20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highlight of Trip
We went on safari with Tanzania Expeditions and visited the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. This was part of a lengthy around-the-world trip and the safari was easily one of the trip’s highlights. There was an event at the end that cost one point from the overall experience/score though.
From the beginning, communication with Justin was excellent. He outlined what we would do and where we'd be staying. The prompt email replies were one of the reasons we chose the company. We were a little wary of wiring the money, but the process was smooth.
When we arrived in Nairobi, our airport pickup changed from the previous plans, and our guide actually came to get us. We crossed the Tanzania/Kenya border without issue. (However, I would highly recommend flying into Arusha or Kilimanjaro to avoid 6 hours of driving each way.) Once we arrived at our hotel in Arusha, we met with Justin briefly. We were then told our accommodations had changed. We were pretty surprised because everything was so clearly outlined before the trip. We booked the safari about six months out, so this last minute switch was quite odd. But our new accommodations turned out to be great. More on those below.
The safari itself was amazing. Our guide was informative, insightful and extremely skilled at driving the vehicle over the rough roads. We were out from the early morning, pre-sunrise, to sunset. We saw the big 5 plus so much more. It's hard to describe how incredible it is to see elephants walking just meters away or lions stalking prey. Our safari vehicle was one of the older ones we saw and was a bit rough around the edges, but that didn't bother us.
We first stayed at Kati Kati Camp. I originally said I wanted lodges to stay in, not tents. When accommodations changed on us, there wasn't much we could do, so we embraced the opportunity to sleep in the Serengeti. Each tent had a shower and toilet, so you really weren't roughing it. The wind/animal noises at night kept us up at times, but it was a truly an authentic experience. Would I do it again? Probably not but I'm glad I did it once. Our next night at the Ngorongoro Farm House was easily our favorite accommodation the entire trip. It was beautiful and spacious and we wish we could've spent longer there.
The final day of the safari was very long. We had a short morning game drive and then we had to get back all the way to Nairobi. Along the roadways in Tanzania, there are constant police checkpoints where they are checking for correct documentation. It seems that all vehicles get pulled over at some point. Apparently these police are also corrupt and look for ways to fine you. We were pulled over many times without incident. When we were flagged to stop again, we kept driving. All of a sudden, we had police cars following us. At the next checkpoint, we were forced to stop and a policeman jumped into the vehicle with us and we had to drive to the police station. At this point, we were wondering what is going on? We waited at the police station for nearly 90 minutes and then we finally got some answers after Justin arrived. As it was explained to us, they were illegally trying to pull us over and our guide wanted to file a complaint with the police chief and that's why we ended up at the station. We eventually got on the road and arrived in Nairobi at night. If our guide had been in the wrong, they would've held him at the station, so we took that as a promising sign. (If you search for articles about police corruption in Tanzania, you do find it's a large problem.) Justin assured us this had never happened before. He apologized and promised that our safety is the top priority of the company.
Would we recommend Tanzania expeditions? Yes! Having a guide who was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic is not something you get from every safari company. Even considering the last day's incident, we have very positive things to say about our guide and the company overall. But do yourself a favor and limit the driving on the roads; fly into Arusha or surrounding areas. With Tanzania Expeditions, you are guaranteed to have an once-in-a-lifetime experience. All of our memories, both pleasant and even not so, will be vividly told through stories for years to come.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
wonderful experience to the summit of Kilimanjaro and 4 day safari-tour
Our family (2 adults 50+ and 4 students 18-26) did a 6 day Kilimanjaro expedition and a 4 day safari tour with Ilmaasai. Both experiences were very positive. The safari guide knew a lot about the national parks and wildlife. The cook served fine and large meals. Reliable, medium sized local tour operator.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by nicole_reigelman
Lake Manyara seemed smaller to me than other parks, but had a wealth of birds and other wildlife, especially monkeys and baboons. I was there on an overcast and windy day which made for a different and fantastic experience.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice Safari-Trip with nice driver and a lot of African charme
It was an undorgettable and unique experience to go on safari! I especially liked the fact doing it with a Lokal agency and a very local driver. A highlight was the private cook who accompanied us some days During the Safari. Cook and Driver were very professional and a very humourous Company! All in all I would book with Kikwetu Cultural Adventures again!!
SA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari with Africa Remote Safaris
WoW !!! Great trip! A big thank you to Steve for organizing our itinerary. We had a great time with our guide / driver and Dominic our cook.
