We chose Thomson Safaris because of their efforts to give back to the country and because they are eco-friendly. It was fantastic to be able to see some of this in person and realize it’s not just talk.

Thank you so much for an unforgettable trip – we had the most amazing trip we have ever taken or will ever take. All of the Thomson people really anticipated our needs and wants before we did. The Massai experience was great, especially going to the school. I loved all of our accommodations, the Nyumbas, Rivertrees, Gibb’s Farm, Ras Nungwi and Zanzibar Serena Inn. The Spice tour and the walking tour of Stone Town were wonderful. You guys have done your homework and found the best everywhere we went.

The knowledge and friendliness of all the staff was incredible. They made us feel like one of the family. You always have expectations when going on a trip and I can say ours were met and exceeded by a large margin. Last but not least the food was incredible. I can’t believe they were able to cook what they did.

Greg and Wendy W.
Signature Thomson Safari with Zanzibar Extension, July 2012

I wanted you to know how much we appreciated our recent safari with you. We were so fortunate to spot two black rhinos just yards from the car; they stayed around long enough for us to get some really good photos. The lions were so close we could have reached out and petted them!

Zebras

Migration

River House

River House

River House

Serengeti rhinos

Serengeti lions

Hot-air balloon flight over Serengeti

View of Ngorongoro Crater

I like your committment to the communities and environmental issues and really enjoyed interacting with the locals, especially the children. I have learned so much.

Nancy K.
Signature Thomson Safari, November 2012

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Read more about Nancy’s safari on her blog via the links below!

Ngorongoro Crater	Thanksgiving	Animals, animals, Animals!

We are very sad our safari is over! It was the experience and adventure of a lifetime. Our three guides, Leonard, Mustafa and Phanuel were superb. Every aspect of the experience exceeded expectations; the wildlife, the Nyumbas and camps and the local people included!

Tanzania is truly magnificent. I think Louise and I may be going thru a bit of depression now that the adventure is over! No more planning, organizing and anticipation, its over! You folks at Thomson have caused a real problem for us. What in the world can we possibly plan as a future trip to equal this one!

The visit to the Enyuata Women’s Group was very special to us. The fund for education and healthcare made buying a joy! Thank you, Thomson Safaris, for your commitment to this nation.

It is extremely easy and natural to write enthusiastically about our Thomson Safari experience! You folks have a world class product!! Following our safari experience, I can imagine what fun it would be to sell the Thomson Safari experience – instinct tells me Thomson is a good place to work. If 30 years younger, I might just apply!

Art & Louise W.
Signature Thomson Safari, September 2012

I could have spent the whole twelve days at Thomson’s Eastern Serengeti Nyumba. The most pristine experience of my life as an outdoorsman. Loved it!

Bob B.
Private Thomson Safari, June 2012

We had a great time. A very different trip from the previous two. The mix of Maasai culture and walks at Thomson’s private refuge was a great start. The job Thomson Safaris does in supporting the area is to be commended.

In the Northern Serengeti the wildebeest migration was in full swing. We were able to witness three Mara River crossings in a single day. We were witness to the largest wildlife migration on earth and could see tens of thousands of wildebeest in every direction. We also had multiple wildlife encounters, lion, zebra, elephants…we had enough time to see everything.

Katavi National Park was unusually dry for this time of year but we still had multiple viewings of elephants, lions, leopard, etc.  Including elephants in our camp!  We had a great time in Katavi.

What can you say about Mahale? Chimps! We were able to view chimps up close and personal on both trekking days and went fishing each afternoon.  The camp was gorgeous!  The trip was just like you helped us plan – different, unique and exciting.

We also had the opportunity to visit the Arusha office to see our first guide, Nasibu, who invited us to his house the following day to meet his family.

Vance M.
Private Thomson Safari with Katavi and Mahale Mountains National Park extensions, September 2012

I cannot tell you how much fun we had on your safari and how perfect every aspect of the trip was coordinated.  We are definitely satisfied customers!  We are “talking up” Thomson Safaris to everyone that will listen.

The trip far, far exceeded our expectations and I just loved sitting back and “enjoying”,  knowing that your staff would have every detail under control.

People will ask me what part of the trip I liked best, and it is hard to answer. I loved everything…the up close experience of the animals, seeing the breathtaking vistas from horizon to horizon, talking with the interesting guides, enjoying my new safari friends, eating 3 fantastic meals a day, sitting by the fire at night, walking with Herman around Gibb’s Farm, skimming over the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon, shopping at the Maasai women’s market, sleeping so soundly in the comfortable nyumbas, taking hot showers at the end of a dusty day, and even driving on the bumpy roads.

I felt like I smiled for 2 weeks straight! Thank you and the Thomsons for the great trip and the wonderful work they are doing in Tanzania. I loved everything! I feel like I have spend the last 10 days smiling at the extraordinary scenery and wildlife and laughing with my new friends. Perfect trip!

