Dancing Zebra Safari Co
Dancing Zebra Safari
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- Africa Travel Association (ATA) & The International Ecotourism Society (T.I.E.S)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $700 to $2,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Mary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank you for the joy!
I want to convey my appreciation to Jessica Mathews and Dancing Zebra Safaris for the careful curating of a wonderful first safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro (Tanzania) in mid-October. For many reasons, this trip was special for my husband and I and for our longtime traveling buddies. We knew it would likely be our last “big” adventure together. And it exceeded any expectations, both in experiences and the feeling of connectedness with place and people and landscape it left me with.
A safari had been my dream since about age 6, as a tomboy who grew up riding logging roads in rural North Carolina with her daddy in his truck, looking for deer, bear and anything we might find. The Serengeti did not disappoint. I loved being an insignificant human in the animal world, I loved being and living in the out of doors, I loved the endless horizon and being immersed in watching what the beautiful and amazing creatures in that world do.
I also loved the warm, smart and funny Tanzanian people we met, from those helping us to those informing and protecting us, to the residents of Mto wa Mbu village who welcomed and waved at us and the preschool kids who swamped us with loving gestures. Wow.
We have traveled enough to know the difference between ordinary experiences and extraordinary ones. Authenticity is that difference. That comes only from guidance by someone who knows the landscape and the right people and who is dogged about getting clients the right experience. And, someone who is respected by the folks in the place being visited, as Jessica Mathews clearly is.
From a practical point of view, Jessica kept in communication with us and gave us valuable advice throughout planning and throughout our journey. By virtue of distance and experiences, it was not an inexpensive trip, but we received incredible value for the money we spent. Jessica and our hosts and guides provided highly practical information about planning, preparations, what to expect, what to pack (we followed Dancing Zebra's list almost to the item) and how to handle any difficulties. All were attentive and accessible throughout the process and trip.
Thank you, Jessica and Dancing Zebra. I loved that part of the world. I would go back every year if I had the money. It changed me. And, it was fulfilling in a way I have found it difficult to pinpoint. I am now connected to Africa and the Serengeti and Tanzania in a way I’ve not experienced with other places I’ve visited.
Our theme for this trip was “Finding the Joy.” We found it and brought it back. The bumps we experienced were just bumps - the joy will last and last!
US
Email Chris Chan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jessica, while being attentive, arranged a top-notch safari vacation that was unparalleled.
A Heart Full of Africa!
Even though we tagged along on this trip after it was planned by our neighbor and her Canadian friends, it felt like the trip I've been waiting to take my whole life! Jessica and her crew at Dancing Zebra Safari Co. arranged a 5-star trip to four African countries: Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. Before departure, Jessica was patient with me while I asked a million questions. She provided us with great advice and a fabulous, full itinerary. The trip was planned to perfection, and even when we missed a flight due to a traffic jam, a plane was available for us that same afternoon!
Of the four countries we visited, Tanzania was my favorite. Our safari drives were made incredible by our experienced, passionate, knowledgeable, and amicable guides. Steven Mwakajumba was our exceptional guide for five glorious days! He anticipated some awesome animal interactions as we traversed the bush, and ensured our spotting of the Big 5. He shared great photography tips and techniques as we tried to capture the beauty around us. He was our guide and translator for our visit to a Maasai boma. What an incredible experience that was! As we learned amazing details about animals, plants, and cultural traditions, our group formed a special bond with Steven. We wanted to take him with us to the Serengeti! He seemed to want to come, too, both for our sakes, and to check up on a male lion for whom he has a fondness, and has named Tishala.
Our Serengeti guide, Mokili (The Elephant Whisperer), was also a blessing. Like Steven, he had a great love for his country, its traditions, history, and the flora and fauna of the incredible bush. We learned so much from him! He tailored our experience to what we wanted to see. We spent a morning with the wildebeests so that we could see them crossing the Grumeti River! I can still hear the soundtrack of their grunts!
After our game drives, we came back to migration camps that were picture-perfect! Talk about radical hospitality! There was always staff available to welcome us back to camp, offer wet washcloths for a quick freshen-up, and ask about our days. We had butlers, room attendants and escorts who served us with warmth, caring, and dedication. Shout-outs to our beautiful butlers, Juma, Josephat, and Rashid! Such exquisite service! The accommodations were as comfortable as they were elegant. Imagine waking up to the rhythmic grunts of hippos at the nearby river! The meals were phenomenal! One chef, Zakia, shared a recipe for house-made muesli when we asked her about it! One particular night (our last one) stood out at Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp. Rashid arranged for our group to have a private dinner on a secluded deck with a fire pit overlooking the bush. We were served delicious Swahili food, family style. After dinner, the kitchen and wait staff paraded out and sang us the Jambo Song, complete with drums and clapping. What a treat! We felt like the most important guests to have ever stayed there!
