Founder of Dancing Zebra Safari, Jessica Mathews
Dancing Zebra Safari
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- Africa Travel Association (ATA) & The International Ecotourism Society (T.I.E.S)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $12,142 to $43,363 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Alyson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jessica loves Tanzania and is very knowledgeable and thorough when creating custom itineraries.
My husband and I visited Tanzania on Safari for two weeks to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. It was a trip that did not disappoint. We visited the Ngorongoro Crater, the Eastern and Northern Serengeti, and Tarangire National Park where we stayed at 4 different Lemala camps with beautiful accommodations, delicious food and wonderful service. We went on daily game drives with a great guide who knew the territory and shared interesting and informative facts about the animals. We saw so many animals, including several that are less common to find. Our guide had “good people sense” and could pace us according to our energy level on a given day and what we wanted to do. He also had good suggestions for maximizing the experience.
Our favorite animals were the cheetahs, elephants and the famous river crossing of the wildebeests (which we saw twice!).
The only thing we would change about the trip is to shorten it by 2 days. We saw so much during our time that we didn’t need the extra days. Overall it was a once in a lifetime trip we will always remember!
Email Mel & Eileen Neville | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jessica Matthews is exceptional and considerate as she listens to help you plan your perfect safari!
How do we begin to describe our amazing 14-day safari adventure to Tanzania planned by Jessica Matthews of Dancing Zebra Safari Company? Perfect!
Jessica is an exceptional woman with whom to work, listening to everything one might want to do in Tanzania, while offering her insights from her numerous visits and connections. Because we had originally planned to go in August, 2020, we had lots of time over two years to have many questions and changes, and each was addressed by Jessica with much patience and understanding. Our safari turned out to be the PERFECT, expertly-planned combination of a Tanzanian wildlife and cultural safari. Every single detail was covered, and there was not the slightest glitch.
When we arrived at Kilimanjaro, we were met by our guide Ian Kiwelu, who looked after us expertly and professionally for the next two weeks. Each evening the three of us planned our tentative schedule for the next day. Ian is an exceptional guide with a kind, loving spirit. With his keen eyes and exceptional knowledge of the bush of Tanzania, Ian made sure we saw everything we wanted to see and more – animals, birds, plants, landscapes. He always made sure we had the best positions for viewing the animals, and he spent as much time as we wanted while he explained so much about the animals and their habits. He truly is the best! He has become more than our guide, as we consider him a friend with whom we have continued to stay in contact.
Our adventures included starting at Lamala Hamerkop House in Arusha, hike to a waterfall at base of Mount Kilimanjaro and coffee farm visits in Arusha and Moshi, Nomad Kuro Camp in Tarangire National Park, Nomad Entamanu Camp at Ngorongoro Crater with a Maasai boma visit, Lamala Tented Camp very near Mara River, Lamala Kuria Hills Tented Lodge, and returning to Hamerkop for one-last memorable day in Arusha basking in our memories and visiting with our new African friends.
One of our highlights was viewing three major Mara River crossings, the first less than a half-hour after we landed at Kogatende Air Strip in the northern Serengeti. Another was sitting in our comfortable 4x4 photographing lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, African buffalo, etc, etc. Some only an arm’s length away. We even saw a black rhino from a distance in the Crater. Yes, we saw the Big Five, but so much more! Another real highlight was getting to visit with and befriend some of the hosts and servers at our camps and lodges. It was wonderful learning about their homes and families. Because of their hospitality, kindness, and openness, we felt like we became part of their extended family.
The camps and lodges we visited were all exceptional. We were treated like VIPs at each camp whether a mobile camp or luxury lodge. We joked between us that we were sure they must have thought we were someone else, someone really special. The food was delicious, and every meal was exquisitely presented. The chefs were amazing! Several of our delicious meals, breakfasts and lunches, were packed so we could spend most of the day out in the bush. Although each camp was different, whether we had a hand-filled bucket shower, an exclusive outdoor shower, or a glass, tiled-lined indoor shower, every camp -- service staff, food and accommodations -- exceeded our expectations.
Thank you, Jessica, for planning our safari, PERFECT in every way!
Mel & Eileen Neville
Email Steve S. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tanzania safari
Travel company: Dancing Zebra Safari Company
This was my fourth trip to Africa and the most rewarding. Jessica from Dancing Zebra met with us twice (we live in the same city) and went over all the details and delivered everything on the itinerary, even when she had to do some last minute shuffling around so that we would have a night time game drive. She is very good in planning trips and specific itinerary. She knows Africa, and especially Tanzania.
And Ian, our Guide/driver was excellent. Almost always, he found the animals we set out looking for, even wild hunting dogs, which are very rare in the Serengeti. The Serengeti is huge, but he knows it like I know my backyard. He was giving directions to several other drivers who were lost. He is the best guide I have had in all my trips!
