35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely helpful,very prompt with feedback and very friendly
Fantastic friendly service from Janine Bouwer from information,requests right to the bookings was excellent.We were litle disapointed by Kwa Maritane due to the fact that they did not bother to do even the slightest litle thing for our son's birtday even though the whole booking was clearly done as Birthday celebration.The 2nd and last game drive was a bit disappointing because the ranger seemed to be in a hurry driving fast and missing a view special sightings.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing experience and most exiting safari.
The best game drives at Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Experienced tour guide, meals during our safari was the best. Totally recommend them.
Thanks Hekima Safaris.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
5 star experience, saw the big 5 and more
Pick up on time, great knowledge on animals and other wildlife, and tried his best to show us everything. Amazing!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible team
The Almighty Kilimanjaro team are fantastic - we always felt like we were in safe hands and because of their help all of our group made it to the summit. A truly fantastic experience. The guides were incredible - we couldn't have done it without them, (in my case - particularly Jonas). This company safety is their first priority. Just be sure to bring extra money for tips because the guides and porters go above and beyond and you will want to make sure they are rewarded for this.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fantastic lifetime experience!
This Safari was such an adventure.
Although it was a little pricy, it was a value for money experience. My friends and I decided to stay in the hotel inside the parks so we could experience Africa at its best. In the mornings hearing the birds chirping and watching the antelopes chasing one another was unimaginable. Seeing the rich biodiversity on our tours, was amazing! This vacation was my dream one. Big up backpacking to Africa for planning such an amazing trip for us.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The most exhilarating experience ever!!
We had the best experience with Faizul and his team. From the time of enquire until we were dropped off at 5pm ,We were in awe of our experience.
Our guide made sure that my little kids as well as my elderly parents we were all comfortable on the trip. She was patient enough to stop at anything we wanted to see. We managed to see the big 5 and that was all because of her!!
We will define using BushXplorers again!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond Excellent
I emailed over 20 local agents for bids, read all the reviews from the guide books, blogs and forums. I finally decided to make the booking with EASTCO, yet this is just a beginning of my joy of planning and ultimate dream vacation.
Booking/Planning Experience:
Alex and David helped me budget more than 20 copies of itineraries due to the change of our groups size and flights. We had numerous email exchanges, WhatsApp messages and calls. They always showed me genuine care for my needs and vast knowledge about the area/industry. They provided me with great recommendation and guidance. The best customer service I could ask for.
Lodges:
In my initial planning, I had picked all the lodges according to the guide book and forum but I'm so glad I took the EASTCO recommendation as well because they know the current condition of each place and only recommend the ones that will take care of their clients with extra care. We had a wonderful stay in Boundary Hill and Pure Tented Camps.
Guide:
A reputable member of the Tanzania forum in TA recommended Bernard. I'm so glad we were able to complete our Safari with his company. He has been in this business for over 30 years. He not only knows about the land animals but also every single birds in the trees. He can smell the elephants (seriously!) when they are near and identify exotic birds by hearing their sounds. We found so many eagle owls hidden in the trees and had a very close sighting with a leopard in Serengeti. I can not imagine all the lucky sightings we had without Bernard's expertise.
He was also very patient with our young ones and easy to talk to.
We miss him already.
I would be happy to answer any questions if you have any doubts on booking with EASTCO. Just private message me.
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jeep safaris Experience
I contacted Afrikan Buffalo Safaris for a package to Masai Mara. I was on a budget and this company arranged everything from transport to accommodation. I was so happy to fulfil my dream of visiting one of the famous wildlife reserves in Kenya. I recommend #TeamNyati their company's slogan used for anyone who wish to travel around Kenya.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Best !
My wife and I could be described as avid wildlife lovers, photographers and conservationists; some would say we are just wildlife crazy!
We have travelled to many parts of the world to sate ourselves with truly wild animals, from Asia, that is India and Sri Lanka, South America, including Brazil and Chile, and of course Africa. We have enjoyed the rugged beauty of the Bale mountains in Ethiopia and the wonders of Kenya, which incidentally was our first safari type holiday, but Tanzania, particularly the North was our last adventure…. admittedly for the third time !
Like all wildlife trips, it is important to understand what you can expect to see at different times of the year. This year we decided to travel in February / March and we centred our itinerary around Lake Ndutu and the short grass plains of the Serengeti. This is near the bottom Southerly corner of one of the most famous national parks in Africa. Whilst there is a resident population of all the main species, in particular the big cats which most people want to see, to maximise your chances of seeing them all is to understand the Big Migration pattern of the wildebeest and zebras. It is a continuous circulatory tour which takes them from the Serengeti to the equally famous but much smaller Masai Mara in Kenya, via the great plains of the Seronara Valley in the middle, to the Western Corridor and the Mbalageti /Grumetti Rivers, up to the Mara River where they have to run the gauntlet of Nile Crocodiles, and back down to Lake Masek /Ndutu….in February and March. Simply, the big cats, ie lions, cheetahs and leopards follow them around and it is this time of year when the wildebeest calve…. their young are the main prey!
