Thomas Kiliholidays HeadGuide
Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB, TANAPA & TPO
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Emma | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent guides, fantastic safari and Mount Meru experience
Great holiday experience with Kiliholidays.
We did the 4 day Mount Meru hike, followed by 5 day private safari tour. Very knowledgeable and friendly guides and porters.
Meru was excellent - really felt cared for. Lodging basic but comfortable. Only improvement would be sending a kit list before arrival - we hadn't done an activity like this before and weren't sure of clothing needed/if we needed sleeping bags (they were hired for us upon request) or what the facilities were/ whether water would be provided (bring water bladder if you have it; water is provided but you need to take a reusable bottle - these can be hired at entrance to Meru park.) A brief kit list would have put our minds at rest!
Also be aware of tipping rates when factoring in cash ($20 per day for guide, $15 for cook, $10 for porters up Meru; $20 - $30 for safari guide).
Safari also excellent - guide fantastic with 10+ years of experience. Accommodation was excellent, vehicle was comfortable. Saw the big 5, which was incredible.
Only improvement would be communication ahead of arrival - kit list etc would have made the process feel smoother. Once on the trip, however, the experience was excellent. Would recommend.
Reply from Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
Posted on Aug 14, 2025Dear Emma,
Thank you so much for sharing your detailed feedback and for choosing us for your Mount Meru hike and safari experience. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed both adventures, felt well looked after on Meru, and had an incredible safari where you managed to see the Big Five.
We truly appreciate your suggestions regarding pre-trip communication and the kit list. You’re absolutely right—having a detailed kit list and clear information about facilities, equipment, and tipping guidelines before arrival would make preparation easier, especially for first-time trekkers. Well, we already included this in our last email conversation — perhaps you just missed it.
It’s great to hear that you found our guides and porters knowledgeable and friendly, and that both the accommodation and safari vehicle met your expectations. Your kind words mean a lot to our team.
Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future.
Warm regards,
Mack Msechu
Kiliholidays Team Leader
FR
Email SIMON | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good we were able to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes
In terms of quality/price, very good, we spent four superb days where we were able to appreciate the landscapes and the different species
We had the pleasure of seeing a scene of the lion 🦁engusting its prey a few meters from us, we were alone. We thank Thomas for having had this privilege
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Reply from Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
Posted on Feb 26, 2025Dear Simon,
We’re so happy to hear that you had an incredible four-day safari with Kiliholidays! Witnessing a lion feeding up close is truly a special experience of your vacation, and we’re glad Thomas was able to make that moment happen for you.
Thank you for your kind words about our quality and service—we appreciate it! We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon.
Best regards,
Mack Msechu
Kiliholidays Team Leader
Email Pinto | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very pacient, wise and passionate
The service was very good for the price i would say it was an excelent option, but the principal and best thing was the tour itself where you could see animals with your very eyes. That was life changing
Reply from Tours by Locals (aka Kiliholidays)
Posted on Feb 26, 2025Dear Pinto,
Thank you for sharing your experience with kiliholidays! We're happy to hear that the safari was a life-changing adventure for you. Witnessing wildlife up close is truly an unforgettable experience, and we're glad we could make it happen for you.
We appreciate your kind words about our service and value, and we hope to welcome you again for another incredible journey!
Best regards,
Mack Msechu
Kiliholidays Team Leader
CL
Email Ismael Ignacio fuentes | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
my best moments with the agency
They show me the big five animals in one days, also the made my dreams come true when arrive to the top of the Kilimanjaro in 5 days and 4 nights was so awasome
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IT
Email Davide | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good driver ZIGGY . Is the tour
quite Good the mailing .
Bad Camp (public) the first 2 days .
Don’t change the program the day of the tour (the tour operator) . Is an advise.
NO
Email Monique Eide | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional
The whole safaritrip has been an adventure for me and my son, and Kiliholidays is a very serious company that has added to the positive experience. Their service is very good and they take care of their customers. Serengeti was a fantastic experience and Ngorongoro, or the garden of Eden, was breathtaking by its beauty and peacefulness. Thanks a lot, Killiholidays.
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!
SI
Email Maja | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
We went private safari 4-days Serengeti and Ngorogoro. If i could do it one more time, i’d go only Serengeti, because you actually see everything you need to see there. Ngorogoro is beautiful by the nature but the animals you see are so far away.. Serengeti is huge park, so expect a long drive with no animals , but after you arrive to the right spot you realise it was worth the wait. We slept in camps that weren’t protected from the animals so during the night you stay in the tent making no noise because it’s dangerous! An amazing experience for me were the buffalos around our tents which filled me up with adrenaline. Thomas was amazing guide, he knows a lot of things but you gotta ask him and he’ll tell you everything! But you could do this 4 days program actually in 3 days.
KR
Email Eunkyoung | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was very impressed tour for me
Good price
Good guide
This tour is honeymoon. We book private tour so i feel free and good