Serengeti & Ngorongoro fly in safari

I am deeply disappointed by the behaviour of our guide during our safari in Serengeti on August 27. His unprofessionalism, lack of respect for both guests and wildlife, and outright dangerous actions ruined what should have been an unforgettable experience. We had been waiting the entire morning and afternoon for the Great Migration river crossing. Around 10 AM, our guide repeatedly insisted we give up and move to central Serengeti, claiming “based on his experience” it was pointless to wait. Despite his pressure, I insisted we stay. Less than 30 minutes later, thousands of wildebeests began crossing the river—an incredible sight! Instead of being excited or apologetic, the guide seemed annoyed. He refused to reposition the vehicle for a better view until after the first wave of animals had already crossed. When we finally moved, we were placed in a poor viewing spot. He never acknowledged his mistake or thanked us for insisting—instead, he kept defending his own incorrect judgment. Later that afternoon, his behaviour worsened. To wake sleeping lions, he splashed water on them and laughed in a disturbingly cruel manner. He also accelerated suddenly when zebras were crossing the road, causing one to fall. He did the same to birds lingering near the vehicle. These actions are not only unethical but also harmful to wildlife. A good guide should respect animals, guests, and the natural environment. This man did none of those things. I do not recommend him to anyone who cares about ethical tourism or animal welfare.

Nous avons adoré notre expérience et notre guide (David Mathias) a largement contribué au succès de cette aventure. Il est génial. Je vous suggère de le demander si vous partez en expédition. Les deux lodges visités sont bien; les games drive extraordinaire . Je recommande cette entreprise

If you are researching a safari company- I recommend you stop here and book Safari Soles as soon as possible. Though I had been on safari several times previously, this was my first time traveling with my young family. I did a tremendous amount of research before coming back with my husband and two sons (6, 9) and this trip far exceeded our expectations. I first wanted to ensure we were using and supporting a local company (Safari Soles is exclusively owned and run by Tanzanians), and then scoured reviews. I cannot imagine there is a better choice out there than Safari Soles. From the very beginning, Happiness, who organized our safari, was incredibly responsive, answered the 100s of questions I asked, and offered lots of expertise and advice when I suggested possibilities that she knew would not lead to the best experience. She was honest, prompt, patient and very knowledgeable. She was also able to help connect us with a local charity to support. Then there was Chief, who picked us up and spent a day guiding us in Arusha. He was so wonderfully kind and helpful. He made my children laugh, made us feel safe when driving around. He guided us through Shanga, then suggested some local shops when trying to find football jerseys and he also suggested and then took us around a local market which was an unforgettable experience and showed us an authentic taste of Tanzania. I could not recommend him more highly and suggest you ask for him if you are looking to spend some time in Arusha. The most incredible part of our trip however, was the opportunity to meet, learn from, and be guided by Simon “The Safari Monster.” By the end of the week he felt like a part of our family. His kindness, warmth, incredible knowledge and ability to answer every single question we had, his patience with our children and his ability to track and find animals for the most perfect up close experiences was beyond what we ever could have imagined. If you want a once in a lifetime safari filled with memories you will never forget, I would recommend you ask for Simon (and rearrange your dates if he isn’t available!). He taught us Swahili, he taught us about Tanzanian life and culture, he shared his family with us. He has a profound respect for nature and the animals he has dedicated his life to studying. He was able to help redirect and engage our kids if they got upset, he made them feel comfortable and confident. He cares so deeply about his clients and ensuring they have the best possible experience and he loves his country and his profession so much you leave feeling like you experienced far more than safari. You get a true sense of what a welcoming, spectacular country Tanzania is. Safari Soles, and especially Simon, gave us a week of memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. It’s also worth noting that Simon is an incredible photographer and took stunning photos that he shared (including some wonderful shots of our family!) which allowed us to just enjoy the experience without worrying about taking pictures. We will never forget the awe on our son’s faces, or the number of times they said “this is incredible.” They rated this trip a one million out of ten and we couldn’t agree more. Asante sana Safari Soles, Happiness, Chief and Simon.