African Scenic Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 100-250 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, TATO, IMEC, KPAP, Travelife, CARBON TANZANIA & FAIR VOYAGE
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Kathleen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flawless Execution - really would not change a thing
Signing up for your first Safari is a bit of a leap of faith. You look at reviews, you figure out what you think you want to see and how you want to experience it. After talking to a couple of operators, we settled on Scenic because of the rapid response by Amanda. It doesn't mean we weren't nervous. Maybe all those 5 start reviews were fake. I sent almost all of the money via a bank transfer but held a little back, I am not sure why. If I were you I would just pay it all up front so you aren't carrying so much cash in Tanzania.
Anyway, from the first moment, we thought our guide Grayson was great. He was articulate, college educated, kind and fun to be with. We chose to have upgraded camping with one day at a Tented camp. I think the upgraded camping (with cots) added a great deal to our sleeping comfort. The tents were large and we were comfortable every night except a bit cold at Ngorogoro on the crater rim. Bring a wooley hat! The upgraded night was wonderful but expensive and really a luxury. Having a massive tent with an indoor bathroom and shower was pretty wonderful after a couple of days of camping. We did Lake Manyara, Serengeti for three nights, Ngorogoro for one night then Tarangire for one night. 6 nights total. We especially loved Tarangire because it was less crowded and because of the hilly landscape, you turn the corner and there is something there to surprise you. If I were doing this again, and didn't have people with me who were new to camping, I would have taken the money from the upgraded night and spent a second night in Tarangire. The food was also really good. We brought some extra beef jerky in case we didn't like the food. Even my 10 year old son liked the food.
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Email Jason Perez | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Personable Service
I can't thank Amanda enough for helping make our safari memorable. Prior to the safari, she took time to explain what to expect and worked with me to create a custom safari for me and my friends. We had a private safari for four. Even after our trip, Amanda took time to gather feedback. I highly recommend African Scenic Safaris.
CH
Email Romina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A breathtaking experience: Kilimanjaro summit and Safari
From the first contact I had to the end of my stay in Tanzania, all the people working for African Scenic Safaris made my climbing and safari experiences unforgettable. In times of COVID-19, they provided me with all the information needed and respected the social distance and hygenic measures in every step of the process. For example, visitors group were reduced to respect distance, employees wore masks when the distance was not possible and frequently disinfected their hands, vehicules and other materials. I felt very safe ! In particular, my kilimankaro trek was wonderful: I enjoyed the company of my female mountain guide and the crew. In fact, African Scenic Safrais is one of the few enterprises that hired female mountain guide. As a solo female trekker, this was very important for me. In addition, they are part of a large projetct to improve training and working conditions for porters. I felt very glad to contribute to this. The Safari was also well organized and the guide and cook were exceptional! I learned so much about the National parks, wildlife and ways of living in Tanzania. I highly recommend all people interested in visiting the beautiful country of Tanzania to contact African Scenic Safaris for a once in a lifetime experience!
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Email Taffy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Perfect Holiday Thanks to African Scenic Safaris
We worked with African Scenic Safaris to arrange our safari and related activities in Tanzania for a 12-day, January 2019 safari (including Tarangire National Park, Ndutu area within the Ngorogoro Conservation area, Ngorogoro Crater, and the Serengeti), a day in Managua on Kilimanjaro, “cultural” experiences with tribes (a bush walk, observing blacksmiths at work for making traditional weapons and jewelry, and a visit to a traditional Maasai village), as well as all lodging and guides. I have been fortunate to travel extensively around the world for holidays as well as work and would put this trip at the top of the list. African Scenic Safaris – owned and managed by husband and wife team, Amanda and Simbo, created a seamless itinerary and experience for my husband and me. They have extensive knowledge of the country and relationships between the time of year and what we would want and be able to see on safari. They customized our trip to fit our interests, based on email ‘interviews’ about preferences for experiences, types of lodging, any special needs/requests, and time available. They helped us problem solve when we had to postpone our trip for medical reasons, keeping any losses to a minimum and rescheduling our trip as soon as we were ready – and do so in such a gracious way.
