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:
- $550 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Kathy and John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra Safari Company: Simply The Best!
Words cannot describe the amazing 12 day Tanzanian Safari Jessica planned for us starting on 9/26/21. Our planning involved numerous phone calls, emails and zoom meetings. She guided us through the ever-changing COVID restrictions. Jessica took the time to get to know us, our interests and designed a unique Safari experience incorporating input from each of the four people in our group. Her recommendations were perfect!
Our adventure began with a flight into Kilimanjaro and a night’s stay at the lovely Hamerkop House where we were treated like royalty. Dinner and breakfast were amazing!
Early the next morning, we started our journey with Ian our guide. He is extremely knowledgeable, engaging, fun loving and most importantly, loves his job! Within minutes of meeting Ian, we were at ease knowing we had the ideal guide.
After leaving Arusha we spent two days at Tarangire National Park at Nykani Camp. The accommodations at this camp and all those that followed had incredibly comfortable beds. The warm bucket showers felt relaxing after a long day of game drives. It was quite an experience leaving up the canvas of our tents to listen to the animals throughout the night.
We saw impalas, zebras, lion and at one point counted more than 50 elephants. An hour was spent watching elephants frolicking in the river. Our group was surprised at how close we could observe. We learned about termite mounds as we watched 4 cheetahs sitting on one. Most mornings we headed out at 6 AM when the animals were most active and had a bush breakfast.
Our next stop was Lemala Ngorongoro Camp. We took a short hike (accompanied by a ranger) and was surprised to find a sundowner with drinks and snacks set up by staff at the rim of the crater. Accommodation, food and hospitality continued to be first rate!
Our journey continued to Central Serengeti for three night and then on to Northern Serengeti These were also Lemala Properties with great food, friendly staff and great campfires at night.
The four of us took our first balloon ride in Central Serengeti and we were glad we did.
Travelers, we don’t know how Ian planned it, but each day eclipsed the previous day’s experience! We experienced big cat sightings each day, along with herds of elephants, wildebeests, baboons, hippos and crocodiles. Additionally, we were fortunate enough to witness three crossings of the Wildebeest Migration. This was clearly one of the highlights of our trip. Also, so much was learned about the people and beautiful country of Tanzania.
This trip was well worth the money that was spent! Our advise to you is to follow the guides lead, while you relax and observe.
In closing, we cannot say enough about this company. We experienced a perfectly designed Safari and are deeply grateful to Jessica and Ian for all their planning and hard work.
Kathy and John
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Email Elaine & Andy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded our expectations! Thank you Jessica for a beautiful safari experience!
There is definitely a reason why every review here is 5 stars. Jessica listens to what you want in your safari and will tailor a trip to give you exactly what you desire. Where Dancing Zebra stands out from the rest, Jessica will come back with alternative options for you to consider, and explain what each option will offer you. Not like other companies that may want to give you a standard package tour. Thank you Jessica for all the time spent with us on the phone!
Our safari was specific to Tanzania, starting in Arusha and then to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Central Serengeti and Northern Serengeti. We were fortunate to have Ian as our guide for the entire journey, and after just one day with him, we felt like we were traveling with a friend, not just a guide. Ian's passion for the wildlife was quite evident and he was enjoying the viewing of animals as much as we were. We enjoyed him telling us details about what we were seeing and why the animals were doing certain things. And his ability to spot animals far away is incredible. I'm seeing a dot on the horizon and he is telling me exactly what animal it is!!
The camps Jessica selected for us were perfect. We started at Nykani Camp in Tarangire and then to 3 Lamala camps in Ngorongoro (Lamala Tented Camp), Central Serengeti (Lamala Ewanjan) and Northern Serengeti (Lamala Mobile Tented Camp). They were all somewhat similar in appearance with excellent staff that was eager to please and very personable. We all felt like family. I hope that perhaps we will see them again in a future adventure.
If you are considering a safari, you need to look at Dancing Zebra. If you don't, you may be sorry later.
