Northern Masailand Safaris jeep fleets
Northern Masailand Safaris
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TALLA LICENCE (TOUR OPERATOR LICENCE)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $2,602 to $7,458 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Great safari, terrible administration
The experience was great and I loved the wildlife, the accommodations and our guide. However, the way that the company handles the business is incredibly unprofessional. First, after I wired a large amount of money to the company I got an email saying that the bank had changed routing number and to please wire the money again since "most likely" it would get rejected. After I went to the bank and emailed back I was told that the bank did get the money and that everything was all right but what if I had re wired the money like they asked me to?
After that, I repeatedly asked the owner to confirm that we would be picked up at a certain time on a certain day and he did confirm multiple times but when we arrived to the airport no one was waiting for us! I had to borrow a phone -and tip the guy who lent it- in order to get the a hold of the owner. He sent somebody right after but it does not fix how unsettling it was to arrive and not having someone ready (we were considering it might had been a scam.) When we got to Arusha the owner met us there and his excuse was that "since all their guests arrive at night he just assumed that we were going to do that as well." I confirmed with him multiple times about the time we wanted to be picked up and he just assumed???
We still rolled with it and didn't complain trying to make the vacation a fun time. Our guide was great, friendly, knowledgeable and seemed to be very into the wildlife, not just as a job but to have a true appreciation for the animals. So we headed up for a 7 day safari..., except it wasn't 7 days. We did not review our itinerary everyday because the company should know exactly what you paid for and should provide that for you but when on day 5 the guide told us that we would be ending the next day I went and checked the exact itinerary and it turns out that we were shorted 1 morning at the Serengeti. When I told the guide he said that he was going to talk to the owner and then came back saying that he would meet us in Arusha the next day to exchange ideas about what we could do to make up for that day but on the next day, of course, he did not show up. Instead he told our guide to offer solutions for us but the best one was a walking tour in Arusha which we did not care about. I paid to be at the Serengeti, not to walk in a city with nothing to see.
In the end we were fed up with the owner and his unprofessional attitude so we decided to just stay put at the hotel and lose that one day at the Serengeti except that the check-out was at 10 am and our flight was at 6 pm. Being that the owner wasn't there he couldn't handle the situation and our guide had to do his best. They allowed us to stay and use the pool but we had to give the room at 11 am which should not have happened. We should have been able to do late check-out but since the owner wasn't there to negotiate, we weren't.
We again said fine and just asked our guide to pass the information of our flight to Henry, the owner, to be picked up at 3 pm. But, you guessed it, the owner didn't show up to pick us up and the driver that he sent was over half an hour late! We requested to be picked up at a certain time because we have a plane to catch and things to do and they don't even respect that. Our driver was rude, acted like it was an inconvenience to drop us at the airport and was texting on his phone the whole ride.
You would think that after not being there to pick us up the company would do everything in their hands to make up for it but instead they were consistently careless. My wife and I had been in Africa for a while before the safari so we understand that things are not smooth and that people work differently there but when you pay the kind of money that we paid they should at least be there to pick you up.
Oh, and I asked for a receipt of payment at least 5 times which the owner kept saying "I'll send it tomorrow" but I'm still waiting. All I can think of is that he doesn't want to report the tour and pay taxes on it which I get but when your guest is constantly requesting it the company should take care of it.
Like I said, I loved the safari and the overall experience but I would absolutely not recommend this company solely based on the owner. And if you think that there are multiple great reviews that don't agree with mine, well, a lot of those come from Canada even if the listed country of the reviewer is a different one so I would not be surprised if they are fake reviews written to build up the company's profile.
Email John Mckay | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Tanzania Safari local company
We had 9 days Tanzania Safari with Zanzibar Extension, Northern Masailand Safaris provide an excellent services, All accommodations was ewesome, we saw all the big five with an Amazing leopard try to catch an antelope, we highly recommend this company.
Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing adventure!
My friends and I went on a 6 day safari. Henry was our customer service consultant. He did an amazing job helping us to decide what options were right for our group and arranging all of the details. Once we were on the road, our guide James was really incredible. Always upbeat and calm. He was really excited to see the animals too and had lots of interesting information to share about the various species of animals and birds. His driving skills really shone when we encountered some unseasonably strong rain that washed out a bridge on our route. He navigated the situation really smoothly, getting us across the river safely with minimal delay (a lot of jeeps were stuck in the mud, so this was no small feat!). Personally, I my favorite accommodations was Tanzania Ndutu Bush Camp. It was really remote and very special, and shockingly luxurious - I really wouldn't call it camping at all. We had an amazing trip because of Henry hard work. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for an exciting and safe safari adventure with an experienced guide.
FR
Email Cyrille | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible company ran by a liar called Henry
I can confirm what was written by all clients : Northern Masailand Safaris is ran by a crook named Henry who litteraly stole our money.
