our staff at jackpot office in arusha
Jackpot Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & IGS-http://interpretiveguidessociety.org/
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours that can start every day (clients assist with camp chores)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email James | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was not a Jackpot that's for sure
I have to say the experience that my friend and I had with Jackpot Safaris was not great. Andrew (the owner of the company) is very warm and friendly until he's got your business. After that he becomes a lot more awkward and doesn't really want to listen to what you want to to as much.
I did a 3 day safari of Tarangerie, Lake Manyara and Ngorongora. We asked to leave nice and early at 7 as spending only 1 day in Tarangerie we wanted to maximise the amount of time spent there. Andrew refused point blank and said we'll get picked up at 9. On the day of the safari - the truck was over 45 minutes late. When the truck arrived it was noticeable one of the oldest Safari Trucks and the inside was not very comfortable. Despite being 45 minutes late one of the first thing the guide said to me was how because he was freelance he gets paid less than other guides so tips are quite important for them. This was not a particularly great start.
When we got to Tarangerie, when we went inside the park he said to me and my friend that he din't have binoculars in the car (which was a big disappointment). Furthermore he didn't seem that enthusiastic about looking out for animals and the impression I got was that he was going to mainly do driving and not strain his eyes too much looking for animals. I have done a safari in Tanzania before and our guide as well as being a lot more enthusiastic, said he'll keep his eyes peeled for us so I do have a bit of a precedent on what to expect and it did not deliver. Also going round the park there was clearly a problem with the radiator on the car as he kept having to stop and top it up (which no other cars were doing). Also I think we were only in the park for around 4 and a half hours.
The camp site that we stayed at was very nice and even had beds in the tent. So what I was abit confused about was after we paid for the safari Andrew asked us if we had tents to take with us to which he said we didn't. He then said ok. Naturally when we got to the campsite we couldn't help but wonder as to why we were asked to bring our own tents if there were tents provided that came with beds. Based on the impression of Andrew I had gotten, my thoughts were that he wanted us to bring our own tents so it would be cheaper for him (but that saving would not have been passed on). I can not say for definite whether that is the case or not but that is my theory. Also another suggestion - say you don't eat fish - it's not a great idea!! The soup was very nice but the main meals were not nearly as good as the ones I'd had previously on safari in Tanzania.
After our late start going to Tarangerie we asked to leave early the next day to go to Lake Manyara. Our guide said there's no point as you can drive round Manyara in 3 hours. Well maybe you can drive round in 3 hours. But my friend and I had not been to Manyara before so we didn't want to just quickly drive round and only spend a few hours there. We wanted to take the time to enjoy the scenery and the animals. Again I think we only spent around 4 and a half hours there.
That evening he said we'll be leaving early the next day to go the Ngorongora. I was quite excited as I thought that this meant we'd be spending longer in the crater. However in reality the only reason we were leaving early was because he wanted to get back earlier so we were not spending any more time there. This was one of several occasions on the safari where I felt the guide just wanted to get things done as quickly as he could. He was not very enthusiastic.
Despite leaving the crater early (not long after 1 which was a bit early for my liking) it took an extra hour and abit to get back as the engine was overheating we had to stop for a long time to let it cool down and for the guide to put more water in. Andrew you may need to invest in a new truck.
NL
Email Bram & Ellen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
7-days Machame route Kilimanjaro
The trip was amazing, especially the team of porters, the cook and the guide made this trip memorable. There guidance to the top was excellent. Whit their smiles, food, songs and laughter we made it to the top! Once again special thanks to the guides Livingstone and Sanga!
The team of porters on the mountain makes the difference between other companies. With this team I can strongly recommend Jackpot safaris.
Bram & Ellen
PL
Email Katarina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
best trip of my life
I liked Tanzania that much, I decided to come here to live with my family. Thanks Jacpot safaris!!!!!!
RS
Email Dusan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very nice experience, the Jackpot safari we have managed to hovering the beauty of Tanzania
Service was excellent, accommodation and guides are also fulfilled my expectations.
I recommend Jackpot Safaris to anyone who wants to visit Tanzania and feel the spirit of Africa.
Email Braeburn School, Arusha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Oldupai Gorge Educational Trip
We had a great trip, collected from school and driven out to the crater rim to enjoy the panoramic views. The transport and food provided was excellent and other facilities were provided by ourselves. We were a little inconvenienced by the time taken to get through the park gate but this seems fairly unavoidable in Tanzania.
The drivers were competent and pleasant and the vehicles were reliable and well maintained so we felt safe whole time.
The children enjoyed the trip and learned a lot about our ancestors from their visit to the cradle of humanity in Oldupai Gorge.
Email Braeburn International School, Arusha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Camping in the Rift Valley with 9 and 10 year olds
We all loved every minute of our 4 day safari investigating the tribes and geographical featuresof the Rift Valley.
The vehicles and drivers were great - with chilled water provided and the drivers being kind and friendly to the children. We had to drive off-road to meet up with the more remote tribes and it all felt like an exciting adventure - going across dry river beds and parking under baobab trees. The camp site was perfect with nice clean bathrooms, deliciously cooked fresh food each day and a pool for a refreshing swim. All the arrangements we had requested were well planned with guides to take us on our walks through the forests and to visit the different tribes. I would recommend Jackpot Safaris again.
NL
Email Femke & Flip | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jackpot and a great safari trip
Jackpot Safaris arranged everything very perfect! We had a great guide/driver, accommodations are really nice and Andrew replied all the time very quick to our e-mails during the preparation of our trip!
Thank you for the very special and nice trip and keep on the good work Jackpot Safaris!
Email Lynsey | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experiences and excellent staff!
I've travelled twice with Jackpot - both times to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Each time the communication has been great in the lead up with Andrew going out of his way to make sure all the options were offered and our trip was designed how we wanted. We had two stellar guides in George and Albert who couldn't have been better! Our chefs (Jackson and John) kept us full to bursting with their lovely food. The experience of being in the Serengeti was amazing and, on both trips, we saw the big five - including the remarkably rare black rhino. Thank you, Jackpot, for two amazing trips!
Email Max | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 day safari - Serengetti/Tarangire/Ngorongoro national parks
Excellent safari - highlight of our trip to Tanzania. The guide was fantastic, we saw all the big five and camping in the Serengetti and on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater was brilliant. The scenery in the national parks was unbelievable, as was watching sunrise on the morning safari in the Serengetti.
IE
Email Maggie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good value
We went on a safari with Amani. He was a great driver, host and guide! We managed to do 3 safari parks in 3 days! Me and the 5 friends I was travelling with had a great time and would recommend this company!