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Lappet Faced Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TANAPA & TTGA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 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
CN
Email Zihan Li | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent trip!
This was my first trip to Tanzania, and I did extensive preparation from the very beginning when searching for a travel agency. I contacted and emailed numerous agencies, and ultimately chose this one, which proved to be the best choice. They provide a complete cost breakdown, clearly showing every expense, and their margins are transparent. For a comparable trip, the cost was the lowest, yet the service was exceptional. Thanks to the Chinese-speaking customer service, everything went smoothly. From itinerary planning and hotel selection to pre-trip preparations and the immediate response to any issues we encountered, they were exceptional. We spent three days on Zang Island and five nights in the Serengeti. We saw a wealth of animals and were completely satisfied with our trip. Most importantly, during my ten-day trip, I observed many travel agencies' vehicles. Ours was definitely among the best in terms of comfort, cleanliness, and amenities. With long daily car rides on the savannah, vehicle condition is crucial. I highly recommend this travel agency, especially for Chinese tourists like me. There's no domestic travel agency taking advantage of price differences, and the Chinese-speaking customer service representatives have actually been there. Finally, I would like to celebrate the successful completion of my trip to Tanzania again. I hope to come again next time!
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CN
Email DING | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very satisfying trip
This trip to Tanzania completely exceeded our expectations. We compared three different tour operators before departure and chose LAPPEST. The invoice was clear, and any changes we requested were immediately handled. After landing and passing customs, LAPPEST handled everything single-handedly. Franciscos, the owner, meticulously arranged every detail. Our guide was Rigo, a kind, handsome, clean, and polite man. We got along wonderfully, and it was a truly relaxing trip, with absolutely no worries. Rigo cleaned the car and was waiting for us every day 10 minutes before our scheduled departure time. We stopped and started as we asked, even backing up a little bit when asked. He was incredibly patient. My husband left his phone in the car, and Rigo immediately found it and brought it to us. In the Serengeti, when we had to pee urgently, we jokingly called it "marking territory." Rigo would find a safe spot, inspect it, and then let us off. We saw the Big Four and wildebeest crossing a river. Rhinos were rare, but we didn't see much of them, so we didn't mind. My daughters love birds and other small animals, and Rigo patiently helped find them. On our last day, we flew from the northern Serengeti to Zang Island. Rigo, already quite far away, returned to meet us, worried that we hadn't arranged an airport pick-up for Zang Island. He was relieved to learn we had arranged a hotel pick-up. Francisco was there for us throughout the entire trip. A special thank you to Mr. Ding, who anticipated many unforeseen issues and promptly addressed them.
Let's talk about our itinerary and accommodations. LAPPET arranged everything very comfortably and reasonably. We landed at Kilimanjaro Airport and spent our first night at a hotel in Arusha. On the second day, we started our safari trip to Tarangire, staying overnight at the Manor Hotel near Ngorongoro, a resort with state-of-the-art facilities. On the morning of the third day, we arrived at Ngorongoro and stayed at a camp inside. The facilities and service were pleasant, though a bit chilly. The staff gave everyone a hot water bottle, which was very comfortable to rest our feet on at night. On the fourth and fifth days, we stayed at a camp in the central Serengeti, searching for animals. On the sixth and seventh days, we stayed at a camp in the northern Serengeti, where we took a hot air balloon ride and chased wildebeest across a river. Both camps were very comfortable and safe, and it was incredibly relaxing to sit by the campfire at night and just relax. On the eighth day, we flew to Zang Island. The small airport and small plane looked a bit chaotic, but the operation was efficient and organized, so there was nothing to worry about.
In short, I highly recommend LAPPET. As long as you communicate well before your trip, you can leave the rest of the trip to them!
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US
Email Zoe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent team and safari guide provided us with an amazing safari trip.
