Reviews of safaris to Tarangire National Park
129 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Tarangire.
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 & 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
Mr & Mrs W
Herts
"An truly amazing experience"
I visited Tanzania between 5 Jul 2011 and 15 Jul 2011
"One of our best trips ever. The camps, safari and the over-all experience were truly amazing.
Expert Africa made it all come together and made it easy and simple to bring it all together. Will definitely use them again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A great experience, will use them again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Expert Africa made it all come together and made it easy and simple to bring it all together. Will definitely use them again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A great experience, will use them again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Westerham
"Fantastic Trip"
I visited Tanzania between 13 Feb 2011 and 27 Feb 2011
"From the transfer from the international terminal to the domestic terminal and then our safe delivery to catch the BA flight home . everything went like clockwork. Havind been twice to Tanzania before , the trip certainly lived up to expectations .
We were meet at Arusha by our guide /driver Jackson who looked after us for 8 days. At all times he was absolutely excellent . Endlessly cheerful, he did his utmost to fill our game viewing desires. The vehicle was cleaned after every day and with the amount of mud we collected in and out that was no mean feat. Somedays we out practically out from dawn til dusk , always looking for the next sighting. Tea ,drinks and lunch stops he took in his stride , putting out the tables and chairs in some fantastic locations
Many thanks to Claire for all her advice and planning the trip for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It was our eight trip with Expert Africa and everything as usual was immaculate" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
We were meet at Arusha by our guide /driver Jackson who looked after us for 8 days. At all times he was absolutely excellent . Endlessly cheerful, he did his utmost to fill our game viewing desires. The vehicle was cleaned after every day and with the amount of mud we collected in and out that was no mean feat. Somedays we out practically out from dawn til dusk , always looking for the next sighting. Tea ,drinks and lunch stops he took in his stride , putting out the tables and chairs in some fantastic locations
Many thanks to Claire for all her advice and planning the trip for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It was our eight trip with Expert Africa and everything as usual was immaculate" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The C family
NJ
"Expecting more"
I visited Tanzania between 15 Oct 2010 and 25 Oct 2010
"The trip as a whole was satisfactory.
The beginning didn't start off well. In our packet of papers sent by Expert Africa, they didn't give us a local phone number to reach the tour company. They gave us one that didn't work and it was an office number even though the tour company has an emergency cell phone. Thus when we missed our connecting flight, we weren't able to get in touch with the tour company.
Then the hotel on the packet was the wrong hotel so when we took a taxi to the hotel listed on the packet, it was not the right one. We ended up getting to our right hotel at midnight. Also on the packet it didn't tell us what the tour company's name was so nobody knew what tour group we were with.
The first guide was more of a driver and a person that could identify things. But didn't give us much more. Overall, if I had more time, I would have preferred to book things myself instead of going through Expert Africa. I don't think we needed to go to any of the smaller parks except for Ngorongoro and then on to the Serengeti. The way it was arranged, we were getting to the smaller parks in the middle of the afternoon when all the animals were asleep and hidden." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
The beginning didn't start off well. In our packet of papers sent by Expert Africa, they didn't give us a local phone number to reach the tour company. They gave us one that didn't work and it was an office number even though the tour company has an emergency cell phone. Thus when we missed our connecting flight, we weren't able to get in touch with the tour company.
Then the hotel on the packet was the wrong hotel so when we took a taxi to the hotel listed on the packet, it was not the right one. We ended up getting to our right hotel at midnight. Also on the packet it didn't tell us what the tour company's name was so nobody knew what tour group we were with.
