Tanzania Specialist
- Located In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- SGR, Calamiteitenfonds & ANVR
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $4,973 to $9,945 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Jack Ryan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
£16,000 Honeymoon LOST
I am writing this review to warn future customers, especially those booking significant life events like a honeymoon, about our experience with Tanzania Specialist. We didn't even get to go on our honeymoon and lost everything.
We booked a £15937.46 honeymoon package through this company. When unforeseen circumstances forced us to request a postponement well in advance of our travel dates, we contacted them immediately.
The initial agent told us they would "look into it" and mentioned there "may be some costs," which we accepted. However, after weeks of back-and-forth, the company ultimately refused to move the dates after we had already made plans not to go and charged us the entire cost of the honeymoon with not even a 'sorry'. They just said its in the terms and conditions.
Our primary issue is this: at the time of our initial request, the agent did not inform us that moving the honeymoon was impossible under these ts&cs. Had we been clearly told this crucial information at the time, we would have made every effort to go on our honeymoon as planned. Instead, we were given false hope, which led to us losing the entire £15937.46.
We believe this is a severe failure in customer communication and a deeply unfair practice. We are now pursuing action through the courts to try and get money back but it is looking unlikely, Tanzania Specialist basically said, 'Our lawyers are better than yours'....complete bullies.
As I said before, we never got to go on our once in a lifetime trip after saving for years. We put our trust in this company and we got nothing for it so please be warned. Book somewhere else, your money/experience will be safer.
If anyone needs proof of emails or clarification, get in touch with me.
FR
Email Dan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
$2,000 charged for services NEVER provided
I strongly advise against booking with this agency due to a major breach of contract and dishonest dispute management.
The Dispute: We paid a $2,000 supplement for a specific Kilimanjaro extension (Horombo Hut). This service was never provided. We were kept on the basic 1-day itinerary, simply spread over two days, and never reached the promised altitude or refuge.
Bad Faith: Although the agency admitted in writing to an "editorial error" in their program, they refuse to refund the overcharged amount. They only offered a derisory $400 compensation (20% of the cost), which is unacceptable for a service that was simply not delivered.
Customer Service: Management refuses to take responsibility for their billing errors. Keeping $1,600 for a service that did not exist is not a "gesture of goodwill," it is an unjustified enrichment.
IE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everybody very friendly and professional.
We traveled as a group of five the first week in June, all accommodation chosen for us was very good, and our safari experience was above and beyond expectations the amount of animals we saw, the wilderbeest migration, and herds of elephants, giraffes and monkeys all crossing directly in front of our Jeep, driven by our extremely competent and professional driver whose name was Titus, he was so nice and thanks to his ability to spot animals we got to see a number of lions up close including a large pride of cubs. We saw lots of other wildlife , buffalo, eagles, vultures, hippos, crocodiles and other native birds.
Thanks again to our wonderful driver Titus who made the holiday for us.
It was a holiday to remember and I would have no hesitation in recommending Tanzania Specialist.
NL
Email Jacky de Rijcke | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A once in a lifetime experience
A had a fantastic guide Saìdi. He was also an excellent driver and photographer. He had humor, and that is what a liked a lot! He drove very carefully because I have a bad back. I called him eagle eyes, because while he was focused to avoid the big holes in the road, he still saw the animals. If it wasn´t for him I would have missed a lot of animals because I´m as blind as a bat apparently. The first day, we saw four of the `Big Five`, on the last day we completed the Five.
I was glad that he didn´t talk all the time, like other guides often do, but he knew the answers on my questions, and I had a lot of them. At one time we agreed that, he should take the photo´s that I couldn´t take. He really is a very good photographer!
He made my safari unforgettable!
If I have a chance to go back again to Tanzania, than I want Saìdi as my driver and guide.
Saìdi, thank you very much for the save journey.
