Tanzania's Highlights

Safari to Tanzania with excellent local guide/driver. Good variety of habitats and a diverse range of wildlife from big cats to small birds. All accommodation was very good and the itinerary was well thought out. Highlights were seeing the Great Plains migration of wildebeest and zebras, lots of lions, elephants, hippos and seeing lions and leopards sleeping high up in trees. We saw about 250 species of birds as well. Very reliable - I have travelled many times and to many places with Naturetrek. They provide well planned itineraries, choose knowledgeable and reliable local guides and select good accommodation. They are also flexible in making travel arrangements in relation to using different airports and to adding on extra days.

The experience was awesome we started at Arusha wildlife park where we spent 1days seeing massive herds of buffalo, lots of Elephants, a few lions, etc, etc. Then we went onto Tanangirie for 2 nights. This did not disappoint either with lots of birds, more lions, mongooses, Dwart and Banded. A great variety of birds especially raptors. Next were four nights in the Serengeti staying at two different tented campsites. Before we even arrived at the site we had seen more lions, birds and what was to be the most fantastic sighting of a cheetah, drinking feet away from us at the side of the road. She then went to hide in the long grasses watching a herd of wildebeest. As she sighted a young one we were privileged to see her speed towards the herd and catch the young calf. She then proceeded to bring it back with her to her hiding place in the long grass. Over the next 4 days we saw 6 more cheetah, 4 leopards, numerous birds, gazelles, wildebeest, zebra, a seval, several more lions to name but a few. The final 3 days of our holiday was spent at Ngorongoro crater where we finished the big 5 with around 10 Black Rhinoceros. We also witnessed the birth of 2 wildebeest calves and an impala calf that we watched for sometime until it found its feet. Very lucky to have had the safari of a lifetime! Naturetrek provide some of the best wildlife programmes worldwide. They are very well organised, often small groups and whilst may look expensive I believe they are real value for money. The guides who help make the holiday are excellent good spotters and really know their stuff.

Our trip to Tanzania was excellent. Everyday was full of birds and mammals. Our best sighting was two Servals. Although we have been to Africa several times, we had never seen these before. The lodges were excellent especially the 'tented camps' in the bush. Hearing lions roaring at night and 'something' grazing outside your tent at night adds to the adventure. The local people were very welcoming, and our local guide was very knowledgeable. Overall we had a fantastic time. If you want nature choose Naturetrek. They use expert leaders. Always easy to reach on the phone, no 'queues'. The whole tour was very well organised. We use Naturetrek confident in the knowledge we will be well looked after.

The group was only 3 plus the leader making it almost a private tour, which really helped in finding the animals, birds and plants we wanted to see. Virtually everything worked and was found, many sightings were one-of-a-kind experiences. I will probably never go there again as any next time can not be as good as this was. The tour leader was excellent, so was the driver. Both were very experienced and knowledgeable.

We believe Tony Williams is one of the best natural history tour leaders we have met. His knowledge of birds was extensive and he helped everyone to spot as many different species as possible...We greatly enjoyed seeing such a wide variety of mammals and birds in Tanzania and we intend in due course to travel again with Naturetrek.

We had some truly amazing sightings and views of most animals and the whole experience was far beyond my expectations.

This is the 3rd successive trip we have taken with Naturetrek and each has been excellent in its own way. The holiday fulfilled our wish-list for wildlife so we were very happy with our choice. We really had an exceptional holiday and enjoyed wonderful scenery and wildlife - I am sure we will be using Naturetrek again in the near future!

Having Zul as tour leader and guide was an asset, his knowledge of birds and wildlife made the holiday so enjoyable. He ensured that the entire group saw whatever had been spotted. His sense of humour made it all the better. We saw so many beautiful sightings. I had tears in my eyes seeing and hearing a mother Cheetah calling her young baby - eventually she went to find her baby and brought it to the kill. Magical. Edward and Roman from Ranger Safaris were marvellous drivers and guides. We nick-named Edward Eagle-eyes, always with an eye open to tell us of a bird or animal that we could easily have missed as they are well camouflaged. My friend and I both say it was one of our best holidays for birds and animals. The group that we were with seemed to get on well together. It was a really memorable holiday: I would love to go again. I am sure that my friend and travelling companion S.J. sends her thanks and best wishes too.

Zul Bhatia was a brilliant leader - and I have very high expectations! The drivers are a real credit - they were excellent! Nothing was too much trouble. The whole trip was a wonderful experience! Thank you for enabling me to have the opportunity of sharing in it!

This holiday was more than I expected and thoroughly enjoyed. I would recommend it to anyone who was visiting Africa for the first time and who wanted to meet such friendly people.

The Wildlife sightings were simply amazing, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, thousands & thousands of Zebra & Wildebeest, fantastic bird sightings and highlights of 12 Lions in one tree and Wildebeest calving. Tour guides were 1st rate, very friendly and knowledgeable, accommodation was fantastic with views in Tarangire & Ngorongoro outstanding, food excellent and spending a couple of nights in tented accommodation very special. The whole holiday was a fantastic experience, well run, and excellent itinerary.

A superb tour which fully lived up to expectations. I saw 370 bird species and mammal sightings included 16 cheetahs, 10 Black Rhino, Lions galore and 1m+ Wildebeest. Timing of the tour was perfect, coinciding with incredible numbers of animals in the Southern Serengeti. The leaders were really excellent.

Tanzania is a beautiful country in habituated by friendly, cheerful people who were always ready to help. The scenery was superb. The weather was excellent, the food and accommodation were all ‘A’ grade. Zul was an excellent tour leader who knew his subject well and was always ready to inform and guide us on our trips – he had a good sense of humour too! (great fun!). Our driver Yahaya was a very knowledgeable man who had the eyes of a hawk and was responsible for spotting wildlife long before anyone else. He was also a very good driver, a comforting thought when travelling on the off tarmac roads. I was inspired by the determination of the kids at school who were so keen to do well and the quality of the work I saw was so good…I could go on and on but I won’t! Jambo!

This was a truly fantastic and memorable safari experience, of which one can say that it really exceeded expectations. The excellent quality and content of the itinerary was complemented by an outstanding leader in Zul who was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, friendly and sociable, and an efficient, helpful and friendly driver with a vehicle appropriate for the tour. Zul’s fluency in the local Swahili language was an invaluable asset.

The trip leader was excellent - knowledgeable, personable and helpful. He enhanced the trip.