SMILE WITH US TOURS IN AFRICA 2024
Smile With Us Tours In Africa
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $490 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
IT
Email Francesca | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful
My partner and I went on a 5 day safari between Mikumi and Nyerere NP. Our driver Salum, who has a great knowledge of the animals and places visited was very good. We managed to see almost all the animals present and we had a memorable experience. The structures in which we stayed were all welcoming and offered buffets for various meals. I would recommend this experience with Smile With Us to everyone
US
Email Austin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unrivaled professionalism and service
My wife and I took a private one day fly in fly out safari from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park (used to be called Selous Game Reserve) during the latter portion of rainy season, mid-May.
Firstly, our amazing experience began with a request for a quote. Within 1 hour we had a quote and a deeply detailed layout of our trip from the pickup point at our resort in Nungwi beach to Nyerere and then back to our resort. I had a few questions for Jacob, my contact, through email which were promptly answered. So within 48 hours I confidently booked with Smile With Us Tours. Payment through PesaPal (a Tanzanian PayPal of sorts) was quick and easy.
On the day before our safari, the taxi driver (Nurdin) contacted us through WhatsApp to confirm our pickup and drop off. Nurdin was so very kind and willing to share his knowledge of his home with us. Most importantly, he was a safe driver.
On the day of the Safari we woke up early and met Nurdin who took us to the small departure gates that housed flights to Safari airstrips. The plane was a ~30 passenger double prop plane. The landing at Nyerere (as it is on any dirt runway in a small plane) is not as cushioned as a large international flight might be, but don’t let that deter you. It is such a cool experience! At the end of the runway awaits some nice restrooms, a line of safari trucks, and the entrance to Nyerere National Park. Stepping off the plane, we were immediately greeted with a huge smile by our fantastic tour guide Eric.
Eric began by familiarizing us with our 6 seater safari truck. Our safari truck was loaded with a cooler full of ice waters that was easily accessible throughout the trip. The dew that morning had left the seats a little damp, but before we even had the chance to mention it, Eric solved that problem by covering our seats with plastic panchos that were also available for rainy days. When entering the park, we stopped by the park rangers station where we picked up an extra tour guide who was learning the ropes in their tour guide school named Jameson “Jimmy”. Of course, Eric made sure it was ok with us before we added Jimmy as an additional passenger.
Despite being in the park during rainy season, when the foliage is dense and the animals more difficult to see, we had no issue getting many up close encounters with ALMOST all (sneaky lions) of the animals on our list. The guides from different companies are constantly on the radios trying to coordinate their movements to make sure you see the most animals. We were blown away with the variety of animals we saw and our favorites were the wildebeest, hippos, water buffalo, and the baby elephants! If you like giraffes, you are in for a treat! You will see more giraffes than you ever thought possible. You may even be sick of seeing giraffes at the conclusion of your trip!
Nyerere is a gem of a park as it contains many different “biomes” like savannah, wetlands, and dense jungle. Even in the rainy season, it displayed a dry grass savannah with herds of zebra and impala with the occasional wildebeest. 15 minutes later we were driving through a thicket of large, vined trees where a group of baboons were dropping fruits to a small harem of female elephants and their feisty young calves. Fifteen more minutes passed and we reached a sprawling riverbed where hippos and crocodiles were plentiful.
In the morning we had a 20 minute break where all of the safari trucks gathered near the river for coffee, tea, and Tanzanian fried bread (andazi). During the afternoon we stopped for lunch near a lake infested with more hippos than you can possibly begin to count. The lunch area had several metal gazebos where you can get out of the sun and very nice restrooms that were totally unexpected out in the bush. We ate a dish of chicken in curry on a bed of rice with a side of melon.
We finished the tour chasing after lion and hyena tracks, but to no avail. We were close though, as evidenced by several piles of giraffe bones scattered near our search area. Eric and Jimmy both created such an unforgettable experience for me and my wife and I know they are continuing to do the same for all of their tour customers.
The return flight to Zanzibar was peaceful and Nurdin was waiting for us as we walked out of the airport to take us back to our resort in Nungwi. In all, we left our resort at 0400 and returned around 1730 in the evening. If you want a special safari experience but don’t know if a multi-day trek is for you, I would highly suggest this opportunity.
Of note, the price of all the tours is a steal for the experience. However, the difference between a private tour and a group tour is arguably negligible. I would highly suggest a private tour if you feel that way too!
Also of note, while tipping is not mandatory, these guides are extremely skilled at navigating rough terrain, communicating with other guides, and teaching you about their animals, all while using multiple different languages. These gentlemen (from several companies) take pride in their trade and are unbelievably service oriented. They deserve a good tip so make sure to bring some Tanzanian cash!
Safaribookings.com is a terrific site and when my wife and I return to East Africa I will be using them to find my next safari adventure. Hopefully that tour is guided by the hardworking people at Smile With Us Tours!
PT
Email Miguel Sa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the best experiences of our lives! TOP
We did the one-day safari in Mikumi National Park with this operator.
We left Zanzibar and arrived in Mikumi by plane. A magnificent and unforgettable trip.
The jeep tour with our guide was spectacular. We were so lucky to have the best guide in the park - Isaack. We saw all the animals and Isaack made sure we got as close to them as possible. Spectacular.
We recommend this operator.
Thanks to Jacob who was tireless throughout the booking process and changes. Thanks to Nurdin and Issack.
JE
Email Elliot | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic! Surreal experience, like a dream!
Our adventure with Smile With Us Tours Africa was simply out of the ordinary.
Jacob’s helpfulness in answering all our questions in the booking phase, to helping storing our luggage whilst we were away was second to none. Nurdin came to pick us up directly from our hotel at 4am to drive us to the airport, he was punctual, welcoming and extremely polite.
