Serengeti Smile Team
Serengeti Smile
- Office In:
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2020)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board & AMREF FLYING DOCTORS INSURANCE
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $160 to $1,200 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
CN
Email zt | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service and high cost performance
Customer service replies via WeChat are a bit slow. The safari guide was very professional and we were able to spot many animals. Additional services like the lunchbox could enhance the experience. Overall, it was a very good travel experience.
A Trip We Will Never Forget
We recently went on a safari and chose Serengeti Smile after reading consistently excellent reviews across multiple platforms, including SafariBookings, Google, and TripAdvisor. With so many local operators available, the choice can feel overwhelming, but from our very first inquiry, Serengeti Smile stood out. Fredrick was incredibly responsive, professional, and informative throughout the entire planning process. He helped us put together a fantastic itinerary, answered all of our questions promptly, and stayed in touch until the day we arrived. It was also a pleasure meeting him in person. Thank you again, Fredrick, for making everything so smooth and stress-free.
The only aspect we were less happy about was an additional surcharge requested about a month before the trip due to fuel price changes. While we understand that operating costs can fluctuate, receiving this request so close to departure was somewhat unexpected.
For our safari, we were paired with Deo as our guide, and we could not have asked for a better experience. Deo was absolutely outstanding. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about wildlife and conservation. From the moment we started our journey, he made sure we were comfortable, informed, and enjoying every moment.
Deo had an incredible eye for spotting animals and seemed to find wildlife that many others would have easily missed. He took the time to explain animal behavior, ecosystems, and local culture, which added so much depth to the experience. His expertise, patience, and enthusiasm made every game drive exciting and educational.
One particularly memorable moment was when Deo imitated the calls of a baby wildebeest. A nearby family of spotted hyenas immediately heard the sounds, got up from where they were resting, and started walking toward us looking genuinely confused, as if they were trying to figure out where the lost wildebeest calf was. Watching them approach with that “wait… who called?” expression was both fascinating and hilarious, and a perfect example of how knowledgeable and entertaining Deo was throughout the trip.
He also made sure we had plenty of opportunities for amazing photos and always positioned the vehicle thoughtfully so we could get the best possible views. Thanks to him, we saw everything we had hoped for and much more.
Beyond being an exceptional guide, Deo is a genuinely kind and warm person. By the end of the trip, he felt more like a friend than just a guide. We will always remember the wonderful experiences and memories he helped create.
Thank you, Deo, and thank you, Serengeti Smile, for an unforgettable safari. We had an incredible time and truly appreciate everything you did for us.
CN
Email CHEN | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lost in the magic of the wild
Unforgettable Safari with Joshua!
From airport pickup through Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, Joshua was incredible. He shared amazing insights into Tanzanian culture and the Maasai people. Thanks to his tracking, we saw the Big Five, wildebeests, and diverse birdlife from perfect, close-up angles.
Highlights included "honeymooning" lions, the three lion brothers, Cheetahs, and rare black rhinos. We even watched unique moments like vultures feeding and hippos resting among crocodiles! Joshua’s dedication and passion made our trip magical. Highly recommended!
ES
Email Estefania | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Piniel was very attentive, flexible and kind. I absolutely recommend his service
It was absolutely amazing!! The booking process was very smooth an easy, and they answer all your questions immediately. Once you get to Tanzania, the service is excellent, they go above and beyond to make your experience amazing . The classic view Serengeti camp is perfect, right in the middle pf the Serengeti where you get to relax watching the zebras go by with a beautiful sunset. Amini, our safari guide took us to see all animals within his control, and we got to see the big five!!
ES
Email Óscar | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip and unforgettable wildlife encounters
We had an incredible safari experience from start to finish. The itinerary was well organized, the lodges met our expectations, and everything ran smoothly throughout the trip.
A special mention goes to our driver, Libe, and our guide, Daniel. Both clearly have many years of experience and know the parks so well that it sometimes felt like they had a GPS built into their heads! Thanks to their remarkable spotting skills, we were able to see an amazing variety of wildlife, including animals that are often difficult to find. May God preserve that eyesight for many years to come!
Daniel speaks very good Spanish. He was able to explain the animals, landscapes, and local environment clearly and answer all of our questions throughout the trip.
Even in the busier parks, they knew how to avoid the biggest crowds whenever possible, making the experience more enjoyable. They were always friendly, attentive, and genuinely concerned about our well-being, adapting to our needs along the way.
We would happily recommend this safari and especially our guides, who played a huge part in making this trip so memorable.
Excellent Safari Guide – Highly Recommended
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for our safari guide and driver John Paul.
