"Asili Explorer Safaris: Go Local Explore Africa"
Asili Explorer Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board, Custom budget & mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $220 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb experiences of East Africa, secure travel and a wonderful, informative guide who has passion!
I travelled to Tanzania earlier this year, in the hope of really experiencing an authentic journey through this part of East Africa and with the help of Asili Explorer and it's head guide Joseph, I really left feeling totally satisfied I had-as well as not wanting to leave! It is important to note, I travelled as a lone tourist this time around, so issues of security and understanding everything around me was being taken care of well was paramount and with Asili this was every bit the case.
After viewing his informative website and choosing which excursion and safari I wanted, I did really feel he was catering it just for me and really listening to what I wanted to get out of my journey, rather than just providing a 'brand' package without much consultation. Asili is expertly run and their spacious and hand-wearing transportation, camping equipment and lodges he advises on, were to me personally, of a really good quality and I think would also be more than adequate for larger groups/families too. My trip around the Serengeti/National parks gave me such a unique experience and travelling with Joseph meant I got all his first hand knowledge on the wildlife (Lions and Wildebeest migration) and spectacular views, along with some very interesting immersion into the life of the local tribes....namely the famous Maasai Pastoralists and Hadzabe people! Asili is approachable, amusing and always got back to my queries prior to travel swiftly and answered all questions well.
The price ranges for the various packages were also very reasonable to me as it is easy to get very confused with all the competing tour companies out there but Asili did stand out to me as one of the most cost effective on a limited budget.
I always felt at ease and being new to travelling and as a lone female, I felt content and safe at all times, even in Arusha whilst not on the road. So a big 'Asante Sana' to Asili and Joseph, you created some really lovely and ingrained memories for me and I definitely hope to use your services again!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Safari with Asili Explorer!
We had a fantastic holiday with Asili Explorer! Joe organized a 11-day tour for us, covering Lake Natron, Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, and the Serengeti, including the Ngorongoro crater. We booked a jeep with a driver/guide (good-humoured guy with the eyes of a hawk) and a cook (very nice person as well, delicious and clean food every day) and were camping (equipment was good). We managed to see all the big animals, including black rhino (in the crater), leopard and cheetah and took a ton of amazing photos. Being a small safari agency, Asili Explorer really cares for its clients and tries everything possible to make sure you are having a good time (otherwise it's hard to compete with the big agencies, I guess). It worked well for us, and we had a great time indeed! Thank you, Asili Explorer, for this amazing experience!
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
friendly, professional and welcoming. Really a nice experience
Though this company is a fresh one, our trip turned out to be an incredible one. The guide was professional with superb eyesight. He could spot animals which were extremely faraway and hard to see. We were lucky enough to have seen leopard for four times, lions for many times including their cubs. The well planned morning game drive allows us to see hippo on ground. The chef cooked really well and we felt so warm to eat such nice meal in an environment with so many constraints. The guide provided us with binoculars and a reference book which facilitate a lot in our enjoyment of the safari. His price is reasonable and most importantly, he is a friendly person! He knows when to stop and when start again at moments when we were taking photos, without much communication needed. There are many safari company around but I believe some fresh, young and small scale ones may have more potential to provide the service one anticipates.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable and satisfying safari experience with the passionate asili explorer
We have a superb and unforgettable safari experience with Asili Explorer. Our trip included going to Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater in 7 days 6 nights. Joe, who is our guide and also the owner of the asili explorer is really a passionate and friendly person. As we are coming from a hospital in which we attached, Joe had made a special plan for us which included picking us up from the hospital which is good as this can save our time traveling back to Arusha. Back to the safari, it is really an unforgettable experience! We had to say that Joe was really a good guide. He had an eagle eye and could always spot the animals which are really difficult to spot for us. In many occasions we had to really use a binocular to confirm what he had seen. He had helped us to spot many animals. We could see all the big 5s including some leopards which are very difficult to see. We could see many many antelopes, giraffes, simbas, elephants, different birds, buffalos, wildebeests, zebras, etc. He is also very knowledgeable in different animals and plants and could give us the names and also the different characteristics of the animals. For the catering throughout the trip, the cook, Isaac had prepared some really good meals for us. Every meal that he prepared for us was good and was of different variety, including spaghetti, Zanzibar style fried rice, pie, etc. All in all, this is really an once-in-a-lifetime experience for us, as we may not have time to come back to Tanzania later. All the plannings, guide skill and the safari experience were simply superb and very unique for us. We would like to thank Joe for bringing us this unforgettable trip and hope that he would carry on with this passion and continue to show the beauty of the nature in Tanzania to more people!
