22 Feb 2023
WOW what an experience we had with Lion King Adventures. My wife and I traveled to both Africa and Tanzania for the first time in February. We were not sure what to expect to be honest but we were overwhelmed with our safari and with the hospitality of the people and the sites we saw. First off the organization from Lion King from both Nickson initially and subsequently Rose afterwards to all of our questions regarding our hotels and itinerary were met with quick responses. We asked to switch two of the hotels and to add a few side trips ( Hike in Moshi to the first hut in Mount Kiliminjaro and Coffee tour and trip to the waterfalls) and these were organized without any hiccups. We got input from Rose on hotels and we changed a couple of them as well. Lion King was knowledgeable and accommodating to our concerns. In addition, we were happy to hear of their ability to pick us up and transfer us in all situations from the airport in Mt. Kiliminjaro to our hotel , to the start of our tour in Arusha, to our flight from Arusha to Zanzibar and homewards from Zanzibar.
I think the biggest praise I can give is to our amazingly friendly and knowledgeable guide Fred ( Freddie) who simply was first class. He is patient, happy, kind, knowledgeable and a safe driver. We laughed so many times over different things as he educated us to the Masai tribe, different customs in Tanzania, but more importantly was able to show us so many different mammals and birds. He knows all the guides, all the hotels, all the animals, all the nooks and crannies in various parks and continuously surprised us with his ability to spot animals in trees, shadows, the distance, and fill us with stories of their behaviour. Fred always seemed to know which directions the animals would come and we always managed to get amazing photos of the animals walking towards us, heads pointing towards us , and in amazing behaviours from mating ( yes we saw lions mating), to the kill, to the migrations , and to both life beginning ( Thompson Gazelle being born) to ending (warthog being killed by lions and lions feasting on a downed buffalo). Fred mentioned to me that guest always want three things…1. To see a kill ( first day). 2. To come to a clean Jeep ( each day the Range Rover was spotless. 3. To see the migration ( day 3) and he showed us the Big 5 as well. To be honest, he made the whole adventure a memory that will last our entire lifetime…no question was silly and he accommodated us when I was sick one morning and was unable to make our scheduled balloon ride over the Serengeti and we made quick changes to the itinerary to allow us to change the ride to the following day. I cannot tell you how great a person, guide, driver and friend he is. If you can go with Lion King , do not hesitate. If you get Fred as a guide..you are lucky because he is simply the best. Thank you both Fred and Lion King for making our vacation and first safari so amazing…..it will not be our last.