Serengeti Smile - One of the Best Tanzania Tour Operators — Attraction in Arusha

The Serengeti certainly lived up to its reputation and Deo, our guide, from Serengeti Smile made sure we got the most out of it and always had a smile throughout the safari.

I booked ths safari with Baraka. He was patient and informative. After the safari, because I was so impressed with their reliability, communication, organisation, 5 day safari, jeep, guide, accomodation, food etc, I used them to book our airport transfer and a trip to the waterfalls and hot springs.

I booked a 5 day safari for my family, adults and 3 teenage boys, starting in Tarangire, followed by 2 nights in Serengeti, then Ngorongoro and finished up with Lake Manyara. This was our first safari and we wer absolutely blown away. As a testament to how good it was, none of the 3 teenage boys used their phones throughout the safari apart from in the evenings to view the photos and videos and to share it with their friends. Deo was amazing at finding all the animals and he always managed to position the jeep in the best position. He was kind and patient and struck a good rapport with the boys and whole family. Its really important that you have a nice guide, because you are with each other pretty much from 7-7 every day! and we felt very comfortable with Deo.

We managed to see all the big 5 including the very rare Leopard and Rhino and not only that, we saw them in action. We saw a leopard sleeping in the tree with a kill perched higher up. We were lucky enough to see the leopard wake up, climb the tree and eat the kill! We also saw elephants knocking down trees. We also saw a lioness feeding and playing with her cubs. The highlight was when we were driving home to our accomodation in the Serengeti, it was late and the sun had just set so no-one else was around, and Deo spotted Zebras...he slowed down to show us and the spotted a zebra lying down roadside directly next to the jeep. We panned to the right and a lioness was there, eating its prey which itnhad probably caught 30mins before. Under the supervision of Deo, who was ready and waiting to close it if necessary, I opened the jeep roof and had a stare down with the lioness and then watched her devour her prey. We were literally right next to it and you can even hear the crunching in the video footage. It was absolutely amazing.

If, like me, you were

debating whether its worth going on safari, having been on safari now, I can tell you... without a doubt its worth it. You will have many unforgettable moments. I think we were extra lucky but even if you dont see the animals in action, you have many memorable moments.

If you were cautious about the tour agents, don't be...Serengeti Smile was amazing

if you were debating 1 night or 2 in serengeti...do 2, its worh it...sleeping in the Serengeti is great. We heard a lioness roaring in the night. We woke up in the morning to see gazelles and Zebras migrating. The accomodation was sensational and although we we're slightly unlucky because hot water was not quite working, none of us minded becaue food, hospitality and accomodation was great.

if you were debating whether to do a shared or private safari, id definitely recommend private so you can be yourselves and spread out in the jeep as well

if you were debating 4 or 5 days, I think either is fine. We had already seen all the key animals by the end of day 4, but we were lucky

its nice to do different parks, because it mixes up the scenery and landscape and environment. Id recommend dropping lake Manyara or doing it first (not last) ... whilst its ok and you do see a few key animals like Zebras, giraffes, elephants...having been spoilt with an abundance of them in the Serengeti, it's a bit of an anti climax. Fine for day 1 but not the most exciting on day 5.

Overall, highly recommended safari and agent (Baraka)...

We wanted to experience the renowned sun-baked plains of the Serengeti, with sweeping vistas, thriving wildlife, and breath taking sunsets. Serengeti Smile promised an adventure of a lifetime, but the reality was even more extraordinary than our highest expectations.

We selected a private, tailor-made, 8-day, Great Migration Tour Safari, culminating at the Mara River Crossing in the Northern Serengeti. The trip took in Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Central Serengeti, Seronera, Northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. From the moment that we first enquired with Serengeti Smile to the end of our trip everything was fantastic!

The highlight of any safari is, of course, the wildlife, and the Serengeti delivered in abundance. Over the course of several days, we were privileged to witness a dazzling variety of animals in their natural habitats. Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide seemed to have an uncanny instinct for locating even the most elusive creatures, but more about him later.

We counted 48 different animal species that we saw, including the Big-5. Prides of lions lounging after a successful night hunt, their cubs playfully tumbling over each other; leopards and cheetahs lying in the tall grasses, scanning the horizon; herds of elephants lumbering peacefully across the savannah, giraffes grazing elegantly on the acacia trees, and zebras moving in perfect synchrony, their stripes creating mesmerising patterns against the golden landscape. Perhaps the most unforgettable moment was witnessing the Great Migration: thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and zebras, while crocodiles and vultures lay in wait. Hyenas, warthogs, hippos, countless deer and gazelles, birds, etc., etc.