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari Trip With Good Price And Services
We are a group of final year medical students who were joining Asili Explorer for a 7-day 6-night safari trip after our attachment in Haydom Lutherans Hospital. We all find the trip memorable and satisfactory with a reasonable price.
Throughout the whole safari, Joe, our guide and the owner of the company, never let us down in finding the hidden animals and offering detailed descriptions. He was very experienced guide who worked for a long time before opening up his own company. He had no problem in communication with us in English. We were very lucky to see all the Big 5, especially leopards which always hide themselves on trees in the daytime and are very hard to identify. He is also very nice and willing to share with us the different cultures of Tanzania during mealtime.
We chose to camp in Serengeti and Ngorongoro. The experience was excellent. The campsite was beautiful and the tent offered by Joe was quite comfortable to sleep in.
The food offered by Issac the chef was also wonderful. We had different dishes everyday. They were all very delicious and were out of our expectations. We usually had lunchboxes in the daytime and a full course meal with soup, main courses and desserts for dinner at the campsite. Joe also mentioned to us that they can prepare special meals for vegetarians or other specific requests.
Overall, Asili Explorer is a quite new company yet with experienced and passionate guides. They offered us an unforgettable safari trip with a good price and excellent services.
PL
Email Iza | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful days in Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro
The company is trustworthy. Joseph - the driver/ guide also the owner of the company was very well informed about animals, nature and he was very helpful, honest and competent guy and the most important very caring and friendly person. Thanks to him I discovered the beauty of Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. He was so patient and always stoped when I wanted to take pictures. He offered binoculars when animals where far and if I didn't know some animals he always described it with details and showed informations in his books. Thanks a lot Jo for wonderful safari time!
AE
Email Charles M. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Safari with Joe
We just concluded a safari organized by Joe and he did an awesome job at putting the whole thing together.
We were accompanied by Kaka Karim our guide who pointed us to all the animals along the way! We saw all the big five almost every day :D Had close encounters (like less than a meter!) with a pride of Lions, Elephants, Giraffes and Leopards!!!! We even managed to track down a Rhino and its baby and it tried to charge us! It was like being on a Nat Geo episode!
We also had SnoopDog (habib) the cook had delicious meals prepared for us all the time! Make sure you have him make you his beef stew with plantains! Amazing!
We were a group of 6 with very different schedules and plans (some went to do horseback riding etc...) but Joe juggled it all very well.
A great trip all in all and highly recommended!!!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great company to work with!
We had a wonderful time at the Mara, Serengeti, and Ngrongoro Crater. James M was an amazing guide! Raj was very good, too. Monica and Joyce in the office were great to work with. Our flights got messed up, and they were very helpful in rebooking our tour for us. Very good price, too. I checked with several other companies and this one was the best. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!
DE
Email Hannes | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari
We were a group of five guys from Germany and planned to do a 5-day-Safari in Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro-Crater and Lake Manyara Nt. Park.
We chose Asili Explorer because of the good recommendations, his experience in doing safari and last but not least, the good price.
Accommodations:
We spent two nights at a lodge with a great view over lake manyara. It was great to see the sunrise from the view point and the nights were great in the typical african iglos.
The other nights were at campsites in Serengeti and at the Crater-rim of Ngorongoro wich was also a great experience.
The Safari:
Joe Kessy did a very good planning in advance, so everything went great and without any trouble. He speaks very good english, so communication was always great. Joe is very good connected to other drivers wich is a very important factor to get good and recent informations about where the animals are located.
The car was perfect for us. Big enough to be comfortable und to store our luggage. It has of course a pop-up-roof to watch the animals without something in between.
We were happy to see all the "big five" during our safari.
Food:
The cook, "Snoopy", was very funny and prepared good food. He also provided us lunch-boxes wich we ate on picnic places during the safari.
All in all it was a unforgettable safari-experience!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For adventurer and wildlife explorers.
We had a great time with Joe and Asili Explorer. Safari was way beyond expectations. We've been able to discover the wildlife of Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro-Crater and Lake Manyara Nt. Park from "first row". Thanks a lot!