The Safari Soles Team
Safari Soles
- Offices In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2018)
- Member Of:
- TTB & TAT0
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,800 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
DE
Email Laura | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience thanks to the great planning and excellent execution of the safari
Right from the beginning, the team provided us with an ideal tour covering Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks. They tailored the tour to fit our budget and made an excellent selection of lodges.
Once we arrived in Tanzania, they picked us up at the airport and safely transported us to our first incredible lodge. What truly set this tour apart was having an experienced guide with many years in the field. He knew the parks very well and, more importantly, how to find the animals. Thanks to him, we were able to see numerous lions, leopards and cheetahs (all with cubs), groups of elephants, giraffes, the great migration of zebras and wildebeests, all types of antelopes and even rare animals like jackals and servals, which are hard to spot.
We highly recommend booking your safari with Safari Soles. Every single dollar was worth it and it truly made a difference in our experience.
I will definitely come back and book with Safari Soles again!
UA
Email Iryna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful experience
We were searching for a 7-days experience and chose the 6-day Tarangine-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-lake Manyara tour and an additional coffee-waterfall-hot spring day trip.
I made a lot of research myself before choosing Safari Soles, read reviews on different sites and asked lots of questions. I loved the balance of the company's good rating and reviews, budget-friendly price and the knowledge and support Bryson provided.
The tour exceeded our expectations. We saw lots of animals including the cats we wanted to see so much - many lions, a leopard, 2 serval cats and even a mother cheetah teaching her cubs to hunt! We also were lucky to catch endless herds of migrating wildebeest in Serengeti (were there on February 8-10) and saw how a baby zebra was born! We ever visited the Ndutu region where there were lots of animals and where budget safaris usually don't go.
Our dreadlocked guide Simba (David) was amazing - pleasant and cheerful, knowing all the animals and trained to spot them, telling stories when you want to hear them and just driving when you're tired. He had a cool playlist, drove well and made us feel welcome. Besides getting to know the nature and the animals, he made us a bit more familiar with the life and the people of Tanzania - so, we felt more like guests then like tourists, which we appreciated.
Our cook Shydia (not sure about the spelling) could do magic - he made restaurant food using a gas stove, some pans and the food we were carrying in the jeep. The cool food we had included pizza, lasagna, a fabulous banana-chocolate cake, and also nice curries and avocado salad! I've put on quite a lot of weight during the trip because the food was very delicious and there was a lot of it.
Although we booked the budget tour, the accommodation was cool. The basic but nice Arusha Tourist Inn, the Fig Tree lodge with a garden and a swimming pool, the Simba campsite at Ngorongoro with a beautiful huge tree in the middle and the lodge at Seronera with a campfire - all was cool. We expected to spend the two nights in Seronera at a campsite, but the upgrade to a lodge was a nice surprise.
The price for all this was quite low. Hard to imagine how many tour companies take several times more money, however, don't let you see more animals because you will see all the animals on a budget safari with a good guide. In case you're choosing the lowest price - consider that the 2-way airport transfer for the Arusha or Kili airport, accommodation for the nights before and after the safari, and all drinks including beer and wine are already included in the price.
As for those who are thinking about the length of the trip - for me the safari experience would be incomplete without the 2 nights in Serengeti and one night on the crater rim of Ngorongoro. The night in Mto Wa Mbu is necessary for the logistics and the Tarangine park is pleasant as well, with many elephants and baobab trees. So, 5 full days of safari seem minimum to me to get some knowledge of the region. If you have 6 days, I suggest adding the waterfall-coffee-hot spring tour - you will wee the beautiful nature of a different climate zone, see how many planks grow, have a chance to swim under a waterfall and soak in a nice hot spring, like the cenotes in Mexico. If you have 7 days - add lake Manyara, it was nice too, but the waterfall and hot spring were nicer.
Thank you, Simba, Bryson, Shydia and all Safari Soles stuff for our great holiday!
