This was an amazing trip!  It was more than we could have imagined and one we will treasure for a lifetime. Your company is without question the best tour company we have ever dealt with.

Keep up the great work.  Very pleased that Thomson helps the schools and cooperatives.

Two of your satisfied customers,

Doug & Suzanne P.
Signature Thomson Safari, February 2013

I have stayed at a number of 5 star hotels in my lifetime, but the places we stayed at during this safari were just as good, only difference were the people, they genuinely cared about us.

The guides for our safari, Arthur and Koa, were amazing. I don’t know how they spotted various birds far away in trees, but they did and consequently I was able to get fantastic photos of the birds. I called Arthur “Bush Eye.” They did not just answer our questions about animals or plants, they always told a little story that explained how that animal or plant tied in to everything else. They were truly amazing.

We also met Rick Thomson and Judi Wineland and were able to spend one evening with them and had a great conversation. We sure appreciated what their vision is for their company and the people they affect in Tanzania.

We saw all the animals we could possibly see. All by all we rate this safari as our best vacation and best experience with the people who make Thomson Safaris work.

Ed & Karen B.
Signature Thomson Safari, December 2012

Click to enlarge photos from Ed & Karen’s safari

]]> http://blog.thomsonsafaris.com/the-buzz/best-vacation-best-experience-thomson-safaris-review-ed-karen/feed/ 0 http://blog.thomsonsafaris.com/the-buzz/we-fell-in-love-with-our-guide http://blog.thomsonsafaris.com/the-buzz/we-fell-in-love-with-our-guide#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 15:01:29 +0000 Thomson Safaris http://blog.thomsonsafaris.com/?p=6825

Our trip was wonderful! We loved it and will remember it forever!

The animals were so wonderful to see in their habitat. We were so blessed to get to see the wildebeest migration of about 150,000 on our final day of safari.

Our guide Freddie was perfect, we fell in love with him!!!!

John & Barbara M.
Tanzania Wildlife Safari, October 2012

Click to enlarge photos from John & Barbara’s safari

“We had such a wonderful, wonderful adventure in Africa. I was not disappointed about anything.  Thomson really delivers what it promises!  Our whole ten days were filled with sensual delights:  I viewed Africa through my senses – sight, sound, taste, smell (especially smell), and touch.  Africa is life-changing.  All of it was perfection and I will be grateful always, to have traveled under the ‘flag’ of Thomson.” – Jill C.

“We arrived at the school and were greeted by 20 Tanzanian children and their principal. He took us on a tour, where there are houses for teachers, and even, cows, goats, and chickens.  As we walked, the children followed and watched us in awe…I learned so much more about the world, people and it opened my eyes to many of the issues, such as poverty, hunger, and lack of education. I hope everyone gets a chance to visit Africa and have the same experience I did.” - Cecilia R., age 15

I just wanted to let you know personally that we had an incredible time on our safari. It truly surpassed expectations – everything was wonderful – from the itinerary, the amazing wildlife seen, the logistics, the incredible guides, the food and the accommodations – all top notch.

Thank you again for all your assistance in preparing us. It was a trip of a lifetime and will not soon be forgotten.

Allyson S.
Signature Thomson Safari, December 2012

Photos by Allyson S & Bob D.

Our trip to Tanzania was absolutely fantastic.  The people, the landscape, the wildlife were amazing.  Everyone we met was so welcoming and friendly, our guide was so resourceful and really gave us so much information about the animals, Tanzania and the culture.

We were surprised to have seen a total of 85 lions (Alexia, our daughter, kept count; including a pride of 22 at one time). We had the opportunity to visit the Ganako School and hope that we can help the school build a much needed water tank to supply water for the dry season.  I also truly appreciate everyone’s flexibility for my special dietary requirements.  The staff everywhere was very accommodating and creative.

Paula S.
Private Family Safari, March 2013

View Paula’s Slideshow:

Our trip to Tanzania was simply unbelievable.  I have done nothing but brag about it to all of my family and friends since the moment we got back.  From the accommodations, to the staff, everything was perfect.  While you all can’t control the weather (you can’t, can you?), the climate was the icing on the cake for us as it was the one thing about which we were anxious from the start.  The days were pleasantly hot and the nights were refreshing with a light breeze.

