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
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!
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
DE
Email Violetta | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari
We had an amazing time in Mikumi and Selous National Park. The communication with the tour operator was really easy and quick. Our guide Salum was the best driver and spotter! He drove very safely and was really experienced. The trip was worth very penny. We can highly recommend this tour (even during rain season)!
Email Philip | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, trustful and qualitative safari company
We loved our time with ‘Smile with us Tours’. We were with four friends and had a great trip. Msese was our guide, and he did whatever was needed to make us enjoy every moment and feel great and safe. He showed us all good places, and he knew Nyerere Park very well. He brought us to places where nobody else went because our 4x4 car was strong, and he knew the car very well.
The communication with Jakub, the owner of the company, went nicely. He gave us a reasonable price. Much better than other companies. We met people in the lodge that went with other companies. They paid more for the same lodging. Also, the car we had was much better than other safari companies were using.
All in all, we loved it, and we would advise everyone to work with Smile Tours. Thanks!
HU
Email Peter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We are totally satisfied with Smile with us tours in Africa oranganisation and services.
The tour operator sent the offer in few hours and for my additional questions the promptly answer. All the tour steps were organised by the company proffesionally. Our driver, Mr. Salum Msese offered an enjoyable offroad tour across riverbed, bushes and impossible places.
We could observe a lot of animals, animal familiesand their movements.
It is a 5 star companies and I reccomend for everybody indcluding families.
Email Kieran | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service
I booked last minute for a 1 day safari to Selous fron Zanzibar. It was all areanged within 24hrs. All staff were excellent and friendly. I had left my sunglasses in the safari vehicle but was sble to pick them up from Zanzibar airport as they gad them sent over fro the mainland. As I said excellent service
Email Sander | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience
Perfect experience,
We booked the tour a day in advance, this was no problem. Directly we had good contact with (Jacob) smile tours they fixt everything for us; flights pick up and drop off from the hotel in Zanzibar. Clear and fast responses if we had any questions. Then the safari itself was unbelievable. Our guide Mr Salum Msese, he was realy friendly and knew a lot about the Forrest and animals that were found in the selous game reserve. Thanks to his expertise we were able to see all the animals we would want to see even the elusive leopard
RU
Email Olesia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Just great organisation, everything took into account!
Thank you so much for this tour and especially for our guide Allen!
The route was interesting and Allen pointed us all the important movements. He was riding to all the places the animals could be and we’ve seen a lot - and all the animals in their nature environment were just adorable. Thank you for all these impressions!
Also he is a good storyteller and can tell you all interesting things about African nature.
Many thanks Allen for that!
Accommodation for both nights was really good too, especially for the last night. Only great impression from this tour, highly recommended!
CZ
Email Denisa & Václav | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable life-time experience!
We booked 5 days’ safari Mikumi, Udzungwa and Selous/Nyerere np.
It was the best experience we had in our life! Our guide, Said was really awesome! Many thanks to him for this wonderful experience.
He always tried to see as much as possible. He is really a professional and a person in the right place! We learned a lot of interesting information not only about animals, he was always willing to answer our sometimes stupid questions. He always informed us and planned for the next day and also offered alternatives.
Seeing animals from such close proximity is a unique experience. Lion was less than 2 meters from us! We were fascinated and enchanted by so many things! For example, a picnic in the park overlooking the reservoir, where the animals went to drink, a walking safari with a bushman and lot of others.
The accommodation was always very beautiful and clean, we especially remember the truly magical accommodation in Selous! The food and service was excellent, sometimes quite large portions for us. :)
It was our honeymoon and we even had a room with decorations ready. What a lovely suprise!
It can be seen that everything is done with the heart and with love!
We also thank you Jacob for organizing this tour.
We highly recommend booking the trip with Smile With Us Tours, if you do it then you will definitely have an amazing time!
FI
Email Timo Virta | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable
Good operator. Fast response to questions, communicating via whatsup & email. Ingot what was promissed. 3 day safari (2 days really, third day just walk safari) flying from Zanzibar. Picked and dropped from and to other end of island Nungwi.
Safari Africa camp was good. Good service&food! Electricity 17-21 and 05-09.
Good guides and big Land Cruiser.
Reccommended
