Makini Tanzania Safari a signature of excellence
Go Makini Tanzania Expedition
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $160 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IL
Email Michelle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience
We did a 3-day safari with Go Makini from Zanzibar to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and it was absolutely incredible. Naomi was fantastic in helping organize everything smoothly, and our guide/driver, Prayer, truly made the experience unforgettable.
Prayer was extremely knowledgeable, well-prepared, and passionate, not just about guiding us but also about protecting the environment and wildlife. Unlike other drivers we saw rushing past, he took the time to respect the animals and their space, and it made our experience feel so much more meaningful. He even went out of his way to help other drivers when they had trouble, which really showed his character and professionalism.
We had an amazing and authentic safari experience.
US
Email Rudra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, reliable, accommodating and awesome.
It was our first African safari. Makini Tanzania Expedition prepared a quote accommodating all our requests. The quote was the best we got compared to that from other companies. Naomi was professional and very quick to respond. We were lucky to have Dickson as our guide throughout the trip. He went above and beyond to make sure we had the best safari experience we could have ever imagined. Hotels we stayed in were great and food was delicious. All the people we met were nice and welcoming. Tanzania is a beautiful country. This trip was the closest we felt connected to nature in quite some time. Asante to everyone involved in our trip. We hope we can come back again.
IT
Email Francesca | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect
The safari was truly unique and wonderful. It was perfectly organized in every detail. The lodges where we stayed were beautiful, clean, and the staff was very helpful. Our guide, King David, was absolutely fantastic – kind, polite, friendly, and very knowledgeable. Noemi was also always available for any of our requests. We couldn’t have chosen a better safari. I highly recommend it. If we were to go on another safari, we would 100% choose them again.
IT
Email Eleonora | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
David the King was truly an invaluable guide, always ready to give advice, attentive to every situat
David the King was truly an invaluable guide, always ready to give advice, attentive to every situation and detail, and very friendly and kind. The overnight stays were wonderful, the lodges where we stayed were beautiful and clean, and the food was excellent. We were five Italian friends and all five of us were truly impressed and satisfied with the quality of the service. One celiac guest and one vegetarian never had any problems at all with the food. Every day we always found the jeep clean and stocked with water, wine, and lunch boxes for the day. A big thank you also to Naomi, the tour organizer, whose kindness and organization were impeccable. Everything is highly recommended.
CA
Email Alex | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Safari Experience
Makini provided a great budget friendly safari experience that was fantastic! All of the staff involved in our trip were excellent and worked to make sure that we had the best experience possible. The meals were cooked fresh every day with more than enough for everybody. The guide who was also our driver was very experienced and well informed to find the best animals and provide knowledge on them all. It was a very fun experience that was made better by all the staff involved!
IT
Email Andrea | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best safari tour!
Makini was an incredible discovery! Without a doubt, it’s the best safari experience in Tanzania. We spent 5 days staying in beautiful, ultra-luxury lodges, and they fulfilled every single request we had—truly beyond words! Our guide, King David, was fantastic: funny, attentive, and it felt like traveling with a friend. And let’s be honest, if he’s called “King,” there’s a reason for it! I recommend it to absolutely anyone—you won’t regret it!
IT
Email Giovanni Manzotto | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The worst safari company had in Tanzania
Since the beginning I felt not good sensations, cause all the Hotel's guest have been collected from your competitors between 6:30 to 7:30 AM,
Your driver with your old and broken jeep pick us up at 9:30 AM, I would like to make a premise, I have been doing Safaris in South Africa and Kenia,
Normally a Guide/ Driver used to make a general briefing in the beginning and during all the safari explaining where we are direct, how long it takes, what we are going to see/meet, name of animals, plants, seasons etc etc
SKILLS and ACCESSORIES
An expert and professional Safari Guide always carries with them
Maps
Binoculars
Radio
Suppose to know the territory well
Unfortunately for all us (6 persons) our Driver / Guide didn't have NONE of the above mentioned skills/accessories
- No briefing at all > didn't speak whole the Safari, even beacause he was poor in english
- No maps
- No Binoculars
- Radio appears only in the tird day after ALL the Group complain officially, we saw HALF of the animals compare the other/jeeps, due to the lack of use Radio.
