Reviews

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naoko   –  
Japan JP
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Jul 14, 2016

Email naoko

Great safari in Southern Tanzania
5/5

I went for "8-Day Southern Tz Safari Selous/Mikumi/Ruaha/Udzungwa".
Ruaha was very nice! There were a great numbers of Impala, giraffe, elephats, and also lions.
And three elephants came into the campsite, just front of my banda!
We wished to changed the schedule, staying longer Raha instead of Udzungwa, and Elen arranged for us.
Thank you very much, we really enjoyed Ruaha!

Our driver told us the best season of Ruaha is September. So I like to come back to Tanzania in September.

Chen   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Jun 21, 2016

Email Chen  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Great, affordable tour
5/5

I went on a 1-day tour led by Chabo Safari with a group of American students. Ernest and Chabo Safari took care of all the logistics for transportation, food, and housing. We were picked up at our hostel and taken directly to Ruaha National Park. I was very fortunate to have Ernest as tour guide, as he was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about ensuring we had a great experience. On our way to Ruaha, Ernest told us about the history of Iringa. Overall, the trip was excellent and I really enjoyed the adventure with Chabo Safari.

Marie   –  
France FR
Visited: July 2019 Reviewed: Sep 29, 2019

Email Marie  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

The review below is the personal opinion of Marie and not that of SafariBookings.
mixed feeling
2/5

We booked a 11 days Safari with Chabo including Selous, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa. We had very good time with our guide (who was not the supposed this one at first) and lodging and food were great. However the relationship with Chabo has not been really friendship. After 3 days our guide was still not there (fortunately the woman at our lodge in Selous was a wonderful person and guide) and they lied to us several time on the reason why. We finally understand that they had problems with the car. Chabo then rented a cheap open car (without seat belts) to take us from Selous to Mikumi that was not really adapted for the long drive to Mikumi. We finally met our guide at Mikumi rather than at Selous as first programmed. Later, without explanation either, they replaced a correct car, which we only kept for two days, with another car in quite poor condition. We realized also that our planing was not quite logical since it would have been less waste of time to go first to Udzungwa after Mikumu and not after Ruaha. Nevertheless we had a really great time because the parks in the South are all fantastic with not too many people, all the guides we had were great, professional, kind and helpful and because tanzanian people are really welcoming in general. Most of Chabo's good reviews are certainly deserved, but it would be a pity if the reputation they have built up over the years were to begin to fall apart through a certain lack of respect and consideration for customers.

Christiane and Stephan   –  
Germany DE
Visited: February 2018 Reviewed: Aug 3, 2018

Email Christiane and Stephan  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Our first safari = Kitulo- and Ruaha-National-Parks on one safari have been a great experience
5/5

We booked a tour with ChaboAfrica 18.-23.February 2018 starting in Mbeya. SAM our marvellous guide picked us on time at our guesthouse, visiting then the Kitulo National-Park with its wonderful orchids and other plants. An exciting adventure was to find an unexpected overwhelming waterfall. With one stay in Iringa we went on to Ruaha National-Park. Sam was an excellent guide to find for instance lions, leopards, cheetahs and nice birds. We want to thank Sam and ChaboAfrika for the professional service starting with the first contact, and the unforgetable safari!!!

Claudia   –  
Austria AT
Visited: December 2016 Reviewed: Dec 28, 2016

Email Claudia  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall an amazing experience with wildlife and people!
5/5

The colors, the sounds, the wildness, the smells, the intense intellectual challenge of learning as much as possible about all that was around me. It was a world apart from everyday life, and thus, a perfect place for an adventure.

Everything was perfecly organised and our tour guide, Modest from Chabo Africa Safari, is very professional, knowledgable with a good sense of humour. He has extremely good eyes for all animals, is an experienced, safe and patient driver, and last but not least, has consulted our wishes. A journey to remember.

The people are friendly and welcoming, and the scenery and wildlife are amazing. I can really recommend to book a customised safari with Chabo Africa.

Tami   –  
Canada CA
Visited: October 2016 Reviewed: Dec 2, 2016

Email Tami  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Chabo Africa Safari exceeded our expectations...in every way, from start to finish!
5/5

Chabo Africa Safari exceeded our expectations, from start to finish! We had an amazing 8-day safari through Selous and Mikumi, ending in Ruaha. Having requested a ‘Budget / Camping’ level of accommodation, we were prepared for a little ‘adventure’, but were pleasantly surprised with the variety of great lodgings: from permanent ‘tents’ overlooking hippos bathing in the Rufiji river to the lovely TanSwiss hotel with a pool, thru the more rustic Ruaha Bandas and the friendly Neema Craft House. Our guide Modest was outstanding, from our first phone conversation to arrange our pick-up in Dar Es Salaam, until our Safari was complete, he was prompt, professional, and personable! (and a patient, safe driver as well!)