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Email Mel & Eileen Neville | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jessica Matthews is exceptional and considerate as she listens to help you plan your perfect safari!
How do we begin to describe our amazing 14-day safari adventure to Tanzania planned by Jessica Matthews of Dancing Zebra Safari Company? Perfect!
Jessica is an exceptional woman with whom to work, listening to everything one might want to do in Tanzania, while offering her insights from her numerous visits and connections. Because we had originally planned to go in August, 2020, we had lots of time over two years to have many questions and changes, and each was addressed by Jessica with much patience and understanding. Our safari turned out to be the PERFECT, expertly-planned combination of a Tanzanian wildlife and cultural safari. Every single detail was covered, and there was not the slightest glitch.
When we arrived at Kilimanjaro, we were met by our guide Ian Kiwelu, who looked after us expertly and professionally for the next two weeks. Each evening the three of us planned our tentative schedule for the next day. Ian is an exceptional guide with a kind, loving spirit. With his keen eyes and exceptional knowledge of the bush of Tanzania, Ian made sure we saw everything we wanted to see and more – animals, birds, plants, landscapes. He always made sure we had the best positions for viewing the animals, and he spent as much time as we wanted while he explained so much about the animals and their habits. He truly is the best! He has become more than our guide, as we consider him a friend with whom we have continued to stay in contact.
Our adventures included starting at Lamala Hamerkop House in Arusha, hike to a waterfall at base of Mount Kilimanjaro and coffee farm visits in Arusha and Moshi, Nomad Kuro Camp in Tarangire National Park, Nomad Entamanu Camp at Ngorongoro Crater with a Maasai boma visit, Lamala Tented Camp very near Mara River, Lamala Kuria Hills Tented Lodge, and returning to Hamerkop for one-last memorable day in Arusha basking in our memories and visiting with our new African friends.
One of our highlights was viewing three major Mara River crossings, the first less than a half-hour after we landed at Kogatende Air Strip in the northern Serengeti. Another was sitting in our comfortable 4x4 photographing lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, African buffalo, etc, etc. Some only an arm’s length away. We even saw a black rhino from a distance in the Crater. Yes, we saw the Big Five, but so much more! Another real highlight was getting to visit with and befriend some of the hosts and servers at our camps and lodges. It was wonderful learning about their homes and families. Because of their hospitality, kindness, and openness, we felt like we became part of their extended family.
The camps and lodges we visited were all exceptional. We were treated like VIPs at each camp whether a mobile camp or luxury lodge. We joked between us that we were sure they must have thought we were someone else, someone really special. The food was delicious, and every meal was exquisitely presented. The chefs were amazing! Several of our delicious meals, breakfasts and lunches, were packed so we could spend most of the day out in the bush. Although each camp was different, whether we had a hand-filled bucket shower, an exclusive outdoor shower, or a glass, tiled-lined indoor shower, every camp -- service staff, food and accommodations -- exceeded our expectations.
Thank you, Jessica, for planning our safari, PERFECT in every way!
Mel & Eileen Neville
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Email George & Ruth Lamberty | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime - Perfection
Dancing Zebra is owned by Jessica Matthews. She is simply the BEST for organizing a safari in Tanzania. She has all the right connections to get the best deals especially with the Lemala camps. This was our first safari and from what I have seen and heard, we were blessed. Everything was thought of and nothing was spared to make this trip memorable. We had two guides, the first one for days one and two were with Edson and the remaining six days were with Ian. Wow, both of them knew everything there was to know. The best part was they tried to stay away from the main routes so that you had an individual experience. Jessica picked the best. As far as seeing wildlife, we never would have expected to see so many animals. Again, attributed to the guides. The camps of Lemala were exceptional. We felt like kings. We fell in love with every single person we met in the camps. To me that is the experience. We even had a local meal prepared for us. Delicious! We would most definitely recommend Dancing Zebra Safari and when we decide to do another one there is not doubt we will come back again.
