CL
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliability throughout the entire journey
Well-organized; they delivered 100% of what was promised—and even more, as we received an upgrade at one of the lodges. The staff at the accommodations were very friendly, and the guides and drivers possessed the right expertise to make our safari a truly great and unforgettable experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Efficient, helpful, and well organised
We booked a 4 day safari in Serengetti and Ngorongoro Crater, with the last day at a waterfall, for four people. Gladness the operator, was do helpful through the whole process, beginning to end. Our Guide/ driver Amiri, was knowledgeable, friendly and spoke great English, answering all our questions and found us all the Big 5.
We loved all of it, even the budget campsites.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip to Devil's Pool!
We did the morning trip to Devil's Pool and loved it! The transfer from Zimbabwe to Zambia went smoothly. Everyone we interacted with was friendly and helpful. The trip to Devil's Pool was well run and the staff are very talented at keeping tourists safe! The meal afterwards was wonderful. A great experience not to be missed!
NL
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rogers was a good tour oparator!
We saw a lot of animals, including baby lions and so much more. It was a really good trip and we have a lot of wonderful pictures. Would 100% do it over again! Our tour gide was rogers.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They treat me like family, but there are still some small details that could be improved.
For this Tanzania safari, I chose Porcupine Expedition as the ground operator. Looking back on the five-day, four-night budget package, I can give it 4.5 stars, maybe even 5, for the following reasons.
First, this is a ground operator run by a local business family in Arusha. Everyone calls the boss as Mama Anna. Although she is clearly a very clever businesswoman, she is also an extremely warm and hospitable person. She called me her child right from the start to the end, and also paid close attention to my personal reactions to the safari content. When she learned that I hadn't seen a large-scale river crossing in the Serengeti, she kept apologizing to me and promised to give me a free day in the northern Serengeti next time (In fact, it's normal not to see large-scale river crossings in this season). And when I returned to Kilimanjaro Airport, she send her daughter to pick me up and prepared a free lunch for me. In terms of service attitude, Porcupine Expedition is absolutely excellent.
Second, the guide and chef on this safari were also good. My guide genuinely delivered every item listed in the itinerary—when it said Full Day Safari, he really drove from sunrise to sunset, and along the way we truly saw many animals and many different related things. Most importantly, in Ngorongoro we found the large herd that had come over from the Masai Mara. Although it wasn't a river crossing, the vast, endless migration of wildebeest gave me an extremely powerful sense of awe.
Finally, on this safari we only changed vehicles once, on the last day in Tarangire, and both of my vehicles had only 4–5 people. Compared with the crowding during my Kenya safari, this was truly much more comfortable.
Now that I've covered the strengths, I should mention the weaknesses. There were mainly three.
The first was a last-minute itinerary change. Only after I arrived did they inform me that the northern Serengeti portion of the trip had been canceled. This made me very sad and disappointed at the beginning, because the very reason I wanted to go was to see the Great Migration in the northern Serengeti. "I went and didn't see it" and "I didn't go, so I didn't see it" are two different things, and what you can see in the central Serengeti isn't all that different from the Masai Mara. But later, I did see the Great Migration in Ngorongoro. Although it was still on a small scale, it saved me from a lifelong regret caused by the itinerary change.
The second was the tipping issue. I had prepared US$20 in tips, US$10 for the driver and US$10 for the cook, and the two Egyptian travelers with me gave the same. But when it came time for me to give mine, the guide got out of the vehicle and chased me all the way to my hotel room on the last night, telling me he thought the tip was too small and asking me to add more money, and telling me that the cook would need an additional tip the next day. This behavior also affected my good impression of him. Fortunately, US$30 isn't too big an expense.
The third was the accommodation issue, and this is also where I think Kenya beats Tanzania. Also a budget package, Tanzania's five days and four nights included three nights sleeping in tents, with hot water only on one night, not to mention Wi-Fi and so on. Still, on the night in Ngorongoro, wild zebras would show up outside the tent, which was at least a novel experience.
Overall, Porcupine Expedition's budget safari package is still quite good. Just like the one in Kenya, it's suitable for travelers who love adventure and don't have high requirements for accommodation. I think I will choose Porcupine Expedition again next time and recommend it to other Chinese tourists. But if I come again next time, I'll probably make the entire itinerary northern Serengeti, or head straight for the summit of Kilimanjaro.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A tour operator is a trusted travel expert who plans and organizes memorable journeys, ensuring a sm
The tour operator provided excellent communication, friendly service, great value for money, and reliable arrangements, making the entire safari experience smooth, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best of the best!!
Our honeymoon was organized by Meru Slopes, and we had worked directly with Leonard. We had an all inclusive tour with the most comfortable luxury accommodations, fantastic food and most of all with probably one of the most experienced guides in Tanzania - Jacobo.
We spent out first days in a lovely hotel with a very comprehensive town tour in Arusha. Then Jacobo took us on the 6 days tour around Tanzanian Safaris, we visited Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, we are happy to say that it was flawless, we managed to see everything on our bucket list, and even after discussing with other travelers we realized we have seen way more than most of other groups that visit the park! Completely unforgettable full of positive emotions and definitely we can brag that National Geographic didn't show as much as we have seen with Jacobo!! 5 out of 5 for Big 5 and Ugly 5, and we have seen each of those animals more than once up close, as close as you can possibly get based on the park's regulations!!! Thank you so much for everything and we will definitely spread the word who you must choose if you visit Tanzania 🇹🇿
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Proactive, reliable and helpful.
We had a fantastic holiday in Tanzania. The safari exceeded our expectations, it was an amazing experience.
The communication with Lion King was exceptional, we found them very helpful - always responding to our questions and concerns. Our guide was fantastic - friendly, polite, considerate and very knowledgeable.
We highly recommend this company.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator was very well organised and well planned.
This was our first experience in booking with the agency.
Myself and my husband are extremely happy that we chose this tour service.
The itinerary was well planned and organised. Our guide was patient , kind and very helpful. We enjoyed our stay , experience and created lot of good memories in kenya.
They respond well to all the queries with out any delay and hesitation.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 stars for our guide, Ecky
The 5 stars are for our guide Ecky, who managed to handle, with great tact and professionalism, 3 families (7 people in a jeep where access to the open roof is not possible for all 7!!). Ecky made sure that everyone could take advantage of this safari.