US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phenomenal life-changing experience!
I cannot say enough about the remarkable visit we had with local Maasai communities in Arusha and at Clamian’s family boma in Tangagire corridor. It was nothing short of life-changing - the friendships and connections that we made through the introductions by Clamian and Frank are priceless. We came as part of an international social work visit and our priority was to connect with local communities and Clamian and Frank took this mission to heart. Later in our stay we had a chance to visit the Ngorongoro crater with Frank Sabore- the most knowledgeable and talented guide we could have imagined. He brought us out of the crowds and we found ourselves surrounded on a hillside a close knit herd of elephants- from an enormous bull to tiny babies - Frank expertly tracked behavior cues to ensure our safety while allowing us to marvel inches from this stunning clan (from inside our open roof vehicle). We look forward to an upcoming visit in April from a new Maasai friend and to returning soon to our new Tanzanian home.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our bucket list adventure with Parakuyo Tours & Safaris exceeded all expectations.
After many years of dreaming about a trip to Africa, we have just returned from an amazing photo safari to Tanzania. We had heard great things about Parakuyo Safaris and Meleck John, owner/operater did not disappoint. We were able to plan together what our goals were for the trip and he customized a package for ourselves and our 2 travelling partners. From the time we were met at Mount Kilimanjaro airport to the time we said our goodbyes 2 weeks later, the details of each day and each part of the adventure were totally taken care of and our only job was to enjoy the beauty of this amazing country and store away as many picture memories as possible. We chose to stay in tent camps as much as possible in order experience being in the midst of the animal migration and our guide provided us with amazing opportunities to see every animal possible in its habitat. After long days of game drives, we opted to spend a few days on the beach at Zanzibar and the accommodations Parakuyo selected for us were superb. Because he pays attention to every detail and demands excellent quality from all the services he sub-contracts, you can be assured of an excellent safari experience. Meleck John, owner operator of Parakuyo Safaris has a lifetime of experience with the local culture and wildlife. As we encountered each species, Meleck was able to answer our many questions and we came away with many previously unknown facts to accompany the pictures we took. We cannot say enough about the integrety with which he runs his business and the individualized care he took to make sure our experience was exceptional.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Many major species during a day's drive.
We were fortunate that it was not rainy. Road was excellent though unpaved. Animals and birds were everywhere. Trip requires an in-car park guide. Leo was great, knowledgable (particularly about birds), and connected to other guides for locating animals. Suggestion, have guide ride in front passenger seat. It allows better sightings. Some travellers in other vehicles complained they got to a location after everything happened.
There is a hill or mountain road which we did not take, but is worth asking about. There was plenty to see driving along the lakes which took most of the day.
We stayed in Rhino Lodge (an eco lodge on the ridge line overlooking the park and Tanzania border) which is a short distance from the park. There is an in park lodge which may currently under remodelling.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic vocation!
Everything was very good! We enjoyed every minute of our safari! Edward very cool man and guide.
Accommodations very nice, every time. It was very interesting. We spent beautiful time in wildlife under the thousand stars on New year!!!
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience
We had the most amazing time in Tanzania from the moment we were picked up from the airport until we were dropped off for our return flight. Really happy we booked with Greg Adventures, our guide David was very knowledgeable and had some very interesting stories to tell. We got to see all the big 5 which was great and many more animals in their natural habitat. The accommodations were all just perfect and considering 3 out of our family of 6 were vegetarians they coped very well and we never went hungry. All in all a wonderful experience and highly recommended. Tanzania is beautiful and the people are very warm, welcoming and honest people. We will definitely be back.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ok
Food, transportation, guide were great... but the wildlife and safari experience was regular
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 5 day Victoria Falls and Chobe day trip, and 3 Day Camping Chobe Camping Trip
Simon has a small 4 person team which assures that each member is the best that they can be. Each employee was very welcoming and knew so much about the surrounding areas culture and history. I would say every part of the trip was very well organized and the accommodations made were pleasant. This trip blew away all expectations that I had, which I mostly contribute to the services provided by Simon and his team. They were always there for any excursion pick-up or transfer to assure everything went smoothly and truly made us feel like family. The entire trip was beautiful from the Victoria Falls tour lead by Thulie to the many game drives lead by an associate in Botswana, Gake. We saw so much of the beautiful scenery Zimbabwe and Botswana have to offer as well as many animals. We went during February which isn't usually recommended as its the start of the rainy season however we had fairly good weather most of the time! Some of the benefits to this were fewer tourists in the lodges and many baby animals, nothing cuter than baby elephants sucking on their trunks like pacifiers.
