Steven Mbwambo Managing Director Kima Safaris LTD
Kima Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB, TALA & TANAPA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $3,472 to $18,748 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Vegard | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible customer service.
We believe we have been scammed by Kima Safaris. We had planned and booked a trip in the start of november 2025, but due to problems regarding the election in Tanzania, Steven told us to cancel the safari due to safety. He told assured us that all the money would be refunded, but to this day (23.02.26), nothing has been refunded. They still owe us 4600USD.
In the beginning he would answer my calls and messages, and told us that he would pay by the end of the month etc. but everytime the date he said he would pay us back was due, nothing was refunded. Now, he wont even pick up the phone and answer my calls or message me back, so we believe they have scammed us and would strongly reccomend everyone to stay AWAY from Kima Safaris Tanzania.
Email Nigel | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Irresponsible; callous; unapologetic; indifferent to fact we paid for a service he could not deliver
Sold safari itinerary that proved to be undeliverable.
Driven in land cruiser with several major defects, many of which were significant safety risks.
The most harrowing part of the journey was during 14-hour drive from Makumi to Selous (which should have taken no more than 7 hours).
Just after 7pm on this drive, the headlights on the vehicle failed. It was dark and very remote where it happened.
The road was potholed and riven (a truck had been stuck in the mud earlier and we had waited an hour while villagers dug it out before we could pass).
The driver resorted to holding his mobile phone out of the window in his right hand,to shine the light from his screen on to road. His left hand held the wheel and he drove one-handed, with very little light from his phone, with hazard lights on.
The journey was completed agonisingly slowly in this dangerous one-handed fashion.
Because of the rain, it was also hard to distinguish the road from water on both sides.
We both thought we would die.
The following day we saw Steven, the company owner, at the river safari where he was with a group (from the hotel where we had been staying). He was in a more superior vehicle.
We were rightly angry. We tried to tell him about some of our experience of the tour, but he offered not one word of sympathy, still less any apology or acceptance of responsibility.
When we said our lives had been endangered, he said we should take it as an adventure! I am in my 70s and my wife is nearly 70. We do not need this kind of adventure at this stage in our lives. We are well-travelled and had ‘slummed it’ in our twenties.
When my wife mentioned that the hand rail came off when she held on to it as the vehicle tipped at 45degrees going through a rut, Steven said that it was probably because of her weight!!!
We pointed out to him that it was his responsibility to provide us with a vehicle that was fit-for-purpose. He responded that it was the rain that posed a problem to our journey having taken so long.
This is just an account of the worst part of the tour.
We bought a 4-day safari (84 hours) but spent spent a total of 31.5 hours travelling in the vehicle, with a mere 8 hours on actual safari in the two parks, Makumi and Selous.
We paid USD1800 and were provided with an unroadworthy, not fit-for-purpose vehicle.
The accommodation was changed at the last minute on the first day and we were put up in a place with no fan, air-conditioning or hot water.
The accommodation at Selous did have a fan, but no hot water for a shower after our gruelling journey or for an early morning shower. (They did provide hot water later in the day but no hot shower before our walking Safari before breakfast.)
It was a terrifying experience.
Clearly not value for money.
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Email Linn | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip was effected by many different things.
It was a good trip to Serengeti ang Ngorongoro. We saw slit of animals, and the crew did their best to hive us a good experience.
ES
Email Katariina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor alignment on expecations.
We booked 1 day safari with Steven. However, our experience fell short with the expectations that were created by Kima Safari. Much to our surprise, the trip from DAR to Mikumi starts with the safari car so that means limited airflow due to no AC throughout the trip. This was rather difficult to endure during our 7 hour drive back in 40 degree heat. Moreover, we were promised a breakfast at the arrival which in the end was not offered. On our way back, the car broke down which caused a 2 hour delay in our trip back. We also wanted to pay in 2 parts and we were overcharged with the second payment.
Once we explained the situation to Steven, he told us that the 'driver forgot the breakfast' and that overcharge was 'his mistake'. Initially we were promised a minor refund for this but now we have been waiting for a response for a week and have not yet heard from Steven. On a positive note, we were able to see most of the animals which was definitely a memorable experience.
I believe better alignment on expectations from Kima Safari's side would have made the day trip more enjoyable and I recommend going over the itinerary with the driver prior to the trip in order to avoid any misunderstandings.
NL
Email Lynn | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great all inclusive organisation, which allows you to sit back and relax during the full trip
We went on a 5-day safari in Nyerere and Mikumi National Park and it was an amazing experience! Communication with both the organization and our driver was smooth from the very beginning. Pick-up and drop-off at our accommodation were perfectly arranged. Our driver was friendly, professional, and did everything he could to show us the best spots and wildlife. Thanks to him, we truly got the most out of our trip.
The only downside is that two of the five days are mainly travel days, but overall it was still an unforgettable safari that we can highly recommend!
Email Simbarashe | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic value for money
Kima Safari's one nighter at Nyerere NP is great value for money. From the staff at the lodge who made us feel at home, to our tireless guide Emmanuel who drove us over the two days, to seamless communications with Steven....all great. What a sunset river cruise. What a safari. Emmanuel drive us 40min into the park to ensure we sighted lionesses and their cubs on a kill.
Emmanuel is a huge asset to Kima Safaris.
CH
Email Alex | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
it's the best guide and driver you can imagine!
We made a 10 day safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti.
Many many thanks to Steven for the safe driving and the patience with our questions and comments.. it was a great pleasure to travel with you!
I can recommend it to all people who really want to visit the parks, the landscape and its inhabitants ( people, animals plants... ). We stayed in beautiful lodges with good service and food. Thanks to Steven for taking us with you.
DE
Email Federica and Lisanne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All in all a great experience!
The booking via the website worked really well. Peter from Kima Safari always responded quickly. We would recommend asking again shortly before the start of the safari when, where and how exactly it starts, as we had a communication problem between the agency and the guide. In general, you should not approach things with the German punctuality, because the Tanzanian clock ticks differently :)
In the end, we had a great safari and our guide Fikiri was super nice and pleasant. He patiently showed and explained everything to us and we had an unforgettable experience. We can highly recommend him as a guide. The long drive from Dar es Salaam to the national park was also interesting and you could see a lot of the life of the locals. Fikiri always had good music on!
Email Benjamin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Emmanuel was great.
We had a great time during our safari to Mikumi National Park. Our guide Emmanuel was great and arrived on time to pick us up. During the safari, he stopped every time we asked to take pictures. He was well inform about the animals in the park. I would say our only disappointment was, we did not get to see lions. However, this was not the fault of the tour company. Lastly, Emmanuel made stops on the way back which was very fun lol. I will definitely book with them again and please ask for Emmanuel you won’t regret it.
ES
Email Lluna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He was nice and explained us lot of things about animals, plants and culture
We find that the boat safari was quite different from other safaris that don’t do it. The lodge has breathtaking view and we could listen and see masais tribes with them animals and listen hipos and monkeys at night. The game drive safari was amazing and very spectacular seeing the animals that near.
The walking was not that interesting for us, we think it was too much prepared.