Lynne & Paul R.
Signature Thomson Safari, September 2012

As I leave this safari, the many vivid colors of Africa will stay in my mind forever. The diverse cultures, the smiling faces of the children, the multitude of animals grazing in their own habitats, the genuis welcome from the African people all make this trip unforgettable. Asante!

I cannot begin to tell you how much this trip meant to me. I lost my wonderful husband 9 years ago and this was a trip we had been planning together. I have just gotten to the point where I was able to make it without him. It truly was life changing. It helped us put things into perspective and come home knowing that even though we have had a loss, we have a beautiful life ahead of us if we just search it out.

When I am “old” I will close my eyes and remember Africa; I think she will remember me too. I have NOTHING but praise for your company and the work it is doing for the souls in Africa. I will certainly say to do it today; don’t wait until tomorrow. I would go back in a heartbeat. I give Thomson an A++++++ in all categories.

Pat L.
Signature Thomson Safari, July 2012

John, Hashim, and Abu are amazing:  Great naturalists who can explain about everything from elephants to baobab trees while tip-toeing a jeep down an impossible road. Please tell them Asante sana!!

I did not expect to be as affected by people and their lives as I was. The schoolkids were great. We were impressed by the level of the 5th-grade math books we saw, and happy to learn that Thomson helps support them. Even the food was good…the last thing I thought about in anticipating our trip. Tasty and healthy!

Thomson really does put a lot of time and effort into anticipating all the details of each trip to produce the best visitor experience possible.

Michal S.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, October 2011

See Michal’s photo diary of her safari!

We had fabulous weather, sightings and great guides & comfortable campsites. I was so appreciative of all the fine young men who worked at the camps…their kindness, efficiency and eagerness to make us feel welcome.  I’ll never understand how they are able to serve a gourmet meal without electricity and a well-stocked kitchen. They were truly fabulous & I felt safe the entire trip.

I really enjoyed the variety of places we were able to visit…the Oldupai Gorge, the Massai village and Ikoma where we watched the women make baskets and see how they live.

I admire how Judi and Rick give back to the communities by supporting the handiwork of the women and the individuals at the Shanga Workshop.  I thought the craftsmanship at the Shanga Workshop was truly outstanding. It was remarkable that they were incorporating recycled materials.  I really liked knowing more about the communities we visited.

Without reservation, I would recommend Thomson Safaris to my friends, family and colleagues.

Pam H.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, October 2011

It was a trip of a lifetime.  As you know Lise and I were continuing to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana which was delightful but I must say that the highlight of the trip was our safari with Thomson.

I can guarantee Thomson does not exaggerate the cost of the safari and the value was greater than our expectations. I have to add that we had the pleasure of meeting the owners of Thomson Safaris, Rick and Judi, they are wonderful and generous people. They give back more than their share to the community which was for me important to know. Their personnel is chosen to complement and follow their way of thinking. All are delightful! It is a very mature, well-run organization.

Lyse R.
Signature Thomson Safari, November 2011

Tanzania stole my heart, it was even more than I had hoped it would be and Thomson did a fabulous job right from the moment I sent my first email inquiry. This was my first international trip and also the first time I have ever traveled on my own. I was an exhausted mess after two days of traveling but when I arrived in Arusha, Casmir was there to meet me and got me checked in at Rivertrees for a much needed shower and nap.

Your suggestion of the one day hiking safari in Arusha National Park was perfect, Casmir picked me up on my second day for a fantastic introduction to Tanzania. He was a wealth of information and being on my own meant I could sit and enjoy views as long as I wished. The hike up the mountain was very refreshing, particularly after sitting on planes and in airports for such a long time.

When the rest of my group arrived and we set out, it was magic. John, Casmir and OJ were fantastic guides, always patient no matter if we asked the same question a hundred times and best of all they had a great sense of fun and adventure. As a group we all bonded very well, we were like family within days – after all, we were sharing the adventure of a lifetime.

Thomson Safaris’ organization of our trip was amazing, we were pampered and cared for by warm, friendly people everywhere we went. Each camp and lodge we stayed at was well-appointed, clean and best of all, they were environmentally friendly. As a woman traveling on her own I must say everyone seemed to go out of the way to ensure I was well cared for and happy. Our last day was a sad one for me and I can honestly say, I cannot wait to return.

I left Arusha for Egypt to meet my daughter for another tour. That tour company was not well-organized and they did not make us feel very secure. This was quite a letdown after my Thomson Safari. My daughter was left wishing she had joined me in Tanzania instead.

I would heartily recommend Thomson to anyone considering a safari.
Asante sana!

Linda G.
Signature Thomson Safari, September 2011

We returned from our extraordinary adventure with Thomson yesterday.  It was truly remarkable, amazing, fabulous and all those other cliched words that cannot  possibly capture the experience. Thomson exceeded our expectations, and the trip itself was beyond what I even imagined.

No one should leave this earth without venturing into Tanzania.  Our guides (especially Robert)  were great, the food was terrific, and the itinerary was perfect. Now I am experiencing re-entry culture shock.