US
Email Paul R | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding local tour operator
Safari Soles is a local safari tour operator based in Arusha, Tanzania. My wife and I went on our first Safari in July 2019, and I really had no idea about the best way to go about booking. What I quickly learned is that there are plenty of western based operators who will charge you a small fortune. Now, don’t get me wrong, they have a place and I am sure there are plenty of people willing to pay a premium for the perceived dependability of a company based in LA, New York, London etc. I say ‘perceived’ because, in the end, I had such good service from Safari Soles, that I really began to question how much value those big companies really add. Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
We booked a 4 day, 3 night safari with a guide and a cook. We camped which was excellent. We went to Tarangire National Park, The Serengetti and finally the Ngorongoro crater. If you need a little more comfort, Bryson and the Safari Soles team can arrange lodges instead of camping for an extra fee. It was truly amazing, I didn’t know what to expect but this trip exceeded my expectations is every way. Our booking covered the 1 for transfers to and from JRO airport, the first and last night in a hotel in Arusha (we were given a choice of 3) the services of an English speaking driver/guide (who had the sharpest eyes and spotting skills imaginable) our cook (who also helped with camp set-up and breakdown) 3 meals each day, campsite fees, and park entry fees. Only tips and souvenirs were extra. Bryson also added a short shopping tour of Arusha on our last morning.
Bryson and Safari Soles are super-dependable and trustworthy. We paid a 10% by Western Union (for which Bryson proactive emailed me his passport and ID cards for identity verification, we then paid the balance in cash (US$ in new bills are required everywhere in Tanzania) when we arrived. It feels really good to be putting money directly into the hands of local companies and not have fat margins skimmed off by middlemen. For me, this is really important.
Go on a safari and see these magnificent animals, it was wonderful.
Email Charlie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a lifetime. We’re so glad we booked with Safari Soles!
We found Safari Soles through SafariBookings after getting some eye-watering quotes from UK travel agents, and honestly – we were a bit nervous at first. But from the very beginning, Douglas (our amazing trip planner) put us completely at ease. His communication was spot-on - quick, detailed, and so patient, even after 9 or 10 itinerary changes! He was always happy to answer any question (big, small, or a bit silly!), and he even shared all the relevant documentation to show the company was legitimate, which really helped calm our nerves before booking.
Paying the deposit was super easy through a secure online system, and from that point on, everything was seamless.
Once we arrived in Tanzania, we were lucky enough to be guided by Abdul, who was absolutely fantastic. Friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, and so dedicated - if he didn’t know the answer to something, he made sure to find out and come back to us the next day. We really appreciated his honesty and attention to detail. He also handled any issues on the ground straight away - when we were placed in a shared lodge that was a bit too noisy, he sorted it with the camp and made sure we had a private lodge for the next stay. Problem solved, no fuss.
We were lucky enough to see the Big 5 (plus so much more!), and the entire trip genuinely exceeded every expectation. From the authentic safari lodges to the smooth organisation and incredible wildlife, it was an experience we’ll never forget.
I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to book with Safari Soles again – in fact, I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a well-priced, well-organised, and genuinely unforgettable safari in Tanzania. Thank you to Douglas, Abdul, and the whole team for making this the trip of a lifetime!
SA
Email Shibil Thoongan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Unforgettable Tanzanian Adventure 🇹🇿
From the vast golden plains of the Serengeti to the lush Ngorongoro Crater, our journey through Tanzania was nothing short of magical.
What truly made the trip special? The people. Warm smiles, generous hearts, and a genuine sense of welcome followed us everywhere — from our Maasai guides to the staff in every lodge we stayed at. Their stories, strength, and simplicity added soul to every mile we traveled.
thanks to Safari Souls. A special thanks goes to Irine James, who managed every detail with such care and professionalism — always responsive, kind, and genuinely passionate about what she does.
And our deepest gratitude to our amazing safari guide and driver, YONA.
