F.I Africa — Local services in Singida Region

In September 2015 we (my wife, my step-mom and me) spent wonderful 4 days on safari in Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngoro Ngoro. The safari was organized by Focus in Afrcia, a non-profit organization working mainly on improving of Tanzanian educational system. One of the ways of gaining funds for this purpose is organizing of safaris (and also Kilimanjaro trekking and climbing but we didn't do it). Nelson, the owner (or manager) of the foundation is smart, perfect English speaking person who knows his business and do not waste time for unnecessary things - either e-mail correspondation or arranging details already in Tanzania was quick, concrete and didn't bear any unexpected problems. So, from the begining: we were picked-up from Kilimajnaro Airport by a driver who took us to hotel in Arusha where we spent a nice afternoon with some cold beers what was the best thing that we could expect after a long journey. Nelson came to the hotel, spent with us about 30 minutes and explain all details about the safari. What was maybe not very nice was the fact that he asked us to pay the rest of total amount (we sent 25% in advance) already in the hotel a day before departure for the safari itself so we had no occassion to see his office or the jeep we were supposed to go with or anything that would give credibility to Nelson's words. As we travel a lot and have some experience in paying in advance we kindly refused to pay in hotel and finally meet Nelson again next morning and gave him money after meeting our driver Brison, checking the car and so on. So, we depart from Arusha about 10 am and started the safari.

1. Accomodation - First night in Country Lodge - perfect. Second night in Angani Tented Camp - very simple but also perfect, especially the elephant walking around the camp when drinking beer in front of the camp (btw - no bar or restaurant in the camp - we brought some beers and snacks from beyond the Serengeti). Staff in the Angani Camp was horrible but believe me - during safari nothing is able to spoil your good mood! Third night in Ngoro Ngoro Wildlife lodge - perfect. Nothing to add, organization was fantastic.

2. Meals - generally very good but breakfasts in Tanzania (it's not Focus in Africa's fault, wherever you go in Tanzania, problem is the same) are very, very, very simple but when check-out from hotels we were given lunch-boxes which was in general good. Dinners both in lodges and Angani Camp were absolutely fantastic. So, however meals are good and enough, it's good idea to have some snacks like rice wafers. Water is provided by the company.

3. Driver Brison - if there were something that might be improved in our safari it was Brison's attitude towards us. He's a very young, nice but really not-involved guy who was a really good driver (we felt safe whole 4 days even on very difficult roads in Serengeti) but not a guide. We didn't wait him to be very talkative or involved in our matters but he didn't show any initiative, seemed to be bored all the time and during stops he couldn't take his eyes off his mobile phone. I must admit that when we asked some questions about wildilife, animals etc. he gave us response so I suppose he has very wide knowledge and especially in this context it's a really big pitty that he doesn't want to share it with tourist. What was good - after 2 days of admiring zebras, gnus and all the horse-similar animlas which are fantastic but after seeing hundreds of thousands of them you may get used to it, Brison realized that we'd like to see big cats and took us to places where they really were! So, I think Brison has a potential but still need experience and and shall try to be more open towards travellers.To be honest - he did well all the cars staff - we had a flat tyre twice and despite the fact that our car was not equipped with a large jack (what was Nelson's oversight I think) Brison changed the tyre within 15 minutes.

4. In general -the safari arranged by Focus in Africa is absolutely worth to be recommended, it was one of the best travel experiences in...

