DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We enjoyed the trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro
In June we went to Tansania with my husband to climb Kilimanjaro. Our international tour operator booked us with KWESA and we are glad that they did. KWESA was outstanding in every area since we arrived to the moment we left.
Airport pickup was timely as we found Teacher the owner waiting for us and then he took us to our hotel where he introduced us to the guides. We also had a briefing about the trek after they inspected our gear.
KWESA took care of everything during our trek, providing us with professional and experienced guides and crew who took great care of us as they guided us to the summit, equipment (tents, walking sticks, sleeping bags..), wonderful cook who made us great meals.
These people are very experienced about the mountain and I came to learn that they charge about 60% of what we paid if you book directly with them.
I recommend them.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Kenya/Tanzania Safari Experience
This was our first trip to Africa with a 12 day Kenya/Tanzania Safari. It was such an amazing experience, such an enjoyable trip despite the immense travel distance between the several national parks; really wish we had done this trip sooner in our life. We will definetly come back with our kids next time.
From the initial quote request Annette was prompt in answering all questions and setting up the tour package. We got our e-visas for both countries online and made sure we had our yellow fever certificate too. Annette received us at Nairobi airport and put us in the hands of excellent guide/driver (Shadrack in Kenya and Ibrahim in Tanzania). We had 4 star lodges in Kenya and tented camps/smaller lodges in Tanzania but the service and food in all of them were superb. We visited Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengiti, NgoroNgoro, Taringire and Amboseli parks and enjoyed all of them. We especially wanted to take time for photographing the animals but also birds/sunsets and both guides were patient and gave us plenty of time and answered all our questions. We must have taken over 3000 photos/videos. We also visited a masai village and had plenty of stops to buy local handicrafts as well. Annette met us again on the last day for dinner in Nairobi and dropped us off at the airport. The border crossing at Isebania took about 1.5hrs but the crossing back at Namanga was fairly quick as both countries offices were in one building. The weather in June was perfect; cool morning/evenings with warm mid-days. the parks were not too crowded either. The roads into and out of Serengiti are quite dusty, so be prepared for that. All in all it was a wonderful trip, we were well taken care from the minute we stepped down into Nairobi till we left.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding professional and highly trustworthy and recommend
I have been in touch with mr O the owner of the company for the past year .During this time I made so many itinerary changes and additions and was always replied with patience and promised all was well noted and taking care of .I had the pleasure of meeting Mr O in Narobi at the beginning of our two week safari in Kenya and Tanzania I returned home yesterday feeling I fulfilled a dream of a lifetime.Thank you Mr O for making our trip so enjoyable,The drivers ,guides flights accommodation all definitely a 5 star
TT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
BEST Tarangire Day Tour
I did a day tour of Tarangire on June 17th 2-19
Main points
- very accommodating tour operators
- John has a great vibe, great tour guide
- lots of animals to see in Tarangire
Full Review
I book this tour on Sunday, for the Monday, through another tour operator. Praise (the CEO) allowed me to join an existing tour which was a 5 day tour, for one day. I really appreciated this allowance that was made for me! They picked me up, and dropped me back to my place in Moshi.
The drive form Moshi to Tarangire Park is very long, far too long, this is really the worst part. Fortunately, John, who is half Chagga and half Maasai, is a great conversationalist, with excellent music taste, so that made the long drive easier to bear. It was a clear day, so we got a great view of Mt Kilimanjaro on the way.
I was picked up at 6:50am, and we arrived at Tarangire Park at 11:22am. We entered the park at 11:52am (after registration, restroom breaks, etc).
We entered Tarangire Park, known as the Paradise of elephants. John had a good eye so he quickly spotted many animals and pointed them out to us. We saw the following animals:
- many, many birds (if you're a bird watcher, you'd have the time of your life here)
- Giraffes
- Ostriches, males and females
- Warthog babies
- Elephants, males, females, and babies (LOTS and LOTS of elephants)
- Wildebeest
- Grant's Gazelle
- Cheetah and cub
- Water bucks, males and females
- Peacocks
- Buffalos
- Dik diks
While we were having lunch, John saved me from a monkey that tried to attack me. This is no exaggeration, it really is a plus to have a Maasai warrior as a tour guide!
We exited the park at 4:23pm. I was dropped home by 8:02pm.
This trip cost me $242 in total which is MUCH less than any Tarangire Day tours I have seen, which didn't include pick up and drop. If you're looking for a bang for your buck, and excellent service then this is the tour operator to go with!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Knows his Stuff
I got in contact with Joseph about a report of a Cape Eagle Owl I’d heard of that I thought he might know something about. He was incredibly gracious and knowledgeable and assisted me in locating and organizing to see the owl. Would highly recommend his services for those seeking to find the lesser known species in this part of the world.
TT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The BEST Tour Guides In Tanzania!
I took the Marangu Village Culure and Coffee Tour on June 16th 2019.
Main points:
- always on time
- very polite tour guideswho are knowledgable about the country
- very accomodating to any needs you have
- fascinating Chagga tour, with excellent coffee (from someone who has tried many coffees and never liked any except French Vanilla)
- refreshing hike to Kilasia Waterfall
- free wifi if needed
- photographers on demand if required
Full review:
I was immediately emailed after booking the tour to confirm my pickup location, after which we confirmed the pick up time for 8:30. It was a solo tour although I thought it would have been a group, and being a young woman with two male tour guides I was apprehensive at first. However, their personalities and nature shone through immediately, and I felt at ease in minutes. They arrived on time, and were very courteous and polite. During the car ride to our first destination (Mt Kilimanjaro Park), they allowed me to stop briefly and take some photos in a field of sunflowers.
