The safari met all my expectations and then some! All of our guides were good; I’m still amazed that John could steer the Land Rover over awful terrain, keep an eye out for game, answer questions and swat tse tse flies all at the same time, without ever looking rattled!

The food was wonderful, the camp crews were accommodating. When it came time to walk back to the Nyumba after a little wine and conversation around the campfire, the camp staff was always available to walk us there. I never felt in danger, even when I woke up and heard lions.

I think the best part was having a new adventure each of our 10 days.  We saw so much wildlife in our first few days that I figured the last few days would be just more of the same.  Not so.  It wasn’t until the last full day that we saw the wildebeest cross the Mara (at least the ones not eaten by crocodiles).  I didn’t think I cared about the wildebeest/zebra migration, but I’m so glad I saw it.  And, just when I was resigned to not seeing a cheetah, we spotted one close by.  Not only did we see that cheetah, we saw it chase and take down a baby gazelle and proceed to eat it.  Sounds grizzly (and it was sad to see the mother stand on the hill and watch the whole process), but you know it’s nature at work.  And not 30 minutes later, we saw a mother cheetah and three cheetah cubs, up close and personal.

I have new respect for Land Rovers. I didn’t quite get the importance of Thomson’s promise of a window seat for each person until I saw other safari groups packed like sardines in open jeeps, while we switched sides, jumped up and down, shared spaces, etc.

Karen M.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, October 2012

With the experience of the trip, you have another big sales pitch – and that is your customized Land Rovers. We were picked up for the balloon ride in one of the Toyota Land Cruisers, the ride was much rougher and the sight lines were restrictive. I had to bend over to see out clearly (I’m only 6’2″) and the view out the front window was very limited for passengers. Soooo much time is spent in the vehicles, so this is really a big deal. Also we saw a other safari outfits with the more open vehicles, the dust must be horrible.

We were amazed at how gorgeous Tanzania is and how you cannot ever know or understand the vastness and the incredible nature of the land unless you feel it, breathe it, smell it, and take it all in. The magic of the animals and the thrill of your first and last sightings, and everything in between was phenomenal.

The magnitude of putting the itinerary together and having it all work without a hitch was amazing. We were greatly impressed by Thomson’s organizational skills. We feel we sighted plenty, plenty animals and the cultural parts of the trip were very special.

Donna & Martin S.
Tanzania Discovery Safari with Zanzibar Extension, October 2012

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Click to enlarge photos from Donna and Martin’s safari

The overall experience was a perfect 10, it has been the best vacation I have ever taken! I am worried about how I will tell my friends and family about this adventure – NO WORDS can capture it.

How could anyone possibly understand the excitement I felt while: seeing a lion pride, listening to Charles’ experiences as a guide, experiencing the changes of the savannah, seeing “grass as far as you can see”, counting 21 giraffes outside of your nyumba, listening to Leonard’s tall tales, learning about Thomson’s commitment to the people and land of the Serengeti, watching wildebeest run, seeing a baby “tommie”, traveling in a Land Rover with the African sun and wind in your face, parking next to an elephant for the first time with Patrick’s careful planning of where to be, sitting around a fire at night, looking up at a million stars, photographing an ostrich, standing on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, walking into Gibb’s Farm for the first time and eating incredible food served by extraordinary people?  It has been the trip of a lifetime.  I will try to share this as best as I can!!!

Linda H.
Signature Thomson Safari, October 2011

PS: Thank you for the trip preparation materials!  I would have been lost without your incredible materials and timeline.

Our bodies and luggage arrived back home but our spirits are still there!

Our trip was absolutely flawless.  Our two guides, Abu and Phanuel, were simply too wonderful for words – knowledgeable, well-organized, patient, humorous, friendly, attentive and entirely professional.  We were always amazed at how deft they are at multi-tasking: driving, scouting, finding the most camouflaged animal in the distance, answering every question, even those they had answered time and time again, with patience and humor!  Like the excellent teachers they are, they  seem to have eyes and ears in the back of their heads; every time one of us raised our camera, they were willing to stop.

Our group of eight was just the right size and we all got along very well. The camps were comfortable and spotlessly clean, the Land Rovers far more comfortable than we anticipated, and the food was plentiful (we loved the variety of fruits and vegetables at the evening meals!).

We really appreciate the ease and professionalism of every contact we had with you before our trip – forthright answers to our initial questions and no gimmicky high pressure sales, prompt responses to our many questions, your patience and the enthusiasm you displayed. Thomson is lucky to have you all.

I’ve already recommended Thomson and will continue to do so to anyone who shows even the slightest interest!

Warmly, Pat
P.S. At the breakfast following the balloon excursion, we had an opportunity to mingle with people traveling with other tour operators…we definitely had the best in Thomson!