Our exceptional guide Maarufu was waiting for us when the plane arrived in Mtemere airstrip. Maarufu really made our trip, he was extremely knowledgable of the animals and area as well as super friendly and great fun!
We started the stay with breakfast in a lodge outside Nyerere National Park. This was followed by a “Walking Safari” accompanied by a Maasai. We learnt about the different trees, plants and animals droppings of the bush - a really useful background prior to the game drives. The Maasai also demonstrated and let us attempt to make fire the traditional way.
Before lunch, we embarked on a “Boat Safari” during which we were able to see crocodiles, hippos and many birds.
After lunch, we left with Maarufu on our first game drive. After a brief discussion we agreed to travel along the highway for an hour with the goal of finding lions that had been spotted earlier. On the road, we met giraffes, impalas, pumbas, buffaloes and even elephants!
After about an hour and a half, and Maarufu’s expert guidance, the ultimate reward, a large family of lions with lots of cubs. The dream!
The lions came so close to the car to find shade that we could have reached out and touched them!
The drive back to the lodge was full of more animals everywhere we looked.
We spent the evening and night at Selous Impala Camp. The tents were very comfortable, the service very attentive and the food delicious.
The next morning we left at sunrise for a “Bush Breakfast”. Maarufu used his expertise to track the elephant footprints and to locate a family of elephants with many baby elephants.
We had breakfast by one of the park’s many lakes, a unique and memorable moment.
We continued the safari before returning for lunch at the lodge, before leaving for Mtemere airstrip, still spotting a number of animals on the way.
Throughout the Safari, Maarufu knew how to find the animals, bring the car as close as possible without scaring them so that we could be as close as possible to them. He also have us a lot of information about the animals and how the entire ecosystem works.
It is important to note that we were provided with an open top Jeep, entirely open on the sides, that was just for us. This was very different from the occasional others companies we saw which had a mixture of people crammed into the car, or no open sides.
Thank you to Jacob and the whole team for organising a wonderful two days and especially Maarufu for making it truly unforgettable, making us laugh and smile non stop and guiding us to all the animals of the Selous!
NL
Email Kees | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A reliable and flexible company
We made a safari with Smile for 8 days.
We visited three NP, Nyerere, Mikuni , Ruaha. The company is very flexible and adjusted the program to our wishes.
They do what they offer and communication with Jacob Moshi is good. It is a reliable company and that is important.
In Nyerere park we had Mr Deo as driver/guide. We had an open car which is excellent. Mr Deo is enthousiastic and an expert.
For the other two parks we had Mr Saloum as driver-guide. He has a lot of experience in the parks.
In Zanzibar Smile is represented by Mr Nurdin. Excellent services.
Overall , good and reliable company.
Highly recommended.
DE
Email Andrea, Nura, Faris and Abdalla | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent 5-Day Mikumi NP, Udzungwa and Nyerere NP Safari Package with Smile With Us
We are a family of 4 and enjoyed a wonderful 5 night safari visiting Mikumi, Udzungwa and Nyerere. It was our first safari. Communication and organization of the trip was excellent and very individually. Every single part of the trip went as planned, top class service all the way.
First day early morning pick up from Dar by our tour guide Erick, an excellent guide and warm hearted young man. The ride was in a comfortable big 4x4 land cruiser top up roof. When coming to Mikumi park Erick was very knowledgeable where to spot zebras, wildebeests, impalas, buffalos, giraffes, baboons, elephants and lions. First night our accommodation was inside Mikumi. Day two we did a morning game where we saw a lions only two meters away from our land rover. After this we went to Udzungwa mountains and did a guided hiking tour to Sanje waterfalls which took 3 hours. The swim in plunge pools was lovely. At night we stayed in camp Bastian, a beautiful camp with lovely accommodation and fine food. We loved it.
Day 3 we drove to Nyerere national park and stayed in the very special Neyere tented camp. After arrival we embarked on a guided boat safari. We saw many hippos, birds and crocodiles in their natural habitat. Day 4 we joined for a two hour bush walk where a bushman and great story teller explained about animals and plants. We learned and laughed a lot. After this we went for a full day game. Erick knew exactly where to go to see the wild animals. We even saw wild dogs and hyena. On day five we flew back to Zanzibar. All was very well organized, the flight tickets to Zanzibar as well as the pickup from the airport to our hotel.
Thank you Smile! We had an incredible time and couldn’t have been happier with you.
FI
Email Eddy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organised tour to think about, Director Jacob thanks so much for your support and guidance.
Excellent safari to travel with Smile with us tours in Africa. On April 02 to April 15 We had a unique safari with my wife and my three children.Our guide Ally Mvungi is also professional in all the areas. Beautiful safari, The response of email, text messages and phone is very quickly not more than 3 minutes, smile with us is a committed company. I recommend Smile with us tours in Africa to any visitors or group of visitors.
CN
Email Alex Yang | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
Am one among the ten visitors from china.Smile with us become a speed market tour company from Tanzania,Smile penetrate very speed at china.We are happy to see a place of snake parks, water falls and mt Meru its very amazing,
We visit national parks,lake manyara where we see hot spring water,ngorongoro crater,Serengeti and we fail to climb mount Kilimanjaro due to rainfall and cold seasonal.For sure Smile with us company have a good customer care,A guide and directors are very smart. We advice a director to open officers at our country,
FI
Email Jukka Virtanen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They provide excellent tour guide and mostly ww like their flexibility
All communication is openly and timing ,excellent service, we give excellent. We would recommend to anyone
FI
Email Miia Holminen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was fantastic tour ever had 04-09 June 2018.
It is a pleasure and happy days for our honey moon.
We are not observing any problem from the day we arrive up to departure.
I thank you guide for a clarification of all animals .thank you.