Reviews of safaris to Serengeti Migration Area
379 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Serengeti.
Mr P & Ms T
Ottawa
"Tanzania safari"
I visited Tanzania between 18 Sep 2011 and 1 Oct 2011
"The trip was fantastic from start to finish. Dealing with Expert Africa, on the phone and via email was easy and efficient. From the minute we arrived in Kilimanjaro airport until the time we were delivered back there at the end of our stay, the local guides and tour reps (Asilia) were friendly, efficient, reliable and competent.
The locations, itinerary and planning were excellent. While two of the game parks (Ngorongo and Lake Manyara) were not as interesting (not much game, limited size) they were suitably short in duration. The more interesting parks (Tarangire and Northern Serengeti) had been allocated much more time and delivered a much more exciting experience. The accomodation was all excellent - the complaints we had were to do with our mental comfort level (or lack thereof!) in the more luxurious &Beyond camp. It was excellent, just not what fit our personalities.
The experience was more than we had hoped for and exceeded our expectations. It was truly memorable and we would not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Knowing which locations offered free drinking water and laundry and which ones charged extra would be helpful." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
The locations, itinerary and planning were excellent. While two of the game parks (Ngorongo and Lake Manyara) were not as interesting (not much game, limited size) they were suitably short in duration. The more interesting parks (Tarangire and Northern Serengeti) had been allocated much more time and delivered a much more exciting experience. The accomodation was all excellent - the complaints we had were to do with our mental comfort level (or lack thereof!) in the more luxurious &Beyond camp. It was excellent, just not what fit our personalities.
The experience was more than we had hoped for and exceeded our expectations. It was truly memorable and we would not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Knowing which locations offered free drinking water and laundry and which ones charged extra would be helpful." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Georgia
"Expert Africa"
I visited Tanzania between 17 Sep 2011 and 28 Sep 2011
"Our second booking through Expert Africa and will use them again when we return to Namibia.
Have never had a even slightest problem with any of their bookings. There use of Asilia facilities and guides in Tanzania was the best to be had.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Avoid KQ if possible. The crater experience was only OK. Time would be better spent somewhere else at this time of the year. Perhaps the Mara." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Have never had a even slightest problem with any of their bookings. There use of Asilia facilities and guides in Tanzania was the best to be had.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Avoid KQ if possible. The crater experience was only OK. Time would be better spent somewhere else at this time of the year. Perhaps the Mara." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Georgia
"Overall, a very good experience!"
I visited Tanzania between 17 Sep 2011 and 28 Sep 2011
"I don't know about all the trip elements that our party lead planned with Expert Africa regarding the parks to visit, the side trips, and lengths of stay at each camp; however, after visiting the camps and parks, I would say that this could have been planned differently given the time of year. For example, 4 nights in the Tarangire with 2 nights of fly camping was too long. Three nights would been sufficient and 1 night of fly camping. Camping out is highly overrated after having done it so much in one's youth. The Ngorongora could have been skipped at this time of the year. The crater itself was a hughand windy dust bowl. We spent a day in Lake Manyara. What is there that the Serengeti doesn't have, other than blue monkeys and a rain forest? There is no lake to see, except at a great distance.
We met a number of tourists during the trip and they all said that the most memorable parks were the Serengeti and the Masa Mara. Bottom line, I believe there is where our trip should have focused on as first time visitors to Africa.
The Serengeti was the highlight of our trip." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
We met a number of tourists during the trip and they all said that the most memorable parks were the Serengeti and the Masa Mara. Bottom line, I believe there is where our trip should have focused on as first time visitors to Africa.
The Serengeti was the highlight of our trip." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Newcastle
"A wonderful trip - we will recommend you!"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 17 Sep 2011 and 30 Sep 2011
"We had a wonderful holiday - I think that the reason it worked so well was that Ellie had listened so carefully to what we wanted from the trip including our likes and dislikes, and had put together something that she thought would work - and it did. For example, she knew that we preferred open vehicles where possible; that we wanted a certain level of comfort; that there were certain animals and terrain that we wanted to see; that we would not be happy with very strong-viewed camp managers who dominated conversation - and so she put together a really well-balanced itinerary for us.
