ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Learning and enjoying the culture and wildlife of Tanzania
Very reliable and perfect communications.
Our guide Godlisten explicates everything in English or Spanish. It’s very nearby , respectful and friendly. He teach anything you want to know about masai culture and wild animals.
Drivers as Boaz or Daniel are very professional and transmit a lot of security.
Serengeti, Ngorongoro are absolutely recommendable.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Champion was the best tour operator ever!
We recently went in a safari and decided to go with Serengeti Smile based on reviews we read across all platforms (Safari Bookings, Google and Trip Advisor. It can be overwhelming because there are a TON of local companies to choose from but when I reached out to a few Serengeti Smile was extremely prompt and very informative. Godian was very efficient in getting an itinerary put together and kept in touch and answered all questions up until the day we arrived. I also got to meet Godian which was a pleasure. Thanks again for everything Godian.
We were assigned Champion for our safari itinerary. Champion was absolutely AMAZING. He was extremely informative and I'm so glad we were paired with him for our safari. He always paid attention to any ask we had and made sure we were taken care of. He was an expert in navigating us through our trip and knew a lot of great places to get some excellent photos. He took the time to make sure we got plenty of photos and saw everything we could possibly see, and more. We were able to see the Big 5 which was really cool. Aside from all of that, the two things that stuck out to me the most about Champion was his unselfishness and kindness to others. When another truck was on the side of the road with the hood up, Champion stopped to make sure they were okay. When we had our lunches on our game drives, we were never able to eat all the food, so instead of wasting it, he gave it to others to eat. Champion is a man of great character, and anyone I ever refer to Serengeti Smile for their safari back in the United States, I will make sure they request Champion to be their driver. Thank you for everything Champion! We really had a great time and appreciate everything you did for us.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great communication and answered all questions promptly, great tour well organised.
We had a great day, slightly overcast but able to see Lion's and their cubs, elephant's including a baby, zebra's, wildebeest's, giraffe's, impala's, buffalo, hippo's, crocodile's and a mix of birds and butterflies.
The day started being picked up at 5am from Kiwengwa, being driven to the airport for a 10am flight in a twin prop Dash 8-100 plane. After about a 50minute flight we landed and changed into our modified land rovers.
The were 7 of us in the 4x4 and saw a lot on our drive around the reserve. Stopping for lunch before continuing on until our flight back to Zanzibar and taxi back to our resort.
We could see some development in the reserve, what looked like a new airport strip being built, and building improvements.
Although there was a number of other vehicles doing the tour, we never felt that we were all in a convoy or following one another, but at times we did meet the others 4x4 when groups or prides of animals were spotted, ie the lions. We never felt the animals had to stay near us or were chased down. Even had the lions walk up to our 4x4 to take shade under it.
Nixon, our guide/driver was brilliant and knowledgeable.
Very much worth doing. Amazing experience.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A 'Trip of a Lifetime' visiting national parks and reserves, customized every detail and hassle-free
I began researching my dream retirement trip about a year ago. After reviewing dozens of safari tour websites, I kept coming back to Tapestry of Africa. The reviews and testimonials seemed to describe exactly the kind of "trip of a lifetime" I had been dreaming about for years. I filled out an inquiry on Tapestry's website and shortly afterward received a phone call from Dr. Matt Jensen, the company's founder and owner.
During that initial call, Dr. Matt wanted to understand exactly what we were looking for so he could customize every detail and create a trip that would be both adventurous and hassle-free. He scheduled a Zoom call with us a few days later.
On that call, we discussed visiting both Kenya and Tanzania and exploring their national parks and reserves over a three-week period. My wife of two years was somewhat reluctant about traveling to Africa. She had previously visited Uganda through the college where she worked and remembered the "budget-friendly" accommodations and long hours spent traveling between parks on rough, potholed roads. I promised her this trip would be different.
During the Zoom call, Matt presented an itinerary he called the "20-Day Beyond Luxury: A Kenya and Tanzania Safari Spectacular." In Kenya, he selected Meru National Park, Samburu National Reserve, and Masai Mara National Reserve. In Tanzania, we would visit Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. We would then return to Kenya to visit Amboseli National Park, famous for its stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
To minimize long drives on rough roads, Matt included six internal flights between destinations. The package included all game drives—I participated in more than 20—as well as meals, drinks, a couple of spa treatments for my wife, and a hot-air balloon ride for me.
We stayed in beautifully designed tented suites, along with a few properties that would be considered luxury hotels. All the while, we were surrounded by national parks and reserves filled with incredible wildlife. We saw all of the "Big Five," along with cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, and countless other animals.
Everyone we encountered was exceptionally kind and helpful. From the greeters at each camp and lodge to every member of the staff, we consistently received five-star service. Our guides and drivers—including Benson, Amos, Sammy, and others—were incredibly knowledgeable. After spending two or three days with each of them, we felt we had developed genuine friendships.