In Zimbabwe, I enjoyed the Mbano Manor Hotel's staff, and loved the food there. We saw loads of cool birds right on the property! Ruvimbo, Jabulani, and Praise were stand-outs! Themba was a good guide for Victoria Falls. He helped us find some great birds on or hike to the falls. Our game drive in Chobe N.P. was enhanced by our competent guide, Tau. A shout-out, too, for two drivers who had such easy laughs, good stories, and great information about local interests: Bheks (Bhekinkosi) in Victoria Falls, and Bat (Bathandwa) in Cape Town. In Cape Town, I especially enjoyed the Tree House Boutique Hotel. Sheila, Elton, Prince, Zukiswa, Melody, and Asisipho took good care of us! (And they did it with love and passion!) David Williams did a nice job as our guide on the Cape Peninsula tour.
I believe I left part of my heart in Africa. The part that came home is full to bursting!
US
Email Julie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome experience
Being our first African trip, this was way out of our comfort zone. My husband researched which company to go through and due to the great reviews landed with Dancing safari, dealing with Jessica Mathews. The experience could not have been better. She gave us many options and suggestions from which we were able to book a trip of a lifetime. It was an amazing experience with her guiding us all the way. Any questions or issues we had before or during our trip she was always available with answers and suggestions. Could not have been happier with her responsiveness and ability to help us plan our perfect trip.
US
Email Judi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra is very organized, thorough, and knowledgeable.
Jessica was very knowledgeable, accommodating with flight changes, shared a great tool to calculate tipping, a packing list. The meet and greet to skip the customs line was well worth it after the long day of travel. The driver and guides were all amazing! They were happy to stop whenever we wanted, answered all our questions worked so hard and succeeded at finding all the animals we wanted to see. Ladies, I do recommend checking to see if parks have bathrooms.
US
Email James | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The complete attention to detail and to us, made us feel like royalty!
From the moment we started planning our safari, we had Jessica’s full attention. From the preferences survey to the advice on the actual travel; to the personal discussions about what we wanted from our safari, I felt like we had a completely personalized and top-notch experience. Our camps and guides were way beyond my expectations. I truly felt like royalty from the time I stepped off the plane until we got back in the plane to head home.
US
Email Anuja Patel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dedicated, knowledgable, passionate and very attentive!
A huge thank you to Jessica and Dancing Zebra for planning a trip of a lifetime!
We had an incredible experience and it was truly everything we were hoping for and more. The trip was truly personal to me.. it’s been 42 years since I left my birthplace and I can’t tell you the emotions I felt thru out. I suddenly felt at home as soon as I landed. My Swahili suddenly came back.. I was craving foods I haven’t had in a while.. nostalgia was everywhere. To able to share the beauty of the country and the warmth of the people with my children was so special for me. Everything Jessica planned was meticulous .. from the accommodations, to the guides to the transfers .. was seamless! I’m in awe of the knowledge of the land and wildlife that our guides Frank and Bosco shared with us. Their warmth, their kindness and humor was so genuine. We felt truly immersed in the beauty of the land and kept yearning to see more each morning we left for a game drive. They showed us everything we were hoping to see and more.
Every accommodation we stayed at was exceptional. We were greeted by song and dance and warm smiles everywhere we stayed. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed. Each and every staff member interacted with us and genuinely made us feel at home.
We are truly grateful to Jessica and her team for giving us a trip we will forever remember. Jessica listened and planned and executed an incredible itinerary tailored to all our wants and needs. We have travelled to countless places over the years and I can say without reservation that this has been my favorite trip of all time.. THANKS to Dancing Zebra! Already counting the days till we can visit again!
US
Email Brian H. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Planning a safari can feeling daunting, but Dancing Zebra was fantastic and handled every detail.
Dancing Zebra was wonderful to work with. Jessica's knowledge of Africa and Tanzania combined with her attention to detail and desire to please her clients, made our experience a 10/10 from start to finish. Just give Jessica an idea of what you're looking for and she will put together an itinerary that exceeds your expectations.
We did an 8-night safari (Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti), plus 3 nights in beautiful Zanzibar at the end of the trip. Every camp/hotel we stayed at was perfectly suited for our needs with good food, excellent service, and luxurious accommodations. Lion's Paw Camp and Siringit Camp were simply spectacular and I cannot recommend them highly enough. The staff at both places will welcome you with smiles and make sure your every need is met. Our safari guide/driver was Robert and he is THE BEST. There is no one else I would trust more to navigate those confusing, complex bumpy, and sometimes muddy roads of the Serengeti. Robert is a walking Wikipedia page of knowledge about the Serengeti and the animals. He made sure we saw EVERYTHING.