Our experience with Lappet Faced Safaris has been great ever since we first reached out to them. The team was very responsive and attentive to our needs of tailoring a personalized safari trip. They made great suggestions on each and every details, and finalized the trip itinerary based on our preferences. Also, they have been very transparent regarding the itemized pricing and booking process. Since day 1 of landing at Kilimanjaro Airport, their team members have taken care of us for transport and accommodation. However, what we were most impressed with was the service and experience of our safari guide, Noel. Not only was Noel a friendly and lovely person, he was also experienced and knowledgeable with East African biome and wildlife. He is an excellent driver, an amazing animal spotter, and overall a fantastic guide. He asked us what we were hoping to see the most on the trip, and was paying extra attention the whole trip to help us see what we wanted to see. We ended up seeing lots of wild animals, live animal actions and great landscapes in the savanna. Amazing lifetime experience! We are glad that we book with Lappet Faced Safaris.
US
Email Colleen B | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari Tour by Lappet Faced Safaris
Francisco was amazing at organizing exactly the trip we wanted. He took the time to answer all our questions and custom made our trip with a great price. We chose the luxury tented lodges but the mid-priced accommodations looked good too. We saw so many animals up close, right by our Land Rovers, on our custom private 10 day safari (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro). He also arranged a three night get away on Zanzibar at the Zuri Zanzibar resort. It was fabulous! All of the accommodations were fabulous and the food was delicious. You can trust Francisco to organize your safari and make it the trip of your lifetime! This trip exceeded our expectations and that is saying a lot for our group!
Our guides, Ukadi & Alfred, were also amazing, they have a lot of experience as a safari guides and have vast knowledge on the animals, plants, trees and the culture. They spotted so many animals and birds for us, and were patient while we photographed everything. We even got to see all of the Big 5! We saw huge pools of hippos, leopards, cheetahs, lions, elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, ostriches, baboons, hyenas and much, much more!
We really recommend going with Lappet Faced Safari tour company, they are the best! Thank you for sharing your beautiful world with us. We will never forget.
US
Email Bennie Yang | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari Experience! Highly Recommend!
In August this year, I chose Lappet Faced Safaris for an 8-day safari tour, and the whole experience was absolutely wonderful!
From the airport pickup to the daily arrangements, everything was smooth and well taken care of. Our pickup driver Eric was warm and thoughtful, making us feel at ease right from the moment we landed.
During the safari, our guide and driver Joseph was extremely professional and knowledgeable. He not only helped us spot incredible wildlife up close, but also shared fascinating insights about the animals and the ecosystem, which made the journey even more enriching.
I also really appreciate Francisco, the company’s manager, who was always patient and attentive. From booking to pre-trip communication, he ensured everything was clear and stress-free.
This 8-day safari was truly an unforgettable experience, and I would not hesitate to recommend Lappet Faced Safaris to anyone who wants to witness the wonders of African wildlife!
HK
Email Polly | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good
Safari trip for 7 days and 6 nights. The local travel agency was excellent. I paid the deposit 9 months in advance. Normally, the remaining balance is due before departure, but I found the wire transfer fees to be expensive, so I asked if I could pay in cash upon arrival. The agency agreed. When I arrived at the hotel in Arusha, they came directly to the hotel to collect the payment, which was very convenient.
Additionally, all the hotels I stayed at and the extra safari activities were well arranged, with no changes at all. Our guide, Noel, kept the vehicle very clean and took us to see many animals every day. Whenever we wanted to take pictures of the animals, he would find the best spots for us. We even saw hippos fighting and wildebeests crossing the river. This time, I managed to see all the Big Five in Africa. I will definitely recommend this travel agency to my friends; it was fantastic.
CN
Email Megan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari Experience
This safari trip was truly unforgettable! A friend recommended Lappet Faced, and we had a fantastic experience. Our guide, Hussan, was incredibly professional, quickly identifying the animals and providing valuable information. His driving skills were also excellent. We were even lucky enough to see wildebeest crossing the river! I give it a perfect 100! I hope Hussan continues to pursue his passion!
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CN
Email ZHU | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
VERY GOOOOD！！
I planned a trip for National Day this time. After booking my flights at the end of July, I started looking for local travel agencies. I compared prices and confirmed my trip in mid-August.
