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
DE
Email Ann Kieslich | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari experience!
Kiliholidays Safari got everything you needed for a once in a lifetime african safari. From the tour transportation, tour guide, accommodation and even great halal food.
We would like to give our heartfelt appreciation to Johnny our tour guide for the trip for being so accommodating. And to chef Mohammed for providing us great full board meals.
Life is good ♡
Thank you Kiliholidays and Tanzania for the unforgettable experience.
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!
DE
Email Franziska | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible tour to Mount Meru
I did the Mount Meru trekking with Kiliholidays Tours & Safaris in October, 2022 as four days trekking tour. I chose Kiliholidays because I wanted to travel with a local company and because they offered the best value. I decided in advance to choose the four-days trekking because I had read that it is really exhausting.
The organization process in advance was good. Mack responded to each of my mails - not immediately but within two days. One great point in advance was that he organized also the transfer from and to the airport and the accomodation at the arrival day and for the day when we returned from Mount Meru.
The organization was really good. A driver picked me up at the airport and took me to Arusha where I met up with Mack at the hotel. Because I wanted to see something from the landscape, he organized to go to see some waterfalls. So after a short refreshing, I met Gabriel who took me to the waterfalls and who was also the guide for the Mount Meru for the following days.
The next day, I was picked up at 9 am to go to the Arusha national park and to Momella Gate from where we started going up to the Meru. I was alone for my tour (the team was made of three persons (guide, porter and cook). At the Momella gate we met with two other groups (one with two and another with one clients). The first part of the trek leads through the national park and we have seen Zebras, buffalos, pumbas and giraffes from a really short distance. After this we went up to Miriakamba hut. The pace was quite moderate and like this, there was alot of time to talk to all in the extended group, to enjoy the fresh air, the scenery - and to to take pictures, of course. Up at Miriakamba, we got our rooms - because there were almost no people around, we even got single rooms - and had time to refresh ourselves. Then we got tea/coffee and salted popcorn and cookies and dinner afterwards. It was a great time to discuss different topics with the other tourists and the locals.
After a really comfortable night at Miriakamba, we had breakfast the next morning and started going up to the Saddle Hut at around 9 am. As before, the trail i really good prepared, not very steep and easy to walk on. Enjoying the scenery - and the stunning view of Mount Kilimanjaro - I had time to take many pictures, to observe some monkeys and to talk to Gabriel about the fauna, Tanzania in general and many different other things. Up at the Saddle, we had lunch, relaxed a little bit and after this, Gabriel and I walked upt to the Little Meru for acclimatization. Because of clouds coming up, the view was not the best, but it was an amazing atmosphere. Up at 3820 metres, I was impressed by the vegetation. After being back at the Saddle, we had dinner and went to bed at aroun 7:30 pm because we wanted to start the hike to summit at 1 am the next morning.
The night at the Saddle was colder than the one at the miriakamba (of course because of the altitude) but I did'nt have problems with freezing.
At midnight, I got up and met up with gabriel and Eliah (he was hired as a porter and he joined us to go up to the summit). With headlamps, we went up to the summit and reached Rhino point after approximately 45-50 minutes. The trail up there was really easy to walk and the view was amazing because the moon was really bright. After this, we had a great time going up to the summit. The trail was a little steeper than before and it was a great experience walking on different ground without seeing properly what you are walking on. Up to the summit we had three breaks (alltogether about 45-60 minutes) and we reached the summit at 5:40 am when the sky started to turn red. The temperature were about -3°C and it was winds so it felt cold and I was glad that I had taken my gloves, a cap and a light down jacket. Because Gabriel, eliah and me were the only guys at the summit we had the chance to see the complete sunrise what was an incredible experience. In total, we spend approximately 45-50 minutes up there and saw the shadow of Mount Meru down in the valley when we started descending. On the way down to the Saddle Hut we had two breaks (one for taking off the warm clothes and for a longer photo session at the Rhino Point). It was really great to see the ground on the way down which you were not able to identify while ascending at night. After having had fun at descending through black sand, we arrived back at the Saddle Hut at 8:30. There we took some time to relax, had a brunch and started descending to miriakamba Hut were we stood for another night. It was really nice to have the time to enjoy all the scenery. It would have been possible without problems to descend directly to the Momella Gate on this day but it was really great to have another night at the mountain, to observe Black & White Collabus Monkeys and all the vegetation around.
The next day, we had a relaxed breakfast and after this we started descending to the Momella Gate. On the way down, we saw some buffalos, bushbocks, and monkeys. Because we had some time left, we extended our trip to the Momella Gate and visited a waterfall. After this, our way down was completed by seeing giraffes, buffalos, and pumbas.
At the I did the Mount Meru trekking with Kiliholidays Tours & Safaris in October, 2022 as four days trekking tour. I chose Kiliholidays because I wanted to travel with a local company and because they offered the best value. I decided in advance to choose the four-days trekking because I had read that it is really exhausting.
The organization process in advance was good. Mack responded to each of my mails - not immediately but within two days. One great point in advance was that he organized also the transfer from and to the airport and the accomodation at the arrival day and for the day when we returned from Mount Meru.
The organization was really good. A driver picked me up at the airport and took me to Arusha where I met up with Mack at the hotel. Because I wanted to see something from the landscape, he organized to go to see some waterfalls. So after a short refreshing, I met Gabriel who took me to the waterfalls and who was also the guide for the Mount Meru for the following days.