He made a huge difference in our trip and truly exceeded all expectations. His knowledge was exceptional—there was never a question he could not answer. He was always professional, proactive, courteous, and willing to help.
His excellent English made communication very easy, and his experience and strong relationships with other guides and lodge staff greatly enhanced our safari experience. Thanks to his dedication and communication skills, we were able to see the Big Five during our one-week trip, something we know is not always easy to achieve.
We were also impressed by his attention to detail. Every morning, the vehicle was spotless, cleaned and fully prepared for the day ahead, with everything we needed for a comfortable safari already organized and ready.
He deserves five stars and more. We are very grateful for everything he did to make our safari so memorable.
Thank you for having such an outstanding professional on your team.
BR
Email Giovanna Petroni | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable safari experience, all thanks to John!
John was hands down the best guide we could have ever asked for! His English is flawless, he is incredibly polite, and he kept the car spotless every single day.
He is extremely knowledgeable, always sharing amazing facts about the wildlife and answering every single question we had. On top of that, his experience and respect toward other guides played a huge role in helping us spot so many animals throughout our safari.
He is extremely knowledgeable, always sharing amazing facts about the wildlife and answering every single question we had. On top of that, his experience and respect toward other guides played a huge role in helping us spot so many animals throughout our safari.
John always made sure to position the car perfectly, giving us the absolute best views and photo opportunities. He was so determined to help us check everything off our list that we managed to see the Big 5 days before our trip even ended! He truly made our safari an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!
ES
Email Borja | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An excellent experience with excellent professionals
We really loved our journey from start to finish. We visited Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Manyara. The itinerary was carefully designed to get the most out of the experience in terms of wildlife sightings.
Jeremiah was our point of contact with the agency and he was really nice and attentive. He was there for us to solve our doubts, answer our questions, and inform us about our options during the planning phase. This was crucial because organizing a trip while you are thousands of miles away with a company in a different country can sometimes cause unrest and uncertainty. But they definitely know what they’re doing.
We travelled in a comfortable jeep for our group of 4, which allows a private experience with your friends without having to share with strangers. The jeep had electric plugs to charge our devices and a liftable roof that allowed us to stand and enjoy the sightings more comfortably. Our guide Daniel and our driver Libe (forgive us if we mispell your names) took care of all our needs.
Daniel explained the details of the different areas and animals fluently in Spanish, and helped us navigate everyday situations. Libe was a very skilled driver with an incredible eyesight, he spotted several animals in the wild and he even managed to escape from an angry elephant unscathed, which was by the way the highlight of the trip.
The hotels booked for our trip were in general very iconic, with breathtaking locations and views. Even though the facilities were a bit outdated, we need to take into account that they’re in the middle of isolated areas in the national parks with difficult access for regular maintenance. Nevertheless, we didn’t miss any of the comfort we have at home (nice food and drinks, hot shower, electricity, comfortable bedding, mosquito nets, swimming pools, etc.) and they’re a pure joy to stay at, especially the Serena Ngorongoro.
We really enjoyed our trip together and had unforgetable moments and a life-changing experience.
ES
Email Carlos | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great experience with excellent professionals
We have just returned from our safari in Tanzania, and we could not be more satisfied with the organization and service provided by this tour operator. It was an absolutely fantastic experience that exceeded all our expectations regarding wildlife immersion and trip logistics.
The success of our adventure was largely due to the extraordinary work of the team that accompanied us, and we would like to give them a very special mention:
Libe (Our Driver): An impeccable professional. His driving on complex terrain was always safe and smooth, giving us great peace of mind. What stood out the most was his incredible instinct and sharp eyesight; he was always alert to any movement in the savannah, managing to spot animals where others saw nothing and strategically positioning the vehicle so we always had the best view and the best photos.
Daniel (Our Guide): His knowledge of the environment and wildlife is admirable. We loved his communication style: he explained animal behavior and the history of the area in a simple, engaging, and highly appropriate way, making every single day both educational and exciting.
Additionally, the selection of accommodations was excellent. All the hotels and lodges were strategically located, gifting us with breathtaking views of the African landscape that made sunrises and sunsets truly magical. The rooms were very spacious, comfortable, and perfect for relaxing after intense days on safari.
We recommend this operator without any hesitation. If you are looking for a worry-free trip with passionate professionals and top-tier service, this is the right choice. Thank you to the whole team, and especially to Libe and Daniel, for a journey we will remember forever!
Amazing experience! Super well organised!
Amazing experience! Our driver Regy was super knowledgable and made sure we were enjoying the experience the whole time. Would 100% recommend! We got to see the Big 5 and some other animals that are usually hard to spot.
The trip of a lifetime!