Our lodgings perfectly balanced comfort and authenticity. The tents and lodges were beautifully appointed, blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Waking up to the calls of roaring lions, distant hyenas or the gentle trumpeting of elephants felt magical. The accommodations were both eco-friendly and luxurious, with every detail designed to enhance the sense of immersion without sacrificing comfort. The staff at each camp were equally impressive, greeting us each day with warm smiles and thoughtful gestures that made us feel at home in the heart of the wild. Meals were a delight: fresh, flavourful dishes enjoyed under the starlit sky, with the sounds of the nocturnal bush drifting on the breeze.

One of the highlights of our trip was our driver/guide Godlisten! He was truly outstanding and elevated this safari from remarkable to outstanding with his professionalism and passion for his job, the area, and his country. He shared facts, information about animal behaviour, tribal traditions, and the delicate balance of the ecosystem. His respect for the land and its creatures was evident in every aspect of our journey, from the careful navigation of the trails to the quiet reverence when observing a rare sighting. Every question was met with patience and enthusiasm, and his eagle eyes ensured we missed nothing, no matter how well camouflaged. He was a great guy and if we were to go on another safari we would want him to be our guide.

We cannot recommend Serengeti Smile highly enough. Our safari surpassed every expectation; it was not just a holiday, but an amazing...

First, this experience was absolutely phenomenal. This is a premier guide service. In keeping with the quality of the service, the guide's name was Champion.

The trip started off at Tarangire. According to the guide, who used a food analogy to describe the sequence and build-up of destinations included in the trip, Tarangire is the appetizer. Many giraffes, elephants, zebras, and myriad animals at this park. Driving around in a modified Toyota Land Cruiser, it is very easy to see the animals and maintain a panoramic view (360 degrees) with the pop-top. The vehicle has windows throughout, easily accommodates 6 pax in individual seats, contains a cooler with waters and refreshments, and is quite comfortable during the 12 hour game drives. Overall, the vehicle was exceptional!

Next on the menu was the entree, or main course...Serengeti National Park. Driving through Ngorongoro (to get to Serengeti), there were giraffes, zebras, hyenas, gazelle, impalas, leopards, and many other animals. The vehicle traverses the bumpy roads with relative ease and comfort. Many opportunities for photos, pitstops, and washroom breaks. Additionally, the Maasai villages are accessible to travelers. Highly recommend visiting the Maasai as they have a complicated but intimate history with the Ngorongoro crater and surrounding lands.

Arriving at the Serengeti, 4 of the Big 5 sere seen within a few hours (Lion, leopard, Elephant, Buffalo). The Serengeti is a massive area and the game drives offer stunning opportunities for photos and natural animal encounters. Because of its size, there were only a few animal encounters that attracted multiple vehicles. The cheetah photo attached attracted 5 other vehicles for viewing, however the guide positioned the vehicle in an excellent spot in order to capture many outstanding photos. He consistently navigated to spots that would offer the best positioning for photo opportunities. Regardless of the animal and regardless of the number of vehicles present, Champion consistently found the best spots to park the vehicle and demonstrated an uncanny ability to find or wait for the special moments. Lions sleeping in the trees, pride of lions with 9 cubs, leopard sleeping in the grass, wildebeest crossing a river, family of elephants on a morning walk, rhinos grazing, and many other once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Next was back to the Ngorongoro crater for dessert. All of the Big 5 were seen within an hour (Leopard, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo). The crater offers indescribably beautiful photo opportunities and animal encounters. The landscape photo attached was taken in the central part of the crater. The scenery, the number of animals, and the diversity of animals is undeniably breathtaking. All of this made possible by Champion.

Overall, I strongly recommend Serengeti Smile and offer highest marks and support for Champion. He truly made the trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sincerely grateful for his knowledge, driving prowess, hospitality, kindness, and safety-conscious mentality.

Here is a brief list of the animals seen: Leopard Rhino Lion Elephant Buffalo (cape and water) Cheetah Hyena Giraffe Grant Gazelle Thomson Gazelle Topi Waterbuck Zebra...