Serengeti Smile Team
Serengeti Smile
- Located 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 $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
Email Christina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and well organized
We booked a 13- day trip with Serengeti Smiles, split into a 6-day safari and 7 days in Zanzibar.
The safari was incredible, we visited Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara national parks. We managed to see the big 5, the guide worked hard to ensure we had a wonderful experience. The accomodations in the Serengeti were very nice and comfortable, especially the permanent camps! The food was good, sometimes better than others, but overall we were happy with it.
In Zanzibar we stayed in a total of 3 hotels, first one was Tembo hotel in Stone town, this one was very pretty, however we only had one night so we didn't get to do much at the hotel.
The second was Smiles Beach Hotel, the food here was very good but the beach in Nungwi is extremely busy, you can't sit near the beach without being solicited every few minutes during low tide.
The third hotel was Villa Kiva in Matemwe, our favorite! The beach was a lot calmer, much nicer, the only caveat being that you could see the sunrise and not the sunset. We enjoyed our stay at this boutique hotel very much.
Overall, 10/10 experience!
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Email Salisha | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely Knowledgeable and dedicated to ensuring we saw as much animals possible!
From the very start, everything about our safari experience was absolutely amazing. Gideon, who handled all of our bookings, was incredibly responsive and professional. He made sure that every detail, from arrival and departure airport transfers, to coordinating with the hotel for a birthday suprise cake for my husband and the safari itinerary, was handled smoothly. Our drivers were always on time, polite, and safe, and the vehicles were spotless and comfortable.
Once the safari began, we were in the best hands with our guide, Walter. He made the experience enjoyable, and his deep knowledge of the parks and wildlife made our experience enjoyable. Walter made it his mission to ensure we saw everything possible, and he delivered! Not only did we see the Big Five, but we also saw servals, giraffes in abundance, elephants, ostriches, flamingos, buffalo, warthogs, a pack of hyenas with a pup, hippos, a bat-eared fox, several species of vultures, and endless herds of zebras and wildebeests. Watching the wildebeests attempt to cross the border (again and again!) was a sight we’ll never forget.
Our journey took us through Tarangire National Park, the Central and Northern Serengeti, and ended with the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, where we were lucky enough to see two rhinos in the distance. All the camps we stayed at were great and better than what we envisioned and the food was amazing. We visited the Masai village, which was rather enlightening and educational. Each location had its own magic, and Walter always went above and beyond to make sure we had the best views and photo opportunities. His passion for wildlife and dedication to giving us an unforgettable trip really shone through.
A few takeaways: if you are staying at Ngorongoro Crater, take a jacket; it gets cold regardless of the season; take hand sanitizer and a rag, it will come in handy, as dust is unavoidable; be prepared for locals wanting to sell you their crafts, which is common throughout Africa and Asia - do not be afraid to negotiate.
Overall, I have been on safaris in Kruger and Chobe, but this one was without question the very best. From the seamless planning with Gideon to the expert guiding from Walter, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Highly recommend this team to anyone considering a safari, you will not be disappointed!
CA
Email Tania | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable!
From the moment we reached out for a quote, Jeremiah was fantastic. He responded so quick which made us feel secure to book with them. He answered every question, and his service was amazing up until our last day. Our driver, Barney, made our experience that much better. He truly made us have the best time on our safari - memories we will cherish forever. I cannot recommend Serengeti Smile enough!
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Email Dustin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Prompt and Knowledgable! Went above & beyond to make sure we saw Big 5 & Great Migration
Our tour guide, Hussein, was great! He went above and beyond to ensure we saw the Big 5 & great migration during our visit. He was very prompt day to day and was excellent with the fast pace driving of the cities and safari parks. He let us know when to expect turbulence or sandy spots on our drive. He was also very insightful on the animals we saw as well as the culture of Tanzania and its cities. Any questions we had (which we asked alot) he knew the answers to with very little language barrier, he even taught us a few words in Swahili (Asante Sana!). My wife and I had a blast and felt very comfortable with Hussein as our guide. We would highly recommend Serengeti Smiles if you are planning a safari visit to Tanzania, Patricia did a great job putting together the itinerary and booking the trip with the insight we gave her.
CN
Email Lulu Zhou | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fantastic journey in Tanzania with the best guide Zack
Jonyo as our consultant has made a perfect individual itinerary for us. It took almost two weeks to discuss the plan and the accommodations. He has totally provided us 8 versions and finally closed everything. It is a big challenge for a family with teenagers like us so Jonyo combined one-day Kilimanjaro hiking and long term safari gaming. For a 10 days Tanzania safari trip I think it couldn’t be even better.
Also million thanks to our great guide Zack, we had unforgettable experiences in Tanzania. We got the Big five and the cross with him. At the last day we’ve even seen the lions eating their breakfast. Lucky for us, we saw the cross twice in different places and different time in one day. That’s all because of the rich knowledge and experience of Zack. He was also very nice to cooperate with us to change the itinerary during the trip, to make sure we had chance to visit Olduvai Gorge Museum. That’s also a quite interesting place worth to go.
Will recommend to my friends. Next time when I back I hope I can travel with Zack again.
CN
Email Su | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3. Expertly Planned, Incredibly Guided a journey to Remember
Expertly Planned, Incredibly Guided a journey to Remember
As someone who had dreamed of visiting Africa for years, this 10-day safari with Serengeti Smile was everything I hoped for and more. Traveling as a family, we wanted something that was both adventurous and well organized and Serengeti Smile delivered on every level.
