196 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Arusha.
Mr & Mrs G
EastEwell
"My Jul 2014 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 22 Jul 2014 and 7 Aug 2014
"There is no feedback form for the day room at Onsea House. We felt this place was superior to Rivertrees Country Inn and the food is pretty good. We would rather have stayed here for our initial day and rest night as the precursor lodge at the beginning of the holiday.
An excellent trip overall with good quality guiding and a high standard of food and service. The walking availability at Chada could have been limited due to shortage of qualified staff when other clients were involved in fly camping, however, the camp manager made the effort to bring in a ranger to enable us to take part in the walking activities, which we very much appreciated. Similarly, it appeared that the Camp manager at Little Oliver's was the only qualified walking guide. We were fortunated to enjoy his expert guiding on two consecutive days, but if he had been otherwise occupied we would not have been so lucky and the enjoyment of our time there would have been affected. I feel it is important to make sure that if walking is advertised as an option at a particular lodge/camp then it is vital that qualified staff are available at all times so that guests are able to enjoy this. We did enjoy the walking option at 3 out of 4 camps, but our impression was that the camps rather expect that most clients wish to be in the vehicle most/all of the time. Perhaps the walking safari idea is less well developed in Tanzania compared to other countries such as Zambia.
Tanzania does seem an American destination so it is sometimes a lttle pertinent for the staff at the camp, or the guides, to ensure they manage the groups of guests accordingly (particularly when children are involved).
Also we were encouraged to confirm our holiday registration as parts of it were getting booked up (particularly Greystoke Mahale) only for us to find out when we got there that this was because a group of 9 (Americans) has a block booking which made the ambience of this lodge as little imbalanced for us and the other couple staying there as the maximum it could take is only 12 or so persons.
Also, given the amount of flying and some of the distances between destinations we were finding this did eat into our time on safari. Between Serengeti and Little Oliver's camp we flew Serengeti - Arusha - Little Oliver's for some reason. Thus with this itinerary the travel distance & thus time does add up compared to other safaris we have been on and slightly ditracted from the safari.
With ref to the above comment about a large block booking at a small lodge we'd have liked a little bit more checking on these issues as we booked our trip, as this did distract a little bit from the select nature of the trip. Especially considering the amount we had paid for the holiday each." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Tanzania safari
An excellent trip overall with good quality guiding and a high standard of food and service. The walking availability at Chada could have been limited due to shortage of qualified staff when other clients were involved in fly camping, however, the camp manager made the effort to bring in a ranger to enable us to take part in the walking activities, which we very much appreciated. Similarly, it appeared that the Camp manager at Little Oliver's was the only qualified walking guide. We were fortunated to enjoy his expert guiding on two consecutive days, but if he had been otherwise occupied we would not have been so lucky and the enjoyment of our time there would have been affected. I feel it is important to make sure that if walking is advertised as an option at a particular lodge/camp then it is vital that qualified staff are available at all times so that guests are able to enjoy this. We did enjoy the walking option at 3 out of 4 camps, but our impression was that the camps rather expect that most clients wish to be in the vehicle most/all of the time. Perhaps the walking safari idea is less well developed in Tanzania compared to other countries such as Zambia.
Tanzania does seem an American destination so it is sometimes a lttle pertinent for the staff at the camp, or the guides, to ensure they manage the groups of guests accordingly (particularly when children are involved).
Also we were encouraged to confirm our holiday registration as parts of it were getting booked up (particularly Greystoke Mahale) only for us to find out when we got there that this was because a group of 9 (Americans) has a block booking which made the ambience of this lodge as little imbalanced for us and the other couple staying there as the maximum it could take is only 12 or so persons.
Also, given the amount of flying and some of the distances between destinations we were finding this did eat into our time on safari. Between Serengeti and Little Oliver's camp we flew Serengeti - Arusha - Little Oliver's for some reason. Thus with this itinerary the travel distance & thus time does add up compared to other safaris we have been on and slightly ditracted from the safari.
With ref to the above comment about a large block booking at a small lodge we'd have liked a little bit more checking on these issues as we booked our trip, as this did distract a little bit from the select nature of the trip. Especially considering the amount we had paid for the holiday each." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr & Mrs S
Cheshire
"Northern Tanzania July/August 2014"
I visited Tanzania between 20 Jul 2014 and 3 Aug 2014
"The good parts of the trip were the lodges (with the exception of Lemala) and the logistics which all worked extremely well.
We found the game viewing rather disappointing compared with Zambia and Botswana, with which we are more familiar, in that the wildlife was often very distant from the roads and made photography and observing behaviours less satisfactory.
Although we had to actually book the flights ourselves, the suggested routing of Manchester/Amsterdam/Kilimanjaro worked very well." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
We found the game viewing rather disappointing compared with Zambia and Botswana, with which we are more familiar, in that the wildlife was often very distant from the roads and made photography and observing behaviours less satisfactory.
