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
RO
Email Victor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing tour guide, great tour overall, but the attitude of the management was absolutely terrible
Everything started when we first met their contact person, Daniel, who came to brief us and take the rest of the payment for the tour, which we chose to pay in cash. We paid 60 USD more, as, of course, he did not have change. He promised he will give us the change back when the tour ends.
We started the tour everything was ok until the second day when we ate the lunch prepared by their hotel, Suricata Boma Lodge, where we stayed the first night. The food was bad and we had got food poisoning, exactly what you need in a safari.
Considering this, when we arrived at the next accommodation we asked them to prepare a lunch with rice and more solid stuff so we avoid getting sick again. Guess what, they did not care about what we asked, we ate only part of the food and we got sick again.
We were promised by Daniel, who we believe lied to us, that we will have our own chef which will prepare exactly what we want, considering some limited options. We never seen such a guy.
Besides this, the tour guide was kind and helpful and he did his best to make us comfortable. He planned the days in a very smart way and we were most of the time almost alone with a lot of animals. Thank you again Paul!!
Now, let's move to the nasty part. On the last day, got back to Arusha and we were supposed to meet with Daniel, for a feedback session and of course, as promised to return us the money he owed us.
Guess what?
He kept saying that he is coming soon, and at some point he called saying that we should do the debriefing via the phone, because he is stuck in traffic and during the discussion he asked us to not mention anything about the food poisoning as he wouldn't want us to generate a bad image for the company. And then he promised again that in 30 minutes he will come with the money. It was already past 9 pm. At around 10:30 PM he said that we will get the money from the driver who is going to drive us to the airport. Of course the driver did not have the money and did not know anything about this.
I discussed with Daniel again and he said the money were left at another hotel reception, then that the money were in the company's office and then that the driver actually had the money and forgot to give them to us. He was clearly lying. These different versions are from a Whatsapp conversation with him.
He clearly wanted to keep the money.
Now, it is not about the money, it is about their attitude in regards to this.
I told them that I want to get the money back via a bank transfer. They said they only do western union, which was not an option for me at all. I am not going to waste time to open accounts and run arround in my holiday at different western union places to get back the money I was owed. After multiple different conversations and pressure, I was told I will receive the refund via Revolut, and that the money were already sent. They lied again. This is the moment when I started to threaten them with a bank claim (I did pay the deposit via a bank payment). After threatening them, I got the money back the day after, from another Revolut account, which is an instant bank transfer (so they cannot say anything about the transfer taking longer than a day).
I would never recommend them and I feel lucky that nothing really bad happened during the trip. Considering their attitude, I am pretty sure they would have not done anything.
Email Tiia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hillary swapped customers to cheaper tour operator without disclosing this
I spent a good while researching safari options prior to my trip to Tanzania. I chose to book with Suricata Safaris based on their great reviews (#6 of 1,294 Outdoor Activities in Arusha) and accepted the cost as a part of the great experience I was in for. Weeks in advance, I had emailed the company to confirm this tour was going ahead on that day. Hillary from Suricata Safaris confirmed this.
When the tour started, I quickly realised it was not the 5-star treat I had paid for. Another day in, I realised that we had ended up with Arunga Expeditions & Safaris (#674 of 1,294 Outdoor Activities in Arusha) and their rude personnel. When I asked about this, our driver told me to "stop complaining". When I confronted the Suricata representative, Hillary, he said that they moved me to a cheaper operator to save costs.
My experience with Arunga was very poor. There was no toilet paper, no hot water and no WiFi in the camps, and I shared a small tent with two people (I was told differently when I made my online enquiry with Suricata Safaris). When one of our crew fell ill and needed transportation out of the nature reserve, our guide suggested that we need to sort that ourselves.
I ended up getting dinner and 10% of my money back from Suricata Safaris after the tour. This really does not make up for the difference in quality for the two tour operators.
Email Jeremy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good safari, but poor camping equipment and forced to leave 5 star review
Good safari, knowledgeable guides. Overall decent experience. 3 different parks, 3 nights in tents and 4 days of safari.
But - camping and sleeping gear was old and smelt mouldy. It was not hygienic.
Also at the end of the trip we were left with sour taste in our mouths as the company essentially held us in a location until we submitted a 5 star review.
So please take any 5 star reviews with a grain of salt.
It’s a good safari for the cost, but be prepared for some mouldy camping gear
DE
Email Peter Berger | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best experience ever
The safari with Suricata was not only worth every penny, but also one of the best experiences of my life. We saw elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, hippos, and even rhinos, among many other animals. Our driver, "Elias," was not only an excellent driver who drove us safely through the wilderness, but also a walking encyclopedia. He knew every animal and plant, as well as the customs of the local Masai people.
Email Charlotte | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 3 day camping safari in Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater
Suricata Safaris was recommended to us by some friends who used them previously and had a great time. After checking the positive reviews, we decided to book a 2 night and 3 day camping Safari through Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro crater. We’re so glad we did! Hilary (the manager) was very prompt to reply to all our questions via email and WhatsApp.
The safari itself was incredible; our guide Edgar was very informative, the chef Chaz cooked us tasty food every day and we saw all of the Big Five (and many more smaller animals) in just 3 days. Seeing a cheetah and and her cub was the highlight for me!
