Reviews of trips to Mikumi & Udzungwa Mountains

"Overall, our trip was great. We were definitely pleased with our choices of parks after hearing about the number of vehicles in Northern Tanzania. I don't think we every saw more than 5 around wildlife and sometimes went for hours without seeing anyone else.

Our biggest problems were with vehicles. We had a flat tire at Lake Manze on the way to the airport, a car that wouldn't start at the airport at Mdonya and another flat tire on the way to Bagamoyo. However, all were handled quickly with limited delays. We had a mix-up on arrival in Dar with a driver at the wrong airport, but we were able to take a taxi to the Slipway and worked out reimbursement easily.

Jessica was a pleasure to work with. She was able to answer all of our questions and concerns. We knew we made some different requests, such as our day in Bagamoyo (everyone should go for the art alone!) and wanting an alternative to Zanzibar.

We look forward to planning another trip in the next few years. Working with Expert Africa makes it very easy and stress free.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps a questionnaire at the beginning of the booking process so we could indicate what is important to us in a safari. (Open vs pop-up vehicles, off road availability in parks, night safari availability, photographer friendly, etc.) This may have been offered on our first safari but I don't recall. I'm keeping a list of what we like in a trip, so each time should be even better." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"Despite some tricky conditions everything worked very well, and we had a diverse and very enjoyable trip. We´vee been very happy with the services of Expert Africa and will gladly book with them again.

Tanzania had an unusually wet season. We did have quite some rain and some very dull lighting conditions but the sun came out often enough to keep us happy. Some areas in Selous and Ruaha were inaccessible but that was no issue for us, we covered a lot of ground, doing mostly full day outings.

We loved the lush green environments, it was nice to see happy animals enjoying the abundance of food. Predators were a bit scarce, and the high grass a problem for visibility sometimes but we had expected that. Birding was really good, we recorded almost 300 species and photographed about 250. Udzungwa was a really cool place to be, loved the hiking there. Snorkeling in Mafia was a revelation - like swimming in an aquarium, really beautiful. We cannot quite join in the chorus of devoted Chole followers though.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No suggestions - really impressed with the quality of service. Thanks again!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"We had been to Mikumi (the old Foxes Camp on the same site as Stanley's Kopje) about 12 - 15 years ago and hadn't seen very much. This time we saw a lot more, thanks largely to Clarence, our driver/guide.

We loved Lake Manze Camp, more than Stanley's Kopje or Sand Rivers, as, to us, it provided a more authentic safari experience." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"we had a fabulous return to Africa (our first visit for almost 40 years!). We were recommended to Expert Africa by friends living in Tanzania and were very impressed with the service provided. James provided us with a great deal of information and if he couldn't answer a question he said so!

We were disappointed in one lodge where we stayed but James had made clear to us before booking that he didn't have any personal knowledge of this lodge. For the lodges which were recommend by EA we found their descriptions to have been fair and reliable. EA arranged all our local connections - taxis and flights and all worked out very well without a hitch." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Brilliant trip which we thoroughly enjoyed. We wanted to see wild Africa and that is what we did.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Give me a discount on my next trip!!!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 on a Tanzania safari

"I loved the green, having guides that actually enjoy and love nature rather than just chase after cats.

It felt remote and special enough in the South, hardly saw other vehicles. Got on with the guides very well and feel very lucky that they were so knowledgable. I saw some beautiful scenery, we took little breaks to enjoy the beauty around us.

James Denny at Expert Africa guessed very well what would appeal to me - within my budget too! I really appreciate that." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"Our trip was absolutely wonderful, especially as I was visiting completely new areas in Tanzania to those I had been to as a child. All the transfers and flights were well co-ordinated and our welcome at each camp made us feel very special.

We were fortunate in having guides who were delighted to point out and identify some of the smaller animals and many of the birds. This made the safaris really enjoyable and fulfilling." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"We really enjoyed the trip. We were very glad we did part of the trip by road, we enjoyed seeing and meeting people going about their daily lives, we will always try to incorporate this in any future safaris. The game is certainly more spread out and less abundant than many other parks, but with patience and good guides, it is all there somewhere.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Try to get a member of your staff to Hondo Hondo, we know you will be happy to recommend it when you have been there." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a great trip, but there were a few things that could have made it even better.

The cancellation of the British Air flights to Dar turned out to be a bigger headache than we anticipated. Kenya Air service was not very good and the extra stop and layover time in Nairobi was frustrating. If others are going to Dar I'd suggest looking into other options.

We chose to be driven to Selous rather than fly. But that took 2 long days (7 hours in the car each day). When we arrived in Selous others told us that they often drove to Dar on a different road in about 6 hours. We would have missed Mikumi NP, but there really wasn't enough to see there to justify the longer drive.

We were really disappointed in Jongomero, although others there were very pleased with it. The upscale facilities, pool, etc. were enough to satisfy others (many who seem to be booked into a Siwandu/Jongomero/Ras Kutani trip), most who seemed to be on their first safari. We selected Jongomero because of the great guiding on walks that was supposed to be there. But that guide (Molly) had left. Game there was very skittish and vehicle-shy. After a fantastic 3 days at Kwihala, Jongomero was a real letdown. We took a chance on the place, knowing that Molly had left after we booked it. That turned out to be a mistake.

But on a positive note, our 3 days at Kwihala and 4 days at Chole Mjini were absolutely spectacular and the memories from there are what will stay with us from this trip." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"good: everything! thoroughly spoilt! EA organisation was spot on, lots of bubbly, v luxurious

not so good: n/a

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

v impressed with how our requirements were satisfied ie udzungwe, walking and boating safaris, diving." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari