Tanzania: reviews from our travellers

"We all had a truly wonderful holiday in Tanzania. Not only was the wildlife outstanding but also the settings, the accommodation, the landscape, the birdsong, the sunsets - the list is endless.

We found all the Tanzanian staff in the camps very professional and absolutely charming. Our safari drives and boat trips were full of excitement and wonderful sights and we will have lasting memories of our holidays." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Our safari once again was an intense and amazing wilderness experience, made special by the people,places and sights away from the crowds.
Everything went smoothly and Ruaha in particular draws us back." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"Another really excellent Tanzania safari.

Thanks to Liz for helping us plan and putting everything in place.

Just one thing to point out - not a complaint just for your information!

On the return journey from Dar to Nairobi we had to wait one and a half hours before we could check in our baggage. This was not an ideal place to wait. Other travellers from Mafia were catching an earlier flight to Nairobi with Kenya Airways. If we could have caught that we could have spent the transfer time in the Business Lounge in Nairobi. However, our Mafia Dar flight could have been late if a diversion to Songa Songa had taken place as it did on the outward flight so maybe better to be safe than sorry!!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"Overall the trip was great.

Some gliches. Lots of traffic from Zanzibar because of arriving evening last day of Ramadan. Luggage broken into and things stolen from luggage at Nairobi airport. No museum visit at Olduvai gorge and no lunch provided last day of safai as outlined in itinerary. Lots of flight delays. Last Masai village visit we felt extorted for the suggested donation of $200.

However, this was the best trip we have ever taken and we travel extensively. Thanks again to the staff of expert Africa for matching us up once again with a like minded couple whose company we enjoyed and for providing a TRIP WHOSE WONDERFUL MEMORIES WILL LAST ALL OUR LIVES. We hope to do a 3rd trip with your company." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"Full marks again to Expert Africa, with whom we've travelled many times. We wanted to visit a less travelled part of Africa and the Selous fulfilled all our hopes. Our four accommodation locations were all satisfyingly different. What more can one say?

Sorry Angela is no longer with EA to receive our thanks for her wise and helpful advice." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"Overall we had a great trip. Special thanks to our guide Ayoub who was with us up to and including Dunia - he was knowledgable, friendly, helpfull and even spoke Spanish which made things a lot more relaxing for Mila.

Ngorongoro was spectacular with early morning mist later giving way to brighter weather, and many interesting game sightings.

After an interesting side-trip to Oldupai Gorge, we entered the Serengeti which was really beautiful. The early rains meant it was already quite green. We saw quite a lot of game, especially from Dunia, including a lot of the migration. Quite large herds of wildebeest were already moving south through the central Serengeti.

Only one small negative point about the first part of the trip. The vehicle did not have a pop-up roof, as we had been told, but instead one that had to be removed and put back. This could have been more of a problem than it was, as only on the last day at Dunia did we have strong sun - the rest of the time with this vehicle it was fairly cloudy.

When we got to Olakira we were afraid there might not be any wildebeest left north of the Mara river. However no sooner had we got to our tent on arrival when we had to literally "scramble" to the vehicles to race to a crossing which was taking place just in front of the camp. Later we saw two more crossings during our stay. In one of these we followed a large herd for some time as they moved along the river bank. Occasionally some would go down to the waters edge, only to go back again up the bank. Finally they decided to stop teasing us, and all charged across the river right in front of us." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Fabulous! We can't say enough good things about it.

The animals were exciting, the food was outstanding, and we felt very well cared-for at all of our stops." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"Our trip was excellent. The itinerary that we Maruska and I put together after much thought and many discussions and emails turned out to be perfect. It would be nice if you could get around more directly from one place to the next, instead of having to continuously go back to the starting airport to go the next place (like Shiwa to Mfuwe - that was good), as the one downside was that there was a LOT of time and energy taken up with travel. And on vacation, time is precious! But regardless, we loved each location we had chosen. The representatives were there to meet us without fail, and were very friendly, competent, and helpful. This was a really big help and allowed me to relax and not have to worry about how to navigate each step in the process.

One guy, who met us in Lusaka, was mixed up about where we were going the next day and caused a bit of angst as I don't think he'd done his homework and didn't know our itinerary like he should have. But it was resolved the next morning with no harm done. Also I should have mentioned that at Luangwa River Camp I requested to not do a game drive with six people, and Yona was incredibly responsive and organized an additional vehicle to keep the numbers down to 2 or 4 per vehicle (and actually ours turned out to be 2 on each drive, which was wonderful). And the only other thing I'd consider mentioning is that when Maruska went on leave, I felt that the ball got dropped a bit. We didn't receive our final package in the mail, didn't receive our guide book to read before leaving, etc. Didn't really end up impacting anything other than the last few days before the trip not being quite as smooth and pleasant as they could have been.

But overall, very very happy with the trip. Thank you Maruska and team!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"I have been on safari many times, but this has been my best safari vacation ever.

Since I am particularly interested in elephants and lions, I would have preferred to book my entire stay at Mwagusi. However, for a "first timer" the Selous Game reserve is beautiful and the landscape is absolutely stunning.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

If anybody indicates lions and elephants as their main interest. then advice them to go to Ruaha and not to Selous. However, I understand that my own concerns about off-road driving have influenced the decision to go to both Selous and Ruaha." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"Our safari of 9 nights in Selous and 6 nights in Ruaha was a great experience from the initial contact with Expert Africa through to the safari itself! All transfers and connections worked well, and we enjoyed staying at Selous Impala Camp, Lake Manze and Mdonya Old River Camp equally as much even though they varied quite considerably with their own individuality.

We have been on many safaris over the years, both organized and independently, and this one has met all our expectations. It was good to be in a more remote area of Tanzania with a real feeling of being right in the bush with elephants brushing past your tent in the daytime and lions calling from right behind the tent a night!!

It was great to be able to maximize the amount of game viewing time, particularly at Mdonya Old River camp where there was the opportunity to go on full day game drives.

Staff in all of the camps were friendly and helpful, and we had excellent guides and drivers that contributed greatly to our safari experience.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Although we have been on many safaris over the years, this was our first time using Expert Africa. We were impressed by the service and prompt responses to the questions we had.

Thank you to James for suggestions to our initial plan of where to stay, and length of stay, and so making it a better safari experience for us." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Tanzania safari