Dancing Zebra Safari
- Located In:
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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:
- $550 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Ken | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra Safari is the BEST!!!!
I cannot rave enough about Jessica and her team and just how thorough and thoughtful they were throughout the safari planning process and while we were on safari. We returned two weeks ago from Tananzia and my wife and I had the experience of a lifetime - and we owe it all to Jessica, Dana, Edsen and the rest of the on-the-ground team in Tanzania. Honestly, we can't stop telling stories to our family, friends and co-workers - to the point where we are probably getting to be a bit annoying!! :) Also, this is the second time I've worked with Jessica - about 18 months ago she planned a solo trip for me to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas - which I also highly recommend!!
With this trip, we spent one night at Lion's Paw in Ngorongoro, five nights at Lemala Nanyukie Lodge and two nights at Baraza Resort and Spa in Zanzibar. There were two situations throughout the planning process where we had to make itinerary changes and Jessica and Dana were all over it - super responsive and supportive.
Each day started bright and early - on the road by 6am so we could appreciate the beauty of a Serengeti sunrise - and each day it was absolutely stunning!! Breakfast in the bush was just so cool and we were back to our camp by 1pm for an incredible lunch (7 hours in the bush each day goes by quickly!)....and regarding lunch, well every meal at Nanyukie was incredible! I'm a 'soup nerd' and all of them were just outstanding! The last night I asked to meet the chef because we were so impressed by him and his creations...he actually shared with me some of his soup recipes!! We also asked for local Tanzanian dishes on our last night and they made a feast for Edsen, my wife and me - it was all just wonderful...pilau, wali, ndizi-nyama, etc - all incredible!! The entire camp staff was so welcoming and warm...my wife commented that as much as she loved the safari experience and witnessing the incredible wildlife, what she loved the most were the people she met. They were all so thoughtful and caring -and they were also just fun to chat with...really great staff!!
Now onto Edsen - our driver, guide, caretaker and the man who can spot a cheetah in hiding in the tall grasses 40 yards away - he's amazing!! Not sure how someone can navigate the dirt roads of the Serengeti while keeping his head on a swivel so skillfully...we were in awe. Six days with Edsen went by very fast and we were sad to say goodbye to him - I've had a lot of private guides over years in a number of countries and some were really good, but none of them compare to Edsen. When you book with Dancing Zebra - if don't get the privilege of Edsen being your guide, then you will get Ian and I hear nothing but wonderful things about him too - we met him briefly at camp and he seems like an awesome guy.
The word I constantly use when people ask me about our safari is 'special'. It's so hard to put into words the experience of being in the vastness of the Serengeti and witness its beauty in some many forms and at the same time know you are in such great hands with all staff members and that you are truly cared for...this vacation will be hard for us top! And I'm quite certain we will take another safari in the future - and it will be with Jessica and Dancing Zebra!!! If there is a word to better describe just how much I highly recommend Dancing Zebra, then please insert here! :)
Thank you Jessica, Dana and Edsen, you all made an incredible lifetime experience so very special for Lindsey and me - and we are so grateful!
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Email Sam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime with the most knowledgable and thoughtful guides
I visited Tanzania and Rwanda with Dancing Zebra last month and had the best trip of my life. My itinerary was:
- 1 day to rest and recuperate on a golf course in Arusha
- 1 day/night in the Ngorongoro crater
- 5 days / 4 nights in the Serengeti
- 1 day/night in Kigali
- 2 days / 2 nights at the Virunga Lodge
Our safari guide, Ian, is an animal whisperer. We were first on the scene to every interesting animal siting in the Serengeti. Although he said he couldn't promise anything, when we asked to see a leopard he found two over the course of an hour. He got us up close and personal with some lions feuding over a kill, hippos jostling for dominance, and baby elephants following their mom.
The accommodations were incredible. The staff were so kind, friendly, and thoughtful and made us feel comfortable throughout the trip. The food was great and the location was incredible, particularly for the lodge in the Serengeti and the lodge in the Virugna moutains.
I felt like we spent the right amount of time in each location. If you needed to cut time off your trip, you could do one less day in the Serengeti and skip the day in Kigali.
Thank you to the Dancing Zebra for giving me the experience of a life time! I've already shared the itinerary with friends who want to take the trip after seeing my pictures and it was a no brainer to tell them to leave it all to Dancing Zebra to plan it perfectly.
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Email Shazia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience
Since the very first email from Jessica M, I have always been amazed at the level of service provided by her and her team. Be it planning & understanding our needs (large group of 8 - with 4 kids), planning our itinerary (which perfectly aligned with what we hoped to get from this trip), providing easy and timely updates, travel and packing tips, and follow up service during and after our trip-- Dancing Zebra Safari is A+
We had around a week in Kenya, and the places we visited were thoughtfully chosen to give us the best experience. Every hotel/camp we stayed at was luxurious, with fantastic service. The trip was completely planned for us- we even had staff come to us inside the airport to help. We showed up knowing we were in good hands. I cannot wait to go back!