Although we had to actually book the flights ourselves, the suggested routing of Manchester/Amsterdam/Kilimanjaro worked very well." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs V
Harlow
"Gorillas and the Serengeti Migration 2014"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 3 Jul 2014 and 17 Jul 2014
"We are seasoned safari aficionados, this being our 11th trip but first to Rwanda and then on to the Northern Tanzanian circuit. We enjoyed the whole trip immensely and had many memorable sightings and generally excellent lodges and camps.
Rwanda. Words cannot describe the gorilla treks- we looked forward to them, read as much as we could before going and still the experience was overwhelming. This was a birthday treat for my wife and on her birthday we watched a large family of gorillas going about their business and interacting with us in an absolutely magical way. Expensive but worth every penny- just save and do it.
Rwanda practically. The lodge was great and Primate safaris were efficient, our driver friendly and efficient. The country was fascinating- a modern city in Kigali and so clean but subsistence agriculture elsewhere with not a tractor in sight. Very friendly people.
Northern Tanzania. We saw the migration, half of a Mara river crossing and an abundance of game in the Serengeti. I was dubious about going to such a popular destination but did not feel that there were too many vehicles in the area. A great lodge in Lemai.
Asilia were superb in looking after us from Manyara onwards. Manyara was fine but beware, the open part of the park is only a half day's game drive and although we did meet someone who had seen a lion, the famous tree climbing lions are not often seen nowadays - good bird life though.
Ngorongoro crater. Cold when we were there - heed the warnings and ensure you take something to ward off the morning cold. A magical place though with abundant game. The Lemala camp seemed like a disappointment but we felt that it might not have been if the weather had been better.
Tarangire; an excellent camp in Oliver's and good game in particularly birds
The general organisation of the trip was pretty faultless (until we returned to Heathrow to find the Stansted express we use for the last leg home was not running) Camps and Lodges and all the interconnecting bits and pieces all worked together really well. Each driver who met us had printed name boards to find us with and named folders of permits etc and it all worked really well. They were friendly, bright, witty and informative, full marks to Primate safaris and to Asilia safaris
Elizabeth at Expert Africa made helpful suggestions before we decided on where to go and organised it all quietly in the background, sending their final ticket pack and useful information booklets a week or two before we left. We will undoubtedly use them again" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Rwanda. Words cannot describe the gorilla treks- we looked forward to them, read as much as we could before going and still the experience was overwhelming. This was a birthday treat for my wife and on her birthday we watched a large family of gorillas going about their business and interacting with us in an absolutely magical way. Expensive but worth every penny- just save and do it.
Rwanda practically. The lodge was great and Primate safaris were efficient, our driver friendly and efficient. The country was fascinating- a modern city in Kigali and so clean but subsistence agriculture elsewhere with not a tractor in sight. Very friendly people.
Northern Tanzania. We saw the migration, half of a Mara river crossing and an abundance of game in the Serengeti. I was dubious about going to such a popular destination but did not feel that there were too many vehicles in the area. A great lodge in Lemai.
Asilia were superb in looking after us from Manyara onwards. Manyara was fine but beware, the open part of the park is only a half day's game drive and although we did meet someone who had seen a lion, the famous tree climbing lions are not often seen nowadays - good bird life though.
Ngorongoro crater. Cold when we were there - heed the warnings and ensure you take something to ward off the morning cold. A magical place though with abundant game. The Lemala camp seemed like a disappointment but we felt that it might not have been if the weather had been better.
Tarangire; an excellent camp in Oliver's and good game in particularly birds
The general organisation of the trip was pretty faultless (until we returned to Heathrow to find the Stansted express we use for the last leg home was not running) Camps and Lodges and all the interconnecting bits and pieces all worked together really well. Each driver who met us had printed name boards to find us with and named folders of permits etc and it all worked really well. They were friendly, bright, witty and informative, full marks to Primate safaris and to Asilia safaris
Elizabeth at Expert Africa made helpful suggestions before we decided on where to go and organised it all quietly in the background, sending their final ticket pack and useful information booklets a week or two before we left. We will undoubtedly use them again" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs R
Canada
"My Jan 2014 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 19 Jan 2014 and 31 Jan 2014
"I think the ecstatic would be a better description. You didn't ask about the safari. Our tour guide, Ayoub, was fantastic. I had my 86yr old mother with me and he treated her like gold. She was "Beebee" the whole trip and he stopped and got her a stool when he saw that getting out of the jeep was hard for her. I'm pretty sure he had bought new picnic seats and table for us as he was taking the wrapping off of the . He was so knowledgeable and had eagle eyes. He made the trip, I can't say enough good about him. Going with a 15 yr old and and 86 yr old I was a bit concerned but he put us all at ease and was so very ,very nice.
Also Maruska did a great job, we heard of guides who were in the central area worried about finding animals as they were all near us!! thank you for putting us down into the south we saw all the big 5 plus a cheetah, lepoard, lion hunt,elephants fighting, new born wildebeests and huge troops of baboons. Thank you for considering our jet lag and suggesting Arusha Nat pk it was a perfect introduction.
