Ngekewa Tours and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2021)
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary (clients assist with camp chores)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $280 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Atilyo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was really amazing
We starting researching safaris about a year before travel. Because of Covid, I'm so glad we chose Tanzania in the end.
We chose to work with Salim because he is a local Tanzanian with tons of experience. Be careful with the bigger outfitters, you won't get quite as personalized experience and it will cost more.
Salim had great communication from the beginning and answered all of my many questions patiently. We chose to do an 8 day safari, visiting Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti. Our guide was a true expert with years of experience and spoke perfect English (which is helpful because they are explaining so much about the animals). Having a good guide is vital to a successful safari as you spend so much time with them.
If you're looking to save a bit of money, here are my tips.
The affordable lodging is the route we went (mid level) and it exceeded expectations. Don't fret about staying at a fancy lodge, you're barely there, and when you are, you are exhausted. Save your money. I would have been disappointed if we spent extra on a nicer lodge because often we were gone from the room from 7-6pm.
Also, 5-6 days is plenty. I have no regrets about doing 8 days, but if I was on a tighter budget, we would have been just as happy with shaving a few days off the trip. We figured it was a once in a lifetime experience, so why not, but we definitely could have saved one day, which would have been about a $750 savings.
Flying from the Serengeti, or to the Serengeti, depending on how your trip is planned, is worth the money, but you could do the drive and save quite a bit. Our flights were $800 and in hindsight, I would have suffered through the bumpy drive back to save the money. BUT if you get car sick or hate traveling for long periods, spring for the flights, it does save time.
Here are some things I wish we would have known that I felt the internet was misleading about.
The clothing.
Yes, wearing lightweight clothing is important as the weather does change rapidly. That being said, you are in a vehicle most of the time. I certainly wouldn't have dropped as much money as I did on "safari" clothes if I knew we were barely going to get out of the vehicle. Bring a variety of clothes but don't fret terribly about the color.
Game drive time.
Everyone told me we needed to be up and on the road at 5:30, 6 am. This isn't true. We didn't start any game drives before 7:30 and saw plenty.
Camera gear.
Yes, having a long telephoto lens definitely helps if you're a photography junkie like me, BUT, you do get fairly close to most animals. Unless you're an pro or semi pro photographer, a 70-200mm lens will do you just fine.
The ONLY con I really have is the food, which isn't necessarily a con, just something to prep for. Most places you'll go are fairly remote and the cooks have to do their best with what resources they've got. While all the food tasted great, it is a simple menu. The packed lunches are quite simple as well, so bring snacks if you're a picky eater. For the total cost of the trip, normally food would be more "gourmet" so just be prepared. Once you see the landscape and the villages, you'll understand the depths the camps go through to provide good, fresh meals.
We had a phenomenal time and if you're on the fence, BOOK it! Using a local guide with on the ground knowledge like Salimu is the way to go.
FR
Email Mouldi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very good quality/price ratio for a safari
The safari experience was globally good with Ngekewa. The guide/driver they have chosen was kind (his name is Kelvin), helpful and professional. We really enjoyed our safari with him and his assistant/cooker.
There are some missing things, like the tents' quality (we were excepting bigger and newer), and the first (public) camp site was poorly maintained (probably because it is public and free); the other camp sites we have been were very good though.
Globally the safari was awesome and at reasonable price.
Also, I want to give a special mention to the communication officer, Miss Lulu Christopher. Her communication service from A to Z was excellent. She has been efficient, helpful, patient and very attentive to our needs. That is priceless! (I personally shunned another tour because of their poor communication; a red flag to me).
I really recommend this agency. Besides, we noticed that Tanzanian people are really kind, helpful and respectful.
Email Mar | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lucas was a very good driver and guide
Over all it is a good company. The communication was not always that good. It made me frustrated sometimes.
Lucas our guide was very good, funny and likes joking. He made my trip absolute amazing!
DE
Email Frank the Bärliner | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good Safari!
The Safari all together was good, but I changed 3 times the group in 6 days, which is quite annoying in the end.
So I dont know, with which operator I was going exactly.
But in the end it worked out, saw what I like to see and the Game Drives, where good and successfull.
The god thing, different to Kenia, you do need to spot the animals, means like I'm used to it.
The comunicación was very good, you get allways a response If you ask something.
