50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional, educated and fun
3 weeks with my family in Kenya and
Tanzania with Melodica Africa Tours and
Safari was great. We had an incredible
experience them. Our adventure
exceeded our expectations in every way.
From seamless airport pickup to thrilling
game drives, everything was top notch.
Our guides Chris and Jenny were
fantastic. I highly recommend Melodica
Africa Tours and Safari with a 5 Star for
anyone looking for a world class safari
experience to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda
or even Tanzania
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An extraordinary safari experience — beyond every expectation
We recently completed a custom-designed 10-day safari with Great Escape Trails to celebrate a milestone 50th birthday, covering Tarangire National Park, Lake Natron, the Central Serengeti, Ndutu, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. The itinerary itself was tailored specifically for us, built out from a shorter trip to give us the experience we were really after. We researched four different operators before choosing Great Escape Trails, and we are so glad we did.
Planning & Itinerary — Thom
From the very first interaction, Thom set Great Escape Trails apart. He was responsive, thorough, and genuinely invested in making our trip perfect — working with us to custom-design our itinerary from scratch, helping us fine-tune every detail, and going well beyond his brief to advise on accommodation after the tour and how to make the most of any extra time we found ourselves with. That level of care and personal attention is rare, and it was the deciding factor in choosing Great Escape Trails over their competition.
Our Guide — Hans
Hans is, quite simply, exceptional. His knowledge of the wildlife, terrain, and ecosystems is extraordinary — and his ability to navigate the Serengeti without so much as a GPS seemed almost supernatural. In quieter areas, he drew on years of experience and deep personal knowledge; in busier locations, he used his network of fellow guides and his radio to make sure we were always in the right place at the right time.
The result was extraordinary. He got us closer to wildlife than we ever imagined possible — within metres of lion cubs playing in a tree, elusive leopards lounging on low branches, a cheetah with a fresh kill, elephant families crossing the road directly in front of our vehicle, and a large group of giraffes surrounding us completely. He balanced all of this with genuine respect for the animals and for other visitors. Worth noting too — the wet season arrived unexpectedly early, and Hans navigated some seriously challenging deep mud conditions with complete composure and skill. It never once disrupted our experience. If we had self-driven, we would not have seen a quarter of what we did — and we would almost certainly have been hopelessly lost, or genuinely stuck.
By the end of the trip, Hans felt more like a good friend than a guide. We had learned each other’s sense of humour, shared stories, and the whole experience felt warm and natural. Saying goodbye was genuinely difficult.
Accommodation
Once we hit the road after our first night in Arusha, every property delivered something special. The range was part of the adventure itself — a fixed lodge in the Central Serengeti, a mobile camp in Ndutu, an eco lodge near Lake Natron, and comfortable accommodation in nearby towns for the other nights. The level of facilities naturally varies across such a diverse itinerary, but every night felt right for where we were and what we were doing — beds were comfortable, food was generous, and hosts were warm and welcoming throughout.
In Summary
A self-drive safari might appeal to some, but we cannot imagine having experienced anything close to what we did without Hans and Great Escape Trails behind us. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to mark a very special birthday, and Great Escape Trails delivered something truly bespoke — not an off-the-shelf package, but a trip designed around us. We would wholeheartedly recommend Thom, Hans, and the entire Great Escape Trails team to anyone considering a Tanzania safari — you will not regret it.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mose’s and his team were competent, caring, and efficient going above & beyond to support our group
Climbing Kilimanjaro was an unforgettable experience, and a big part of that was thanks to Moses. He was competent, caring, and incredibly efficient throughout the hoe.
When one of our fellow climbers struggled with the altitude, he stepped in immediately—checking on them regularly, adjusting the pace, and offering steady encouragement that helped them keep going.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Tatiana
The perfect place to see elephants - just an arm's length away!
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Serengeti National Park by Tatiana
Oh, this is my personal crush! Words and descriptions are powerless here – the Serengeti simply has to be seen!
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Tatiana
A unique park in the crater of an ancient volcano. Absolutely stunning views from above and a multitude of wild animals living their lives in a relatively small area, all the while allowing people to gaze upon them with rapt attention.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Safari Adventure in Tanzania
Our safari through Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti was truly one of the most amazing travel experiences we’ve ever had. Everything was very well organized, which made the whole journey stress-free.
The planning of the safari was excellent. Each day felt perfectly balanced — full of adventure but never rushed. The accommodations were also great: comfortable, and located in beautiful natural settings. My personal love is staying in tented camp-lodge Tukaone Serengeti camp surrounded by the African savannah! It made the experience absolutely special! Waking up to the sounds of nature and watching the sunrise and sunset over the plains is something I’ll remember for a long time.
A big part of why this safari was so special was our driver-guide, John. He was fantastic! Not only is he a very skilled driver (which is important on some of the park roads!) If anything unexpected came up, he handled it easily and always found a solution.
He also has an incredible eye for wildlife. Time after time he managed to spot animals that we would have completely missed on our own — lions resting in the tall grass, a leopard hidden in a tree, even rhinos far away in the distance.
Thanks to his skills — and a bit of luck — we managed to see the entire Big Five. That alone would have made the trip unforgettable. But we also had fun spotting the famous “Ugly Five”, which made the experience even more unique.
So, if you want to have the safari of your dreams, then with John as your driver you will on heaven!
Each park had its own atmosphere: the massive baobab trees and huge elephant herds in Tarangire, the breathtaking views and dense wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater, and the endless plains of the Serengeti - my personal crash - filled with animals everywhere you look.
Overall, the safari exceeded our expectations — great organization, comfortable places to stay, incredible wildlife, and a truly excellent guide. We’re very grateful for this experience and would absolutely recommend it to anyone who dreams of seeing Tanzania’s amazing national parks. It was a trip we’ll never forget. 🐘🦁🌅
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ontarget Safari gave us a fun, smooth trip with great guides and unforgettable wildlife moments.
I had an amazing experience with Ontarget Safari. Everything was well organized, and the team was very friendly and helpful. The guide was knowledgeable and made the safari exciting and fun. It was truly a memorable trip and great value for the money. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great safari adventure! 🦁🌍✨
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
Did a 6 day Ndutu calving safari ! Our arrangements were made through Lion King Adventures. Staff of Elia Maira & Nickson Obedi Rafael helped with the reservations… very professional and helpful. There were 6 of us traveling in 2 vans. Our guides Yusuph & Gilbert was just so amazing !! I’ve been to 3-4 safaris before but this was by far the best regards game sightings … saw an abundance of all the big 5,& luckily leopard too. Had opted for luxury accommodations & modest of them were excellent.
Would definitely recommend this company for Serena safaris
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya (Massai Mara) - Guide: James
We had James for our first stop of our 10 day journey for Kenya and Tanzania. I believe he was the BEST first guide we could have gotten. Immediately was so friendly and personable, cracking jokes the moment we met. He made our family have an incredible time. Was very knowledge of the animals and was hands down an ELITE driver! What felt like 3 days with him felt like 2 weeks in the best way! I miss him everyday and am excited for the all future travelers that get the chance to hang out with him :). You tend to spend a lot of time with the drivers and get to know them well. I am very glad we crossed paths with James and hope whoever reads this next gets the chance to as well!