Ruaha was beautiful, as well.  We loved the nights dining in the dry river bed by candlelight. The wildlife was even more exciting than in the North (although we were there for the first crossing of the wildebeests, which can never be topped!).  I am so glad that we took the North & South so that we were able to experience as much as possible.  I cannot say enough about the trip.  Your company was recommended to me by a friend, and I have proselytized it ever since.

Yvette C.,
North & South Safari, July 2012

Let me tell you it was a trip of a lifetime. We are in touch with our fellow “safarians,” sharing photos and stories. We even hope to be able to visit each other. So not only did we have a great trip, we made new friends. (And that’s priceless!) We wanted a high-end tenting experience and Thomson offered it. We were not disappointed. The rest of the hospitality world should take lessons from the Thomson Safaris’ staff. We wanted high quality and we got it!

I’m sure you have seen all kinds of photos, but I think these are a bit different. My husband took our “wild-life” camera, which takes pix in the dark, and is motion-activated. He strapped it on a camp chair at the front of our tent every night, just to see what was “hanging-around” after the lights went out. Enjoy!

Robin W.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, January 2013

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Click to enlarge photos from Robin’s safari

We had so many WOW moments on this trip! I have now been on 32 safaris and it is hard to WOW me, but I was, several times. We saw about 40 sub-adult male elephants fighting each other very seriously, even drawing blood on occasion. We saw 31 giraffes crossing the highway on the way to the Serengeti and 2 of them got into a serious fight – even Freddy took a picture with his cell phone! We saw a heard of about 500 cape buffalo with 12 lions stalking them; the buffalo finally saw what was happening and started a stampede, one of the buffalo caught up with the male lion and gored it. The lion was laying on its back very hurt when 11 female lions came to his rescue and enticed the buffalo to go after them so the male lion could get up and run for cover. There were also lots of elephants chasing hippos out of a watering hole, along with several other wonderful sightings.

I love Thomson and think you have wonderful guides. Thanks for another wonderful trip!

June C.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, October 2012

Giraffes

Elephant eating

Leopard in tree

Giraffes in Serengeti

Tanzanian bird

Leopard in Serengeti

Lion cub on kopje

This trip BLEW me away. I didn’t expect to see so much wildlife. I didn’t expect to have so many amazing staff members helping us. Everyone was over the top amazing, professional and fun. We are sad to leave!

We will take another trip with Thomson Safaris. We had a fabulous safari! Thank you and your team so much.

Kristin H.
Thomson Family Safari, December 2012

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Click to enlarge photos from Kristin’s family safari

Every day was an unexpected surprise of what we would see that could be as amazing as the day before and every day exceeded the day before with another amazing sighting and experience. We could see the difference in the other companies that were out there. Most of them would just rush by, stop, snap a picture and move on. Our guides never rushed us, we cannot give them enough praise for how great they were. I would not have changed a thing and hope to come back with our grandchildren in a couple of years.

When we were in the northern Serengeti, we saw the Big 5 before lunch!  2 Lioness with 5 cubs about 25 yards from us, a huge male leopard lying in the tree, buffalo staring at us, elephants and their young so close we felt like we could just reach out and touch them and hippos sharing the river with the crocodiles.

Then Kaoneko spotted something far off in the distance. We drove closer and there they stood…not one, but three rhinos: a father, mother and young male. We were right in front of them, the large female and young rhino walked towards our truck – it was an amazing site and experience. We watched as the large male rhino seemed a bit more nervous that we were there, he began pawing at the ground with his hind legs like he was ready to charge. As we sat there more vehicles got the word and came to see these amazing creatures. We moved around to the other side of them so that the male rhino did not seem feel so crowded and nervous.

When we got to the Mara River, there were several vehicle already there, some had chairs and tables set up. They told us they had been there for 3 days waiting for the migration to happen. All of the sudden, the wildebeest began jumping in the river. Another amazing experience! They just kept on coming! It was another amazing day, and we hadn’t even had lunch yet!

There are not enough words to describe the experiences of this trip. I am astonished as how well our guides were able to spot the animals in the distance and then get us close enough to enjoy these amazing creatures.

