PH
Moloko is so entertaining and informative.
You should really consider this tour. We saw a lioness and a lion on our first ride. Food was nice too!
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service. Very happy with my decision to book with Serengeti Smile.
Jambo! Thank you, Serengeti Smile, for a fantastic once in a lifetime experience. I booked this solo trip to mainly witness the great migration in Serengeti and wasn't disappointed. I started my search in March. I contacted a handful of companies but wanted to work with only Tanzanian owned company. Lambert was my contact, and he was very responsive to my questions and concerns and very prompt on Whatsapp. He suggested visiting July end which was perfect. From start to end, I was very happy with my experience but for a few things which I will address at the end.
Oswald received me at the airport and next day was a packed but relaxed pace tour of Arusha. Oswald was very helpful and good local guide. It was reassuring to see Oswald waiting at the airport after a long journey, He taught some Swahili words and shared some history about Arusha and Tanzania. Thank you, Oswald, for the warm welcome and introduction to Tanzania! Also, on the last day taking me the airport at 2 am and waiting patiently and cheerfully until I was through security was greatly appreciated.
My safari guide was Deo, and he was excellent. His knowledge of the parks, animals and roads (you really need to know where you are going) was incredible. I felt very safe and well cared for throughout the journey. He took off the beaten roads and did his best to find every animal I wanted to see. I saw all Big 5 except rhino much to my disappointment. He drove tirelessly with genuine care and has eagle eyes in spotting animals. He knew the right time when the wildebeests would cross 2 days in a row and got me front row seats. He truly wanted his guest to have an amazing experience. He was also an excellent photographer, and I was more than happy to entrust my camera to him. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion for this journey. Jeep was kept clean, and the glass was clear to take pictures. Thank you, Deo, for being my guide and sharing your knowledge and country. I hope to come back and see more animals, more chases, all the Big 5.I highly recommend Deo as a guide.
About the itinerary, I would've preferred to skip Tarangere and spend more time in Serengeti. About the accommodation, I really liked the Classic Safari Camp Lodge in Central Serengeti. The hotel at Karatu, Omega wasn't up to par. They included beef samosas for a vegetarian in my packed lunch. I know mistakes happen, but I wasn't happy biting into beef. Staff was great in all the lodges. All the lodges were clean and well maintained. They tried to make my stay very comfortable. Many vegetarian options. Packed lunches were good.
About things that should've been handled better, I had requested rooms close to the reception since I didn't want a long walk, but that didn't happen. There was some breakdown between the hotels and Serengeti booking staff. I would also like Serengeti Smile to organize better cultural experiences for the guests such as Masai village. They weren't very organized or well prepared in this area.
Overall, the trip was amazing and met my expectations. I highgly recommend Seregeti Smile for your next safari.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
THE BEST TRIP OF MY LIFE
Our safari in Tanzania was amazing. We visited Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. It has been an unforgettable. The lodges we have stayed in were fantastic, specially the staf!!!!
And the best part of the trip was our guide, Rajabu, a local guide that speaks spanish and knows a lot about the sabana.
Asante Sana!!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The only company I'll ever choose for a Safari
This was truly a life changing experience. I don't normally write reviews that are this long, but this experience deserves a full spotlight.
The vehicle:
The safari vehicle is incredibly comfortable. It has about 7 seats and room for luggage. We were only 3 which was nice because we could jump from seat to seat for the view. The seats are comfortable and the vehicles are cleaned each day. The roof opens up for you to be able to get a better view of the incredible things you'll see. There are outlets, cupholders compartments and pockets and many other things to make this your 4 day home. Each day you have a meal at your lodge and then a lunch is packed for you. This tour company packs real delicious food so you sit down to eat rice and meat and vegetables each day.
The guide:
Ben!!! He was the perfect guide- really the best guide I've had on a tour led activity. His knowledge of the animals and their behavior shows just how many years he's spent observing everything. He is fun and treats you like family. He himself has fun on the safari, but he takes safety very seriously so there are difficult patches of road in which he concentrates- a point we really appreciated. He went above and beyond by taking us to places to make our hades, to see viewpoints and even to take care of our endless need for bathroom stops.