The first guide was more of a driver and a person that could identify things. But didn't give us much more. Overall, if I had more time, I would have preferred to book things myself instead of going through Expert Africa. I don't think we needed to go to any of the smaller parks except for Ngorongoro and then on to the Serengeti. The way it was arranged, we were getting to the smaller parks in the middle of the afternoon when all the animals were asleep and hidden." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Average
Mr K & Ms C
Germany
""
I visited Tanzania between 13 Oct 2010 and 22 Oct 2010
"Compared to the prior trips were there were (with few exeptions) no other tourists in sight, this experience was too crowded for my taste - but given the destination, Serengeti during migration time, this is probaely difficult to avoid.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
See you next year" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
See you next year" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs P
Otley
""
I visited Tanzania between 22 Sep 2010 and 1 Oct 2010
"We went to Tarangire in 2002 and chose a return trip for 2010 because we enjoyed it so much. We were not disappointed.
2 days in Manyara and 4+ full days in Tarangire is a good balance.
When asked about their private guide, these travellers commented:
Martin was an excellent driver-guide.
Martin Mollel was our driver/guide for a week so was indispensable for a good holiday. He showed just the right conbination of knowledge, skill, efficiency and friendliness.
He made the holiday a real pleasure and we would recommend him warmly to other visitors.
Gwyn [Ed:m one of the travellers.] was interested in birds and he went to great lengths to find and identify any birds we came across. We knew little Swahili and he taught us a lot more." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
2 days in Manyara and 4+ full days in Tarangire is a good balance.
When asked about their private guide, these travellers commented:
Martin was an excellent driver-guide.
Martin Mollel was our driver/guide for a week so was indispensable for a good holiday. He showed just the right conbination of knowledge, skill, efficiency and friendliness.
He made the holiday a real pleasure and we would recommend him warmly to other visitors.
Gwyn [Ed:m one of the travellers.] was interested in birds and he went to great lengths to find and identify any birds we came across. We knew little Swahili and he taught us a lot more." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
129
reviews of Tarangire by travellers since August 2007
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Tarangire
Our suggestions for safari camps in Tarangire National Park
Oliver's Camp
Oliver's Camp is a small, intimate, luxury tented camp in a great location in northern Tanzania's Tarangire National Park.
Kuro Tarangire
Kuro Tarangire is a stylish tented camp, located in a quiet and remote area deep in Tarangire National Park.
Little Oliver's
For a more private version of its sister property, Oliver’s Camp, Little Oliver’s offers high-quality guiding and tented rooms.
Tarangire Safari
Functional Tarangire Safari Lodge is one of Tarangire National Park's larger lodges, on a prime central site overlooking the river.
Lemala Mpingo Ridge
Lemala Mpingo Ridge is a stylish camp in Tarangire National Park, with a beautiful location and elevated views over the park.
Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Tarangire Sopa Lodge is a large, comfortable, family-friendly hotel in Tarangire National Park, suitable for travellers on a budget.
Swala Camp
Swala Camp is a stylish camp for exploring the southern Tarangire, either with a private driver-guide, or using the camp's vehicles and guides.
Tarangire Treetops
Tarangire Treetops is a lovely, high-quality lodge on the outskirts of Tarangire National Park, offering game drives, night drives and safari walks.
Chem Chem
Chem Chem is a luxury tented lodge on a private concession between Lake Manyara and Tarangire national parks.
Olkeri Camp
Olkeri is a comfortable tented camp, located in the Randilen Wildlife Management area, bordering Tarangire National Park; ideal for those looking for pristine wilderness.
Kirurumu Tarangire
Kirurumu Tarangire Lodge is a simple, small, tented camp positioned just outside the northern boundary of Tarangire National Park.
Maramboi Tented Camp
Maramboi Tented Camp is a family-friendly tented lodge located between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park.
Nimali Tarangire
Nimali is a small camp built in contemporary style on the outskirts of Tarangire National Park in northern Tanzania.
Forest Chem Chem
Located in the Chem Chem Concession and close to Tarangire National Park, Forest Chem Chem is a high-quality tented camp which is booked on an exclusive basis.
Little Chem Chem
Little Chem Chem is a stylish option near Tarangire National Park, offering real relaxation combined with a variety of safari activities.
