An absolutely unbelievable experience, a must!
I don’t normally leave reviews but I had to make an exception for this. What an amazing 4 days/ 3 nights experience on our very first Safari!
Firstly a huge shoutout to Deo @ Goldfinch Adventures our organiser who made the transition effortless. We made contact in March 25 and just completed our tour in July 25. Firstly communication and responses were instant via email, to which then we switched to speaking over WhatsApp who would answer my numerous questions within hours. This was an extra special trip especially for me as I wanted to propose to my girlfriend. Deo advised how best to play it out and in which location, arranging with the local accommodation a special setup for the last evening. The plan came together and she said YES!! - Deo brother, you are a legend.
We had a private tour which entailed just myself and my new fiancée in the 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser. A lot of other tours were crammed with upto 6 people in one vehicle, which would have been really uncomfortable. Especially as you carry your suitcases with you. We did see another Goldfinch Adventures 4x4 along our tour which again had only another couple in.
Secondly a huge shoutout to Sele our driver/guide who has nearly 30 years experience of Safari tours and the Serengeti. The man is a walking/ talking satnav and such a knowledgable man. For 3 solid days, we covered maybe 400-500 miles looking for animals and not once did he use maps. He knew exactly where to go. Now you might say it’s his job, but you wait until you experience this for yourself.. I can very easily find my way around the UK.. road signs, points of interest etc. Not out here.. one track leads to another, the next one leads you into a swamp.. nothing's straight, you don’t know if your facing north, east, south or west. it blew my mind! 😂 Talking of animals, we managed to see everything we wanted and more. The BIG 5 complete✅ A very rare sighting of a Leopard relaxing up a tree was a highlight. Face to face with numerous Lions and there family’s! Elephants, Giraffe’s, Buffalo, Hyena’s and the illusive Rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater along with all the more common animals.. our instagram story has not stopped going off and the comments from back home have been very jealous of our entire trip.
The accommodation we stayed at was fantastic. We especially liked Acacia Farm Lodge & Moyo Tented Camp. The food and rooms here were unreal. Not what we were expecting so far from home but it definitely exceeded our expectations.
Truely an amazing experience that was made a hell of a lot easier from Deo, Sele and the Goldfinch Adventures Team. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
100% worth every penny we spent!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the most beautiful trips of my life
One of the most exciting experiences of my life. Breathtaking landscapes, animals immersed in their habitat, and fantastic overnight stays, especially the accommodation in the Serengeti National Park, completely immersed in the savannah. Excellent food and extremely friendly staff. Kelvin, the organizer, was extremely kind and punctual in responding to all our requests before departure and during the safari. Ezechiel, the guide, was excellent and always available to us. An exceptional pilot and an excellent guide, able to explain everything to us and take us everywhere.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
HK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AWESOME SAFARI EXPERIENCE WITH A PRIVATE TOUR THAT TRULY EXCEEDED MY EXPECATIONS
Whole hearted hats off to Shanjoy Tours (Beth our contact point and the guides Rio and Steven (Kenya) and Mustafa (Tanzania) for a memorable safari holiday. My friend and I had huge expectations of this trip and we truly enjoyed every day of the holiday well served by the Shajoy team. We picked Shanjoy because of their quick and sincere response to our emails and set up calls to understand our requirements and holiday plans. Their proposal was detailed which gave us the confidence to choose them. The 12-day private tour was superb as the guides/drivers were knowledgeable about the parks and the wild animals, providing us with interesting information of their living habits. The landcruiser is clean and comfortable. The guides also tried their very best to find the wild animals that we wanted to see and even drove close to the animals giving us the best shot for our photos. Though late June was not the peak season and migration not yet started, we were still able to see large crowds of wildebeest and zebras marching towards the river and crossing roads at close distance. This is more relaxing than during peak season.
We also like the accomodation which had both tented rooms overseeing the park as well as cottage style hotels with courteous service and well maintained facilities. We were extremely lucky to see elephants grazing in front of us while having breakfast. We would recommend travellers to select luxury accomodation even with a slightly higher price as the view and experience (sun rise and sunset) after a long day of game drive was totally worth it. We also visited the Maasai village in Kenya and a banana plantation in Tanzania which I think is a nice break from the game drive and get to know the local heritage. Thanks so much to the Shanjoy team for their great service and hospitality.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family safari
**Incredible Big Five Safari in Tanzania with an Exceptional Guide – Hussein**
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime Big Five safari in Tanzania, and it truly exceeded all expectations. From the stunning landscapes to the remarkable wildlife sightings, everything was flawless. What made this trip even more unforgettable was our guide, Hussein.
**The Safari Experience:**
The safari took us through some of Tanzania's most iconic national parks, including Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. The sheer abundance of wildlife was breathtaking. We were fortunate enough to see all of the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceros—multiple times! The highlight, of course, was watching a pride of lions in the Serengeti, hunting and interacting with their cubs. It was a truly magical moment.
The landscapes were equally stunning, from the rolling hills of the Serengeti to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, a unique ecosystem teeming with life. Each day brought new wonders, and every drive felt like an adventure waiting to unfold.
