Benson Safaris Tanzania — Local services in Arusha

My family, including my wife, 12-year-old daughter, and I, embarked on an incredible safari to Tanzania last November with Benson Safaris, and the experience exceeded all our expectations. Our journey took us through the breathtaking landscapes of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Crater, and our base at Migombani Campsite, overlooking Lake Manyara, provided the perfect setting for an unforgettable adventure.

From the outset, Benson Safaris impressed us with their exceptional service and high standards. Our guide, a seasoned and safe driver, skillfully navigated the diverse terrains, ensuring our safety while enhancing our wildlife encounters. The camping equipment provided was top-notch, and the full-board arrangement, sometimes as a packed meal for early morning park visits, showcased their commitment to making our experience seamless.

Communication with the team was effortless, and they accommodated our food and beverage preferences with enthusiasm. A notable highlight was the in-vehicle fridge that magically produced ice-cold drinks mid-drive—a welcome touch of luxury in the heart of the wilderness.

A safari is always a game of chance, but with Benson Safaris, luck was on our side. Witnessing baby lions with their mother, cheetahs feasting on a recent kill, a thrilling close encounter with a majestic elephant, and a leopard hunting a baboon during a night drive were just a few of the mesmerizing moments that filled our days.

I highly recommend the extra expense to go on a night drive, which is a unique experience. We opted for a night drive in Lake Manyara, and the rewards were beyond our imagination. The nocturnal activities and the chance to witness the park's transformation under the moonlight added a layer of magic to our safari.

Amid rising costs, Benson Safaris' camping accommodation option emerged as a practical and comfortable choice for our small family. The well-organized setup by the dedicated staff allowed us to immerse ourselves in the adventure, and sleeping in tents added an extra element of excitement to our journey.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Benson Safaris to any family seeking to explore the wonders of the African wilderness. Their commitment to excellence, coupled with unforgettable wildlife encounters and a genuine sense of adventure, made our safari an experience of a lifetime. Thank you, Benson Safaris, for crafting memories that will forever hold a special place...

Thanks to Benson Safari for making this happen. Appreciate the prompt communication prior to our trip and willingness to work with me in building a customized itinerary to meet our needs. Thanks to Mr Benson, Grace and Paul Balthasar Ngoty, our driver and guide. 1) Witnessed absolute magic at Mara River in Northern Serengeti. Saw multiple wildebeest crossings across the river on Aug 20 and 21. From Kenya back to Tanzania. Early for this time of year. Great stay at Aurari tented camp, about 45 minutes from the river (will post separate review under Aurari). 2) Enjoyed our stay at Serena lodge in Central Serengeti, 3) Miracle Air balloon ride was fantastic….saw lions, elephants and lots of deer and zebras (will try to post separate review). 4) Magic again inside Ngorongoro crater (witnessed a lioness kill a wildebeest) with a 2 day stay at Serena in Ngorongoro (will try to post separate review), 4) Finally stopped by at a Masai village (will try to post separate review if possible under Paulo Emanyata, name of village, with young Chief Paulo giving us a grand tour) on the way back to Arusha and onto Kilimanjaro.

Make sure you have a good pair of binoculars and a good camera w a powerful zoom lens (400mm).

Vegetarian food is not an issue at all the lodges and camps. The Chefs were extremely flexible and worked with us to provide great Indian vegetarian food.; even food without garlic if that’s in line with your liking.

Be prepared for rugged terrain (bouncy) with a lot of dust.

Have a lot of patience and rise up early and be prompt with your multiple game drives. Request lodges to pack lunch daily for you; this way you maximize your time spent on watching the crossings or going on game drives.

Great country - Tanzania and great people. Loved every day of our stay.

Finally don’t forget to buy Napenda (“ I like” in Swahili) coffee from Mr Benson. He owns a coffee farm.

Asante sana ( picked up some Swahili and people thought I...

We were really surprised to see a negative review recently. We had a 17 day Safari with 7 transfers and everything went like clockwork. We had no problems with transfers, park entry or accommodation. We chose a medium accommodation package and were delighted with the quality of accommodation but were even more thrilled by the welcome of all the staff we met along the way. We had a mix of Safari camps and hotels and enjoyed the settings, food and hospitality of all of them. We spent time communicating with Yvlyn who couldn’t have been more helpful and knowledgeable in putting together our itinerary. It felt a bit more risky booking directly with a Tanzanian company (though an annual insurance policy should cover any problems) but both her and Benson’s professionalism was reassuring, and in doing it this way all the money went into the Tanzanian economy not a UK travel agent. Our trip was amazing, the warm welcome we had from our guide Zablon at Arusha airport was lovely after a long flight. Zablon helped us make the most of each destination, his driving was exceptional and his insights into Tanzania brought the holiday to life. We began with relaxing at Tumbili lodge which was an excellent oasis in Arusha. We began our safari adventure in Tarangire staying at Tortillis camp, then onto the unforgettable Ngorongoro Crater an absolute gem of a place with wildlife galore. From there to the Serengeti and GNU Migration camp where we were the only guests and treated like great friends, even by the local zebra and giraffe population. From the Serengeti on to Lake Natron to see the pink flamingos and trek with a Massai guide, finally ending with a few days of luxury at Lake Manyara best view hotel and a visit to Lake Manyara national park. All in all we could not fault Benson and his staff, we had a truly...