"Benson Safaris: Thrilling Adventures Await!"
Benson Safaris Tanzania
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & IGS
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect honeymoon in Tanzania!
My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Africa and chose Tanzania because we wanted to see the big 5 and also have a beach holiday.
I have travelled to many countries but never to the African continent so after talking to travel agents here, lots of research online and emailing different tour companies in Tanzania we decided to make our booking directly with Benson Safaris Tanzania because we found they offered great value for money and they really listened to what we wanted to see and experience from our honeymoon and made some great suggestions. We also found that many of the tour companies in Tanzania took a long time to reply to our emails and didn’t answer our questions properly and some didn’t respond at all. We dealt directly with Benson, the owner of Benson Safaris Tanzania and he was always quick to reply to emails and answered all of our questions (and there were a lot!) in great detail.
We went on a 7 day safari to Tarangire, Lake Natron, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. Last year we had read an article about Lake Natron and it was a “must see” destination and when we were initially looking at joining an overland safari company none had Lake Natron on their itineraries. One email to Benson and he worked a 2 night stay into our trip. It is definitely worth the long drive and extra money because it is amazing! He also included a visit to a Maasai village which was a real eye opener – very dusty but the people were so welcoming and danced and sang songs for us. On the last day of our safari we spent half a day in Lake Manyara and then drove to a village where we had lunch with a local family. They didn’t speak English so luckily our Guide Francis was there to translate and tell us what we were eating. It was good fun and we really enjoyed it.
We stayed in tented camps which was a fantastic experience. It was very romantic and even better than we expected. The sounds of the animals at night is something l will never forget and the staff went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect for us and the food was delicious. It is amazing what a chef can prepare in a bush kitchen.
After our safari we had 2 days in Arusha because we wanted to go on a City Tour. Benson personally escorted us and took us to a museum called “Cultural Heritage”. We spent a few hours looking at all the paintings and wood carvings before having lunch at a restaurant called Shanga Riverhouse. We were greeted with champagne in the garden before eating a four-course lunch which was delicious. Shanga Riverhouse is part of the Shanga Shangaa project which employs disabled people and is the only place where glass-blowing is done in Tanzania and I bought some lovely wine glasses from the gift shop.
The next day we flew to Zanzibar where we spent a week relaxing. We had a few days in Stone Town and spent the rest of the time at Nungwi on the northern part of the island. This was also booked through Benson Safaris Tanzania and the accommodation was fantastic. In Stone Town we stayed at Tembo Hotel which is located right on the beach and a few minutes’ walk to the Old Fort. In Nungwi we stayed at Langi Langi which was small and intimate and had the whitest sand I have seen. Benson also booked our day tours and we went on a walking tour of Stone Town, a dhow cruise at sunset, Jozani Forest and had lunch at a spice plantation tour. Everything was organised perfectly and so easy. He also booked our flights from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar and back again.
When we were in the process of booking our honeymoon we asked for advice on international flights. While they don’t book international flights there is an Australian lady in the office (I can’t remember her name) who worked as a travel agent for 6 years and with her guidance we booked our flights online through Expedia. She gave us lots of suggestions and answered all our questions on the best and fastest way to get to Tanzania from our home in Sydney.
Our honeymoon exceeded our expectations and we could not recommend Benson Safaris Tanzania enough. The whole team from Benson, to the lady in the office, to our Guide was professional and gave us a honeymoon experience we will never forget!
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb service throughout fantastic Tarangire/Serengeti/Ngorongoro 4 day safari adventure
Our party of four had never visited Africa before and chose Benson Safaris recommended by friends who resided in Tanzania - and they provided great advice and assistance long before even booking the trip. 4 days is a bit short for all of Tarangire/Serengeti/Ngorongoro, but do not skip any of it, rather add a day or two. We saw all the big five on multiple occassions, masses of wilderbeast and zebras on the plains and many other great animals and each park has its distinct flora and unique splendor. An absolutely overwhelming experience for life! Our guide Issa was extremely knowledgeable and managed to always put us in the right spot at the right time. We highly recommend this operator for safari tours.
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Email Miriam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic 3 days safari to Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara!
