Hilary and Martin - owners of Suricata Safaris
Suricata Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $3,272 to $10,334 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
TR
Email Nihal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
so happy to be a part of an environment where wild life is still respected
When you are choosing a safari company, in fact you are choosing a service to build up probably the most unforgetable trip of your life. I am happy that ours was a smart decision.
I should start with our guide Fredy: A very professional, knowledgable, cool and kind person! He spoke English very well, always gave lots of information about the animals, even showed their close-up pictures from his book, answered all our questions patiently, made sure to locate the car at the best angle for taking photos (and showing respect to people at the other cars and animals - which is so important to us), waited patiently while we took tons of pictures. Most importantly, he was more than a guide, a friend with nice character that we would like to have with us on a long holiday.
Our talented chef Chaz was a master. He always cooked very delicious food and made sure we had enough. He surprised us by serving tasty and special things very quickly even early in the morning. We will miss the excellent food we had during the safari. Also we will miss his joyful chats with Fredy.
We had a difficult time in choosing the safari company as there are about 1000 alternatives. When I decided on one and was about to pay, there had been a couple of things I did not like. I checked for an alternative and met Suricata. I thought it was a young company but experienced enough. Hilary answered my e-mails very promptly. He was flexible and did his best to tailor the programme according to our wishes. I noticed he is one of the founders and that made me feel more comfortable knowing that he will be there to solve any possible problem. I was right; there had been a small misunderstanding during the trip and was solved through a phone call between Fredy and Hilary. Paying the deposit was easy and safe and we did the rest of payment on arrival.
We were a family of 3 people and had an 8 days private safari including Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Lake Eyasi (tribe visits), Serengeti and Ngorongoro. These 8 days were full of magic. Surprisingly, visiting the tribes was the highlight of our trip. We met Maasai, Datoga, Hadzabe, Makonde and Gidangodic people and had a wonderful time with them. We learned the way they live. We went to hunting with Hadzabe, jumped with Maasai, sang with Datogas who asked many questions about ourselves and our country and we were warmly welcome by all tribes. We keep the souvenirs mostly done and sold by women for ourselves as they are so precious to us and all are a great memory.
During those visits local guides Deo and Yusuf (sorry if I mispronounce) accompanied and helped us to communicate as the tribes' languages are different. Also there was an armed ranger (Ali) and his intern who accompanied us in Arusha National Park for a walking safari.
While deciding about how to use our budget before the safari, we preferred budget camping. Doing so, we could take a longer trip rather than paying more for lodge-stays. We are happy we did. But you might prefer lodges if you do not feel cool and adventurous enough. In Serengeti and Ngorongoro you hear voices of wild animals just around your tent. In our case, something rare occurred and lions tried to hunt two buffalos very close to our tents and one animal hit the tent. We were lucky as nobody was hurt (buffalos also survived) and now we have a story to tell all through our life. Also we heard steps of many zebras feeding around our tents in Ngorongoro Simba Campsite.
Choosing November for safari also has been a wise decision. Although it is short-rains season, luckily there was no rain. Also the parks and public camp-sites were not over-crowded. The herds had already arrived Seronera region so we were lucky to experience the great migration.
And yes, we saw all of the "big 5" but a safari should be regarded not as an experience of seeing; but as feeling. It is hard to describe how happy we felt during all these 8 days. In most of the world, people have built up plazas and cities full of unhappiness. With a human-centric point of view, they left no space for wild life. We are lucky people who experienced to spend 8 days at a place on earth where things are different. We were able to be a part of an environment where wild life is still respected and preserved. And we would like to thank Fredy, Chaz, Hilary and the rest of the Suricata team who helped this dream to come true. Asante sana!
RU
Email Dmitry Suhadolsky | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safaris in three parks (Serengeti, Ngorogoro, Tarangiri)
I went on a Safari from the company Suricata. I found them on the website: www.safaribookings.com I really liked the service provided. The price was average market. But the price included meeting from the airport and transfer to the airport after the safari. The price also included hotel accommodation before the safari and after the safari. The hotel is very decent. The company is run by three very active and friendly men. All with good English (one of them is American). The service was provided at a very good level, so I recommend choosing them.
