Camel Trekking in East Africa isn't all about game parks and wild animals. Get beyond the tourist areas and see what really makes Africa hum — its people. Take a trip on the back of a camel.
Overall operator rating 9.4/10 from 111 trip reviews
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I cannot praise the tour operator enough. After I made the initial enquiry on your site Peniel got in touch with me on a timely basis. Although I did receive answers to my enquiries from the other tour companies they were by far the most efficient and offered the best value for money.
All my questions were answered and Peniel told me things I never thought to ask. At our request they added on a few days in Zanzibar after the safari and that to was excellent.
Peniel was in Arusha to meet us when we arrived at the hotel and he explained everything we needed to know. He came to see us again when we got back from the safari to make sure everything went well and to explain the Zanzibar portion of the trip.
Our guide was also outstanding. During the entire safari his eyes were constantly on the landscaping looking for game for us to view. We saw all of the big five up close. We even saw 4 black rhinos thanks to Anton, and I understand they are hard to see. The safari that they offer is 30% cheaper than other tour companies. I was a little concerned that we may get a cut rate safari but that was not the case. The customer service, accommodation, food and our guide was first rate. All of us have no hesitation in recommending this tour operator.
We had a fabulous time. We had John as our driver guide and Benson as our cook... he is an amazing cook!
We saw Tarangire, Manyara and Serengeti national parks and the Ngorongoro conservation area. It was an amazing safari, John was an excellent guide, the car was an older version landcruiser, but very comfortable and suited to the safari as it had a pop up roof for photographing the animals and comfy seats.
The tent was great and the staff almost always managed to pack up and set up everything before we had a chance to help so we felt lazy but was nice to have it all done for us. We saw all the big 5 plus many other amazing animals and would definately recommend the company to others.
They have an office in Arusha and very competent customer service staff that went beyond duty to help us with going around Arusha to sort our money troubles when our bank had issues sending money from Australia.
Only suggested improvement was a bit more confidence from the guide in terms of engaging us, he had a great knowledge base but seemed shy in divulging the info, we had to ask a lot of questions. all in all a solid 8.5 out of 10! We had a great time with them.
Our safari was wonderful!, The Tangerine and the Ngorongoro parks were beautiful and we saw a lot of animals, although Lake Manyara was not so nice, may be because of the season we went, we couldn't see so many animals there.
John our driver was nice and knowledgeable. We also enjoyed the Octagon Lodge, the service was very good and the installation nice.
I booked a camping tour of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro through the Africa Guide website for July 2011 for myself and son (age 14). The trip was at the end of several weeks of working in East Africa.
Peniel was incredibly helpful in designing an itinerary and schedule that worked for us, and in assisting us in obtaining local air transportation from Rwanda to our starting point in Arusha. Our driver, Anthony, was very friendly and knowledgeable about flora and fauna during our trip. In terms of animals, we were able to view the 'big 5' in addition to many, many others. We were pleasantly surprised that the package included our own camp guide and cook (Benson) who had delicious meals waiting for us upon arising and return to camp every evening.
We camped in a two man tent, and the addition of cots added significantly to the comfort.
Our guides were very attentive to our needs including, at our request, steering us to a more local craft area for curios and gifts rather than the more well-known, and over-priced, tourist traps in Arusha.
I have had a number of prior safari experiences ranging from tent camping (alone, with groups, and with my children) to high-end lodges (with spouse) in Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. Unlike other tours with other companies, the operator did not combine us with other groups in the vehicle, allowing for a completely personalized vacation. This added to the flexibility of timing and accommodations.
Overall, this experience ranks an excellent value that allows one to "rough it" but with some unexpected added creature comforts (cots, personal cook). I plan to recommend the operator to my colleagues who are considering safaris in Tanzania.
Everything concerning the accomodations, guides, transprortation and wildlife viewing exceeded our expectations.
Peniel was very professional and took care of all the details concerning the 5 day Safari. Geoffery, our guide, was an excellent travelling companion, wildlife finder, safety manager and teacher.
We strongly recommend using this tour operator for your once in a lifetime safari to Tanzania.
I would be delighted to offer a short review of our holiday experience.
From meeting us at the airport to our departure a fortnight later, Penel, from the tour company, Anton, our safari guide,and Meckson, ourKilimanjaro guide ,were kindness itself.
Nothing was too much trouble and everything ran like clockwork, even when we altered our plans!
The holiday was well organised, from planning our journey up Mt Kilimanjaro, through to which safari parks to visit and which hotels to stay at- all within our price range, I may add.
The whole holiday was a total delight, with of course the friendliness of the Tanzanian people & the beauty of the country all adding to the experience.
I can't recommend this operator highly enough & will certainly return to them when we plan our next holiday ( funds permitting).
Hope this brief paragraph conveys how much we enjoyed the whole experence,
We have just completed the most amazing holiday in Tanzania. The tour operator was fantastic and I would highly recommend them to any travellers to this area.
Peniel did an excellent job of booking all we required and spending time greeting us and making sure eveything was OK. Our driver guide for our safari Apollo was exceptional. He knew so much about the area and the animals and we saw everything! They offer you a very individualised trip suited to your needs and without having to join a group of strangers.As a small local company they value their clients and we were made to feel special.All the accomodation at the lodges was wonderful and we particularly enjoyed the small Manyara Octagon Lodge unique and friendly with excellent home cooked food.
The personnel were wonderful people to deal with, from booking, to the guide. Neema was a delight to work with as I made my reservations. She was patient and prompt with answers to any questions I had.
