Kilisa Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range & luxury tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $192 to $569 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Austin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Tanzania Experience
When a friend and I were looking for a company to partner with to summit Kilimanjaro and have a great safari experience, we were looking for a solid combination of knowledgeability, responsiveness to our questions, and a sense that the company would go above and beyond to make our experience one we wouldn’t forget.
The team at Kilisa was very responsive in getting us prepared for our trip, answering all of our questions around Kili routes (we chose the Lemosho 7 day trek), logistics, rental equipment, safari (we did a 3 day to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara), etc. When we got to Tanzania, the pre climb and pre safari info sessions were helpful in ironing out any final details that needed to be discussed.
It was super convenient to be picked up and dropped off wherever you needed to go, and we felt like we didn’t even need to think about logistics while we were there. Even when we had to run errands to grab things like a charger, or pick up cash, or even experience the local culture, Kilisa made sure we got what we needed.
For the Kili climb: Our guides Goodluck and Dennis were knowledgeable about the mountain routes, wildlife and plant life and gave us a great education as we went along. They were also great conversation and entertained us along the way. And the rest of the team was supportive as well, while we were on the mountain we felt like everything was taken care of and we didn’t have to worry about anything but personally making it up to the summit. The whole team was just friendly and nice and I feel like we made bunch of new friends on the trip
For the safari: our guide Richard was capable and knowledgeable and had an answer to every Question we had about wildlife or plant life. He made sure that we saw everything that we came to see including Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, rhino, Buffalo, and more. And he was super friendly. We ended up eating dinner and breakfast with him several times on safari, while most other guides were hanging out together at a separate table apart from their own guests. It goes without saying that the wildlife and scenery was amazing! And the weather cooperated the entire time.
Overall our experience with Kilisa could not have been better and it was a vacation I’ll never forget.
FR
Email Francisco | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mountain Beauty. Perfect
Amazing experience with Kilisa tours
We were a group of 3 people from France, who made the 7-day ascent of the Lemosho route - descent Mweka Kilimanjaro Trek.
Climbing Kilimanjaro under the Kilisa circuits was fabulous because we really had a great experience and we got the best service. Naick, who is the owner of the company, contacted us all the time and the communication was easy as he made all the logistical arrangements and the price was absolutely reasonable in addition
This trip exceeded my expectations
Everything was well planned, from arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfers to the hotel and back and of course the duration of the trek
The route that we chose is very picturesque each day presented different sites. And this route helped us acclimatize to the high altitude and increased our chances of success before trying to Uhuru Peak.
The food was delicious and varied every day, served with fruits and vegetables, including coffee and tea. I couldn't believe how creative the chef was at producing hot food on the mountain.
In general, we could not have asked for a better guide and a better team than those in Kilisa
The hike was great, it was a great success to stand at the top and we could not have done it without the support of this team
we were strong and fit and for that we finished the hike a day earlier. And even after the hike, Naick was kind enough to invite us home and had dinner with his family
It made for a truly remarkable experience.
We had a great trip to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and even after.
I would highly recommend this company without any hesitation.
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Mar 6, 2020Hello
Francisco, thank you for taking your time to leave us such a kind review
It is our intention to offer the great service so that our guests can still enjoy their Experiences and have great memories once they are back home.
Thanks for choosing us.
Kind Regards
Juliana
Email Luke | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don't hesitate - just book!
I booked a trip with Kilisa and it turned out to be the best decision. Kilisa Tours looked after me from the outset all the way through to the summit and even a few days after as I finished the tour early. I did my research and chose Kilisa for the quality of the guides, the routes they offer and the flexibility of the dates. I was able to choose any day i wanted. We had incredible weather throughout the tour even some hail and snow to make Kilimanjaro look even more beautiful. The whole team were incredible, friendly and sooo helpful. Bakari the guide became a good friend and knew all the spots for phone signal on the trek. We successfully summited and i cant say a bad thing about the whole experience. Don't hesitate, just book with Kilisa direct and enjoy your trip!
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello Luke
we are so appreciative for you taking the time to leave us such a kind review. also thrilled that your Experience regarding Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb with Kilisa's team went well and that you were all satisfied with provided services.
More than anything, we want to bring family and friends together through the adventures. And we Thank you for choosing us. Our staff loved sharing quality time with you! I’m so glad everything from arrival to departure surpassed your expectations.
Thank You for the recommendation
Kind Regards
Juliana
US
Email Landon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Most Amazing Time! Kilisa Tours & Safaris
I just got back yesterday from my amazing adventure...the Trek was sooo beautiful I climbed Kilimanjaro with Kilisa tours..I had a great experience with the locals and the staff were wonderful..the porters , cooks made me feel like family..
