Wild Gaze Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, TATO, TTB & TALA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Alex | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
3 night safari in Ruaha
The initial communications with Wild Gaze was efficient. Emails were answered promptly and questions where answered clearly. We booked a budget safari staying at the Tanapa Bandas in Ruaha National Park. While the bandas where clean, confortable and well located it was not made clear that there would be no options of food and we would be served the same thing everyday. While it was adequate it was not very tasty. The safari truck was comfortable and had plenty of sockets for charging electronics. Our guide, Ben, was accommodating, a careful driver and appeared knowledgeable. Overall a good experience and we would book with them again.
AE
Email Diego Mendoza | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Peace of mind
By chance, Wild Gaze Safaris was hired to take to the Ruaha National Park from the airport in Iringa and then back from the park to the airport at the beginning of June during the Eid holiday. All of this was arranged through the Ruaha River Lodge, whom they managed all the package for me. Ernest picked me up from the airport and on our way to Ruaha National Park, the airline contacted me to let me know that my flight back to Dar es Salaam was cancelled, and I needed to be back in Dar by Sunday night because I needed to go to work on Monday. You can imagine that this was a highly stressful situation and not an ideal way to start my short trip.
After brainstorming with Ernest on how best to get back to Dar, and remember I was about to head into the wilderness, Ernest reassured me that he would take care of everything. We decided that the best way to go was for me to spend one night in Iringa (Saturday night) and then drive to Dodoma to fly from Dodoma back to Dar es Salaam. Wild Gaze and Ernest took care of booking my flight, reserving a hotel in Iringa and they also would drive me from Iringa to Dodoma. I told Ernest to please just be careful with prices and I asked him for a fair price. We exchanged numbers and off I went into my safari adventure trusting that they would take care of everything and wouldn't charge me thousands of USD.
Ernest checked in with me a couple of times over whatssap and he reassured me completely that I had nothing to worry about. Ernest picked me up from the national park as per what I had already paid for in the package that lodge had arranged, and he was not wrong. I did not have to worry about anything.
Wild Gaze safaris had booked for me my flight from Dodoma to Dar, a really nice and affordable room in the best hotel in Iringa, Ernest took me to see the Isimila Stone Age Site, he took me the German Boma, to the Gangilonga rock and then ultimately, to the Dodoma airport. He is very knowledgeable and we had lovely conversations about Tanzania, its history, the parks, etc. I had been at that point a resident in Tanzania for 3 years, so I knew when I was being overcharged. Overall, I would say that what I paid was the fair price for an excellent service.
I would recommend Wild Gaze Safaris and Ernest a 100%. My experience with them was one of the best customer services I had received in my 3+ years of experience in Tanzania. In addition, Ernest's company and conversation were englightning and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I will always be thankful to Ernest and to Wild Gaze Safaris for helping me avoid a situation that could have turned into a true nightmare and for taking such a good care of me and assuring that I would get an incredible experience.
Email Anne Robin/Tuite Dalton | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Holiday of wilderness and amazing gazing
In the spring last year I contacted a number of safari companies and Wild Gaze replied swiftly and comprehensively. Because we were flying to Arusha Norbert was our main interlocutor during that preparation period and over the next few months we communicated on a weekly basis. Apart from the safari there were other specific things that I wanted us to do and planning our itinerary wasn’t easy but Wild Gaze Safaris were extremely helpful and accommodating. They organised accommodation as well as our bus and taxi journeys and they looked after us as if we were royalty! In Arusha Norbert and Fred, the taxi driver, were attentive to our every need. We started our safari in Iringa where Ernest, the master mind behind Wild Gaze, and Nalasco, our driver and guide for the next four days looked after us beautifully. Nalasco was there when we stepped off the bus and Ernest welcomed us at The Sunset Hotel. A very well chosen venue with lovely food and friendly staff. Over the next four days everything was beautifully laid out and we discovered Ruaha. Nalasco is a very kind and knowledgeable guide who helped us understand the landscapes and its mighty inhabitants. The national park of Ruaha is wonderful and we saw some amazing animals. Nolasco could see everything miles ahead. He was also an excellent driver and the drive was not an easy drive! No doubt the top gear team would award him a medal. On the last day of our safari he drove us across valleys and mountains to take us to Mikumi, and on our way we stopped in Iringa where Ernest, because we were pressed for time, handed us some delicious chicken and chips through the window. A great team work. After a few wonderful days in Zanzibar we returned to Arusha where once again Norbert took us under his wing. Thank you Wild Gaze team for an amazing adventure!!!!
BE
Email Michiel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful experience!