I am a public health student doing an internship in Africa. I chose the organization focus in Africa. The coordinator of this is Nelson Mbise and he placed me in his hostel named Lionsgate. In the beginning he seemed very nice and communicated a lot but after I paid, that changed. I had questions about health preparations that ended up not being answered. On top of it, I received a scam email from Nelson's email account asking me for money. Luckily I was in contact with a girl who was staying at the hostel at that time. I asked her about this and she talked with Nelson about it. She apologized and told me someone had hacked Nelson's account, he though didn't contacted me to apologize or anything. Shortly before my departure I received a similar email again asking for money... and again I contacted the girl because I did not receive responses from Nelson. Only after I told her that I need to hear from Nelson, he apologized. Once I have arrived in the Hostel l was welcomed by Iddi, who is working for Nelson. Nelson was often not available to talk, in a grumpy mood or he saying inappropriate things to the female volunteers. He told one of the girls who was only 18 years old, that she should come in his room at night if she feels lonely or can't sleep. The hostel is not at all what it looks like in the pictures of their website. If you want to read why you shouldn't stay there check my review on the Hostel. Nelson also offers safaris. I wanted to do a safari with him and I put down a 150$ deposit for it in September. In October the only safari available was on weekdays which was not compatible with my work. He could not guarantee another group for me so I asked him to refund me. It took three weeks as he has just spent it and was therefore not able to pay it back and then tried to rip me off by giving me less back than I paid him. He spends most of the money on drugs and alcohol and is regularly high at the hostel. In that state he is not willing to help with anything, my water ran out one night and he just told me the pump was broken, while in truth all he really had to do is get up and turn it on. While I stayed in the hostel someone has stolen money out of my room. Nelson apologized and promised to give it back to me. When I asked him about it, he said he is still investigating and never gave it back to me. Even though Nelson is advertising that the hostel has Wi-Fi, it has not been working, because he didn't pay for the bill. The food at the times when I stayed at the hostel alone is horrible and definitely not worth the money. It might just be plain spaghetti. Nelson has people working for him that he does not pay, so they rely on the volunteers buying them things or they will highly overcharge you on day trips. It is more than likely, that you will stay at this place alone as not many other people come through, and if they do, they leave quickly because of the bad conditions. There is never any toilet paper available. The work at the hospital was just bad. I was placed in the treatment center for HIV. They don't do HIV prevention as I was promised. I told Nelson I want to switch the placement and do something relevant to my school education. He did not like that and told me I should stay at the hospital One doctor at the hospital was trying to teach me how to draw blood from HIV positive people. Mind you I am not qualified for that job nor has it anything to do with my studies. At the hostel, I was told that this is public health and I just need to pull through. Nelson also told me to lower my expectations as there have been many public health interns before me. The description of the job I applied for included working in the fields educating People about HIV. Non of this even exists. I tried to do it but nobody working for Nelson even knew what I was talking about. The organization was not helping me at all. I even paid to go to the airport myself, because I did not trust...

Dealing with Nelson and his assistant Heather was a breeze and I would recommend them to all my friends.

Traveling is intended for some to expand one’s horizons and foster cultural change. Well my horizons were literally expanded when summiting Kilimanjaro on August 28th and seeing the moon-set and the sunrise simultaneously. Landing at Kilimanjaro International (JRO) at 9 p.m. before starting the Lemosho Route the next morning was probably not the best of ideas, but sleep is for the dead. Upon meeting our driver and being taken to the Outpost Lodge in Arusha we were warmly greeted by our main guide with his soon to be signature smile, Babaluu. I challenge you to find a better guide. We were told to be up and ready by 9 a.m. the next day.

Upon getting onto the bus and meeting the remainder of the crew along with the fantastic assistant guide, Zige (SP?), who insisted we call him ‘Andy’ instead learning bits of Swahili along the way from the whole group. Zige was a legend on the mountain and there was not a soul who did not know who he was. He always looked to be sauntering around but would make a break neck pace look comfortable and relaxing. ‘Hakuna matata’ was his statement of choice and at first it was funny but it transformed into this reassuring subconscious thought.

I won’t bore you with the details of the trek, food and accommodations were fantastic. Listen you all sleep on the same exact dirt; you don’t need to pay for the more expensive trips. This is the one to do.

On the way down we were asked if we wanted to go on a safari in Arusha National Park as well. At first I was hesitant because it is not what we came here to do, but I am glad that we did. We were able to see an elephant right when entering the park as well as giraffes 10 feet away from the vehicle. Driving through the park it seemed that all this property was designed by humans with how dramatic the change of biomes were. Truly fantastic, yielding a diverse amount of species.

Onto the...