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
PT
Email Nuno Tomé | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The perfect for a perfect safari.
Initially our Safari would be 4 days 3 nights but due to a delay in the arrival flight to Tanzania we can only do 3 days 2 nights. However, the experience was amazing, thanks largely to our guide, Edward. He was very considerate, kind, caring and very knowledgeable. Whenever we had any questions, we responded promptly, and even gave us some “extra” and very interesting information. It was very interactive and very safe to drive. The way he led our Safari, heading to some “key points”, allowed us to observe most of the animals up close. Every day spent was a very special enriching adventure. Without a doubt, we recommend Kiliholidays, especially our guide Edward. Thanks for the experience, it was a pleasure!
RO
Email Victor Andrei | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
Having decided to go on a safari in Tanzania, we chose Kiliholidays for three reasons : the Farm of Dreams Lodge, the possibility of customization of our tour and the price. We had a 4 days private safari (2persons).
We wanted to do Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara & Tarangire NP with an extra day dedicated to going to a little hike to a waterfall on the Kilimanjaro and some fresh water springs. Do not miss Tarangire, it is the best in the dry season, a lot of wildlife. These 4 days we saw lots of antelopes, wildebeest, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, elephants, hippos and lions - in the decrescent order of the frequency seen (I guess :) ).
Mack, the owner, was very responsive as we exchanged more than a dozen emails with Q&A and defining our program. It was more than reasonably priced (compared to other offers on safaribookings.com). We then had to make an online payment of 300usd + 5% transaction fees. All went very smooth. The rest of the sum was payed in cash at arrival (bills newer than 2006).
We can recommend that you take a hotel night before and one after the safari so that you can start early and finish late - about 2h to Tarangire NP (the nearest national park).
The Farm of Dreams Lodge was splendid, tasty dinners, good cocktails, nice swimming pool. Food is included, but drinks are extra.
We had Edward as a driver and we have only good words about him. Attentive, full of knowledge about the wildlife and native people. He also had a wildlife guidebook with him and a pair of binoculars that we could use.
The only not top experience was the safari car. It was a little rundown. Seats comfy, but really old, AC sockets not working, windows very difficult to open/close. Nevertheless it was a safari car (Range Rover) with the open top that Edward drove effortless on every path, crossed rivers, climbed hills, a real 4x4. There was a fridge with water available for the entire length of the trip.
All in all we had a wonderful experience and could not recommend more!
PL
Email Mariusz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Solid and reliable safari operator
We have made arrangements about safari and negotiated the rate with Mack by email. When coming to Arusha, all agreed conditions were confirmed and we have not got any unpleasant surprises as described sometimes in the case of other safari operators. We decided on the option of a 6-Day Tanzania Experience Safari. In general, the itinerary and conditions of the safari were precisely as described by Mack in the correspondence before arriving in Tanzania. As for the accommodation during the tour, the Charity Hotel is not a good option for resting before starting the safari. At 10.00 pm a new large group arrived at the hotel and pandemonium of noises and rumours started. It lasted until 2.00 am. As for Farm of Dreams Lodge and Acaccia Lodge in Serengeti Park, both were really excellent and exceptional places leaving us with really good memories and positive feelings. Staying in Serengeti Park with comfort assured by Acaccia lodge was unforgettable.
On the first day we have been to Tarangire National Park, then going to Serengeti National Park for the next two days, and finally, on the last day in Ngorongoro Crater. All these places must-see if you want to have the feeling of Africa savannas. Unfortunately, the transfers between Tarangire and Serengeti and then, Ngorongoro take much time, but it seems it is unavoidable. Especially, that distances are rather high and roads in bad shape.
As for seeing animals, as usual, it depends on your lack and time spent in the park, especially Serengeti Park. There are huge herds of antelopes, elephants, buffaloos and other herbivores, predator cats are more difficult to run across. In some places, you can see also ponds practically filled with hippos.
We have travelled with Thomas, a drive and a guide, who was extremely patients in overcoming road difficulties and tracking for animals. Thomas was a splendid guide having a lot of extremely interesting knowledge about all animals met in the savannah. We can recommend him as a really good guide for this trip.
After returning to Arusha we had spent one night in town as our flight back to Zanzibar was on the next day. Mack offered that we will get a tour around Arusha before departure, to have some time for shopping places and seeing the art gallery, with Thomas, free of charge. Then we were escorted by Thomas to the airport.
To sum up, it was a great experience, thanks to Mack and Thomas, and there was actually nothing we could complain about. The only thing, we have thought afterwards, that maybe we should have selected an option with an additional day in the heart of Serengeti Park as it is a vast area and not so many places can be explored during 2 days. We can recommend Kiliholidays as the operator of safari tours - the option we have chosen was a mid-range private tour. If coming to Tanzania next time, f.e. for the tour to Kilimanjaro, we surely consider Kiliholidays.
RO
Email Silviu Prundeanu | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The greatest safari guide named Thomas
It was a wonderful 3 days experience, having Thomas as our guide, a great guy with eagle eyes, calm and joyful
RO
Email Florina Udristoiu | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well prepared
We had a good experience, the safari guide, Thomas was very good: safe driving, good English, well adapted to client's needs and most important, has excelent knowledges about the National Parks and spots animals where no one else could!