Patti S.
Signature Thomson Safari, October 2012

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Click to enlarge photos from Patti’s safari

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

The trip was absolutely amazing!!! The entire safari exceeded my expectations in every way! Everyone at Thomson Safaris is great. I can’t say enough about our wonderful guides, O.J. and James, they were the best and I miss spending my days with them. I am actually depressed now that I am home, I want to go back!!!

We had so many good times, here’s a few highlights:

- Watching the baby elephants playing, and stumbling on their legs…so cute!!
- Seeing TWO Black Rhinos in the Northern Serengeti….awesome!!
- My favorite – the lions lounging around with not a care in the world.
- Gibb’s Farm, wow! Easily, the best place I’ve ever stayed!!

Thank you Thomson for a fabulous trip!!!!  I can’t say enough about how well you all prepared me for this trip!  I followed the guidelines to the every word and was fully prepared!  The check list on what to pack was spot on, I would have been lost without it!

Moira J.
Signature Thomson Safari, November 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

I went to Tanzania to view the natural surroundings and animals, however, meeting the Maasai and learning about their culture was an unexpected additional highlight of the trip.

Thomson met and exceeded my expectations for the safari. The staff were well-trained and knowledgeable, willing to take the time needed to view wildlife and gave detailed explanations about what we saw. The campsites, food and staff were great and provided a good restful night. Everyone was friendly, had a good sense of humor and were willing to engage in discussion.

We were fortunate to view two wildebeest migration river crossings in one day. I could go on and on but you get the idea, it is a trip I will never forget. I have traveled all over Europe but this safari stands out as a real winner.

Stephen M.
Signature Thomson Safari, September 2012

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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!

The safari was a trip of a lifetime!  It exceeded my wildest expectations! You probably heard we saw the Great Migration. With the exception of maybe one other jeep some distance away, we were the only folks to witness the drama that day. In fact, we were so close to the action, you could almost say we were IN the migration!

Other highlights included the balloon ride, and – as a cat person, myself – seeing leopards, lions, and the nocturnal serval (who made a daytime appearance). Seeing the black rhinos was a thrill, too. Our guide, Ojukwu, was terrific!  The whole experience was magical. I’ll be dreaming about it for years to come!

Deborah T.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, September 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

There is only one word for the trip and that is perfect. I don’t believe I have ever experienced a trip where every single thing was on schedule, just as promised, and in many cases even better than I expected. From the personnel to the choice of locations, to the timing, everything was spot on.

I was completely unprepared for the proximity and the quantity of the animals and for the kindness and wonderful spirit of the guides and all other Africans whom we met along the way.

It is hard to pick highlights, for there were so many, but I particularly enjoyed the balloon ride over the Serengeti, the tembo fires at each camp, seeing the gardens and experiencing coffee roasting at Gibbs Farm, and the lovely lantern-lit dinners in the riverbed at Mwagusi Camp. We remarked almost every evening that we could not possibly have a better day than the one just concluded, and yet every day was equal to or better than the previous one.

The North & South Safari really provided a great variety of terrains and venues. It seems to me that once you commit to the long flight and the expensive ticket, you should stay longer to maximize the value/impact. Going to two locations in Texas would not give you a true Texas experience. We have beaches, mountains, desert, and rolling green hills. I think you can say the same thing about Tanzania. We saw very different terrain in all three locales.

Thank you so much for providing such a great experience for us. I will certainly be happy to recommend Thomson to anyone who asks. I am VERY glad I made the trip and very grateful that it was everything I could possibly have hoped for.

Kay W.
North & South Safari, July 2012

I turned forty and went to Africa.  It was time.  My twenties were spent in New York, establishing a writing career.  My thirties were spent practicing law.  When I turned forty, however, the long banked aspirations of a little girl began to take precedence.  And so the winds blew me in the direction of Africa.  I arrived in Tanzania on February 25, 2012.  I walked into my room in the Arusha Coffee Lodge to find a gigantic bed, romantically draped in gauzy netting, a barrier to mosquitoes.  Old pipes delivering nonpotable water.  Outside, the southern cross hanging overhead.

I have been lucky in life.  I have been able to stare at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, trying to take in the whole of Michelangelo’s work.  I have seen the sun rise over Kata Tjuta rock formation in the Australian Outback.  I have lived a high pressured life with its demands, responsibilities and disappointments, but have these images to look back on as a touchstone of what beauty can be in the quiet of existence, when one has taken oneself out of the expected ambition of living and just looked around.  And now, fortunately, I have also seen Africa.

