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Steve C
US
Visited:
February 2019
Reviewed: Mar 28, 2019
Email Steve C | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The good, the bad, and the ugly: how Kiliholidays turned crisis into comfort
The good: My wife and I took our children (ages 8 & 6) on safari last week. We went to Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. Laurian was an absolutely amazing driver. He had vast knowledge of the areas we were traveling, the animals we were seeing, and to any question we asked. He was observing of speed limits, and particularly cautious because we had the kids with us. Throughout our journey, we observed all of the Big 5. The parks were amazing, each offering its own charm. Laurian always seemed to know where to go to find big game. My wife was initially hesitant to bring our children so far from home - by the end of the trip, we were already planning our next visit.
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The bad: While we were leaving Serengeti National Park, the rear spring on the Land Cruiser broke, and we couldn't ride on it. We had to go ~4 hours to get to the Lodge we were supposed to be. We found it amazing that every single driver who went by us stopped to help. Eventually, the Wildlife Service came by, and the preliminary solution was to cut down a small acacia tree, and wedge a firm branch into the spring to keep it in place. My wife and I were a little reluctant that it would work, and we certainly weren't comfortable putting our children in that vehicle. So, Laurian asked another driver to take us to the Ngorongoro gates, at which point, he had arranged a staff member from Farm of Dreams Lodge to meet us and bring us back. Laurian himself stayed with the car, the Acacia solution worked, and he was able to drive it to a 24 hour mechanic in nearby Karatu. The vehicle was ready to go for the next day. And, Kiliholidays had a bottle of wine ready for us when we arrived at Farm of Dreams, to apologize for our inconvenience. At no point did we feel helpless.
The ugly: The following night, Laurian was bringing us to the Kilimanjaro airport, after an amazing trip to the Ngorongoro crater. About 10 minutes from the airport, he decided to pass 2 slower drivers at the same time. (Again, note that he was an extremely cautious driver). When he started to pass the car immediately in front of him, that car also decided to overtake the lead car. The other driver went straight into our lane. To avoid collision, Laurian drove off the road. Within a couple of seconds, a large ditch (10 feet deep x 15 feet across) appeared in front of us. This was literally the only ditch on a 30 mile drive, so really bad luck. We ended up straight in the ditch, going about 35 mph. The accident was not his fault, and he handled it how I would have handled it myself. Had he handled it any other way, the results could have been drastically different.
I needed several stitches on my forehead, my son banged up his cheek and had some swelling/bruises on his face. My daughter and wife also had some bruising. It was a nightmare situation, being so far from home. Thankfully, we had traveler's insurance, which helped in getting us medically evacuated the next day.
But in the immediate aftermath of the accident, it was all Mack and Laurian. Laurian arranged with another driver to take us back to Arusha to get medical care. Mack met us at the hospital, and waited the 6 hours with us until we were released. He paid out of pocket for the medical expenses. He arranged a hotel for us to stay the night (because we missed our flight). He went to the pharmacy for us to pick up our medications. He arranged transport to the airport for us, and he checked in on us several times. He felt horrible that this happened to us, and did everything in his ability to make it right. While we were far from home, and in one of the worst situations possible, they made us feel at home.
The accident could have happened to anyone at any time. I think the special part about Kiliholidays is how they responded to the incidents. They treated us like part of their family, and we are forever grateful for their support. We went to Tanzania looking for adventure, and we certainly found it - and we left with friends. We will be back, and we will use Kiliholidays again.
Also, look into travel insurance. They coordinated our flight out the next day, and due to our injuries/soreness, were able to get us into Business Class, which was absolutely amazing in allowing us to stretch out and not cramp due to our soreness.
Carol
TZ
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Mar 28, 2019
Email Carol | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing
I had a wonderful trip with Safari Mashariki Expeditions. Our driver guide made our experience just amazing and we enjoyed our trip. I highly recommend their services.