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Email Steve S. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Another fantastic safari with Dancing Zebra!
This was our third trip in three years with Dancing Zebra Safari Co, and once again we had a fantastic safari! Dancing Zebra owner Jessica Matthews is simply the BEST for organizing an African safari, especially in Tanzania, where she spends lots of time and knows very well. She has all the connections to get the best deals at the best camps at the best locations for the season. We were very pleased with the Lemala camps we stayed at. I have had past trips with other safari companies, but they do not come close to the Dancing Zebra experience!
Our safari driver/guide, Ian, proved again he is the best guide in Tanzania. We saw hundreds of lions, many cheetahs, including several thrilling full speed cheetah chases! We also spotted rarely seen animals like Serval and Caracal Cats, and Bat-Eared Foxes. Ian knows the spots to take us to, which maximizes our chances to see the most wildlife, which we did. Every safari with Dancing Zebra, and Ian as our guide, turns out to exceed our expectations!
We have another trip planned next year with Dancing Zebra Safari Co, this time to Botswana, and we are looking forward to another great experience!
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Email Tara Delaney | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Family vacation to escape 2020 Safari
My husband and two teenage children booked a safari tour of Tanzania with Dancing Zebra Safari Co (this was my mine and my husband's second time to travel to Tanzania through Dancing Zebra). Both trips were amazing and different. Jessica knows Africa and has a special love for Tanzania. Our trip consisted of two mobile tented camps and two permanent luxury camps. We love each place for different reasons. The food was superior at each camp. Our guide, Ian, has been a guide for 16 years and it shows in his expertise at finding animals and his driving abilities. He also took such good care of my family! To spend two weeks with my family, watching the awe on my teenagers face as we watched group of cheetahs, or stood quietly in the safari jeep as a huge heard of elephants calmly passed by us (within arms distance). We have been able to travel extensively as a family but both my children said that this trip will always be the MOST memorable trip as a family. Thank you to Jessica and Dancing Zebra Safari Co for giving my family such incredible memories. Tanzania is so beautiful, the landscape, the animals but mostly the people. This experience has left an indelible imprint on my family.
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Email Steve S. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Dancing Zebra Safari team is the best!
This was our second safari with Dancing Zebra. Tanzania was open for business after their Covid 19 lockdown was lifted, and we were eager to go, so Jessica quickly got us a discounted rate at a luxury lodge in Northern Serengeti, where the Mara river crossings were in progress! Jessica’s connections and experience make her the finest safari agent we have ever used. She put in the extra work to make sure we had everything we wanted in a custom safari. She is the absolute best at planning safaris!
And our driver/guide Ian is simply the top safari guide in Africa! I say this after 5 trips to Africa, so I have had many guides. He knows the Serengeti so well that he was giving directions to several guides who were a little lost. Everything that could be seen, we saw! Ian is the best! And our camp, Lemala Kuria Hills was great. After 11 nights there, they gave us a fabulous sendoff with song and dance!
To summarize – the Dancing Zebra Safari team is the best!
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Email John Ortiz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra Safari CO. exceeded our Safari Dreams and created memories & friendships for life
After attempting to plan a 5 person African Safari trip ourselves, we realized that we were in over our heads. At that point, a friend of a friend suggested Jessica Mathews of Dancing Zebra Safari Co. Wow! Jessica is a rock star!
At this point, everything starting coming together - locations, weather, times of year, guides, accommodations. My spouse worked to identify itineraries to see Gorillas and Sun Monkeys in Rwanda (very cool trip) over 3 days followed by 8 days in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park.
The accommodations were all very good to stellar, and the guides were even better.
In Rwanda, our driver Frank Kanmugire shepherded us expertly to the hotel, and the indoctrination gatherings for the gorillas and, a day later, the monkeys. We were appropriately steered to an intermediate level gorilla climb with very good guide, and had an awe inspiring 60 minute visit. The sun monkey tour the next day was entertaining and playful, and much easier to access. In addition, Frank showed us around the market, found a vendor for emergency luggage repair, and helped us digest a chilling and sobering visit to the Rwanda Genocide Museum. Truly, an impressive country.
