Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
- Office 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)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
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.
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!
Email Paul Robinson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable, well organised and thoroughly enjoyable adventure.
Communications prior to our arrival were good, with clear instructions.Our driver was punctual, spoke good English and really looked after our needs for our 5 days around Lake Manyaro, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. He did his absolute best to make sure we saw as many of the animals and the big 5 as possible. We only missed out on the rhino, which is pretty rare, but lots of people fail to see that one. The other animals we saw were up close and plentiful, it was unbelievable. The hotels were all good and the camp on the Serengeti is something we will never forget, for all the right reasons. The jeep was a little old and had seen better days, but it was unstoppable and reliable and it's age kind of added to the adventure. I would confidently recommend Kiliholidays as well organised and very good value for money.
NL
Email Dani | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari professionals. Amazing experience. Fully recommended!
Very good service and attention. The drivers are very experienced and will be able to provide you the tupe of experience you seek for. Full flexibility on demand if needed. Our driver thomas managed to spot a rhino while many failed to even find one. The food and service was great. Good food and all obtained from local markets to contribute local economy. The guide to kilimanjaro hike was also very nice and welcoming. Overall I fully recommend this safari and kilimanjaro tour operator for all types of adventures. Just send them an email and ask. Hakuna matata.
FI
Email Vee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari with good guide and we saw lots of animals
We did a 4 days 3 nights safari in Selous Game Reserve. We had really good experience with our guide Paul. We saw pretty much all the animals that could be seen in Selous and our guide told us many things about the wildlife. The only animal we did not see was leopard but they are really hard to see in Selous. Selous is a beautiful park with diverse scenery. Our accommodation in African Safari Camp was also good. The huts were clean and staff was very nice. We would definitely recommend this safari and the accommodation.
The walking safari was not what we expected since we thought that we would be walking inside the Game Reserve but the walk ended up to be outside the park in a bush. The food in the safari was not the best so maybe there could be some improvements regarding the food. It would have been nice to eat local food. But other than that all excellent!
Thanks for a great experience!
CH
Email alla1510 | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our guide Thomas was great.
My husband and I booked a 3 day private tour into Selous game reserve from 02 to 04 February with Kiliholidays. We reserved by paying 1/2 down and paid the remainder upon commencing the safari. We too had trepidation about paying more than 6 months in advance, but the
company is honest. We kept in touch with Mack Kornelio by WhatsApp and arranged the pickup in Dar es Salaam thru this means as well. Mack is responsive.
Thomas met us at our hotel in Dar es Salaam on the dot at the prearranged hour. He was super throughout the whole trip explaining fauna and flora as we went along. He is a great driver and professional guide and I can recommend him hands down.
The negative portion of our trip was the nightly camp. Here USD 500 and 50,000 shillings were stolen from us by the staff at the Selous Jimbiza Camp from our locked lodge. We were the only guests, thus later the police ruled the theft as an inside job. Everything about this camp was negative - slow to react, simple breakfast not on time, food barely palatable. Simple hot water for coffee in the morning took too long despite stating the night before we’d leave at 0630h for the game drive. They would not even power on their generator because the camp had “its” schedule. I asked the ceiling fan at the restaurant to be turned on during lunch because it was very hot but got the response it would be at extra charge being outside generator hours! Jimbiza is not customer focused and contains thieves.
Kiliholidays subcontracted to Jimbiza and Mack promised to sever relations with them upon hearing of the theft. I hope relations will be terminated not only by Kiliholidays but all other tour operators for the sake of future safari participants. However with this incident, Mack showed support for clients. He and Thomas talked and agreed to involve the police. Thomas took the initiative to take the room attendant to the police station in our vehicle with ourselves. He knows how to deal with local procedure. Thus we had an unexpected adventure to see Mloka police in action.
All in all I can recommend Kiliholidays for safari tours.
AR
Email Mario | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great cultural experience in KIlimanjaro National Park and around
Good alternative to know Kilimanjaro NP, in case that you decide not to climb it. History about National Park and trekking n the slope of the mountain, in a cultural trip inside local people villages.
NL
Email Gerard | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Intesting safari tour in the south of Tanzania during the rainy season
The itinerary of the tour is very good; well filled with a lot of variation. The driver / guide only joined us during day time (not at breakfast, not at diner) and did not talk too much. This way, our privacy was respected and we highly appreciated this behavior. Price / quality ratio of the offered tour is ok. Organization and driver both appeared flexible. Selected lodges were nice.
The jeep was good and comfortable but was not sufficiently equipped with tools needed to repair the car (inappropriate jack, no towline, torch etc.), this can be improved. The traffic in Tanzania is very slow; commuting from one location to the other takes a lot of time. It would be appreciated if the amount of commuting can be minimized / optimized. The driver could drive faster were permitted.
FR
Email Virginie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A good experience with kiliholidays tours
There is a good agence. The communication is easy by email .They have a good driver Thomas , and The tour is very interesting. The lodges booked are very good , we always had a good welcome.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Organized
Kiliholidays, superbly organized custom safaris are the finest way to experience the exhilaration of being on a wildlife safari in Tanzania. I know of no finer adventure than being in the wilds of Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara or in Tarangire National Park. Our guides clearly love their jobs and the depth of their knowledge and their sense of fun will impress anyone. Our guides were consummate professionals. Their energetic dedication to finding superb wildlife-viewing adventures and to teaching about the natural beauty was legendary. Whether you are simply standing in the back of the Land Cruiser to marvel at an animal, or are working with your camera, video or binoculars, our guides were constantly attentive to our comfort, to the environment around us and to the angle of each person's view. They taught us constantly as we traveled through Tanzania and you will find them to be entertaining and skilled.