Brent Smith
CA
Visited:
February 2018
Reviewed: Mar 30, 2019
Email Brent Smith | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari, awesome guide,
The 4 day safari was amazing. Our guide Ed was great. He was able to get us to see every animal we wanted very close up. Very knowledgeable and friendly too. Lots of wildlife in all 3 spots. Very entertaining. Highlight was seeing a mama cheeta with 2 cubs. Soul of Tanzania was a great choice for the trip.
Charlotte
CH
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Apr 7, 2019
Email Charlotte | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We loved it!
We had such a good time. Everything was really well organised. Our guide was just great and the chef, she did the best food we could have wished for. We were very lucky to see all the animals we saw. Easy and simple camp sites.
Just a great experience we could recommend to everybody!!
Paulo Sousa Costa
PT
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Apr 13, 2019
Email Paulo Sousa Costa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience in Tanzania Safari + Zanzibar relaxing time with Shemeji Safari Tanzania
All the organization was arranged by Shemeji, first with Anna and then with Emma. Everything was almost perfect. Emma took care of everything, planning, transfers, flight from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, hotels, resorts and camping. Everything worked perfectly; Anna and Emma were 100% very professional. If you follow the pre departure instructions sent by Emma, for sure you will enjoy your trip.
Related with the safari, it was super. The guide, Adam, and the cooker, Isaac, were great. We could see almost all the animals thanks the great experience of Adam, and all the food prepared by Isaac was also great. My wife and I were very thankful to meet and spend 5 days with great people like
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Adam or Isaac.Also related with the safari, we decided to go to camping. We were in 3 different camping and I have to say they are ok for the kind of camping we decided to do. So, if you prefer camping instead of lodge you don’t have to worry.
In Zanzibar we went to a resort in the south east of the island. At this season there were no sand in the beach, so if you are planning to go before Jun you should request a resort on the north of the island. That was the only thing that was not perfect.
Also in Zanzibar we had a guided tour in Stone town. It was a very nice tour, and if you want to know more about the Stone town history, I would recommend you doing a guided tour.
Thank you for Shemeji and his team to allow us to have this incredible experience. Anna, Emma, Adam and Isaac, hope to see you again one day… and for sure I will recommend Shemeji to my friends and colleagues.
Tania Daniels
AU
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Apr 13, 2019
Email Tania Daniels | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing animals and beautiful scenery
I was unsure about travelling in March after research on the internet but it was fantastic. There were so many animals to watch and enjoy because it wasn’t as hot and not so many tourists made the experience even better. The people are so friendly and our tour guide Saleh from Lion King Adventure was the best. We learnt a few Swahili words which the locals loved teaching us. We just love fitting in with local life and culture when we travel and for some that can be difficult but if you do, Tanzania is a wonderful country to visit and you won’t be disappointed.
Sue Maughan
GB
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Apr 23, 2019
Email Sue Maughan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A chance to get up close to some wonderful wildlife
Wildlife was spot on and accommodation whilst on safari was excellent. Relaxation guaranteed with some time out in zanzibar...we headed for Jimbiani, a quiet local village... not your pristine polished resorts if this is your thing
Yntze
RW
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Apr 25, 2019
Email Yntze | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Just perfect.
Everything was just perfect. Highly recommend African Savannah Trekkers.
Mirjam
NL
Visited:
April 2019
Reviewed: Apr 30, 2019
Email Mirjam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome!
We have been on a two day safari and it was very nice! We’ve seen a lot of animals and beautiful vieuwpoints. Also the lodge and the food was good!
Carla Wolf
DE
Visited:
April 2019
Reviewed: May 3, 2019
Email Carla Wolf | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing trip, we saw everything and had the best guide!
Even though we traveled in april, usually the raining seasone, we were very lucky with the weather. It was a long journey from Daressalam to the Mikumi national park with a lot of traffic jam. But it was worth it. We saw a lot of different animals and Benson, our guide, really tried to find lions. And we did. In total we saw three and one was so close to our car. The night we stayed inside the national park in a beautiful accomondation with a big bad, ac, hot water and a nice dinner. Would do this trip again.