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
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.
PL
Email Jacek | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A lifetime experience with a fully professional and reliable operator
We (myself + 2 children) booked a 3-day safari to Mikumi and Udzungwa N.P.s. Already before our trip to Tanzania even started we were “taken by the hand” by Mwajabu, who responded very promptly to any my queries by email and always professionally explained everything so that we could settle all the details of our safari in advance (the communication during our stay in TNZ via WhattsApp was even faster and more efficient). Travelling with children made me extra concerned about the quality of the booked services but there was absolutely no need to worry – Mwajabu & the her team did ensure the top level – frankly speaking much beyond my expectations. I also cannot say a single word of complaint about our driver Michael and our guide in Mikumi, Bob – they both spoke good English and were very helpful and made their best efforts to ensure that we have great memories from the trip.
On the spot in Mikumi we were lucky enough to see almost every big mamal species that can be found there (except for leopards and hyenas – hope for better luck next time). All of us, not only the kids, were fascinated with the African wildlife.
Mwajabu booked us a lodge at Camp Bastian – we got a huge and comfortable apartment, they have a very nice swimming pool on the spot so we could refresh and cool down after the daytime emotions. Also the food they serve there was delicious.
During the second day of safari, prior to our trip to Udzungwa N.P. we paid a short visit to the Massai boma nearby Mikumi N.P. – contrary to my concerns it turned out to be a real village, not any fake for mzungus
DE
Email BT | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect Serengeti Safari
We had a well organized Safari in the Serengeti. The contact with HelloTanzania was very friendly. Best value for money.
SE
Email JM | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great organization, very accommodating to wishes
The team of Tanzania Mwangaza Safari, was very flexible and did all they could to accommodate our wishes. Great tailored safari.
SE
Email O Andreasson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized and good guides.
Mwangaza safari is a well organized company. We were well taken care of. We had a small misunderstanding but this was due to our hotel and not the fault of Mwangaza safari. The safari operator managed this misunderstanding in the best possible way. I can truly recomend this operator.
IN
Email Vishal | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Vishal
It was great experience feels like King, thanks for treating us
Email Apurwa Desai | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour guide Michael is an asset to the whle package.... it was a well planned tour and informativ
The best part is this company is passionate about what they do they will make sure u have learnt a lot about the city. The guide is the kindest and the sweetest. He has all the patience that are required to explain and make you understand how beautiful each and every part of the city is.
Loved them all
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Email Nick | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
So much was packed into a short period, that didn’t need another day
Great communication via What’s App, incredibly luxurious accommodations. I definitely feel like I got my money’s worth.
Email Mr Rasool | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very accommodating at short notice. Great knowledge by the guides. Overall a very good experience
Very accommodating at short notice. Great knowledge by the guides. The tour operator were very helpful. No complaints and would definitely recommend
RO
Email Stefan Nitescu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful Tanzania experience
Everything about the experience was above expectations.
First I received all the information - tour program, accommodation, daily trip details well in advance and it proved during the trip to be very accurate. The flights were on time and uneventful.
The experience itself is exceptional, 2 days into some of the most beautiful national parks in Tanzania - a trip into the wild. The guide was very good and, despite the rain being quite strong at lake Manyara, helped us spot many animals and some extraordinary wildlife moments. Finding the rhinos was a bit tricky, they like to stay away from the cars, but with a little patience - success.
The accommodations were great, the lodge is set up like a small village with everything you need close by, including wi-fi.