Tanzania Private Safaris & Small Group Adventures.
World Tours & Safaris Tanzania
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2000)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $490 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Let down by easily fixable problems
We did a five-day, four-night budget (camping) safari with World Tours and Safari in December 2014, visiting Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara national parks.
Let’s start with the good:
1) this really is a budget safari – from our conversations with other travellers, you’re likely to pay $700-1000 more for a very similar itinerary with many other operators out of Arusha.
2) we saw a great many animals, and had some very exciting sightings – more lions than we could count, a leopard (!), a lion-buffalo showdown (the buffaloes won), lots and lots and lots of hippos, hyenas, jackals, owls, vultures, even rhinos in the far distance in the Ngorongoro crater (etc etc). The places we saw are jawdroppingly beautiful, and all in all, just being there is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
3) a couple of the (freshly cooked) meals were very tasty.
4) (though this is by chance) we had great company, getting on very well with the couple who were in the Land Rover with us – which made the trip so much better than it could have been.
HOWEVER:
1) While Richard’s communication had been fast and informative when we were booking our trip, he firstly made us change our initial leaving date, with a story of us joining what we suspect to be a fictional couple (since our eventual companions had been told exactly the same story) and secondly, he then changed our itinerary the day before the start of our safari. Make sure to check that you’re still spending the same amount of time in each park as initially agreed upon, and be firm about getting exact details. Also, when planning, stick to what you want, and when you want to leave.
2) Our guide and cook were both very nice and friendly men, who both appeared to be trying their best. However, their English was quite poor, which made communication and planning for the day difficult. Our driver did know a lot about the bush, and clearly loved (spotting) animals, but it took time and patience to draw it out of him, that you don’t always have, and he didn’t volunteer information very often. In other words, he was much more of a driver, than a guide. This led to frustration from both sides, and made some meal-times (when it is the custom that the guides always join the clients) quite awkward.
3) Our Land Rover was old, and stalled and overheated a number of times – the worst of which was for about 45 minutes, as it was getting dark, on the way to our third night’s camp.
4) The tents are very old. The worst however was the camping equipment, all of which was very old and dirty. The mattresses are okay, but the sleeping bags and pillows are downright disgusting. Bring your own!! We also really didn’t like that the guides had a much worse tent than us (!), and lower stools (which broke) rather than proper chairs. More (easily avoidable!) awkwardness.
5) As above, a few of the dinners and the one lunch that was freshly cooked was tasty enough. However, the packed lunches were all the same, and not very palatable (dry fried chicken for the third day in a row, anyone?). Take the menu on the website/in your itinerary with a very generous pinch of salt, and be prepared to bring your own snacks along to supplement meals, particularly fresh fruit, nuts etc.
To reiterate, we were on a budget safari, and the result was – the incredible scenery and wildlife aside! – a budget experience. What is disappointing though is that many of these things could be fixed quite easily, and at minimum cost (or perhaps by increasing rates only slightly). The cook needs a bit of training and some new ideas (make a chicken mayo sandwich on the third day! Add fresh tomatoes to your lunch menus!). And fresh safari uniforms for both men would also go a long way to make the operation look more professional. Give your customers and your guides a detailed itinerary for each day, and impress upon your guides that they need to stick to it as far as possible or communicate any changes to your customers. Fix your vehicles!
Weighing it up, we probably wouldn’t recommend World Tours and Safaris. Rather go on a shorter safari with a more expensive (and professional) operator.
Reply from World Tours & Safaris Tanzania
Posted on Jan 24, 2015I am sorry to hear you were disappointed with part of your Safari. Thank you very much for being honest. I will make sure we update all of our service for the next customers. I apologized to you and your husband that next time I will make sure nobody is coming back with the same complain. We learn through mistake.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Safari but with problems
I was on safari with Marta. I confirm that we are very badly treated by the owner of this company As a result of our complain about not good service. This would be also confirm by American lady who attended also our safari from the second day. We were as a group of three people. Mr Richard knew the name of the hotel because he gave us the transfer the day before. I tiiped 100 USD for both of them, even we were cheated about the cost of visit Masai village which for us was 100 usd per car, whereas for others 40 usd - we got this information from other tourists on a camp in Serengeti. My suggestion: Think, read a long comment and then decide.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good safari but with problems
We had 5 day and 4 night safari Tarangire/Serengeti/Ngorongoro with world-tours-safaris. At the beginning the contact with Mr Richard was very fast and clear. We got a lot of information that we need. But the first day of safari was terrible for us. We heard that the other couple who had joined to us did not come on the time. We had one hour late pick up from the hotel, then we started the safari at 11 with minivan (not land cruiser that was in offer). My seat was wet. The minivan had an open roof but without the top-up roof so we had a lot of sun when we open and spend all the time open and close the roof at the safari. No air and very hot in the car because the windows were not openly and were with a lot of scratches and we had not a clear view. Our car was the worst on the safari that day. We were disappointed of this day and Mr Richard told us that we agreed with this and it was private safari when we gave the call to him at the evening - although we did not have any other option. The second day we start our safari with land cruiser and with another one tourist - not that couple. From this day we had a good safari to the end with our guide Aron who was engaged. We saw a lot. But at the end when we were in the office Mr Richard start our conversation from worlds: What was the problem. We were so disappointed. We didn’t heard a word of sorry and any questions about our feedback. The other things from our point of view - be prepare for old tent with not so nice smell and the other equipment’s are old and very used.
