US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Guide Kakasii is an enthusiastic and skillful safari professional who made our experience fabulous!
When my 78 year old father wanted to check off a safari on his bucket list, and my mother refused to go, I stepped in to help. I researched exhaustively, learning as many of safari ins and outs as possible. I networked with people whose views I respect, including an American living in Tanzania working for a mission. I had a Skype session with Brenda at Tanzania Choice Safaris, and ultimately chose them with Kakasii as our guide for a 10-day custom safari. In a nutshell: BEST. DECISION. EVER.
Guide Kakasii and his wife Brenda at Tanzania Choice Safaris are top notch people offering a spectacular safari experience. Are they right for you? It depends. Do you want a personable, knowlegeable, and experienced guide who will tailor your trip to your desires? Do you want to get up and at 'em in the morning and make each day count? Do you mind getting of the main roads and driving longer to achieve a better experience? Do you want your experience cut short or diminished because of some company-mandated mileage and/or diesel limits? (Ask! Because most do this!). Do you want good value in your lodging and food choices?
When you hear Kakasii exclaim "I love my job" in his accented English, you know right away it's genuine and his enthusiasm is infectious. He's a relationship builder and you will discover everywhere you go that he is liked and respected. Those relationships matter. Guides who've built relationships talk with other guides. If one has spotted a leopard in a tree, he'll tip off his friends. Kakasii takes advantage of experience, intuition, and tips from other professionals to bring you to the most wildlife in the time you have allotted for the trip. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, because it is, after all, wildlife. But in our 9 night safari we saw everything. We started with the Big 5 and surged right past that to see things like leopard tortoise, serval cat, mongoose, dikdiks, elands. My father stated elephants as a favorite and we spent intimate time with dozens of elephants in 2 different parks. My nephew said lions was his wish and we encountered many lions in 3 different parks, many very close up, including a dramatic standoff between a lioness with 3 cute small cubs and 3 other lionesses. But maybe best of all, on our Ngorongoro Crater day Kakasii suggested we get up very early and get underway before most other safari groups. It was a brisk 45 degree morning. There were buffalo right outside our lodge. We proceeded down to the crater bottom and I could tell Kakasii was on a mission. 20 minutes later we rolled to a stop and in front of us was a single black rhino-- the last animal on our list and maybe the most emotional. Almost brought tears to my eyes. We watched it for maybe 25 minutes before it slipped out of sight into a slight gully 300 yards away. Trip made right there.
In addition to the flora and fauna of Tanzania, Kakasii also can add whatever cultural experiences you wish. We visited a Masaii village where my son and nephew participated in a welcome dance before we toured the village. Want to bring home fresh Tanzanian coffee? Kakasii knows a coffee farm where you can get 1 Kg of beans of your choice for a modest 250 TZ Shillings (about $9). Already bought all of the souvenirs you need? You don't need to stop at any souvenir stands like the other drivers will force you to do.
If you are truly interested in making what is likely a once in a lifetime safari trip the best experience it can be, then you need to speak with Tanzania Choice Safaris before you book with some other company. Tell them Mike from Iowa sent you.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Once in a lifetime!
A special trip for a special occasion. The Fika team was able to translate our family’s wishes into a schedule that fitted us all. Game drives, sampling the diverse countryside, action and relaxation, all in one program. Seeing the big 5 is easy. Seeing Kenya made the trip exceed our expectations!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Visit Tanzania - with Lets view Tanzania
Luxury Africa Safari, Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Tarangire National Park, Maasai Mara
Our safari tour designer provided absolutely professional and first-class service. Every booking and guide, driver and staff person we met were exemplary, and the suggestions they made for us were fantastic. As first-time travelers to Africa, we had many questions, and our agent responded promptly and in detail to all our questions. She and her partner met with us in person not once but twice - that level of service is something we have not encountered before. Our guide and driver was one of the most knowledgeable and friendly tour staff we have ever met - we were sad to leave him. We cannot recommend this safari tour company highly enough! Our expectations were high, and they were exceeded!
The most enjoyable or memorable parts of the trip:
The selection of properties and the level of service at them was exemplary. The animal sightings were continuous, and guide's knowledge helped us really gain the most from our time on drives.
If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
We wish we could have spent more time there! Domestic Tourism in Tanzania is a big country, and even though we had an amazing experience, we know there's more to this place than can be experienced in few weeks.