**Hussein – The Best Guide:**
A safari is only as good as the guide, and Hussein made our experience extraordinary. His deep knowledge of the wildlife, as well as the environment, added so much depth to the experience. He could identify animals from a distance and knew exactly where to go to increase our chances of spotting elusive animals. He shared fascinating insights about animal behavior, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
What stood out most was Hussein’s ability to make us feel safe and comfortable while still providing an immersive, thrilling experience. He was patient, respectful of the animals, and always put our safety and enjoyment first. His warm personality and attention to detail made every moment on the safari memorable.
**Final Thoughts:**
This safari in Tanzania was an unforgettable journey, and Hussein was the perfect guide to help us navigate through it. Whether you’re a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned traveler, I highly recommend going with Hussein as your guide. He made the experience feel personal, enriching, and filled with moments I will cherish forever. Highly recommended!
IT
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari with Hussein
The guide Hussein was very prepared, helpful and nice. The parks we visited (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro) are fantastic and the places where we slept were just as beautiful and welcoming.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful experience
Having the opportunity to live this fantastic experience with the Safari Smile family has been fantastic. A big Thank You to our guide Hussein, who has been very good throughout all the journey.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely fantastic.
We booked a last-minute safari holiday in Tanzania without much time to plan an itinerary. After reading some great reviews online, we decided to go with Serengeti Smile and we’re so glad we did.
From the very beginning, they were professional, organized, and attentive. We were met at the airport by one of their drivers, who took us to our first lodge in Arusha. The next morning, our safari guide Hussein arrived to pick us up and he was fantastic. Polite, professional, and extremely knowledgeable, Hussein made our safari experience unforgettable.
We explored Tarangire National Park, Central Serengeti, Seronera, Northern Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro region and crater. Thanks to Hussein’s many years of experience, we were able to spot all the animals we had hoped to see. He knew exactly where to go and how to position the vehicle for the best views and photographs all while respecting the animals and their natural habitat.
It was a truly wonderful and educational experience that we’ll never forget. Thanks to Hussein and the Serengeti Smile team, our spontaneous trip turned into the adventure of a lifetime.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Serengeti Smile to anyone considering a safari in Tanzania
You said:
We decided to book a safari holiday in Tanzania on the last minute without having much time to plan an itinerary. After reading some reviews online we chose to go with Serengeti Smile and we're so glad we did. They are very professional and well organised. We were meet at the airport by one of their drivers who took us to our first lodge in Arusha. The following morning our Safari driver Hussein came to pick us up. He was very polite, professional and knowledgeable. We visited Tarangire National Park, Central Serengeti, Seronera, Northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro region and crater. Hussein has many years of experience and he knew exactly how to spot the animals and helped us get as close as possible to take photos whilst respecting their habit. It was a wonderful and educational experience that we'll never forget and thanks to Hussein we got to see all the animals we had wished to see.
I would definitely recommend this company to anyone who is considering a safari holiday.
IT
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
the most helpful, cheerful, funny and kind person that we could of ask for. Thank you Hussein
My safari in Tanzania was truly one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. From the moment we arrived, everything was perfectly organised – the guides were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the wildlife and local culture.
We visited several national parks, including Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and each one was breathtaking in its own way. The landscapes were stunning, stretching endlessly with golden savannas, acacia trees, and dramatic skies. Every day felt like a scene out of a nature documentary.
The wildlife sightings were beyond anything I expected – we saw lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and even a rare black rhino. Watching the Great Migration was an absolute highlight. It was awe-inspiring to witness thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains.
Our accommodations were also top-notch – beautiful lodges and luxury tents that allowed us to feel close to nature without sacrificing comfort. The food was delicious, and the hospitality was warm and genuine.
If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I can't recommend a Serengeti Smile safari enough. It was magical, humbling, and deeply moving. I came back with incredible memories, amazing photos, and a profound appreciation for the beauty of the African wilderness. Our guide, Hussein, is the most knowledgeable, kind and helpful person that we could ever ask for. He is a very happy person that helped us at spotting most of the animals, thanks to him we saw cheaters, leopards, lions and the complete "big five" I feel very lucky to have had him as our guide. Thank you Hussain for this beautiful experience and thanks Serengeti Smile
MD
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magical
Our journey through Tanzania was magical. We had an incredible time navigating through the forests and plains of Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro with our wonderful guide Shakeel. Patrick, our trip designer, deserves a mention for putting everything together so meticulously that it all went flawlessly and also for helping us craft an itinerary that included everything we wanted. Shakeel provided us with the best of Tanzania, complemented by the amazing staff at the lodges where we stayed, such as the delightful Highview Hotel, Serengeti Safari Lodge, and Ikoma Wild Camp. All of these were spectacular places with great food and nice amenities for weary travelers. It was a deep and well-curated experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly amazing company with the best people and most amazing itineraries!
We have just finished the most marvellous Lakes and Safari tour with Extra Miles Unique Adventures and it was the most wonderful time! Every single aspect of the trip was outstanding, from our tour Guide Simon, to the wonderful accommodation we stayed in and we cannot forget the memories made over the 5 days.
We cannot recommend this company enough. Their service and standards are excellent and the attention to detail is second to none. We can’t wait to come back to use Extra Miles Unique Adventures again. This company are truly dream makers and nobody should hesitate to use them!