I had signed up for a ten-day photography trip in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park with a photographer out of Houston, Andy Biggs, whose photography I coveted and whose approach I appreciated—take in Africa…slowly.  Sit.  Allow it to reveal itself to you.  Wake up early enough to watch the light shift and then wait for the magic.  And no place is more magical than the Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic candera located in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.  It is the fact that this area is a crater that allows for such dynamic photography.  Images taken here have layers—striations of color, beginning with patches of dark green and yellow running through the grasses, then moving up to the hazy rock formations of the Crater itself, until your eyes rest on smoky or cumulous clouds that drift up into a deep blue African sky.

Not surprisingly, my best photographs came after long periods of time watching an animal, and fortunately, I was on a tour that allowed me the luxury of this time. One moment, we were watching a skinny lioness fight back six hungry hyenas from stealing a zebra kill from her cubs.  The next moment we were witnessing the birth of a wildebeest, watching the small animal take her first wobbly steps, and then, not ten minutes after birth, after recognizing solid ground, canter off with her mother to join the protection of the rest of the herd.  Over two days, we spent almost six hours watching a mother cheetah and her four cubs play—sometimes in the open sunshine, other times in a heavy rainstorm.  Just watching and waiting to see what would happen next…

For more, visit Jennifer’s blog

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Jennifer S. Cook
Africa Through the Lens Safari, February 2012

I cannot rave enough about my trip, it was fantastic! Thomson not only met my expectations, but far exceeded them. From my first phone call to your office where you so patiently answered all my questions, the safari staff, accommodations, transfers, were all wonderful.

I must have had the three most personal, knowedgable, and caring guides on the Thomson Safaris’ roster for my trip! The tents were so clean and comfortable, I actually like their mattresses better than my own! The meals were great, I was so happy (and surprised) that I did not gain weight. We saw all of “the big 5″ in our first few days and then continued to see more and more fantastic animals and animal interactions everyday after.

We were entertained and cared for the entire time – even through to our departure at the airport. I cannot thank you enough for the trip of a lifetime! My only dilemma is how am I ever going to top it ???

Beverly F.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, June 2012

If asked to identify a “favorite” from among the incredible experiences we had, I simply could not. We not only saw everything, we saw everything up close and personal. Lions 30 feet from our vehicle, lounging in the shade; a leopard on a branch in the tree directly above us; the Great Migration surrounding us with its abundance of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. The nyumba experience made us feel that we were sensing the pulse of Africa while we were luxuriating in comfort.

The attention to detail given by the safari support staff was impeccable. No need went unmet from our earliest email contact through our delivery at the airport for our departure. And, finally, I cannot say enough about our guides. Abu, our head guide, flawlessly led us through the most amazing experience of my lifetime. Support guides, Samson and Casmir, added their own expertise to Abu’s and no day went without yet another breath-taking observation. I believe that the quality of this safari, the animals we saw, the service we received, the sense of Africa that we gained, were due in a large part to the exceptional work of these three men.

I was the eldest of the safari group, and entered Africa with a bit of trepidation. However, I would now recommend a Thomson Safari without reservation, and tell guests to trust the experts at Thomson to treat them to what can only be called the trip of a lifetime.

Kay B.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, March 2012

Thank you for putting together such an ideal itinerary for me, and for making sure I got Kumbi; as you know from my letter, he was outstanding!

I enjoyed every location I visited, but my favorite was Kogakuria. I fell in love with the tall grasslands, sprinkled with the occasional tree, and the rolling hills. In the hour or two just after sunrise, the low light turned the whole landscape into a golden dream. Oddly, given that I went to Tanzania to experience the wildlife, my most magical moment was in an area with no visible animals at all, at the border between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. Since the migration hadn’t reached there yet, there weren’t any large animals to stand out above the tall grass. The land seemed to stretch out forever, and I felt connected to all of it in a way I’ve experienced in only a handful of places. This particular location made me realize why people refer to a “sea” of grass, and I loved watching the wind roll through it in waves, and listening to the leaves rustle against one another.