Before departure, I searched Safaribookings for a bunch of sites with over 500 five-star reviews and posted them online. I also used Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) to find several local travel agencies with WeChat accounts. Ultimately, I felt that large agencies generally only responded with templated responses, while small and medium-sized agencies offered more flexibility to customize the package. I ultimately chose Lappet.
This company has several advantages:
1. They have WeChat, so you can search for their official account on Xiaohongshu, eliminating the need for email communication (which is inefficient).
2. They require a 20% prepayment, and even though we only paid the prepayment and provided a screenshot, they already secured the hotel for us before the money even arrived (although cross-border transfers through China Construction Bank offer lower fees, because there's an intermediary bank that's not affiliated with international banking organizations, it's impossible to verify the payment's receipt, resulting in a one- to two-week wait).
3. Unlike some local travel agencies, they don't demand 100% prepayment before departure domestically, claiming they're fully booked for National Day. We arrived at Arusha Airport and were met by Lappet staff, who then paid the full price on the bus.
4. The recommended hotels were excellent. We stayed in several, some recommended by other travel agencies while comparing prices, but the camp Lappet recommended was the best of the trip—new and spacious.
5. The price list was itemized, and the hotel's quote was $20 to $30 cheaper than Goshine and other travel agencies. Because it was such a good value, we didn't have to bargain much in the end. Furthermore, the price included things like hampers and helicopter rescue, unlike other travel agencies that require additional fees.
6. Most importantly, the guide they arranged was excellent. We had previously tried to book several of their popular guides, but couldn't get them booked with only a month and a half in advance. So, two days before departure, Lappet arranged for Stephano. Lappet said all their guides were excellent, and Stephano proved to be fantastic! Stephano is incredibly approachable, and I felt like I was a friend throughout the entire trip. Stephano is very smart, down-to-earth, and a great driver. He helped us overtake and avoid the dust, and we ate two pounds less dirt than others during the whole trip. The key is that he can always grab the best C seat to see the animals. On the day of watching the Tianhe Ferry, the wildebeest moved, and many cars followed the wildebeests. We were originally following a large group of cars, but in the end we were miraculously in the front row and got a good seat. Another day, another car was stuck for a long time, and the guide of the other car asked for help. Stephano taught him how to steer the wheel remotely, and the other car got out easily. Thank you, Stephano, I give this safari full marks
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CN
Email Noemi Ge | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A reliable, stable, and responsible tour operator.
I booked my safari with this company back in May. I compared them with other tour operators, and the owner, Francisco, was my main point of contact. Before the trip, what stood out to me was his professionalism and prompt responses. Even when I frequently changed hotel preferences, he always provided updated quotes and reasonable suggestions in a timely manner.
During the trip, all the accommodations were as expected, with no last-minute changes. The vehicle was in good condition, and our guide cleaned it daily. It had air conditioning and charging ports, which was very convenient.
Our guide was slightly older but very experienced. He shared extensive knowledge about geography, culture, and wildlife, and was highly proactive in tracking animals. On the day we were looking for black rhinos, for instance, hardly any other vehicles spotted them, but our guide drove us around extensively until we finally succeeded—helping us complete the Big Five! That said, perhaps due to his personality and age, he came across as a bit more serious compared to some of the younger guides. Shyer travelers might find him a little reserved.
Overall, the safari was excellent. Everything went as smoothly as planned, with no unexpected issues—I even overheard people from other vehicles mentioning problems like vehicle breakdowns, getting lost, or even accidents. I highly recommend Lappet-faced!
By the way, I learned from our guide that the company is named after a vulture commonly found in Africa. We spotted many of them out on the plains.
CN
Email He | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Animal Land
Nice Trip, really enjoy and appreciate Lappet faced to arrange this wonderful honeymoon. Both in Zanzibar and Tanzania are great. We have seen a lot of animals and also we really enjoy the food in Afraica. Driver introduced many local culture to us to help us blend in quickly.