As for Zanzibar, I strongly recommend it as a way to wind down and relax after the safari. We stayed at Baraza and it was exceptional in every way. The spa will change your life. It's hard to imagine a more perfect resort anywhere in the world.
US
Email Heather | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Steven James was transformational for our family’s experience in seeing Tanzania-truly the best.
From the moment we were met at the airport every person made our trip, welcoming, special, insightful, and fun. We were treated to incredible generosity and lavish accommodations, as well as truly meaningful human interactions. We never had to worry about a thing beyond appreciating how much was being done for us at every return. It made seeing the country and meeting the people extraordinary. I cannot say enough good things about Dancing Zebra and in particular Stephen James, for changing our lives. Our family is forever in their debt and inspired by our first visit to Tanzania.
US
Email Ed and Linda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Listened and took our thoughts and desires made them into an unforgettable adventure the Serengeti!
Our recent journey to the Serengeti with Dancing Zebra Company was nothing short of spectacular. From start to finish, every detail was meticulously planned, ensuring an extraordinary safari experience.
Our guide, Frank, deserves a special mention for his exceptional expertise. We were amazed by his knowledge of the wildlife. We were thrilled to be able to tell everyone we saw the Big Five. One day in the Central Serengeti, he took us on a day-long adventure to watch the migration, and we topped the day off seeing a leopard with its prey in a tree. Wow, what a day. We had no idea there would be so many different species of birds. It was as if Frank knew every species by heart, right down to their distinct calls. This deepened our appreciation for the Serengeti's rich biodiversity.
Our stay at Lemala Resorts was beyond our wildest expectations. The accommodations were luxurious, yet seamlessly blended with nature, offering breathtaking views from our rooms and the main areas. The staff were remarkable; their hospitality and attention to detail contributed to an exceptional and personalized experience. From delicious meals to cozy, well-maintained lodgings/tents, every element was thoughtfully prepared. We would like to especially call out Adam at Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp and this team, who ensured we had a spectacular lunch on the crater floor. A great addition to your safari adventure. Our stay a Lemala Nanyukie was made spectacular by Wright and Tabitha, to name a few. The sunset during our sundowners there will be forever imprinted in our memories. Our time at Lemala Kuria Hills was awesome because of Seth and Josephine, and the entire team. The private sundowner there was awesome as well. The balloon ride by Serengeti Balloon Company is a must.
To anyone considering a Serengeti safari, I highly recommend Dancing Zebra and Lemala Resorts. The Coffee Lodge was amazing as well, John our water and manager ensured we had a spectacular time. A call out to Thomas, the bartender, who made us some spectacular drinks. The combination of expert guidance, exceptional service, and the stunning beauty of the Serengeti makes for an unforgettable adventure.
Thank you to the entire team for creating such a monumental experience.
US
Email Malachy Walsh | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Working with Dancing Zebra Safari was terrific: personal, thoughtful, responsive, great.
It was the biggest trip of our lives, and likely the last one we be able to get both our boys (14 and 17) to take with us as they move on to college. So it meant a lot. And we had tons of questions.
We couldn’t have been in better hands.
Jessica called us right away to talk through what we were thinking about. Her itinerary took us from Lemala’s Hamerkop House in Arusha to Treetops at Tarangire, Crater’s Edge at Ngorongoro, then to Lemala’s Kuria Hills Lodge in the Northern Serengeti and last, a day at the Coffee Lodge in Arusha.
Every place we stayed seemed more amazing than the last and the staff everywhere was so so good.
And better, one of us is a serious celiac (gluten allergy), and everywhere we went the chefs took care to prep meals to accommodate.
Did we see wildlife? Yes, we were fortunate to see all the big 5 (including a long encounter with a leopard at Ngorongoro), but even more fortunate to spend our time with Steven James, a guide who was funny, engaging, and super knowledgeable about what we were seeing. (We really laughed a lot!) A truly good hearted man who clearly loves the world he was sharing with us. A hit with both our teenage boys.
Last, the days we visited the Masai and the city of Mto wa Mbu (River of Mosquitos) were insightful, fun, and world-opening. We appreciated everyone we met — whether in the rice fields (that is HARD work!), the Boma, or the banana plantation (amazing lunch there) — and the way they gave us an idea of every day life in Tanzania. Worthwhile in a deep way.
Jessica, thank you. And thank you, Steven. And everyone who took care of us from the moment we touched ground at JRO to when we left 11 days later.