Overall, I highly recommend booking with Africa Beast Safaris as Simon and his team make you feel like family and work extremely hard at making sure every part of your trip is enjoyable so you can relax and see the beauty of these countries.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding and worry-free Kenyan safari!
Around a year ago we planned a ten-day trip from Canada to Kenya for the Christmas holidays. We hoped to spend some time relaxing on a beach as well as visiting a couple of national parks. Lucy collaborated with us to put together a ambitious itinerary which fulfilled all of our objectives, despite our time constraints and distance.
The overland drives across the Rift Valley from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru, then along the Mau Escarpment to Masai Mara were fascinating, with some amazing views. Covering that distance on the ground gave us an appreciation for the diversity of Kenya's geography and people. Kenyans drive on the opposite side of the road than what we are used to and the roads can be challenging, so we were grateful to have friendly and professional drivers to safely and efficiently transfer us from place to place.
The lodges that Lucy booked for us were outstanding – spacious, comfortable and well appointed – and the staff were warm, calm and solicitous without being overbearing. Being greeted with a refreshing warm washcloth on a tray everywhere was delightful! The game drives were fantastic, and the incredible guides helped us see over 30 different species of African wildlife. These professional naturalists helped us appreciate not only the animals’ beauty but their complex social interactions as well.
Lucy also arranged a quick turboprop flight from an airstrip just outside of our lodge in Masai Mara to Ukunda Airport in Diani Beach, enabling us to spend a restful couple of days at a resort on the Indian Ocean, complete with beautiful white sand beaches and ocean swimming. We concluded our visit with a full day in Nairobi with a car and driver, and visits to a number of local attractions, including the Giraffe Center and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to visit baby elephants.
We were well taken care of from our arrival in Nairobi onwards. The overall trip, while ambitious, was worry-free for us. We've already started thinking about plans for another visit and are very happy to have worked with Lucy and her team for a unique and unforgettable Christmas trip!
CA
Honeymoon Safari
Shemeji provided us with the best safari we could have hoped for! We had a lot of unexpected delays and lost baggage, meaning we had to delay the start of our safari and Shemeji was so accommodating. They arranged for us to have a tour of Arusha when we couldn't start the safari on the planned day, and they re-organized our whole itinerary to ensure that we got to see everything we wanted in less days. Our guide, Michael, was amazing. He knew exactly where to go and had so much knowledge to share about all of the different wildlife we saw - we were lucky enough to see the big 5! Our chef, Daniel, made such delicious meals the entire safari, we were so happy every time we sat down for a meal. Michael and Daniel were so friendly and easy to get along with, we couldn't have asked for a better experience. Emma was great at communicating with us, and was so organized when it came to rearranging our itinerary. My husband and I would both recommend Shemeji to anyone wanting a perfect safari experience in Tanzania!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful trip!
Agnes helped and gave me the best tips since the very beginning! The trip was awesome. Our driver - Jeoffrey - apologies if the spelling is wrong - was driven by our requests, very nice, Smart and reliable. i chose the 6 days package and it was definitely worth it. I traveled by myself and made very good friends!
I saw so maaaany animals and including the big 5! Wonderful experience!
Thanks all!