It is quite admirable what Thomson has accomplished with the land in East Africa, the jobs they provide for the local people, the efforts to preserve the integrity of the camps, the energy conservation and much more.

Harry S. & Anne T.
Signature Thomson Safari, July 2011

We chose to travel with Thomson Safaris due to the immediate response to request for information and attention to detail.  I started inquiring 3 years ago and you continually sent information which was well-organized and professional.

Being our first exposure to a Nyumba I was pleasantly surprised. The “camping” far exceeded our expectations and the staff was excellent. Their English was very good.

I can’t speak highly enough about our guide, Kumbi.  He is so knowledgeable, found so many animals.  I thought the first day was unmatchable however; each day was better and better.  I was so impressed, in fact, for our next trip we all want Kumbi!  He just seemed superior and we can’t say enough about his abilities, behavior, knowledge and personality.  We love Kumbi!

We compared our Land Rover to other vehicles in the parks and felt ours was superior!  We were very pleased.

We were also pleased at how Thomson was actively involved in the communities it touched and were strongly impressed by Thomson’s ethics and how others talked about the company.

Lisa & Andy P.
Private Thomson Safari, February 2011

The safari was AMAZING.  Beyond amazing.  There are just no words.  I expected to see phenomenal landscapes and wildlife but what I didn’t expect was the wonderfully magnificent Thomson folks that we encountered EVERY STEP OF THE WAY (starting with Michael stateside).

The team in Tanzania was not only more than accommodating, they were enthusiastic and knowledgeable, possessing a great sense of humor and spirit, patience with teaching Swahili, and a great many other talents. I felt like I was among family throughout the whole trip.  I was sad to move from location to location leaving behind new friends we were just getting to know at the campsites and the nature refuge.

The conservation work that Thomson does in Tanzania is certainly commendable and important, but the team of people you have gathered and empowered to show us the riches of their country speaks volumes about Thomson’s spirit and values. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of something so grand.  I will come back again and refer many others.

Kwaheri for now, Paloma S.
Explorer’s Safari, July 2009

What an incredible adventure we had with World Wildlife Fund and Thomson Safaris!  One incredible moment was surpassed by the next, and every day would exceed the day before.

Your staff at the camps were extremely gracious and welcoming, and our guides (Makinda, Musa, and Derek) were very knowledgeable about the wildlife and ecology.  Makinda, as our lead guide, demonstrated a wealth of knowledge about the interrelationships found in each ecological niche.  As zoology majors in college, we knew that this was going to be a great trip, but we never imagined it would far surpass our expectations.

Thanks for all your help in arranging this once-in-a-lifetime excursion.  I feel that Thomson Safaris had a keen understanding of the conservation issues facing the habitat and wildlife of Tanzania and wanted us to understand those relationships, rather than just conducting a “show-and-tell” for tourists.

Rowena S.
World Wildlife Fund Classic Safari, February 2010

We booked with Thomson Safaris because of their quality and reputation. Thomson’s eco efforts and programs to give back to Tanzania’s people were very important to us.

Karen & Jim O.
Private Safari, January 2010

When we arrived, Justo picked us up at the airport.  We were tired and I must have seemed concerned because Justo said, “relax Helen, Thomson will do everything for you.” Indeed, it was true.  I am unaccustomed to such service, perhaps that is because I soon began to view the staff as friends.  The folks you employ in Tanzania are the crown jewels of your business.

To be able to go on such nature walks, and truly “feel” the place is an experience I will never forget.  I had concerns about meeting the Maasai because I did not wish to be involved in objectification of anyone and an experience I had a while ago in Mexico gave me such concerns.  Instead, I felt like I met real individuals and that they gained something out of meeting us as well. I now see that you would not be involved in the kind of treatment that I feared.

Sadly, it is often the case that things anticipated for so long can never measure up to the years of imagined joy.  While my expectations were not specific in terms of particular events, they were indeed high.  But I could never have imagined that we would have had such a wonderful time.  We simply loved all of it.

My very best regards,
Bibi Helena
Explorer’s Safari, September 2009

The Thomson Safari organization was absolutely first class.  Every detail of the trip was carefully planned and executed without a hitch.  We always felt our needs to see, explore and to understand all the strange and wonderful things we encountered, whether it be related to the wildlife or to the local culture, were satisfied.

Despite the fact that we camped in the wilderness, the manner in which our ‘creature comforts’ were maintained was truly remarkable:  the living arrangements were ingeniously great, the food superb, the service staff friendly and efficient. Throughout our trip we always felt safe and secure, escorted from the moment we got off the plane until we returned to the airport.

Finally, it was evident that your organization has a social conscience and values that we share. We were happy to see how many local people were employed, how the local artisans were used and promoted, the well provided for the village in the Serengeti, the efforts to help handicapped people, the respect for the environment: all these things made us happy.

Stuart G.
Classic Thomson Safari, October 2009