Pat T.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, September 2010

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

We have just returned from a month long trip to Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. During our travels, we spoke often of our Thomson Safari and the quality of our experience. It was the perfect introduction to Africa and we still appreciate the high level of service that you provided. The fact that you have your own staff and vehicles makes a tremendous difference. Because your naturalist/guides are Tanzanian, and have years of experience, they are well acquainted with the wildlife and other features of the areas through which your safaris travel.

On this second trip to Africa, we wanted to explore beyond Tanzania, so we traveled with a reputable company who had to rely on services provided by a South African contractor, and, believe me, the service just didn’t measure up. The guide was South African, not a citizen of the countries in which we were traveling, and that made a difference, too. The vehicles? Well, let’s just say they weren’t like yours.

We continue to recommend Thomson to people we meet on our various travels. You’re the best!

Best wishes to all at Thomson,
Susan P.

I have owned and driven Land Rovers in East Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer and Baja, California much of my life.  We owned Atlantic British Export here in the United States for years (the North American source for Land Rover and Range Rover parts) and had never seen a safari modification like Thomson’s with the higher rear seat sections, the taller windows and windshield. Wow!!  What a difference from a passenger’s point of view!!  Compared to any of the other safari machines out there, the visibility toward the horizon to the front and sides…from any of the back seats is unsurpassed.

Even my oldest daughter who was notorious for car sickness never had a problem on any of the rough roads.  We got a chance to ride in another (non-Thomson) safari vehicle on the way to the balloon ride in the Serengeti and were immediately reminded of how we had to bend over at the neck from the back seats in order to see around the driver’s head and out the wind shield.  The Thomson Rovers are by far the best maintained and set-up machines on the road…and the drivers are incredible too!   Nzuri kabissa!

Eric A.
Classic Thomson Safari, July 2008

We see a lot that day. There are giraffes so close to the road that if they choose to bend their long necks in our direction, we would almost be able to touch their heads. We see enormous herds of wildebeest, mixed with zebra, impala, and gazelle – especially the variety known as Thomson’s gazelle.

…but the day has something else in store for us. As we pass by some zebras walking through the high yellow grass, Harrison stops the Land Rover. They are three adults and one foal. We wonder why he has stopped. We have seen plenty of zebra and they were a lot closer to us than these four.

While peering through his binoculars, Harrison utters the word, “lion.” We look, but we see no lion. We tell him so. “Yes,” he says. “He is lying in the grass.” We continue to scan the high grass. “Where?” we ask. “Straight ahead.” he says. “You can see the tips of his ears.”

And yes. There is the slightest bit of movement, as the lion’s head begins to rise out of the grass, with his eyes trained on the zebras, which are now walking in single file, with the foal at the end. The lion is between us and them. We watch as the line comes to a halt.

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The above is an excerpt from Bruce C.’s blog.
Bruce and his wife, Elodia, traveled with Thomson Safaris in October 2010 on a Signature Thomson Safari.
Read the full story of this day on safari with Thomson.

Every day with our guide, Makinda, was like a classroom experience.  His knowledge of animals, birds, plants, geography and geology is very impressive.  He never showed impatience, despite being asked many questions (often repeatedly).

Compared to other (company’s) vehicles that we saw, we were delighted.  Ours had ample room, excellent viewing from top and sides and the ability to close windows during rain and dust.

Arlene & Kurt P.
Signature Thomson Safari, October 2010

What an amazing trip. Simply beyond words. Tanzania is a beautiful place: Animals, people, landscape, the sights, sounds, and even the smells are poa sana, which is Swahili for very cool!!! My photos don’t do the whole experience justice as there is so much more to see than just the wildlife.

I spent more time standing up than sitting down (in the Land Rovers).  What a cool way to see this country!  I was always comfortable – always felt safe and enjoyed the bumps as much as the smooth rides!

I’ve been telling everyone we know to contact Thomson. Every single penny we spent – every thought and concern that went into the planning and preparation – was WELL worth it. Beyond worth it.

I couldn’t possibly recommend it enough.

Chris & Kim K.
Private Thomson Safari, October 2010

I used to think the train was my favorite way of transport until I stepped into Thomson’s Land Rover. I will always love/remember that feeling. I saw other safari vehicles didn’t have a roof and windows that could open and close. I am so glad ours did – and we did not have too many people in one vehicle!

Charlie P.
Classic Thomson Safari, July 2010

The Land Rovers were a far better vehicle than the Toyota Land Cruiser that we rode in to the hot-air balloon site: You can see out of the Land Rovers when sitting down, they are much roomier, and you can walk in the aisles. I didn’t realize how important the Land Rover was in the overall experience, although I knew that Thomson Safaris knew the importance. The Land Rovers really do distinguish Thomson from the other operators on the road.

Gary O.
Teen Family Thomson Safari, February 2009