Visit Tanzania - Eastern Sun Tours
Eastern Sun Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & TAWTO
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $240 to $1,100 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience in Tanzania!
My husband and I booked our honeymoon with Eastern Sun to hike Kilimanjaro, go on safari and to visit Zanzibar, and we had a fantastic experience. From the time that we arrived at Kilimanjaro, everything went very smoothly. Our driver picked us up right on time and even had flowers to greet us with. We then spent a night at a relaxing little hotel before heading out to start our hike. The hike was great- our porters were amazing and all of the food that Stephen cooked for us was delicious. We could not have asked for a better guide, Arnold, or assistant guide, Tuma. They were so knowledgeable and helpful, and just really enjoyable to be around. We've even kept in touch with them over whats app and facebook since we left Tanzania.
We also had great experience on Safari with our guide Richard. He was also very knowledgeable about the animals, which we saw tons of- baby cheetas, hippos, elephants, and rhinos, lion cubs and the all of the big 5. We really enjoyed the accommodations on the safari as well, they had really friendly and helpful staff and we met some other great travelers as well. I especially loved the Maramboi camp where we were able to go for a run and had a close encounter with some Giraffes.
After Safari we were off to Zanzibar, which was absolutely beautiful. We got to spend a bit of time in Stonetown and explore on our own which we really enjoyed. After that we headed out to the resort where we got to kayak, run, and go Scuba diving. We also went on a spice tour and got some really great lunch in Stonetown on the way back to the airport as well.
The only issue that we had the entire time that we were there was with the weight of luggage when we flew to and from Zanzibar, as we had quite a bit of since we had done the hike and safari. We contacted Mercy and she was very quick to respond and help us through this issue, which we appreciated. My only suggestion would be for those doing the hike to somehow have the baggage held while traveling to Zanzibar to avoid this issue.
Overall, we had an amazing experience with Eastern Sun. We absolutely cannot wait to go back and visit Tanzania again in the future!!
DE
Email Birgit T. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Many, many best thanks, dear Merci and dear Simon for your perfectly organize of my trip!!!!
Dear Merci, Simon and your Team!
Many, heartly thanks to you for your best organizing my trips;
so, so many, many heartfelt thanks also to:
- Nasero my best 4-star cook,
- Richard a super guide and safe driver,
- Hamsa my wellknown informed, politly Guide in Zansibar,
- Mohamad my safty and just in time, punctually and safty driver in Zansibar.
Eastern Sun Tours organicided the following Safaris & Tours for me super excelently & perfectly:
1. Full day Safari in 'Arusha NP. visiting 'Momella Lakes' with Canoeing on one of the Lakes with his breathtaking flamingos,
2. Excellently organiziced Full day Safari in Ngorongoro Crater NP.,
3. Full day Safari visiting the Olduvai Gorge with 2,4 Mio. years old human footsteps: Arriving just in time with
Museum of excellently excavation work there was pioneered by Louis and Mary Leakey beginning in 1931.,
4. Three full day Safaris in Serengeti NP. with unique impressions, including a visit to the impressively designed
Serengeti Visitor Center,
Seeing the big deartrpis of gnus and zebras behind the Serengeti National Parc Gate:
Many, many thanks to our driver Richard "Right time, right place!!"
5. Impressive non-stop flight from Serengeti Airport to Stone Town Airport,
7. Seven Days relaxing in Zanzibar with the following perfectly, safty and just in time organizided Fulpl day Trips and
adventures: - very interesting Leadership of historical Stone Town,
- Visiting Sultans Palace, Sultans Arabic Bath and one of the many Spice Plantations, a perfectly Tour,
- Guided Visite of the Jozani Jungle with his famos Colobus-Monkies and ist mangroves,
- Sailing-Tour with snorceling and picnicing with one of the old Dow-Boats.
The hotel in Stone Town, selected Eastern Sun Tours, I experienced a fairytale as in "Arabian Nights"! Best
All trips, Safaris, Walks & Visites are just in time, punctually and perfectly well done: The first choice!!!
Heartly thanks for made it possible all these unique impressions:
I would be made immediately organizes this trip from your company Eastern Sun Tours!!
...and only again, with you,
Merci, & Simon with your SUPER Team of Eastern Sun Tours!!
Birgit T.
DE
Email Carlo E. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
My heartfelt thanks, love Merci, dear Simon for your Super organizing our trip!!!!!!!!!
