Our Team
Swahili Paradise Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2001)
- Member Of:
- TTB & ATTO
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IE
Email Michelle | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent safari for anyone looking to cover a lot in a short amount of time
We did a one night two day safari including transfers from our lodge in Zimbabwe. It was excellent from start to end. Easy booking and great communication answering all of my questions I had! We did two game drives and a boat safari, lunch was included each day in a 5 star resort too! All of the staff were super professional and checked in regularly to make sure we had the best experience possible! We saw so many animals up close elephants, giraffe, impala, lions and little lion cubs! We were lucky and saw leopards too. It was an amazing experience!
IT
Email Enrico | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
UNRELIABLE
I really need to write this review because tourists need to know that Swahili Paradise and Tours is completely UNRELIABLE and with a TERRIBLE ORGANIZATION.
In summary:
- our contact Jimmy disappeared once we did the payment
- No timely answer about how to pay the balance amount that finally had to be payed with their own personal exchanging rate (+10%)
- Lodge with employees that does not speak English and not helping during 2 blackouts and not working showers
- Wrong informations about how to use the showers in the lodge
- Terrible organization to collect our luggage
- Employees asking for the wrong amount of money (they discounted 3$ on an amount of 665$) and after all that we were asked for the remaining 3$.
- After all that, Jimmy did not even understand that there were SOME problems
- Before writing this review we gave Jimmy a feedback about the whole experience and he did nothing to improve the situation
I WOULD ADVISE YOU NOT TO TRUST THIS COMPANY.
Email Katherine | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip!
I had a great time as a solo traveller; my driver, James was brilliant and so helpful.
The safari itself was amazing. They were able to secure fuel during a shortage which was really tricky.
PT
Email Susana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flexibility of service, great safari, value for money
We received a quote for the safari we selected and for the days we needed. The value us similar to the one we found online. The info provided is accurate, most of the information needed is in the document of the quote. Payment can be done by revolut or bank transfer. Sometimes the exchange of information is slow, either by email or whatsapp, but it arrives. There was a small issue when we paid by bank transfer. The company said it was missing 10 dollars, even tough it was transferred. This was the negative point we found, because I never saw a proof of the amount they received from my bank transfer. Swahili Paradise offered us to stay in their hostel in Arusha by 15 dollars a night with breakfast. It is an ok place, but in a slum, which means to arrive and leave from there only by car. No chance to buy anything around to eat and we hardly had electricity while we were there. Despite we booked the night before and after the safari, we decided to stay in the city center when we returned from the safari, as it is too much remote and we needed dinner. In that case we did not ask for the 15 dollars back. Still, in the day the safari started, we had transport arranged by Swahili Paradise to take us to the meeting point. The safari was amazing. As far as I understand they booked it to another company - Arunga. Our guide was spectacular - Ali or the Serengeti master as he says. He knew everything about Serengeti and Ngorongo. This is the experience I will take with me. But when we book the safari we don't know these details regarding who takes us.
BE
Email Aline Demeulenaere | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bad organisation
Sorry but I wasn’t that happy with how the safari went .. Everyday another jeep with another driver and other peoples, the planning changed totally from day 1 without any communication or plan. I slept on other campsites then my planning said, every morning I had to search by myself to my driver and nobody knew anything. Everyday we left very late (also not on the planning). And my driver forgot to pick me up at lake manyara to Serengeti so I’m not that happy
DE
Email Irving Vives | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They did a good follow up.
I did not do the safari directly with them. I was redirected to Suricatas. So I cannot say much about Swahili Paradise.
US
Email Erica | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Brilliant Start to the New Year!
I had an absolute blast on the safari. It was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life!
Steve and Mary picked me up from the airport and it was perfectly organized and smooth sailing. Any hiccups were easily dealt with.
I'm a solo traveler and thought there would be a group on these dates, but the group changed their plans. I paid extra for the private tour and it was worth it!! I had the van to myself and Steve was a lot of fun and added so much to the trip with his good sense of humor and professionalism. It was like going with a good friend who knows where the animals are and a lot about their nature.
I like camping and stayed in the budget camp. I enjoyed it and spent New Year's Eve around the camp fire with other local and international travelers.
Luck was on our side and we saw so many amazing animals. I'm filled with gratitude. It was the perfect way to start the year!
LU
Email Reka | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and well organized
The safari was amazing, well organised and completely worth the money we paid. The crew was super nice and attentive!
RO
Email Arman | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent!
Reliable, punctual...
Transfer vehicle is comfortable, tour guides are competent. Everything was all right. Accommodation lodge was so comfortable..
Thanks for jimy and friendly driver iusuf..
I had amazing tour.
Email Nathalie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
untrustworthy
I booked this 3 day tour, clearly stating that because I was alone I wanted to join a group. I received my itinerary in advance, 1 day: drive to the National park followed by a driving safari from afternoon to the evening. Day 2 driving all day, day 3 return.
2 days before the start of the safari, I got a message saying that the plan had changed, the people I was supposed to be with had changed their mind, and therefore I would go on a walking safari on the first day as "it would be great and I would be closer to the animals".
On arrival, the ranger laughed at me as I was in trainers. What I did not know was that due to the rain season the terrain was muddy and I would need boots, which I did not have. I managed to borrow a pair that were 2 sizes too small and we went off anyway. Again due to the rain season the grass was very high and almost impossible to walk, suffice to say I saw absolutely nothing.
Jimmy the organiser knew this and when I told him this was not ok, the reaction was that as I was alone I was costing him too much and what I had paid for did not cover his expenses. This should not have been my concern. Thankfully day 2 was very good but only due to a great guide Amir. Also any local will tell you that safari is either early morning or evening, not all day. Jimmy is not honest and you should chose another tour.