Happy safari guides from Aardvark Expeditions
Aardvark Expeditions
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $180 to $650 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Karen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Safari with a personal touch
We decided to arrange our Safari in Arusha, as we wanted to make sure the Company we used was reliable, reputable and honest. We visited the office of Aardvark and found the owner to be very professional, knowledgable and flexible for our needs. He gave us a very good price, an excellent very well informed guide who knew the Serengeti well and a great cook who prepared tasty meals. The campsites we used were great and we even got to hear Lions roaring and Buffalo and Elephants in the campsites as well. The mattresses and sleeping bags were also good quality and warm, especially important on the Crater rim of Ngorogoro which is very cold at night. The jeep provided was clean and even had a fridge and charging sockets for your camera's phones etc. Every little detail had been thought of. I would highly recommend Aardvark as being well organised and trustworthy. We would definitely use them again on further trips.The owner even visited us after we got back to make sure we'd enjoyed our time away. A lovely personal touch.
BE
Email Jerome | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Safari of five days
I highly recommend to choose Philomen's company. Very professional team. Excellent guide who knows very well flora and fauna and who is able to detect and recognize each and every animals, including birds. The cook was an excellent chef, always ready to help and flexible to accommodate our needs. This is an excellent choice. You will never regret it. We had a marvelous time with Philomen's agency.
FR
Email P.a | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Philemon has been attentive and very flexible in building a journey that reflects our request.
Philemon was attentive and very flexible to build a course that reflects our demand for sites of interest and type of accommodation. He is a man of confidence and it was a beautiful stay.
Remember to ask the driver to stop to benefit more, he adapts to the marathon pace does not suit you. Flat: shame about half a day in a park without seeing anything ...
(automatic translation from French)
FR
Email Nat. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service
We booked a safari for the Arusha National Park at the last minute. Philemon was very accomodating and managed to fullfil all our requests (such as drop off of some of us at the airport and others in Arusha). The driver was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. In addition to having a beautiful visit throughout the park, we also learnt about plants, local culture, and many other.
Highly recommended
Email Ian (and Jenny) | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Glad we chose Aardvark!
My wife and I considered dozens of tour companies. Glad we went with Aardvark! We told the Manager (Philemon) our budget and preferences, and within hours he replied with a customised itinerary that met our needs. He provided a great, well-stocked Landcruiser with lots of space. Our driver (Donatus) was very friendly, professional, and was honestly masterful at spotting wildlife we otherwise would have missed. He genuinely wanted us to have the best possible safari experience and really went out of his way (and off the beaten track) to achieve that. Also, the hotels they arranged looked good on TripAdvisor, but were even better in person, and the “budget” tented lodges in the parks seemed pretty luxurious to us! One recommendation would be for the driver to share more information at the start of the journey and at the start of each day, so we’d know more about driving durations and what routes in the parks we was planning. The distances are vast, and if you’re not careful you can get pretty wiped out, but if you proactively ask for this, I’m sure Aardvark would accommodate. Thanks for the memories!
CH
Email Rimma | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip of my life
Our Kilimanjaro climb and then three days safari that we booked with Aardvark Expeditions were unforgettable! The whole trip was very well organized, Philemon answered our questions in detail in a very short time and gave us good tips. Our escort team was very friendly, competent and helpful. My daughter and I felt very comfortable and well looked after during the ascent to Kilimanjaro. We learned a lot about nature, life and the culture in Tanzania and had a lot of fun. Our cook Erik surprised us every day with a new delicious dish. And so we were well strengthened and made it to the top. We thank all team members for the unforgettable experience!
The subsequent three days of safari were very impressive and went just as smoothly. Thanks Philemon! The Aardvark expedition did an excellent job.
CH
Email Polina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best possible start into a new year
We hiked up mount Kilimanjaro on the Machame route and reached the summit on day 6 of the hike. This was followed by a 2 day safari in Ngorongoro crater and Tarangire National Park.
Philemon of Aardvark Expeditions organized an unforgettable start into the new year for us. The communication with him and the organization of our stay was impeccable. He was always reachable and on time. Everything went very smoothly.
Philemon put together a great team of guides and porters who made our hike on mt. Kilimanjaro possible. Matthew and Fred guided us up to the peak, while taking our abilities and stamina into account. At all times we felt safe and in good hands. We also had a great time, joking around and learning about Tanzania, mt. Kilimanjaro, its flora and fauna. The support of the whole team, the very delicious and fresh food, prepared by our chef Erick and the great equipment (tents, mats, toilet, etc.) made the hike very comfortable and enjoyable for us. We did not have to worry about anything. Seeing the sun rise while hiking up mt Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After this memorable moment of our lifes we went on a 2 day safari in Ngorongoro crater and in the Tarangire National Park. On just one day we saw 4 of the "big five". We were very close to the wildlife. It was an incredible experience, which we will remember for ever.
The accommodation Philemon chose for us in Arusha (Tulia) and the lodge during the safari were amazing.
Overall the entire trip exceeded our expectations in all regards. Thank you Philemon and team for creating this unforgettable experience for us!!!
RU
Email Ivan & mama Ivan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good for first time in Tanzania. From Russia with best wishes.