Many, many thanks to you for your Super organizing our trips;
and also again so, so so, many, many heartfelt thanks to:
- Nasero our best 4-star chef in the world,
- Richard our super guide and safe driver
- and last but not least, our helpful and caring Maasai guide Papaa!!
Please pass it on.
We can provide all three naturally only recommend and Nasero, Richard & Papaa would book again immediately!!!
The same applies for guide and driver Mohamed Hamza on Zanzibar.
Eastern Sun Tours has organizid the following Safaris & tours for us super excelently & perfektly:
1. Lake Manyara NP. Full day Safari,
2. Ngorongoro Crater NP. Full day Safari,
3. Ngorongoro Crater to Empakai Crater Walking Safari,
4. Lake Natron NP. with Safaris & Visites to Lake Natron Flamingos, Human Foot Steps 2,4Mio. years old Foot
Steps, Walking Safari to the Waterfall, Visite to the Visitor Center,
5. Visiting above the active Volcan Oldonyo Lengai,
All trips, Safaris, Walks & Visitings are just in time, punctually and perfectly well done!!!
Many heartly thanks for the made it possible unique impressions: We would be made immediately organizes from you this trip!!
Again and again, with you,
Merci & Simon and your super team of Eastern Sun Tours
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Summiting with Eastern Sun
When looking for a company to arrange a Kilimanjaro climb, I must admit I was overwhelmed with the number of operators out there and found it difficult to know which operator could be trusted. After getting a few quotes from various operators, I found Eastern Sun on Safaribookings.com and was impressed with the speed of their responses to my initial emails. I was also impressed with how cheap they came up when compared to other operators. I was a bit nervous that they were so cheap that it was too good to be true, but any concerns I had were soon resolved on the morning of our trek.
Our pick up turned up at our hotel in Arusha at the arranged time and took us on the long drive to the start of the rongai route. The drive took us most of our first day. We were a little put out that we were only told at Marangu gate to kili that plastic bottles are not allowed on the mountain as we had planned to use these. In the end we had to arrange to borrow our guides' bottles. In future I believe this should be made clear in the booking emails. We were also a little annoyed that we had to pay $10pp to hire leccy poles when we thought they were included in the price.
Once we had resolved these issues we continued with our drive north. Once we got out of the jeeps, there was a lot of sitting around, but were soon on our way with the trek. On our first night we were pleastantly surprised with the quality and quantity of food provided by our chef Stephen. Throughout the trek we were well fed and never went hungry once. In terms of water, although I had water treatment pills I was told the water was treated, but later found out it was not. Fortunately we didn't get ill following this mix up (I think its pretty low risk anyway), but had to treat our water for the rest of our trip. For anyone looking to go on a trip, I'd advise taking water treatment pills just in case.
In terms of our guide (Arnold) and assistant guide (godfrey) we were very impressed. Not only did they make great company, but were also informative and made it clear that safety was put first. Our guide measured our heart rate and blood oxygen levels at least once a day and gave excellent advice based on years of experience on the mountain. If you go on a trip and use one of these devices (it takes a reading from your finger) ladies make sure you are not wearing nail varnish as this skews the results. Unfortunately I got bad altitude sickness symptoms at kibo (basically the worst headache i've ever experienced) but arnold's advice to take ibuprofen (I was already taking diamox)worked perfectly and I was able to summit feeling great!It was reassuring to know that Arnold would not have allowed us to summit unless he thought it was safe to do so.
All in all we were impressed with Eastern Sun and despite the minor issues we had, we were impressed with the service we received making it a trip we'll never forget.
Email Tony Mitchell | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Eastern Sun - A fantastic team to summit Uhuru Peak with
I still can't believe I made it to Uhuru Peak, but two mates and I did the trek with the best bunch of guides and porters on the Mountain. Mercy and Simon couldn't be more helpful with our booking, payment and provision of information, amid our changing requirements. Two expert guides, a cook and several porters spoiled us with their friendly and service-focused attention from pick-up to drop-off in Arusha. Our memories of fatigue and cold air have faded while the social times with this fantastic team remain vivid recollections. The tents and equipment, food, briefings and safety were second to none. I want to go again with the guys from Eastern Sun Tours & Safaris.
MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The experience of a lifetime
Setting plans with eastern sun tours was as easy as a,b,c. when planning a tour of this sort one starts to build up heaps of concerns ,i was one of them .I started to browse the web to find tour operators that meet our needs and also affordable .Send tons of inquires to various operators ,all showing same itinerary but prices varies a lot .Eastern sun was our choice .Started to communicate via e mails ,i was a real pain in the butt but Mercy was always patient and helpful,no communication barriers or whatsoever .No problems when it comes to bank swifts ,Africa is a non-sepa country and so you cannot make ibans ,for me it was a great concern sending a lump sum to this alien account ,but believe me i would have never had this negative thought if i knew Mercy et al before .....they are wonderful people . The safari journey was mind-blowing ,the driver/guide did a great job, he showed us all of it ,always on time and helpful.Lodges and camps that eastern sun recommended were tops .Great scenery ,.good food and excellent service .During our 7 day safari we had only one issue with one resort for small portions of food ,they served us a double portion after complaining .Having said that Eastern sun tours showed us Tanzania with a very affordable price and made a group of 4 adventurers from Malta very very happy .
Email Willard De Alwis | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience
I feel so lucky have our seven day safari tour organised by Easternsun Tour and Safaris. Our itinerary was very well planned by Mercy who has immense experience organising safaris. She also went out of the way to help finding our delayed luggage after arriving in Kilimanjaro. Our tour covered tarangere, Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater and lake manyara. Our guide was Hassan and he was very intelligent and knowledgeable. We saw many lions , elephants , giraffes , Zebras , a few Leopards and just one Rhino ( thanks to poachers) Wildebeest migration was an extraordinary experience. I have no hesitation in recommending Eastern Sun safaris to anyone who wishes to tour Tanzania for a safari tour.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fabulous Safari Experience
My family had a fantastic safari experience, visited Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. Game viewing was outstanding in both locations. Managed to see all the big five and large herds of animals, with some very close encounters with the lions, leopard and cheetah.
Stayed in Mount Meru hotel, Mbuzi Mawe luxury tent lodge and Sopo Lodge - All very good accommodations.
Merci did a great job of organizing the trip, was quick to respond to my queries, tailored the itinerary to my liking and budget, made good recommendations.
Our Guide Bonyface, was a thorough professional, very articulate and knowledgeable, with a good sense of humor and above all a careful driver.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most amazing experience, will DEFINITELY use Eastern Sun again!
My two friends and I went on an Eastern Sun Safari in May 2014. We did 4 nights, 5 days. Not only was it INCREDIBLY affordable for the accommodations we received but I cannot say enough good things about Mercy (the woman who helped us plan our trip) and Eddie, our driver. Mercy was prompt in replying to all our questions, was flexible in changing our accommodations since we flew into Kilimanjaro rather than Arusha and provided pick up from our Arusha hotel as well as a ride to Kilimanjaro airport on the last day of our safari. She was warm, welcoming and incredibly helpful. She even provided us a list of things to bring and the light coats we brought were perfect for the chilly mornings (other tours hadn't provided this list and so many safari go-ers were freezing in the mornings)! Eddie our driver was sweet, knowledgeable, and fun. He did everything he could to make sure we saw every animal. He was patient and informative and we could tell he was dedicated to making sure we had the perfect safari experience. We saw tour guides that were new and inexperienced, got lost frequently. I felt awful for those safari go-ers since it was clear their experience wasn't as smooth or as eventful as ours. I was so, so happy with our experience and would not hesitate in using Eastern Sun Tours again or referring them to any family and friends. After an amazing 1 week experience with a WONDERFUL safari guide, 4-5 start accommodations, and just the most helpful staff I could imagine, I would give Eastern Sun Tours 10 stars if I could!
US
Email Natasha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing. Unforgettable. Can't wait to do it again.
We went on a 5 day safari with eastern sun last month and it was an incredible experience. From start to finish, I can't speak highly enough of this company and their employees. Mercy made the booking process so easy for me and was always quick to reply to emails. She gave me different options for our safari and allowed me to pick the one that best suited our budget. Their rates were also very reasonable compared to other operators I contacted. From the moment we arrived in Tanzania, Mercy was in contact with us and gave us a thorough briefing of our safari. Our guide Eddie was AMAZING and incredibly knowledgeable of the parks and their animals. He was very patient with all of our questions (and we asked him a lot!). Eastern sun made the journey so easy and pleasant for us and of course the safari itself was unbelievable. I highly recommend eastern sun to anyone that may be interested in experiencing the greatness of Tanzania's parks. Asante Sana Mercy and Eddie!