GM
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
I had a really good time and it was an amazing experience seeing the animals in their natural habitat. I booked a day trip, but we started the game drive around 4pm, which limited how much we could see—I only managed to spot two of the Big Five. It would be great if they could adjust their timings for day visitors so there's more time to explore. Overall, it was still a memorable experience, and the guide was fairly okay.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
Our day trip to Materuni Waterfalls and Kikuletwa Hot Springs was truly remarkable. Our guide, Yousuf, was outstanding knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive, ensuring we had a seamless and enjoyable experience.
The hike to Materuni Waterfalls was both scenic and refreshing, leading to a stunning waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. The local coffee making experience was a delightful cultural highlight, offering both fun and insight into traditional coffee preparation.
Afterward, we relaxed at Kikuletwa Hot Springs, a hidden oasis with crystal clear waters, perfect for unwinding. The entire trip was well organized, making it an unforgettable experience.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a refreshing and enjoyable day trip in Tanzania
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I wouldn't recommend group tour
I thought the company lacked transparency with the payment. The price stated doesn't included credit card fees (up to % extra).
The 3 day tours were with separate groups each day, so no consistency. The last day, we left very late to start the tour, as we were waiting for people from Arusha airport side, and I felt like the tour price was not worth it on the last day. No one seemed to provide an indicator as to when the tour would begin even though we were 10 mins away from Lake Manyara to begin with. Perhaps the tour company need to address how they form the groups on tours to avoid unnecessary waiting times.
GH
The staff was amazing
Try to support safaris and/or tour companies indigenous to the area.
I learned some of these safari parks removed families from their land, put a fence around the area and then transferred the animals into the "park;" it's like a big zoo on 1,000's of acres.
MOAfrika itself is fine. I would add additional wording to their marketing to clarify terms.
Like open vs closed vehicles.
Closed means a van, open could mean a safari vehicle caged in; cage removed or not.
One marketing material said "open vehicle," but they showed an "a vehicle with a partial cage around it and a vehicle completely caged in.
During my inquiry process, I kept asking for an" open vehicle," thinking uncaged was open but when I arrived for the tour, they had caged vehicles that I refused to enter.
After a 1 star review, Anthony, one of the co-owners, listened to my concern, and explained the difference between open and closed vehicles then helped me get a different tour the following day.
I also learned the term "big 5," has nothing to do with the size of the animals. It refers to groups of people who used to slaughter, kill and profit from these animals saying "these 5 animals are the hardest to kill."
Now, some of them profit from the ways I explained above: removed families front their land, put a fence and brought in animals...
Support tour companies indigenous to the area if who take care of the animals, customers, employees, and communities surrounding the parks.
DE
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything except the food and the service in the hotel restaurant was gigantic
Everything except the food and the service in the hotel restaurant was gigantic. The guides from the safari tours and the panorama route were super nice and we saw 4 of the big five. Also the hotel was very comfortable and the staff at the reception very accommodating. Unfortunately, however, the dinner was not completely included as stated in the description, but only up to a certain amount. The food was not very tasty and often not warm. In addition, the buffet was not replenished both in the evening and in the morning, even if the buffet was still open for more than 2 hours (an example was the fruit plate, which was already empty at 8 o'clock and was not replenished, although there is breakfast until 10 o'clock in the morning.) In addition, the staff in the hotel restaurant was very rude and did not give good service.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SA 3 day safari
I spent a week in SA just outside Johannesburg. If you don't feel concerned regarding personal safety the constant reminders with adverts re safety and electric wire around everywhere - you soon do. It rained for 9 days constantly!
Everyone I dealt with was really helpful and very nice but - ask yourself would you want to live in a hugely wealthy country and be reduced to performing handstands at red lights, or asking customers at the restaurant is it ok repeatedly because some white guy is watching them like a hawk! There feels little dignity for the majority of the population in the Joburg, Petoria area. For which reason I will not return.
