Mashindiko Adventure
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary (clients assist with camp chores)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $250 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
BR
Email Fabricio | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Look elsewhere for your safari needs.
Do NOT recommend - Book your safari elsewhere
I've recently completed a 5-day safari with guide Richard from Mashindiko Adventure and I cannot recommend them. While the landscapes and wildlife in Tanzania were incredible, the logistical and behavioral issues with the staff made the experience stressful and, at times, genuinely frightening.
The Good
The safari itself was a memorable experience, and the natural beauty of the region was stunning. Great animal sightings, including leopards. The guide explained a lot of things, but we needed to ask most of the time since he was not proactive. We had no car issues besides the refrigerator, which was broken.
The Bad
The problems began almost immediately and escalated significantly toward the end of the trip.
Inadequate Itinerary & Guide: Guide kept trying to make changes to the safari plan without talking to us. On the 4th day, what was advertised as a full-day tour in Ngorongoro Crater was cut short to a half-day (we left at midday when the plan stated we should have stayed in the crater until 3pm). When we contacted the operator to complain, they said that this was the guide's fault for rushing, which felt like an unsatisfactory explanation for a service we paid for and no compensation was provided or suggested.
Space: The car was very packed and we had almost no space to move as we had a full car of 6 tourists + guide + cook. On top of the 8 passengers and their bags, we had to carry all camping and food gear inside the car, which makes it very packed and uncomfortable. Not having an auxiliary car also meant loosing game drive time to pack the car on camping days.
Food Issues: The quantity of food provided was consistently insufficient. My dietary restriction of no fish was ignored, and the protein portions were too small for our group of six (or eight during lunch). On the last day, we were told there was no more meat, which is unacceptable given the price paid and the fact that staff had been in town earlier that day. The car refrigerator was broken, so most of the time no cold drinks. Also, no wine was provided, despite the prospect saying that there would be.
Hostile Staff & Safety Concerns: The most disturbing events revolved around the staff's behavior. On the final day, the cook uncomfortably demanded a tip, physically blocking our departure until we paid him. Later, the driver became extremely angry when he learned we would not be tipping due to the poor service. He stopped the car on the highway, screamed, drove erratically, and attempted to drop us off at an unapproved location with a different driver. His refusal to contact our operator and his aggressive tone made us fear for our safety. At some point we even thought he was scheming some kind of kidnap and we had to involve gas station security to ensure we were not being put in a dangerous position. Thankfully at the end we met our airport transfer that was able to finally get in touch with our office and take us away safely.
Conclusion
The unprofessional and hostile behavior of the staff, particularly the guide, was a major concern. The experience turned from a safari into a frightening ordeal, and it is a situation no traveler should ever have to face. My group and I were left feeling unsafe and neglected by the company.
SE
Email C. Ataker | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An complete safari experience
Fitted me well because I want to travel and see a lot without spending a fortune. As soon as I showed interest in this safari package, the internet booking turned into a personal service by the contact person Bernard. He was always available to answer my questions clearly and quickly and helped until I left Arusha. Got a dream experience with a budget package. We got the details of the program in writing and everything matched what was on it. We saw all and had fun, thanks to our experienced driver as well as the chef who always prepared good food.
US
Email Claudine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family vacation with Serengeti safari booking
For the first time i communicated with Bernard my agent i had a very good impression of his communicating skills and professionalism. So i was feeling good about choosing this company. We flew to Arusha and the driver Andrew was there. All drivers, guides, cooks and porters are nice and friendly. The 6 days safari plus 2 days of hiking on the kilimanjaro were pleasant and such a unique experience. Africa is wild and you have to expect the unexpected. The animals were safe in the parks where we camped on the national parks. The food was good and no one got sick. The landscape is beautiful. We highly recommend this company. Thanks to everyone who work for Serengeti safari booking.
US
Email Syed | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First time in Africa and pleasantly surprised!