So, we spent sometime in and around this area, then on to the Seronara with its strange Kopjes; small rocky outcrops which provide homes for all manner of furry and feathered friends, big and small. You will often see a leopard or lion sunning themselves, or wriggly things with no legs, giving themselves the option of cover they need.
The Ngorogoro Conservation Area must not be missed with a myriad of wildlife, and of course the Crater itself, which is one of the largest extinct volcanic craters in the world, measuring some 100 sq.miles. Apparently it blew its top around 2-3 million years ago, with the original topping estimated at 15-20,000 feet high. It now provides sanctuary to virtually every species other than elephants and giraffes; it has the highest density of lions in any part of Africa. Yes, we saw most of them on a one day trip, with the highlight being on the steep track entering the Crater itself…. we were just starting to scan in the near distance for our first sightings, when Bernard, our guide, said stop, look no more than 10 yds away….. a rare Caracal cat….wow! We asked Bernard when he had last seen one…. about 3 months ago he said…. and before that ?…. about 3 or 4 years !!
So, we had great sightings of lions, cheetahs and leopards as planned, along with many giraffes in the Conservation Area. Hippos and crocodiles abound in the Grumetti and Mbalageti Rivers, and there always seems to be a fabulous White Headed Fish Eagle by the waterside.
Another must is the Tarangire national park, particularly if you are an elephant lover; we lost count after about 150 + in a single day. You see them by the river and watering holes just having fun with their young ones, to seeing a huge line of them marching towards you slowly from a distance; maybe 20, 30 or 50 strong is a wonderful sight. It easily takes up a day, just admiring them in their own surroundings behaving naturally. This time we were surprised by a ‘herd’ of 50+ ostriches, literally galloping past us… that was a first. Normally you only see them individually or as a pair.
We finished up with a day each at Lake Manyara and Arusha national parks; each has its own unique wildlife with the gorgeous Blue and stunning Colobus Monkeys, Greater Flamingos and much bird life. We always see at least 3/4 sub species of Bee Eaters in these parks. These little birds are endemic and like their cousins in Asia, are all very colourful and relatively easy to spot.
As said, decide what time of year you wish to travel and then create an itinerary to suit.
International flights will generally take you to Dar Es Salaam or even Nairobi, then internally to either Kilimanjaro on the Eastern side, or Mwanza on the Western side. You can then transfer to your safari vehicle from either to enter the national parks.
Who to go with..is a big question?… There are innumerable UK companies who offer safari /wildlife holidays; you are spoilt for choice in theory. But, beware, if you are a keen photographer, this will narrow down your options; normally most UK companies will sub contract you out to a local company and you will be carted around in one vehicle taking 4-8 people… no good at all for serious photography. Bespoke or ‘tailormade’ is what the more specialist companies offer you, with maximum 4 , or in our case just the two of us. Obviously the cost increases with personalised tours, and Africa is getting quite expensive now generally.
The only way that we can afford this type of deal is to negotiate direct with a local company. Our favoured one, which we have used 3 times now is the East African Safari and Touring Company (EASTCO) . Please look at their website. They have a number of excellent guides, particularly our Bernard, who really has eagle eyes and an encyclopedic knowledge of just about everything wild. It is important that you are able to engage with someone who you will spend 10 hours a day with for 7-14 days. Tanzanians are all delightful people but sometimes it is difficult to have an in-depth conversation. Wherever you are, it is important to have a sense of humour.... Bernard loves Fawlty Towers ( Brits only).
Where to stay ?…another complex question
It very much depends on the depth of your pocket or what type of experience you want; from travelling bush camps to luxury lodges can vary the price immensely. Having someone like David King of EASTCO to discuss such things with takes out the uncertainty…..the only surprises you want are the animals!
There are so many options for wildlife safari holidays in Africa. If it going to be a once in a lifetime, and you want to minimise the chance of disappointment, choose Northern Tanzania… at the right time. Choose carefully, and you will do no better than choosing EASTCO>
ES
The best Safari Experience that you could imagine, they will help you in everything!!
We were on our honeymoon and it was the best experience that we could have imagined.
From the first moment the Lion King team helped us with all the details of the Safari according to our demands (Thanks Pendo!!!). They have helped us with the hotel reservations and we have all our information updated in all the accommodations. We are both celiacs and Lion King advised all the places, so we had any problem with it, normally it is very difficult in some cases, but here all was perfect. Pendo helped us with the cancellation of one internal flight with Air Tanzania too, so we are very grateful with her.
We took the luxury option in the Safari and all the accommodations are absolutely amazing, we were in the middle of the National Parks surrounded by lots of animals. It is an incredible experience.
During the Safari every detail was considered, the Jeep has all the things that you need. Our guide Good Luck was the best, he was always looking for the animals and he was the first to see a lot of them like the Rhino, Cheetah, Serval cat, Lions, Leopard, lots of Elephants, etc. absolutely amazing. He picked us up at the airport and at the end of the Safari they drive you to the airport, so you don't have to worry about anything.
If you are thinking of going to a Safari and have the best experience with no problems Lion King is your best option.Â
Wish to see them again soon, Dani & Laura
