DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don’t hesitate to go with Suricata
We booked a 5 day tented lodge safari tour with Suricata to Taranguire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara and we can 100% recommend going with these guys if you are thinking about doing a safari in Tanzania.
We checked several different offers of other companies beforehand and here’s why we went with Suricata and didn’t regret one second:
1. They are extremely friendly and well organized, even if last minute changes came up with someone in the group they always had a quick solution and we didn’t had to worry about a thing. Next to our guide Elias (shoutout) there was always someone to contact via WhatsApp to organize pickup from the airport to the hotel or clarify questions coming up during the trip.
2. The accommodations were extraordinary. We checked different offers in that price range and Suricata had the best price/service ratio we could find. Both the Anga’ta Camps in Serengeti and Ngorongoro and the Bagayo Garden Hotels were amazing, offering 5 Star service and awesome food and the staff made us feel so welcome, always with a smile on their face
3. Our Guide Elias was very experienced (15 years+) and new a lot about the animals and where to find them. We had a great time together and are happy to call him a friend now
Overall, there was nothing to complain about at any time.
If you want to have a great time on safari do not hesitate to go with these guys.
Asante sana, Suricata!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience with Suricata
We recently booked a 5 day safari tour with this provider and were incredibly impressed with the whole experience! The driver was very friendly and organized and the communication beforehand was super easy. The accommodations were outstanding, especially the tented lodges which exceeded our expectations. The lunch menus were freshly cooked and always delicious. We had a truly memorable safari experience through Serengeti, Ngorogoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara National Park. Our driver, Elias, was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions. Plus, their offer was the best of all the offers we looked at in terms of price - service ratio. We highly recommend this provider and are so glad that we chose them for our once-in-a-lifetime safari experience!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!
From start to finish I was completely blown away on my experience. Shaun and Valencia helped us book and they were there to answer any questions during the whole process (there was a lot).
When we got to Simbavati Amani Camp we did not know what to expect, and lets just say it didnt disappoint. The accommodations were phenomenal. But one thing that completely blew me out of the water was our safari guide (JV). His attitude, knowledge of animals, experience, and friendliness really made our trip. Countless times our group talked amongst ourselves that JV really made our trip whole. Through continuous long days of safaris, he always had the best attitude and passion towards tracking these animals.
After our experience at Simbavati Amani, and our experience with JV, I can assure that my next safari tour will be with JV again.
Also I would like to note that Ishmael was also amazing. Ishmael was our waiter/bartender/etc and he was on top of the ball throughout the whole stay. He was unbelievably likeable and friendly, but also extremely experienced. He made me feel as if I was at a Ritz-Carlton the way he took care of us.
Lastly, the food was amazing. Momma Kate was our cook and I cant stop raving about her food. It was authentic, fresh, and cooked to perfection.
Nonetheless, I had the best experience I could have imagined, and I have JV, Ishmael, and Momma Kate to thank for that.
Til next time!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Experience/Trip of my life
I have been on many vacations previously. This is single-handedly the best experience I have ever had. It was unlike anything I have done before. Not only was the safari itself amazing, but the staff was even better. We saw everything that we had hoped to see and then some.
This is due to our AMAZING tour guide JV. His knowledge in his field is absolutely unrivaled. Any question we had there was an answer for. He knew exactly where to look to insure that we saw everything, and was able to explain it to someone not as educated with extreme patience and full of information.
In addition we had our chef, Mama Kate, made some of the best food that I have ever had. She catered to a few preferences our group had and still made food that felt authentic to South Africa while still maintaining a familiar feel of something home-cooked. She sure was able to make sure we had the energy we needed for the long days!
Ish was our bartender and that man can make a drink! Incredibly friendly and tentative. Like everyone else, he made sure that we had everything that we needed at all times. When he wasn't making drinks he was telling stories and having a great time hanging out with the rest of us as well.
The rest of the staff that we did not spend as much time talking to yet was still around was amazing as well. The place truly felt like home with all of the smiling faces and welcoming people.
I cannot express enough how satisfied I am with the trip and how these new friends of ours made it that much better. Thank you so much. If anyone is on the fence, let this be your sign, book it ASAP!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Safari Tour!
I just returned home to California from a 14 Day Around Uganda Safari that me and my friend booked through owner/operator Ann of Gazelle Safari Company. She handled everything from beginning to end and beyond. She was ALWAYS available to answer any and all questions leading up to our tour and personally checked in with the amazing guide - Lucky- with whom she had paired us. She even went so far as to arrange for special teas and meals to be sent to my traveling partners room when she fell sick with a bad cold! The tour and accommodations she custom prepared for us were perfect- she listened to our wishes and made them come true. We saw and experienced everything we came for and it all exceeded our expectations. Our guide- who she also hand picked for us- was fantastic. He was professional yet personable and super friendly. By the end of the trip we were like family and had spend hours talking and laughing and eating together. If you are considering a trip to Uganda I HIGHLY recommend Gazelle Safari Tours. Booking with a local Ugandan is definitely the way to go and Ann is the woman for the job! Thanks again for the trip of a lifetime!!!"
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional approach for affordable price
It was an excellent experience.