Chabo is a very small safari company that made a very big impression with our group. They are Tanzanian owned, employ local people, and provide a very dedicated service; with extensive knowledge of the parks, the animals, the traditions and culture. Elen, who organizes bookings, quotes, etc. was very thorough and efficient. Despite a 10-hour time difference, most of our email questions were answered within 24 hours. The payment process was flawless; Elen provided very detailed information for the successful wire transfers.

With all those details so well taken care of, we were set for an amazing experience! We chose the ‘Southern Route’ safari, largely because it is the ‘less travelled’ and ‘less busy’ route, although we were aware that we might see fewer animals than the northern route, we would also see fewer people and have a more natural viewing experience. Our guide Modest’s amazing intuition and experience repeatedly lead us to incredible viewing opportunities, from waterholes with various species cautiously approaching to drink, to up-close, fresh lion kills where the dominant males were gorging while the females and youngsters lay panting in the shade, licking their wounds sustained in the hunt and resting from the exertion while awaiting their turn to feast. From giraffes and elephants to hyrax, kudus and zebras, dik-diks to jackals, crocodiles to hyenas and warthogs, the list goes on, not to mention the incredible array of bird species! Each day included multiple viewings, with Modest sharing his vast wealth of knowledge on the various plant, animal and bird species and their place in the environment.
Modest and Chabo Africa set a high standard for customer care, taking care of every detail from the moment we met up in Dar through to our flight from Iringa. Modest’s great sense of humour and his competent, considerate nature made it hard to say goodbye. We would certainly recommend Chabo Africa for your Tanzanian Safari adventure!

Jennifer   –  
Tanzania TZ
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Jun 21, 2016

Email Jennifer

We have 21 people in our group. We did wonderful overnight trip with Chabo Africa to Ruaha Natl Park
5/5

We had a fantastic experience. Ruaha National Park is truly beautiful and the entire Chabo staff was great throughout the planning process. Our drivers were also very knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. We spent the night in the park: some of us in the park-owned bandas and some of us in the park-owned cottages. The rooms in both places clean, comfortable, and inexpensive and the park staff who hosted us were also great. Finally, the whole expedition was very affordable. I would absolutely go on safari with Chabo Africa again.

Leslie   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Jun 20, 2016

Email Leslie  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Simply incredible and amazing experience with excellent customer service!
5/5

From the moment we were picked up at our place of residence to the moment we returned, Chabo Africa Safari operated with the utmost of professionalism. Understanding that not all factors are within their control, the drivers and other associated staff conducted their tour with courtesy, humor, and a wealth of knowledge that definitely enhanced my experience. We were able to see many of the animals present within the park (not all) and our driver was responsive to our remarks and comments if we happened to see something that we wanted to stop for. When we unfortunately got a flat tire, the staff was very responsive in handling the situation and ensuring that we were able to get back on the road with all due haste. I would definitely recommend using their service if you happen to find yourself in Iringa region and have the means and time to visit Ruaha National Park.

Mike   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Jun 2, 2016

Email Mike

Fantastic Experience!
5/5

I went for a 3 day safari with Chabo Africa, which was incredible start to finish. Previous to arrival I emailed back and forth with Elen, who answered my...many emails. I had a few things I wanted that were different from a standard booking, and her help in navigating that crucial. Once on the safari (I went with George) the time was somewhat unbelievable. You're in a jeep with a pop up roof; a 360 view of an incredible landscape and then...animals. Everywhere. Elephants, lions, Kudu, zebra....we saw a ton. And anytime I had a question George was happy to oblige with an answer - I mean, the guy is full of knowledge. Also I hate birdwatching and even that somehow became awesome, probably because the birds here are huge (I saw one eating a snake) and colorful. So yes. Long story short, the park, trip, and company were all awesome.

Avie&Lisa   –  
Tanzania TZ
Visited: March 2016 Reviewed: Mar 10, 2016

Email Avie&Lisa

Amazing Ruaha two-days trip
5/5

My friend and I went for a two days trip to Ruaha NP with Ernesto of Chabo Africa Safari. Everything was well organized in advance and Ernesto has a lot of knowledge about the nature, environment and animals in the park. In addition, he is a great driver speaks good English. Ruaha NP is incredible: Beautiful views and landscapes. We went during the rain season and everything was beautifully green. Absolute must-see when you are in the Southern part of Tanzania!!

Average User Rating
4.7/5
Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 51
  • 4 star 4
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 1
  • 1 star 1
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