NL
Email Marie Driessen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Un unforgettable family experience & adventure organised and operated by great people!
From the first contact with Kiliholidays till the end of our family trip, it has been a wonderful und unforgettable experience. The owner, Mack, suggested the perfect trip for our family. Always quick with responding on emails, telephone calls, honest and clear with the agreements that were made. We booked the Migration 6-day trip to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, real value for money and guided by an amazing person, our guide and driver Julius!! He is the most caring guide and driver you can wish for. A lot of knowledge about Wildlife, the environment, the Masai and Tanzania in general. He is a real gentleman, caring about the safety for the family and very flexibel concerning special wishes during the safari. He made our trip fantastic!!
If you want to book a safari with a trustworthy and experienced company, you should go for Kiliholidays! And you also should know that Tanzania is a very safe country for travellers (also corona wise, no danger at all), the people from Tanzania are genuinely friendly and you feel very welcome.
Kiliholidays, Julius & Mack, many thanks for this unforgettable trip!
US
Email Logan Johnson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once-in-Lifetime Adventure w our guide Tomas!
Hello! My daughter and I decided to take a trip to Tanzania in April 2021. Mac with Kiliholidays made it so easy. We decided on June I contacted several companies but he was so friendly and gave so much useful information with lots of extra perks and right price that I knew they were the ones. He made it so very easy from start to finish but what really made it incredible was a most incredible guide named Tomas. Tomas was so professional and made everything so easy. He took care of everything. All we had to do was be present. We had lunch with two brother lions one day, and the next with a mama cheetah and her young one. He knew the spots to go with no other safari trucks around. We saw the scarce leopards, cheetah, giraffes, hippos, elephants, Buffalo, gazelles, zebras, wildebeast, pumba, baboons, so many Lion prides, monkeys, jackals, hyenas, a rare sighting of a Serval in a tree. We came across snakes, monitor and the most beautiful birds you can imagine including White Pelicans and Flamingos. Tomas new the history sharing wonderful stories of some of his adventures in the Savanna. He told us all about the Maasai people and their relationship with the animals and nature. We also had the opportunity to have two Maasai Warriors as our guardians when we stayed at our 4-star glamping site. They also told us fascinating stories of their lives. Tomas took care of everything. I have never had an easier vacation. I cant imagine anything going more perfect. June was perfect time of year with perfect cooler temps, (50-70 F), blue skies, few tourists, and beautiful animals everywhere. We hated to leave the day Tomas took us to the airport (matter of fact he turned around to pick us back and returned us to Arusha due to a covid and visa issue). I cannot see anyone giving us a more brilliant holiday than Kiliholiday Safaris with Guide, Tomas, and Owner, Mack. Thank you thank you Tomas for being the best guide ever!!!
RU
Email Evgeny | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best quality/price and great impression. One of the best trip in my life!
We had a safari: Manyara, Ngorongoro, Tarangiri.
We've seen a lot of animals, lions and elephants in ~2 meters distance.
Our guide was very attentive and did his best to show us the best views.
We were happy that we have:
1. the private tour (comparing with many other cars around us)
2. all 2 nights in the great hotel with cute private houses (comparing with tent, proposed by other companies)
3. delicious restaurant meal in the hotel (the lunch-boxes were prepared by this restaurant)
4. meeting in Arusha airport and finishing in Kilimanjaro hotel (very flexible)
5. very generous and one of the best price (we chose companies with ~5 rates and 100+ reviews)
6. prompt and correct answers to a lot of our questions during the preparation before safari
The car wasn’t new, but for us it wasn’t important. It worked very well.
So, as for me – I’m very happy with this trip and with Kiliholidays. I would highly recommend them!
UA
Email Lesia Zaika | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
These guys have great service and staff
The safari with Kiliholidays was amazing !!! We saw a lot of animals and a lot of interesting things.
Our guide Laurian did his job very well and we even became friends.
The lodge exceeded our expectations - a large green area, cozy bungalows and friendly staff.
This was one of the best travel experiences.
CA
Email Christina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible memorable experience! Couldn't have been better!
This company is amazing, the tour was very well organized and we saw way more than we expected to during the rainy season! The service was exceptional from both Mack and our driver Thomas. They are both very professional and Thomas always went out of his way to make it even more memorable for us! He truly cared about tailoring the safari to what we wanted. The service was also incredible at the camps and lodges we stayed at, and the food was so good! Saw the big five and so many unique things like a lion defending its kill. Couldn't have been better! I definitely recommend booking with kiliholidays! The price is very reasonable for the truly incredible experience you get!
Reply from Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
Posted on Mar 18, 2020Thank you, I loved reading your feedback, as all comments help us to improve our services.
We are very pleased that you enjoyed the efforts of Thomas and Mack, they are 100% committed to getting all our guests to enjoy their vacation holidays.
It is kind of you to recommend us - thanks again!
Kind regards,
Mc Msechu