MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A stunning landscape with unforgettable wildlife & a cultural experience to fully fall in love with
Tanzania will always have a special place in my heart, and this recent trip held profound personal significance—I wanted to recreate the travel experience I had as a child in Tanzania 28 years ago, this time sharing it with my own family. I was fortunate to find an incredible tour operator, Telly Africa, and with William’s expert help, we planned a journey from start to finish that captured the essence of that childhood trip and so much more. From Arusha to the national parks, and finally to a tranquil stay in Zanzibar, every moment was thoughtfully tailored. Not only did I relive one of my most cherished memories, I created a new one—equally unforgettable—with my husband and children.
Tanzania is truly like nowhere else. Its wildlife is breathtaking and its national parks are rich in diversity and awe-inspiring beauty. Each park offers something unique—from Ngorongoro’s lush, jungle-like descent into a serene crater teeming with wildlife, to the seemingly endless plains of the Serengeti. These landscapes aren't just destinations; they’re experiences, and they’re absolutely unmissable.
Accommodation in Tanzania has evolved immensely since my first visit. This time, we stayed in luxury tents and stunning lodges—all offering modern comfort while keeping us close to nature. Every stop felt like a perfect balance of authenticity and indulgence.
Beyond its natural wonders, Tanzania’s culture is equally beautiful. There’s a warmth and positivity in the people that’s hard to describe—welcoming, patient, and full of heart. The spirit of Hakuna Matata is not a cliché here; it’s a way of life that permeates every interaction.
After eight unforgettable days on safari, we hopped on a short flight to Zanzibar. Though more developed now than it once was, the island still boasts pristine white sandbanks and turquoise seas. We visited in April—part of the rainy season—but still enjoyed lovely weather, peaceful beaches, and an unhurried pace, with very few tourists around.
This incredible journey would not have been possible without Telly Africa, a company that absolutely deserves recognition. They are incredibly professional, fairly priced, and genuinely committed to crafting exceptional travel experiences. From the very beginning, William, our main contact, was responsive, attentive, and flexible. He was available for any questions at any time—before, during, and even after the trip. Every detail we shared was treated with care and consideration.
William and his business partner even welcomed us in person at our hotel when we arrived and returned again at the end of the trip to check in. That level of personal service is rare—and deeply appreciated.
The entire trip was flawlessly organized. Every accommodation exceeded expectations, and the itinerary was well-paced, seamlessly balancing adventure with rest and always taking our family’s needs into account. We had explored several other tour companies, but none came close to Telly Africa’s dedication, pricing, or personal approach. I gave William a budget, and he created a brilliant itinerary that delivered absolutely everything we wanted—without going over.
Some individuals we met made this trip even more unforgettable. Aron, our safari guide through Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Serengeti, was a true standout. His knowledge of the parks and animals was encyclopedic. He not only knew exactly where to find incredible wildlife, but also gave us deeper insights into what we were seeing. Thanks to him, we witnessed incredible moments—lion cubs nursing, buffalo fending off lions, and sightings of rare animals like the black rhino, leopard, and serval cat. He was also incredibly kind and patient with our children.
Joel, our guide in Arusha, handled our transfers and city tours at the start and end of our trip. His bright personality and genuine kindness made us feel like we’d known him for years. He introduced us to hidden gems in Arusha, and my boys formed a special bond with him.
We are deeply grateful to William, Aron, and Joel for the moments of wonder, laughter, and connection they gave us—memories we’ll cherish for life.
I’ve been fortunate to travel many times, but this trip stands out as one of the best—if not the best—travel experience I’ve ever had. And it’s all thanks to Telly Africa.
Tanzania will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and it’s because they made it possible.
Thank you, William, and the entire team at Telly Africa, for not just giving us a holiday, but for creating a journey filled with joy, magic, and lifelong memories.