One of the greatest sources of peace of mind was knowing that if we had a question or encountered a problem, Albert, Hilda, or Matt were only a phone call away. Because we were traveling as a couple rather than with a group, we initially had some concerns about logistics. Who would meet us at the remote airstrips? How would border crossings work? Who would be waiting for us at each destination? Tapestry of Africa had every detail covered and checked in with us almost daily throughout the trip.
Did everything go perfectly? No. Air Kenya canceled two of our internal flights without explanation. My guess is that it was related to fuel costs and low passenger numbers. However, Tapestry informed us as soon as they learned of the changes and immediately arranged alternative transportation. It meant a long day traveling by safari vehicle over bumpy roads, but the situation was completely outside of Tapestry's control.
For me, this truly was a trip of a lifetime—one I will never forget. I returned home with more than 2,000 photographs to help preserve the memories of everything we experienced.
I give Tapestry of Africa five stars and would highly recommend them to anyone seeking an unforgettable African adventure, combined with the comfort of knowing every detail is professionally handled.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari with Osnet Tours amazing experience
Our 14-day safari across 5 of Kenya’s most stunning national parks was an unforgettable adventure, and the organization and execution with Osnet Tours were excellent—exceeding all our expectations. Geoffreys Planning was ecellent and very professional.
A special mention goes to our tour guide, Ken, whose expertise, dedication, and passion made this trip extraordinary. Ken is not only a safe and skilled driver but also possesses an impressive knowledge of wildlife and Kenya’s natural landscapes. His ability to spot animals and share fascinating insights enriched every moment of our journey.
What truly stood out was Ken’s friendly, attentive, and patient nature. Despite our limited English, he always went the extra mile to ensure we understood everything, making us feel comfortable and valued. His commitment to positioning us in the perfect spots for photography allowed us to capture breathtaking images of Kenya’s incredible wildlife.
The accommodations were wonderful—each lodge and camp was beautifully located, comfortable, and provided everything we needed. We were exceptionally well taken care of, and there was never a moment where we felt anything was missing.
This safari was a dream come true, and we would without hesitation choose Ken as our guide again for any future adventure in Kenya. If you’re planning a safari, we highly recommend this experience—it’s a journey you’ll cherish forever!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Champion, Above and Beyond
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Above and Beyond: Champion is the Ultimate Safari Guide
If you're looking for a safari guide who combines expert-level knowledge with genuine, deep-rooted humanity, look no further than Champion.
From the very moment our journey began, he proved that his care extends far beyond just spotting elephants 😅. Recognizing that I was struggling with severe jetlag, Champion made an unscheduled stop at a local pharmacy right at the start of our trip to ensure I could get the medication I needed to recover. That simple, incredibly thoughtful gesture set the tone for the entire safari—he genuinely cares for the well-being of his guests. In and out of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, Champion completely lived up to his name: * **Master of the Land and Wildlife:** His knowledge of the local ecosystem, animal behaviors, and tracking is unmatched. He didn't just point out animals; he taught us how to read the landscape and truly understand the environment. Champion’s empathy isn't reserved just for his paying guests. At one point during our drive, we passed a fellow tour guide who had been stopped on the trail. Instead of driving past him to save time, Champion immediately paused to check on him, ensuring he was safe and asked if he needed any mechanical or logistical help.
Champion operates with a rare blend of profound compassion, empathy, and professional expertise. He doesn't just guide you through a landscape; he takes care of you like family while showing you the absolute best of what Tanzania has to offer.
Thank you, Champion, for making our safari an unforgettable, deeply comfortable, and heartwarming adventure! Until we meet again 🫶🏽
Jocylyn
CR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Boost is a great tour operator for both Kenia and Tanzania
Our experience with Boost Safaris was great, we went on our honeymoon and were able to experience everything we were expecting and more. Both Steve and Ray are great guides and were always attentive of our needs and preferences. It was a great surprise learning that the cars have charging stations which facilitated phone and camera charging when traveling from location to location and even during game drives.
MT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional/efficient/helpful
We went on a 7-day safari with Makini, and everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. Our WhatsApp contact, Nancy, was extremely helpful, responsive, and always quick to communicate, which made planning and coordination smooth and stress-free.
Our safari driver, Elisha, was outstanding and truly made the experience unforgettable. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and went out of his way to ensure we saw as much wildlife as possible, including incredible sightings across the Serengeti and beyond. His dedication and expertise made every game drive exciting and rewarding.
Overall, it was an amazing experience that exceeded our expectations, and we would highly recommend Makini, Nancy, and especially Elisha to anyone planning a safari.
NL
It was an unforgettable experience.
We had a fantastic experience with Anton and Melita. The food was excellent and very well organized. Both guides were incredibly knowledgeable and shared a wealth of interesting information throughout the tour. Their enthusiasm and expertise made the experience even more enjoyable. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a memorable and informative experience in 🇹🇿! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service and respectful of nature
Highly recommended, we had a great experience in the different locations we visited in Kenya and Tanzania, we were able to see the Big 5 and many other animals, and something we really liked is that the guides respect the interaction of the animals in their environment.
(automatic translation from Spanish)
