US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Make the BEST choice for your Tanzanian safari
We recently returned from a magical trip to Africa. I apologize for reusing the term “magical” too often in this review, but that is the best way to describe this trip. Months ago, my wife who had previously lived in Africa for several years and had taken numerous safaris, began researching tour operators for our trip. After receiving a recommendation from a friend of a friend at the American Embassy in Tanzania, we decided on Tanzania Choice Safaris. Arriving at this decision was no small feat since we later learned that there are more than 1,000 tour operators in Arusha. My wife began discussions online with Brenda Kimoro, co-owner of the company who is a US citizen married to a Tanzanian and living in Arusha. After listening to our choices of animals to see and the comfort level of the accommodations we desired, Brenda developed a plan that fit our timeline and our budget. We also wisely arranged for a full day of rest before and after our safari at a beautiful lodge in Arusha. This review is not of Tumbili Lodge in Arusha but in our opinion, it is nothing short of paradise and should not be missed if you can extend your stay. Brenda put together an itinerary of visits to Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Each of these places is well known for animals like leopards, elephants, plains animals and rhinos. Each place is spectacular in its own way. The lodging accommodation at all stops was extremely comfortable, the staff gracious and the food really good. There was a mix of menu items and buffets, but the food was varied and ample. Our terrific guide, Leslie, was superb in all areas of his job. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the animals we spotted, knew all parks visited very well and helped us see wonderful animals consistently. We saw so many types of animals that we began seeking out the more elusive creatures. A real highlight of the trip was lunch on the Serengeti plains surrounded by wildebeest during the migration at the western edge of the park. Leslie surprised us with a stop under a shade tree, table and chairs (with a tablecloth!), a delicious meal and an amazing sight of so many plains animals in full view. Truly magical! We saw the Big 5 and even joked that we saw the “Little 5” including a dung beetle hard at work! What sets Tanzania Choice Safaris apart from the other hundreds of tour operators? Experience, knowledge, professionalism? Yes, those three but add attention to detail. We met other travelers who had experienced many problems—breakdowns, lack of proper equipment, guides showing up late, etc. Stuff happens, we know, as this is Africa. But you always need a professional tour operator who thinks of and prepares for the unexpected. For instance, Leslie provided cow tail fly swatters to brush away the pesky flies and insects who sometimes invade the vehicle. A small benefit but one that was much envied by other travelers when they saw ours! Our game viewing vehicle had been outfitted with large rolldown windows in the front row of seats which was a real benefit to observing animals versus the sliding glass windows we saw in most other vehicles. The one BIG takeaway from this trip is that you MUST put your faith in Brenda and the team at Tanzania Choice Safaris to plan and execute a memorable, magical trip for you to a faraway land filled with memorable and magical people and animals!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trustworthy and caring
Ayub is excellent guide!He made me feel 100% safe, super in maneuvering vehicle and knows all areas where G5 and all others animals concentrated and found and seen easily.
LT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Indelible impressions with Meijo Safaris
It was very easy to arrange a 3 days safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro witheijo Safari. Travelers from our country recommended them and it was a really great choise in terms of price and service. Doudi was very quick to answer any questions we had, ordered us taxi from the airport, came to talk to us personally before the safari as well as after it.Floridi, the driver, not only did a great job, he also set up tents for us girls and when we forgot our souvenirs in the jeep, he brought them to our hotel. During the entire safari we received hot and really very tasty food. So Meijo Safaris is really reliable and I would recommen it to anyone.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Simon is the greatest. Referring him to friends that are traveling there
Best value for money. Our tour guide was Simon. He was very friendly and was happy to share the beauty of his country. One of the best vacations of our lifetime. Blessings Simon
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic tour, very efficient, organised and attentive to details.
Amazing safari with Mmilo Tours. Everything worked like clockwork! All the guided tours, steam train dinner, sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi, game drives, were all fantastic.
Both the hotels, the Cresta Spray View and Hwange Safari Lodge, were brilliant.
The views over the water holes from Hwange Lodge were incredible, elephants, zebra, impala, baboons, etc. all just outside!