Very happy with Dancing Zebra and Jessica and Ian.
Email Walt & Carol G | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well planned fantastic safari exceeding all of our expectations
Jessica at Dancing Safari's was fantastic to work with in planning our 4 week trip to Africa. My wife and I, along with another couple, have been trying to plan a trip to Africa for over 3 years. The 4 of us are all experienced travelers in our early to mid 70's who travel 4 to 5 months per year and have travelled extensively all over the world. In recent years we have done Antartica, Manchu Picchu, Galapagos, Brazil, Peru, Turkey, Europe and many other places and are not easily impressed. This trip exceeded all of our expectations and is now our #1 all time trip. We have traveled many times together and have never had problems planning a trip ourselves, however we found planning a trip to Africa to be very difficult on our own. First came trying to figure out: what countries to visit, then when to go (to both see the most, avoid bad weather and avoid the bugs), what types of camps to select, how long to spend at each safari camp, how to travel between camps and how to arrange the entire process with minimum wasted days. We tried working with several travel agents at agencies like AAA and other packaged tours advertising on travel sites like Travelzoo, and other companies packaging small tour groups.
Over the past two years we went to the Los Angeles Travel Show where we conferred with various tour operators. Finally we met Jessica at her both in early 2018. We also met with several other tour operators. After exchanging emails with several of these safari tour operators it was clear that Jessica was both the most responsive and knowledgeable and really worked at understanding what we wanted. Whereas other operators tried to steer us towards their own product Jessica worked at finding something that met our desired experience and budget. Although we wound up spending more that we originally budgeted, we had a truly unforgettable experience.
We selected a trip which included 8 days in Tanzania, 8 days in Kenya, 4 days in Botswana, 2 days in Zimbabwe, and 6 days in Cape Town (our friends didn't join the last 8 days). This length trip required extensive coordination amongst over 10 different lodges and arranging both the the air transportation and all the ground transfers. This included over 22 flights. During the planning stage Jessica provided frequent updates and was meticulous in ensuring that everything was planned correctly. The result was a seamless trip where everything went exactly as planned. We were met at every airport with staff who were always on-time and waiting for us. Luggage was handled for us. Unlike other tours planned by organizations like Tauck and Micato, we had a private tour for the four of us (not on first part in Tanzania where we had 4 others on the private charter airplane, but for Kenya we had the whole airplane to ourselves). Our safari tour vehicles were Toyota Land Cruisers or Land Rovers. Although most operators we saw operating out to the same lodges packed their vehicles with 6 to 9 people, we never had more than the 4 of us. The lodges we stayed at in Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana were all 5* quality. The food, service and staff were outstanding.
The safaris were incredible. By the end of the second day we had seen all the big 5 and so much more. Each new camp kept building on the experience.Out game drive guides were extremely knowledgeable and very accommodating. We were worried that spending over 3 weeks on safari would be too much and repetitive. Not so. Each location was unique and memorable.
As for cost, although it was a very expensive trip, when we compared what we paid with others who went on similar itineraries (Tauck and Micato) , we paid considerably less and got a lot more. Overall we would give Jessica and Dancing Zebra our highest recommendation. Although we went high-end I am sure Jessica would also do a great job for those wanting a lower budget trip.
Email Renee | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing- best vacation ever. Thank you- Dancing Zebra Safari Co.
Thank you Abdullie for putting an amazing Tanzania Wildlife Safari and Beach Holiday package together. I can’t say enough about what an amazing experience we had on this trip. The safari started in the Ngorongore Region for 3 days, and then on to Northern Serengeti for 4 days. The last 3 days we went to Zanzibar and stayed in a wonderful ocean front villa to relax for the long flight home.
The safari guides were excellent ( Juma and Lorrie) kudos to both of them. Eliya was our excellent personal butler in our luxurious tented camp of &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas.
The most memorable experience: The last day of our safari we finally saw a Rhinoceros and my husband snapped some pictures. We also saw the Big Five and The Great Wildebeest Migration (incredible)
Jessica updated us during the last few weeks before our trip on additional information- Visa for Tanzania, baggage allowance, tipping guidelines etc. I would highly recommend Dancing Zebra Safari Co to anyone planning an African Safari.
Email Bob and Rita, Whittier CA | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra helped us select , then organized a trip that in all ways exceeded our expectations
When we and the couple we frequently travel with decided to plan a trip to Africa, we contacted Jessica Mathews of the Dancing Zebra Safari Company, whom our friends had met at the LA travel show. Jessica was a pleasure to work with, being very helpful and extremely patient with our initial uncertainties regarding which countries to visit, when to travel and what kinds of accommodations to book.
Once we settled upon visiting several sites in Tanzania and Kenya, plus the Chobe River in Namibia in late September and early October, Jessica efficiently handled all of our bookings, including transportation from each site to the next.
