65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania is an experience of a lifetime!
Tanzania Wildheart Adventures put together an incredible Safari for us! I am 68 and my wife is 70. She walks with a cane, and all over Tanzania everyone was so helpful getting us around safely. The wildlife was outstanding and the Melia lodges were truly incredible! The nighttime and hot air balloon safaris were excellent. Tanzania is a wonderful destination to everyone who loves to travel!!
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania is an awesome place for safari, experience of a lifetime for us
It is not often our holidays exceed all expectations. We went on a safari with African Big Cats Safaris who organized the vehicle, driver, accommodation and the experiences. The safari was well organized. On arrival we were met by our driver, and then met the owner of the company who explained how the safari works. I believe most Tanzanian safari companies work in a similar manner. Our safari was 12 nights, 11 days actual safari.
We have the impression that many guides have done a course to take tourists in safaris. Try to get a driver guide who shares some wildlife interests as you, especially if you are into birds, insects, and or plants which will enhance your experience. As we like watching and photographing birds, our guide who liked birds certainly enhanced our trip.
The accommodation was well selected and we were safe and comfortable. We stayed in lodges and safari camps with permanent glamping tents with wood floors. The food and drink was excellent at all venues. The staff were attentive and polite everywhere we went. The itinerary was well planned to introduce us to northern Tanzania leading to the high point which was the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. The driver guides from all the safari companies talk to each other and co-operate so everyone sees the rarer animals. We were wowed by the animals and birds and the Great Migration.
The cultural experiences were not to be missed We visited the Hadzabe tribe and some Datooga metal craftsmen and a Maasai village. Whilst on safari we did two walks with armed rangers, one in Arusha National Park and one on the Ngorongoro crater rim. Both are worth doing as you are on the ground instead of looking from the vehicle.
We used a shuttle between Nairobi and Arusha, which was a good way to travel between the two places. We had no issues with it and felt and were safe traveling with it. The traffic in Arusha and the towns were so different to what we were used to, but it worked well, just trust your driver who knows how to drive there.
We suggest that you visit Arusha National Park first to get a good introduction to the safari that you choose, then visit the other national parks, and cultural places, leading up to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
We went on the end of the wet season and the weather was fine. Not as cold as we expected, but that was good for us. Take some warm clothes and follow the advice that the safari companies give you for clothing. Take plenty of US currency in small notes. We took half what we needed, however we were able to use the ATMs to get and use the local currency. The drivers know where the ATMs were located.
There were a number of souvenir stops with toilets (washrooms) on the main roads. The stuff varied from basic to awesome carvings and crafts, clothing and other goods. Be prepared to bargain for a lower price. There are a lot of people selling souvenirs at the park gates and other places. Be prepared for them to try to sell you stuff.
We found Tanzania an awesome safari destination.
The best alternative safari in Africa
We started our honeymoon at Asilia’s Rubondo Island, and it was hands down the most magical experience in every way possible. The wildlife, the setting on Lake Victoria, the wilderness, the luxury accommodation, the service and the people are all completely incredible, I could talk about all of these aspects endlessly. The chimp trek was wild and exhilarating, hearing them call to each other and then spotting them in a clearing was amazing. The boat safaris too were great, teaming with wildlife including many beautiful birds, hippos, sitatungas, crocs and otters. We had a rare sighting of two giraffes and some colobus monkey too. The rooms are very luxurious but close to nature as well so you feel part of the surroundings, the food from the chef Abbas was exceptional every day, fresh and local, and the service from everyone from the guides, to the butlers, manager and wait staff was 10/10, they are so warm, welcoming and attentive. Because it was our honeymoon they even gave us a few lovely surprises which made this experience even more unforgettable. Do not hesitate to book this place, you won’t regret it.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Arusha National Park by John B
Great introduction to Tanzanian wildlife close to Arusha
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Serengeti National Park by John B
Exceed our expectations. The Great Migration is awesome.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by John B
great place, well worth the visit.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
Megan Warrington was our Discover Africa expert. The day after I contacted the company, we scheduled a telephone call to discuss what we wanted on our trip to Africa, our budget, the amount of time we had to spend, and the time of year we wanted to go. Megan immediately prepared an itinerary, which we tweaked a couple of times. Megan routinely reached out to us during the intervening months, to make sure we had no issues. She was always available by email. The trip she put together was very well planned, so we always knew when we would be picked up for the next part of our adventure. I could not have asked for a better planned safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Without a doubt, the best tour operator we've ever utilized worldwide.
We've very frequent travelers, and have been to 94 countries, and multiple trips to Africa. I had originally contacted Desert Air Safaris to arrange for private charter flights. I was contacted by Carien Rall Swanepoel, and she offered to make all our arrangements. Carien and the staff of Desert Air Safaris were without a doubt the most professional travel consultants we have ever utilized. Carien arranged our trip with military precision, and made great suggestions that we would surely have missed without her advice. She literally met us at the airport upon our arrival in Namibia. That alone is a testament to her dedications to customer service.
If you love Africa (and we do) I can't recommend enough the many advantages of a private air charter for your travels. First and foremost, you're not limited on luggage. Secondly, there is no time wasted on commercial flights. We were able to visit four countries (Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe) with only 15 days in Africa. This would have been impossible using commercial flights. Upon arrival at each airport we were quickly escorted through security and customs. Carien arranged for seamless transfers to our lodges. Even crossing the border at Victoria Falls was arranged in advance, and our guides (Zambia side) literally handed us off to their counterpart in Zimbabwe.
Flying with Desert Air Safaris is a treat upon itself. The pilots were wonderful, and getting to know them was part of the fun of our trip. We started our tour at the &Beyond Desert Lodge, then to Fish River Canyon, Moremi Mountain Camp, Shipwreck Lodge, then on to Little Ongava at Etosha. From there to Chobe Lodge in Botswana, and then to the Royal Livingstone Hotel adjoining Victoria Falls. Our pilots accompanied us along the entire trip.
We're already talking about our next adventure in Africa, and we will surely be using Carien Rall Swanepoel for all travel arrangements and those wonderful pilots of Desert Air Safaris.
MX
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly and responsive. The guides and helpers were truly amazing, super friendly and efficient.
The guides and helpers were truly amazing. Super friendly, super efficient. Nothing failed at all. Excellent food by the cook on the mountain by the way. Angelo, Edgar and Joseph were fantastic. They asked us if there was something they could improve, I could not think of anything. We had a great and human time and I would fully recommend them.