From the start, Baraka made the planning process incredibly smooth. He was attentive, flexible, and genuinely cared about making the experience perfect for us. Every detail was handled with care from our comfortable, well-situated accommodations to the seamless logistics between parks and lodges. I especially appreciated how relaxed and hassle-free everything felt.
But what truly made this trip stand out was our guide, Champion. His passion for wildlife and deep knowledge of the parks turned every game drive into something special. We saw an incredible variety of animals including some up-close moments I’ll never forget. He always managed to find the perfect spots for viewing and was more than happy to adjust the day based on what we were most excited about.
Champion also brought a great energy to the trip professional, easygoing, and fun to be around. By the end, it felt like traveling with a good friend who just happened to be an expert in everything around us.
If you're considering a safari, don’t hesitate book with Serengeti Smile. It’s more than just a vacation; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m incredibly grateful to have shared it with my family through such an exceptional company.
CN
Email Zhao | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Dream Safari Brought to Life by Serengeti Smile Our family just returned from a 10-day safari with
A Dream Safari Brought to Life by Serengeti Smile
Our family just returned from a 10-day safari with Serengeti Smile, and the entire experience exceeded all expectations. This was our first safari, and it was truly unforgettable from start to finish.
Baraka took excellent care of us during the planning process. He was responsive, thoughtful, and put together an itinerary that matched our preferences and budget perfectly. We stayed in nice accommodations throughout—comfortable, well-located, and offering great service and views. Everything was well-organized, and we never had to worry about logistics.
Our guide, Champion, was outstanding. He made each game drive engaging and informative, and his knowledge of the wildlife and parks was incredibly impressive. We asked plenty of questions, and he answered each one with patience and insight. His ability to read the environment and position us for the best sightings led to some truly unforgettable moments—lions, elephants, a leopard, and so much more.
Champion also did a fantastic job tailoring each day to our pace and interests, which made the experience feel relaxed and personal from beginning to end.
If you're planning a safari, we wholeheartedly recommend Serengeti Smile. Baraka and Champion created a once-in-a-lifetime journey for our family, and we’ll be talking about it for years to come.
CN
Email Su | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari Experience with Serengeti Smile
1. Unforgettable Safari Experience with Serengeti Smile
We recently returned from a 10-day, 9-night safari in Tanzania, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we started planning, Baraka made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. He really listened to what we were looking for, worked within our budget, and still managed to line up some of the most beautiful lodges and unforgettable experiences. Every detail was well thought out, and everything ran like clockwork.
Our guide, Champion, took the experience to another level. From day one, he made us feel comfortable, safe, and completely immersed in the adventure. He kept us laughing, answered all of our questions with insight and patience, and his deep knowledge of the wildlife and parks brought everything to life. He tailored each game drive to match our interests and always managed to get us into the best viewing spots.
Together, Baraka and Champion, through Serengeti Smile, crafted a journey our family will treasure forever. We highly recommend booking with Serengeti Smile if you're looking for a seamless, personal, and truly special safari experience.
Email Jackson | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari guide and excellent driver!
My Dad and I did a 6 day safari tour through the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater with Serengeti Smile and we couldn’t be happier with the experience, our guide Lucas had an amazing knowledge of the national parks and the animals inside them. We ticked off all of the big 5 and even saw a cheetah family on a recent kill. All the lodges and camps were fantastic especially the Serengeti classic view camp. The food provided was also impossible to fault, we loved it!! Would definitely recommend.
DE
Email Christian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wildly Flexible: 9 Days of Serengeti Smile Safari Magic
Exceptional 9-Day Safari with Serengeti Smile
We just returned from a 9-day Tanzanian adventure with Serengeti Smile—and it exceeded every expectation. From the moment we contacted them to plan our trip through Tarangire, the northern and southern Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, and a one-day Kilimanjaro hike, their flexibility and attention to detail stood out.
Tailor-Made Planning and Smooth Communication
• Our main contact, Jonyo, crafted a personalized itinerary that perfectly matched our interests, schedule, and pace.
• Even once on safari, Serengeti Smile accommodated last-minute changes—swapping a scheduled game drive for a visit to the Olduvai Museum on short notice.
• All questions were answered promptly in clear English, and small hiccups (like our very early check-in) were handled seamlessly.
Incredible Wildlife Encounters with Driver Zeck
Our guide, Zeck, proved that experience and passion make all the difference:
• He knew exactly where to find the animals we dreamed of—Big Five and beyond (gazelles, big cats, monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, lizards, and a kaleidoscope of birds).
• Thanks to his network of fellow guides and savvy radio updates, we even stayed out two extra hours one night to catch sight of a cheetah and two leopards—returning to camp well past dusk but thrilled at the experience.
• We witnessed the epic Mara River crossing twice in one day (though I sadly missed one crossing while down with stomach issues—guess I’ll have to go back!).
Accommodations, Meals, and Practical Tips
• You’ll move camps almost every day, which can feel hectic—so pack light.
• We opted for breakfast, dinner, and a simple lunch box; while we occasionally envied others’ hot midday meals, our choice kept the focus on wildlife viewing rather than meal prep.
• Camp accommodations offered high-quality food each morning and evening, and it was easy to refuel between game drives.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
This trip wasn’t just about ticking off famous landmarks or spotting the Big Five—it was about feeling immersed in the African wilderness, guided by people who genuinely care. Serengeti Smile delivered professionalism, local expertise, and genuine warmth at every turn. We’re heading home with nearly 3,000 photos and videos, memories of twice witnessing the great wildebeest migration crossing, and a deeper appreciation for Tanzania’s beauty.
If you’re dreaming of a bespoke Tanzanian safari that balances adventure with comfort, look no further than Serengeti Smile. We can’t recommend them highly enough!
