The right guide can make or break your trip.
As I began to search for a tour company, accommodation, and activities, I learned that when it comes to safaris in Tanzania the easiest way to do it is to choose the tour company first and have them organize all the other details for you. They can organize your itinerary, accommodation, activities and even any dietary concerns you might have.
With over 300 different companies running tours on the Serengeti, it can be difficult to choose the one that is good for you. I chose to travel with a company called Everlasting Tanzania – who was recommended by the photographer who had posted the photos on Reddit. I read all their reviews online and arranged for a Skype call with owner Rob Chekwaze to discuss my budget, what animals I wanted to see and level of comfort I would be happy with in the camps. Rob then put together a fantastic itinerary and the guide he chose for me was outstanding. No doubt that their hard work made my trip absolutely memorable.
My budget for a journey of 10 days through Tanzania was $5000USD. This might sound like a lot for some travelers, but it covered everything on my trip including meals, park fees, lodging, transportation and more. From the moment I was picked up at the airport to when I was dropped off 10 days later, I didn’t spend any more money, (aside from tips for the excellent guides and staff).
UPDATE 2019: Rob has since started his own luxury tour company. Check them out at Nale Maru and tell him Anthony sent you. 🙂
Advantages of a private safari tour
For me, booking a custom tour with a private guide was the best way to experience a safari in Tanzania. There’s really nothing like it. Of course, it is more expensive than going on a large group tour. However, it is worth the investment. When you are on a cheaper group tour you will go on safari on a large bus that follows a set route and won’t have the freedom to choose where you go or have the option to stay longer to watch a particular animal.
A safari in Tanzania is likely to be a once in a lifetime travel experience and having the right guide can make or break your trip. It’s worth making sure you vet your guide carefully so that this very special trip is as enjoyable and memorable as it can be.
A few of the reasons why it is worth hiring a private guide:
- You will have full control over what you see and do. On a group tour, I might not have been able to spend the day following the wildebeests as we waited for them to cross and therefore may not have witnessed that powerful moment.
- My guide, Solomon had spent the last 25 years leading safaris in Tanzania and other regions in Africa, so his local knowledge of vegetation, animals and the surrounding landscape was unparalleled. His understanding and ability to spot wildlife at a distance allowed us to get up close to them before all the other tour trucks showed up.
- Since it was just me and the guide, I could talk to him about the animals and the landscape. His knowledge of all the animals really made the trip more interesting.
- When it came to taking photos, Solomon was incredibly helpful and patient as he had previous experience in guiding the BBC camera crew. He was very good at lining up the truck carefully so that I could get the right angle for the perfect shot. Most important was that he understood the movement of the animals to position the truck so that they would be walking past or toward us.