The booking was easy - contact persone answred immideately on all the questions, provided all necessary information and even fulfilled request about buying for us antimalaria drugs and tests.
The itinerary was very good - in 5 days you can see much more than just primates, safari with big animals and culture walk in local village are also included in the price, for which in other places you will get only gorilla tour 3 days , where 1 and last days are just road days to/from park (saw such tours in Rwanda). On our tour we had habituation experience with gorillas - absolutely must do in Uganda. The tracking itself was not very easy on the way back (as I was not dressed properly - I though it will be cold, but it was extremely hot and I could not take off my warm jacket as i had only t-shirt with no protection from insects), but definitely worths to do it for the time you will spend with gorillas. The guide Elly was very knowledgeable and loving animals. And yes , take the helper who for 20 usd will help you to carry your things and will give a hand on steep parts of the way.
Also we had amazing safaries in Queen Elizabeth park - by car and by boat. We saw different animals and birds and enjoyed it a lot.
Also we had a visit to swamp where we saw different types of monkeys, butterflies , gorgeous birds and even snakes. The tracking is very easy, the local guides were absolutely fantastic. They also gave us a tour to a local village that we loved a lot as well - you will meet there local people who are professionals in coffee making (there is s local plantation) and you can drink a really fresh coffee there, a healer (local doctor) with very intersting explanation about ways of natural medicine, also beautiful local women who re making baskets (you can buy for souvenirs) and will sing and dance for you and also a man who can make a local banana beer and gin, that you can taste.
We also visited chimpanzee track. The animals are beautiful and interesting but organization of visit is the worst if to compare with other parks and tracks - at the same time all tourists are coming and are divided in several groups but anyway they all start track the same time in the same place. So one chimpanzee will be surrounded by 30-40 people and you might see someone's back instead of primate. After this crowded sightseeing of chimps the rest hours (and tour lasts 4 hours) you will be just walking in jungles, where it s hard to see anything else. In my opinion, if a person came exactly for chimps, after he saw them the tour can be over, no need to suffer between sharp trees for another couple of hours.
Our guide/driver from Kaara adv.was very good - we enjoyed our time with Mr.Apollo - he is an excellent driver , intelligent person to have interesting conversations with and very professional in hosting and taking care of tourists. We felt absolutely safe at all times.
We have absolutely excellent impression of the service and attitude from Kaara adventures and the best impressions of Uganda itself.
Just some tips to other tourists to be prepared for:
In the car it is really hot, even with open windows, so think about right kind of clothes. But make sure that on tracking and safari and in lodge area you are wearing long sleeve shirt and long trousers (not shorts) and use enough amount of mosquito repellent - as there are cases of malaria and in safari area in most African countries there is fly tse tse that can transmit trepanosomosis , if infected. So better do not give opportunity to any insect to bite you :)
And buy a lot of drinking water in advance! In lodges they give only 0,5 l per persone, and in hot climate it's not enough.
In the lodges (middle range), as all of them are more or less "eco", there are no aircons or fans, so might be quite hot as well. In the lodges that give accomodation in tents, you might meet a lot of insects. In one of them there was no mosquito net, so it's better to bring yours. Hot water in shower was in all places where we stayed. But as it s not clean running water (usually from the tank or similar), it s better to use for brushing teeth your bottled water - less risk of intestine infection.
Food was very good cooked and delicious in all lodges. And very tasty telapia grilled fish in cafe near Kazinga channel.
One more tip - it s better to change currency to local in the beginning of the trip or to have a lot of small notes of dollars - the tips to people who will help you with luggage or during tracking are highly appreciated.
Overall, it was really a great experience and we absolutely can recommend this company for organization of traveling in Uganda.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing adventure with Lion King
We did a 7 days Mid-range safari with Lion King, including visits to Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara parks. Everything was very well organised by Pendo. She was very patient and answered our 1000 questions promptly . She also gave us good advice on how to be well prepared for this kind of adventure. Our guide Aziz was incredible. He was doing his best to show us The Big 5 and he did! His knowledge and passion for wildlife is amazing. Additionally, Aziz has the same sense of humour as ours, so it was a perfect match.
It was an experience of a lifetime and we will never forget it. A Big thanks to the Lion King team. We highly recommend doing a Safari with them.
GR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Value for money and experienced guide
Safari is an unique experience!
Our guide Action knows so many things to about animals and general info for Tanzania! He is a safari monster!!
We had the chef Action, he is so kind and cooks very nice!!
We had the best offer from Bryson the owner so we choose this company and finally we did right.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, excellent service. Friendly, great value
I highly recommend this company. Great communication throughout. Before, and during trip. Fantastic value and service. Lovely, friendly and helpful staff. We were not disappointed in any way and our guide was very efficient and gave us the best possible safari.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible!
The tour was amazing! Tami was the best tour guide. He made sure to go the extra mile so we could see amazing animals. His knowledge about the animals was incredible and very meaningful. He knew how to tell the stories about the animals and because of that we’ve learned a lot. We booked the trip on Valentine’s day and had the best day ever! We are very pleased with the whole experience. So thank you so much for this amazing experience.