Of course the wildlife viewing in the area was also outstanding; it was in a nearby valley that I got to approach within a few yards of a cheetah (my favorite “dream come true” moment), and watch lions feeding on a zebra (my favorite “National Geographic” moment). The feeding lions included a young cub who was practicing his choke hold and wrestling with the zebra’s head; it was incredibly funny in a grisly sort of way, because the zebra’s head probably weighed as much as the cub, and a couple of times the cub flip-flopped completely over the zebra’s neck.

Thanks again for helping to make this wonderful journey happen. A significant factor in my decision to go with Thomson was how easy it was to talk with you, not just because you always seemed to be available, but also because you were so knowledgeable, and eager to help.

Mahalo,
Anna L.
Private Thomson Safari, July 2011

We had a wonderful time in Tanzania – the safari far exceeded our expectations in every regard.

The boys adored our guide, Harrison Mremi. He had endless patience with us and an amazing ability to find large cats. Late one afternoon, he located a leopard in a tree that must have been close to a quarter mile away. At first sighting the cat was nothing more than a dot. But sure enough, when we drove closer, it was a happily sleeping leopard.

Steven M.
Signature Thomson Safari, December 2011

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.

How can I ever thank you, and all of the Thomson staff, for the most incredible trip of a lifetime – truly my dream come true!  I’ve already had 5 friends ask me the name of my tour operator – I told them Thomson is absolutely top notch!!

The safari was wonderful and the animals were magnificent!  I loved the visit to the school and dancing with the children – we were all so excited to give them the school supplies.

Our guides, Willie, Phanuel, James and Kumbi were fantastic – so much fun, knowledgeable and so professional!  The staff at our camps, and Gibb’s Farm, could not have been more gracious or helpful!

I’m proudly wearing my bracelet that I bought at the women’s cooperative.
It was a privilege to travel with Thomson Safaris!!  Many thanks!

Ruth S.
Signature Thomson Safari, September 2011

We had an amazing trip.  Words just don’t do it justice.  I took almost 2000 pictures.  We saw just about all the big animals on the first day in Tarangire.

The staff is superb, everyone is warm, welcoming and friendly.  The chefs were outstanding,  I think the soups were my favorite.

We realized how spoiled we were with the guides.  Joe and I spent a day in Kenya and the guide we had that day didn’t compare to the skills of Mustapha, Leonard and Kao.  They were a great team and we had such fun with them all.

We have decided that we will go again.  It was an experience that everyone should have.  I was brought to tears several times.  And goosebumps on my arms too!!

Christine P.
Signature Thomson Safari, July 2011

Kumbi was absolutely amazing – I think he enjoyed the trip as much as us! We saw 2 (not 1) kills, a chase (he was as pleased that the baby escaped as we were), we were mere feet from a lion pride feasting, and he found a dung beetle at 30-40 kilometers per hour!  He explained culture, animals, plants and always made sure we were learning more.

Michael & Wendy S.
Private Thomson Safari, February 2011

It was really a great trip. We were fortunate, the migration was ON! Lots of zebras and wildebeest.  We saw a lion kill literally six feet from us, the next day, we saw 3 kills in 25 minutes.

The camps were amazing. How do they serve food like that in the middle of nowhere? The last hotel was really something – elephants at the swimming pool!

The Serengeti is pure magic.

Richard A.
Africa Through the Lens, March 2011

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.

Kilimanjaro Climb:
I can honestly say that I am very happy that we chose to do this project with Thomson. From the first phone call through all the details and logistics involved your team was a genuine pleasure to work with. My primary contacts, Michael and Katie were knowledgeable, and very professional, always prompt in returning calls and answering questions. They were truly excellent to work with. I know our project was a bit of a challenge, but it all ran exceptional smoothly with their help and guidance.

The guides were excellent, and the food was the best I have ever had under such difficult field conditions. We (amazingly) managed to put all 24 team members on the summit! Our research project was quite a success, and the Thomson staff was very accommodating throughout the project.

Safari:
In my opinion, having traveled quite a bit, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are among the Wonders of the World. This is world class animal habitat and is more spectacular in many ways than the Galapagos. When I think of all the families that travel to places like Disney World year after year, it seems like such a waste. If they saved up for a year or two they could visit Tanzania and have a genuine, rock-your-world, experience of a lifetime. I can’t think of a more interesting, or more valuable and educational place to visit and take your kids.