This was my first time in AfricaI, and Bernard was very perfect in answering all kind of questions since day one of my request. I and my wife did 3 days safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks. We both camped and took a lodge Accomodation. The Serengeti Safari Booking Team organized for us free airport transfers and hotel accommodation. We saw alot of animals and the guide Elisante was perfect enough with an amazing meals prepared to us by Meshack.
I recommend everyone to book with this company" Serengeti Safari Booking '" for their perfect safari in Arusha - Tanzania.
RU
Email Natalia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience and reliebale tour operator
The tour was organized precisely as it was promised, starting from the aiport pickup through all hotel accomodations and tour themselves. Very smart experienced guides who gave us a lot of interesting information about all the animals we saw in the parks as well as good eyes for seeing animals from far.
This was our first time in both Tanzania and Africa and i'm really happy that we booked the tour with this company as they made our acquaintance of the country smooth and exciting. Besides the Big Five we saw a lot of hospitality, caring of their customers and reliability.
Will definitely recommend this company to anyone willing to get to know what Safari is like.
Email Jocelyn | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They put in 110% effort and are wonderful!
My safari trip was amazing. This was my first time traveling solo and they made sure I was taken care of from start to finish! I had an amazing time and look forward to coming back and booking with them.
US
Email AM | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great communication and accommodating
YES, I'D RECOMMEND YOU TO SIGN UP WITH BERNARD FOR THIS TRIP. HE TAKES GREAT CARE OF THE PARTICIPANTS and is very helpful. It was a good experience overall. Bernard arranged me with "Big5voyages" tour guys with driver/guide being Usman/Othman.
I went on a 3 days Safari to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro (conservation area but not the museum). 1st night was in a lodge (Fig tree lodge) which had hot water in private restroom. Remaining 2 nights were in camps out which second night also had access to hot water in common restroom shared by other campers. Now coming to Safari; although we were told that we'd have no less than 6 hours of game drive each day/drive but it didn't happen, not at least the 1st two days. 1st day we only had about 2.5-3 hours (partly due to late arrivals of other 2 guests but still partly due to the tour operator leaving late from Arusha). Same goes for 2nd day where we had about 3.5 hours of game drive in actual. Although we were able to spot big 5 yet this was something I needed to point out as was done by one another reviewer as well. The food during the safari, I must admit, was great though.
KR
Email TK KIM | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bernard, his reply was always fast and he cared about everything that I worried from the first .
Safari in Africa, for the first time in my life was really awesome with Seregeti Safari Booking for everything.
Operator Bernard cared about everything I needed, for instance, accomodation, pick up service from airport to our hotel, without any inconvenience. Even he called and text me before I leaving and he always replied in a short time. His partner Andrew was also very nice and humorous.
The game drive was also greater than I imagined before, because The safari guide, Mr. Ayoub and cook Mr. Elisante were with a lot of experience people, so that we were able to see most of animals which live in Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.
I really appreciated those people's kindly support and a warm welcome. Great memories in my life.
US
Email Daniel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I really enjoy
Ingine
Unforgettable Tour.
We were group 5 pax from USA we were looking for a perfect safari company.
Upon our safari enquiry there came Bernard with Serengeti Safari Booking.
This guy was always active and he answered all our questions within a fraction of second.
We were offered alot and we actually had no any inconveniences.
We did a 5 private camping safari in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We Saw alot of wildlife and our guide Justine was very professional and our Chef Meshack cooked us a very delicious meal that we cannot forget about it.
We highly recommend this company for anyone from anywhere to book with this Company for quality service at very reasonable price.
Asante sana Serengeti Safari Booking Team
Email Natasha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable tour
Unforgettable Tour.
We were group 5 pax from South Africa we were looking for a perfect safari company in Tanzania
Upon our safari enquiry there came Bernard with Serengeti Safari Booking.
This guy was always active and he answered all our questions within a fraction of second.
We were offered alot and we actually had no any inconveniences.
We did a 5 private camping safari in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We Saw alot of wildlife and our guide Justine was very professional and our Chef Meshack cooked us a very delicious meal that we cannot forget about it.
We highly recommend this company for anyone from anywhere to book with this Company for quality service at very reasonable price.
Asante sana Serengeti Safari Booking Team