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Sercar Serengeti Wildlife Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- TTB, TALA, TANAPA, BRELA & NCAA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $3,125 to $34,718 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
IL
Email Dolev | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Worst experience I've ever had with a tour operator
I traveled with John in August 2025 on a classic eight-day safari trip.
The trip involved serious organizational failures, but most importantly, I am still waiting – five months later – for the return of several thousand dollars that were paid twice and never refunded.
This was neither my first nor my second time in Tanzania, and I am very familiar with how such trips are supposed to be run. At first, John made a pleasant impression and responded quickly to messages, which is why I chose to hire his services. However, already at the very beginning of the trip, he made an utterly unreasonable number of mistakes – mistakes that should not happen even over ten trips. He failed to book some of the hotels, made pricing errors, booked the wrong room types, booked different hotels than those we had agreed upon, and even got reservation dates wrong.
Throughout the entire trip, there was a constant feeling of a complete lack of transparency, as if John was repeatedly trying to mislead me. Even when he came to my hotel in person to try to resolve the issues, it did not help, and the situation only became more frustrating.
All of this is very serious, but the most troubling issue occurred when John asked me to pay again for flights from the Serengeti to Zanzibar – an amount of roughly $3,000 – even though I had already paid him for these flights in advance. He claimed that his bank was giving him problems and promised that the money would be returned to me within a few days.
Five months have now passed. During this entire time, John has not denied that he owes me the money. Instead, he repeatedly promises – almost every week – that he will return it, only to postpone or disappear at the moment he is supposed to pay. This is not a financial dispute or disagreement over services; it is a case of money that was clearly paid twice and never returned.
I waited until now in the hope that the issue would be resolved and deliberately refrained from writing a review, despite the fact that the overall experience alone justified a negative one. Unfortunately, I have now given up and am publishing this review.
I am currently considering filing a formal complaint against John with the relevant authorities so that his license can be revoked.
Anyone reading this review who has made it this far – I strongly recommend staying away from John and not booking anything through him.
Reply from Sercar Serengeti Wildlife Safaris
Posted on Jan 15, 2026Thank you for sharing your feedback. We take all reviews seriously, and we regret that this guest feels dissatisfied with aspects of their experience.
It is important to clarify that this safari was confirmed as a last-minute booking, finalized approximately 72 hours before travel during peak season (August). Many of the luxury lodges and specific room categories normally require reservations of at least one month or more. Despite these constraints, we successfully secured alternative accommodations of comparable standard and delivered the full safari program, including all scheduled game drives and services. That said, we acknowledge that the necessary last-minute adjustments were not aligned with the guest’s expectations, and for that, we sincerely regret the inconvenience caused.
Regarding the duplicated payment for internal flights, we acknowledge that the refund process has taken longer than it should have. This delay was not intentional, and we apologize for the frustration it has caused. The matter has remained under follow-up, and we are committed to bringing it to a full and proper resolution.
We would also like to emphasize that this review represents one case among more than 50 verified reviews, with an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. The majority of our guests report positive experiences, many return to travel with us again, and a significant portion of our business comes through referrals something we value greatly.
Serengeti Wildlife Safaris is a licensed and registered tour operator in Tanzania, and we remain committed to transparency, professionalism, and continuous improvement. We respectfully invite the reviewer to contact us directly so we can finalize the outstanding matter and close this issue constructively.
To future travelers, we encourage you to review our complete review history and judge us by the consistency of our service, our communication, and our long-standing commitment to delivering memorable and responsibly operated safari experiences.
Serengeti Wildlife safaris is one of the best company to book in Tanzania
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I recently had the most incredible safari adventure organized by John and his team, and I cannot recommend this experience highly enough! From the moment I reached out to John via email, his responsiveness and dedication to planning the perfect trip were evident. He answered all my questions promptly and provided invaluable insights that made the entire process seamless.