There are hundreds of agencies available for organizing a safari. I cannot imagine any company organizing a more worthwhile experience than African Scenic Safaris did for us.
Below are additional details, for those who may wish specific examples about lodging, guides, and general comfort.
***** Additional Details *****
LODGING: We think of ourselves as the adventurous backpackers of our youth, but in our 70s know that this is not our reality. Amanda was able to create a series of lodging experiences that were authentic to a safari experience, while keeping our comfort in mind throughout. We wanted to experience tent camps in the middle of the parks for part of the trip but were okay with lodges in the parks for part of the trip. They set up our lodging in a perfect order. We started in two Angata tent camps over 5 nights in Tarengire National Park and in the Migration area of Ndutu. Service at each was exemplary and lodging was comfortable with ensuite bathrooms, hot water, but very tent-like in feel. We even had Internet and chargers in our room as our tent was near the lounge/dining tent. We could hear lions at night as well as water buffalo, but felt perfectly safe at all time. As we moved to the Serengeti, we stayed in Kubakuba Tent Ldoge, a highlight of the trip – fabulous views, beautiful lodging, outstanding food, an infinity pool that overlooked the Serengeti and beautiful sunsets from our room’s deck. Sopa Lodge, next, was perfectly comfortable and while not as much fun as the previous places, situated most conveniently to the entrance to Ngorogoro Crater, and in a room that overlooked the crater from a little sitting area with full windows. One of our favorite spots was a lovely tent camp – Kisime – on Lake Eyasi, one we would have liked to have visited for more than one night. The order of lodging was perfect while the order of sites could not have been more wisely chosen.
GUIDES: Throughout our guides were personable, knowledgeable, helpful, and addressed both similarities and differences in my husband’s and my interests. I appreciated how our guide for the safari, Hafidhi, balanced between my focus on photography with my husband’s more general interests in animal behavior and local culture. Hafidhi took me on one evening and one before-b’fast drive where I could concentrate on photography. He planned with us each evening on what we hoped to see the next day and then followed through – we were never disappointed! He could spot the smallest movement (e.g., a leopard’s ear wiggling in the grasses), size up the situation, and then would determine whether and how long we should wait. That wiggling ear led to us witnessing (and me photographing) the leopard catching a reebok, dragging it to a tree, then up the tree to settle in for dinner. Similarly, we witnessed mating lions and mating zebras. We saw a lioness catch a warthog and carry it off to her cubs. We saw cheetah brothers and a cheetah mom and cub. In fact, there was not a single animal on our list to wishes and dreams that we did not see in action.
FOOD: While not a ‘foodie’ destination, each of the areas provided food that was adequate to our needs and in Kubakuba and Kisime in particular, the food was excellent.
VEHICLE: As is typical, our vehicle was a Toyota Landrover with a top that is raised for easy and safe viewing of animals. For the two of us, we had a six-seater (drive/passenger, then two additional rows), giving us plenty of space and viewpoints for photographing and viewing on the game drives.
Email Stella Peter and Claire | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tanzania was Absolutely AWESOME
AMAZING AFRICA
Our Tanzania experience on safari with African Scenic Safaris was truly awesome – and we send a big THANK YOU to this great team of dedicated people. Our skilful driver and experienced guide, Rasheed proudly showed us amazing animals and reptiles. The extensive list included lions, giraffe, antelope, cheetahs, leopards, lizard, python, hyenas, hippos (to name but a few). We also enjoyed a feast of birds, from the pretty peach faces to hornbills, owls, eagles and the elegant secretary bird and crowned cranes. As well as informative information about animal behaviour, the an insight about customs and lifestyle of the people of this harsh land was shared. Seeing the wildebeest crossing the Mara River is a sight we shall never forget – Absolutely Amazing. This holiday was a special family time for us and everyone who looked after us was exceptional.
