss out on the opportunity to embark on this unforgettable adventure!
DE
Email Sabrina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
in one sentence: Perfect from start to end
In a nutshell: I can highly recommand this operator.
At the beginning we contacted 4 different operators.
Before Safari:
We decided for this operator because of his very well structured offer and reasonable pricing.
Mack (The big boss ;) ) answered very quick on any questions.
The tour planning was just excellent and contained everything you need.
- Airport Pick up and drop off (on all airports) - All Hotels included - 3 Meals per day - Drinks (no alcoholics) - Guide - Park entrance fees
- everything necessary - Insurance, which was quit important for me.
Also "Extras" has been no problem for Mack! (Also: GOOD JOB, man)
While Safari:
Our Guide, Edward, was really well acknowledged, spoke perfect and easy-to-understand english and told us a lot about the country, plants, animals, culture and everything we want to know about. On some evenings we shared dinner with him - he was a very nice companion. Somehow and at any time he was able to put us on the best position to watch the animals, even when there has been lots of other cars.
We saw even more animals than expected.
Tarangire- Ngorogoro crater -Serengeti is amazing and defently worth to go there (especially with Edward - GOOD JOB, man. Thank you so much!)
We saw plenty of: Elephant, Lions, Hippos, Giraffe, Hyenas, Pigs (Swain ;), Zebras, Gazelle, leopards, gepards... everything (except Rhino- no Luck)
But baby-making lions :D straight in front of the car... :D
Housing:
The first Hotel in Arusha could have been a bit more cozy - especially in comparison to other Hotels included in this tour. It´s nice from the outside, it was clean, had a nice breakfast, recommandable restaurant, friendly staff. So no reason to complain.
The second spot was just amazing. We really regret that we couldn´t stay longer.
Nice and wonderful furnished bungalow in the middle of a beautiful tropical garden.
The Overview of the mountain side from your balcony was magnicifent. It´s like an african Toscany. Just wonderful.
Dinner was tasty and the staff/Service was absolutely outstandig.
We spend 2 nights in Serengeti (Actually not planed, but very welcomed :D) in a camp.
The tents are luxury, the staff really friendly and welcoming. A few of them spoke even very good german.
Staff also came for little small talk, which I really liked.
Songs in the evening, bonfire and just a good vibes.
In the dark you are allways accompanied by a staff member, when you go to your tent. (also dangerous) animals get very close to/ in the camp.
We heard Hyenas and lots of other animals in the night. Background noises are just super :D
One morning we head gazelle straight in front of the tent.
Other morning we saw a giant pod of zebras an wildebeest like 50 to 100m passing by.
I highly recommand to stay there :)
End of Safari, we flew back to arusha by serengeti airstrip.
This was one of the extras we asked for - on problem to organise for our operator.
After Safari:
Once again we have been picked up timely. Driver allready waited for us.
Back again to the same hostel, we spend a nice afternoon there.
Mack - the manager - came over just to ask how our trip was, if everything was allright and to take care that we are happy.
Next morning we flew to zanzibar. Also this last Drop off was included, well organized and timely.
in Conclusion:
I highly and by heart recommand this tour operator in arusha.
We had a great Trip, great experience.
Thank you for everything to Mack&Edward!
MX
Email Sarah G | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Guide!
I did a 4-day camping safari with Kiliholidays and it was great! As you evaluate providers, I would suggest you focus on reviews that specifically mention the guide, because a good guide is key to a positive experience. Other details - car, food, lodging - tend to be similar across providers. The guide drives, follows the schedule, chats with others to find animal sightings, knows the facts and anecdotes about the places and things you'll see, and brings a certain cohesion to a group of strangers who are traveling with you. Edward did all of that expertly and it made a difference. I also appreciated Mack's great customer service before my arrival - I felt taken care of throughout. Stay at the Venice Hotel pre-departure - it's a good value. I highly recommend this entire experience!
PT
Email Ricardo Conceição | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good but needs some improvements
We did with Kiliholidays a 6 days ascent to Kilimanjaro and a 4 days Safari. In total we were 3 people.
The ascent of Kilimanjaro to Kiliholidays actually sub-contracts to another company that does just that. Despite the friendliness of the main guides, we felt that they lacked a bit of sensitivity to communicate the difficulties of the climb, why we had to do certain things like drink plenty of water or go slowly. They need much more organization and professionalism.
On the third day one of us started having vomiting, headaches and the oxygen level was low and we ended up giving up on the climb.