Tanzania touched our hearts forever. This trip was not just a vacation — it was a deep and moving experience.
Email Laura jeffrey | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ernest was amazing!
We had a 6 day safari including Tarangerie/Serengeti and Ngorogoro.
Each day Ernest taught us something different about the ecosystems and the animals within-even some Swahili lessons. The best guide. The route was planned well and we were lucky enough to see the big 5, small 5 and the ugly 5 thanks to Ernest’s eagle eyes.
Our guide, Ernest has a natural charm to make all guests feel comfortable and relaxed. Whilst being a highly knowledgeable guide. We were very lucky and cannot recommend Ernest enough-we will be returning with friends thanks to Ernest.
Suricata boma lodge and Serengeti safari haven were incredible sites. Made to feel very welcome and safe-even with the nighttime visit of buffalo’s! The food was good and the facilities plentiful. We would definitely recommend staying here
Food on the safari was basic, rice and chicken/fish each day followed by a piece of fruit. Simple food, could be improved for mid/luxury budgets. Having dinner in the bush was a wonderful experience.
Unfortunately the Maasai tribe experience was quite intimidating when going alone/as a couple, we would recommend groups only. With hindsight we wouldn’t have done this part of our chosen package. We did not feel welcome/overly comfortable. This is the only ‘matata’ of our trip.
In summary a wonderful safari, we feel very lucky to have had Ernest as our guide
Email Martin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding guide, very attentive organisation and superb accommodations
This was our first ever safari, but we have many friends who have extensive experience in safaris in multiple countries. They were extremely surprised at the price we got for our tour and felt that they had been paying way over the odds, but said we will wait until you get back to judge . They Safaris got off to a bad start , our flight from the U.K. to Schipol to Connect to Kilimanjaro airport and Arusha was cancelled . We were meeting two friends flying in from the USA there for the Safari. They made it , we didn’t … We arrived 24 hours late . I had been in contact with Patrick , he arranged for a car and driver and we were picked up at 10pm at the airport and driven 3 and a half hours to our second night camp ( we missed Tarangire ) we arrived just before 2 am , staff were waiting , they even offered us food and drink , which we thought amazing , we took a beer to our room ! It had been a long 2 days . The next day we were up at 6.30 for an early breakfast , meet our friends and meet Estomy our guide and finally the Safari started. We had a night in the Northers Serengeti , 2 in the south , a night at Ngorogoro and a night back in Arusha. The whole experience was amazing, we saw way more , far closer than we ever expected. We all like birds and Estomy was brilliant at identifying new species ( we even showed him some migrants that we recognised ) The accommodations were spot on, fantastic value , outstanding service, lovely food and we slept well , but did hear lions, hyenas, zebra and were woken with a Cape buffalo rubbing its self on the tent . We awoke in the mornings and could see giraffe, dik dik impala …. It was an amazing experience. The game drives were contrasting , some places less to see but intriguing views , animal sightings. We loved seeing Jackals, 2 species, Serval as much as we did the big 5 ( which we did see , and saw in 1 day in Ngorogoro) we were amazed by the tented camps in the parks , you are unfenced , supported by Masai and walked to and from your tents , but they were really well appointed ( given your location ) and the staff were uniformly friendly , welcoming and determined to ensure you had a great stay. In fact the people we met will sit in our memories as well as the wildlife . In conclusion, the 4 of us agreed , if someone asks you “ what was your holiday like “ - we couldn’t really do it justice in a few words . It was a trip of a lifetime, seeing , smelling , hearing , and being close enough to touch ( which obviously we didn’t , but we could have on occasions ) - no animals were tasted this trip 😉 . Watching Lions mate x 2 , Tree climbing lions, numerous Cheetahs, Leopards , Rhino ( 3 ) tens of thousands of wildebeest , Zebra , impala, gazelle, Hyena , lots of Hippos , but almost 100 new species of bird 🦅 . We finished the tour by going for a hike in the foothills of Kilimanjaro and to a coffee plantation, sadly it rained heavily and we were soaked and muddy , but had fun ( it became unsafe so we headed back ) it’s the first time I have prepared for an international flight home by using the small hose in a squatting toilet outside of the airport before check in to clean myself and my shoes , had to re pack on the pavement dry off and go back in with a clean towel to get changed . It was a fun end to an outstanding African experience. I can’t thank Safari bookings enough for putting me onto Safari soles , they were amazing and Estomy - thank you for being you ( if you ever read this ) . Our Friends have seen the pics, videos and still can’t believe the experience we had for the price. I would book again in a heartbeat.