It was to be the trip of a lifetime for my mom and it lived up to its billing and then some. She will never forget it. Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, You did a fantastic job. I have recommended you to my cousin who is planning a trip." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari
Also Maruska did a great job, we heard of guides who were in the central area worried about finding animals as they were all near us!! thank you for putting us down into the south we saw all the big 5 plus a cheetah, lepoard, lion hunt,elephants fighting, new born wildebeests and huge troops of baboons. Thank you for considering our jet lag and suggesting Arusha Nat pk it was a perfect introduction.
It was to be the trip of a lifetime for my mom and it lived up to its billing and then some. She will never forget it. Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, You did a fantastic job. I have recommended you to my cousin who is planning a trip." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
John
Australia
"My Jan 2014 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 2 other countries between 10 Jan 2014 and 26 Jan 2014
"We loved it. What else is there to say?"
Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr & Mrs E
Poole
"Excellent - a really Outstanding Holiday"
I visited Tanzania between 30 Sep 2013 and 10 Oct 2013
"This whole trip really filled the bill. The aim was to achieve one good safari holiday - and this certainly was what we got.
Tip Top Trip. and Two Thousand Photographs!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Tip Top Trip. and Two Thousand Photographs!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Texas
"My Aug 2013 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 28 Aug 2013 and 10 Sep 2013
"You did an excellent job with our itinerary except as explained earlier we felt the two camps were too close in proximity to each other.
Overall, we have already recommended you to several people and believe one couple from Northern Ireland will contact your company about a trip to Tanzania and we suggested "little Oliver" and "Sayari". They said they had used your company in the past and would look you up immediately on their return to Belfast. You have our address for our commission." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall, we have already recommended you to several people and believe one couple from Northern Ireland will contact your company about a trip to Tanzania and we suggested "little Oliver" and "Sayari". They said they had used your company in the past and would look you up immediately on their return to Belfast. You have our address for our commission." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The B family
Otley
"Serengeti Trip"
I visited Tanzania between 22 Jul 2013 and 29 Jul 2013
"The trip, like its two predecessors, was absolutely brilliant. I just revel in the whole safari experience: the getting there, the camps, their locations, the inspirational people you meet, the excursions, the myriad wildlife encounters, quenching your thirst, filling your belly and the siestas afterwards. Then getting up in the afternoon and doing it all over again: two days in one!
When asked to score the holiday out of ten, our teenage daughter (whose commitment and subsequent enjoyment I was a bit trepidatious about before our arrival) gave it a firm nine and a half. When pressed about the missing half, she explained this was docked because of all the stops on safari at my insistence to look at 'stupid birds'. So you're pretty near perfect.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On our way to Kilimanjaro airport, we stopped off at the very green and plush Arusha Coffee House (?).
I presumed we were going to have a very pleasant buffet lunch there as we had been travelling non-stop for at least 24 hours and a sit down in very relaxing surroundings would have been most welcome.
Instead we were whisked off again with a school kid's packed lunch (complete with bag of crisps, Mars bar and a wedge of very 1970s Dairy Lea!).
This is the only change I would make to the itinerary." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
When asked to score the holiday out of ten, our teenage daughter (whose commitment and subsequent enjoyment I was a bit trepidatious about before our arrival) gave it a firm nine and a half. When pressed about the missing half, she explained this was docked because of all the stops on safari at my insistence to look at 'stupid birds'. So you're pretty near perfect.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On our way to Kilimanjaro airport, we stopped off at the very green and plush Arusha Coffee House (?).
I presumed we were going to have a very pleasant buffet lunch there as we had been travelling non-stop for at least 24 hours and a sit down in very relaxing surroundings would have been most welcome.
Instead we were whisked off again with a school kid's packed lunch (complete with bag of crisps, Mars bar and a wedge of very 1970s Dairy Lea!).
This is the only change I would make to the itinerary." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr W x 6
New Zealand
"My Apr 2013 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 25 Apr 2013 and 2 May 2013
"This was an excellent trip that was tainted at the end buy some communication issues by/between staff about departure times to the airport.
This did cost us each about $550 US dollars in extra transport and meant we miised out a days sight seeng etc in Nairobi. (and spent more time in airport laounges etc)" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
This did cost us each about $550 US dollars in extra transport and meant we miised out a days sight seeng etc in Nairobi. (and spent more time in airport laounges etc)" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs W
Grantham
"My Feb 2013 trip"
I visited Tanzania between 9 Feb 2013 and 18 Feb 2013
"Our trip surpassed all expectations and we have been to Tanzania and other African destinations many times. All our connections were seamless and the Nomad camps and their staff delivered a really high standard.of service and made us feel not just welcome but special.
I can't thank the team (Ellie) at Expert Africa enough for helping us in putting the trip together and suggesting going to Lamai - what a special place." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
I can't thank the team (Ellie) at Expert Africa enough for helping us in putting the trip together and suggesting going to Lamai - what a special place." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
196
reviews of Arusha by travellers since August 2007
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