The Tanzania portion was non-stop animal discovery with periods of luxury in the Camps and lodges. Our guide, Ian Kiwelu, listened to our interests and tailored the day trips to satiate our interest in the many animals, birds, reptiles and flora. Ian gracefully shared joy and love for the outdoors. This included relentlessly helping us to track down a viewing of a leopard. So often, especially in the Serengeti, we would separate from the mass tours (as many as 40 cars watching 3 lions) to take the path less traveled. This is absolutely our style and brought great joy.
Kimchuguu Camp in Tarangire was very well run with good food, and easy to settle in; Plantation Lodge near Ngorongoro brought great food and some pampering including a pool; and Njozi Camp Serengeti was a diamond still being polished with its progressive inclusion of biologists and women on staff and very inviting nightly campfires.
Jessica and Ian included a visit to a traditional Maasai Boma provided a window into their lifestyle and ceremonies - a vivid reminder that Africa is so much more in addition to the animals.
5 Star experience!!
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Email Phil and Meg | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a wonderful escape including extraordinary wildlife sightings with the two best guides ever.
Our trip to Africa was absolutely amazing and except for the minor blip of no pick up in Kilimanjaro, all went very smoothly. You clearly strategized every phase of our trip. You not only know the best properties, but the best rooms which you select and then you specifically select a person at the property who looks after our every need. This was particularly true in Tarangire where our every need was attended to by a member of the staff that you selected, who knew you and who was intent on impressing you with his attentiveness.
Both of our guides, Amos in the Serengetti and Masa at both Ngorongoro and Tarangire were stellar. Both had in depth knowledge of every plant and animal as well as their behavioral characteristics. They both had a great sense of humor, would engage in fascinating conversations about any topic. They both became our friends. Towards the end of the trip, any anxiety that we might have had over the trip simply disappeared. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire trip from start (well almost) to finish. The entire safari was designed for our specific needs and unique and very special.
Our favorite parts of the trip were getting to know the Tanzanian people. So warm and friendly. All were most gracious hosts. Probably the most exciting part of the trip was watching about 2,000 wildebeests cross the Mara River on two different occasions. Sadly a zebra was lost on the first crossing and a wildebeest on the second crossing. However, the crocodiles appeared not to be sad.
Thanks again for putting together such a wonderful trip. You were always fully accessible and very responsive to us as we planned the trip, often giving us the impression that we were your only client, which we know is not the case. Thank you again!!
Phil and Meg
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Email Alex and Chris | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jessica Created our Perfect Honeymoon!
Where do I even begin?! I’m so glad Zicasso matched us up with Jessica! She was a joy to work with while planning our honeymoon. She worked with our budget to put together a trip that was exactly what we were looking for. She was so always so quick to respond and frequently checked in on us throughout this entire process. The thought of planning a big trip like this myself was so daunting, and Jessica made it so EASY. Our trip was the trip of a lifetime. This was my third time traveling to Africa and my second time on safari (South Africa was the first), so I had very high expectations going into this vacation. And this blew all of my expectations away. Not to mention, my husband is new to international travel so he was nervous about this whole experience ;) But since we’ve been home, he literally will not stop talking about what a great time he had! Our lodges, camp, and resort were all wonderful with great food, friendly staff, and we felt very comfortable. Our safari guide Ian was the absolute best! He had a sixth sense for spotting any type of game we wanted to find. He was so experienced and knowledgeable, and you can tell he is truly passionate about what he does. He was with us the entire time we were on safari, and he made sure everything went smoothly, kept track of our itinerary so we didn’t have to, and was also flexible when it came to our daily game drives. 10/10 recommend both Zicasso and Dancing Zebra. Couldn’t have done it without them!