I thought it would be a good idea to update the list of safari companies I compiled some years ago, Email addresses have changed and other contact details. After spending more than three months looking around Arusha, 2019 and 2020, going on safari and talking to Tour Operators and more importantly guides the original list from 2 years ago is still very current with a few changes. This list is my view and should not be taken as gospel, but used as a starting point. Some Tour Operators with hundreds of reviews might not be on my list as there are about a 1000 TO’s some new companies starting every day and others closing. But first and foremost make sure your chosen TO has a valid TALA licence.
There are some great companies, some good, some bad and some ugly. There are fantastic guides some average and some shocking (my view). But if you only ever go on one safari I am sure you will think your guide is fantastic, often you will have nothing to compare with.
A good guide can make or break a trip so find a company that suits you (not me) it is your safari so make sure the TO does what you want and designs a trip for you not them. There is nothing wrong with a TO using his/her own lodges and camps but if the location is seasonal then be aware (location location location)
Everybody who reads this and is looking for a Tanzania safari should do their own research of course.
For a middle of the road safari, or an upmarket safari (usually means more expensive lodges and camps) ( most TO’s can book and do both middle of the road and up market) I would start with the following TO’s most are long standing operators (most more than 20 years).
Each, in their own way, offer different types of trip to suit most budgets- camping or lodge …luxury or mid range. They all cater to families and specialise in private tours.
Some specialise in walking safaris in remote areas others in community conservation…Many have their own “special projects” designed to help the country they work in.
Most of the companies also plan and do trips in Uganda and Rwanda to visit the Gorillas for example amongst other parks.
There are a few changes to my list from 2 years ago, please note it is a list I am making as a starting point only, other posters can make their own or add any TO they like or had a good experience with. Some Tour Operators have passed away, other companies changed hands and others changed management but your own research will find the one for you. Many have changed their contact details I hope reflected in this post. I took one company off the list as nearly all their itineraries when posted here on TA were not suitable. (my view)
Try these local companies : ( I know them all, their offices, seen their vehicles and know a few of their guides.
Basecamp Tanzania - management@basecamptanzania.com contact Achmed.
Bright African safaris- brightafricansafaris.com
Easy Travel- info@easytravel.co.tz (They also own Tortillas Camps)
Eastco- sales@eastafricansafari.net (East African Safari and Touring Company)
Roy Safaris – enquiries@roy-safaris.com They also own some great hotels and lodges.
Swala Safaris- I do not have their up to date contact details but easy to find.
Safari Infinity- info@safari-infinity.com
Two new companies for me regular posters on TA and this is the TA forum so give them a try as well
Pristine Adventure and Safaris https://pristinetrails.com/about-us/ makes a valuable contribution to TA without self promotion as does the following company.
Wild Root Safaris- info@wildrootsafaris.com
For a safari company with offices in the US - you should try this one
Access2 Tanzania -stella@access2tanzania.com
If you are looking for overseas companies/agents/safari planners that organise safaris to Tanzania as well try these:
Alexandra- Extraordinary Africa -https://extraordinary-africa.com/ her posts often offer great insights from a different perspective
Expert Africa- a UK based company that does reasonable priced flying safaris to the Ruaha and Selous- info @ expertafrica.com
E-Trip- US based company with an office in Tanzania -east.africa@etripafrica.com and a regular poster on the forum.
For a bit off the beaten track safaris usually outside the parks and catering for the US student market though not wholly then try
Dorobo Safaris- dorobo@dorobo.co.tz
I don’t know this company but other regular posters recommend them
Safari Multiways contact Romeo - https://safarimultiwaystz.com
These companies hire 4 x 4’s for self drive and also assist in the overall planning.
www.roadtriptanzania.com.
Fortes car hire they have a branch in Arusha & Mwanza.
Tanzanian Pioneers in Arusha… Pick-up with roof tent and camping equipment.
There are other car hire places as well of course.
