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35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beautiful country, lovely people, fantastic safari destination
My son and I had an 8-day Explore the Northern Circuit sarfari with Safari Soles and it was the most amazing experience. Everything was so well-organised and we felt totally looked after, from touching down at Kilimanjaro Airport until we left. We had one night in Arusha to get over the long flight - the Tulia hotel is fine to bookend the safari. We were taken to the art/cultural museum/gallery, which was fascinating, to the Masaai market and then for a sunset hike. Bryson, who owns the business, was there to check everything was OK at the beginning and end of the holiday and to make sure our drivers were there to pick us up at the allocated time. The next day we left on sarfari. Our driver/guide Elias was perfect. He really made the holiday special. So knowledgeable and incredible at finding animals - two pin-pricks on the horizon and somehow he just knew they were rhinos. He was great company throughout, interesting and lovely to chat to and really understood what we wanted from the trip. Half the fun is spotting the animals, but he really delivered. In a few short days we saw two leopard, a cheetah, seven rhino (including a baby), lots of elephants (and several young ones), numerous lions (male, female and cubs), migrating zebra and wildebeest, buffalo, vultures, giraffe, hippo, impala, gazelles, baboons - the list went on and on. We witnessed two female lions separating a zebra from the herd and trying to run it down (unsuccesfully). We visited Tarangire National Park and saw lions resting in a tree (the park is known for it); the Ngorongoro Crater (a Unesco World Heritage site) was truly stunning and the Serengeti was everything I thought it would be. The safari lodges were first rate and exceeded our expectations - we stayed at Farm of Dreams Lodge and Serengeti Safari Lodge - beautiful grounds, large rooms and fantastic staff. The food was superb (very fresh, lots of lovely fish). We also did the day trip to the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro with Baltazary - visited coffee growers, walked to a stunning waterfall and swam in a hot spring - again all well-planned and we felt really looked after. In fact, we felt totally safe the whole time we were in Tanzania - everyone was so friendly and the country is stunningly beautiful. I also did the Balloon ride option with Serengeti Balloon Safaris and it was one of those really special moments I'll never forget. If your budget can stretch to it, then you won't regret it. Absolutely could not fault a thing. Would highly recommend this company and would definitely book with them again. In fact, I really can't wait to go back.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gaps in infrastructure, but beautiful wildlife
More than anything, a good guide and driver makes all the difference! We went to Maasai Mara through Perfect Wilderness Tours and Safaris, and Khalifa absolutely made our trip. He was knowledgeable, insightful, funny, and a good driver (despite the extremely rough terrain). More than that, he's fostered good relationships with everyone in and around the park, from rangers to locals to other guides, which gave him an extra edge in creating a memorable experience. If you book with Perfect Wilderness, ask to have him as a guide!
With accommodations, I would recommend skipping the luxury spots and sticking with a basic option. Lenchada Tourist Camp wasn't cushy, but had everything we needed. When you're only going to be there to sleep and have breakfast, it's not worth it to spend the extra money.
One thing I can't recommend is the Maasai cultural experience. If you want to support the tribe beyond your park fees, I would donate to a community fund and skip the show.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Amboseli National Park by Carol McNutt
Just magnificent scenery and abundance of wildlife and birdlife.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Nairobi National Park by Carol McNutt
Hard to believe that this amount of wildlife is with in the city limits. It was amazing to see so many different species of animals grazing together on hillsides. A very easy day trip.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Tsavo West National Park by Carol McNutt
The various terrains were spectacular. There was lots of animals. It was interesting to see some of the variations in the animals. The elephants were reddish in color, smaller in size. The giraffes were a darker color.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Judy Foster
Small but perfectly formed - amazing ancient trees and interesting lake foreshore. Lots of animals.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Judy Foster
Stunningly beautiful - a garden of Eden.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Serengeti National Park by Judy Foster
Big skies, landscape that goes on forever, so beautiful and everything I imagined the African savannah would be.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tarangire National Park by Judy Foster
Great start to the safari and amazing to see the tree lions.