The parks
Honestly this Is a must do experience. Many would prefer longer Safari's and it is true that more days in the Serengeti can help you have the chance to see more animals, but we were so happy with the 4 days. It was just long enough to see 4 of the big 5 and a ton of other incredible animals, but it wasn't so long that we got restless being in a car for so many days. The parks will change your life. The facts you learn will give your life more meaning and purpose.
The company:
I spent a long while researching safari companies and finally chose samora explorers for one important reason - I sensed that we would be treated like family. We are three 20 something girls traveling alone and I wanted us to have a safe feeling like we are family. That is why I chose this company and that is exactly how they have treated me: like family. Iddy was so so helpful. After months of communication he never got frustrated. He always went above and beyond researching things and even giving me discounts and reminders. The company is through, family oriented, trustworthy, and so super helpful. There is no other company if rather have my adventure with!!!
Look no further, choose this company!!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, perfect！
1. Professional team, our guide Solomon is excellent!
2. Reasonable price and reasonable itinerary
3. Accommodation and meals were good, better than expected.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lifetime experience in Kenya most iconic parks
We spent 7 days 6 nights through Masai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo East with a stop in lake Naivasha.
James, "Jimmy", our guide was fantastic during all the tour. He is joung, smart and a very good driver with great knowledge of all the parks and their roads. He also expalined us lot of things about all the animals we have seen. Among the others we have spotted leopard, lions, cheeta, hyenas, buffalos, hyppos and lot of elephants.
Paul the manager during booking phase was very kind, helpful and all communication was easy and fast.
We definitely recommend Africa Starpal and James for an unforgettable Experience in Kenya!
PT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
fantastic holidays in Tanzania!
My vacation in Tanzania is wonderful and full of adventures! I did 10 days of safaris in various areas, such as Arusha National Park, Serengeti Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire Park! I saw a wide variety of wild animals that fascinated me, such as elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes (gazelles, impalas, water bucks, elands, dik dik), zebras, hippos, crocodiles, rhinos, wildebeest, etc. I also saw a wide variety of birds. I saw all the preparations for the migration of thousands of wildebeest on the Mara River. I also visited a Masai village and learned about their customs, which I loved! The guide, named Zadock, was extraordinary and an excellent professional, always friendly and kind, available, concerned about our well-being and interested in showing us all the animals and beautiful landscapes and always explaining the wildlife as well as the customs of the people of Tanzania. Thank you Zadock for everything, you're fantastic!
CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service!
We had really positive experience with Thiam Travelsl!! Great arrangements, very professional guides and 24/7 support. Can only recommend, 100%!!!🙏🙏🙏
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a Lifetime
The safari trip was kindly gifted to us so I cannot comment on the communication, however the service has been 5 star from the moment we landed. Taxi waiting for us at the airport, travelling across Tanzania to sort local SIM cards and grab lunch boxes for a long journey ahead and welcoming us with open arms.
The safari itself was a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should experience in their lifetime. Seeing animals in their natural habitat roaming free is not something to take for granted and cannot be explained with words. We were so lucky to see the Big 5 in our trip and it’s an experience I will never forget.
As for our guide, Champion, words cannot fully describe the experience. Incredibly enthusiastic and loves his job, not only keeping everyone entertained with his cheeky sense of humour, but knowing exactly where to be to find the most amazing sightings and give you a full background of every animal and area found in Tanzania. If I ever have the privilege to come back and do this all over again I would not hesitate to make sure I can have him as my guide again!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience - Champion in the best!!
Champion - Where do I start…a massive thank you to our tour guide Champion, he made us feel so welcome from the get go, and incredibly safe at all times. He was very engaging and full of energy. Our dream was to see the migration which he made come true, he was extremely patient and consistent throughout. Safe to say he was our good luck charm as we got to see every animal!! He exceeded our expectations and we were beyond grateful, our trip would not have been the same without him. I would recommend to anyone, do not hesitate to book him, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you again for an unforgettable experience.