We went already 2 times on a safari with Ernest (the manager) and his team. The first trip was from Iringa (with a visit to the local market for food) to Ruaha, it was a great experience. We were camping close to the river and saw many animals (even a leopard). The second trip was a safari to the north of Tanzania. The itinerary was very clear and a great mix between camping (the cook was exellent) and lodging. We would defenitely recommend Wild Gaze Safaris!
Email David | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Three fantastic days at Ruaha
My adult son and I had three wonderful days in Ruaha National Park, organised and hosted by Wild Gaze Safaris. Communication from Wild Gaze before the trip was excellent, and when a problem with our payment (caused by a third party payment system) became apparent Wild Gaze were excellent at finding solutions.
Wild Gaze sent us a detailed plan for the three days prior to travelling to Iringa. The plan was exactly what we had asked for. My son and I caught a bus from Dodoma to Iringa, and were met at the bus station by Isaac our guide and driver. We then travelled to Ruaha, stopping at a wonderful restaurant for lunch about 30 minutes away from the Park entrance. After lunch we had a full afternoon in the park where Isaac found a large number of giraffes (my favorite animals) and a wide variety of other game. After sunset we had an excellent dinner at the restaurant in the Park, and then went to our accommodation. The beds were comfortable, and the bathroom facilities were adequate.
The next day we had an early breakfast and then were out promptly into the park where we saw a huge number of elephants (my son's favourite), and a huge range of other animals. The highlight was finding three lionesses stalking and then chasing a herd of water buffalo. It was spectacular and we had front row seats!
We were delighted to see at least three different groups of lions, and a huge range of different types of game.
Isaac was very knowledgeable and pointed out features of plants, birds, landscape, and game that we would not have otherwise been alert to. We certainly had a fabulous time. The safaris were outstanding, the meals were excellent, the banda accommodation was comfortable, and the connections with our buses at Iringa went smoothly. Also, Isaac made sure we were satisfied with what was happening during the day.
Wild Gaze Safaris did a brilliant job.
BE
Email Els | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience!!!! (6 day safari TARANGIRE MANYARA SERENGETI NGORONGORO CRATER)
Truly a trip of a lifetime! Every single day we were amazed by the most beautiful landscapes and wild life. Of course this would not have been possible without the outstanding guidance and care of Ernest and his crew. From day one it was like we were traveling with friends! They went to great lengths to have us witness the Big Five but also made us aware of all the other animals, trees, plants, insects, birds, etc. that make Tanzania such a wonderful place. All practical things like transport, camping, food, etc. were handled in a professional way giving us a very efficient, fun and comfortable trip. Without exaggerating, this trip really exceeded our wildest expectations! Thanks a million, guys!!
Email Stephen Sanga | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One Day Camping trip in Ruaha N. Park
Just like its name, Wildgaze Safaris, gave us an amazing camping trip in Ruaha National Park.
We had a great time enjoying the richness of the Park, from exploring the beautiful scenery to the big elephants.
Thank you Wildgaze!
One Day Camping trip in Ruaha N. Park
Just like its name, Wildgaze Safaris, gave us an amazing camping trip in Ruaha National Park.
We had a great time enjoying the richness of the Park, from exploring the beautiful scenery to the big elephants.
Thank you Wildgaze!
NO
Email Louis and Joana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Ruaha NP safari with very interesting side activities
We had a great safari with Wild Gaze Safaris to Ruaha National Park. We spent 2 days (one night) on the safari and saw all big 4, and so much birdlife. Amazing park to visit for one day. Would not recommend to go much longer as tour drivers stay in the same area around the river as the chances of spotting wildlife are greater there. We also went to a local primary school and although we only planned to stop by for 10-20 min, we ended up spending over an hour because it was so interesting. A huge plus to this safari. Afterwards we went to a Maasai village and although I was very sceptical of its authenticity at first, it turned out to be a great trip as we talked a lot with the only English speaking person in the village (he also spoke Swahili and Maa, which was reassuring).
The driver was the one part of this safari that could have been improved. Both me and my partner are conservation biologists working in Tanzania (Serengeti region) and therefore know a bit about the system. The guide was untruthful or ignorant about many things about the park and the human communities living around it. He was friendly and enthusiastic at most times, but the drive back he was honking almost nonstop, which is even for Tanzanians an odd thing to do. Hence the 4 out of 5 stars.
Ernest (boss of Wild Gaze Safari) is friendly, helpful, honest and straightforward, which was much appreciated!
Thank you for the wonderful experience!
IE
Email James | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience and one of the highlights of our trip
Our large group traveled through the Safari with Wild Gaze. We had a great time camping and looking at the various animals. The guides were really informative about the park and all the animals we encountered!