20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania safari and zanzibar beach - Honeymoon
We booked our honeymoon through pure safari with John Graze and can honestly say it was the best trip ever.
I explained what I was looking to John and he made some suggestions before we finalised everything. The whole trip was above and beyond our expectations. Our extremely helpfull and knowledgeable guide Rich from kibo guides was there to greet us at Killamanjaro and from there he brought us on our 6 day safari. Rich was an excellent guide we got to see so much more wildlife than expected. Our accommodation throughout the safari was amazing and staff very friendly and helpfull.
After our safari we stayed at Z hotel in zanzibar for our beach break. Again John advised on the ocean front cottage room as I wanted something a bit luxurious and wow what a room.
We enjoyed every minute and will most definetly be planning our next safari soon.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gatatu: gold star service
A tailor-made day trip to Lake Mburo in Nov '16 proved highly enjoyable - as always with Gatatu. Excellent planning + communication. We set off early from Kabale and reached Mbarara for breakfast at a well-chosen motel. The combination of local knowledge and intercultural skills guaranteed real insights into not just the flora + fauna of a lesser-known national park (beautiful landscape), but also into the Bugandan heritage. I just loved the Ankole cattle! This was my fifth trip with Gatatu and I took the best photographs to date. The zebras, especially, were stunning but I also got fab shots of Ugandan cranes for the first time. A 64 year old widow, I travel the world independently, but return again and again to Uganda because the experience is so authentic, moving and humbling.
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Matched our expectations
We did a short albeit eventfull safari in January and I have only good things to say about it and how it was organized. I came to realize the importance of the drivers quality and how that affects the whole experience, in our case his name was Osmam, a well educated and genuine person that had much to show us. Even though it was the first time we did safari I have traveled much in the past and have worked in some of the most prestigious hotels in the world, I feel that it was, again, excellent value for the dollar. The Ngorogoro crater is a must with a Jurassic Park feeling to it. Luxury Herritage camp is an excellent choice with good standard considering how far it is from civilization,, comtact me if you need specifics: [email protected]
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A quick river falls trip and a one day safari
The trip was amazing. I honestly don't think it could have been better. Vicent was the best!!!
He read us so well, seemed like he knew exactly what we wanted to see and got there to show it all to us. From his timely arrival at our hotel in Kampala to his tremendous driving skills, he was great. We loved the boat ride to the falls and all the sites we saw along the way. The hippos, elephants, and crocodiles were entertaining and we were happy not to see any snakes. Our hike up the falls was absolutely delightful and we got some great photos. Vincent was there to take us back to the lodge. The next morning the game drive was incredible. We saw four of the big five but frankly the giraffes more than made up for the lack of a leopard. Again, Vincent's skills really worked to our advantage. He pointed out numerous birds including the Secretary bird and the Crested Crane. When we thought there could be nothing more to see we arrived at the Rhino sanctuary, it was amazing to see these beautiful animals and learn about the struggles they are up against. We saw six rhinos all together. Very cool.
What was my favorite part? All of it, I don't think we would change a thing, but we will be back for more.
US
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and responsive engagement
We ended up booking with a different operator, but Discover Africa was very professional and prompt in their communication. Their offering/quote was very competitive. I gladly would have booked with them.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It couldn't have been better!
We have just completed a 7-day safari in Tanzania with It Started in Africa covering the Tarangire National park, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. We were a family group of 15 from Canada, USA and Scotland. It is hard to know where to start in reviewing this experience. Everything from the first day to the last was just an incredible adventure. Travelling in 3 Land Cruisers with our excellent driver/guides, we seemed to have just one adventure after another. We danced with Masai tribespeople, survived an elephant charge, had a late night encounter with hippos, shot arrows with the Hadzabe tribe and had the best New Year's party ever in a tent in the middle of nowhere in the Serengeti. And , of course , we saw lots and lots of animals - the BIg Five plus the now quite hard to find Black Rhino. We chose to stay in a mix of fairly elegant lodges (Sopa in the Tarangire) and Serena in Ngorongoro) and tented camps. Both kinds of accommodations were excellent and provided incredibly varied and tasty meals. We particularly enjoyed our tent camp experience at Kati Kati where the accommodation was simple and the food really excellent. One interesting feature of the camp is how you take a shower. The staff bring a bucket of nice warm water to your tent and - from the outside - empty it into a cistern. You then pull a chain and enjoy a warm - though short - shower. Our family had fun with that experience. It Started in Africa were a superb safari company. From the time we first contacted them until we were all heading home, their customer service was outstanding. They were extremely responsive to all our emails and questions and we would have no hesitation recommending them. We chose to move on to a different destination each night which was good but quite tiring after 7 days. I would recommend staying in some spots for two nights. Otherwise, just go. You won't regret it.
Visited January 2017
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Trip
Tanzania Expeditions set up and delivered a fantastic tour for my husband and I. We hiked Mount Meru, did an 8 day safari and a short rest on Mafia Island. From getting initial information through the entire trip, nothing short of professional. We felt completely at ease and looked after by our tour organizer, Justin (the owner) and our on the ground client representative. Our hiking guide and our safari driver were attentive and knowledgeable. We were well fed and TE ensured that we had an enjoyable worry-free experience.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
pro's
Initial contact to the actual booking, very helpful, fast and accurate.
The pic-up, tour and tour-guide was very professional and helpful. It was better than I expected.
Choosen accomondations, where less than I expected.
The Gorilla-trekking was a fantastic experience, however we had a very looong trekking. It is recommended that you are prepared for a quite exhausting walk out of any path.
Still not decided ? - just do it, its a must !!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best safari experience
We booked a 2 day Safari (Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater) and the experience was just perfect! Already during the booking Elisante - the Manager - did a great job, offering us different options and replying to our emails very fast. Once Arrivedin Arusha they were already waiting for us. Tom - the guide is a very smart man, having a huge knowledge about the country and its nature and culture and did a great job, showing us all great spots in the mentioned national parks. Also his driving skills are very smooth and you always feel very safe. If i go back to Arusha, I would definitely book with Heri again!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Was not warned about the terrible road to the Outpost
My car was a two-wheel drive Jag and it took a lot of damage on the rough 4x4 road to the Outpost and I now have to pay almost R20,000 to get it repaired. These costs would have been avoided if I was warned not to attempt to take this road with a normal vehicle but rather to leave the car at Pafuri Gate and get picked up by one of the lodge's vehicles.