The next day, I was picked up at 9 am to go to the Arusha national park and to Momella Gate from where we started going up to the Meru. I was alone for my tour (the team was made of three persons (guide, porter and cook). At the Momella gate we met with two other groups (one with two and another with one clients). The first part of the trek leads through the national park and we have seen Zebras, buffalos, pumbas and giraffes from a really short distance. After this we went up to Miriakamba hut. The pace was quite moderate and like this, there was alot of time to talk to all in the extended group, to enjoy the fresh air, the scenery - and to to take pictures, of course. Up at Miriakamba, we got our rooms - because there were almost no people around, we even got single rooms - and had time to refresh ourselves. Then we got tea/coffee and salted popcorn and cookies and dinner afterwards. It was a great time to discuss different topics with the other tourists and the locals.
After a really comfortable night at Miriakamba, we had breakfast the next morning and started going up to the Saddle Hut at around 9 am. As before, the trail i really good prepared, not very steep and easy to walk on. Enjoying the scenery - and the stunning view of Mount Kilimanjaro - I had time to take many pictures, to observe some monkeys and to talk to Gabriel about the fauna, Tanzania in general and many different other things. Up at the Saddle, we had lunch, relaxed a little bit and after this, Gabriel and I walked upt to the Little Meru for acclimatization. Because of clouds coming up, the view was not the best, but it was an amazing atmosphere. Up at 3820 metres, I was impressed by the vegetation. After being back at the Saddle, we had dinner and went to bed at aroun 7:30 pm because we wanted to start the hike to summit at 1 am the next morning.
The night at the Saddle was colder than the one at the miriakamba (of course because of the altitude) but I did'nt have problems with freezing.
At midnight, I got up and met up with gabriel and Eliah (he was hired as a porter and he joined us to go up to the summit). With headlamps, we went up to the summit and reached Rhino point after approximately 45-50 minutes. The trail up there was really easy to walk and the view was amazing because the moon was really bright. After this, we had a great time going up to the summit. The trail was a little steeper than before and it was a great experience walking on different ground without seeing properly what you are walking on. Up to the summit we had three breaks (alltogether about 45-60 minutes) and we reached the summit at 5:40 am when the sky started to turn red. The temperature were about -3°C and it was winds so it felt cold and I was glad that I had taken my gloves, a cap and a light down jacket. Because Gabriel, eliah and me were the only guys at the summit we had the chance to see the complete sunrise what was an incredible experience. In total, we spend approximately 45-50 minutes up there and saw the shadow of Mount Meru down in the valley when we started descending. On the way down to the Saddle Hut we had two breaks (one for taking off the warm clothes and for a longer photo session at the Rhino Point). It was really great to see the ground on the way down which you were not able to identify while ascending at night. After having had fun at descending through black sand, we arrived back at the Saddle Hut at 8:30. There we took some time to relax, had a brunch and started descending to Miriakamba Hut where we stood for another night. It was really nice to have the time to enjoy all the scenery. It would have been possible without problems to descend directly to the Momella Gate on this day but it was really great to have another night at the mountain, to observe Black & White Collabus Monkeys and all the vegetation around.
The next day, we had a relaxed breakfast and after this we started descending to the Momella Gate. On the way down, we saw some buffalos, bushbocks, and monkeys. Because we had some time left, we extended our trip to the Momella Gate and visited a waterfall. After this, our way down was completed by seeing giraffes, buffalos, and pumbas.
At the momella Gate we had time to rest, for lunch, to talk - and of course for tipping. By car, we went to Arusha again, where I met Mack again in the hotel. After having spent some time to walk through Arusha, Mack took me to have a local dinner, again.
All together, it was a really great tour and I can warmly recommend the tourwith Kilholidays because everything was really good organized, everyone was really warm and welcoming, I felt safe all the time, and everyone did the very best possible to also adapt spontaneaously - as the extra tour to the waterfall on the way descending to the momella Gate.
Gate we had time to rest, for lunch, to talk - and of course for tipping. By car, we went to Arusha again, where I met Mack again in the hotel. After having spent some time to walk through Arusha, Mack took me to have a local dinner, again.
Alltogether, it was a really great tour and I can warmly recommend the tour with Kilholidays because everything was really good organized, everyone was really warm and welcoming, I felt safe all the time, and everyone did the very best possible to also adapt spontaneously - as the extra tour to the waterfall on the way descending to the Momella Gate.
Email Jessica Hanlon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic safari
Really pleased with the service provided by Kiliholidays.
We originally booked the trip for 2021 but had to rearrange because of Covid and Mack was responsive and made the process easy.
The safari was incredible and exceeded my expectations. Edward, the guide, was very friendly with a great sense of humour and made the 4 days a pleasure. He was very knowledgeable about the area and the animals and always willing to answer our questions. He also had an excellent eye for spotting animals no matter how far away or hidden they were which was really impressive. You're in good hands if you have Edward as your guide!
Two of the campsites were basic but had everything you needed and the other one was a bit more luxurious with a real bed in the tent. Daniel was a brilliant cook who provided delicious and plentiful meals every day. Highly recommended!
Overall, I would definitely recommend Edward and Daniel for the perfect camping safari trip.
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 Jolanta | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent choice - if you want bespoke safari, even with limited money
Mack crafted bespoke safari as we wanted and what is important within our budget. We got a car just for 2 of us and the best lodges which were possible for the money we had ( worth to know that there is no limit for luxary).
In addition to all Mack and our guide Andrew were very helpful with organising extra medical help we needed.
FR
Email Briand Cloe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect experience
We were lucky to be accompanied by two great guides (Thomas and Julius).
The accommodations were all of very good quality. The guide is attentive to your desires. We recommend !
(automatic translation from French)
ES
Email Juan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
We did 5 days tour & 4 nights. It was ok everything. Hotel in Arusha nice and the car was OK. Guide patient and friendly. We'll recommend you.
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.