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Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

melbourne
Destination Expert
for Tanzania
13,950 posts
Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

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

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g293751-i10776-k13151159-Mid_October_Serengeti_visit_confused-Serengeti_National_Park.html

or this one

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g293747-i9226-k13152157-Corfield_Camp_vs_Sangaiwe_Simba_Lodge_in_Tarangire_park-Tanzania.html#104900058

and this post plenty of really good info. Is it any wonder posters/ clients and Tour Operators are confused-I am as well

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g293747-i9226-k13109908-Serengeti_or_Masai_Mara_Aug_Sep_Help_pls-Tanzania.html#104557612

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
79 replies to this topic
melbourne
Destination Expert
for Tanzania
13,950 posts
1. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

more on guides ( already posted ) from my trip in early Dec.

Guides:

No matter which company you choose make sure you go with an experienced guide. We had one. It makes all the difference, I didn't let on I knew Swahili, but obviously the guide I was with knew.

To illustrate this point I would like to share a bit of what I saw.

a). In Manyara we were driving around looking for the first animals for the children to see after baboons and their babies, and the tree walk (great) when a land cruiser pulled up next to us and asked our guide "Ziwa iko wapi" He was driving with two clients in what looked a new Land cruiser, and asked our guide "Where is the Lake" I was standing up and could see it easily, but Manyara is small and easy for the inexperienced to be lost. That was a good laugh after he drove off.

b). I was travelling with two young women which was often of interest, especially to young guides who often seem to have other interests apart from showing clients wildlife.

We were at Naabi Hill gate picnic spot sitting with all the other guests and using the Tanapa toilet which was spotless as they all were no matter where they were in what often seemed the middle of nowhere. I walked with these two ladies towards out 4 x 4 and while waiting for our guide sat down on a stone wall. It was starting to rain and had been raining for the last few minutes, a guide was sitting near us and when we sat down he looked at the sky, and said to us "you had better go to the car its going to rain" I replied in English "Thanks". It was already raining a little by then. Our guide turned up and we three stood up, the guide sitting next to us said " see I told you it was going to rain."

c). The hippo pool at Seronera can be tricky in the rain as can other parts of the Northern circuit, unless your driver knows how to handle a heavy long Toyota look out. The day before we arrived at the hippo pool it had rained heavily, we got to the crossing and there were a line of cars waiting, our guide watched three drive across, saw the depth of the water and then drove across, then he told us the day before a guide had driven across with clients and was washed off the causeway, there are great pictures of this on you tube.

d). Speed anywhere is a killer, and I was surprised how often we saw a 4 x 4 speeding by we didn't.

On our way out of the crater we were stopped at the view point and there was a line of 4 x 4's all waiting to go to Karatu. They were waiting for a truck to come up the road, when finally we were given permission to go I would've thought the first in the queue would go first down and so on but no somewhere from the back we heard the roar of a diesel engine, a Toyota with clients ( a long one) was roaring around the other 4 x 4 's dodging people like me walking to our cars and raced to the front to head down the windy, narrow road to Karatu. I just watched in amazement and wondered if they would reach the bottom.

e). I was surprised how many guides stopped our guide in the Serengeti and asked where to go not necessarily where the animals where but which road would take them where. I also saw a lot of young guides in a Masai blanket, I guess that is the way for some to dress these days, I was not impressed as some were not Masai. There are a lot of young guides out there with little or no experience that should show some humility while learning on the job, there is nothing wrong with being young, wanting to be a guide, but learn the ropes first and if you don't know everything ( who does) don't make out you do

Isle of Man, United...
46,691 posts
549 helpful votes
2. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

Thanks for an interesting read. It made me smile, in a nice way, at some of the mental images you created for me.

A lot of guides, young and old, wear a blanket in cold weather. My own regular driver does and he is from Bwindi. I don't think it matters that they not Maasai. I think it what the Americans call Plaid (Tartan) and they are lovely and warm and practical too.

Pugwash, Canada
Destination Expert
for Nova Scotia
20,908 posts
95 helpful votes
3. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

Thank you so much for this detailed update. I am sure it will answer a lot of questions. I hope it will be made a Top Question asap.

melbourne
Destination Expert
for Tanzania
13,950 posts
4. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

the original post now updated

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g293747-i9226-k10539242-Looking_for_a_Tour_Operator_Here_s_a_starting_point-Tanzania.html

5. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum posting guidelines with prohibiting self-promotional advertising or solicitation.

What are forum guidelines?
 
Isle of Man, United...
46,691 posts
549 helpful votes
6. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

""Our Founder was taken aback by the way most tour companies are doing business in Africa. By exploiting the weaknesses of the young African Tourism Industry, these companies are making fortunes, charging unusually high prices to their clients, while providing little or no investment in the local communities, not to mention the environment. With few reliable alternatives for travelers to turn to, our Directors launched E-Trip Africa. ""

As an noexpert D/E well versed in Tanzanian tourism I wonder if you would care to comment on the above extract from the webpage which I find hard to swallow without a spoonful of salt?

Edited: 4 years ago
melbourne
Destination Expert
for Tanzania
13,950 posts
7. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

Mfuwe,

I think it is a very nice advertising , if anybody is sucked in by such comments and chooses to go on safari with that company on the basis of this "fake news" then good luck to them.

E Trip Tanzania while it might be a locally registered company is part of an international multi national tour agency as such on that basis alone I wouldn't use them apart from the obviously misleading and somewhat hilarious comments on that website.

Let me hang the washing on the line while I think of a more appropriate response.

Arusha, Tanzania
2,919 posts
8 helpful votes
8. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

Due to covid 19, am not busy and I find myself free with a bunch of time to read things I missed.

I like this from mfuwe - I find hard to swallow without a spoonful of salt .

AND

From Noexpert - Let me hang the washing on the line while I think of a more appropriate response.

You guys, you are Gorgeous!!

Arusha, Tanzania
1 post
10 helpful votes
9. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

Your most welcome try with us.

Arusha, Tanzania
1,929 posts
2 helpful votes
10. Re: Looking for a Tour Operator Mark 11 and things I've noticed

Mfuwe, Interesting that you picked that out and I think you interpreted it the wrong way, but reading it now I can see that the intent of the idea was not clear and can lead to your very reading of it.

One of the plans once we get our clients sorted out during this crisis is to go back and rework our website and texts as much of it is due for refresh.

The idea of the phrase was directed at the way most international agents work. This is very relevant as we estimate that between 60 and 70% of tourists to Tanzania book through these agents. We see how they grind down the rates they pay suppliers, while charging people significantly more than what could be considered a fair price for the tour, and often use fear tactics to justify it all.

Needless to say this comment could apply to some larger local companies as well. There are good and less than desirable companies everyplace. But the concept was not that local operators are exploiting the system in this way. Very few have the ability or size to exploit the system in this manner. In all honesty, I must say though that at the time I was a bit saddened by the state of exploitation on Kilimanjaro at a local level, but through the hard work of KPAP that has changed significantly.

I hope that makes it a bit more clear of the intent and reminds me of the importance to review content regularly and even have outside reviewers.

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