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Email Tracy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
I traveled to Tanzania for safari in Ngorongoro Crater and the Eastern Serengeti and to Rwanda for the Gorilla Trek in May 2023. I made the trip with my twenty something son and future daughter-in-law. I cannot say enough good things about Jessica Mathews and her team at Dancing Zebra Safari. From initial planning through the end of our trip, Jessica made everything easy and seamless. Her knowledge of these countries and the contacts she has made in Africa allowed us to see the best there is to offer. I followed her recommendation to travel from mid to end of May just before the high season to avoid the crowds and am so glad we did. We had hours on the Serengeti without another tour in sight.
Our private guide in Tanzania, Ian, was wonderful and extremely knowledgeable about the Serengeti, the many animals to be seen and where the animals would be at any give time of day. As a result, we were able to view all of the animals residing in the park multiple times including lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hyena, cheetah, endangered rhino, hippopotamus, wildebeest and even the elusive leopard. Without the summer crowds we were also able to view the animals close up, sometimes within only a couple of feet. It was truly magical.
Wanting the truest experience as possible, we stayed in a beautiful camp in the bush of the Serengeti, accompanied by a local lion pride. We came to understand that the lions were not much interested in us and had never attacked camp residents but we were accompanied throughout the camp by a Masai warrior just in case. :)
We then proceeded to Rwanda to see the gorillas. Rwanda is a beautiful country, very lush and tropical. Our private guide, Frank was terrific and as with Ian, was with us daily to make sure all was well and that we got where we needed to go. We hiked approximately two hours to see the gorillas - shorter hikes are available - and upon reaching the gorillas sat amidst a family of about 10, including a nursing baby. It was beautiful to spend time with these amazing, surprising gentle souls while they interacted with each other and on occasion with us. For anyone, who dreams of this experience - as I have for so many years - I strongly recommend taking the trip.
More general information - accommodations were lovely, opulent and beautifully decorated, consistent with the environment. In each location, we each had our own dwelling, consisting a large bedroom, bathroom, sitting area and balcony and in one case, even a private soaking pool. Meals were taken in a communal dining area and the food was quite good and plentiful. Staff at all of the accommodations were welcoming, friendly and professional, ensuring all of our needs and desires were promptly attended to.
This was a bucket list trip for me and it exceeded my expectations in every way. Thank you Jessica, Ian and all of the Dancing Zebra Safari staff for making this dream come true. xoxo
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Email Darren & Angie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect safari week!
Our safari was expertly planned by Dancing Zebra Safari and their guides Ian and Edson made our family’s trip unforgettable. They made sure we saw “the big five” and so much more. Ian even found our cell phone in the middle of the Serengeti after backtracking to figure out where it had gone missing…a miracle and a testament to his amazing client service! We had spectacular accommodations at both Lemala Ewamjan and Nanyukie. The food was excellent and the staff were so warm and attentive. We didn’t want to leave when it was time to go home.
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Email Patty & Jeff | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jessica and her team is amazing!
This was our first Safari experience and we had the most incredible time there! We decided to do 15 days total 10 days in Tanzania and the 5 days in Zanzibar to relax at the beautiful beach. Our tour guide was the best! His name is Thomson, he knew all the birds and we were able to see the big 5! He was extremely knowledgable of the whole safari experience which made it so much more rewarding. I would highly recommend you all to book with Thomson as your tour guide, he was the one that made this trip a memorable and once in a life time experience! Jessica and her team were very responsive and made sure our trip was seamless and on point! We will be using their services again if we plan to go back!
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Email Jennifer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime experience
We had a great experience on our safari traveling around Tanzania. We are a family of 4 (two parents and two teenagers). Having our own private guide (Ian) with us the entire time allowed for a worry-free trip.
We loved the overall experience, but especially loved the higher end Lamala properties we visited (Nanyukie and Mpingo Ridge). The accommodations were magical, the staff world class and the food delicious. We loved the sun-downers we did throughout our safari and the unexpected surprises that came with each one.
The animals were amazing, and we saw everything we had expected. Unfortunately, some of the areas were overcrowded with safari vehicles which felt a bit intrusive on the animals. Our guide knew many areas that were remote and made for a more intimate experience. The cultural experiences were very special and made us feel as if we gained a better understanding of the way of life in Tanzania. I highly recommend the banana plantation lunch cooked by local ladies followed by a tuk tuk tour around the local village.