KR
Email Kim hyunjun | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He is THE PERFECT SAFARI GUIDE ever.
I booked a safari tour of Manyara Lake National Park on Christmas Eve 2024 with four people including myself. Thanks to our guide Cheddy, We had such a fun and happy tour. When I thought about it as I wrapped up my trip now, I've met a total of three guides, including other companies, and I recall that Cheddy was the BEST guide.
I'm always interested in every birds. So when we were in our safari tour, I call Cheddy SO many times "What is that bird!?" and Cheddy knew every birds we found. His story and explanaion is also very interesting, and he has very good eyes so we found lots of animals including Rock Python, Rainbow Agama, Nile Monitor. Eventhough only one of us could speak English, his good and humorous personality allowed us to let our nervous down and enjoy our tour. Writing this review, I really appreciate to Cheddy again and I reccomend Cheddy to everyone. If I go to Tanzania again, I will choose Cheddy for my safari tour.
LR
Email Audry | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent first safari experience, convinced to plan more other safari trips in the future
I was impressed by availability of the trip planner. He proposed me a trip that fits with my expectations and budget. All the process was quick and simple.
The safari trip itself was amazing. I went with my wife who is not generally interested in this kind of activity. As we started, she was amazed and had so much fun. Our guide was very kind, friendly and taught us a lot of things, making this experience so interesting.
I highly recommend Safari Soles Tours.
CN
Email Yiqing | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Top Safari Operator Definitely !!!
Me and my friend had a perfect 6 days' safari with Safari Tours!
Wrote emails to over 30 5-stars safari operators, Safari Soles won us in the final round owning to timely communication, price, well-organized schedule ! Before the journey, I did homework my own and had a rough idea of Tanzania Parks, the plan made by Oken perfectly matched with my expectation! And he was the first one replied my request email among all operators I asked even in the weekend. Although one of the accommodation was changed due to fully booked, Oken communicated with me timely and added me in WeChat app taking care of Chinese customers. The only thing could be improved is, I requested and paid 40% deposit 2 months ahead, but the flight ticket and accommodation booking letters didn't sent to me till a week before we start the journey. I don't know whether it's reservation team got slack at their work or caused by accommodation staffs, anyway, if the booking status could be communicated weekly, that would make me feel they are trying best to help book rooms. Beside this, Oken was really friendly and gave me a very warm welcome before the trip!
Beside wonderful views, our guide Alex was part of this lifetime experience! Alex was not only a professional guide, skilled driver, animal expert, human binocular, safari guard, private photographer, but also our friend! During the afternoon in Ngrongoro, we saw Big 5 in the same day! The moment he heard there's a leopard near, he drove us there ASAP, just after 5 minutes, leopard ran away! Thanks to Alex! Then we spent 2 days in Serengeti, saw 2 lions eating a buffalo, Alex taught us how Lions hunt and how to start from the tail of animals, we enjoyed a live BBC broadcast with a running commentary! The last day in Serengeti, though wildebeests failed to cross mara river due to one was caught by crocodile, Alex explained the wildebeest group immigration behaviors and how they live together with zebras, that's super interesting!
In conclusion, we really appreciate everything safari soles arranged for us, especially Oken and Alex, we can't have such a perfect experience without you two! I'll definitely recommend safari soles to all my friends who plan to go Tanzania!!
