Hilary and Martin - owners of Suricata Safaris
Suricata Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $190 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
ES
Email Pablo M | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing days with Suricata Safaris
There are many safari companies and Suricata Safaris was one of our finalist among other 3-4 companies. Finally, after reading a lot and solve our doubts, we chose Suricata for our Tanzanian adventure! Communication before the safari was good and once we arrived everything was smooth and as planned. We were pick up at airport and drop off at a hotel to rest after the flight. Next day, we started the safari and it was a unique experience! Our driver, Frederic, was really good at driving and he answered all our questions and explained many things about the National Parks, the animals and the landscapes. Benjamin, our cooker, took care of us and prepared delicious meals, always kidding and with a smile! Both were very kind and proffessional. The car was clean and in excellent condition (I don't know if it was new, but probably 1-2 years). Resuming, we had an amazing safari with Suricata and of course we saw the big five!! I strongly recommend a safari with them, if I go back to Tanzania again I'll repeat with Suricata :)
TR
Email Nihal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
so happy to be a part of an environment where wild life is still respected
When you are choosing a safari company, in fact you are choosing a service to build up probably the most unforgetable trip of your life. I am happy that ours was a smart decision.
I should start with our guide Fredy: A very professional, knowledgable, cool and kind person! He spoke English very well, always gave lots of information about the animals, even showed their close-up pictures from his book, answered all our questions patiently, made sure to locate the car at the best angle for taking photos (and showing respect to people at the other cars and animals - which is so important to us), waited patiently while we took tons of pictures. Most importantly, he was more than a guide, a friend with nice character that we would like to have with us on a long holiday.
Our talented chef Chaz was a master. He always cooked very delicious food and made sure we had enough. He surprised us by serving tasty and special things very quickly even early in the morning. We will miss the excellent food we had during the safari. Also we will miss his joyful chats with Fredy.
We had a difficult time in choosing the safari company as there are about 1000 alternatives. When I decided on one and was about to pay, there had been a couple of things I did not like. I checked for an alternative and met Suricata. I thought it was a young company but experienced enough. Hilary answered my e-mails very promptly. He was flexible and did his best to tailor the programme according to our wishes. I noticed he is one of the founders and that made me feel more comfortable knowing that he will be there to solve any possible problem. I was right; there had been a small misunderstanding during the trip and was solved through a phone call between Fredy and Hilary. Paying the deposit was easy and safe and we did the rest of payment on arrival.
We were a family of 3 people and had an 8 days private safari including Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Lake Eyasi (tribe visits), Serengeti and Ngorongoro. These 8 days were full of magic. Surprisingly, visiting the tribes was the highlight of our trip. We met Maasai, Datoga, Hadzabe, Makonde and Gidangodic people and had a wonderful time with them. We learned the way they live. We went to hunting with Hadzabe, jumped with Maasai, sang with Datogas who asked many questions about ourselves and our country and we were warmly welcome by all tribes. We keep the souvenirs mostly done and sold by women for ourselves as they are so precious to us and all are a great memory.
During those visits local guides Deo and Yusuf (sorry if I mispronounce) accompanied and helped us to communicate as the tribes' languages are different. Also there was an armed ranger (Ali) and his intern who accompanied us in Arusha National Park for a walking safari.
While deciding about how to use our budget before the safari, we preferred budget camping. Doing so, we could take a longer trip rather than paying more for lodge-stays. We are happy we did. But you might prefer lodges if you do not feel cool and adventurous enough. In Serengeti and Ngorongoro you hear voices of wild animals just around your tent. In our case, something rare occurred and lions tried to hunt two buffalos very close to our tents and one animal hit the tent. We were lucky as nobody was hurt (buffalos also survived) and now we have a story to tell all through our life. Also we heard steps of many zebras feeding around our tents in Ngorongoro Simba Campsite.
Choosing November for safari also has been a wise decision. Although it is short-rains season, luckily there was no rain. Also the parks and public camp-sites were not over-crowded. The herds had already arrived Seronera region so we were lucky to experience the great migration.
And yes, we saw all of the "big 5" but a safari should be regarded not as an experience of seeing; but as feeling. It is hard to describe how happy we felt during all these 8 days. In most of the world, people have built up plazas and cities full of unhappiness. With a human-centric point of view, they left no space for wild life. We are lucky people who experienced to spend 8 days at a place on earth where things are different. We were able to be a part of an environment where wild life is still respected and preserved. And we would like to thank Fredy, Chaz, Hilary and the rest of the Suricata team who helped this dream to come true. Asante sana!
Email Ellie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing 3 day safari
An absolutely incredible 3 day safari! We went to the stunning Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and saw so many amazing animals in such a short time, including all of the Big Five. Our guide Lewis was knowledgable and friendly, and our chef Hilda was an excellent cook and excellent company. Loved it!
AR
Email Verónica Parache | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful experience, have wonderful moments, the atmosphere, the place and the service were excelen
Seeing giraffes and elephants was an unforgerttable experience.