- He gets lost in Serengeti twice and gets lost in Ngorongoro once, because we were alone often..due to LACK of USE of the RADIO and lack of know the territory
- Not explanations about plants, animals, lakes (Ex. : What's tha name of Ngorogoro lake ? Answer Crater )
SAFETY
Most important issue it was the SAFETY,
It was very anxious and used to go faster than the other jeeps, didn't stop many many times whem we met animals, anytime we use reminds him, "please stop for a moment".
Twice in Serengeti lost the control of the Jeep, taking the SERIOUS risk to overturn the Jeep . People screamming scared, after a period of slow speed, he started again the fast spped, we looked each other astonished !!
Twice the guests whom seated behind including my young son and Mr. Nardine heated the heads in the Jeep's roof, because the Guide didn't stop in the many bumps in the track
CAR / JEEP
A professional company checks the car before a trip
The Car got broken immediately
- Batteries or Alternator didn't work , so any time the Jeep stopped we should push behind all together or asking for a help or leave the car on descent for the day after to be sure for the start.
- The tire has has broken in the middle of Serengeti, I have changed the wheel because the Chef and the Driver didn't know how tu use the ckick or made mistakes to screw and unscrew the nuts
- A stone heated the front glass, the shards of glass heated the Chef and keep all of us in extremely danger situation and it left us the whole journey with the worry that the glass might explode, cause everyday the cracks getting bigger and bigger
- Eventually the JEEP DIED permantely a 140 Km from Arusha on the way back home, we checked the documents of the car it was 2004 registration date. Left us in the middle of the highway in a very danger point, the two guys were in panic, thanks God we asked for lift, a Jeep with a professional guide help us to reach Arusha ciity in safe.
CHEF /FOOD
- First night our dinner was served along with other groups (3 groups+us) We were served at the end from our Chef assigned, 45 minutes of waiting to see the others having dinner
- Once the food arrives he apologises with our group, introducing himself as Professioanl Chef, but the facts have disproved it
- Simply he did NOT have enough food for the 6 pax or wants to save money in the food markets for his pocket.
- The first night in Serengeti Camp I cooked for whole group a Pasta and I was expecting the Chef was prepared something else, I was wrong, we had just pasta.
- The day after I woke up at 4:30 AM all the Chef/Cookers AREA was full and actives, every Chef cooking and prepare a lots food, cakes desserts etc...our Chef was sleeping I went to wake him up I prepared a coffee for all, no cookies, very poor food and not cooked for breakfast.
When we coming back for lunch the same situation
- The Food was poor and poorly cooked even in Ngorongoro, I seated in late no more meat (a piece each person), two guests vomits and got diarrea after the lunch in Ngorogoro camp.
- Perrsonally and other guests finished the Safari hungry.
Reply from Go Makini Tanzania Expedition
Posted on Aug 18, 2025Dear Giovanni,
First of all, we sincerely apologize for anything that went wrong during your safari. It was never our intention for you to feel disappointed, and we are truly sorry if your experience did not meet your expectations. We value your feedback, as it helps us to continue improving. However, we would like to clarify several important points about your safari:
Pick-up time
You were picked up at 9:30 AM on the first day because this was a shared safari. We first collected other guests from their accommodations, and since your hotel (Heart of Africa Lodge in Kisongo) was located on the way to the national park, you were the last to be picked up. This arrangement was explained to you clearly during the briefing the day before your safari.