Overall, we had a great experience on our safari and would recommend it for anyone!
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Email Leonard K. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, comprehensive, responsive, delight to work with, and an in-country expert.
Dancing Zebra was recommended to us by friends who had an amazing safari, and we in turn have done the same. We had great back-and-forth during the planning stages, and they were very flexible accommodating everything we were asking for that wasn't the usual experience. As the trip near we received a personalized booklet of 30+ pages that had answers to every travel question we could imagine and many that we couldn't. Once our trip began, there was never a moment when we were left to wonder what would happen next. (Well, there was an airline strike in Kenya, but that had nothing to do with Dancing Zebra and we were ultimately well taken care of!) I could tell you all about the once-in-a-lifetime experiences we had, our personal driver who did so much to make our trip above and beyond, and the incredible animal and scenic encounters. But instead I will just say that both of us agree that every moment of our trip exceeded every expectation. Thanks to Dancing Zebra for making it all possible. Dancing Zebra is so much more than a travel agent. Their understanding of the area and their personal relationships with all of the vendors combine to create a seamless, top-notch experience.
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Email Steve M | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible skill and ability to translate our objectives in to the perfect vacation.
This was the trip of a lifetime for our family. Our sons are in their early 20s and we have never traveled extensively as a family. A close friend used DZ a few years back and I jumped on his recommendation. Jessica listened to all of our requirements and took care of every detail. We wanted to be taken care of, not worry about anything, and have accommodations that were top-shelf. Every aspect of the trip that DZ controlled was fantastic. Our trip to Tanzania was 10 days over the holidays. We stayed at 3 lodges all within the Lemala Camp group at Nanuyukie, Kuria Hills, and Mpingo. We also stayed at Lemala's Hamerkop House on arrival and departure which gave us a nice soft landing. They were all fantastic locations and incredible accommodations, among the best we've ever stayed at anywhere in the world. Plus, the food was terrific. Our favorite lodge was Kuria Hills for its breathtaking location and that we were the only guests for the 3 nights we were there. The staff prepared an unforgettable Christmas Dinner that we will remember and cherish forever. All aspects of the arrangements were met. Our guides were amazing, and the internal flights between lodges were great. We arranged 2 long drives between locations to add to the experience. Each of the Lemala camps were designed and built eco-friendly which I found impressive given the remote locations. Additionally, DAZ proactively monitored our arrival and progress through the trip. Jessica was in direct contact with the lodges throughout the 10 days which gave me confidence that everything about our trip was going to be great.
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Email Vic | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A professional team dedicated to provide their guests with a lifetime experience
I met Jessica and her team back in 2020 at the Bay Area travel show. Their cheetah photo on display surely caught my attention and soon we started building an animal focused safari trip to Tanzania together.
We had a lot of tricky situations in our group due to members weren’t able to travel because of COVID restrictions and changing numbers of travelers last minute. From the start for two entire years, Jessica worked tirelessly to listen to our needs and helped us sort out all the postponements. She was always there for us the entire time to handle questions and deal with travel logistics in a promptly manner. I cannot thank her and her team enough for what they’ve done for us! For this, I totally recommend Dancing Zebra!!!
We were in Tanzania for 14 days and spend an abundant amount of time with the wildlife at Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti NP! All the camps/lodges we stayed at (hamerkop house, Kuro tarangire, entamatu, lemala nanyukie, Lamai Serengeti) were beyond amazing with kind hearted staff members! It’s very hard to pick a favorite since they each had their own uniqueness.
In terms of wildlife viewings, both of our two guides were simply beyond incredible. I had a lot of meaningful conservation related conversations with them and their pure love for the bush was reflected on every single game drive. Ian was with us for the longest. This person truly knows the national parks like his backyard:) I had no doubt from the beginning that I was gonna see a lot of cheetahs but when we were at Serengeti, it was almost two to three different sightings of cheetahs EVERYDAY!!! I’m always impressed with Ian’s skill to find the most memorable sightings and be as close as we could to witness everything yet creates a comfortable space between us human and the animals!! This is what I consider an ethical guide with professionalism! The sightings gets better and better everyday that it’s just too hard to pick the most memorable one:) It’s definitely worth considering visit there during the off peak seasons as for most sightings, we were the ONLY vehicles beside the animals!! We even got to see the migration^o^ if I could retake my safari, I would stay even longer!
In short, I’m forever grateful that I met Jessica and Ian 2 years ago! If you want to create a lifetime memory in Africa be it honeymoon or casual vacation, look no further than dancing zebra! You’ll definitely be in good hands with this knowledgeable, wonderful team of people!
I look forward to go on safari with them very soon! Asante Sana Team dancing zebra
Xx
