Mr. Ibrahim Mruma, Managing Director
Luitours and Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2018)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $150 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Philip | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service from start to finish
Having booked a 2 week stay in Zanzibar, I started looking at options for a day safari experience in mainland Tanzania and came across Luitours online. After some extensive research looking at reviews I emailed Ibrahim and started some dialogue. Ibrahim was incredibly patient with me as I asked loads of questions via email before I went ahead an booked a private tour for myself and my wife in Nyerere National Park. This was a day trip from Zanzibar which included hotel transfers, flights, safari as well as breakfast and lunch. It wasn't cheap at 540USD per person but it was so worth it. After paying a 30% deposit on line, I paid the balance on pick-up from my hotel in cash.
This trip does come with an early start, we were picked up from our hotel at 0330 for the nearly 2 hour trip to the airport. After a bit of hanging around we passed through domestic departures before boarding the plane for the 30 mins journey to the park where you land on a bush landing strip. At the strip there are toilets (clean) and also somewhere you could get a drink and souvenirs.
On arrival we were met by Erick our guide for the day, and after a 15 min wait we were ready to start our safari. It was worth paying a little extra for a private tour as we had an open-sided Toyota 4x4 to ourselves and Erick was happy to stop wherever we asked if we wanted to take photos of any animals or birds we had seen.
Im not sure about the other vehicles that were in the park, but we didn't follow everyone around in a convoy, Erick basically just went off road to take us to areas he thought we would see animals. It was absolutely fantastic and we managed to see lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, zebra, antelope, wildebeest, warthogs, giraffes, baboons, black faced monkeys as well as a ton of birds.
We stopped for breakfast of doughnuts, tea and coffee next to a lake, where again there was so many birds and animals to view. Lunch was in an area with baobab trees (also toilets) where again there were loads of birds to watch while you ate a delicious offering of vegetable stew, chicken and rice.
We spent a total of about nearly 9 hours in the park and it was amazing. This is an absolute must do from Zanzibar if you are able.
Ibrahim was great all the way before, during and after the booking process and would absolutely have no hesitation in recommending Luitours.
US
Email Polly | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They provided us with and outstanding experience!
We initially booked a 12 day southern circuit (Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha) safari through Luitour and then modified the trip to include an extra 4 days of the northern circuit (Tarangire, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater). We modified it again to add a balloon ride in the Serengeti. Ibrahim was on top of everything and we could not have been happier with our guide, Khalifa, the hotels/camps, the safaris, and the additional activities. We chose the southern circuit for a chance to see the wild dogs (we didn’t) and to get away from the hundreds of vehicles that crowd the northern parks. It felt a lot more authentic and the experience was fantastic. Each park has their specialty and I have a hard time deciding which one I liked the best, but I’m already thinking about returning (again!). We really enjoyed the visit to the Masai village outside of Mikumi and I don’t think I would have said the same thing if we had done it in the north. The pilars of Isimila were outstanding and I highly encourage a visit to the rock art north of Dodoma if you have a chance. This is a UNESCO experience.
The northern circuit was added because two of the three of us had never been to the Serengeti and the Crater, so we decided to brave the crowds and the dust and add that to our trip. And yes, it’s definitely worth it. Because there are so many vehicles, some of the more difficult animals to see are more easily spotted and that information is shared. But it also means you can have 20+ vehicles jockeying for position to see the desired animal. The Crater is special and one of few places to see the black rhino (we saw a mother and baby at the last moment before we left).
We wore our lucky underwear and saw over 74 lions, 9 cheetahs, 2 leopards, 1 serval, 2 black rhinos, hyenas, and everything else (but wild dogs, not complaining). We had lions on a kill, cubs, and a little bit of unsuccessful hunting. We saw a cheetah with 5 young cubs. Khalifa made sure that we all got quality time with whatever interested us as individuals or as a group. As a result, we had some amazing experiences. The vehicle is roomy and comfortable with optimal viewing for everyone. It is also maintained regularly, but also be aware the roads are bumpy and things can happen. We had flat tire, but it took 12 minutes to change. Khalifa was an excellent spotter, driver, and a joy to be around. The lodging was also very comfortable. If you haven’t done a tent lodge, it is like very nice glamping. The tents have real and comfortable beds, bathrooms attached with running water, and a chance to hear the lions in the camp at night. The food was very good, a mix of Western and African food. Most places have wifi, but it usually only works near the reception and restaurant, but you are on vacation, so put your phones and tablets away. Find some lucky underwear and book!
Email Jayesh Patel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent!