Huruma, my guide was very knowledgable and pleasant. He took the time to inform me on vegetation, birds, animals and history of the Sengetti and Ngorongoro. The food was good.... Ben (our cook) did a great job.
All went smoothly, from being picked up at the airport to the resrvations at the hotel (which they made for me). Everything was taken care of... Huruma made sure I was settled in at the hotel before he left for the evening.
I would recommend this operator for others to use as a tour operator.
Although I was nervous booking and transferring money overseas, to our pleasant surprise everything went according to plan, including the arrangement of pre and post safari accommodation at the Impala Hotel in Arusha.
We had a comfortable vehicle and our tent was great - a very good size and kept us dry through storms, night after night. Apollo was our guide/driver and was extremely knowledgeable and proficient. He had to do some very challenging four wheel driving owing to a lot of rain and got us through every time without a hitch (others were not so lucky!!).
We saw so much wildlife right up close and personnel, including the Big 5 - and he was so patient when we just wanted to spend ages watching nature at its best. Our cook Bereggi (sorry I have no idea how he spells it?) was excellent also, providing absolutely fabulous meals!! The two of them made a trip to remember!
Overall, it was an excellent 8 days which allowed us to see the best of what Tanzania can offer on safari.
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Itinerary
TURKANA CAMEL /LAKES (FRIDAYS) 13 ½ DAYS – CAMPING SAFARI.
Overview
The first section of this combination safari is operated in a safari truck. Specially designed with high sides, the vehicle is equipped for the rough terrain you will pass over. Camping is at camp sites and in the bush, depending on our location.
All camp equipment is provided [except sleeping bags], and our cook will keep you well fed throughout the safari. After leaving the safari vehicle at Maralal, you continue on camel. Trekking in the bush with English Speaking Samburu guides, who will keep you entertained with local stories and culture.
Your last night [Monday] at Yare Club is in self contained Bandas, a Samburu dance is included, and on Tuesday you join your vehicle coming to Samburu to take you to Baringo and Nakuru to where you will take a shuttle to Nairobi.
I T I N E R A R Y
DAY 01 : Samburu Depart Nairobi at 09:00am heading North via the shoulder of Mt. Kenya to Samburu Reserve.
DAY 02 : Samburu The day is spent game viewing in the Reserve. Elephants abound; you should see lion, reticulated Giraffe. Gerenuk, Grevey's Zebra and Oryx.
DAY 03 : Marsabit Marsabit is an extinct volcano heavily forested on the upper slopes. We will visit the Lodge in the National Park.
DAY 04: Kalacha After visiting Marsabit town, we make our way down into the desert and lava flows. We camp at Kalacha, a small settlement on the edge of the Chalbi desert.
DAY 05: Lake Turkana Departing early we cross the Chalbi Desert. The desert can not be crossed if wet, but there is an all weather road around the North side which is mostly lava. We arrive at the permanent beach campsite just outside Loiyangalani. After visiting Marsabit town, we make our way down into the desert and lava flows. We camp at Kalacha, a small settlement on the edge of the Chalbi desert.
DAY 06 : Lake Turkana A day exploring, bathing and resting at Loiyangalani with boat excursion to and EI Molo bay.
DAY 07 : Maralal We journey South via S. Horr and Baragoi to Yare Club at Maralal. Another forested area, Samburu abound in their red ochre. Dinner in camp before joining the camel section, overnight in self contained Bandas.
DAY 08: Camel TrekkinG After breakfast you set off through the bush and Maralal game sanctuary. It should be remembered that this is not primarily a game viewing safari, but you never know what you might bump into!.
DAY 09; 10: Camel Trekking After a hot breakfast you set off through the bush. You may ride or walk, the gait is slow and the camels can allow you to change whenever you wish. Mattresses pad the locally made wooden flames on your camel. The pace is relaxed and there is plenty of time to study the environment and take pictures as you move along. There are only a few places where you might be forced to dismount due to washed out luggers and river beds. The camels are led by Samburu Morans who will keep you informed of what you are seeing and of the culture of the people you may meet. On your arrival at camp a shower waits you [water permitting] and your cook will have afternoon tea and snacks ready for you. Later in the afternoon you may choose to go on a nature walk with your Moran guides.
DAY 11; Camel Trek/Yare Camel Club Usually returning to our Club about mid day, you are free to explore Maralal town after lunch, or just relax around the Club. If you choose to visit the town, your Moran guides will accompany you to add to the experience. Before dusk the Samburu Moraos and ladies will dance for you at the Club, before dinner and overnight in our Bandas.
DAY 12: Lake Baringo Joining the safari vehicle at Kisima, you descend to the floor of the Great Rift Valley, arriving at Lake Baringo in the afternoon. This is a fresh water lake which supports a great variety of birds, as well as hippos and crocodiles. Indeed. The Lake is reputed to be the bird-watching centre of Kenya.
DAY 13: Lake Bagoria. Early morning start making a scenic drive through Lake Bagoria Park, a shallow soda Lake with beautiful scenery and also home to a sizeable number of Flamingo's and other species of birds. After viewing the boiling hot springs and geysers, we proceed south to Lake Nakuru, home to thousands of Flamingo's, as well as Lions, Warthogs, Waterbuck, Buffaloes, Hippo, leopard and many others. Dinner and overnight in a campsite outside of town.
DAY 14: Nairobi After breakfast, you are assisted onto a shuttle bus returning to Nairobi.
NOT INCLUDED ON EITHER SAFARI - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS - PERSONAL INSURANCE - SLEEPING BAGS - ACTIVITIES NOT IN THE ITINERARY - PERSONAL PURCHASES - ALCOHOL. - GRATUITIES - ALL NOT MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY
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