Safari By Z really exceeded my expectations. Everything was extremely well planned out and our guide, Fadhili, was an absolutely excellent guide and driver. He was able to see things that the untrained eye wouldn't and his wealth of knowledge and experience allowed us to see the most that one could while on safari. He was also extremely patient and drove carefully, never rushing a moment. We were even able to see a pride of lions hunt and kill an African buffalo. We were also able to see several cheetahs and even a leopard that had just killed a gazelle resting in a tree. In addition, all of the planning and accommodation on safari was excellent. The food was second to none. We will definitely be using Safari By Z on our next adventure in Tanzania!

This will be a long review, but after reading many small ones and a lot of research, I hope this comprehensive review helps you experience our safari done in September-October 2022. This is not a paid promotion and I am taking the time to help others.

First thing I started researching for our 7 day safari was on Safari bookings website. Here, I felt that the companies provided were legit and that I was not going to have any problems. There are multiple reviews of each company and a brief overview of what they offer to differentiate themselves from others.

After days of researching (soooo many hours), I came to choose Safari by Z as my tour operator. We were going to book a budget tour, but after hearing my friend’s story of sleeping on a wet bed for a week after a rainfall in the serengeti, we chose to go with the Mid-Range option. Yes, there is a big difference in price, but after our experience, I believe it’s THE way to do a safari.

So after reviewing different companies in the mid-range for 7 days option, I read tons of reviews and I liked the initial plan offered by Safari by Z. I also read in almost all reviews of people being so happy with their driver-guide named Fadhili. So I researched their itinerary and messaged them as I wanted to customize it. We did not want to visit Arusha park and highly suggest you do the same. Emails go back and forth with quick responses and the safari is booked and we asked for Fadhili to be our driver. We have booked a customized 7 day safari in the mid-range option and a private tour, so only my wife and I in the land rover.

I will spare how the meet and greet goes as Safari by Z gave 5* service and the surprise should be kept for you. Any questions you have, they answer so there is no need to go further.

Our itinerary was 2 days Tarangire, 1 day lake Maynara, 2 days Serengeti and 2 days Ngorongoro.

I will not go into detail of every single day what we saw and did as that should be lived by you. Also these are wild animals, what we saw may not be seen by you as these are wild animals.

So let’s speak about Fadhili. I only chose him because people had positive reviews about him on safari bookings and I can confirm that he is AMAZING. This guy is a book about animals. Ask a question, you shall receive an answer. His eyes are binoculars, like spotting a snake in a tree or a lizard on a rock. You will see Fadhili driving slowly on the roads, scanning and looking for anything as other companies are zooming by and missing the opportunities we ended up living. Remember, it’s like we are hunting these animals to capture the perfect picture and admire these animals, so these other companies flying by missed a lion sleeping under a small tree, missed the leopard sleeping on a tree branch, missed a lion eating her meal with her bloody face and paws and sooooo much more. Please note, the safari experience is not the animals nor the park, but your guide. A good guide gets you close to the animals, is at the right spot and is able to satisfy all your needs. We told Fadhili we wanted to see the big 5 and whatever else the parks had to offer. Fadhili listens to the radio as most drivers communicate their findings so we can all share the moment. When we would arrive, sometimes 5 or 6 cars were already parked near the animal, but Fadhili always knew how to get close and we always ended up getting the best angle. This guy is patient, and the more you're interested and in awe, the happier he is and the harder he works to continue that experience. I can talk about Fadhili for hours and he literally made the safari go from amazing to memorable. We always felt safe when he drove on the roads and when we stopped for souvenirs or bathroom breaks. The only thing I can suggest for you is to please let Fadhili be in charge of your Itinerary. He only has your interests at heart, so when he says ‘’we should be up at 5:30 am and leave at 6’’ LISTEN to him. His goal is to make your safari the best one possible and he really strives to do it. Trust him and I promise you can’t go wrong. As soon as you show interest, Fadhili is alive and will feed that interest. We learnt most of the animal names in Swahili, we learned other phrases, tanzanian culture and so much more.

In conclusion, as I mentioned before, Fadhili ended up suggesting not to visit the same park twice as it becomes repetitive. Apart from the Serengeti, he was right not to visit the same park twice. We had no choice with Tarangire as those were the two first days and all the accommodations were reserved but we ended up only going to Ngorongoro once where we got to see a rhino in the distance. He suggested to go visit the Tonga and Hazabe tribe and that was CRAZY. The Hazabe hunt to survive. You experience them hunting an animal, if you’re lucky kill the animal and then skin and eat it. This is their culture, their way of life and being able to experience this was truly unique all thanks to Fadhili. As Fadhili mentions, if you don’t see a specific animal you wanted, who cares, there are too many experiences offered that should be lived.

So thank you Safari by Z for your hospitality, your service and your effort to make sure we are as happy as we can be. All the tented camps and lodges were 5* and could not have been better.

Thank you Mwanaidi for changing our lodge into the Serengeti camp. Hearing zebras eating grass and the hyenas laughing throughout the night was an experience we will never forget.

Fadhili, thank you so much for everything. You are kind and truly were the highlight of our safari. Keep up the great work and I truly hope people appreciate your knowledge and your being. I hope your dreams come true and really hope to see you again. Assante Sana Fadhili.