Guide and Vehicle
Our guide had the necessary skills and equipment for the safari. The vehicle unfortunately broke down once on the last day of your safari at Rhotia Road on the way to Arusha—after all game drives had already been completed. To avoid a long delay, our guide arranged for another driver heading to Arusha to transfer you safely while we repaired the jeep. This ensured you reached Arusha without being stranded. Also he wanted to throw the piece of sigarette in the national park and our driver told him it is not allowed but he get mad at driver, in addition he was having two kids who during the safari they were standing on the safari jeep while the jeep is moving and when the driver prohibit them as it is very dangerous due to the bumping roads in the national park Giovanni was getiing mad at our guide.
Food and Chef
Regarding meals, pasta was served as the main dish on one of the days, which was appropriate since your group confirmed that you had no food allergies or restrictions. For chicken, as is normal practice on safari, each guest is served one piece.
It is also important to clarify that for breakfast, you personally requested to assist our chef. You explained that you preferred to stay active rather than idle, so you kindly prepared breakfast for the group. This was by your own choice, not because our chef failed to cook.
Communication
From the start of the safari, I stayed in contact with you via WhatsApp. On the second day I asked how everything was going, but unfortunately, you did not respond. Only on the last day, before the end of your safari, you contacted me requesting my boss’s number and our official email. When I asked if everything was okay, you replied “not okay.” I then gave you our email address so you could share your concerns immediately, but you did not write to us.
When you returned to Arusha, I personally met you at Bright Star Hotel after arranging with the driver who had transferred you from Rhotia. At that time, I asked you again about your concerns, reminding you that I had already been waiting for your email. At first, you said you would not speak and would only write to us, but after I requested several times, you explained briefly the same points you later included in your review. I asked why you had not told me earlier so we could have changed the guide or chef during the safari. I also reminded you that I contacted you on the second day but received no reply.
Our Commitment
We always act quickly to resolve issues when they are raised during a safari. In this case, it was difficult for us to do so because you chose not to communicate until the very end, when the safari had already been completed.
Despite the vehicle breakdown on the final day, you still visited all the national parks and campsites as planned in your itinerary, with all park fees and accommodations already paid for. The transfer was arranged immediately to ensure your safety and timely arrival in Arusha.
Lastly, you requested a full refund, stating that otherwise you would write a bad review and spread it widely. Unfortunately, this was not possible, as all services had already been delivered and paid for in advance.
We regret that your experience was not as you had hoped, but we assure you that your feedback has been taken seriously and will help us continue to improve. We remain committed to providing the best safari experiences for our guests.
Best regards,
Makini Tanzania Safari
SE
Email Peter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very accommodating and serious company with fantastic guide
We took the 4 day fly in tour. We could start the safari directly after landing in central Serengeti and could enjoy 7h excellent safari.
Very good suggestion to stay the two first night at the same camp. We stayed at Land of Nature, an incredible experience with animals passing through the camp all night.
Totally more than 25h animal searching and watching. Our guide Kelvin did more than expected and gave us a fantastic adventure
NL
Email Jens | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very friendly and helpfull and she responded very quickly
We did a 6 day safari tour. We were together with 5 other tourists and we had a really really good experience. Our tour guide was Peter, a very friendly guide with a lot of knowledge. He could answer all our questions and is very social. He had a lot of funny and informative stories about the country and animals and gave us enough time to watch the animals. Our chef for the week was Richard. A very nice and funny guy, with a great taste of food. We ate delicious that week, even better than in the Netherlands haha. Nancy, our tour operator was very friendly and responded very quickly. I had an unforgettable week, and really appreciate all the people that made it possible. I would recommend this company to everyone. Gr
Email Ingrid | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour with thoughtful touches
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour, managing to see the big five and more! Our guide, Dickson, was experienced and knowledgable - ensuring we had a safe trip and saw everything we wanted. Naomi was very prompt with communicating and arranging everything for us to make the trip seamless. We were blown away by the thoughtful little touches that made our experience feel personalised and special. We felt it was excellent value for money with the price including flying in and out of Zanzibar and a visit to 3 national parks. I would highly recommend Makini if you are considering this company for your honeymoon or otherwise.