– Amanda – your efficient and dependable customer service was greatly appreciated, especially when travel details changed – This is Africa!!!
– Rasheed - thank you for looking after us so well and sharing your love of Africa.
– The staff in all of our stays were caring and responsive of our comfort – thank you very much.
Stella Peter and Claire
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Email Servando Flores | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
African Scenic made reality my dream! Since day 1 with lost of questions, Amanda kindly replied back and made possible to enjoy the tailor itinerary exactly as I wanted. Then our guide Emmanuel made everyday very enjoyable, as he knew where the animals were, ferrying us from marvel to marvel. At the beginning I was worried whether I would see all the animals and after few days I was wondering which new surprise which Emmanuel had for us that day. He even manage to spot the elusive rhino for us. After the safari we were always spoiled by Iddi, our chef. The best bush food I have tried was made by him, he even managed to cook pizza! All in all, it was really a dream came true and I will advice you to book with them!
FR
Email thomas martin-lalande | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable
Just few words to say to you that we enjoyed a lot our safari with
African Scenic and Elia.
Thanks to Elia and his knowledge, devotion, good mood and sense
of humour, it was stunning and unforgettable.
Asante sana to both of you, Elia and Amanda !
BE
Email Emilie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Back with beautiful memories
We spent 6 days with Tom, our guide, and Aidano, our cook... And we had a wonderful time!
While Tom was sharing his experience, teaching us Swahili, answering all our questions, being patient while I wanted to see the hippos going out of their pool; Aidano was making us wonderful traditional meals (chakula kitam!), being careful with my food intolerance (lactose). We also climbed the Lengaï, witch was much more dificult that I would have tought but the view was worth it.
We loved our trip, and we are looking to come back again, maybe with little ones ;-).
Asante sana for that lifetime experience!
Nous avons passé 6 jours avec Tom, notre guide et Aidano, notre cuistot... Et nous sommes revenus avec des étoiles pleins les yeux!
Tom a tenu compte de nos envie, passé du temps à nous apprendre un bout de la culture tanzanienne, nous apprendre à parler un peu swahili, nous avons vu une quantité extraordinaire d'animaux, que ce soit à l'aube, pendant la journée, ou à la tombée de la nuit, Tom était toujours motivé. Nous avons aussi grimpé le mont Lengaï de nuit, ce qui était plus difficile qu'escompté, mais la vue d'en haut en vaut a peine!
Aidano a été aux petits soins, nous préparant chaque jour des plats tanzaniens, aussi bons les uns que les autres, tout en tenant compte de mon intolérance au lactose. C'était délicieux!
Nous espérons revenir un jour en Tanzanie et si c'est le cas, contacterons sans nul doute African Scenic!
Thank you all so much, and thank you very much Amanda for your good advises and the organisation!
https://fr.tripadvisor.be/ShowUserReviews-g317084-d8459743-r504115453-African_Scenic_Safaris-Moshi_Kilimanjaro_Region.html#
CA
Email Joe | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience with African Scenic Safaris
My son and I had an incredible time over 5 nights/6 days and experienced Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tanganire, and a hunting trip with the Hazdabe Tribe near Lake Eyasi. Each area was unique and we were able to see all the great African wildlife up close. The driver/guide as well as the chef were both professional, knowledgable, and very organized which made everything so enjoyable. It was a once in a lifetime trip that exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend booking with African Scenic Safaris.
Email N Hart | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Couldn't-be-better safari tour operator
African Scenic Safaris gave us an incredible safari experience. We spent 6 days in the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire. African Scenic Safaris seemed much better priced than their competitors. Amanda was very responsive to all our enquiries. Our tour guide was Rasheed and found so many animals for us! And Goodluck, our cook, made delicious meals every time. All in all, the safari couldn't have been better.