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.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An adventure of a life time, with an amazing safari company
From start to finish ACZ were amazing. My wife and I had the perfect 5 day trip and we would recommend ACZ to all of our friends and family. True professionals!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Diani Safari
Indian Ocean beach club in Mombasa was stunning.Located on a beautiful and quiet stretch of Diani Beach on Mombasa’s South Coast, the Arabic architecture has historic roots. The Indian Ocean Beach Resort was opened in 1992. It is an exclusive, luxury resort built on the site of a 16th century mosque. The luxury resort is located on a stretch of coast that was once ruled by the sultans of Zanzibar. The resort grounds cover more than 25 acres of coconut palms and age-old baobab trees. Look out for the 600-year-old baobab tree which graces the landscape. We really enjoyed our stay
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything went smooth
Everything was organized well - the driver was always on time, prepared and knew where to go. He also drove safely and kept to the speed limits.
The only issue was the road we took from Lake Nakuru to the Mara, where we didn't go the long way around on tarmac, and instead took a secondary road in terrible condition (he wasn't aware the road had deteriorated). In that instance it would have been nice if we'd selected the 4x4. Due to the road, we arrived too late at the Mara for a decent game drive, but the driver made up for this the next day by taking us on a full day drive with packed lunch where we saw every animal on the list, including leopard. The driver (I think Richard?) was very accommodating like that.
Overall, I would say everything was organized very well!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome safari experience - ngorongoro and serengeti
My 3 day safari of ngorongoro and the serengeti couldn't have gone any better. Jackson and Elieza were incredibly helpful in getting our safari on track and helping us with any problems that we had. They provided us with accomodation and food prior and after the safari and were more than willing to show us what life is like in Arusha. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. I'd definitely choose hekima again
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really good safari
My mother and I went on a Safari through the Serengeti in February 2017.
It was a birthday gift for my mom. She has been dreaming of this trip for all her life and finally wanted to see lions and elephants in their natural habitat.
So I booked the trip though this platform. I directly got in touch with several operators and got swift replies from all of them. The contact was uncomplicated and they all offered good services for good prices.
But because we were most convinced by the offer that Galloping Safari made, we chose this operator. The price was a bit higher compared to the other operators, BUT … the little surcharge was well worth it.
The accomodations were really good! (Believe me, after a long day of Safari, you just want to enjoy a good accommodation!)
Also the locations of the accommodations were quite pleasing (especially the one in the Serengeti).
Our tour guide was doing a magnificent job, trying to get us up close to the wildlife (without ever getting into the comfort-zone of the animals).
We were really lucky on our trip, we saw so many things that even I had not expected! We were always up close and the first to see things, when they happened. (once a pack of lions even killed a bull, right in front of us)
It sure demands a lot of luck to see all the things we have seen on our Safari. But when fate is on your side, you can be sure that Galloping Safari will do their best to make the best of it!