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
US
Email Viral | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fraudulent Thief- Don’t Risk It
Here are the reasons why choosing this safari option is just not worth risking for your once in a lifetime trip:
1. Broken down cars (ours broke down and needed to be serviced mid-trip). He will try to say this didn’t happen - well, it did, and we have photos and videos to prove it. We had to wait so long before it was repaired.
2. Broken radio, You will be the only car in the park that can't communicate with other other guides in the park (which will severely limit your ability to see wildlife). We had agreed that a radio would be in the car - and he guaranteed this, but told us it was broken after we had driven 5 hours and were in the park so there was no turning back.
3, Tiny windows (like being in a plane), other operators have jeeps with windows twice the size. Im 5'9 and had to hunch to see anything. He will try to say Tanzania requires all cars must be the same model, this is just not true. Look at photos yourself!
4. Philemon tried to put up into a budget lodge after we specifically discussed the lodges we wanted to be in (and had a written contract). We agreed to the lodges and then he tried to make last minute changes to get us in a cheaper one. What a joke!
5. Philemon tried to cut out a full day of our itinerary (we paid for 5 days, but to save money on park fees etc, he tried to persuade us the safari was only a 4 day trip). We agreed to itinerary e tried to change when we were mid way through!
6. Philemon will require you pay in full upfront. And he is very sweet to work with to start, but once he gets paid in full, he will ignore you and you will receive terrible service from him.
There are so many other operators, just dont risk your once in a lifetime trip. We chose this company because of the tripadvisor reviews, but it appears that they may not all be true. While out on safari, we did meet several couples/families who had chosen Leopard Tours and seemed to love it. They had modern cars, working radios, and very intelligent and knowledgeable guides. We cant vouch for them since we didnt use them, but I would try anything else but this!
Really disappointed.
Just don't risk it.
US
Email Zairina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent adventure and trip of a lifetime!
Last year, Philemon has helped me to organize a Kilimanjaro hike. The hike was scheduled in December 2017, although the booking was made months prior. Communication was great, and Philemon was transparent regarding what was included and what was not, and also his recommendations. No one could have done it better.
I chose the 6 day Machame route for Kilimanjaro, which offers 5 different terrains and beautiful scenery throughout the hike. My guide, Agrev was very knowledgable about the mountains and we chatted throughout the entire hike. The team consists of 5 porters and a chef. The team was very friendly and my stay on the mountain was very comfortable. The chef cooked delicious meals, 3 times a day for me. I truly enjoyed the varieties of what was served all the 6 days I was on the mountain. It was a successful hike and I summited on the 5th day.
Thanks to Aardvark for making my trip unforgettable, showing me your beautiful country and giving me the best experience. A shoutout and a big thank you to the guide, Agrev, the chef-Simon and porters (Musa, Chobiz, Tadois, Alfredi and Andrew) for a wonderful week in Kilimanjaro.
CA
Email Shelley | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Personal, flexible and friendly to ensure all needs are met.
Philemon came to our hotel at Arusha Giraffe Lodge to help us organize a taste of NE Tanzania within our limited budget. Philemon was flexible and informative when discussing our options. He treated us to some local culture during our stay as well which was above and beyond. Charles was our guide for Arusha National Park and a more passionate man would be hard to find. His knowledge and pride in Tanzania was astounding making you feel honoured to be there. Efficient, hospitable and professional people make Aardvark Expeditions the company to make your time in Tanzania a once in a lifetime experience.
FR
Email Francis Z | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Greatest trip of our life thanks to Aardvark Expeditions
After many searches of local safari operators, we chose Aardvark Expeditions Limited because of the good reviews on the internet. Let me tell you that we have been able to verify this and that we are extremely satisfied with our choice.
Philemon has been a great help in organizing our tailor-made private safari. Thanks to our rare kindness guide Masewa, we had the pleasure of discovering the Tarangire, the Ngorongoro conservation area, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. We were able to admire at our own pace and with the precious advices of Masewa, landscapes, animals and people as wonderful as each other. The hotels and lodges chosen by Philemon were just perfect. The service? irreproachable. To sum up, we had the most beautiful trip of our life, thanks to Aardvark, which we highly recommend without hesitation.
