We will show you Tanzania Better than Anyone else
Tanzania Mwangaza Safari
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $120 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What you really like!
With Hello Tanzania you can really organize the trip that you would like to do. The owner is ready to make changes to your program and meet your expectations. It was nice to find such kind of flexibility. We wanted to see the migration and therefore we drove up to Mara river, nearby Kenia border. But we did not want to miss the main sites at Serengeti and Ngorongoro and all of that spending only 5 nights over there. The safari was truly intensive and we have found in the driver the same friendly approach of the owner in Dar. The driver was also very expert of the parks and their wildlife making our trip pleasant and rich in information about animals and their habitat.
Email Hyonjong Lee | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mikumi Safari and Udzungwa Tracking
Staff service is good, but I got some inconveniences due to some communication errors between Hello Tanzania & the Hotel
Email Mama Benson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience
Our tour was an amazing experience and most aspects of it were excellent. The taxis to and from the airport, drivers, and flights to and from Kilimanjaro were all fine. The Tarangire Safari park, the Serengeti and Ngorogoro crater were amazing and beyond my expectations. We saw the ' big Five' as well as many more animals. Both hotels, one a lodge and one a glamping experience were excellent, the staff welcoming and service outstanding,the food in both places really good . The picnic lunches every day were delicious, varied and generous. I loved the glamping it was an amazing experience!!!
Our main concern and disappointment was that the Land Roverprovided by East West Safaris broke down twice during our tour. Once at twilight where we had to be left on the side of the road and were fortunately rescued by a kind gentleman who took us to our lodge in Zaratu.
The second time was on the plains of the Serengeti in the middle of nowhere. Our driver had to fix the faulty fuel pump himself which, thank god he did. What we would have done otherwise I have no idea!!! We had two young children and were confined for at least an hour.
We were very concerned that the vehicle was not to safari standard and are critical of the company not the driver, who under the circumstances did well to fix the problem.
We noticed that other company guides and drivers were provided with a uniform to wear, such was not the case with East West Safaris . We would recommend that the company provide uniforms. Lack of seat belts and any cooling method didn't meet our expectations.
Despite our experience with the Land Rover and safari company it was an unforgettable experience.
PT
Email Joana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Poor safari
Unfurtunetly we're going to have to complain and write a bad review about this safari. The organization was terrible, they came to pick us up at 04:50 and the flight was only at 08:45, it was horrible to wait all that time at the airport. then them sold us a private safari and that didn't happen, 2 more people came in our jeep who sat down first so we couldn't even go the 4 together, there were 2 behind and 2 in front . Them assured me that the safari had lions and we didn't see them, and besides the guides said that lions were rarely seen. Of all the jeeps, the ones on your tour are the worst and oldest, even ours broke down in the middle and we had to stand still waiting for them to pick us up. the food for lunch was terrible, there weren't even glasses, we have to drink from the bottle.
US
Email Derek | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor experience
Never in my life have I written a negative review, so I honestly feel bad about this post. However, if I were a potential customer of Tanzania Mwangaza Safari, I would want to know this information.
I was volunteering at a hospital in Dar es Salaam for a few weeks and decided to splurge on a safari at the end of my trip. I chose this safari company because they were affordable ($1450 USD) and offered a 4 day/ 3 night trip that fit my time constraints. The communication and payments prior to the trip were excellent. Turns out that nobody else signed up for this particular trip so it ended up being just myself and the driver.
Day 1 - Departed right on time and the day went completely as expected on route to Selous. We did get delayed for 1.5 hour behind multiple trucks stuck in the mud and blocking the road, but that just goes with the territory of travel. Went on an evening boat trip with another group, with a French speaking guide, but he was nice enough to offer some info in English to me.
Day 2 - Driver showed up 1 hour late then had me wait while he went to the restaurant and ate breakfast. We then drove to Selous entrance gate where we waited another 1.5 hour for him to locate a guide for the day. I watched in envy as dozens of others tourists arrived in plane and jeep and went on safari while we sat on the side of the road waiting for the guide to arrive from the neighboring village. I just chalked it up to inconveniences associated with a budget minded safari. Other than that, it was a great day in the park with many animals seen.
Day 3 - Driver showed up 1 hour late again. The day was supposed to be a sort of game drive on our way through Selous park on our way to an afternoon game drive in Mikumi park. The driver told me he needed to drive quickly so he would not incur additional park fees. As a result, absolutely zero wildlife viewing happened as we drove at 70 kph through Selous. I thought the vehicle might completely come apart as we sped along the rough roads. We ended up with three flat tires we throughout that day. The spare tire and jack were not suited for the fixes so the driver and I spent hours that day collecting stones in the brush, crawling in the mud under the jeep to precariously prop up the vehicle, and stopping at a roadside tire shop. I am amazed that one of us did not get seriously injured they way we were forced to rig the jeep for the tire changes as the jack and stones repeatedly did not hold thus dropping the vehicle violently back to the ground. It took us 14.5 hours to make it to Mikumi that day so our planned afternoon safari definitely did not take place. It is a budget trip and all part of the adventure, right?