Our journey began with a scenic flight from Dar es Salaam to the Serengeti, where we were immediately captivated by the breathtaking landscapes and the vibrant wildlife. The game drives in the Serengeti were nothing short of magical. We were fortunate to witness the Great Migration, and John’s expert guides ensured we saw the best of what the park had to offer, from lions lounging in the grass to herds of wildebeest crossing the plains.
Next, we ventured to the stunning Ngorongoro Crater. Standing on the rim and looking down into this natural wonder was a humbling experience. The biodiversity here is astonishing, and our guide's knowledge enriched our understanding of the ecosystem. We saw elephants, rhinos, and even a cheetah! It was a photographer’s dream come true.
Tarangire National Park was another highlight, known for its massive baobab trees and large elephant herds. The park's beauty and tranquility provided a perfect contrast to the bustling Serengeti, and we enjoyed exploring its unique landscape.
Finally, we embarked on a day hike of Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route. The trek was challenging but incredibly rewarding. The views were breathtaking, and the sense of achievement upon reaching the hiking destination was unforgettable. John's team ensured we were well-prepared and supported throughout the hike, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Overall, this trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am immensely grateful to John for his exceptional service and meticulous planning. His passion for wildlife and commitment to ensuring an unforgettable adventure made all the difference. If you're considering a safari or Kilimanjaro trek, look no further. This is the team you want to trust with your journey. Thank you, John, for an unforgettable experience!
SA
Email Mohammed | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Joyable tour at excellent level
Great customer service, made good tour arrangement, punctual and comitted, affirdable prices for the good service received, would highly recommend. Special thanks to the owner Mr.John
IT
Email Matteo S. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The experience of a lifetime
Putting my current emotions into words is gonna be one of the hardest things I'll ever write, for I am simply overwhelmed by undescribable joy and infinte happiness for the experience I just had, marred only by the sadness of having to go back home.
So let's start from the technical side of things: I started sending out requests for a safari offer about two to three months ago, I must have sent at least 7 of them.
I remember it was around 10:30 pm in Italy when I sent the request to who I didn't know was John back then, so it was 12:30 pm in Tanzania. Immediately after sending the request I received a call from him during which he politely introduced himself and proceeded to give me time and space to discuss the best safari plan for me and give me freedom to ask any kind of question I had. Right off the bat he sounded like an incredibly professional and calm person, incredibly helpful, polite and funny. 5 minutes after that call - which I want to stress, I haven't received from ANY other safari tour operator - I received the offer for a 6-day safari, beautifully laid out with plenty of details and for a very fair price.
I decided to book my safari with him and at this point you might think that he would have started being reluctant with communication but no, he kept being willing to answer any question I had at basically any time of the day. Not only I was impressed, but I also felt stress- and anxiety-free, especially considering I traveled alone.
John always managed to give me the best advice possible and he put me at ease when I needed it the most.
Once I got at Kilimanjaro International Airport on March 15th I was swiftly picked up by Justin, a young man full of energy and positivity, with great driving skills, which drove me to the city center where I met with John and his brother - and what amazing people they are. Again - professional, funny, with composure and great communication skills. We discussed how the following days would have panned out and I was brought to my hotel.
The next day I had the pleasure to be driven to the foot of Kilimanjaro by Justin once again and I was accompanied to the first mountain hut by Zakayo, an absolutely spectacular guide, incredibly knowledgeable, funny, polite and smart.
The next day I was introduced to my fellow travellers, our unbelievable guide Manfred and the spectacular chef David (also know as Dvd) for the safari ahead of us and I could not have been more lucky with all of them.
I will just say that what Manfred and Dvd do is not just a job, it's a passion, it's a lifetime calling to make people feel the best way possible, it's a natural predisposition to politeness, happiness, light-heartedness and unmitigated fun. Magnificent human beings, both of them.
On one side we have Manfred, a young man in his late 20's with a genuine and undescribably deep passion for all things nature, equipped with an unbelievably vast knowledge of geographical, biological, and cultural trivia and information. Not only that - he displayed empathy, politeness, helpfulness, actually sublime driving skills through the difficult and highly technical terrains of the national park we visited and most of all a fun and carefree attitude. Needless to say, we all became friends with him in a matter of few hours into the first day of our safari.