Now for some other tidbits: Comment is free…
but facts are sacred
CP Scott, 1921
Some of the things I learned on my most recent trip. Dec. 2019 travelling with 5 kids under 12 and 3 of us in our 70’s one in a wheel chair. These are the things I think are important others might have a different list. What readers of this post and all my others should realiseis that this post reflects my opinion it is not fact (there are few facts though) other posters might disagree with me and have a different opinion, Neither opinion is right or wrong, read others posters opinions and then use what you have gained to plan a great safari.
1. A good guide is essential, can make or break the trip, the least they should know is where the lake is when driving in Manyara.
The guide I was with was stopped by a young guide with clients when we were driving around Manyara and he was asked “Ziwa iko wapi?”
This question showed me how lucky we were. We had two great guides one excellent with kids and the other an older more experienced guide one I had known for more than 20 years and with more than 25 years of experience and it showed. A guide needs to be polite and I would also say go out of their way to make your trip what it is supposed to be a “dream fulfilled.” A Guide can make or break the trip, for example one poster wrote recently about her experience where before the safari even started the guide asked for the client to make sure they had the tip ready before the safari. If it had of been me I would have immediately rang that TO and asked for a new guide. That is not what I would expect a decent guide to do and it leaves a bad taste.
For some the following might seem simple but often forgotten -Guides need to follow the park rules, drive carefully, don’t speed, be polite to other vehicles especially around wildlife sightings, be able to discuss with clients and plan the program, offer the best advice for wildlife viewing.( see my comment on Tarangire later). Know about Tanzania its history and politics be able to discuss it. Of course have an excellent knowledge of wildlife and a good working knowledge of birds (know a superb starling for example).
A guide also should pick up the clients wishes ie. They don’t want to talk, or they do want to chat, or now they want to be alone. Also a guide should make it easy for clients to ask for a pit stop often referred to as “checking for tyres.”
2. Vehicles:
Things have changed in the safari business. There are so many guides who own their own 4 x 4 ‘s and most of them newish, clean and perfect for a safari, There are so many guides who have started their own companies. Some of these guides still work for other TO’s, they hire there 4 x 4’s out with or without a driver. There is hardly a company in Arusha that doesn’t hire a vehicle at some time or another.
There are companies that only hire out vehicles they are almost brand new Toyota’s, they don’t sell safaris, have their own workshop and might have 10 brand new vehicles for hire. If you break down in the bush they will have another vehicle there before you know it. Talking to guides they love it and some TO’s say it takes the pressure off having a workshop and worrying about vehicles breaking down and then they can concentrate on the clients not the vehicle. Tour Companies have changed and are changing. There are those of course who still own most of their own vehicles and have workshops. There are TO’s who employ guides and have for years but these days they might hire 4 x 4’s which their own guides drive. Takes a bit of the pressure off for some.
However what you the tourist needs is a decent 4 x 4 large with plenty of room one of the newer modified 7 seater Toyota’s is perfect. (landrovers are still better in the mud), car fridge but no two way radio. Other misc. items like books, binoculars etc maybe but water is of course a must. You want to be in one of the best vehicles you see not one of the worst.
3. Location location location of the camps. It doesn't really matter which camp as long as it is in the right location for your travel time. There are dozens of camps and lodges all over the place some owned by TO’s others not.
You don’t want to be at Ndutu in August looking for a river crossing or at Kogatende in Feb. waiting for the birth of the calves. For example Bushtops ( super expensive) is great in June July early August but why go there in Feb. when all your guide can find is an odd elephant or two. A friend of mine on safari in Tarangire Park along the river in Dec. saw 4 elephants in the evening and realised after the third that they were the same one seen over and over. Tarangire has a mini migration during the rainy season.
You don’t want to be at Turner Springs Special camp site in the Serengeti in the wet rainy season because you might not get there or even leave when you planned but in the dry season with its water supply it is perfect. So many locations are seasonal make sure your TO knows that and puts you in the right spot.