Day 4 - We made plans to go on a half day game drive in Mikumi prior to our drive back to Dar. Unfortunately, the driver showed up 2 hours late that day and was unreachable by phone. Mikumi was beautiful , but we only had two hours in the park before we had to make the 8.5 hr (normally much quicker, but we had to drive slowly because of the tires) trip back to the city.
I realize I am incredibly fortunate just to have the opportunity to go on safari in Tanzania. Perhaps my expectations were far too high for a budget safari. Looking at their current reviews, it appears I am one of the only customers to have a less than optimal experience with Mwangaza so take this negative review with a grain of salt. However, when I look back and realize we spent 31 hours driving, 8 hours waiting for the driver and fixing flat tires for only 8 hours of actual safari related time, I feel this trip was far from worthwhile in terms of time and cost.
In summary, even though the people at Mwangaza were very nice, I personally had a very poor experience with them.
TW
Email Fuchsia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
bad experience with this company
這間老闆在收錢時很快說一切包在我身上. 但並沒有先把錢給司機加油. 所以我正中午大太陽之下被困在車子裡1個多小時等這間老闆匯錢給司機去加油. 且這間safari所提供從dar 接送的車子是沒有冷氣的. 浪費時間 cp不高 不推
this company didnt give money to driver for fuel in advanced. so i was stuck in the car in the middle of day for more than 1 hour(the car condition is bad with no ac no light and even gear box is not functioning well) not suggest at all. terrible
RU
Email Ilya | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beware of cheaters! 'Hello, Tanzania!' are cheaters! In particular Mwajabu. Safari was terrible
It's a pity to write it but for the next travellers I must do it, to prevent the situations that we were involved and to be ready what to expect from those swindlers like Ms Mwajabu and their company 'Hello, Tanzania'
1. We were the first day in Africa. Mwajabu came to grab the cash for the safari. We were warned that to TZ we need to take just 2006 year released banknotes or above. Of course, we all checked our cash before. It was 2006 or above. We gave money to Mwajabu. After a couple of hours she came to the hotel and told us that 12(!) 100$ banknotes that we gave her were old and 'she is in trouble". We were confused because we hadn't expected that they are going to cheat us, because some of our friends who worked in the other firm Altezza Tours reccomended the company as their partners. But Mwajabu didn't care about this. All of us were really alarmed and concerned, we didn't know what to expect but we knew for sure that we had given proper banknotes. After we told her about the police and cancellation of safari she said that it would be 'a lesson to her ' and her friend on Zanzibar will help her to change old money. Isn't it funny? All of us, especially girls were a bit suppressed, ' cause it was the first day in Africa for us all and we were dreaming about gorgeous safari. But instead of good thoughts about upcoming safari we had to prove that 'we are not camels' to that woman.
2. Next day. The driver came on 5 a m. The car was small for us 6. and really old. But they actually offered to go 8 persons.. how? The capacity with driver is maximum 8! So we arrived to the lodge in Selous GR at around 10 am, guys from the lodges showed us our tents. Girls were in shock! Tents were tiny for 1 person not even for his big bag! On the pictures they'd sent us the tents were normal big for 2 persons that you can even stand there. We will see such normal tents in Ngorongoro in few weeks later, they were just really comfortable. So certainly we refused to live in such conditions. On the program Mwajabu sent us in advance were absolutely different normal 2 persons tents. What could we do in the middle of Africa? We asked them to give us another accommodation. They charged us more 360$ for us 6 for the wooden hut for 2 and another wooden non condicioned even non fenned hut for 4! 360$ more! Once we lived in Portugal for 350$ for a month in a big flat in the city centre! That's their cheat #2.
3. We've spent about an hour of our game drive time to arrange all the things with accommodation. And now cheat #3: they stated that we can choose that today we go for a half day game drive and tomorrow for the half day. But better not to go today and just go to boat safari on 16.30 pm and tomro for the full day game drive. But stop! In the program it was claimed that on day1 we arrive at 10, having our fast lunch and departing for the WHOLE DAY safari, not even for a half. And there was some logic in it: so why would we have to depart from the hotel at 5am and arrive to the lodge (in Selous) at 10am and just start the boat safari at 4.30pm&?! It's ridiculous! We said that 'no, we going to go now for the whole day and tomro for the whole day' as it was written in the program that Ms Mwajabu sent me via email in advance. But can you imagine our guide Msafiri showed us printed program with the new schedule! Cheaters were ready for any turn! :) But of course i found in my smart phone the real program and showed it for the guide. For the long time he was talking on the phone and finally agreed on what we had insisted. Like Mwajabu did when she failed with her trick with banknotes. So we've spent a lot of time and nerves again. Why they did like that? We found out later that the entrance fee costs for a 24 hours visit to the park 70$/person. So they tried to convince us to go just for a one day game drive to save 420$ and put them into their pockets. Of course everything including park fees we've paid in advance.