On the other side we have Dvd, a hard-working, jolly middle-aged man which spoiled us with his delicious cooking (miles ahead of the competition, without a doubt incontestably better than what all the other safari groups we encountered had for breakfast, lunch or dinner) and never failed to entertain us with his contagious humor and hilarious jokes. He also displayed constant helpfulness and a politeness which is rare to find, in my personal opinion. Without him the experience wouldn't have been the same.
Shout-out also to Jackson, my driver for the last day, a kind soul with a relaxing charm and impressive driving skills.
In conclusion I can say that in John, Zakayo, Justin, Manfred, Dvd and Jackson I didn't just find top-notch professionals, but marvelous human beings that effortlessly managed to make me feel at home among the local people and the spectacular locales of Tanzania, allowing me to discover extraordinary individuals along the way and meeting friends which I hope will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Words will never do justice for the emotions I felt during this trip and still feel know while writing this review, and no amount of gratitude from my part will repay this unforgettable experience.
Thank you all for making me fall in love with your magnificent country and for letting me live the experience of a lifetime.
SE
Email Cristian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Avoid at all costs if you intend to go to zanzibar
We had a 12 days private tour organized with Serengeti Wildlife Safaris.
The first part of the tour was in mainland Tanzania, with a climb to Kilimanjaro and a safari to ngoro ngoro. The part was good, and close to what was advertised.
However, the leg of the trip to Zanzibar was an absolute nightmare.
They booked the wrong hotel, we paid for a 5 star resort on the beach and they booked for a three star in the middle of a village, which cost a fraction of the price. When we asked to immediately fixed the problem they could not as they had “liquidity issues” so we were left on the Christmas night in the wrong (awful) hotel and had to rebook a new one at our expenses and by ourselves. We were lucky enough to get find a nice bungalow on the beach in a close by hotel, but it was expensive and we had to pay for it and the food, which was supposed to be included in their all-inclusive offer.
On top of that, they were supposed to deliver boat trips that were not organized and never happened, despite them receiving the whole amount agreed upon.
We asked for a partial refund, a symbolic amount of 900 USD (compared to multiple thousands USD we incurred in because of their negligence), they agreed, but after one year we are still waiting for the money, and they constantly play with us saying that they’ll soon send a payment.
They have not behaved as a professional tour operator, absolutely avoid, especially if you intend to got Zanzibar.
Reply from Sercar Serengeti Wildlife Safaris
Posted on Nov 7, 2025Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that parts of your experience did not meet your expectations. At Serengeti Wildlife Safaris, we always aim to deliver exceptional service and unforgettable experiences across all destinations, from the Serengeti plains to Zanzibar’s pristine beaches.
We’re glad to hear you enjoyed your Kilimanjaro climb and safari adventure, and we deeply regret the challenges you encountered with the Zanzibar segment of your trip. Unfortunately, on rare occasions, external booking and availability issues during the peak holiday season can lead to last-minute changes beyond our immediate control. However, we fully acknowledge that this situation caused you inconvenience, and for that, we sincerely apologize.
While we understand your disappointment, we want to assure all future guests that such cases are extremely rare, and our management has since reviewed and strengthened our Zanzibar partnership network and booking systems to ensure this does not happen again.
At Serengeti Wildlife Safaris, client satisfaction is always our top priority, but as with any service, we understand that despite our best efforts, we may not be able to satisfy everyone 100%. What matters most to us is learning, improving, and maintaining honesty and care in how we serve every traveler.
We appreciate your feedback as it helps us grow stronger and better. To our future guests reading this, we remain committed to offering transparent communication, professional service, and authentic Tanzanian experiences trusted by hundreds of happy travelers every year.
Warm regards,
John Danford
Founder & CEO
Serengeti Wildlife Safaris
Email Jeanine | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent! Very professional and organized with great safari guides!