We and our traveling companions needed to make separate arrangements getting to Tanzania where our safaris began, and out of Namibia where the trip ended for us. Jessica had no problem coordinating two sets of rather complex travel plans, ensuring that we were met at each new location by someone representing Dancing Zebra. She also maintained contact with us throughout our trip, to ensure that things were proceeding as planned.
Our safaris took us to Tarangire, Ngorogoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks in Tanzania. In Kenya we visited Amboseli, Meru and Masai Mara National Parks, while in Namibia we enjoyed daily river excursions on the Chobe River.
All of our accommodations were of uniformly high quality with friendly staff, very good food and excellent knowledgeable guides, who led on several game drives each day.
We were fortunate enough to see large numbers of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River. Other highlights of the trip were close-up viewing lions, leopards and cheetahs dining on their kills. We even were able to closely follow lions and a family of cheetahs as they stalked their prey. We were also fascinated by the many hundreds of elephants we saw at nearly all of the places we visited. Finally, we left home with little thought of birds, but having seen and photographed such a wide variety of them in Africa, we now have a new-found interest.
We were delighted with what Jessica and Dancing Zebra arranged for us, and will happily recommend them to any of our friends interested in a trip to Africa.
Email Bob Myers | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
10 Day Safari in Tanzania
We chose Dancing Zebra after talking to and getting quotes from several Safari companies we had seen at the Santa Clara travel fair. Jessica, at Dancin Zebra impressed us with her willingness to listen to our desires for the trip and the way she worked to meet them. Some of the other companies seemed to being trying to fit us in to one of their pre packaged trips. In the end she designed a 10 day trip for our group in Tanzania. It included Terangire Reserve, Ngorongoro Crater and the Sarengeti. The accommodations were all part of the Elewana Collection and were all top notch, great facilities, food and staff. One of the lodges (Manor at Ngorongoro) was quite possibly the most luxurious resort I have ever experienced. Our guides for the game drives were all very knowledgeable about the animals, birds and plants of the area they covered. They worked very hard to make sure we saw what we wanted to see. The highlight was probably the wildebeest crossing of the Mara River. Our group had planned this Safari as a once in a lifetime trip and all our expectations were met or exceeded. I can’t think of anything I would change if I had it to do over again.
Email Jim | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!!
Jessica was great. She was always on top of things and quickly responded to my questions. It wasn't until I took the trip that I truly realized how much she had her act together. Each of the tour operators and/or hosts were top notch. Accommodations were fantastic. All the staff would do anything they could to help. We choose Tanzania for the trip and were not sorry. Each place within the country we went was different and we saw different things. We saw everything we wanted to: a crossing with a kill, lion cubs, the big 5...you name it, we saw it. Great trip!
Email Mike & Barbie G. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a life time! Amazing safari adventure!! Planning and execution by Jessica was flawless!!!
We had an incredible 3 week journey through Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Jessica was phenomenal! She is extremely knowledgeable and very easy to work with. She listened to what we wanted to do, made excellent recommendations and customized our trip to meet our wishes. The customer service and follow-up was world class (and I am a very tough critic!). There were a few things she guided us towards and all of them turned out to be spectacular. There were also a few things I was stuck on doing based on my own web research. Jessica told us about the pros & cons of some of my choices, but I still insisted. Everything she recommended turned out to be fabulous. Everything she warned me about turned out to be true. She batted 100%. I learned her personal knowledge/experience was much more reliable than the (extensive) web research I did on my own. We cant say enough good things about Jessica & Dancing Zebra. If you are thinking about going on safari I highly recommend you talk to her!
SG
Email Venki & Banoo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable SAFARI experience
My wife Banu and I travelled to Serengeti for a 11N/12D Safari Tour - organized by Jessica Mathew - in Jun/Jul 2018. This was one of our best trips ever. Right from the word Go, Jessica took great care of all the details guiding us through the preparation process. At every stop of our arrival and departure ports, we were received by her local representatives who helped us through the transfers. Our Safari guide Emmanuel was a great person - who ensured that we are comfortable, safe and well-informed all through the journey. Of course, Serengeti itself offered a very unique view of itself. We saw all the wild animals we wanted to see - and at a very close distance and several times to our heart's content. The accommodations chosen by Jessica offered again a very unique experience. We are vegetarians and got very good food prepared by Chefs at our request. I also want to mention Victoria - an ever-smiling lady guide who received us at our first entry point Kilimanjaro and who made a very positive impression on us. Emanuel's boss Peter Kirua of Nomad Travels provided support and guidance from back office. Overall, this was a great trip of our lifetime and I will certainly encourage my family and friends to go for this and engage Dancing Zebra Safri co. for serving them. - Venki & Banoo (Singapore)