Our journey began on July 18 with the home of Steve at the airport and meet Kenneth Gawo the next day. Here we left for the safari. The Masai Mara is obviously unbeatable to see the multitude of animals. In four game drives with a full day in the park, we saw four of the Big Five with Ken. We made a short stop at Lake Nakuru to find the rhino, the last of the Big Five. Have coffee on the porch of WCK guesthouse is very relaxing and magical. However, we have a little less relaxed at Roberts Camp Lake Baringo since hippos roamed the site overnight. Beautiful experience! from Baringo, we went to a few hours at Lake Bogoria to see the flamingos and geysers. We loved this landscape and diversity. Before heading to Amboseli, Naivasha we stopped for a walk to Crescent Island. This place is worth the trip as we look at the zebras, wildebeest, gazelle and bucks of a different perspective. Dominic(our cook) unfortunately left us before because at Amboseli Kibo logde we had a buffet. We would have preferred to keep our cook! The most incredible view from this lodge with Kilimanjaro. I miss having breakfast at there. The droughts of the past years are felt on the park since there are not many animals. In nine days of safari, we traveled over 1600km without counting the game drives. The road is very difficult to several places and tiring.
We tip our hats to Ken for his work and for its friendliness. We had great conversations together. Dominic was able to fill our tummies with each meal with very good creamed vegetables, stew, pasta, local dishes and tasty fruits. I would take good note of the stew recipe vegetables!
We took four days later to go relax and sunbathe in Mombasa. Everything went very well during our trip and we again thank the whole team.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Ana Belen Gallegos
A nice introduction for the safari
Caring, personal service
I did a 3 day tour out to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (from Kampala) to see the gorillas. Fred was great in terms of answering my questions in a timely manner and making sure everything was as I wanted. He even made a special trip to the airport on his birthday to meet me for final payment two weeks before my trip! He is an honest, trustworthy guy. My only big complaint is that it is currently not easy to pay for these safaris by credit card other than Visa, but I know this is being worked on. If he could accept credit cards over the Internet, that would be the only change I'd make. Otherwise, the prices and experience were great!
BD
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Masaimara
I went to Kenya for GES 2015 and I had no plans of going to Masaimara but I heard so much about the place that I abruptly decided to go. I was looking for a Safari operator and met Diana. It was Sunday but still she helped me book my tour. I was extremely happy to receive their cooperation and hospitality. They worked hard to help me make the most use of my time and I am thankful to them.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Namib-Naukluft National Park by Andrew Thompson
The Namib desert is bleak and barren and vast, but also can be beautiful and surprisingly varied.
Plus there is some great wildlife here if you have a good local guide who knows where and how to find it.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A 1-night stop-over which was good, but may have more to offer
I spent 1 night at Waterberg Plateau Park, as part of a guided birding and wildlife watching tour of Namibia. To be honest we really only stayed here because it broke the journey from Etosha National Park back to Windhoek nicely. Also because of the limited time we had, we only scratched the surface of what the Park had to offer. For example we didn't have time to join one of the organised game drives on the plateau itself, which I understood is stocked with various animal species, including game that is scarce elsewhere in Namibia. However we still managed to find some memorable wildlife encounters.
The well-watered grass just in front of the chalets attracts some extremely tame wildlife, including the unbelievably cute Damara Dik-dik - a small species of antelope. Equally close when we arrived but a lot less cute were Warthog and Chacma Baboon. The Baboons in particular have a reputation for mischief, so my advice would be to keep your wits about you when they are about.
The park also yielded some excellent bird sightings, with a resident pair of Verreaux's (Black) Eagle on the impressive cliffs, and when we visited (at the end of the dry season), there were good numbers of sunbirds, weavers and the magnificent African Paradise Flycatchers. We were also entertained by a raucous gang of Green Wood-Hoopoes, plus Purple Rollers, Hornbills, Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters and many other species.
The park is situated at the base of some impressive red sandstone cliffs which dominate the landscape, and mark the edge of the plateau itself. At the time of our visit the arrival of the first rain showers had brought an emergence of butterflies, which made a real spectacle.
The accommodation chalets are situated some distance from the other facilities, which means a bit of a walk to the restaurant, which is not so much fun in the rain or at night. However if you are camping, then the campsite is more centrally sited. The chalet I stayed in was clean and perfectly acceptable, and the bed was comfortable, but don't expect any frills here. The bathroom was basic but functional and everything worked.
The service at the restaurant was typically laid back (i.e. slow) and the quality of the food was okay.
As with many of the other rest camps run by the NWR, allow plenty of time for checking out on your day of departure.