DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Never Again!!!!!!! I woudn't go they don't care about your well being
I did the 5 day 4 nights tour with this company and it was terrible! highly recommend to save a little more money to book with another company. I have never experienced an Agency/Company like this. We were a group of 7 People one of them was a solo traveller. We all got in a fight with him because he didn't want to wake up as early as planned. He started to offend us and saying racist stuff. Really bad stuff I was shocked at this point. Everyone just watched but didn't say anything. They didn't stop him they just let him finish screaming all those things infront of every other client in the middle of the camp. Everyone in this group said we don't wanna drive with him anymore. it's not acceptable. it's unprofessional! They brought him to his lodge and on the next day they just put him back in our Jeep. 6 People said we don't feel comfortable with that but they just don't care. On the 4th day everyone was leaving besides my mother and me. Someone told us for the next there were 2 people joining. We met the first person and ask where is the second one because we never got a briefing we arrived every evening and ask questions like when is dinner?, what time do we have to wake up tomorrow, What time is breakfast tomorrow? we always got the answer we will speak in the evening at dinner the guide never besides one night appears. once he just went to bed without informing us about the day after. back to the 2 people that joining he answered with "we pick here up from a lodge don't worry she is white" i was speechless. We told him AGAIN that we never mention any skin colour, religion or origin. We just wanted to start at 6 not 7 because he declined to wake up earlier than 7 just because we started the day before 30 mins earlier than planned because 6 out of 7 don't want to miss anything and see the sunrise. Also one guy stayed in lodges that were more than a hour away so one day we have to drive 30 mins for dropping him off and 30 back to our camp. the other day it was more that 1 hour one way. On the day we picked him 30 mins earlier he ask us who's idea that was we told him ours. he replied with next time i will beat you up. Everyone heard that also the guide. no reaction from him. The planning in the company is disaster. They should put him in a group who booked a packages where everyone is going in a lodge or book private not in a low budget joining group. Also we have to wait always for him because he never was on time.
On the first day we drove to a Park, this guy started making really loud noise infront of the elephant just to get his attention we told him to stop because they are sensible to loud noise also we are guests. We have to respect the animals. But after this there were a group of elephants( also baby's) the crossed by our car and he just touched the elephant out of the window. he just bring us all in danger this animals are so strong. Everyone saying "DONT TOUCH" at this point a thought the guide should give him a reminder to stop with his behaviour but he didn't care. Lucky for this guy the elephant got scared and walked away and not knock over the car.
The first evening we ask if we can start at 6 our driver got mad and also show us that he got mad because he didn't know how to contact the guy in the lodge i also probably think it's because he don't want to organise because that's to much effort we told him he should call the lodge so they can ask the guy if it's okay for him. But not a reason to get offended and be mad at a whole group. We paid a lot and ask really kindly.
There was more impressions but it's already a lot and i hope you have a better impression and view of that.
I know it's normal that the jeep sometimes get a flat wheel or something is not working but our car stand still 4 times in only 2 days almost 5. The first time the Car was smoking from inside. the other times because something in the front. (he never told us we always has to ask what was happening the answer we got was everything is fine) yes sure it's fine that's because the car stopped and stand still and also smoked from inside? we never got any informations. terrible. After all of these was happening we arrived back in Arusha. My Plan is to climb Kilimanjaro also GLAD i didn't book with this company because i don't want to spend one single cent for them for all of this treatment and not caring about us. We arrived and i told them if they know a pharmacy so i can buy Altitude Tablets for my journey. They brought be and it was only cash for 10 tablets 22 USD. Someone of this Company i don't know his name lucky you! He brought me there so I bought it stupid me. Just to get told that they were only 1-2 USD for 10 Tablets. It's all about the money for this company. I bet my right hand that if you joining a good Agency with Guides and a Team that really cares they would not bring you and stand next to you infront of there eyes so you got ripped off!!!! That's so sad i really feel bad for that Driver also regretting giving after all of this Tipp.
I never saw our Guide eating. He always lied replying when we got lunch where is your food "don't worry about me they just forgot to make a Lunchbox" ah sure can't believe that.
None of them deserved the tip. But Karma is going to catch all of you. i'm sure. So if you're reading this Nelson you have to fix a lot of stuff and if your agency doesn't change something after this I really hope this review gets a lot of attention so tourists can be aware of people like your company. There are a lot of people saving all their money and holiday days for an unforgettable trip like a safari does. But you completely ruinned my days in Tanzania. We are Humans. Not running Dollar signs. And I'm sure after reading this you know who's writing this.
Also if you’re booking with them make sure you count all of that cash right. My mother had to pay for me and here 1.700 USD (100 USD Deposit) so 1.600 USD Cash. She gave him 1.600 USD but was not sure she thought 1.500 USD she asked him can you count again he did he said no. so she said count again because she put that 1.600 on the side in the morning just to make sure and didn't have to count in front by paying. So he counted again and said a yes it's 1.600. So it could be possible that's just a mistake but after all of that i remember that again and thought probably it was not a mistake. So we talked in the Group and no one was happy with the Safari. One Girl lost her shoes but the shoes were in the car?? strange right? thanks for your attention
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Safari Experience with a reliable tour operator.
I booked a 5 day 4 night budget safari with Topy Tours because the price was very competitive when compared to other operators. The value we got for our money was quite simply outstanding.
Jackson was reliable and responsive before and after I made my booking and throughout our safari. Always answering any questions I had promptly via email and WhatsApp. He delivered on everything that was promised.