We will certainly recommend you to anyone planning a similar trip. Thank you!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
We will certainly recommend you to anyone planning a similar trip. Thank you!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms J & Ms B
Canada
"General comments"
I visited Tanzania between 11 Sep 2011 and 24 Sep 2011
"Fantastic. Well organized. There were no logistical problems.
Kevin, our guide and driver for the first 6 days was excellent in his knowledge of the country, the parks and the wild creatures and expert in bird identification. Overall, he was well organized, courteous and looked after us well. He was attentive to our requests in relation to photography opportunities and positioning of the vehicle. On occasion he seemed to get a bit "fed up" with our requests to stop and our asking for information on, for e.g., the names of birds. We also detected at times he was catering to his own interests and was bored with what we wanted to do and see. We did ask him if he was "bored" with our agenda but he denied this. On a couple of occasions he returned us to camp sooner than we needed to be.
The washrooms in the Crater itself were in a terribly filthy state. With this much traffic and money going into the area surely some more resources can be put aside for better ongoing cleaning/maintenance of the toilets.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None. Enjoyed working with Claire (again!). Very efficient." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
Kevin, our guide and driver for the first 6 days was excellent in his knowledge of the country, the parks and the wild creatures and expert in bird identification. Overall, he was well organized, courteous and looked after us well. He was attentive to our requests in relation to photography opportunities and positioning of the vehicle. On occasion he seemed to get a bit "fed up" with our requests to stop and our asking for information on, for e.g., the names of birds. We also detected at times he was catering to his own interests and was bored with what we wanted to do and see. We did ask him if he was "bored" with our agenda but he denied this. On a couple of occasions he returned us to camp sooner than we needed to be.
The washrooms in the Crater itself were in a terribly filthy state. With this much traffic and money going into the area surely some more resources can be put aside for better ongoing cleaning/maintenance of the toilets.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None. Enjoyed working with Claire (again!). Very efficient." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr ES
California
"Our first Safari"
I visited Tanzania between 10 Sep 2011 and 21 Sep 2011
"Ellie was great and the results speak for themselves. We were all very satisfied with the outcome.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
ironically your marketing materials do not live up to the product which is far superior. You run a solid operation and have good people (Claire was very helpful as well), but your site is very antiquated and your print collateral is uninspiring.
My comments are not that of a typical consumer mind you. I am in the business, so I do look at sales tools with a critical eye and there is a disconnect between the quality of your service and how you promote it. Thankfully your product is better. The other part is far easier to remedy." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
ironically your marketing materials do not live up to the product which is far superior. You run a solid operation and have good people (Claire was very helpful as well), but your site is very antiquated and your print collateral is uninspiring.
My comments are not that of a typical consumer mind you. I am in the business, so I do look at sales tools with a critical eye and there is a disconnect between the quality of your service and how you promote it. Thankfully your product is better. The other part is far easier to remedy." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Kent
"A wonderful safari to northern Tanzania"
I visited Tanzania between 3 Sep 2011 and 15 Sep 2011
"Everything we could have wished for and more. The itinerary went exactly as planned, with the right people meeting us and helping us every step of the way.
The driver/guides were excellent and made sure that we were always informed of the days travel plans in advance. Nothing was too much trouble with plenty of time for viewing and taking photos etc. We saw every animal you could of wished to have seen in each area and have hundreds of photos to prove it. Camps were excellent and had to be seen to be believed.
All in all a most memorable experience never to be forgotten.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Only to advise you that Swala Camp is all inclusive. Laundry, drinks and toiletries are included." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
The driver/guides were excellent and made sure that we were always informed of the days travel plans in advance. Nothing was too much trouble with plenty of time for viewing and taking photos etc. We saw every animal you could of wished to have seen in each area and have hundreds of photos to prove it. Camps were excellent and had to be seen to be believed.