Bujo asked about my other vacation plans, and then I proceeded to try to hire them as drivers the next day. Bujo offered to call my tour guide for details, and it was then he was informed that the guide wanted me to pay them extra for the tour I had already paid for online. Bujo was doing a hot springs tour the next day and offered to let me join, but I insisted that I wanted to do a day trip to Tarangire. So while we drove to Mt Kilimanjo Park, Bujo called around to all the tour operators he knew and got me on the tour I wanted for the next day! He then let me tether off his phone to cancel my booking with the previous operator (and took me to the new operator after the tour was completed so that I could pay for the tour).
When we arrived at Mt Kilimanjaro Park it was very cold! (I am from Trinidad and Tobago) I was wearing latex tights and a vest, even with my jacket on I was still very cold, this is just a note in case you are also used to a warm climate. This was very informative, and I learned about the first men to climb Kilimanjaro, as well as other facts about the mountain. After a tour of the park area, we went outside to the souvenir shop look around. Then my guides told me they would take me downtown after our tour to get souvenirs because these are pricey. This was a great tip because I wasn't sure of how things were supposed to cost.
Next stop was Kilasia Waterfall! This was a difficult hike downwards, mostly because the paths were not easy to walk on. However, I had one guide in front of me and one behind me, always ready to assist when needed. They also went at my pace which was great. I wore hike shoes with lots of grip, while Bujo was wearing dress shoes, however I was the one who slipped a few times, so perhaps how you experience this hike depends on how often you hike and where. When we got to the bottom, we got a view of the waterfall, unfortunately we were not able to cross the river and hike to the top of the fall because on this day the river was very rough and so it wouldn't have been safe to cross. The hike up was much more demanding than the way down. According to the guides, this hike was the equivalent of a day hike on Kili. When we made it back to the top, I had the opportunity to hold chameleons. (this is a service offered by some villagers, and they expect a tip).
The last tour stop would be the Chagga Village. Before we began we had lunch. It was quite a lot, and as hungry as I was, I was only able to eat a little bit. Our guide there was a young lady named Amy, very soft spoken and polite. At this point I was joined by three travelers from Holland who were on tour with another guide. We learned about the Chagga history and present situation with the Maasai, the Chagga houses, the Chagga caves, and how the Chaggas made coffee. I was able to participate in the grinding and sifting parts of the process of coffee making. We had a cup of coffee, chocolate, and biscuits. The coffee was amazing! You then had the option of purchasing coffee either grounded or the beans.
The tour officially ended at 4pm.
However, three things happened afterward. I really wanted to get sunflower seeds to take home. Bujo called around to see if he can locate them. We also passed by a local market to look for them. I was also taken to the location of my Tarangire tour operator. Finally, I was taken to "Muungano Makonde Arts & Carvings Tingatinga" to look for souvenirs. The guides were very helpful by informing me of good prices of items, and ensuring that the locals gave me proper prices, and change.
I had such an excellent experience with them this day. Their service was above and beyond, I could not believe it. I hired them to take me to the bus stop on the Tuesday. Bujo was my personal host while I was in Moshi, making many calls on my behalf to locals as needed and ensuring I got to where I needed to be safely. AND YES, I did get sunflowers, at no cost!
Finally, Bujo gave me an excellent tip which I must share: it is better to book directly through the local tour operators, rather than through online services.
I recommend doing any tours with these gentlemen!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was arranged perfectly. I did not have to worry about anything.
I booked the safari without many expectations. It turned out to be one of the best trips I have ever done. Because of my guide, Charlie, I got to see a lot of the Kenyan wildife.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional and reasonably priced
We are from Australia. We wanted to do African safari at a reasonable price and did some online research and found Adventure Africa Expedition run by Dickson. We were met by the driver in Nairobi and everything exceeded our expectations. We had a great safari trip to Masai Mara. Very reasonably priced too. Highly recommend this company based in Kenya.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wild week in a wonderful country.
On our 8-day safari adventure, we hit all the highlights you would expect-The never ending expanse of the Serengeti, the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, the majestic Lake Manyara national park where the birds and animals at the lake were the stuff of National Graphic specials, Tarangiri National Park and its abundance of elephants, and of course Arusha National Park with a beauty and climate unique to itself. We also spent a day with our two fabulous guides making our way via the Marangu route to the Mandara huts on Kilimanjaro, which is a unique adventure in itself (bring a dry shirt to change into for the trip back down!) We visited a Maasai village where we were promptly inducted into the tribe and given a welcoming ceremony worthy of kings and chiefs, and we spent time exploring the adventures that are just the daily lives of the people of Arusha as they shop from ever-changing street marketplaces. All of this was made even more special by our wonderful guide Gabriel of the Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge about everything relating to the animals, the birds, the flora and fauna, the Maasai, or just life in general in Tanzania (he seemed to know everyone and was well-respected by the other guides we encountered along the way). On top of all that, he was one of the nicest people you could ever meet and a great travel and dinner companion. I can't imaging a better person to spend nearly every waking hour of a week with. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris took care of our ever-changing and demanding needs with grace and style. Our many thanks to them and their manager, Gabriel (not the same as our guide).
TW
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The parks are worth visiting.
The national parks in Tanzania are original. People I met are mostly friendly and polite. The country may look poor but the environment is generally clean. I took one day in Kilimajaro and five days in the national parks. I am very surprised no littering in these areas. My guide is very nice and knowledgable. It seems he knows many persons in the street and NPs. He was keeping rolling down the window and saying Hello to the persons. That is interesting. I highly recommend the safari tour and this country.