LT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
We (three couples) had a private seven days safari. We visited Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara - our trip was amazing!
We were extremely fortunate to see all big 5 as well as an extraordinary number of zebras, antelopes, giraffes and wildebeests.
Our driver, Ayoub Kileo, was a very experienced and professional guide with extensive knowledge of wildlife, exceptional driving skills and extraordinary ability to spot animals. He really made the trip care-free for us and we’re so glad to be guided by him.
We chose Serengeti Smile as Frank was very reactive and offered tailor made itinerary with competitive price. We recommend Serengeti Smile to everyone.
Thanks to Serengeti Smile for making our amazing safari!
SK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, professional, unforgettable
An unforgettable experience. Excellently prepared itinerary so that it is also suitable for an 8-year-old daughter. George has an inexhaustible knowledge of nature, history and culture. He is friendly and funny. He used to tell my daughter African fairy tales and stories at dinner, which she still remembers today.
Fantastic guide and driver. I highly recommend it for all travelers and for families with children.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top safari thanks to a superb team!
The trip was a great success thanks to the Tarakwai team. In contrast to the mass tourism that is slowly but surely developing in the safari sector, Tarakwai has a very personal approach. They also put special emphasis on sustainability, especially in the choice of accommodation. This gives participants the rare opportunity to meet locals on a very different basis than ordinary tourists. After all, many encounters are possible thanks to the team's personal contact with the residents and are therefore particularly memorable. In addition, the entire team is very likeable and always sociable. I can recommend it without any reservations.
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing service for safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs and trips around Arusha
Great communication from Amani about the details of all different trips. Had a fantastic experience with everything I did and it was everything I expected and more. The value for money is the best I have found in Arusha and there is still fantastic punctuality and communication from staff alongside a flawless experience.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful 3-day Safari Experience!
We did the 2-nights, 3 day Safari in which you fly from Zanzibar to Arusha, then drive a couple hours to the Tarangire National park for day 1 game drive. Day 1 at Tarangire went really well. Our Maasai guide, Molel, was attentive and knowledgeable. We saw 13 different types animals up close and got amazing photos (took a selfie with an elephant, from inside the jeep of course!). The park is massive and we barely covered a portion of it in the day and yet saw sooo much. Day 2, we spent in the Ngorongoro Crater. We loved it! We saw all of the Big 5. It was a miracle to see the leopard right at the end of our day. Molel heard other rangers on the call system say they saw one in a tree by the rim of the crater and he asked if we wanted to try and rush to it because once we go back up near the rim of the crater we can’t come back down, but it was near the end of the day and we had seen countless animals and just needed the leopard to complete the Big 5. So we all said YES! And we made it just in time before the leopard disappeared into the bushes. Such a fun experience! The Ngare lodge we stayed in was nice, clean, hot water and the staff were so hospitable. The meals were delicious and so fresh! Day 3, we visited the Hadzabe and Toga people. Tribes that are almost extinct in Tanzania, they live off the land. While we enjoyed learning about the people, this part we could have done without because we don’t like going and “staring” at people as if they are an exhibit. The translator/guide was great and encouraged us to interact with the natives. We did give money and buy some jewelry from the Toga and Hadzabe people as a way to show gratitude for them welcoming us into their space. Then by 1 pm we headed back to the airport to fly back to Zanzibar by 4:30. We are very glad we did this experience! On the front end, Sylwia answered all our questions and managed the logistics. I used WhatsApp to coordinate with the driver pick up and drop off in Zanzibar- Sylwia gave me his number and told me to connect with him. All in all, everything went smoothly and the animals and land of Tanzania is just beautiful! Things to know: there are a couple hours of drive time between locations (but it not a problem at all, we just napped!), have WhatsApp on your phone for communication with Sylwia and guides and/or drivers, at least 2 full days of game drives increases your chances of seeing more. We were in Zanzibar for 12 days and did this Safari in mainland Tanzania for 3 days in the middle of our trip and hands down it was literally in the top 2 highlights of our entire trip. Tarangire park and Ngorongoro crater were magical! Thanks Sylwia for suggesting this tour (we had originally thought to do the same 1-nights, 2 days Safari at the parks in the south but so glad we went with this one!).
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional
Our 5 day Safari in Tanzania began 2nd March 2023 where we were collected at Kilimanjaro airport by Jonas, our guide for the week.
Jonas was an exceptional guide with so much knowledge to share, including amazing photography of our trip! We saw the big 5 animals on our very first day.
The arrangements, including surprise birthday cakes and hotels were wonderful, Patricia and all hotel staff were truly fantastic.
Thank you Benson Safaris Tanzania for the experience of a life time
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable and exciting!
Had a great experience to Lake Mburo National Park. Fun and friendly hospitality from tour operators. Witnessed many different towns, cultures and landmarks of Uganda along the way. The nature is beautiful. Highly recommended! It was a memorable life time experience :)
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
SIMPLY THE BEST, BETTER THAN ALL THE REST !!!
My holiday in Uganda far exceeded all my expectations and I'm very happy to post this review to say thank you to all at Speke Uganda holidays for making it happen. I spent a long time researching all the operators and trip reviews to find a company with an itinerary and ethos that best suited my wishes. Speke came out tops with the 14-Day Gorilla Adventure Tour. Isabella in the office was ever patient with me in through the booking and enquiry stage. There were issues with international transfers from France but I believe this to be a Uganda 'problem' not Speke's. Julius was our guide and he was amazing! His knowledge and obvious passion and pride in his work and for his country made every day an adventure and a new learning opportunity. Part of the joy of booking group travel is just this, having the local knowledge to hand. Julius was a excellent guide, good company to us 4 Brits (one couple and 2 singles). He was ever attentive to our needs, stopping for endless photos en route and making sure we were well briefed each evening for the following days activities. He kept the truck clean with large bottles of water in the cooler for us to fill our own metal Speke Uganda refillable bottles. These were gifted from Tony (Speke MD) along with some Ugandan coffee and a Uganda Rwanda road/NP map in a beautiful recycled paper Speke folder. Tony called me personally whilst I was on the trip to check everything was ok and to get some 'on the road' feedback. A nice touch and shows the responsibility to client satisfaction that I felt throughout. We also had a surprise sundowner drinks set up on our evening drive in Ishasha Park which was very special. I celebrated my birthday the day of the Gorilla trek in Bwindi and this magical day was made even more memorable by being greeted with song and a cake from the team at the wonderful BirdNest Resort. The highlights of the trip were undoubtedly the chimp and gorilla treks where we had amazing experiences but also the unexpected majesty and force of the Murchison River Falls and the multitude of wildlife and sheer delight of the boat trip through the Kazinga Channel. So much more to Uganda than I ever expected - the ever changing landscapes, the green, it's so green! The wildlife, the primates, the birds! The people; warm, friendly and always smiling. The fact that you never felt you were on a conveyor belt of tourism (as you can do in other safari destinations). And not forgetting the food especially the range and availability of delicious vegetables (again something missing from other African destinations). Without question I will return to see more and I'll definitely choose to travel again with Speke.
PL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Selous 1 day from Zanzibar
it was a really exciting day. Everything organized perfectly. Great animal tracker and delicious food in the middle of the park by the baobab tree.
I recommend this trip for people who want to spend only one day on safari while on vacation in zanzibar
