We go an extra mile in bringing quality services
Great Escape Trails
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $2,604 to $17,359 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
JP
Email A. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari was good, guide less so…
I usually don’t leave a comment when I’m dissatisfied with a tour or service, but a safari is on another level in terms of cost, especially when you choose a private one.
First, the positives: the person I corresponded with by email to organize the safari was professional, and the safari itself was enjoyable. We appreciated the stunning landscapes and wildlife, although, as it was our first safari, we can’t really say if we saw more or less than others.
However, we had issues with our guide’s manners.
The first impression was terrible. The pick-up was scheduled for 8:30 AM, as confirmed by the company the day before. Yet, when we arrived in the hotel lobby, the first thing he said was, “I thought you had vanished.” We were confused, and he went on to say he’d been waiting for a while because, according to him, we were supposed to leave at 8:00 AM. Even after I showed him the confirmation message from his company, he didn’t acknowledge the mistake or apologize and simply carried on as though we were at fault. Not exactly the best way to start. My husband and I were bewildered and instantly uneasy about what kind of person we’d be spending the next four days with.
Unfortunately, there were several other moments during the trip that made us uncomfortable. For instance, one evening we had to share a table at dinner. My husband, who was drinking a beer, thought it would be polite to offer one to the guide as well. To our surprise, the guide ordered two beers without hesitation — and to make matters worse, he didn’t even say thank you. It came across as entitled, like he just assumed it was his due. This lack of basic manners, combined with other odd comments and behaviors, made us feel increasingly wary and uneasy around him.
In the end, we decided not to confront him to avoid ruining our four precious days. We even gave him a generous tip since that seems to be the norm. He probably has no idea how we felt. However, we can’t help but think another guide would have made the experience far more memorable.
Ultimately, it was the breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife that saved the trip for us.
NL
Email Victoria | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable and adaptable
There was a few hiccups at the beginning but our guide quickly adjusted them to help make the experience good! Great game drives in the Serengeti!
DE
Email Elena Zagrada-Salihu | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really great Safari
We really enjoyed our first Safari, it truly was an once-in-a-lifetime-experience. Thom has an excellent knowledge about wildlife animals and lots of fun facts about the nature and also an impressive eyesight! He‘s patient and his company is reliable and professional.
PL
Email jarek | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The website is in line with the offer
A 4-day safari with an overnight stay in the Serengeti Park is a great offer for those bored with sunbathing in the "nearby" Zanzibar. If you want to see Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro 4 days is the minimum (the shorter option does not make sense). Great Escspe Trails is a small company but it is made up of a very nice team. The trip went as planned (maybe except for one accommodation, which we regretted a bit because it was located at the viewpoint on Ngorongoro / we were informed about the lack of availability of the place at the start of the safari, instead we stayed in a more distant and probably slightly cheaper but also comfortable place). The car that we traveled was not the first youth, but in terms of cleanliness and technical condition without major complaints (cars used by Safari companies are usually Toyota Land Cruiser J70 before and after lift, we came across the original version of this vehicle). A guide with several years of experience was the strongest point of the entire Safari. In our opinion, the price-quality ratio was a plus. Safari is definitely an unforgettable experience, although we also heard telephone reports of boredom on the spot…. ("Zebras and zebras everywhere ..."), "unfortunately" there are no nightclubs on the Serengeti ...
(automatic translation from Polish)
CN
Email monica huang | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring guide who made our Tanzanian safari unforgettable.
Our 4-day, 3-night safari with Great Escape Trails was an amazing experience, and our guide Hans played a huge part in making it so memorable.
Every morning, he arrived with a clean vehicle, made sure our hotel lunch boxes were loaded, and always prepared enough drinking water for the day. During the game drives, he had an incredible ability to spot wildlife quickly and always found the best viewing positions, giving us plenty of time to enjoy and photograph the animals.
What impressed us even more was his enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge. He helped us identify animals using our East African wildlife guidebook and patiently explained their habits and characteristics, making every sighting even more meaningful.
At the end of our trip, knowing that we were nervous about traveling on our own, he even took us to the bus station and helped us buy our tickets. That extra kindness and responsibility went far beyond what we expected from a guide.
Thank you, Hans, for all your help and for making this safari such a wonderful experience. If we come back to Africa in the future, we would definitely choose Hans as our guide again. Highly recommended!
KR
Email Seunghee | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommended!
We had an incredible 4-day safari experience in Tanzania, and a huge part of that was thanks to our guide, Hans.
From the very beginning, Hans was professional, reliable, and exceptionally kind. He always explained our daily schedule, routes, and plans clearly in advance, which made us feel comfortable and well-prepared throughout the trip. Safari days often involved very long hours of driving, but Hans never complained or showed any sign of fatigue. Instead, he remained positive, patient, and encouraging the entire time.
One thing that impressed us the most was his punctuality. He was always waiting for us before the agreed meeting time, ready to start the day with a smile. He never overwhelmed us with unnecessary information, but instead shared exactly what we needed to know, along with fascinating stories about Tanzania, its culture, history, wildlife, and local life. Thanks to him, we learned so much more about Tanzania than we ever expected.
Hans is also an outstanding safari guide. Throughout the game drives, he constantly communicated with other guides via radio and worked incredibly hard to locate wildlife for us. Because of his dedication, we were able to see the Big Five as well as many other amazing animals from close range. It was obvious that he genuinely wanted us to have the best possible safari experience, and his passion for wildlife was evident every day.
