The Amazing Shadows of Africa Guiding Team!
Shadows of Africa
- Offices In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $4,304 to $25,823 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
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
"The trip of a lifetime was a safari with Shadows of Africa," says this cynical traveler.
Was this safari my best trip ever. This jaded, cynical, well-seasoned traveler says a resounding "absolutely!" It was in no small part due to Shadows of Africa. I'm so glad I booked it with them after researching a safari with several companies. I wanted a customized, 4 day intense experience with just a driver and me. Oh did I have one! Natasha, the owner of Shadows of Africa and Richard, the manager, planned and executed every requested detail perfectly. All went smoothly from beginning to end.
A guide-driver, can make or break a trip of this nature. I once had an adventure tour company. I know what to look for. Mine, Moody, was a gem. When we met there was an instant rapport. There was more beyond his prompt nature, extraordinary knowledge of English, flexibility and most importantly, convivial personality. Moody was a combination zoologist-environmentalist-animal lover as far as this retired anthropologist is concerned. He fielded any questions I had about my experiences in layman's language. It enabled me to mentally digest and understand all that I was seeing in the extraordinary natural world in which I was immersed. He had a sharp eye to spot the quasi-hidden animals and lead me to where they were up close. And oh, were they! I never expected to be able to see them in such away. That moved more than my intellect. It reached my soul.
We spent a night at a tented camp in the Serengeti with David, the Maasai manager. Lions, hyenas and elephants were nearby. No worry. It is safe. Here, thanks to booking this place for me, I learned more about the animals than just through seeing them. David could lecture on environmental or anthropological issues about the symbiotic relationship the Maasai have with wild animals as well as their cattle. All live in balance. How the modern world needs to learn how to do that and soon. Elst not do just the Maasai lose their culture, but the animals become extinct and we humans with them.
Thank you Shadows of Africa for helping me realize that more than ever we need to protect these creatures everywhere they still exist. You did it without preaching. It was done through showing me their world in as intimate way as possible. We destroyed their habitat. We need to expand it to save them. For now at least, those which remain are relatively safe at Lake Manyara, on the Serengeti plains and in the Ngorogoro crater. A lion and I gazed at each other at close distance in the crater while he rested. In my mind's eye he mouthed "save us."
There are safaris and there are safaris. You know with whom I'd do a repeat.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super great safari with Shadows of Africa!
My husband and I did a safari of 5 days and everything was arranged perfectly from beginning to end. Everything was beyond expectations, thanks to Natasha and our guide Silvester and cook Abdul. The communication with Natasha is excellent, she responds very fast and knows exactly how to put a nice safari together, as well as give tips about Tanzania in general.
We went to Lake Mayara (1 day), Serengeti (2 days), Ngorongoro (1 day) and on our last day we went hunting with bush men (nomads), all was just amazing! Thanks to our guide we've seen the most amazing animals, he knew exactly where to go and spotted them from very far. The food was also very good, you will not miss anything!
We did the budget camping and slept in tents, which I would definitely recommend as you are more connected with the nature and during the night some curious animals could come to visit you, which is a very nice experience!
Thanks to Shadows of Africa we had an amazing safari! Thank you Natasha!!! :)
HR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best time we ever had on vacation
I have done safari and tribe tours with Shadows of Africa about a little less than a week ago and overall adventure turned out one of the best of our lives. We have been before to parks in South Africa, but nothing can be compared to vastness of Serengeti and uniqueness of Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara. Safari driver Anthony was amazing with all information and was able to answer all our questions during the trip and also gave as an insight of daily life of Tanzanian. Spent four days on safari with my family. A visit to Hadzabe tribe with local guide was also specially memorable as we were invited to have lunch with them and boys were trying the hunting with bow. All in all from start to the end of safari, all went well, Natasa and office staff are still in contact with us as we are still in Tanzania ending out trip on Zanzibar. Without a doubt if we return back, we choose Shadows of Africa again!
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great adventure
Me and my friend had an amazing private 4-day camping safari with Shadows of Africa through Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. The cook was excellent, the food was delightful, mix of fish, vegetables and meet. Driver/guide was very knowledgable on wildlife and where to spot animals, he showed great patience in stopping for us to enjoy watching animals and picture taking. I think best way to enjoy safari is private safari, where you can stop as much as you want. Everything went smoothly from first day, so we could really enjoy beautiful landscape and wildlife. For use was camping great adventure, despite cold on Ngorongoro crater, animals around the tent by night :)
Email Annie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Trip Thanks to the Best Team
I stumbled upon Shadows of Africa when I started planning my family safari trip in January. I reached out to multiple safari companies, but none was as responsive, patient, and knowledgable as Karen from Shadows. She created the perfect itinerary so the 4 of us could visit both Maasai Mara and the Serengeti, and wrapping the trip up with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater. Throughout the trip, Karen and Frank would check in with us via Whatapp to make sure everything was okay.