So I came in November and i was not able to have my friends climb with me as I previously thought I would.. I was thinking I would feel alone.. But all of the staff made me feel right at home.. I am so greatful to have made friends with them, they created a great experience that I will remember for my entire life.
The route climbed was called Machame, it was a 7 days.. I wouldn't have made it with out the support of the staff and guides, they were so positive and had good vibes, always smiling I'm happy to have met these wonderful people.
The Trek was a big Challenge because i had never been up in such a high altitude..but very Amazing...word of advice "RESPECT THE MOUNTAIN" once again I'm glad I had to help from (Ramadhan) and the Kilisa Tour group Team, they allowed me to fully experience the mountain life. The whole Team took very good care of me.
The Porters always had camp set up and ready for rest.
The Cook prepared a top notch meal.. Just what I needed to refresh my body.I was given my meals with kindness from the server... It was soo good..I ate better on the Climb than I did when I was in town.I have Absolutely NO COMPLAINTS.
I am very greatful for the experience that I was given with the Kalisa Team and all tge memories and friends I will keep from my trip..a wonderful trek from the bottom of Kilimanjaro to the Uhuru peak.
I never would have made with out you guys!
Much Thanks!!
I had a Amazing experience with great food,experienced guides who were very kind,I Highly recommend booking Kilisa Tours for anyone who wants to have the experience that I have been given.
Kilisa is Highly recommended, I will definitely go back................. 5 stars
Thank you again Kilisa Tours!!!!
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello Landon
We are so glad to hear that you had a great experience with us. We train hard to make sure our team operates efficiently—glad to know it’s working with the positive feedback.
Thank you for your kind review
Regards
Juliana
Kilisa Tours... Trip of a lifetime
What a great experience!
I was a solo traveler looking to join a group of other solo travelers and I booked with Kilisa tours. Turns out our group was pretty small, it was just me and 1 other person but this turned out to be perfect
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello Orla
Many thanks for leaving us such a great review ..
we're so delighted
Besides you should have seen Kulwa's [Chef] reaction when i read him his compliment as his smile was wide as the ocean, lol!
But anyways! Thank you so much for being appreciative with the service you had at Kilisa Tours as we always strive to do better and we're thrilled that that we managed to hit the mark
Needless say: It was really nice and pleasure serving you most of all we thank you for choosing us at a first place :)
COME BACK WHEN THE CHANCES ARISE, YOU'RE ALREADY MISSED [YOU LEFT THE MARK]
Rgds
Juliana [Kilisa Tours &Safaris]
TH
Email Suchera | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I had a wonderful time in Tanzania with Kilisa Tours & Safaris especially the days at Kilimanjaro Mt
The safari was wonderful. We all had an amazing time. It was all fantastic - 10/10 for all aspects.
- Too much food, nice food. ;P
Thank you very much. We are looking forward to recommending your services to our friends and family as soon as they need it. Thank you once again!
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello
Suchera, I can’t thank you enough for your kind review and recommendation
Many thanks
Juliana
Email Oleg | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We all made it to the top of Kili!
Kilisa Tours organized a 6 days hike to the top of Kilimanjaro for us. It was a private hike for a group of 4 friends. Below are a few reasons why I would recommend this company.
1) All 4 of us made it to the top of the mountain.
2) It was very easy to communicate with the owner - Naick. I sent probably over 40 emails with requests, questions and clarifications. He was always supportive and answered within a day or two.
3) The original tour packages can be customized to your preference. It was my second attempt to get to the top. Based on my first unsuccessful experience 3 years ago I had a lot of customizations to the official program. All my requests were taking into account and Naick created an adjusted just for us hiking package.
4) We had very experienced guides. They had much advice to make sure we all get to the top. The food from the chef was also good.
5) Everyone in the group had a different level of physical preparation. One of the guys spent just 4 hours in total walking around London when he was "preparing" for the hike. And he made it to the top. To be honest, I'm not sure what kind of stronger arguments could be to show the level of Kilisa Tours even if a guy with 4 hours training made it to the top with them.
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello
Oleg, Thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback ..
But seriously those are some of the nicest things anyone has ever said about us.
Thanks a bunch!!
Next Time The chances arises and you happen to be here! Please, come see Us
Rgds
Juliana
CA
Email Ruben Ch | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Im very happy to choose Kilisa,
Naick was extremely helpful since my first e-mail 2 years ago, had some one pick me up at the airport at midnight with just hrs of notice, always concern and worry of my well been, always on time. Choose got hotels for me to stay,
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello Reuben
Thank you for Taking your time to leave us such a kind review and 5-Star rating
Many thanks
Kind Regards
Juliana
Friendly, knowledgable and the most accommodating tour company in moshi
Communications: The communications were fantastic, we (we were a 2) and booked quick quickly on arrival to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Naick the tour operator was only too accommodating in regards to price as well as in regards to the fact that a few other people pulled out of the group but it was still arranged for the climb to occur. On arrival we were greeted at the bus terminal and then taken to the hotel.