Our first trip to Tanzania. I really wanted to visit a Safari, see animals in their natural habitat, not in a zoo! Safari tour was booked at the last moment, having received preliminary information from the site SafariBookings.com. several companies responded Promptly, one of them Aardvark Expeditions. Head Philemon Joel (Philemon) immediately contacted us on WatsApp, we discussed the details of the tour and accommodation options. Philemon went to meet us without taking an advance payment, because to make a payment through the Bank did not have time, as well as experience of such payments. Upon arrival in Arusha, Philemon and driver Urio met us at the airport and took us to our hotel! By the way, the transfer from the airport to the hotel and back Philemon organized absolutely free. The next three days we spent in the company of Urio, following the program of our tour. The first day at Tarangire National Park was amazing with stunning views of the African Savannah, with majestic baobabs. We watched as herds of zebras and Wildebeest steadily go to water and back, not paying attention to the passing cars of tourists. At noon they watched a group of elephants hiding from the sun in the shade of trees. Another group of young elephants were looking for water in the bed of a dry river. Baboons strolled along the road in their large family, and surprised ostriches peered warily into our faces) at noon Urio carefully arranged for us to have lunch in a special area. We refreshed ourselves and continued our acquaintance with the territory of this beautiful Park. Urio told us about animals, their habits, embellishing their stories with ancient legends. In the evening we stayed overnight at Eileen's Trees Inn.
On the second day our way lay in the crater Ngorongoro. The territory of the crater is represented by habitats of different animals. Here we managed to see a pride of lions resting by the stream at noon. Very impressed hyenas and warthogs, which in the wild look even more bizarre than on TV) Vast territory of the crater, which during the day move thousands of different animals. The views are breathtaking. Unfortunately, our car was not equipped with a radio and we had to circle around a huge area in the hope of seeing a Rhino and giraffes. At the same time, some cars were equipped with walkie-talkies and could more quickly come to the location of the animals. At noon there was lunch again, and unfortunately it was not different variety from the previous day: sad dry chicken, fruit and dessert. Very upset by the lack of a thermos with hot tea or coffee( the question of food is worth considering for the future, because the whole day on dry rations, not everyone can stand.
On the final day we visited Lake Manyara. Here at last we were fortunate enough to see giraffes and huge herds of elephants going to drink. Surprisingly, this small Park struck most of all, because here it was possible to observe the animals in close proximity to the car. The roof of our car tilted up and it was possible to establish direct visual contact with animals passing by. It was the same sad lunch…
In General, the tour was very pleasant, except for small comments on the organization. Aardvark Expeditions has the potential for growth and quality improvement, but in a highly competitive environment, the service provided and the price look very attractive.
Don't be afraid to go to Tanzania, friends! And we are already planning another trip at the end of the rainy season to visit Serengeti…)
/mr. Ivan & mama Ivan
US
Email Dottie K | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great company and great experience
As a solo female traveler, I chose Aardvark Expeditions Ltd. because I wanted to book an extensive and safe, adventure filled trip to Tanzania. I, also, wanted to use a company that was locally owned by a Tanzanian, and not a US or UK based company, all for a reasonable price. Aardvark Expeditions exceeded my expectations on all fronts. From the first email, the owner of the company, Philemon Joel, responded to my every question promptly and respectfully. My entire trip was arranged for me starting with a hike to the summit of Kilimanjaro, then to a safari, then to a relaxing beach on Zanzibar. The price tag for all of this was much less than other companies I researched, sometimes by almost half. All in-country travel was included in the price, so I had no need to arrange for taxi service at airports. All meals while on the mountain and on the safari were, also, included. My hotel, Arusha Giraffe Lodge in Arusha was wonderful! Comfortable and cheap with a very attentive staff. I was picked up by my guide, Freddy, and the rest of my porter team to head to the mountain. My climb up Kilimanjaro was amazing. Freddy was extremely knowledgeable about the mountain and had been to the summit over 250 times. I was provided with fresh fruit and veggies daily, along with hot water for tea, coffee, or hot chocolate every morning and night, as well as daily water to wash. The meals were delicious, variable, and filling and the team was strong and kind. With the help of Freddy and Chobias, I was able to make it all the way to the top. My safari guide was, also, very knowledgeable about each eco-system at all of the parks we visited, including Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara. The accommodations while on safari were fabulous and very comfortable and all the delicious meals included. I was able to view, close up, all the animals one would want to see while visiting this area of the world, including; elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebra, etc. Transportation to Zanzibar went with no problems, and I was picked up to spend 1 night in Stonetown at the Tembo House Hotel which was beautiful and right on the beach and had a historic walking tour arranged, and then transferred to the Z Hotel in Nungwi Beach for 3 days of rest and relaxation. Aardvark Expeditions kept me safe, kept me happy, and made it affordable for me to take the trip of a lifetime. Thanks Philemon for all your hard work arranging all of this for me. I will be back!
US
Email Chete | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic!
Really great and awesome experience!! With many safari companies, we were really apprehensive choosing one but Aardvark company really made our trip. They went over and beyond to make sure we had a great time. Philemon the manager and Orio our driver were superb in every way - picking us and dropping us off at the airports( we came through the two different airports) as promised. The lodges we stayed in were really nice. The lodge in Arusha simply spectacular - excellent food and service - at affordable price. Our driver Orio very well versed in the local history and of the parks. I can't say enough how much we enjoyed our trip and many thanks to Aardvark. The trip was very affordable (compared to others we saw online) and well worth every penny. We'll be back!! Chete.