Great short break to Amboseli National Park
The communications pre and post trip were succinct and sufficiently informative to avoid confusion. Silvester was present at both the pick up and drop off to answer questions and to take feedback.
The tour delivered everything on the trip notes and more. The driver Johnson was informative, good company and flexible in approach. In addition to driving and guiding he conveyed an enthusiasm and knowledge of the park, wildlife and birds. He recommended an amendment to the itinerary on day 2 in order to venture further in to the park and this allowed me to see a greater variety of birds as well as a pride of lions.
I would have no hesitation in booking again with this company and would ask them to price match against similar tours - if they don't have the same advertised tour - they would be open to tailor made trips.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent organisation of a multi stop safari and beach holiday in Tanzania
Their booking and administrative staff (Sona) were very organised, they gave us lots of holiday property options and remained connected even while on safari. The driver of our 4x4, Kazungo was very experienced, safe and explained everything really well and showed us a wide variety of animals and fauna.
Excellent organisation of a multi stop safari and beach holiday in Tanzania
Their booking and administrative staff (Sona) were very organised, they gave us lots of holiday property options and remained connected even while on safari. The driver of our 4x4, Kazungo was very experienced, safe and explained everything really well and showed us a wide variety of animals and fauna.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If I could give it 10 stars I would!
No words can adequately describe the overall experience!
I booked this trip early 2018 with Kathi from African Welcome Safaris. She was professional, responsive and super friendly. She answered my 50,000 questions quickly and thoroughly and she handled all of the logistics beautifully.
The safari itself was an unforgettable experience. Selati Camp was out of this world. The staff paid such close attention to every possible detail. Ashleigh, the property manager, was so professional and kind. Keegan and Donald were our guide / tracker duo and they were AMAZING! SO knowledgeable and fun to spend hours each day with as we tracked game on our drives. The house staff (Lucy, Chef Dick, etc) were one in a million.
There were literally surprises around every corner! Expect unexpected experiences pulled together by the staff literally took our breath away (not going to say what they are to avoid ruining any surprises!). And there were wildlife surprises around every corner - from rounding the corner on our drive to go shopping to stumble upon a group of giraffe, to finding an elusive pair of lions wandering across the road en route to the airport on our departure day.
Like I said, 10 stars out of 5. Must book! I will be going back!
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari
We had a great safari with KAMar Safaris which covered 3 Tanzanian's national parks in 5 days (Udzungwa, Ruaha and Mikumi). The guide, Henry, was very helpful, and very safety oriented. We had a very good communication with Sylvia on almost all the trip (two of three accommodation places have Wi-Fi). I appreciated the flexibility of the KAMar Safaris team when we set the trip.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant and diverse safari in Uganda with Gatatu
Five members of a photography club went on a safari with Gatatu. We had very diverse experiences on that trip. We were driven by Stephen who was an excellent driver, very knowledgeable of the area and of the animals. His assistant Leonard was great company who also knew the area well.
To give you an idea; we were met at the airport and driven to a lodge by Lake Bunyoni, tranquil and beautiful. From there we drove to Queen Elisabeth Park to see the animals, elephants, lions, bock and more. Stephen and Leonard had a sharp eye and an encyclopaedic knowledge. We stayed in Irungo Forest Safari Lodge whilst exploring the park. A great place.
Other notable trips included the trek to the gorillas. That was sensational and well worth doing, brilliantly guided by expert trackers. Also we made a boat around the shore of lake Edward where the animals had come down to get water. That was an absolutely fabulous sight and also expertly guided by very knowledgeable people on the boat.
On the 5th day we were delivered back to the airport. There was great continuity in having the same driver. Accommodation was fantastic and very varied. The food was always excellent and no one experienced any problems with food related infections.
I would say Gatatu delivered a fabulous package facilitating all those experiences. It was excellent value for money and definitely lived up to, and exceeded expectations.
I have no hesitation in recommending Gatatu very highly indeed and would definitely return for more!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good tour operator
We had a fantastic time on our 12-day safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Everything was completely well organized, the accommodations were amazing and the driver guides tried to show us as much as possible during the game drives and, if possible, to respond to our requests. We would always book again with African Paradise Safaris and we can recommend this company to anyone who also wants to do a safari tour.