If we talk about the Suricata company itself, I liked the guide, the cook (as it turned out later, in comparison with all the others he cooked very tasty). Every evening, as a gift, well, dinner was given a bottle of wine. Food was always prepared in excess. The guide drove fast, but very carefully. Car: six-seater Land Cruiser.
Now about the trip itself: the safari lasted 4 days (3 nights). Parks: Ngorogoro, Serengeti and Tarangiri. Tarangiri is separate from the other two parks. All parks are different and differ from each other in nature and animals. Therefore, it is interesting to see all three, but you need to correctly evaluate your strength and desire. Drive 300 km from Arusha to Serengeti Park, the road is bad, so be patient or choose other parks. But the Serengeti is the largest park.
I went in August 2019. When they tell you, take warm clothes, this really means that you will need them. Be sure to take pants, a sweatshirt, a windbreaker, possibly another sweater. Also bring along a headlamp, pillowcase, soap, small shampoo, wet wipes, mosquito repellent. Personally, I did not take a windbreaker with me and regretted it. In the evenings there is a very cool and strong wind.
Bargaining in shops, taxis and markets should be 3-4 times. Everyone wants to make money on white tourists.
Yellow fever vaccine is best done just in case. Whether to be vaccinated against malaria, everyone decides for himself. Locals get malaria like a cold. Many tourists even having vaccinated have a high chance of getting sick. Just fly to Tanzania, before you go on a safari, buy a malaria test. If your temperature rises, you can immediately use the test.
Paying all the more profitable in shillings (you pay the safari in dollars). Therefore, change dollars at the airport or immediately after arrival in the city.
Have a good holiday and interesting adventures!
ES
Email Gonzalo | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in the Ngorongoro, Tarangeri and Serengeti
The trip started at the Kilimanjaro airport, we were taken to the hotel, on the way you could see the sunset with Kilimanjaro in the background, amazing. The hotel was very good, clean and an amazing breakfast. The next day we went to the Serengeti, there are many hours of travel, in the afternoon you arrive and it is beautiful. We slept in a campsite, at night you could hear the hyenas and the food of the great cooks. The next day we started the safari, in the Serengeti we saw a lot of animals of all types, we were even lucky and we saw a leopard that are very rare to see. In the afternoon we were taken to the Ngorongoro campsite, it was cold there but seeing an elephant drinking water in front of you is worth much more than that. The next morning we went to the Ngorongoro crater, there you can see thousands of buffaloes and zebras, it is plagued.
Then we were taken to the Tarangeri, that night we slept in a lodge, a very nice wooden cabin, in the evening there were traditional dances and we lit a bonfire and we spent the night talking. In the Tarangeri we saw many giraffes and elephants, we could see the elephant at two meters, incredible, that afternoon we were taken to the hotel again for the next day to go. The drivers very nice, if you had any questions with the animals I explained it and the cooks a great meal. A unique adventure, I recommend it to all the people who come to Tanzania.
Email Violet | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience
Ezekiel,our guide was absolutely lovely;and Hilda is amazing chef she made a delicious food during our Safari .Whole team is attentive and friendly.We really enjoyed our Safari ,Can definitely recommend Suricata Safaris
HU
Email Odi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Lodge Safaris
We did a Safari with Suricata Safaris for our Honeymoon. It was the best choice we could have made. We went on a seven days Safari and a day trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. We truly got more than what we expected, we stayed in Sopa loges for a fraction of what other companies quoted us. One thing that was for us a deal breaker was that they were very accommodating to my wife who has a serious case of Celiac disease, they went above and beyond to make sure everything she ate was as she ordered. We had a fantastic time and will definitely repeat, we highly recommend Suricata Safaris.