We had also not nice case of visit Masaii village and making the picture of this community and not nice the case of tips from the other tourist who was with us. Serengeti was fantastic i would like to be there again but I would like to try with another company.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Avoid this company at all costs
I recently did a 4-day Safari with World Tours and Safari in the Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater. It was a once in a lifetime experience that this company continually tried to sabotage. I booked three months in advance to go to Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorogoro. When I arrived in Arusha, the manager Richard changed my itinerary so I never made it to Tarangire. Then, he tried to cut my Safari short by one day so we could drive a separate party to the airport. When confronted after the trip with these complaints, Richard was rude to myself and my family. He never even addressed our concerns as we attempted to talk to him in a calm manner. I later found out he suspended the driver for our trip, who was by far the highlight of the trip and pleasure to be around.
If you are looking to book a safari, just avoid this company. There are plenty of great companies out there operating similar safaris that there is no need to deal with Richard and the hassle of World Tours and Safaris.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip with amazing guides
Had an awesome time with World Tours. The email correspondence right from the first email was always fast and welcoming. Once we arrived to Arusha everything was set up and easily done for us. Mr. Richard was very nice and very helpful. The guide and cook were amazing people. Gadi cooked delicious and plentiful meals while Frank our guide (Frank the Tank) knew all the hotspots and we saw all the animals we could think of. The tents and sleeping arrangements were top notch, it even rained heavily one night and seeing that our tent held up (compared to some other "popular" tour company's tents) was found to have 3 additional people sleep in it!. Would definitely recommend World Tour Safari to anyone who'd want to do a safari.
SE
Email Jan Sorbo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic Safari experience!
We are a family from Sweden with two daugthers (17 and 14 yrs) and went to Arusha for 3 days safari with World Tours& Safaris Tanzania. We visited Tarangire, NgoroNgoro and Maniara and had wonderful days with lot of animals. We stayed at Twiga lodge which was ok but lacking charm, though had A swimmingpool. Our guide Humphrie was nice, skilful and had broad knowlodge about the animals, the people and the culture in Tanzania. Rickard was very helpful and gave us perfect service. We can really recommend this company.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kilimagaro
Richard is good partner to trip. I think about come back to Safari with this partner.
Email zouzou angel wa ilunga. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
world tours & safaris Tanzanian is very reliable and well organized. company i am happy to say that.
myself and family we have great memories. Of world tours and safaris arusha. Tanzanian most importantly was the customer care with mr R kilonzo. And all the happy staffs highly recommended to any one who want to enjoy a hint of paradise. Is 10/10 for me. From ZOUZOU malaika. From united kingdom. Xxx
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Big Five Up Close!
My friend and I from Canada went on a 5 day/4 night safari and it was more than I expected! We hit Tarangire, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. The driver from KIA was right on time both ways, very reliable. Our tour guide was amazing, he was able to get us in the best positions for viewing all the wildlife. We saw all of the big five and so much more, even caught some of the wildebeest migration. The food was great, something different and delicious each night. Fantastic tour! Highly recommend these guys. Nothing better than a giant elephant crashing your camp at night.
ES
Email Ana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari
We (two friends) used World Tours and Safaris in November for a 6 days safari (Tarangire- Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro). Having consulted different websites and reviews, we decided to contact WTS. Richard came quickly back and gave the most economical package according to our demands, exactly as we wanted.
He always responded quickly to our messages and provided clear explanations.
Richard is a trustful man who keeps his word: we supposed to share the safari with two travellers. They did not arrive on time but this fact has not changed our safari program or the price previously agreed.
Our guide Aaron was gentle driver, he had good knowledge of animals and landscape and found always the best places to spot the animals. The food was abundant and delicious thanks to our cook Gady.
We had a fantastic safari and we keep excellent memories thanks to the good organisation and the commitment of the team. THANK YOU!