We had an amazing experience seeing all of the big 5, and even witnessing a young lioness hunt and kill an Impala. A very special and lucky experience. Although probably not so much for the Impala.
We also saw 8 Rhino in the Ngorongoro crater in half a day. The wildlife we saw was quite simply breathtaking and beyond my wildest dreams of what a safari would be like.
Our guides were friendly and knowledgable especially Macha who always got our vehicle in prime positions. It was his expertise that got us to see the Lion hunt up close and personal.
The food provided was very good (Chef Simba was a brilliant cook at the campsites) and we even had a can of beer with lunch and a bottle of surprisingly decent wine with dinner. All included in the price.
The lodge accomodation provided for 2 nights of our trip was what you would expect for a budget safari, but the rooms were clean and the beds were comfortable. We were also very well fed at breakfast and dinner at the lodge. I loved camping under the stars in the Serengeti and on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater. An experience I will never forget.
Our safari also included transfers from the airport and 1 nights accomodation before our safari started and 1 nights accomodation after the safari ended and a transfer to the airport for our flight to Zanzibar.
In summary I can highly recommend Topy Tours. Reliable, organised and friendly.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
The guide was very helpful and friendly, gave us a great explanation about the location and the animals, and the company was readily available to sort out any issues that arose about the trip.
Overall had a great time.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable 8 Day Safari and Additional day in Arusha Park!!
My husband and I went on a custom 8 day safari with Face of Africa. We arrived early and added a day trip to Arusha Park to our itinerary. Highly recommend this addition as it gives one the chance to walk with a ranger in the park and see the animals and nature from a different perspective. We saw the most beautiful waterfall, cape buffalo, zebra, warthogs, giraffe, blue monkey, and more on our walk! Hamadi arranged everything for us and our guide for the day Emmanuel made the trip even more enjoyable! It was a great start to our time in Tanzania.
Our safari included game drives in Tarangire NationalPark, Lake Manyara, Seregeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, each one with its own special ecosystem allowing us to see so many different animals. From Nile Monitor to small dik dik, many monkeys, and the Big 5! Truly an experience we will never forget!!
Edgar, our guide for the Safari, taught us so much about the animals and the environment at each park. He was so patient with me asking him to stop frequently to take pictures too! He checked in with us every evening and made certain everything was going well and we had the itinerary details for the next day. He was an excellent driver and a lot of fun as well!
If the beauty of the animals wasn’t enough, the accomodations were spectacular as well. Each one unique…with epic views, kind staff and delicious meals. One on lake Manyara took our breath away, as we looked out our window to see the lake in the distance and zebra grazing right out front. Another highlight was our stay at the Matawi tent camp in the Serengeti. All of the staff there were so friendly and hearing the hyena and other animals in the evening was amazing! You truly felt like you were immersed in the Safari experience, yet had the luxury of a beautifully appointed tent and delicious dining.
From beginning to end we were thankful for the professionalism, care and kindness of the Face of Africa team! Special thanks to Hamadi for his personal hospitality, taking care of all of the details and for great communication. We were happy to book our safari with a Tanzanian owned and operated company.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical Safari
We spent 6 days on a spectacular safari under the guidance of John from Leadwood Holidays. We saw over 40 animals and countless birds. Animals were so close to our truck that we could almost touch them. The experience was beyond our expectations. John was knowledgeable, punctual, professional and an exceptional guide. I also used Leadwood on side trips to Kilimanjaro and Arusha Park. 10/10
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable, friendly people
Very nice tour, well organized. Although it wasn't as dry as expected in February, we did see a lot of animals. The big migration was amazing. Contact with Faraja was always very convenient.
IE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
The 4 day tour was amazing. Our tour guide Johnson the monkey had incredible knowledge about the animals and knew all of the best locations to spot them. All of our needs were met straight away and Johnson was very helpful and kind. Great lunches out in the wild. Would highly recommend using this company for your future trips. Thanks to Daudi for organising everything so well.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best value for money
On our safari everything was perfect. The guides, very professional and competent. The jeeps, new and impeccable. The lodges and camps, luxury at a reasonable price. African Mossic Tours customized our tour to suit our needs. Thank you, Max, George and Jared, for making our safari unforgettable!
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An emotional experience!
Me and my daughter had an amazing experience. The driver, William, is not a huge talker however when questions were asked and when it was necessary he talked and explained in details.
He is a really good driver since in the park is not so easy to drive after some rainy days. He spoiled us by buying several fruits from the way to the camp to let us try them.
Apart from William, the accommodation is surrounded by wild nature — like monkeys — and there is also a nice pool.
In our room there was air conditioner which was fundamental to sleep well.
Unfortunately, it happened more times that the electricity shutdown for some hours.
None of the staff ever entered in our room to clean it.
The food was a lot and really good!
In conclusion it was a really nice experience and a very interesting one also by concluding the journey visiting the Maasai village.
Thank you so much to all of you!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Javiva were great, very professional throughout.
Janet was amazing to deal with. She was extremely fast to come back with a great plan and a very reasonable price. It didn’t stop just there. Any questions leading up to my trip were answered very quickly and very clearly. Even when I was away on my trip Janet checked in with me to make sure everything was going smoothly. I can not believe what I witnessed. Was the most amazing experience of my life! Janet, asante sana 🙏🏼. I will not hesitate in booking another trip with Javiva Adventures