Ibrahim, together with our safari tour guide Godlisten, are both very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I cannot recommend them both enough.
Ibrahim was patient with me whilst I asked a *lot* of questions and gave me advice throughout together with the help of Godlisten. Ibrahim arranged stays at impressive and comfortable lodges for reasonable rates, possibly on the higher end of midrange and what we planned to pay but it was an unforgettable experience. I booked a 5 day midrange safari for two people, which we ended up extending with an extra day. All accommodation and the jeep were accessible to my mum who has some slight mobility issues from her arthritis and knee issues.
Day 0: we arrived two days before our safari was meant to start but Ibrahim was able to arrange a transfer to Arusha by our guide, Godlisten.
Day 1: we left Arusha and visited Tarangire and stayed at Farm of Dreams Lodge. The lodge was beautiful and had great amenities, albeit we didn't get to use them much with just an overnight stay. Tarangire was a great taster for what we could expect to see on safari.
Day 2-3: we stayed at Serengeti Safari Lodge for two nights which was a very impressive and pretty luxurious lodge, including a private shower outside in the Serengeti attached to the room. The Serengeti itself is incredible, and in hindsight I wish we stayed a day or two longer. We managed to witness a lot of wildebeest migration but due to timing not too much 'action' from carnivores. I now understand why people can go on Safari for several weeks as there's really near infinite possibilities of what you might witness in wildlife. On Day 3 we did a balloon safari which Ibrahim was able to arrange at a slightly discounted rate versus what we would have paid at the booths.
Day 4: we stayed at Rhino Lodge which was in the cold/wet side of Ngorongoro, great amenities again. Ngorongoro is beautiful and will leave you speechless when you first enter. We had managed to see four of the big five in Tarangire and Serengeti but thankfully with Godlisten's eyesight we were able to see a Black Rhino in the middle of Ngorongoro from quite a distance. We had a really close experience with a lion and two lionesses taking a nap right next to our jeep.
Day 5: we sadly headed away from Ngorongoro to Lake Manyara. Ibrahim and Godlisten had suggested to me when booking that it might be worth skipping and spending more time in the Serengeti but I wanted to visit Lake Manyara as my mum had previously visited there with her school from Arusha. Sadly due to flooding and climate change it seems Lake Manyara isn't really worth visiting but nevertheless it was interesting albeit saddening to see. Midway through our time in Lake Manyara we decided we'd like to extend our safari by one day as we felt Manyara wasn't really worth it and we hoped to end our tour with slightly better memories/experiences. Unfortunately it would have been too expensive to return to the Serengeti so if you're thinking of extending try and discuss before leaving Ngorongoro! We decided to visit Tarangire again and Ibrahim arranged for another night at a lodge in Mto wa Mbu at Ngare Lodge. Before this we visited some souvenir shops, a tanzanite experience and some local art. We also visited a maasai village. We also stopped over in Karatu to visit a shop my uncle once worked at over 50 years ago which is now demolished. We then stayed overnight at Ngare Lodge, which is great!
Day 6: we visited Tarangire for a second time. Our main objective was hopefully to see Cheetahs but we knew it would probably be unlikely in the long grass. Cheetahs were the only animal we hadn't seen at all unfortunately and sadly we didn't see any - but it's a reminder of how 'random' wildlife can be. Godlisten tried everywhere and tried to discuss with other tour guides if they had seen any but sadly we didn't get to see any. But we did get to see some really unforgettable moments with elephant groups and families greeting each other and rolling around in mud. After a while we decided to call time and headed back to Arusha. Really was quite sad it ended on the journey back.
All the staff at the lodges were incredibly welcoming and food was really enjoyable at each venue and had great vegetarian options.
I would also like to give a huge thanks to our guide, Godlisten Williams. His jeep was very comfortable for two people and he was extremely knowledgeable and personable. He was able to spot animals from a distance and give us some information and history throughout the journey. He also made sure we had water and a packed lunch for every day and kept us entertained throughout.
The only thing I would've changed is spending more time in Serengeti and not visiting Lake Manyara - but it was nevertheless a flawless well-organised tour and one of my favourite experiences. If I were to do a safari again in the future I would also try and wake up earlier so there's more time for game drives as you might encounter more animals or situations that way.