Even though we only did 3 days instead of 6, we tipped 300 dollars and at that moment the friendliness of the guides ended, being offended. We know that their work is not easy, especially for those who carry the material, but we already paid enough for the climb and so the 300 dollar tip would be more than enough for even more having worked half the days.
This tipping situation shouldn't even exist, it seems like an obligation that later causes people to falsely like it.
After Kilimanjaro we asked Mack to book us a few more days in a hotel and everything went well, Mack was even kind enough to offer us a guided tour of the Mt Meru Waterfall which was very good.
On Safari we visited Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Ngorongoro Crater park, our guide God's Son was excellent, spoke very good English, had a lot of experience and knowledge of the animals and the whole region. He knew perfectly where the animals could be, he was super calm and sensitive enough to understand what tourists want.
The jeep, despite being old, not having the most modern comforts or panoramic windows, did not break down or have any problems, which turns out to be the most important thing. Anyway, if in the future they manage to have better cars, they will be able to provide a better experience.
Before booking the trip with this agency I exchanged several emails with Mack and he always gave quick answers, compared to others I only noticed that he could make suggestions based on our briefing. The payment method, fees, tips and documentation should have been clearer and simpler even though everything went well.
Email Anthony | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank you to Kiliholidays Tours & Safaris for a wonderful experience.
Thank you to Kiliholidays Tours & Safaris for a wonderful experience. The manager, Mack, communicated with us well. He felt present and available so that despite being in a foreign country and moving from location to location I felt secure and at ease. Our tour guide Edward was personal, patient and experienced. He took time to speak to me and my family taking a genuine interest us. His experience as a tour guide stood out as he was able to answer our various questions about the wildlife, geography and culture of the people. We had our two lively boys with us and Edward was patient and understanding.
ES
Email Francesc | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent organization
Excellent organization. I managed to join the tour as soon as I landed. They have everything well organized. In the safari we were 6 people and in the jeep you have plenty of space and you don't miss a single detail of the animals. The experience of sleeping in the middle of the park in a tent was wonderful. They take care of everything. You just have to relax and enjoy. Delicious food and quantity. The communication with Kiliholidays, more specifically with Mr. Mack, was very fast and good and I was able to organize everything in a few days. I will definitely repeat with them on a next trip. Thanks!
Email Connor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable, faultless Experience with Kiliholidays
I really dont know where to begin praising Kiliholidays, every single aspect of the entire trip was faultless.
Beginning with Mack, the owner, who couldnt do enough to organise and ensure we had the best time possible, always at hand with any queries or requests.
Everywhere we stayed was brilliant, food amazing, fantastic guides in Edward and Thomas, who ensured we ticked off the big 5 and more than we could of hoped for.
I really wouldn't use another company when going on Safari. Could not recommend enough.
Email Jonny | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic holiday and company
Me and my friends done a 7 day Kilimanjaro hike and 4 day safari with this company this year after a 2 year wait due to covid. Mack and all his staff were excellent from start to finish. The Kilimanjaro trek was excellent and the 3 guides (especially Raymond) and the porters were fantastic people. We were well looked and after and nothing was too much trouble for them. The food and the guidance was excellent. Our 4 day safari in the Ngorongoro and the Serengeti was excellent as well, our guide Thomas was Brilliant and the accommodation was fantastic along with the scenery and nature. Overall I would highly recommend this company and Mack to anyone
PT
Email Pedro Silva | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
It was our first Safari and was wonderfull.
Special thanks to our driver/guide Edward and Daniel the cook.
We made 3 nights 4 days, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
I wish we had more days of holidays.
Edward was amazing, in discovering the animals, we saw cheetah hunting a gazela.
It was very good driver and safe driver.
Our tents were big enough for us.
Food was good and we gain extra kilo.
We saw so many animais and have so much fun.
Kiliholidays pick us in Arusha and drop in Kilimanjaro airport.
Everything according to plan.
We where 2 familys, 4 adults and 2 children.
BE
Email Alexandru Marin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful!
Amazing safari experience! 5/5 on the Big Five! :D we couldn't have asked for more!
Everything went smoothly with our safari booking. Mack adapted the tour according to our requests and provided all the necessary! Plus, he even threw in a little extra "attention"/gift to our trip!
As to the experience per se - Great safari and great game drive from Edward, our safari guide! Many Thanks to Mack for assigning him to us ! Amazing safari guide, who really knew a lot of information on everything we asked. Very knowledgeable! Answered all of our questions, and again - such great game drives!!! He is really good!