4. The safari was ok. But not impressed. You know, 50% of success depends on the guide. The guide - Msafiri was not very communicative. His English was ok, but we haven't been catching not any word because of the strong accent. He was not very friendly, and he was wearing not a neat clothes as other safari guides did, not like a hint for uniform, just like a local guy from the village. Probably not a big deal but It's also very important for the whole impression about the company.
5. The icing on the cake was that on the last day they sold us lunch boxes for 10$ each! But it really costs less than a dollar: dry old chicken leg, bred with carrot, juice..
So the whole impression was very bad, they were trying to deceive us every time they got a chance. So thank you, Mwajubu for the spoilt safari and first impression about Tanzania. You're not even think for the future, I told you that if we'd love the safari we'd definitely go with your company fot the northern curcuit. And thanks God we found another great company with honest and pleasant people working there who changed our opinion to the country and people. We went back home absolutely satisfied and pleased. Tanzania is amazing!
We have all scans, documents, photos, programs, witnesses to prove my words. So, guys, be aware of that company and Ms Mwajabu. Actually we can even bring an action for the court, because they rendered their service not loke it was claimed in the contract and forced us to pay more money cheating us with accommodation.
Reply from Tanzania Mwangaza Safari
Posted on Feb 19, 2018Dear Ilya,
I personally thank you for your review againt us( Hello Tanzania).
First of all let me correct you, that we are not cheaters.
You were connected to us by Altezza, and we started a very friendly communications till to the end, till we met at your hotel in dar es salaam to finalise the balance payment for your trip.
The package you agreed was a camping safari/tour and i sent you the link of Hippo campsite where we will accommodate, all went well.
The package was including game drive/boat safari/walking safari and on full board.
The misunderstanding started when i met you for balance, as always i was mentioning the usd notes accepted was from 2006 and you confirmed that this is what you will bring, so all was ok... so i received the payment, i started to check the first 5 notes was ok and i over trusted the rest will be all fine above 2006... i kept the money in my bag and this was the only payment i received that day.
I offered to help the group to go to Azammarine to buy the tickets for them, for no extra cost... i left the hotel with daughter and went to the ferry to get the tickets... so here is where i came to know the money i have some of them are below 2006, when i wanted to pay for the tickets...... i was confused ... i used the few notes to but the tickets and quickly went back to the hotel to inform Ilya that some of the money i received were below 2006... OH MY GOD ...the result was like i through the oil on fire!! every one said i got new new notes from the bank, before i came here and was very bad environment at that hour... so i tried to explain but with no result... but you know i already committed myself to offer the tour and clients paid no matter what happened they have to go safari... ... Mh i told them okay let me try to find a way to get some change and proceed... but the fact was that i received the money from them... i don't blame them may be they did not know what they received at the first place... My huge mistakes I DID NOT CHECK ALL OF THE NOTES.
and i remember i told Ilya that this is my lesson, i will never trust and proceed but check and confirm.. then proceed.
So all the happiness/ good communications/ the short moment we had one hour before i received the payment was just gone and gone for good.
The next morning they departed to selous, the car i arranged was a 8 seat 7 seats at the back.
they departed at 0500am and arrived around 1000am ... i arranged for them to go to the game drive on arrival. our guide had a first itinerary we sent that says to start with Boat... but he called me and i explained to him that we will do game drive 2 times, so he confirmed ok and they started the game drive as i directed him.
Camping: This is what they have been asked for, but when they arrived at Hippo campsite,they did not like the the tents and instead of chatting with me the clients decided with the camp manager and they were asked to add up if they want to stay in the cottage... i believe the hate on me made them not to chat with me gain,
Our guide : Msafiri: he is an experienced one for about 10 years now, before us he worked with sable mountain lodge,and many companies, no complain, i can recall from what people say, You cannot please everyone on this world but may be you expected more than what he delivered. Am sorry about that... He confirmed that you offered him usd 80 and 20000/ as a tip for what he did during your time with him... i understand tips are given on satisfactory of the service.
Guide Uniform: Yes we normally have uniformes and for this day, Msafiri told us something happened and he could not find his key to open where he stores his things , this is why he was not in uniform. our APOLOGY.
10usd charged for lunch Box: Because i was not updated for everything you talk and agree with the camp manager did not know about what you been charged. I will speak with Ben and see how we can refund you this money to your credit card. our apology.
ALL IN ALL we are not cheater/swindlers...
we thank you for the 1 star.
Mwajabu Mo
Hello Tanzania CEO.