SK
Email Maria | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lifetime experience
We booked 5 day safari with Suricata and it could not be better! It was one of the best experience we have ever had. Hilary and his team are doing a great job!
Night before and night after safari they booked us a lovely hotel with the most friendly staff.
From the first day we felt really comfortable and safe. Our guide Lewis and cook Hilda - they were amazing and we had so much fun. Lewis has a great knowledge and he answered every question. You can see that he loves his job. We were lucky and saw the big five, camped in the most beautiful places and ate delicious food cooked by Hilda. Everything was absolutely amazing.
After safari Hilary came to our hotel to make sure everything was fine and he organized a taxi drive for us for the next day to the airport.
Thank you very much for the amazing days we spent with you and we hope to see you again! We wish you all the best.
We recommend Suricata safari to everyone!
CH
Email Gabriella | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience with Suricata!
We’ve booked the 8 days, 7 night private tour with camping option.
Our driver, Fredi learned wildlife and could tell about / spot every animal.
He also had books in the car where he could show more information.
Our cook, Ben - we miss ever since. 3 meals a day, delicious, even too much.
The campsites are basic - but much better than I expected. Serengeti no warm water but that can be survived.
Hilary greeted us and organized airport shuttle also at the end of our tour.
He was flexible when we experienced difficulties with payments.
I’d recommend to anyone to book with Suricata Safari. Friendly, competent stuff and no negative remarks.
JP
Email Yoshi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Please confirm your itinerary carefully
We booked a 3 day tour exchanging mails with Suricata Safaris. We selected their tour from many options because they offered a tour with a luxury tented camp by a reasonable price in Safari booking.com. We carefully confirmed their offer many times before the booking, since a safari tour was our main purpose to go to Tanzania.
However, we realized they had prepared just a budget tent for us on arriving at a camp site in the evening on the first day. Here, what I want to say is that there might be difference between their offer shown in Safari booking.com and their actual tour. I recommend you to ask them to make precise itinerary for your tour in order to avoid any misunderstanding. I hope no one have such a disappointing experience anymore.
Finally, though I think it was quite expensive as a safari tour with the budget tent compared with other offers, the only salvation was quality of a driver and a cook.
Reply from Suricata Safaris
Posted on Nov 14, 2019We are very sorry to hear that you had a disappointing experience. our company offers safaris of certain quality standard and we are also very disappointed that you didn't enjoy it. we are briefly replying to your comments,
1. you booked this trip via safari bookings we received a quote for the private budget camping safari, we sent you an offer with all details day by day with the camping accommodation listed on each day you accepted it and confirmed as you can see below
On this 3-day camping safari you will be well looked after and see some of the best that Tanzania has to offer. You will experience breathtaking wildlife in the midst of some of the most diverse landscapes; monkeys in the forest, lions in trees, elephants among acacias and a huge variety of animals inside a collapsed volcano. Not only visit Serengeti and ngorongoro Parks but also drive into the world-famous rift valley.
DAY 1: ARUSHA-SRERENGETI
After the breakfast early in the morning our drive guide will drive you
from Arusha to Serengeti National Park Set out for the endless open
plains and stunning skies of the Serengeti. A good-looking four hour
drive, day game drive together with late evening game drive. Dinner
and overnight at Seronera Campsite.
DAY 2: SERENGETI-NGORORNGORO
Serengeti to Ngorongoro, after a relaxing morning and an early lunch,
proceed to Ngorongoro, our well proffessional and experienced driver will
drive you all through Serengeti way to Ngorongoro crater explain enroute
wildlife and natural beauty of Tanzania. We will spent the night on the
crater rim, dinner and overnight will be at Ngorongoro simba campsite.
DAY 3: NGORONGORO-ARUSHA
Ngorongoro Crater tour - back to Arusha. Early breakfast, proceed directly
to the Crater floor for a day crater tour with picnic lunches. Later
proceed back to Arusha.
Included in the tour package are:
• Camping Accommodations
• Meals: Full Board - Breakfast, Hot Lunch or Picnic Lunch and Dinner while on Safari
• All Transfers and Transport, Park Fees
• Game viewing activities as stated in the above tour/safari description
• Services of a Safari Driver/ Guide
• Safari tent, Safari cook and camping supplies
Not included in tour:
• International air fares
• Any required Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Items of a Personal Nature
• Tips to Staffs
What to bring:
• Appropriate clothing for Safari: A warm sweater as the nights can be chilly at high altitudes
• Sun Glasses
• Binoculars for better sightings
Send us your arrival time and date so that we can arrange pick up for you.
Looking forward for your positive reply.
