20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had an amazing experience!!
We visited Tanzania on Feb 2022. The trip was thoroughly enjoyable and impressed by Safari Planners (James, and Faith). We explored Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National park, Serengeti, and more. The places, the food, the guide, and the accommodations provided are amazing.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb customer service from well-respected and knowledgeable staff!
I recently returned from a two week African safari with my two adult daughters - our first safari ever. Every aspect of this adventure exceeded my expectations and none of it would have been possible without the help of the staff at Wandering Thru! Going on a safari was a childhood dream of mine, and when I seriously considered taking the trip, I knew I needed a lot of help to figure out where to go, how to get there, how much it would cost, etc. Initially, I worked with Tayla to define my options. I told her what I wanted to achieve with this trip, and she helped me develop a fantastic itinerary! About four months before departure, the Omicron variant hit, and all kinds of testing requirements were put in place. Ale helped me to understand what the financial burden would have been so we realized changes might have to happen. About two months before departure, the decision was made to stick to two countries instead of going to three, and Tayla and Ale helped figure out alternatives that would not increase costs substantially. We had already purchased international and regional flight tickets and worried about finding open accommodations so close to departure. Everything was finalized (or so I thought!) a few weeks before departure. And then one of the regional flight providers was grounded! Throughout my trip, Tayla was there to add to our enjoyment and enrichment with her vast knowledge of African flora and fauna, while in the background, Ale was monitoring all the logistics issues. The day before our last regional flight, we had to make changes again, but the two of them took care of everything, even providing documentation for my travel insurance claim! Why should you use Wandering Thru? Excellent customer service, incredible knowledge about the different countries and what they would offer for safaris, a vast network and excellent reputation with the lodges and camps in different countries, experience as trained guides, professional photography backgrounds, and the friendliest people you will ever meet! Now that I have been bitten by the safari bug, I’ve already started creating a list of places I want to go to with the staff from Wandering Thru!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent last minute Safari with Raymond
We were 4 friends on a last minute safari to Kenya. Communication was very quick and they were able to adapt to our needs. We managed to book the sarafi within an hour of making initial contact on a Sunday. Our guide Raymond was excellent! Friendly, knowledgeable and very hospitable. We were luck enough to see the big 5 all in 1 day! Our pictures were out of this world. The lodge that we stayed in the Masai mara was also very nice and the staff were welcoming with great service. I would definitely recommend Raymond and Karibu Safaris for good value for money.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very friendly, educated tour driver
The most educational safari we had. Driver was very friendly and helpful in all areas. My children enjoyed the whole safari with very comfortable landcruiser. We saw and learnt about most of the kenyan wildlife in the Mara.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb, efficient and amazing
I contacted maraka tours sometime last year to organize a safari to relax and unwind after a crazy COVID period. They were very fast in their responses, gave me a clear list on places that would interest me and a clear quotation. I loved their quick and articulate responses as compared to other travel agencies who were quite slow in their responses. I made deposits as required and came for my trip early this year. For lack of better words it was AMAZING. Every experience was worth every coin spent. I enjoyed my safari and I highly recommend Maraka for all your tour needs.
Amazing
It was simply amazing from the booking process through to the safaris.
Donald has a wealth of experience and is able to tailor your adventure according to your budget and schedule.
Kennedy is an amazing guide and driver. He really made the whole experience memorable
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful
The trip was really Wonderful !! thanks to Jacob for the planification and to Said how was a great driver, very nice with our son (2 years old) and he know very well the animals and the reserve, very interesting. Sorry for my English.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
See it All with Local Guides
After speaking to a bunch of different tour operators, we decided to go with RA Safaris because they’re a small local business, owned and operated by Tanzanians - important in a time when tourism is still recovering. Zeph was very generous with his time and went back and forth over the itinerary with us to make sure we made the most out of our time, settling on 5 days with them - Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, plus a day hike at Kili.
Our guide was Sahele, and he was with us from the airport pickup all the way to drop off. He was so knowledgeable and determined to get us to see every animal - AND WE DID. Big 5 plus cheetahs, sable cats, so many hippos, thousands of zebras. He took us to a spot way out in the serengeti for lunch and while we were peeling hard boiled eggs, several elephants came up to this tree and scratched themselves on it, giving themselves dust showers. It was stunning. Sahele knows all the spots and isn’t shy about getting on the radio or driving out into the sticks to make something amazing happen. We ended up seeing 4 rhinos when some folks don’t get to see any.
He came down with a pretty bad cough during the trip and had no problem wearing a mask for our comfort during the trip. The gas tank cracked in the Serengeti but Sahele was able to resolve it without having it affect the overall timeline of the trip.
On Safari we did a mix of lodges and tented lodges. Everywhere we stayed was fantastic and comfortable with delicious food. We enjoyed the tented lodges the best! We are vegetarians and meals were not an issue for us.
I wouldn’t recommend doing a day-hike of Kili - there’s surprisingly no animals at Kili, there wasn’t a rewarding view, and it’s an exhausting drive from Arusha. Maybe do Meru instead, which is much closer and seems to be more interesting at lower elevations.
As to be expected, you’ll make some sacrifices going with a small local operator (like the truck being on the older side) but go with RA Safari’s because the prices are extremely competitive, the lodges they selected are incredible, they are knowledgeable and great communicators, and they’re the type of organization that deserves the support for the community they’ve created.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Helpful
A great experience from start to finish. David at the holiday dealers couldn’t do enough to help and even helped organise my booking at short notice.
Ashnil Mara camp was great, would definitely recommend.
Very promising polite and helpful ( Brian)
I was trying to call Sopa Naivasha. The call went to holiday dealers ltd, I wasn’t sure at first, but my call was answered by a very nice reassuring gentleman called Brian. And the following day I was happy to book with holiday dealers
Thank you