CH
Email Rolf | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
PERFECT
We are a group of 8 people and have booked 14 days in Tanzania with Tanzania Specialist (10 days safari and 4 days Zanzibar). The suggestions for planning, booking and the entire process of our trip with Tanzania Specialist were excellent. We were on safari for 10 days and visited the national parks of Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Serengeti with the Ndutu area, and were in the Ngorongoro crater. The accommodations were all very good, and the food was also delicious. Our safari jeep was comfortable and always clean thanks to our guides. All appointments agreed upon when booking (time for airport pick-up, arrival and departure from the lodge, planned routes, etc.) were adhered to. It is particularly worth mentioning that the office was always available for questions or last-minute changes. We can highly recommend Tanzania Specialists.
FR
Email Manuel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and human structure for an amazing adventure !
Wonderful experience with Tanzania specialist !
Fantastic guide and driver, adventure all the trip !
Animals in all point of view every days !
Email Rach | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Legendary the best experience I’ve ever had it was magical!! Rodger was my guide/driver
As a solo traveller,
The whole experience dealing with this company was outstanding from start to finish
I can’t fault anything from your guides to accomodation!!
Ask for Rodger Soloman for safari guide/driver he is a legend very safe driver & knows the areas well!! Very informative very polite, kind and very patient. His also a lot of fun too!!
I had Angel as my liaison she is honestly so good @ accomodating your needs & creating a special itineraries!!
I highly recommend Tanzania specialist!!
NZ
Email Erik | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
9 days of wonderful adventure with superb guide, Philipo
I travel solo and consequently the price was accordingly, but basically with great acommodation, wonderful food and amazing adventure, it was amazing. I found that something happened pretty much all the time, it is more now at home that I realise how amazing this was. I included 2 night excurtions, which were really extraordinary. You see lions just lying on the dirt road, chilling out.
Wile I did see the big 5, and many more beautiful animals & birds, I do recommend bringing some sort og binoculars / zoom lens. You also need a certain amount of patience, as it may take a while for the leopard to pose, as in my experience.
I recommend it 100 %, everything was organised as intended. Acommodation was great and the food likewise. Most importantly was that my guide / drive Philipo was able and willing to go the extra mile. His knowledge was passed on freely and basically, I had a fabulous time.
CA
Email Ken and Tilly | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Specialist has a fantastic safari package that worked well for us.
We had a fantastic safari with Tanzania Specialist. Our driver/guide Tino was a great driver and always punctual. He made sure we could see as many animals as possible on our drives. He was very knowledgeable about the animals, the parks, the plants and the topography. He was very patient when we wanted to move ahead a little for a better photo or stop to take more photos of flowers. He knew the trails in the parks like the back of his hand and how to get to the best viewing locations. He communicated with other guides to find out where the animals were so we could go there right away and see them ourselves. I appreciated that Tino took care of jeep mechanical problems when they happened as best as he could considering we were in the middle of the Serengeti National Park.
The office staff were not as attentive to some details as they could have been and that is why I gave a 4 star rating.
All in all a great safari!
Email Chrissy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professionalism all the way!
Wow, what an incredible experience. From the minute we booked our safari with Tanzania Specialist, after many questions and much advice and guidance from our wonderful booking agent Salma, we were elevated into a world of excitement, anticipation and expectation. And we weren’t disappointed! From the moment we landed into Kilimanjaro until we were dropped off at Zanzibar airport for the flight home, we were very well looked after and we lived the dream. The safari days far exceeded our expectations and our guide, Frankie knew exactly where to position us for what we were hoping to see; we even managed to see all of the Big 5 - yes even a black Rhino in the Ngorongoro crater! All of the accommodation was exceptional and the meals delicious. Just what’s needed after a long day driving. Everything seemed to work so well, the timing, the planning and every day, Frankie made sure our vehicle was clean and stocked with fresh water. It truly was the trip of a lifetime never to be forgotten. We encountered many safari companies along the way but we honestly feel that Tanzania Specialist was by far the more organised and professional of all. We feel we had incredible value for money given that all the accommodation, meals, drives, guide, entrance fees and our flight to Zanzibar, (where we spent 4 nights in a wonderful all-inclusive resort) was included. If you’re thinking of travelling with TS, don’t hesitate, they really are exceptional!