Karatu: I am well known for being a person with a dislike for camps and lodges at Karatu BUT if your itinerary warrants it and your trip flows nicely then stay there, often it is cheaper and better than a lodge on the Rim of the crater. I love being on the crater Rim watching the sunrise or set but with so many tourists and so few lodges there it is often better to spend your 1 Ngorongoro night there in Karatu ( if it fits in). On this trip we drove out to the Serengeti and drove back the first night after Manyara we stayed in Karatu then the next day drove to Seronera, the night before Tarangire we stayed at Sopa. Sopa was great with those views. The night at Karatu worked as did the night as Sopa.
4. Camps Lodges
In camps I prefer hot water when I want it, I don’t like to ask for it as you do with camps with bucket showers. If in a tented camp I like an en-suite shower and separate toilet both inside the tented area, safe and secure. Internet does not worry me so much but I did use it when available to send my pictures I took with my ipad to my family. There are dozens of different choices often we played count the camps. Many of the camps are in the same area, many are really luxurious many are really basic some are inside the parks some on the edge some a fair distance from the parks. Just because your outside does not mean the experience will be better or worse than those inside.
If your booking a camp in central Seronera then look at a map before you do so there are no camps there only Seronera Wildlife lodge. The others are in special campsites in the hills you can see from the airstrip, some are 30mts away from the airstrip some 60mts. Some are great in the wet others not. There are many at Turner Springs and many at Rongai special campsites for example. There are many owned by TO’s and many owned by the one company. There are some we like to refer as the McDonald’s of the Serengeti. There are some the guides like and other they don’t. Some serve pork others don’t (depends on the religion of the owners). Some have great food, plenty more than enough with fantastic lunch boxes other average food, average service, average hot water, and bucket showers. In some camps/lodges guides can eat with the clients, in others they can’t, some camps/lodges treat the guides well others don’t. There is a vast price difference between the camps sometimes it is not “you get what you pay” for other times it is.
All in all do your research, find one that suits you price wise and also suits the things you like.
I still remember the places where I had hot water and the times it was warm for showers.
I like an outside fire at night and of course seeing animals around the tent when I wake up or go to bed. I also like to stay at different lodges and camps smaller intimate ones and the large 100 rooms like at the crater for example. Then if staying at Karatu is on your itinerary there are many choices so choose one that suits your budget and style. I believe over 63 now and new ones every day. Make sure the camp suits you your budget and remember the distance to the crater.
5. Tour Operators and Itineraries: You need an itinerary that flows with down time and no backtracking and one that suits ie are there kids on the trip, grumpy old women or men for example. Many Tour Operators have no clue and there are many different points of view even from the regular posters on TA.
Look at this post for example
or this one
and this post plenty of really good info. Is it any wonder posters/ clients and Tour Operators are confused-I am as well
6. Try and include a few different things some of them are really simple like a coffee at Seronera and a walk around there. Tree walk at Manyara, canoe trip at Arusha National Park, visit the Hadzabe, do a walk at Ngorongoro or Ndutu. Do a night game drive look for a bush baby, go for drinks at sunset, visit the Cultural Heritage or Masai market in Arusha, or those at Mto wa Mbu or on the way to Karatu, they can be great African museums, visit Olduvai Gorge or the volcano at Lake Natron or even walk to Lake Natron from the crater. Don’t forget the Selous, Ruaha, Mkomazi, Udzungwa, look for chimps and Gorillas. Walk at Lushoto or in the Pare Mountains. The list can go on and on visit Kolo, Ismilia, look for orchids in Kitulo, not to mention Nyerere National Park, Ibanda Kyerwa and Rumanyika Karagwe. If you are sick of all the vehicles around lions at Ngorongoro or wildebeest at the Mara River then Ibanda Kyerwa is for you.
Edited: 5 years ago