1

Look into Bobby Tours, that are based out of Arusha!

We went on a 6-day safari with them in Tanzania and they were great! Our driver's name was John, and he went above and beyond for all of our requests.

http://www.bobbytours.com/

I highly recommend them, and can assure you will have a great trip with them.

What are you looking for in a safari?
I personally went to the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara in Tanzania, and also went to Masai Mara in Kenya.

2

Hi Dave - now I personally have not heard of most of the companies you mention but that does not mean that they are not good companies - only that they may have recently started advertising. Do some searches to try to determine who the principals are of each company. Send off some emails asking relevant questions about : gear (tents), vehicles, numbers on each safari, experience of guides/drivers & cooks. Ask for names and email addresses for recent clients who can provide independent references.

Whilst #1 may have had a great experience with Bobby Tours (and they are a long established company) they are often considered very impersonal - not really worried about what the client wants.

Yes what you say (or have read) about "horses for courses" is true - Kenyan operators will know more about Kenya and Tanzanian ones more about their local seen and yes Tanzania in particular has been making it difficult for Kenyan companies to operate across the border. One company that does operate in both countries is Intrepid (formerly Guerba - a UK based company now Australian owned) - but they often use a Tanzanian family (Image Safaris).

It will depend upon how long your safari tour is and how many people as to whether you try to use only one company or use two. A group to 6 to 8 going for 3 weeks might prove cost effective - where as a group of only 2-4 for 7 days in each country probably won't. The time of year of your visit may also influence the choice, so maybe do some more research. Good luck.

3

I advise you to use a tour company that operates safaris in both countries.
I know about 5 companies you have mentioned but book with a company that is a member of KATO

4

Tella,

I am looking for a reliable trustworthy operator that would deliver what I booked, no surprises on departure day sending me to join a off the cuff-last minute- tour. I don't need a fancy tent but not willing to deal with tent, or sleeping bags with holes. And able to take a hot shower from a bucket would be fine.

I am interested in going to Masa in Kenya and Ngorongo and the the lakes. And Tanzania Serengeti, Tarangire for sure.

Let me ask you again, if you went to Masa, and Serengeti did you only use Roy Safari, I already sent them an email last night, let's see when I get a response

5

Mike,

I have tried to find some reviews etc but don't get too many hits, so I'm getting a bit suspicious. And the ones I got some quotes, and I wrote back for additional information they don't write back. As far as trying to find a tour operator that are licensed to go to both countries, of course they all say they do. But my biggest concern is paying and then upon arrival facing some snafu. Then my safari experience will be ruined or jeopardized.

I am still waiting to hear from Bobby's Safari but not yet. I wrote them yesterday Sunday so by now they should have read it. I agree with you going with a small group is not cost effective. In fact, I have received a couple of quotes as "private". To be honest I don't feel too comfortable traveling alone with a driver and a cook, that's just me.

I am getting a taste of how slow everything moves in Africa.

6

Hamidah,

can you send the list of those companies please

7

Hi Davewe
Here is a very reliable company .They have a partnership with tanganyikatravels ltd
They are Natural world mombasa safaris
www.naturaltoursandsafaris.com talk to Humphrey n ndara
Tanzania side www.tanganyikatravels.com based in moshi
they do luxury ,budget ,camping ,the works if you go to Kenya visit the little known shimba hills national park be sure not to let your driver go more than 40 kph or you miss the small rare animals and birds .i used to live in kenya

8

Is not the lack of training is how the countries operate. They don't allow vehicles from other country to cross over to the other countries, and sometimes there is a snuf when crossing the border causing all kinds of confusions. But I'm going to keep checking