In short here is our story : we booked a trip including 1 week safari and 1 week stay in Zanzibar. We agreed on a defined plan (hotels / transport / catering).
We were requested to pay 30% upfront, and the rest upon arrival. 10 days before we start, I received a message that our plans were changed, with cancellation of plane transfer from Serengeti to Zanzibar, against a road trip with a stop in Arusha.
Then I received agressive message requesting the full payment, which I refused. We did not receive any hotel vouchers at that stage.
On arrival day, the hotel that was supposed to be our 1st night was different than the one planned. The next day (a Sunday) Henry wanted to get his cash, but again, without providing any hotel voucher.
This was the begining of a 15 days battle against a liar.
At every stage, the hotel was different than the one we agreed upon, and of course, at a lower category.
When arriving in Serengeti, the driver, genuinely nice and helpful, couldn't find the accomodation, as he did not receive instruction from Henry. Eventually, after having lost 4 hours, we found our deserted place - and of course not the one agreed upon.
We then had a strong argument with the liar to make sure our nice Zanzibar hotel was booked. I had to chase myself the hotel and put pressure on Henry to book it eventually.
Back in transit in Arusha, we agreed for an overall refund of 1000USD. Henry never paid his due !
Last but not least, when leaving Zanzibar, for our transit to the airport, Henry cancelled the taxi, and we had to pay for it ....
So, in a nutshell, stay away from that company, as this will lead you into much trouble. We were definitively lucky not to have any incident. Without a doubt this liar who have dropped us in the middle of the Savannah.
Reply from Northern Masailand Safaris
Posted on Nov 4, 2017You cannot make everyone happy. There is always going to be some person who feels wronged. It happens.
Email Gary Lakin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
To sum it up real simple, our trip was way beyond our expectations! Henry and Elias were the best y
It's our life time and memorable Safari in East Africa Tanzania.
HU
Email rompfw k | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experienced guide and excellent planning
My wife and I went on this trip in July, and what we saw is beyond description. Thousands of wildebeest are running together - an incredible sight! We saw a lot of animals. Our guide always knew where to go and when to stop - every moment I saw from the animals. The service was professional and on time. It's highly recommended!
FR
Email Chevallier | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional guide & perfect plan
This tour was perfect from start to finish. Each day's game drive was different and full of new experiences. We saw the Big Five multiple times in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and the guide was always ready to take us to the right place at the right time.
In the middle of the tour, we visited a Maasai village, where we were truly moved by their culture, dance and way of life. They welcomed us with great hospitality. I feel truly blessed to have been on a safari with such an organized and caring company like Northern Masailand Safaris.
RO
Email Stefan Radu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Family Adventure!
We took this trip as a family of four, including two teenagers, and everyone loved it! Our guide was engaging and took time to explain things to the kids. From the misty mornings in Ngorongoro to golden sunsets in Northern Serengeti, the entire experience was magical. We even saw a cheetah chase! Highly recommended for families looking for something extraordinary.
CO
Email Vicky | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The most reliable company giving the best safari
Northern Masailand Safari is the best company you can use to visit Tanzania.
This is my second time visiting Tanzania and using its services.
This time I decided to use the luxury option while my first time I used the camping option. Both experiences have been amazing but the luxury option has been the best trip in my entire life. First at all, Henry, the owner of the company, was extremely welcoming, took care of everything, and did a tailored itinerary to meet all of our requests. He provided an outstanding service and this was an amazing trip.
Rama, the driver and guide he chose for us, was a very kind man with an “eagle eye “ that took care of us and spent all the time necessary for us to see all the animals and “ Big Five”, he knows the parks as the roads extremely well.
The Lodges Henry gave to us where like been in a dream , you can see the nature, the animals, and at the same time have the best food with the best service, we even had infinity pools in Serengeti, which gives you an insight into seeing more and more of the park.
Henry also helped us with the balloon fly, that was spectacular .
If you are thinking to visit Tanzania, I can promised the best option is Northern Masailand Safari, because 3 reason. That agency gives the best services, Henry his owner is a very special person and some you can trust because he is very realiable and honest, and third because he is a local agency, for me it is very important that point, when I travel I always choose the local agency because it is fare to the country and to the people. I don’t enjoy where foreign people took the money taking advantage of the jewels of the country.
IT
Email Nlena Conti | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A unique blend of nature, animals, and cultural...🐘🦣🦁🐆😱🫣
Every moment of our nine day safari was like a dream! In Tarangire and Serengeti, I saw amazing animals - from elephants🦣, lions🦁, and cheetahs🐆 to thousands of migrating wildebeest. When I reached the quiet beaches of Zanzibar, I felt like I was in another world. The forest and the sea - both forms are beautifully combined in this package. The team at Northern Masailand Safaris is exceptionally professional, and our guides were knowledgeable and courteous.☁️🌾🌿🌺🔥⛅