Email Stephanie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime safari experience
Ibrahim from Luitours safari company responded relatively quickly to WhatsApp and email. The process of safari and payment was smooth. The itinerary was flexible and tailored to our circumstances as we needed to fly from Arusha to Zanzibar on the last day at 4pm. However, we were only informed that our lodges from the original quotation/itinerary were no longer available AFTER we paid the deposit. Fortunately, the new replacement lodges were very nice and exceeded our expectations. The tour guide, Okuli was friendly and knowledgeable. He visited us for an in-person briefing the day before the safari started. He answered any queries we had and managed our expectations of the safari. He picked us up on time on the first day of the safari. He was a safe and calm driver despite some terrible driving and road conditions. He went out of his way to ensure we saw as many different animals as we could. He drove at a slow speed and stopped when required for us to take pictures and videos. He explained the differences and characteristics of different animals. He was honest about the river crossing was too early for the time we went. He received the latest information about animals location via radio with other drivers and fly safari. We had great conversations with him throughout the 4 days safari to learn more about the Tanzanian culture. I would highly recommend Luitours and Safaris.
NL
Email Nina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable and flexible tour operator, created the best safari for us
We have been on a 3 day safari to Mikumi from where we live in Dar es Salaam.
Khalifa was our guide and he was very punctual and an excellent driver. We felt very safe with him in the car.
The place where we stayed in Camp Bastian was very nice, exactly what we expected. The rooms are fine (nothing luxurious but perfectly fine!), there was a pool, and every evening there is a 3 course dinner. Lovely personel and really in a 'safari' environment.
Driving through the park with Khalifa was amazing. He has great knowledge about the animals and we actually had a lot of fun with him. We were able to see many animals, and we were very lucky with the ones we saw.
Would recommend. Unique experience.
DE
Email Jochen Spindler | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Experience
We did a 5-day safari to serengeti, crater and tarangire nationalparc with our guide Godlisten. It was very well organized. The pickup was always right on time and Godlisten has a great knowledge of the animals and their behaviour which he is happy to share. We also got additional information about the country and the
people living here. He did always take good care of us and his english was also easy to understand. We saw the big-5 and many more. The lodges they picked out were outstanding. So it has been a great experience and we can highly recommend booking that tour.
GH
Email Celestine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fantastic experience with Luitours and Safaris!
Ibrahim had been very responsive and was able to take care of our concerns relating to changes in itinerary. The entire safari went on as per the agreed schedule without any changes
The jeeps were really comfortable and everyone had a window seat! Plus the roof went up so that we could get a better view of the game drive
Our guide Freddy was kind, fun and knowledgeable and gave us a great safari! Freddy was also a really good driver, which made our journey feel very safe the whole time
He always did everything possible to make our safari experience incredible. We saw an incredible amount of wildlife
Thanks again Ibrahim and Freddy for an unforgettable experience!
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Email Loulwa Salem | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great communication, reliable and wonderful overall experience
We did the 3-day Mikumi and Masai village safari. We worked with Ibrahim to organize, communication is great and safari packet detailed with all info needed. Our tour guide Hassan was with us the duration of safari, he was always on time or early, picked us up from hotel and drove to park where we spent the first afternoon then day 2. He gave us lots of info. and history and was teaching us Swahili words which we liked. Hassan also was great at chasing all animal sighting leads from other guides and made sure we saw all big 4 animals in this park including a very hard to find leopard. Thank you Hassan. The third day we visited a Masai village learning a lot about their traditions and life, we really enjoyed it. During our nights we spent it at camp Bastian which has individual cabins, is well kept and the staff is great. They offered delicious breakfast and dinner in addition to packed lunches. Overall our experience was wonderful and we really enjoyed it. Highly recommend Luitours and Hassan.
FR
Email Frobert | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly Recommend
My wife and I absolutely loved our holiday with Luitours Tanzania; from the start the booking experience was great. Our accommodation was fantastic, and comfortable
Initially we were worried about planning a safari thousands of miles away with little knowledge of what is reasonable to expect in choosing locations to see, places to stay, length of safari, price range.
We were a bit overwhelmed by all the tour companies and possibilities. But Ibrahim customized everything to our needs and expectations. We had a really great time and Godilisten fulfilled all our wishes. He was really attentively and showed us every single animal we wanted to see
We would recommend this tour to anyone. Thanks so much, Luitours! What an experience!
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Email Rodger | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari adventure!
During our 4 days safari in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Luitours made sure we spent each day to the fullest. The hotels chosen were top quality as per our requests. Thanks to Ibrahim who handled everything from the office and our guide Freddy who informed us about all the plants and gives us so much information about all the animals we have seen. We have seen "The big five". We never had a dull moment with him; he is one of the most caring & kind persons we ever met.
We saw the leopard on a tree, when other people could not spot
If you are thinking of booking a safari, I have no hesitation in recommending Luitours and Safaris