This was the trip of a lifetime and we owe it all to John! From the moment we touched down in Kilimanjaro, John had someone pick us up at the airport and drive us to our hotel in Arusha. The next morning we headed to the Serengeti and had an excellent safari guide, Emmanuel. He is Maasai and knew so much about everything! The nature, the history and the animals. He could spot an animal from a mile away which helped us see all the big five and so much more! We felt safe with our guide and he was always happy and pleasant. We did a luxury safari and the accommodations were excellent, great food and service. They sent us off on game drives everyday with a delicious lunch which our guide set up for us. From the Serengeti, we went on to Ngorongoro Crater which was amazing! On the way our guide stopped to show us sites, tell us about the history, let us take photos and found a clean, nice bathroom for us to use within 20 minutes of us asking for a bathroom break. We then drove back to Kilimanjaro for our flight to Zanzibar. John also had a driver pick us up in Zanzibar and take us to our hotel for the night in Stone Town and then picked us up again the next morning to take us to our second hotel farther north in Nungwi Beach. The whole trip was amazing and John is very professional, friendly and trustworthy. He listened to our every need and made it happen! We would not have been able to navigate this amazing trip to Tanzania without him. He had everything planned and organized and did an excellent job. We learned so much on this trip and saw so many amazing things! I definitely plan to come back to Tanzania and my first call will be to John at Serengeti Wildlife Safaris. During the whole trip he was just a phone call or text away to help or answer any question we had. It was like having a good friend in Tanzania that was ready to help with whatever you need. Highly recommend!
Email Ebrahim | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Service and Amazing Experience
I found Sercar Serengeti Safari through Safaribookings.com and was immediately contacted by John who gave me a call to discuss what I was looking for. As it was our honeymoon, we opted for a 3 day, 2 night safari from Arusha to the Serengeti where we spent two nights, visiting Ngorongoro on the third day on the way back to Arusha.
John arranged a private Jeep which picked us up from Arusha Airport and even had a photo of my wife and I on the spare tyre of the Safari car which picked us up, that was a very unique touch. John also arranged some champagne for my wife and I to enjoy at our leisure during the Safari.
Now to the Safari, our guide Lossi made it his mission to ensure we enjoyed the trip and provided us with information at every stop. His knowledge and experience was important as it meant that we were able to see the rare animals which I will state below.
John also booked a lovely camp within the Serengeti where we spent two nights, it was truly amazing, clean, and safe despite hearing and seeing animals in the evening - this really gave us a Safari feel.
John also arranged a balloon Safari for us, which was the highlight of our trip. We were picked up by the balloon company and taken to the central Serengeti at 5 am where we had an amazing balloon Safari followed by a bush breakfast. I would highly recommend this, it is truly worth every penny! After the balloon Safari, Lossi met us at the visitor centre to start our day’s game drive.
Truly exceptional service and good value for money. These guys know what they are doing and they are reliable. I would advise choosing them over others as they stand out in a few ways mentioned above, as well as their experience.
TH
Email Christopher | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A peak life experience!
A wonderful experience. The booking process had a couple of complications but once we arrived the whole trip was magical.
The accommodation throughout was fantastic. The game drives and balloon ride were unbelievable experiences.
Our guide Philimon was a wonderful character. Entirely dedicated to making the game drive the best possible experience. He was knowledgeable, charismatic and entirely professional throughout. Thank you Philimon for making our safari so unforgettable.
Highly recommended. Thanks to John and his team for delivering a peak life experience!
GR
Email Sofia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect cooperation
We booked a 7 days safari with John and our experience was very nice. Our communication throughout the process was perfect, they heard our needs and fulfilled them in the best way they could. I would surely choose them again as they made me fell very safe and that we were taken care.
SE
Email Alisa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very worthwhile
I had a great time on this safari. John made himself readily available to plan this on short notice, and took care that everything went smoothly.
My favourite part of the trip was the descent into the crater, the views were beautiful. During the visit we were also lucky enough to see a rhino at a relatively close distance!