US
Email Tom and Dawn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of our best travel experiences.
Philemon organized our trip brilliantly to be where the migration was headed and put us in the best locations to see wildlife. Our driver/guide Amani had a good eye for spotting the animals and seemed to know intuitively where the best angle for photos would be. Our experience went well beyond the Big Five to animals we had only hoped to see and some we didn't know at all.
Starting at Lake Manyara, we went to Tarangire Park, then to the Serengeti, then Ndutu Lake, and finally Ngorongoro Crater. All the accommodations were exceptional. The people working at them were courteous and helpful. The food was very good to amazing, as in the case of Lake Ndutu Luxury Tented Camp.
Thank you so much for one our best travel experiences.
DE
Email Holger | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
perfect spontaneous trip to Tanzania
I had a spontaneous trip to Tanzania for 13 days. Aardvark Expeditions had only 3 days to plan this journey and to respect my personal wishes. The result: A perfect trip with a mix of Safari, history and culture. I had safaris in: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, 2 days Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater and Arusha national park. And I've seen the big five and many more different animals in a kind, that I never expected to see. I had also a stop at the Olduvai gorge, Stoped at a Massai village and had different walks around Arusha and Kilimanjaro. I stood in some very nice places ovbernight. Especially serengeti Katikati, Sangaiwe tended camp and the destination 3 degrees in Arusha. I want to thank my driver Amani, a perfect gamedriver and a very kind person, Mr. Philemon who planed this all out for me and the Team of the destination 3 degrees to make me feel at home in Tanzania. And I'll sure come back to Tanzania with Aardvark.
SE
Email Johanna Staxäng | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great safari experience!
We are very satisfied with our safari experience, both the experienced guide that was fantastic, but also the contact with the organisation. They are a very reliable company, easy to get in touch with and helping you to find the best solution. They arranges transport, accommodation and safaris with high quality and we got to see lots of animals and wonderful nature.
We would definitely choose the same company if we would go on safari again!
Email Dr. N. du Toit | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Most wonderful safari experience
Philemon was very friendly,always punctual and most helpful in organising the trip and arranging the accomodations in the game reserve.We visited the Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater , and Lake Manyara.Our driver and guide, Vitalis was very professional, knowledgable and drove very safely.He was very kind and patience with our little son and taught him many things.On short notice ,Philemon even arranged our accomodation in Zanzibar.We have no hesitation in recommending Aardvark expeditions.
Email Bwana O | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Ascent of Mount Meru, group from US Embassy Tanzania, 20-22MAY2016
Many kudos to Philemon and his team at Aardvark Expeditions. We were a group of seven from the US Embassy and Philemon made our hike up Meru extremely enjoyable. Every detail was accounted for and well-articulated to our group before, during, and after the trip. The guide leader, Freddie, was kind, well-experienced and a great judge of the group's motivation and capability throughout the climb. All facilities were more than adequate and the food provided on the trip was top quality. I would recommend Aardvark over all other companies for this and similar expeditions. Thanks! Bwana O.
DE
Email Nora Kruschwitz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Safari Experience with Aardvark Expeditions Limited
Hello Aardvark Expeditions Team, thank you very much for putting together an absolutely perfect trip for us in Tanzania. We can't stop discussing the animals we have seen on safari in your beautiful country, the landscape of Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Area, the conservation efforts, the people and initiatives we saw in Maasai area. Because our trip was private, we were able to have in- depth conversations with people which gave us an insight one wouldn't get on a group tour.
What was important in planning this trip was the time your staff took with us to develop exactly what we wanted. We would like to say thank you for a wonderful safari experience. We think we got the best Safari Driver Guide - not just because you have a UPS and computer memory chip in your brain, and the BEST eyesight, but also because of your Big Smile, your happy personality and jokes.
We appreciate that you looked after us, we will highly recommend Aardvark Expeditions to anybody we meet.
Nora Kruschwitz