All in all a most memorable experience never to be forgotten.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Only to advise you that Swala Camp is all inclusive. Laundry, drinks and toiletries are included." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Bristol
"A successful trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 3 Sep 2011 and 18 Sep 2011
"This trip was very expensive, and therefore not one that we would undertake on a regular basis.
We went to Tanzania to see the wildebeest crossing and to see game. We certainly achieved this and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
We had not intended such a long beach stay and would still have preferred an extended safari to the time spent on Mnemba - however we did benefit from a special offer on our stay there.
We really appreciated the fact that we had sole use of a vehicle and guide on all trips apart from the visit to Ngorongoro crater. It enabled us to see more of what we wished, spend all day game viewing if we wished and all the guides were good.
We enjoyed the & Beyond experience and the luxury they provided but would not rush to back to either place - Ngorongoro because the game viewing is necessarily limited and very crowded with other visitors, although the accomodation is wonderful. We felt Mnemba was overpriced because we were not participating in the free diving (which is obviously one of the main assets) and no other replacement such as spa treatments (which were expensive though good) were offered. We enjoyed the snorkelling but not the rough car trip or the mosquito problem.
Both Oliver's and Sayari camps were very good. We liked the accomodation in both. We were sad that, because more camps have been built, our experience in Northern Serengeti was so busy with other vehicles, whereas it is a definite plus from this point of view that Oliver's camp is in the south of the park.
The transfers were managed well on the whole (barring the 2 transfers mentioned) with no difficulty finding our onward journey
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The ratings choice on your form did create difficulty in that there was nothing between Good and Excellent.
Also it does not allow for distinguishing between rating for different flights with the same company" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
We went to Tanzania to see the wildebeest crossing and to see game. We certainly achieved this and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
We had not intended such a long beach stay and would still have preferred an extended safari to the time spent on Mnemba - however we did benefit from a special offer on our stay there.
We really appreciated the fact that we had sole use of a vehicle and guide on all trips apart from the visit to Ngorongoro crater. It enabled us to see more of what we wished, spend all day game viewing if we wished and all the guides were good.
We enjoyed the & Beyond experience and the luxury they provided but would not rush to back to either place - Ngorongoro because the game viewing is necessarily limited and very crowded with other visitors, although the accomodation is wonderful. We felt Mnemba was overpriced because we were not participating in the free diving (which is obviously one of the main assets) and no other replacement such as spa treatments (which were expensive though good) were offered. We enjoyed the snorkelling but not the rough car trip or the mosquito problem.
Both Oliver's and Sayari camps were very good. We liked the accomodation in both. We were sad that, because more camps have been built, our experience in Northern Serengeti was so busy with other vehicles, whereas it is a definite plus from this point of view that Oliver's camp is in the south of the park.
The transfers were managed well on the whole (barring the 2 transfers mentioned) with no difficulty finding our onward journey
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The ratings choice on your form did create difficulty in that there was nothing between Good and Excellent.
Also it does not allow for distinguishing between rating for different flights with the same company" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr N & Ms S
Zambia
"A well-balanced itinerary"
I visited Tanzania between 30 Aug 2011 and 15 Sep 2011
"This was, perhaps, the most tricky of our seven (to date) trips with Expert Africa in that for the first eight days we were travelling with family who hadn't been to Africa before and we therefore needed to accommodate "first time" expectations while, within the same trip, looking to cater for our own somewhat different objectives.
Expert Africa was able to come up with a 15-day programme which fully met these two sets of objectives." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Tanzania safari
Expert Africa was able to come up with a 15-day programme which fully met these two sets of objectives." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
N London
"Trip to Tanzania by Mr & Mrs G from London"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 20 Aug 2011 and 4 Sep 2011
"Fantastic trip, would recommend Tanzania very highly.
Very well organised, very happy to travel with Expert Africa in the future." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Very well organised, very happy to travel with Expert Africa in the future." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
379
reviews of Serengeti by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
Filter by month
Where to stay in Serengeti
Our suggestions for safari camps in Serengeti Migration Area