Tour itself: Kibobo our tour guide was abasolutely fantastic, tales of the mountain, taking us at the pace we required. The rest of the staff were also great organising every prior to getting to camp most days so that everything was ready as we walked in. All the support staff do a fabulous job.
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello
Mitch, Many thanks for leaving us such a well detailed review
Having you say nice tnings about our company means everything to Us as a local tour company that strive to do better and we are glad that you felt the support , comfortability, encouraged and most of all prioritized! we're so appreciative of all that
Can't thank you enough ..
Sincerely
Kilisa Tours
US
Email Amy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kilisa Tours and Safaris should be avoided!
I had a horrible experience with Kilisa Tours and Safaris. Originally I had booked with them because they had received such positive reviews from Trip Advisor. They also offered cheap prices and I decided to go on a safari with them, but I am glad that I didn't book with them to do Kilimanjaro otherwise they would have definitely botched it up.
Twelve days before my trip, they informed me via email that my hotel was changed from Moshi to Arusha and that the tour group decided to start a day earlier. I had been doing Mt. Meru and Kilimanjaro so I had no email access, and went to the hotel that they booked me in Moshi. I was told that I was booked for Moshi by Kilisa tours, but there was not room for me and I had to go to another hotel.
After Naick was told, he tried to tell me I should have gotten the email and I explained that I had no Internet access since I came to Africa. I was tired after my 8 day Kilimanjaro trip, and he claimed that the Lemosho route that I had done should have finished at 5AM. That isn't true as I didn't finish until 2PM that day with another group as we went back to the gate, and then had lunch before I was dropped off to my hotel.
So instead of staying at the Key's Hotel, in Moshi (which I was originally told) and had a high standard, I was booked to stay in Arusha Centre Inn in Arusha which is a much lower caliber hotel. However, I was not told this, and the price that I paid for the safari did not change.
I was also asked if I brought $875 in cash to pay for the trip. I had not been informed via email to do this, and asked if I could pay by credit card. Instead, I was told that to avoid a surcharge, I would pay for the park admission which would total $875. I was not told that I would be paying for the park admission of the other people on the tour and my tour guide.
I was not told that the safari was going to be with other people and it was thru another company that wasn't associated with Kilisa. I thought all of these other tourists were from Kilisa tours. I was driven to Lake Manyara to catch the tour group on their second day of the safari since I had missed the first day.
They were staying at the Sunbright campsite which offered a cabin. I was given a cabin initially, but when two people in my group complained that they had a cabin before, but were then designated to stay in a tent, the manager asked me to move to the tent and to give the two people the cabin. I was sick and had a cough (after finishing my Kilimanjaro trip) and despite that these two people paid less than me, I had to move.
For the next 2 days I ended up sharing a tent with 2 other people on the trip that I didn't know.
When I went to pay at one of the park gates, I was told to pay $10 more than Kilisa had informed me. Although that shouldn't be a big deal, I did not like how the driver had forced me to just pay, and not question it. I was angry and said that at the next park gate, I would pay $10 less so that I would not be overcharged. The driver did not like that and insisted that I pay what I was told to pay.
On the last day, at 9:40AM at Ngorongoro Crater, our safari car had broken down. Our driver called his friend to pick us up and take us back for brunch at 11AM. The friend just drove us back to our campsite and we didn't do anymore sight-seeing. Then when the driver got back with the safari car repaired, we had to be driven back to Arusha and end the trip.
I asked for a refund as I paid for 4 days for the safari, and on the last day, since the safari car broke down, we could not explore Ngrongoro Crater much at all. I brought this up to Naick who tried to claim that the second safari car had taken us around Ngorongoro but I insisted that it only drove us back to the camp site. Then Naick said that the blame was actually for this man from another company who actually run the trip, and that man refused to refund me saying no one had ever complained about the trip.
At the end of the day, I wish that I hadn't booked with Kilisa as there were these screw ups with the hotel and also having a cheap safari car that broke down. Also, since the safari car was overloaded with 5-6 passengers (sometimes with the cook too) and luggage, I did not get to see the animals properly nor take as good pictures as I expected to.
Stay away from this company!
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello Amy
Thank you for your review,
We would like to extend to you our most sincere apologies regarding the issue with your safari and frustrating experience you had with us
We'll use the Feedback and strive to do better while ensure this doesn't happen again
If you would be willing to talk further, please contact me at reservation@kilisatours.com
Sincerely
Juliana