The Safari was great - if there is a dentist from Asia who has not taken their new partner on Safari - I rather doubt it! At the weekends- white SA arrives for Safari with their "special children". In short this country needs visitors and the money we bring and everyone was so welcoming. It has a huge amount to offer but until it equalises ownership, equality and opportunity!!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A get what you pay for Safari…
We just finished the six day Masai Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli tour. We booked the budget tour with upgraded accommodation. The views and the animals were incredible, and we saw so much even though it was the off-season! Animals were our focus and this was achieved. However, the “custom Safari minivan“ was terrible! It had no suspension, no four-wheel-drive, no air conditioning, and no power. We spent hours on teeth rattling, bone jarring, hot bumpy dusty roads! This is not the option to choose if you have neck back or hip problems, or any breathing issues. Our guide provided facemasks at the beginning of the journey to protect somewhat from the dust. We got stuck a total of four times on our game drives, and had to help push the van. The last time we were stuck, it was approximately two hours before we were finally able to be towed out! The drives from Lodge to lodge took hours longer than other companies. Partly due to multiple stops picking people up or dropping people off and partly because the minivan just couldn’t keep up. Part of a reason for upgrading the accommodation was to have some relaxation and pool time. The first day we did not arrive at Jambo Mara until 245pm and they stopped serving lunch at three. The two nights at AAmboseli, we were originally dropped off at the camp instead of the lodge And it took some time to sort that out, not arriving at the correct lodge until 8:45 PM. The second night was also late because of the van getting stuck. Our luggage had to ride in the backseat because the back door of the van wouldn’t latch. We spent an hour prior to the game drive one morning while the locals repaired that. The roof top barely opened and closed that by the end of the trip we weren’t sure we would be able to get it up and then weren’t sure we would able to put it down.
We intermittently traveled with three other people that booked through this company. Each of them had their tour altered in someway mid tour. Thankfully that did not happen to us. So many things, but overall we did see a lot of amazing animals, but I would not book this trip again because of the minivan. The ride was just to rough, hot, bumpy, dusty, and miserable..
KR
The satisfaction of the tour is disappointing.
A tour that is disappointing for the price. It was 3 days and 2 nights in Ambossell, but the well-made tour was only one day. And the disappointment about the accommodation. The Ambosselli accommodation is too small for two people to sleep. At the Masaimara dormitory, it rained heavily and the floor of the dormitory was wet. I asked for one more indoor shoes (2 people), but I was refused, saying that I would pay one indoor shoes per tent. I feel disappointed in many ways in terms of service.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Disappointment
First day, during the transfer I ask the favor of stopping at the shop to buy a sim for the internet. We stay in the car, a boy from the shop comes and activates the card in the car cost? 20 euros for 5 Giga. Draw your own conclusions (card that cost 5 euros from the stories on the internet). Second day.. they come to pick us up at 8.30, they stop us at a market (all the operators stop tourists there) with the excuse of a delay and in the end we start the safari at noon. I get quite upset because you don't start a safari during the hottest hours when the animals hide from the sun so I demand that the next day we leave at 6.30. I'm satisfied and fortunately in fact we see some animals. The safari is very short, the parks are open from 6.00 to 18.00, a good 12 hours, the safari lasts 4 (5 with lunch break). Last day waterfalls and coffee plantation (they describe it as a walk). Steep climbs and steep descents under the scorching sun and very little shade and, in my opinion, it's absolutely not worth it (unless you've never seen a waterfall). After the walk fever due to the sun.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Disappointment
Having seen several countries in Africa I was disappointed by what I found in Tanzania. Beautiful landscapes but much more exciting Safaris in other places, all ruined by those who work with tourism and try to squeeze everything they can from tourists. I had a very bad experience with the operators (delays, overcharges, lack of seriousness) and unfortunately this is Tanzania too, you can't ignore this. The sea of Zanzibar is beautiful.