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 Kristen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy and delightful from start to finish!
We had an amazing time on safari with Dancing Zebra! Jessica and Abdullie did a great job with the early planning stages - they were responsive to our needs and requests, plus they just seem like nice people. The itineraries are presented in an easy to understand and visually appealing way. Plus, their local connections really help with planning and pricing; they were checking in on the properties and local partners in person while we were organizing the trip, which made us confident in their recommendations. The safari itself was effortless on our end and we ended up really enjoying the itinerary they had recommended. Our vehicle, guide, and lodging were superb! Dancing Zebra checked in during the trip to make sure everything was going okay, but we really had no response other than thank you! I would definitely recommend using them for your safari.
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Email Erin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazingly thoughtful and there for us 100%
Quite honestly, I was a little hesitant to book with Dancing Zebra because I had trouble finding online reviews, but I couldn't be happier that I booked our honeymoon through them.
From the very beginning, Jessica was flexible with our budget and needs and gave us an excellent recommendation for a 6-night safari. Every aspect and every quesiton was thoroughly covered by both Jessica and Abdullie. They gave us a full breakdown of what to expect each day from both the driver/tour and the accommodations through both an online portal and a customized pamplet that gave tips on everything from the details of the accommodations to tipping customs to even what to pack for the trip.
We actually ran into a problem with a self-booked flight heading into the safari--the flight had been cancelled without any notification to me or my husband. I contacted Dancing Zebra to let them know, and Abdullie was all over it, even though the flight had not been part of the itinerary that Dancing Zebra had covered. He was able to get in touch with the airline that cancelled and helped to ensure that I was booked on another airline to get to Kilimanjaro Airport to be in time for the start of our safari.
While our guide, Peter, was amazing and knowledgeable throughout the entire trip, the most enjoyable part of our trip was our stay at the Nasikia Naona Moru camp in southern Serengeti. My husband and I were thrilled with how luxurious the tent was (the epitome of "glamping"), but what really made the stay was the staff. They were so kind and thoughtful--I had the flu throughout the entire stay and they made sure I had enough fresh ginger tea to cure an entire family with the flu. The last night we were there, they made us a special dinner outside, underneath the stars. The staff sang and danced us a farewell song and we had such a wonderful time!!!
I cannot thank Dancing Zebra enough for the amazing honeymoon that we had.
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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 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 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 Wendy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Catered to all of my Desires!
This was the best company I have ever worked with. I was traveling alone and so requested some very special side trips such as cooking with a Swahili woman, visiting tribes that others may not get to meet, in addition to the Massai so that I could gain a greater cultural understanding of Tanzania. Jessica Mathews, one of the co-owners was wonderful to work with and added in a trip to Jifundishe: a woman's micro lending program, women's beading program to grow self-sufficiency and free library and schooling as well as many other activities that related to my personal interests.
The guide that was assigned to me, Daniel was exceptional. I would strongly suggest asking for him when you go. He is a highly educated guide, intelligent, culturally sensitive, and was able to answer EVERY question I had. And it was all fabulous. After researching and speaking with many companies, I chose Dancing Zebra. One of the best choices in travel that I have made. I believe because this is a small company, they are able to give personal attention to your needs and interests. I emailed Jessica several times to ask for advice on tipping on the special events I did - like cooking and she always responded fully and promptly. If and when I return to Tanzania, I would never consider any other company. The entire trip was perfectly planned to my desires. I can't point to one favorite because it was all fabulous. The attention to detail was superb.
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Email Tammy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond our Expectations!
Zicasso found the perfect travel specialist for our Tanzanian safari. We were introduced to our safari travel designer. She planned a custom trip for my daughter and I, and every detail was thoughtful and flawless! She was very communicative and easy to talk to, returned calls and emails quickly. It was the most relaxing trip I have ever experienced since our travel designer planned every detail based on extensive conversations of our hopes and wishes of what we hoped to see and experience. It was a truly magical vacation! Our 8 day trip to Tanzania was well beyond our expectations!! We stayed in amazing, elegant lodges and spent 3 nights in a Serengeti tented camp. We had a private guide for the entire trip who took us on daily game drives based on what we wanted to see. We experienced the Tanzanian culture and the Massai, and saw and studied oh-so many animals in their natural habitats onlya few feet away from our Land Cruiser. We soaked in the beauty and natural wonders of the Seregenti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. Everything about this trip was relaxed, well organized, and stress-free. It truly was a trip of a lifetime that we will treasure forever!
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Email Collette and Mike | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a wonderful safari, better than we expected!
We first saw this company as a sponsor of "Nature" on PBS. The owner was available by phone in the U.S. which made communication very easy. Jessica was very caring and made sure all our questions were answered as needed. Together we designed our custom tour so that we could travel a little slower, allowing us to relax as well as time to do some bird watching. A nice mix of accommodations; surprisingly luxurious resorts, a tented cabin, and a mobile camp in Serengeti. We were offered cultural experiences, and we chose the walk through a village near Karatu and a couple of walks by different guides local to each area. Our driver and guide, Yunus, was very knowledgeable about animals and birds, and loved nature. He went the extra mile to make sure we saw all the critters we had mentioned and many more. As a driver he was always very safe. The owner, kept in touch with our guide throughout the safari, checking to make sure all was well. Finally our scenic flight from Serengeti to Arusha topped off our stay. In summary, we will always have very fond memories of our wonderful safari with Dancing Zebra.