The campsites (Nguricho and Simba A) were basic but clean - both had working showers, toilets and a dining room. Wild camping was a great experience and seeing/hearing a herd of buffalo outside our tent overnight was exciting! We The tents, mattresses, pillows and sleeping bags provided by Suricata made sleeping comfortable and Edgar helped us to set them up each night. Tips are not included in the overall price and are optional - we were very happy to pay them for the great service provided! (Hilary recommends $10/day as a tip which is then split between the chef and the guide.)
I would really recommend this company for a budget safari.
PT
Email Helio | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
What a wonderful experience. We couldn’t be more satisfied.
We went on a 4-day, 3-night camping safari with Suricata Safari, and we absolutely recommend it. They took care of every detail (airport pickup, briefing the day before the safari, schedules, meals, tents, and a debrief at the end so we could give feedback). They are truly professional.
We must highlight the experience and expertise of our guide, Alphonce, who made all the difference on our safari. It’s amazing how he can spot even the hardest-to-find animals from a distance. Yes, we managed to see the Big Five, thanks to our guide! On top of that, all the explanations he gave us about the animals really enriched our experience.
We also have to mention the food prepared by the wonderful chef Tito — every meal was delicious and plentiful.
Five-star service! We highly recommend it!
Email Theo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience, couldn’t recommend this company more
I would highly recommend this company and specifically this tour. We did the 4 day budget safari booked off safaribookings , travelling to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Communication prior via email and WhatsApp had quick responses and Neema answered all our questions.
Transfer to the hotel was uncomplicated, we even asked our driver to take us via ‘Benson and Company’ near the hotel to buy binoculars (I couldn’t recommend this more, you really need a couple of pairs at least in the vehicle, there will be one pair with the guide who is happy to share, but please please buy/rent your own!).
Jevas hotel was very comfortable.
Our guide Lewis was very friendly and knowledgable, really made the trip, and the amazing cook James provided ample amounts of delicious food even with proper plates and cutlery in the parks for lunch - they can cater to any dietary requirements, and the meat was good quality, don’t shy away from it. Limitless bottled water is supplied and we even got given a bottle of wine on a couple of the nights. Would recommend buying a couple crates of beer from ‘shoppers supermarket’ near the hotel, you can get a taxi/bodaboda via the ‘Bolt’ app and there’s also a cashpoint there - a large fridge resides in the vehicle, and drinking a cold beer 10 meters from a lion is unbeatable.
There was plenty of game drive time and we saw everything bar a leopard, the Serengeti is particularly stunning.
The campsite for Tarangire was outside the park but very nice, even had a pool and bar so take your speedos!
Serengeti campsite was in the heart of the park, absolutely stunning open to animals to wander within but we always felt perfectly safe.
Ngorongoro campsite on the rim was also very comfortable with nice views.
We would recommend tipping the guides, we did so in shillings but didn’t feel pressured to at any point.
Overall there were no hidden costs/tourist traps, and our experience was well beyond expectation, get it booked!
DE
Email Anna-Lena | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice park stays, delicious chef-prepared meals, Big Five sightings, and a fun driver "Rasta Man" ma
Our 4-day safari was an absolutely unforgettable experience! The accommodations within the national parks were amazing – comfortable, well-located, and truly immersed in the stunning natural surroundings.
A major highlight was the incredible food we enjoyed throughout the trip. Our personal chef, who traveled with us, prepared the most delicious meals, even in the heart of the wilderness! It was a real treat.
Of course, the wildlife viewing was spectacular. We were thrilled to see a huge variety of animals, including the coveted Big Five! Our guide was excellent at spotting wildlife and shared fascinating insights about the animals and their environment.
Our driver, who we affectionately nicknamed "Rasta Man," was fantastic! He was not only a skilled and safe driver but also incredibly friendly and had a great sense of humor, making the journeys between locations a lot of fun.
We wholeheartedly recommend this safari for anyone looking for an amazing wildlife adventure with top-notch accommodations, delicious food, and a fantastic guide.
US
Email Celia H. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari Experience with Suricata
My experience with Suricata on this 4-night, 5-day safari has been absolutely amazing. Our guide and driver, Philix, was incredible—such a wonderful person who generously shared his deep knowledge of wildlife, the national parks, and Maasai culture. His enthusiasm and expertise made our safari not only educational but also truly enjoyable and fun. Even when there had to be logistical changes due to us traveling in a low season and needing to group with others, Philix managed the process well to minimize waiting time as much as possible.
The accommodations were excellent, especially the two nights we spent at Suricata Boma Lodge, which was a highlight of the trip. The food also exceeded my expectations—we had proper, well-packed lunches every day, complete with a variety of drinks, fresh fruits, and desserts.
Daniel, who coordinated our itinerary, guide, and airport transfers, ensured that everything went smoothly, making the entire experience seamless and stress-free.
This was my first time visiting Africa and my first-ever safari, and I am so grateful to Suricata for making it such a memorable and enjoyable journey. I can’t wait to return for more adventures!
DE
Email Olli | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience with Suricata and our guide Gorden
Our 5 day trip with Suricata was really amazing. Nice food, perfect crew and we saw all the big five. Our chef Pius made us look forward to the next meal every time. The guide Gorden was exactly the guy you wish for when doing a safari. Caring, funny, a lot of knowledge, good driving skills, the passion to really find every animal in the parks. The experience with Suricata was nice anyways but he made it special.