The best adventure booked by many, you will travel thru the Great Rift Valley to the Northern tour sites of Tanzania the highlights are Engaruka, Natron, Lobo, Serengeti & Ngorongoro .
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
TRIP SUMMARY:
The best adventure booked by many, you will travel thru the Great Rift Valley to the Northern tour sites of Tanzania for 1 night Engaruka ruins, 2 nights Lake Natron, 1 night Lobo north Serengeti, 2 nights central Serengeti and 1 night in Ngorongoro.
You will see small and large mammals including birds and reptiles, accommodation can be at the standard or luxury lodges, luxury Tented camp or budget camping sites. You will enjoy and experience nature, wildlife, habit and habitat of the fauna and flora on the natural are and the formation of the Rift Valley as a result of the tag-tonic plates movements.
Trip Plan:
Day 1: Arusha – Engaruka - In the morning at 0830 hrs pick up from hotel in Arusha and drive to Engaruka ruins North of Manyara on the Great Rift Valley escapement where you will arrive in time for lunch. Do some walking and enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Rift Valley corridor visit local Maasai Boma Maasai herbalist. Dinner and overnight in Engaruka Camping or Cottage. FB
Day 2: Engaruka – Lake Natron via Oldonjolengai. - After breakfast continue with walking in Engaruka and visit to see old irrigation system which were used in the 14th century. Engaruka is the only place in East Africa where Maasai have adapted agriculture at 1300 hrs back to the Camp for hot lunch. After lunch travel along the base of the Great Rift Valley to Lake Natron arriving there in the evening. Walk to the wonderful waterfall a very nice place where many visitors do even take bath in this fall. Dinner and overnight in Lake Natron Camp. FB
Day 3: Full day in Natron. - Breakfast then walk around this beautiful lake where most of time it is covered with pinkish colour of Flamingos. These birds have the habit of producing their own good and breed in this lake thorough explanation about this event. Evening walk again to the waterfall for shower it is very interesting dinner and overnight in your Camp. FB
Day 4: Lake Natron – Lobo/ North Serengeti N.P - After breakfast travel to Lobo North of Serengeti Park crossing the Cliff of the Rift Valley with game drives and lunch enroute. Lobo is where the trails of the Serengeti Wildebeest migration has passed on their coming back to Serengeti from Maasai Mara in Kenya. Dinner and overnight in Lobo Wildlife lodge or Budget Camping. FB.
Day 5: Lobo – Seronera/ Serengeti N.P - Breakfast, then half day game viewing in Lobo area where you will have your hot lunch before you drive back to Seronera the center of Serengeti. Proceed with game viewing around Seronera or Eastwards. dinner and overnight in lodge or Camping. FB
Day 6: Full day full day in Serengeti N.P -Breakfast followed by both morning and afternoon game drives in the park a home to lion, leopard, Elephant, Cheetah, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Eland, Wild dog, Gazelles, Crocs and more. Lot of birds includes the Eurasia migrants. Dinner and overnight in Serena lodge, Sopa lodge, Wildlife lodge or Budget Camping. FB
Day 7: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater Rim - Wake up at 0600hrs for early morning game drives in Serengeti at 0845hrs back to the lodge/ Camp for breakfast. Then check out and drive with lunch and game viewing enroute to Ngorongoro Crater Rim for dinner and overnight in Serena lodge, Sopa lodge, Wildlife lodge, Crater lodge or Budget Camping. FB
Day 8: Crater tour – Arusha -Wake up early morning for breakfast then at 0600hrs descend into the Crater floor for game drives. All the BIG FIVE Rhino Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Elephant live in this wonderful caldera, others are Zebra, Hippo, Wildebeest, Hyena and more…Birds includes flamingos on the Soda lake, Geese, Storks, Vultures and more…Your lunch will be served in the picnic site in the Crater at Ngoitoktok swamp a Hippo pool. After lunch proceed with fame viewing while ascending the Crater and drive back to Arusha.
Price Breakdown: Camping Accommodation. Price USD 1535 per person. 2pax, USD 1144 per person. 4 pax
Lodge Accommodation. Price USD 2188 per person. 2pax, USD 1816 per person. 4 pax
Price Includes: - All Park entrance fees, - Accommodation based on 3 meals a day, - Transport, Safari 4WD L/Cruiser,L/rover or Minibus, - Driver guide,cook(if camping),alowances and salaries
Price Excludes: - International Flights - The first night on your arrival and last night after safari (book with us) - Airport transfers (book with us for 60$ per transfer) - Hot and cold drinks, Cigarettes,Tips and Sleeping bags (if camping) - And all not mentioned on the plan.