I have fallen in love with Tanzania and this was my 2 time to visit this beautiful country. My brother and my bestfriend joined me this time and ofcourse we had to go on a safari. I was sure about what safari company i would choose since I had a wonderful experience last time - ofcourse Benson Safaris. Benson the manager is responding very quikly and he is really good to make a fantastic safari package. First day we had in Lake Manyara , a beautiful place. Second day we had in Ngorogoro. we were so lucky to whatch a group of lions attacking a group of Pumbas :) it was amazing! And our last day we had in Tarangire. We saw a lot of elephants, giraffes and zebras.... The 2 nights we stayed at the wonderful and beautiful Osupuko Lodge in the middel of Tarangire. I highly recommend Benson Safaris and I would choose this company again:)
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35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3-days safari in Tarangire and Ngorongoro. Amazing!
We were 4 families (18 people) on a 3-day safari. Benson picked us up in Arusha. We were in Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. We got many great animal experiences in beautiful surroundings. Skilled drivers with much knowledge, no problems with the cars.
Everything worked! We visited the Masai village and visited Hadzabe the Bushmen. First night we stayed at Osupuko Lodge. Wonderful wonderful place, must be experienced! Other night we stayed in a tent at Lake Manayara.
Benson had arranged a great tent camp. Amazingly good food cooked on a single outdoor kitchen. Benson had made an awesome program that was well adapted traveling companion with both adults and children (7-15 years). Benson is fantastic bland and nice person who let everything arranged that we were going on a great safari. Booking and communication happening on Mail in advance. Worked very well! We got an experience of a lifetime! Traveling like on safari with Benson again!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safari Njema ! An Adventure we will never forget !
It all started with a dream that my two uncles had been sharing already for a Long time. It was about one of the most outstanding and incredible sights of the world you can visit - Mt. Kilimanjaro. Either one of them had not managed to take this journey on his own but once at Christmas I have brought both of their ideas on one table and made it a deal for the new coming year 2014. As we had set our Goal it was not hard to find the rest of the Group that would join us for the trip. For myself it was like coming home but now with a bunch of Tourists on my heels including me. I had spent 2 years of my life in Tanzania working as a pediatrician in a small Hospital far in a very remote Area of Tanzania and it became my second home...somehow it revealed my hidden African personality. I know Benson already for a Long Long time and he became more than just a friend to me but for our trip I could not have imagine trusting somebody else to organize it all for us. And our expectations for the adventure did not get disappointed. Theresa, uncles and friends as we recalled our Little crazy wazungu German Mountain climbing Group arrived at Kili - Airport in Arusha , like I had done a houndred times before already and spent our first African night at Ilboro Lodge in Arusha, a beautiful and Relaxing place to be. Benson was alreay awaiting us at the Airport personal and I felt like I had never left Africa. Next Morning after a good night sleep and good breakfast we got a brief introduction in the rules and secrets of how to successfully climb the mountain. One guy from the Group was missing one of his suitcases the one with all his moutain gear and Benson, exactly as I know him ;-) , did not stop communicating with the Airport and me to get it in time before leaving the next morning....Unfortunately this time the bag was vanished somewhere on the way. But as I have also learnt during my time in Africa : There is always a plan B. And Benson came up with the rescue plan of providing the Bag-less man some climbing shoes, jacket, sleeping bag and the Basics that were needed to survive the first days of climbing and after he put us on the bus, farwell, and off we went. We had an amazing climb, taking the Coca Cola route, you can´t imagine the Beauty of the fast changing Environment while you are ascending step by step. This place is magical. We were sleeping in Little huts and were provided with delicious Food that non of us had expected all the way up there in the mountain. While we were enjoying the climb, all had forgotten about the suitcase...Benson did not stop to phone and call around and the more surprised we all were when it suddenly appeared on our second camp base in the evening with a big hurray to the porter who had brought it up to us!! We pushed ourselfes to our physical and personal Limits, some of us even crossed it and we all reached the top just in time for an breathtaking sunrise abough the crater rim. I was a Moment nobody of us will Forget when we were Standing there together after we all had gone through the same physical challenges of the last days and we could celebrate our success with this Special Moment. On the way down we have tried to give a Special thanks to all the staff and we practised a Little Performance with Kili-first German wazungu men´s choir performing the "Jambo" song with me leading the singing Group :-) it was hilarious. The second part of our journey after a day of recovery was leading us on a Special Safari to see the big five on the trail of the old German Bernhard Grzimek. This time we were travelling in luxury big Landcruisers. Most of the Group had never seen that kind of wildlife in real so the excitement with the first elephant and Lion was incredible. We were lucky to find all of the big five including the so much endangered rhino. The evening was for the "big Boys" than with a cold "Kilimanjaro Beer" sitting on top of rock behind our Little private guetshouse watching the sunset abough the Serengeti Feeling untamed and free. Myself I preferred a cold Savannah instead :-):-)
In the end it was a journey that in the beginning started out with a Group that had seen each other for the first time for some of us and left us as friends that are still sharing this Special Memory. Thanks to Benson for this wonderful trip. I highly recommend Benson Safaris to everybody planning to come and visit Tanzania and that is looking for an unforgettable experience.