PL
A week is not enough
Amazing experience! I worried about visiting Kenya as a female solo traveller but everything was perfect. I chose Inspired feet Safari and I never regret that. Definitely Kenya deserves more time for exploring than just one week.
CW
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disappointment
Hi Monika,
I have put off answering for several reasons ... this way I could let my disappointment sink in a bit ... I have decided to be brief.
Let me start by stating that I am personally responsible for the decision I made to accept your proposals and those of Wild Times Safaris (WTS). I paid dearly for professional advice and I could have assumed, for example, that WTS would really think along and not just want to "book", ....
Two people who are turning 60 and have traveled for 48 hours and come from the other side of the world (with Jet Lag), two night flights with four different aircraft, you advise them to take it easy and not immediately take a helicopter flight to the Victoria Falls on the day of arrival in Zambia. This is just an example.
The lodges in Zambia and Botswana were certainly very nice, the people fantastic, the food delicious etc. Gomoti was the most pleasant and that is where we saw the most animals. Duba was dark and a bit depressing. All 4 lodges were almost empty and that is perhaps the reason why we got all, read: TOO MUCH, attention. You don't get a moment to stare into space and enjoy, except from your own room where we often escape to, or there is someone next to you asking "how was your game drive" ... When the cook has been, the chambermaid comes and then the guide follows who prefers to sit at your table to talk about everything again. You didn't get a moment's rest or privacy. 4 lodges in 12 days means 5 days of traveling to and from ... packing and unpacking and you can't enjoy the lodges themselves in this way at all. WTS should have warned you about that. Followed your "money tip" advice and left 500 US$ per lodge, US$ 2,000 is excessive. The flights and all transport coordination went fine by the way.
But now Cape Town: This was a real letdown and certainly for my organizational quality feeling towards WTS. Euro 10,000 for 6 nights and your invoice confusingly states 7 days (and an earlier invoice/quote even stated 8 days instead of 7), ... Of these 7 days you travel/fly 2, so you only have 5 whole days!!! This amount NB EXCLUDING flight costs food and drinks ..... Cadogan is in a nice neighborhood but is highly overrated. Small room that didn't even have a chair in it. Delaire Graff more than beautiful but unfortunately we couldn't enjoy it much. I think WTS couldn't imagine what I consider adventurous and unique. We were driven to the fishing port of Hout Bay, a stinking dump, bare, uninviting and dumped in a canoe. No idea what you wanted to show us ... See our holiday photo attached, and yes that may be on your website. I protested to you Monika! WTS even made me take my swimming trunks, so there I was.... This can't have been serious! A lost afternoon for us, but it gets even better because WTS takes us back to Houtsbaai the next day, where we waited for I don't know how long for a boat that took us out for a quarter of an hour in dangerous weather ..... Here again, no idea why? Then, and now I'm even sadder, we go to the penguins ... Horrible and nothing that resembles natural beauty or adventure. What a waste of time and money! We go to the wine fields: Wonderful, and arrive in Delaire in the evening, ... we could hardly enjoy that the next day because we had to pack again because we were picked up at 0430 AM for transport to the airport. I mentioned this to you via app and was actually sent away with a "root in the reeds" (see attached). Not worth Euro 10,000 I think? Do I get something back?
Greetings,
Justus van der Lubbe
Curaçao
(automatic translation from Dutch)
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Guide, Amazing Experience
We had a fantastic experience on our safari tour. Our guide, Johny Jackson, was extremely polite, patient, and knowledgeable. He made the entire trip smooth and memorable with his kind attitude and professionalism. We’re truly grateful for such a wonderful experience!
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
Amazing, knowledgable & Great Guide!!!!
We had a fantastic time with Serengeti Cheers Tour Company during our trip to Tanzania recently in May 2024. We booked a private tour for just me and my husband. Our guide, Said, was really kind and friendly.
The safari vehicle was clean and had everything we needed. I must say, Said was an excellent driver! He could easily move around other safari vehicles, it felt like he could even park on a tightrope!