DE
Email Benny | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgetable experience
Top Organisation for our Game Drive! Also the Guide was really nice. He has a really good Network, that is why we have seen a lot of Wildlife. The camps and lodges were beautiful. Exspecially the Food was delicious! When you will have a top organized Safari with nice people and guides - Book this guys
HU
Email Bernadett | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Covered every detail for the safari
I had the offer for a 7 day safari from the tour agency, which I have liked the most as seemed that it covered lots of things I wanted to see and was organized very detailed. Overall, all the drivers and helpers were great making sure I had the best experience.
It was an amazing 7 days and I have seen loads of animals from very close. The balloon experience was the icing on the cake!
Email Enrique | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
The communication with the company, both by email and WhatsApp, was always quick from the moment I requested a quote. Joshua was helpful answering all the questions I had, which were a few.
The tour was well organised and we didn't experience any issue. I only missed the guide being a bit more proactive to provide information about the animals we saw, however he was always ready to explain things whenever we asked something or had a doubt.
I personally chose the budget accommodation and it was just fine, even the campsites, which have awesome locations, by the way.
In terms of the safari in itself, it definitely is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. All 3 parks I saw (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro) are stunning, with lots of animals around and beautiful scenery.
NL
Email Marc Teunissen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super safari
As a solo traveler i joined a 5 day safari with Ngekewa. Very good and fast communication. I was lucky to be in a group with 5 other like minded adventurous people. So we had lots of fun together.
We were also lucky to have Mr Mailiaki as a driver. With more than 10 years experience he has incredible 4wd skills, he brought us to places most other drivers didn' t dare to go and we never got stuck. He is also very aware of the safety of the passengers. And last but not least he is very knowledgeable about the wildlife. Our cook Richard prepared some delicious meals. As this is Africa and your in a grouptour your schedule could change from day to day. But in the end you will see everything. Recommended.
CH
Email Gingi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfekt
It was an unbelivable experience. We had seen so many animals ( All of the big5)
Unbelivable Tour with awsome accommodations.
Serengeti of its best.
US
Email BRIAN | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
MEMORIES FOR LIFE, WITH NGEKEWA TOURS AND SAFARIS
Deciding to go on a Safari with my 10-year-old son was one of the best decisions I've made for a father and son trip. Of all the safari companies I found on the internet, Ngekewa Tours and Safaris was the one I choose. What made me chose this company was simply because of the attention I received when I sent numerous emails enquires. Joshua, the person behind the responses was very professional, prompt in replies and transparent. This engaging attitude and interest in ensuring my questions were answered gave me no doubt about my choice in choosing Ngekewa for my safari trip; and having this comfort I signed up for the five-day Safari trip. I received my proposed itinerary which laid out the entire tour for each day. This in itself was a testament of how Ngekewa tours and safaris leaves no wondering as to what activities you would be doing each day.
We arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport two days before the safari tour. Joshua had arranged our transportation from the airport to our hotel. From the time we entered the vehicle, our driver Godlyson engaged us with an educational conversation on the history the area we were in. We had many questions to which many answers were provided. He gave us insights on activities we can do before and after our safari trip. One was being able to take photos with a few animals, which had my son's excitement hyped after hearing lions were involved. Arriving at our hotel Joshua was there to greet us. He ensured we were properly checked in and we laid out a plan for the next day.
Day before the Safari: At the set time sharp! Joshua was at the hotel ready to take us for walking tour of Arusha. We visited the famous Clock Tower which marks the center point between Cairo, Egypt and South Africa. We visited a few other monumental sites and ended at the day at a Maasai market where local artifacts are sold by people of the Maasai Tribe.
Day 1-5 Safari: We were picked up on the first day promptly at our hotel and taken to meet our safari guide Augustine. From that point on the education began. As a vivid watcher of National Geography animal planet series, I thought I knew it all but NO, there was much more to learn from Augustine. He kept us entertained throughout the entire tour which made the long ride seems like a jump in time. Each and every day had its own awe moments. I was worried about my son being bore but that wasn't an issue. We saw four of the Big five animals and numerous other animals. From sleeping in a tent under the stars in the open Serengeti and hearing the hyenas and lions’ roars at night to camping on the edge of a volcano crater. Each place we visited had its own adventure.
Last Day before departing Tanzania: On this day Joshua took us to a park where we took photos with lions, giraffes, zebras, monkeys and a few other animals. We then went to visit the biggest waterfall near the Kilimanjaro Mountain. The day ended back at the Massai market buying souvenirs.
I could write in more details, but I'm saving that for the book my son and I have been composing.
As my caption states, "MEMORIES FOR LIFE, WITH NGEKEWA TOURS AND SAFARIS."
Special thanks to: Joshua, Godlyson, Augustine and David for providing my son and I a memorable safari trip
