Highlights Game Viewing in Ngorongoro, Serengeti NPs, Lake trips and watersports Lake Victoria and Tanganyika, Chimpanzee Tracking in Gombe NP, Mahale Mtns NP and end off relaxing on Zanzibar Island.
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:
This is a long tour which will take you to explore Ngorongoro and Serengeti parks for 4 nights, 2 nights, north of Tanzania at Lake Victoria - Africa's largest lake. Travelling further to the western zone for 10 nights exploring the world’s deepest Lake Tanganyika.
Chimps trekking in Gombe and Mahale parks. This tour is professionally well planed to give you enough time for rest and relaxation at the coastal beach resort in the spice Island of Zanzibar.
You will enjoy and experience nature, habit and habitat of the fauna and flora on the natural areas.
Trip Plan:
Day 1: Arusha – Ngorongoro In the morning at 0830hrs pick up from your hotel in Arusha and travel to Ngorongoro for lunch. After lunch we take a walking trip for about 3 – 4 km along one side of the Crater rim an armed ranger guide will be with you and enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Ngorongoro highlands. Dinner and overnight in Serena Lodge Sopa lodge Crater lodge Wildlife lodge. FB
Day 2: Crater tour - Breakfast then descend into the Crater floor for both morning and afternoon 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 at Ngoitoktok swamp - a Hippo pool. After lunch proceed with gameviewing at 1645hrs ascend the Crater for dinner and overnight in Serena lodge, Sopa lodge, Wildlife lodge or Crater lodge. FB
Day 3: Ngorongoro – Serengeti N.P - Breakfast in Ngorongoro then depart for Serengeti National Park with game drives enroute where by you will arrive in the lodge for hot lunch. After lunch it is optional where you will proceed with afternoon game drives in Serengeti on you will relax at leisure in the lodge waiting for dinner and overnight in Serena lodge, Sopa lodge, Wildlife lodge, Kirawira Tented Camp, Ndutu lodge or Migration Camp. FB
Day 4: Full day in Serengeti N.P -After breakfast then continues with both morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti national Park to have a look for lion, leopard, Elephant, Cheetah, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Eland, Wild dog, Gazelles, Crocs and more. Lot of birds includes the Eurasia migrants. You will have all meals and overnight in the same lodge FB.
Day 5: Serengeti – Lake Victoria - Breakfast in your accommodation in Serengeti checkout and travel to Lake Victoria in Mwanza via western corridor of Serengeti Park and Ndabaka gate. You will have picnic lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight in Tilapia hotel FB.
Day 6: Lake Victoria - After breakfast spend full day in Mwanza exploring Lake Victoria the largest in Africa and the second largest fresh water lake in the world (after lake Superior in North America). Addition activities like snorkel, fishing, boat cruise can be arranged. Lunch dinner and overnight in your hotel. FB
Day 7: Mwanza – Kigoma - Leave Mwanza after breakfast and travel thru typicalAfrican village to Kigoma for lunch, dinner and overnight at Hill top hotel FB.
Day 8 : Kigoma – Gombe Stream N.P - Breakfast in Kigoma followed by boat transfer to Gombe Stream National Park on Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in Africa. Afternoon rest and relax at leisure in the camp waiting for dinner and overnight FB.
Day 9 - 10: Chimpanzee Tracking in Gombe N.P - Two days in Gombe Steam National Park. Activities will include Chimpanzee tracking, hiking, swimming, snorkeling and also visit the site of Henry Stanley’s famous Dr. Livingston at Ujiji and if time allows visit dhow builder right at work. You will have all meals and nights in your camp. FB
Day 11: Gombe – Kigoma - Breakfast in Gombe Stream National Park then boattransfer back to Kigoma for lunch. Afternoon at leisure and you will have dinner and overnight in the same lodge FB.
Day 12: Kigoma – Mahale Mountains National Park - Wake up at 0550 hrs for early morning breakfast and to take the boat trip across Lake Tanganyika to Mahale Mountains National Park and arrive in time for lunch at the mid afternoon. Relax in the Camp waiting for dinner and overnight FB
Day 13-14: Chimpanzee Tracking in Mahale N.P - You will be tracking the Chimpanzees in these two days in this best park of the western of the country. The principal features of this park gives a sign of life to the visitors as it is so quiet here sounds of apes, birds and other animals like buffalo elephant, bush pig, giraffe, lion can be heard. Other activities will include boat expedition birding snorkeling also rest and relaxation on the soft sand beach of the Lake Tanganyika, Dhow trip and evening barbecue around the fireplace. Meals and overnights in your camp FB
Day 15: Mahale – Kigoma - Breakfast in your camp followed by boat or a flight back to Kigoma for lunch. Afternoon relax at leisure in the hotel waiting for dinner and overnight in Lake Tanganyika beach hotel Kigoma hill-top hotel. FB
Day 16: Kigoma – Dar es Salaam -After breakfast take a scheduled flight to Dar for lunch and there after lunch take a speed ferry from Dar to Zanzibar. On your arrival in Zanzibar meet at Zanzibar Sea Port and transfer to your hotel in Stone Town for your accommodation and meals booked on half board basis HB.
Day 17: Excursion in Zanzibar - Breakfast in your accommodation followed by morning Zanzibar historical Stone Town Tour and afternoon Spice Farm tour. You will have all meals and overnight in your accommodation in Town. HB
Day 18: Stone Town – East Coast Beach - Breakfast, then travel to the East Coast of Zanzibar where you will rest and relax at leisure on the white sand beach of the Coastal Resort booked on half board basis. HB.
Day 19 – 20: R & R - These days have a rest and relax at leisure on the white sand beach of the East Coastal Resort. You will have all meals and overnights in your Resort. HB
Day 21: Zanzibar – Home - Breakfast in your East Coastal Resort then transfer to Zanzibar Sea Port or Airport to connect your return journey back home.
Price Includes: - All Park entrance fees, - Accommodation based on 3 meals a day on Safari, and - Half board in Zanzibar. - 2 Town hotel transfers in Arusha,(if JRO airport $50) - Transport,Safari 4WD L/Cruiser,L/rover or Minibus, - Driver guide,cook(if camping),alowances and salaries - Flight ticket-Mwanza-Kigoma and Kigoma - Zanzibar
Price Excludes: - International Flights - The first night (book with us. - Hot and cold drinks, Cigarettes,Tips and Sleeping bags(if camping) - And all not mentioned on the plan.