DK
Email Viktor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice, easy and amazing safari with Suricata safari.
5 Day safari made easy.
Found this great company after a few searches on the internet. Hilary answered within a few minutes and all arrangement were made quick, friendly, and easy.
Hilary even arranged a free pick up for us in Moshi!
From the first moment of our safari our guide Lewis, found and drove us very close to a lot of exciting animals. I have never taken so many great pictures in my life!
All the time he could answer our questions about the animals and nature, while giving us different interesting facts.
All the animals we could wish for we saw, even the Black Rhino!
After each safari we went to some great camp sites, which were almost an adventure them selves. One morning we woke up surrounded by Zebras, and another we saw an Elephant after showering, moments you will never forget.
I would defenitly recommend anyone doing safari with Suricata safari!
DE
Email Alfredo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The "7-Day Joining Group & Adventures" Safari was absolutely great!!
We enjoyed a 7-Days Safari (7-Day Joining Group & Adventures) and must say that the experience widely exceeded our expectations :)
All these National Parks are really amazing and exciting, it was definitely worth, this tour is a real adventure!
We specially thank to our guide and driver, Ezekiel, who did everything by driving to get always the best spot to see the animals as good as possible and our cook, Dionis, whose food was very abundant and unbelievably delicious!!
Email Andrea | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect First Time Safari Company
It was my and my husband's first time in Tanzania and our first safari and I feel like we're spoiled now. Not only did we have excellent luck and saw all the Big Five and had great weather (visited beginning of November, end of the dry season), but we were so well taken care of as well.
We arrived in Arusha by bus and did a 3-day tour to Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Hilary met us at the hotel and went over how the process works. He did a good job placing us in a group with people our age and experience (other first-time young people). The hotel isn't going to win any awards for luxury, but the staff was helpful, the bed soft, and the breakfast very good.
The safari itself was amazing! Our guide was super knowledgeable and had amazing eyes to spot wildlife. You can tell he really cares about the animals and the landscape as well as the clients. Our first meal wasn't really to our taste (a lot of meat), but the chef did a great job adjusting and all our subsequent meals were excellent. The ride is dusty, but you don't need to worry about your clothes getting dirty. Layers are good because the sun is hot, but the wind in the jeep is cool. The tent camping isn't ideal if you need a hot shower and soft bed every night, but as far as camping goes, it was very comfortable.
We ended earlier than the rest of our group so the company arranged a ride for us to Arusha. They also picked up return bus tickets (we came from Mombasa). The hotel and Hilary were also accommodating by switching our breakfast for dinner since we left very early.
Overall, we had a great time! As a first time safari, we appreciated the handholding and help. We had such a perfect time and if we come back, I know what company we'll book through.
We LOVED our Suricata Safari!!
We just got off the trip of a lifetime and it was all due to Suricata Safaris!! Our awesome driver Ezekiel and a super talented chef Charles made it all possible. Those guys along with the owner Hilary make a great team. They all worked above and beyond to make our trip better than we even hoped for. These guys give you the same safari as the bigger companies but at a better price. I HIGHLY recommend this company if you are ever in Tanzania for a safari. All pics so close and only with a cell phone!!
KR
Email Eunjee kim | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Never better than this.
Quick reply , all inclusive, well explained etc.
When I met them first in Arusha, Suricata people Welcome us. They try to explain everything in detail.
Furthermore, we did not like the accomodation they recommend us, so I found the other one, but they came to our hotel and explained tomorrow schedule.
Also I was afraid that they would not come to pick me up, but they came to pick me up very correct time(like 6:30am)
I have never found they were late. They were very promised people.
Also when I had 3days tour, the safari car had no problem at all. I found they always fill the fuel fulled.
I actually have got quotation more than 10 company. However I never regeret that I have chosen Suricata safaris.
I strongly recommend suricata for young 20~40years old people.
Never better than this.
This company is quite young, so I am sure that young people will like it.
Asante.