Deeper AfricaReviews of deeperafrica.com

The team in Colorado were excellent from the start ogf the planning process.... Karen was honest with us as to what she thought would be the camps and locations that would suit us best. She/team curated a trip for the 8 of us which was perfect. They were all helpful and patient as we changed the trip and the number of passengers several times! Enough cannot be said about the crew(s) in Tanzania...Will; Immi; Sia and the amazing amazing guides: john Bengo and Chabba (Francis). We connected immediately and it was just more wonderful each day.

Our family just took at 10day Safari in Tanzania, and it was the trip of a lifetime. I am recommending to everyone I meet. We used Deeper Africa to create/book the trip and were so fortunate to get Baraka Chacha as our guide. Our family of four (ages 57,57,27,25) chose Deeper Africa after talking to a few safari providers, and I couldn't be happier with that choice. Karen and team designed the trip that we wanted (see their Deeper Tanzania: Northern Migration sample itinerary) and they walked us through all the preparations (flights, VISAs, packing lists, etc.). From when we arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport, until we were dropped off again 10 days later, we were completely taken care of: we did not have to think at all about logistics, accommodations, or meals, and we felt completely safe. The lodges were much nicer, and service much better, than the accommodations we book for ourselves in the US or Europe. The Tanzanian people who we encountered -- mostly lodge staff, but notably Sia and Noel from Deeper Africa in Arusha -- were so friendly and professional. The highlight of the trip was of course the animals and landscapes, and we were blown away. Three hours into our first game drive in Tarangire, we had met our expectations of wildlife for the whole trip and were absolutely giddy. Nine days later we were still seeing new species and encounters, and still loving it. Our guide Baraka Chacha was just fantastic. His knowledge of the animals and their behaviors is phenomenal, building on 14 years experience guiding and a college degree in wildlife management. He knew all the roads across the four national parks, without using a map, and where/when best to find animals. Baraka assisted our family birder in identifying 120 species of birds. He was an excellent driver, over rugged roads for many hours per day, while simultaneously spotting animals, and also answering our questions ranging from animal behaviors to inter-tribe relationships to the time to next bathroom. His safari vehicle (we called "the beest") was very comfortable, clean, and well-outfitted -- we spent much of the time standing with the top popped up. Baraka was very attuned to our energy and enthusiasm, of when to linger and when to push forth. We quickly learned to trust that he had everything under control and we could just enjoy the experience and not worry about anything. Get on his schedule if you can. Some viewing highlights of the safari (each within 50yds of us!): Elephant herd including babies wallowing in the mud in Tarangire; Lions mating in Ngorogoro; Cheetah taking down a Thompsons Gazelle in Eastern Serengeti; and Wildebeest crossing the Mara River while pursued by a Croc in Northern Serengeti.

From the initial call to the follow up call when I returned home, Karen Zulauf and the team at Deeper Africa took care of every detail. My guide, Edward Kabagyo was very professional, knowledgeable and friendly, so I felt comfortable immediately. I was thrilled to learn of his background with zoo animals, but his vast knowledge of local traditions and history were equally as interesting. The main purpose of my trip was to gorilla trek and to say that is was beyond my wildest dreams is an understatement! Edward's familiarity with the rangers was helpful when requesting a trek. As a solo traveler, I believe his ability to trek with me made a difference in my overall experience. Also, when in Musanze, do not hesitate to stay at Bishop's House-it was lovely. I had other components to my stay in Africa and the Deeper Africa team coordinated them perfectly.

John Mndolwa was our guide and he showed us so much more than animals - he showed us animal behaviors. He took us to lions eating, lions mating, 29 lions on a single day (65 over the week), a leopard eating in a tree, cheetahs, elephants on the move, hyenas playing at the waterhole, and so much more! Going on a Safari with Deeper Africa was wonderful! We shared when we could go on the safari and that we wanted to see the great migration. They listened to our wants and delivered - we saw hundreds of thousands of Wildebeests! They also prepared us very well for the trip - both what to pack and what to expect at the camps. Truly phenomenal!

This was a great custom safari for the four of us to Tanzania during the Great Migration. Our guide in Tanagire and Serengeti National Parks was John Mndowla who was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and a great guy. We saw countless lions, elephants and giraffes in addition to innumerable wildebeests and zebras and other animals. Baby lions and elephants were numerous. Lions, and hyenas were eating numerous kills during this time of plenty for carnivores. Taking a balloon ride over the Serengeti was magical. Heard the wildebeests and saw lions. Also traveled to Selous NP where we saw elephants, hippos, crocodiles and many giraffe families. Finished in Zanzibar with a tour of Stone Town and a dhow ride with a great crew with live music. The staff at all four camps we stayed in were extremely friendly and made us feel special. Overall, this was the trip of a lifetime. Karen from Deeper Africa spent two hours with us preparing for the trip. Her recommendations were spot on. No pressure. I highly recommend Deeper Africa tour company.

Our Deeper African Tanzanian Safari was a seamless vacation which was so well-planned and organized that all we had to do was Enjoy. Deeper Africa was wonderful to help plan our customized safari - selecting our route & our varied lodgings, providing all the needed “pre-Safari” information concerning proper clothing, medical supplies, vaccinations… and providing an explanation of the suggested Tipping guidelines for Tanzania. Emails and phone calls were always answered in a timely, thoughtful manner. A Day-by-Day Itinerary was provided which was a perfect, concise reference for our travel, route, accommodations, emergency contacts & numbers, possible wildlife encounters, and a Tipping Calculator (so we knew we had the correct amount of US currency for tipping at each lodge, shopping and for our guide and drivers). Of course, the best part of our vacation was the actual Safari and that was due to our guide, John Mndolwa. John was thoughtful, experienced, knowledgeable, and patient. He was able to locate the herd of 15 elephants relaxing and “playing” by a stream, a pride of lions (5 females, 14 cubs), a mother cheetah after a kill with her 2 cubs…. and so much more. He always made us feel comfortable and safe while observing the wildlife and at the end of the day gave us the plan for the next day. John knows and loves Tanzania and was happy to help us experience his country. Deeper Africa’s customized itinerary and John’s kindness, expertise, humor & patience gave us an Exceptional and Unforgettable Safari Family Vacation.

Excellent planning and responsiveness. Deep knowledge of the places I planned to visit. Excellent local guides and lodging.

We did extensive research before our decision to travel with Deeper Africa. The company makes all of the “best” safari company lists - Fodors, Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast, and Karen and her team lived up to and exceeded their reputation. From the moment of the initial booking and onward, Karen and her team provided us with all the information we needed to make our safari the perfect trip. We received information about clothing, about medical supplies, vaccinations, safe water … there was not one thing that was left untouched by the Deeper Africa team. Our lodging and meals were outstanding. But the real success of our perfect safari was due to our guide, John Mndolwa. John may be the best guide in Tanzania. His knowledge of the animals and their behavior allowed us to experience numerous incredible encounters. We were “guests” observing these beautiful animals in their unspoiled envirionment. We observed a family of elephants frolicking at their water hole. We observed 2 separate prides of lions, one with 14 cubs and another with 15 cubs. We observed a cheetah and her cubs after a hunt. We saw elephants dusting themselves and bathing in mud. During most of these observations, we were the only vehicle. This was the result of John’s knowledge and skill level. Thank you to Karen and her team at Deeper Africa for a perfect safari. And a special thank you to John Mndolwa, the best guide in Tanzania.