This was an excellent experience for all involved. I would definitely recommend Thomson, and would use Thomson again for any project in Tanzania.

Many thanks!

Scott Hamilton, Expedition Leader & Research Study Coordinator
East Africa High Altitude Research Expedition

Thomson Safaris led this 24-member biomedical research team
to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. During the trek, the team conducted
high altitude physiology research.

The whole trip was a highlight! It would be hard to choose just one…maybe all the lionesses (at least 5) sleeping in a sausage tree 10 feet from the Land Rover while their kittens lay in a heap nearby?  Or being surrounded by thousands of wildebeests on the move?

We loved the night sounds and the brilliant stars, the tents, the staff and the good wholesome food. River Trees Inn and Gibb’s Farm (particularly) were nice changes but all of us were glad to get back to the tents for our last two nights.

All of this was made perfect by our amazing driver, Freddie; our amazingly well-informed guide, Freddie; our incredible spotter, Freddie; and our ever patient caretaker, Freddie.  I am sure all your guides are well-chosen, but we found Freddie to be an excellent companion and teacher. I expected to see many amazing things, but I didn’t expect to learn so much about them.  Thanks to Freddy I now know much more about the animals, birds, trees, and flowers as well as Tanzania and its people. We could not ask for anything more!

Best wishes and much gratitude for an experience we will remember forever,
Margery W. & Mac M.

Signature Thomson Safari, January 2011

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

Our trip was absolutely amazing, I never dreamed I would see so many animals and birds.

The lodges were great but I really liked the Nyumbas the most: the crews in the camps were always eager to please and the food was outstanding. I’d love the recipes for all the soups we enjoyed.

I can’t say enough about how well we were treated. Thomson Safaris did an excellent job and I would recommend this tour to everyone wanting to see Tanzania. My safari was worth every penny.

Betty-Joan K.
Signature Thomson Safari, July 2010

Well, we are back from the trip of a lifetime!  We had the most phenomenal trip to Tanzania. I have been encouraging everyone to go to Tanzania and, of course, to choose Thomson Safaris.  I can’t imagine having done this trip any other way.

Our guides were exceptional and the accommodations were an aspect of the trip which exceeded our expectations.  I tell everyone if you ever go on safari do not stay in the lodges or you will miss out on some amazing experiences!  And this is coming from someone who hasn’t camped a day in her life!  We saw wildebeest and zebra aplenty outside of our tents.  The locations of the camps were spectacular.  I never imagined getting to camp along the rim of Ngorongoro Crater or siting beneath the clear, brightly lit sky of the Serengeti.  Wow.

Jolene Renee B.
Highlights of Tanzania Safari, September 2009

Sandy U.
Classic Thomson Safari, September 2009

Whenever you investigate some kind of experience, be it a camp, a school, a company, a travel group etc., you always read their customer comments indicating how wonderful everything is. Because these are published by the entity hoping you will become a customer, you are always suspect when reading them. Why would any entity publish negative comments by a prior customer? In the case of Thomson, however, I will say that your customer’s comments regarding their satisfaction with their safari are either dead on or definitely understated. Whatever expectations we had about our safari were more than surpassed by our experience. In short, this is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, travel experiences our family has ever had.

Given that we have traveled throughout North America, Europe, Australia, parts of Asia etc. this is high praise indeed. To be fair, the country and people of Tanzania and the amazing wildlife had much to do with the “once in a lifetime” feel of the trip. It would be unfair, however, to diminish the impact traveling with Thomson contributed to the impact of the trip.

Romaney B.
Thomson Family Safari, December 2009

Besides the wildlife, I’d say the guides made the trip.  Leonard, Samson and Hashim were wonderful!  They each have their unique personalities, of course, but they each possess a great deal of warmth, humor and an incredible breadth of knowledge of wildlife, geography, history, and culture.

I’m always amazed at the bonding that occurs between a good guide and his clients over the span of days.  Upon departure at the small airfield before we boarded the small plane to Arusha on the last day, more than a few of us found our eyes tearing as we said farewell to our terrific trio.  Kisses and hugs were the order of the day.

Katherine A.
Highlights of Tanzania, January 2010