Our guides, Steven in Kenya and Charles in Tanzania were very friendly and experienced. We saw so many cars stuck in the road but we never did (except when we tried to help another car). We saw a lot of rare animals because our guides knew where to go and they always found the spots before other people did.
Like the others mentioned, our packed lunches were another level compared to other groups. Charles would roll out table and chairs with actual utensils and table mats. And the food tasted amazing with warm veggies, meat, rice and spaghetti. Every lunch in the park included a bottle of wine too! Others would look at our table when they were all eating their boxed lunches. 😅
Also, be sure to include Tamu Tamu as part of your stay if you’re in Serengeti. It’s a new camp operated by Shadows and it’s so beautiful.
Email Ben | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari and Tanzania experience! Couldn't of asked or dreamed of more!
Fantastic travel company. Organised an amazing two weeks for us to go on safari, experience Tanzania, and relax in Zanzibar. They planned everything for us, family of four, and then delivered it with excellence. We had the best guide for the safari; extremely knowledgeable, planned each day to give us an amazing experience, and respected the animals and landscape we were in. We saw and experience everything! All the accommodation was amazing, lodges, tented camps, etc. Each night a new and amazing experience. Spent time meeting with local people, learning the culture, etc., eye opening! And then relaxed in Zanzibar, an amazing hotel with the best beach. Everyone at Shadows of Africa went the extra mile to make everything perfect for us. If you want the best you have to choose Shadows of Africa. Get Karen to plan everything for you. And get Eugene to be your guide. Thank you!
Email Lisa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari tour!
We booked a two week Safari with Shadows of Africa - one week in Tanzania and one week in Uganda - as they were one of the few Safari vendors that were able to accommodate both countries. Karen was great and very responsive in the booking process and gave us a number of recommendations to ensure our trip was to our liking. Our two tour guides were Charles (Tanzania) and Ziwa (Uganda). Charles had an eagle eye and was able to spot leopards and rhinos for us that we would have never found on our own! Both were extremely knowledgeable and friendly and were always focused on ensuring we had a wonderful trip. We highly recommend Shadows of Africa!
Email Marco | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari in Kenya & Tanzania!
I had such a great time on my safari in Kenya and Tanzania. My guides were warm, friendly, enthusiastic, very knowledgeable, and excellent drivers. In Kenya, my guide Peter has a 6th sense for finding active animals, and we saw a cheetah hunting, lions mating, and an elusive leopard, among many others. In Tanzania, my guide Eugen pointed out interesting displays of animal behavior, birds, and unique plants as we tracked the “Ugly 5” as well as the big game. A highlight was having lunch outside in the Serengeti as we watched wildebeest!
I booked this solo trip for mid-June on just a few weeks notice so logistics were critical. When I inquired with several companies, Karen replied very quickly, answered a couple emails quickly, and was able to arrange a call with me (despite a 10 hour time difference), and advise on camp/hotel choices, activities like a balloon ride and a Masai village walk, and logistics like visas and what to bring. Everything went very smoothly with airport transfers, walking me through the Tanzania border and getting a visa, and being flexible to adapt the day’s schedule to my interests. The camps and hotels were great across the board and the food was delicious!
Email Mary McNeal | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spectacular Safari Experience
I can't say enough about our spectacular trip to Tanzania with Shadows of Africa! Jake and Stacy helped our group of 8 plan our ideal adventure and handled every detail expertly. It really exceeded all of our expectations. We visited the Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater.
As requested, we stayed in a variety of accommodations from tented camps, lodges and luxury hotels. All were impeccably clean, comfortable, unique and beautiful. I was nervous about the food but it was fresh and delicious. Imagine a hot lunch in the Serengeti amongst giraffes and elephants!
We saw so many animals (including the big 5 and wildebeests crossing the Mara River) and were educated by our two AMAZING guides Dickson and Lomayani. I miss them already. Honestly, Dickson and Loma are what helped make the trip so special, as well as the hospitality shown to us by literally everyone in Tanzania.
There were so many highlights but staying at the Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge was truly an experience that has stuck with me. I can't stop thinking about the whole trip. I would recommend it to anyone. Worth every penny!
Email Kim | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They listened to all of my preferences and made my bucket list trip an amazing reality.
I found safari bookings and spent several weeks looking over different itinerary options and asked for quotes from a few different companies. I found I wanted a few changes from a normal itinerary and started asking questions from all the agencies. Karen from Shadows was extremely helpful and patient and I wanted to learn as much as possible before deciding. Karen answered all my questions thoroughly and was flexible when it came to booking. After booking, she was great with checking in to make sure I knew what to pack, how to prepare for the trip and to make sure I didn't have any questions.
The trip itself was amazing. Once our guide picked us up, they handled everything regarding transportation, meals and lodging as well as providing us with 3 incredible guides along the way. My husband and I loved the private game drives and the lodges went above and beyond helping me to celebrate my upcoming birthday (much to my embarrassment ;)
I will highly recommend Shadows of Africa to anyone wanted a trip of a lifetime!