Thanks to his sharp eyes, we saw so many animals. He knew a lot about all the places we visited and the animals we came across. He also showed us special things in nature and explained them in detail.
The food on the trip was great. We had hot meals from our lodges and also enjoyed picnic lunches during our visits.
Every place we stayed at was excellent, and the staff treated us very well.
We would highly recommend this company and we’re so glad we did!
AR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
the best experience
We were on safari with "Soles Tours" from May 22nd to 27th, and I highly recommend taking the safari with "Soles Tours" as they were excellent with us... they met all our requirements and more.
I highly recommend traveling in May as the weather is perfect, cool in the morning at 15°C and hot in the afternoon at 26°C. Don't be afraid of the rain, as it's sporadic, occasional, and not significant. However, the sky is changeable and provides beautiful views. I'm making this comment because Google is full of information recommending June and beyond. The truth is, there aren't as many tourists in May, which allows for more peace of mind everywhere. You'll have access to hotels, trails, and viewpoints.
Our guide was an excellent professional named "Junior," whose last name I unfortunately lost, but if you can, ask for him. He's super professional and attentive to your every need. He takes photos, explains everything very well, and goes the extra mile to ensure you'll see all the animals. He speaks six languages. He took us to visit the Massai Mara, giving us a unique experience thanks to how he manages to make the whole experience with the Massai a reality.
At Soles Tour Agency, I was assisted by a woman named Happiness George, who was the one who knew how to put together the entire tour, taking us to excellent hotels, unique in their design, understanding that we weren't just looking for luxury and comfort but also for a taste of the African (Tanzanian) style. I mention this because we didn't want boring, luxurious hotels, but rather unique experiences, and he delivered.
We toured Tarangire-Ngorongoro-Serengeti North, Central Serengeti-Seronera.
We booked a private safari for both of us, and it was a great choice, as you had all the comforts and were able to customize your time at each location, along with several other options.
The jeep was cleaned every night and worked perfectly. The seats were very comfortable, equipped with USB ports, bottle holders, blankets, binoculars, and no annoying noises. Everything worked properly.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Suricata is an extremely professional company that offers constant support.
I had the best experience with Suricata Safaris. The tour, accommodations, and guide all exceeded my expectations. Alphonce was so knowledgeable and passionate, he truly made the experience remarkable. I couldn’t recommend Suricata more!
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience, lovely guide
We took the Soweto and Apartheidsmuseum day tour. Our tour guide Cpho was a lovely guide. He clearly knows a lot about Soweto and the surroundings.
One little remark, we had 1hr30 in the Apartheidsmuseum and that was not enough for us. 2hrs or more would have been nice.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Lake Naivasha Tour
Teddy organised a fantastic tour of Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate. The booking process was so easy and smooth and Teddy was able to help with any questions we had and clearly communicated everything. He was extremely friendly and helpful with all the stages of the trip. The Hell’s gate bike tour was very enjoyable with a lovely walk through one of the gorges. We then had a boat ride through lake Naivasha to see the many hippos and various different birds. I would highly recommend considering Teddy for any safari experience!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fantastic personal experience
What an amazing experience! We used Kiboko for a 3 night trip to the Masai Mara. The booking process with Jane was very smooth and she was always available to answer any questions that I had and the response times were very quick and everything was well communicated. Our tour guide Samuel was truly amazing, he was so friendly and so knowledgable about all of the animals as well as having a great eye to be able to spot so many, including a very sneaky leopard! Our accommodation at Sopa lodge was fantastic as well, all the rooms very clean with great food and lovely communal areas. Kiboko always had a great personal touch, leaving the Masai Mara we had seen 4 out of the big 5 (only the rhino missing) and our guide Samuel said that Nairobi national park was a good place to spot rhinos. We asked if he would be able to guide us round there and within a few days we had a second trip lined up with Kiboko. I can’t recommend Kiboko enough for a once in a lifetime safari experience like we had with them.