Two staff in particular went out of their way to provide an amazing service:
-Steve from Africa Travel & Tours in Victoria Falls looked after us very well, always on hand to make sure every pick-up, transfer etc. went to plan and took us on the guided tour of the falls.
-Lazarus from Hwange Safari Lodge who took us on mainly private game drives. He was extremely knowledgeable and knew where to look for so many animals.
Both were brilliant.
Would highly recommend this tour.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nature Travel Namibia provided us an unforgettable wonderful safari experience
We had never traveled to anywhere in Africa but decided to check on safaris in southern Africa this January. We liked the 14-day safari itinerary listed online from Nature Travel Namibia and connected with Amber who was very helpful in the process, answering our many questions quickly and thoroughly.
Our family of 4 had an unforgettable 14-day private safari this June through Namibia (Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Etosha, Caprivi) and Botswana (Chobe), ending at Victoria Falls. The information we received with the booking was very detailed, informative, and spot-on. Our guide and driver Wilson was wonderful: extremely knowledgeable and great to travel with. We are glad we had him as a driver, rather than driving ourselves. This way we could relax and enjoy the landscape along the way and the animals during the drives. Plus we learned a lot about this beautiful part of Africa by chatting with him. We were glad we had the car/van for all the activities, since it was an enclosed vehicle (with a pop-up top) which kept us warm during chilly morning games drives. The lodges (mid-range) Amber had booked for us and the staff there were also gorgeous and the food was delicious. We came into this not knowing what to expect, hoping to see many animals, seeing this part of the world, and we came away having had an absolutely fantastic experience. This trip was worth every penny! Thank you to Nature Travel Namibia for arranging this for us!! We can highly recommend you.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari with Kevin
We just completed a 5 day safari with Axis Africa and our tour guide was Kevin. The trip was made incredibly easy and comfortable with Kevin as our guide. He was very knowledgeable and informative about all the different species of animals. I would highly recommend booking with Axis but in particular Kevin as the tour-guide plays such an important role in the trip.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience in Masai Mara
We booked a 3-day safari in Masai Mara. We were picked up at our hotel and to meet the rest of the group in Nairobi and then travel to the park.
When we got there lunch was served and afterwards we left for an evening drive.
The next day we got up early to spend all day in the park and we got to see 4 of the big five. Rhino is very hard to spot, but we did see a leopard!
Our driver; Kikitou, went out of his way to make sure we could see as much animals as possible. He was the most positive and happy person, really nice to have such a great driver!
The last day we went to visit the Masai village. Those people try to rip you off, so be prepared. It was nice to see the village, but their attitude is not so nice, as they just want to take as much money from as they can. Our driver Kikitou made them clear that we had already paid for the visit and then they were ok, but still we had to buy the most ugly necklace to support them (they really try to manipulate you, so you would feel sorry for them).
Overall the trip was organised great and I can recommend it to everybody!
MX
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kruger Park & Johannesburg
I’m Mexican so my review will be written with a latin point of view I hope is helpful . Johannesburg for me was a interesting city because of the shocking economical segregation, coming from a 3rd world country I thought it wouldn’t be as shocking from me but it was… you just can’t use your mobile on the streets because you could get robbed even on the best areas… I was lucky I had a host who told me all these details and gave me a tour around the real Johannesburg and saw all the actual culture which is beautiful.
Kruger park was my first safari ever and I had a great accommodation in Kriger Gate Hotel, right next to the entrance which is very convenient since you’ll start very early in the morning , food is amazing I just had the impression that the staff is a bit tired of tourists for example I did ask to the lobby manager if there was no danger of animals coming into the hotel (I saw a impala right next to my door) and she was quite dry on her explanation about how safe the place was, I just thought it was a normal care since I don’t live in Africa , examples like this were repetitive with the safari staff and the hotel staff without been really rude but just kinda tired of tourists.
Animals are all over the park you can see all of them , take 3 days to see the whole area. My experience in Mozambique was completely different, all the people was so good to me and you could feel absolutely safe everywhere but didn’t see as much animals , just by the sea.
CO
Wonderful country, would come again
Great country and incredible wild life. Also, there are nice bars and restaurants in Nairobi, and the cultural life is rich and diverse. I would like to come back.