His driving skills were excellent, and we always felt safe and comfortable, even on rough roads. From the hotel pickup to the final drop-off, every part of the journey was handled professionally and with great care.
What touched us most happened on the last day. We arrived in Arusha around 7:30 PM and realized that we did not have the exact location details for our Airbnb. Without hesitation, Hans personally contacted our Airbnb host, coordinated everything for us, and made sure we could check in smoothly and comfortably. This was far beyond his responsibilities as a safari guide, and we were deeply grateful for his kindness and willingness to help.
Hans is not only a fantastic guide but also a genuinely caring and trustworthy person. Thanks to him, our first safari in Tanzania became an unforgettable experience filled with incredible memories.
If you are considering a safari in Tanzania, we wholeheartedly recommend asking for Hans as your guide. He truly made our trip special, and we cannot thank him enough.
Thank you, Hans, for everything. We will never forget this amazing adventure.
Email Douglas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An extraordinary safari experience — beyond every expectation
We recently completed a custom-designed 10-day safari with Great Escape Trails to celebrate a milestone 50th birthday, covering Tarangire National Park, Lake Natron, the Central Serengeti, Ndutu, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. The itinerary itself was tailored specifically for us, built out from a shorter trip to give us the experience we were really after. We researched four different operators before choosing Great Escape Trails, and we are so glad we did.
Planning & Itinerary — Thom
From the very first interaction, Thom set Great Escape Trails apart. He was responsive, thorough, and genuinely invested in making our trip perfect — working with us to custom-design our itinerary from scratch, helping us fine-tune every detail, and going well beyond his brief to advise on accommodation after the tour and how to make the most of any extra time we found ourselves with. That level of care and personal attention is rare, and it was the deciding factor in choosing Great Escape Trails over their competition.
Our Guide — Hans
Hans is, quite simply, exceptional. His knowledge of the wildlife, terrain, and ecosystems is extraordinary — and his ability to navigate the Serengeti without so much as a GPS seemed almost supernatural. In quieter areas, he drew on years of experience and deep personal knowledge; in busier locations, he used his network of fellow guides and his radio to make sure we were always in the right place at the right time.
The result was extraordinary. He got us closer to wildlife than we ever imagined possible — within metres of lion cubs playing in a tree, elusive leopards lounging on low branches, a cheetah with a fresh kill, elephant families crossing the road directly in front of our vehicle, and a large group of giraffes surrounding us completely. He balanced all of this with genuine respect for the animals and for other visitors. Worth noting too — the wet season arrived unexpectedly early, and Hans navigated some seriously challenging deep mud conditions with complete composure and skill. It never once disrupted our experience. If we had self-driven, we would not have seen a quarter of what we did — and we would almost certainly have been hopelessly lost, or genuinely stuck.
By the end of the trip, Hans felt more like a good friend than a guide. We had learned each other’s sense of humour, shared stories, and the whole experience felt warm and natural. Saying goodbye was genuinely difficult.
Accommodation
Once we hit the road after our first night in Arusha, every property delivered something special. The range was part of the adventure itself — a fixed lodge in the Central Serengeti, a mobile camp in Ndutu, an eco lodge near Lake Natron, and comfortable accommodation in nearby towns for the other nights. The level of facilities naturally varies across such a diverse itinerary, but every night felt right for where we were and what we were doing — beds were comfortable, food was generous, and hosts were warm and welcoming throughout.
In Summary
A self-drive safari might appeal to some, but we cannot imagine having experienced anything close to what we did without Hans and Great Escape Trails behind us. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to mark a very special birthday, and Great Escape Trails delivered something truly bespoke — not an off-the-shelf package, but a trip designed around us. We would wholeheartedly recommend Thom, Hans, and the entire Great Escape Trails team to anyone considering a Tanzania safari — you will not regret it.
CA
Email Don | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable and interested in sharing his beautiful country.
What can be said. Totally awesome - the variation of animals; being able to see them in the wild living their life. Without Thom we would have missed some beautiful situations - his knowledge of the animals and their characteristics enhanced the trip.
Why go to this beautiful country without the BEST to guide you.
NL
Email Bo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
The four of us had a fantastic safari. Tom is truly the best and funniest driver imaginable. He immediately puts you at ease from the start and speaks excellent English. Perfectly understandable, especially for Dutch people. Tom knows the roads like the back of his hand and knows exactly what he's doing. He adapts perfectly to our needs. He's also clear about his expectations, such as what time he'd like to leave and the schedule for the day. One of our locations turned out to be unsuitable for overnight stays, and he had it completely resolved before we knew it.
Even during the safari, Tom drives incredibly smoothly and comfortably. He knows where to find the perfect spots and stops at the perfect spots to admire and photograph the animals (the photos are barely zoomed in). He happily jumps in front when possible, but always with respect for the animals! He's happy to back up a bit if he notices an animal is uncomfortable. His knowledge of the country and its animals is also commendable. Along the way, we learned a lot of interesting facts, and he was able to answer all our questions about the animals! In short, I would highly recommend Tom to everyone! We miss him already!
(automatic translation from Dutch)
NL
Email Martijn | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Very good company. Everything is taken care of and most importantly the guide is great. He made us all feel comfortable right away and is really good at his job. 20 years of experience and it shows. He really knows all the best spots and is very knowledgable about the animals (including birds) and their behaviour. He could answer any question we had. The safari jeep is very comfortable and practical. Overall amazing experience and would recommend this company for sure.