The second
Email Megan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
1 Day Manyara, 1 Day Ngorogoro, 2 Day Serengeti
Benson Safaris was very professional. Benson himself picked us up from the airport and introduced us to our guide - Dennis and chef - Charles for the 4 days. The knowledge and driving of the guide was great, and so was out food, always plenty of food. The trucks were great, with the pop up roof.
Before coming on the trip we discussed many itineraries and Benson was able to help us in was seemed to be an unbiased opinion. Although the description for Manyara still included the flamingos which were really not due for another 7 weeks. However this is hard to predict months in advance, and we saw 30 or so Elephants instead. We saw all the big 5 plus many more. Really engage with your guide to have the best trip. We used tents, and found all the gear to be great.
They even dropped us off at our next destination!
A great tour company, I would book with them again.
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very punctial and highly qualified and experienced people
Good communications before the trip started ,god service and accomodation. The Safari tour itself was excellent .
Exceeding expectations, Reliable & trustworthy
In the two years we lived in Tanzania we used Benson Safaries to arrange several trips for us and for our friends and family. Without exception he did a great job!
He organised our amazing trip to Kilimanjaro with outstanding guides, food and everything. Not to mention the "off the beaten track" trek that we did to Mount Hanang with some friends. Sunset and Sunrise on the top of Africa was amaxing
He also organised a safari to Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara for my parents in law, and they were amazed by the trip and Mr. Benson as well. Bying a surprise birthday cake for them at the hotel just blew them away! My mother was in safe hands when she arrived in Tanzania as Benson Safari was there in the airport and took her to the remote area where we lived.
We also tried to contact other tour companies, but nothing could compete with Benson in regards to price and quality. Sure, you can get it cheaper, but that often comes at a cost... With Benson we always felt that we got what we payed and in many cases it exceeded ours, our friends and our family's expectations.
Benson focuses on punctuality, safety and quality - you are sure to have a good time!
great individual tour, professional guides - we had a wonderful time
We were booking several tours during our stay in tanzania with benson and all of them were really great. we booked a safari trip to different parks for 5 days. Or guide Paul was very well informed and also connected with the other guides - so we saw a lot of great animals. accommodation was super and everything was arranged in the way we wanted to.
our second tour was a bit an adventure, because we wanted to climb a mountain and spend the night on the top. Benson managed to arrange everything. it was a really cold night, but the stars and the sunrise totally worth it :)
the last part of our vacation was a one-week trekking tour to lake natron. sleeping in tents, walking with donkeys and we had a wonderful cook with us - he even made us popcorn one evening!
Benson picked us from the airport, he met us at the end of our vacation for feedback. we can highly recommend bensonsafari.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Elephant Rampage- highly reccomended
Myself and 2 other friends set out with our guide Dennis and Charlie boy (cook) on the adventure of a lifetime. We went to Lake Manyara, Ngoro Ngoro and the Serengeti on a 5 day Camping safari. The cost was reasonable , and the camping was highly enjoyable! Being woken by a rampaging elephant trying to steal pumpkin in the Serengeti campsite was a highlight. Overall we had a great experience, saw all the animals we had hoped for and learned some valuable Swahili too! Absolutely fantastic and reasonably priced for students.