2. As you can see the above itinerary is also published on safari bookings the same, after we sent you the above itinerary and a reasonable price that is on the site till now you confirmed right away and asked for our bank details so you could make the deposit in order to confirm your spot with us,
3. When you arrived on the 5th of September I came to your accommodation in Arusha and briefed you all about the tour and again I explained about the accommodations you were fine and never doubted,
4. when you arrived to Serengeti at 5.pm I received a call from our guide Lewis that we took you to a wrong accommodation I tried my best to explain you and resent you the itinerary we confirmed initial but unfortunately we could not understand each other because you had a language problem,
5. when you arrived to Arusha I asked you to have a talk about the situation but you said it happened and there is no way we could change anything and you promised when you get back hone you would review the emails and let me know if you find out anything but unfortunately you never replied to our emails that were following up the situation you ended up giving us a negative review,
6. our itinerary are well confirmed and well shown on safari bookings we hope that you would find out that we never intended to provide you a wrong service.
RU
Email Tatiana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable and fun company.
We booked a tour in advance from Russia. Choose between two companies. But the Meerkats turned out to be more sociable and efficient.
Partial prepayment will be required, but all tour operators need it, this is normal.
Hilary always answered extra. questions and nice chatted.
We took a tour for 2 nights and three days. Before and after the tour we were accommodated in a hotel, and also met, which was nice.
About the company:
1. A wonderful driver - Onesmo guide. Experienced, fast and fun. He talked about animals and the park in English, if you do not know English, this is not a problem, since there is enough to see. Thanks to our guide, we saw a lot of impressive moments.
2. Super cook Salim pleased with hot dinners. Everything is very tasty, there is a lot of food, we were satisfied!
3. The car is clean, sturdy and comfortable. We are even very used to it.
In general, I can recommend Surikata, feel free to take their tour.
The company is reliable, we were satisfied.
P.S: At night it is very very cold, you need to take warm clothes, preferably thermal underwear. Sleeping bags may not be very clean if you are squeamish, buy a sleeping bag liner or take your own. Ngorongoro Campsite has wifi and hot water. Take a towel and toilet paper (may run out).
RU
Email Roman | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was great!
Booked from St. Petersburg. Went for 3 days and 4 nights. Seregneti + NgoroNgoro. Arrived, met at the airport with a sign. Taken to the hotel. The hotel is simple, but you can sleep, there is warm water. The Internet at the hotel did not work, there was a lack of ip addresses. Maybe it was necessary to go down and that the thread was adjusted, but we did not. Cheerful Hilary took the main amount of money in the evening before the safari :)
In the morning we were met, some of the luggage was left for storage in hotels. We were taken to the first camp, there was a delicious breakfast! We went in a jeep in the Serengeti. The jeep is excellent, it didn’t break, it was comfortable and passable, apparently not all jeep companies had normal four-wheel drive, someone got stuck, we didn’t. We changed seats with others, there were 6 of us, the rear seats were the most uncomfortable, we immediately agreed to change. Onesmo driver - knows how to drive well and an excellent guide, knows everything, apparently experienced.
At the first halt in a campsite (with wifi!) On the way we gave a super tasty lunch, the cook Salim cooks just super !!! Here was our mistake, and that we were undernourished, for example, eggs and cookies, we left and we did not see them anymore. Take with you what you didn’t eat! Further safari and camp in Serengeti (no wifi). Great super dinner with wine! Sleep normally, at night I think about +10. The bedrooms are not very clean, Hilary, you can change and wash more often :) In the morning without breakfast at all, coffee and cookies (here you will need the leftover lunch) and a super cool tour of the Serengeti! A bunch of animals, super-super-super impressions !!! Already without a load, therefore, in a jeep - freer. Then a great lunch in the same camp, and return to Ngoro-Ngoro. There, as always, a super dinner + wine! Wi-Fi is. Sleep in the same tents, a little colder. I slept in thermal underwear, a flizk and a bag. It was approx. The bag itself is a summer-fall type, not very warm. Great breakfast in the morning! NgoroNgoro after the Serengeti didn’t really fit us. Worse, but ride normally. Then a great lunch in the same camp and back to Arusha. They gave the room already on the 3rd floor, more clean and with kondeem. IP addresses were not enough :) Dinner is not included! But the hotel has a restik, now let's go eat it :) Tomorrow they should arrange a transfer to the airport.
Take enough power banks, the car has 6 charges of 220 volts, but the sockets are loose, charging is very bad! Take toilet paper, towel, gel. Do not take water - water is unlimited. General impressions of the tour - 10/10. One of the best tours in the life of a spoiled tourist. I recommend Surikata and the program itself!
HR
Email Marijana S | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best experience we ever had !!!
Me and my husband went to Tanzania for our honeymoon and we had wonderful time with Suricata Safaris.
We did 4 day lodge type safari. From the beginning we had great communication with Hilary ( the owner) who answered all our questions. Everything was perfectly organized – the driver picked us up at the airport and took us to a hotel in Arusha where we met Hilary. Our safari driver was Onesmo who has great knowledge about animals and Tanzanitan wilderness. We spent 4 beautiful days in 3 different parks (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro) and had seen lots of animals including the „Big Five“.
After safari Hilary even took us to have lunch in local restaurant in Arusha which was a great experience. Everything was just perfect and I definitely recommend Surica Safaris!