Thomson Safaris Review

we took a private tour at the end of September in 2017. it was truly an amazing experience. Our guide, Coz, was wonderful. He made sure we saw all the animals up close and personal. He never rushed us as we were taking pictures. The camps were very comfortable and the food was outstanding.

I would highly recommend Thomson Safaris and we are honestly thinking of returning again next year.

My trip to Tanzania on safari was a dream come true! We saw so much wildlife - so many different species and in such quantity! There's nothing like seeing these magnificent animals in their own natural habitats! And the mix of wildlife viewing with different cultural activities was just perfect. I really enjoyed getting to know more about the people of this country - their gentleness, kindness and joy will always remain with me, as will their smiles. The entire staff from booking, to the guides, to the camp staff in the bush were all outstanding. They were such a joy to get to know and spend time with. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to get to know the country, its people, and its wondrous wildlife. Thank you, Thomson Safaris! Karibu sana, my new friends! - Martha Scott

This was definitely the trip of a lifetime! The Thomson guides were excellent- explaining interesting details about the animals and birds, as well as getting us positioned for the great migration. The crossing was marvelous- so many wildebeast as well as other animals. The lodging was comfortable, and the food excellent. What more can you ask for!

Although it went pretty fast....more days would have been better in each camp... the service was fabulous. The food was plentiful and good. The tents (Nyumba) were not for the feint hearted (not glamping) but it was a genuine Safari in the rough wide open Serengeti. The roads were deeply rutted and water crossings were an adventure. The wildlife was all around us.... Zebra and Wildebeest herds up close. Lion and Cheetah did not fail to appear, The Land Rovers were perfect for viewing wildlife with only 4-5 people in each one.
The guides were all great drivers and knew all the fauna and flora around us. The days were long and glorious. Did I mention the great sunsets and spectacular sunrises?
Highest praise for this journey.... you must go if you ever wanted to see
Tanzania...

I haven't planned a bucket list adventure this year because the experiences I had with Thomson Safaris (Tanzania trip) can't, I believe, be surpassed any time soon. The ageless beauty, the excitement, the life and death dramas and the breathtaking memories are seared into my soul. How will I ever forget a sunrise balloon ride over the Serengeti. And Thomson Safaris created and nurtured this experience for me. All aspects from initial planning, support materials/guidance and followup were consistently performed in a very professional and genuinely friendly manner (you'll fall in love with Megan.) The safari guides became life long friends, the camps were comfortable and yet exotic. The camp cuisine was excellent and creative. Sitting outside around a camp fire after dinner enjoying the star lit sky while enjoying a beverage of your choice won't be erased from your memory. Thomson Safaris exceeded my wildest expectations. I can't do better than these folks. I encourage you to contact them first; you won't be disappointed.

My family and I recently returned from hiking Mt Kilimanjaro, we had a wonderful time. The hike itself is challenging but doable, the guides were really great. They really watched out for us and made the trip lots of fun. The food was really good and plenty of it, even with our group of 11 and 9 men and 2 women. The views were stunning and summit day was terrific.

We also added on a 5 day safaris, lots of driving but also saw lots of animals. We loved Gibbs Farm, would have been happy being there for all 5 days!
Thank you Thomson Safaris.

Thomson Safaris was an excellent travel company. From the first conversation on, the education was great, the expectation settings was spot on, and communication was great. When we landed in Tanzania, Thomson Safaris met at the airpot, and we were catered to every step of the way. They truly accounted for every detail, and made our bucket list trip a very comfortable reality!

Jambo! My husband and I had the most amazing honeymoon with Thomson Safaris, traveling through the Serengeti. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, sociable and patient. He took care of all our requests during our safari, which made for a fantastic experience. The nyumbas were extremely comfortable and we had hot showers every day. The food was exceptional! We were stuffed at every meal and there was not a single menu item we didn't thoroughly enjoy eating. We were fortunate enough to see all of the Big Five animals, plus so many more. Our visits to the Masai women's market, boma, clinic and school left us with memories of a lifetime. We would highly recommend booking your safari with Thomson, not only for their excellent service and accommodations, but also for their continued philanthropy in the Serengeti area.

Wow! This was a trip of a lifetime. There are so many reasons why Tanzania is one of the most special places on earth. The landscapes are beautiful, the people are so welcoming, the food at the Thomson nyumba camps and Gibbs Farm was delicious, and the wildlife is so vast! Our guides were incredible - so knowledgeable, entertaining, and passionate. They would explain an animal behavior, and boom! We saw exactly what they had talked about moments before.

We saw so many special things! To name a few, we saw a leopard in a tree jumping from branch to branch, we saw elephants fighting, baby hippos playing, hyena chasing wildebeests, 60+ ostriches prancing along the road, etc. etc.

The camps were so comfortable, I felt like I was staying in a nice hotel room, but out in the bush so immersed in the environment. The camp staff goes above and beyond and all logistics went off without a hitch. It was also wonderful to see all that Thomson Safaris does to give back to the local Tanzanian communities.

Asante Sana (Thank You) Thomson Safaris. This is a trip that will be hard to surpass, and Tanzania will hold a special place in my heart forever.

Thomson helped make this a trip of a lifetime. The head guide Alex, and the rest of the guides, were so influential in our summit success. Hiking with my wife and two boys (men) and making the summit on Father's Day made this the most memorable vacation we ever had. With Thomson's attention to details, the food, the service, the smiling faces, and taking care of everything, I highly recommend Thomson to anyone who is thinking about hiking Kilimanjaro.

Tour of a lifetime. Everything exceeded my expectations from the food to the guides to the accommodations. Visit to private 10,000 acre lease was wonderful as we got to see what the Thomson 501c charity had done for local tribes. Toured the school, the clinic, and saw one of the wells drilled. Then spent 11 more days seeing beautiful animals in the wild. Still don t know how we got fed gourmet food in the middle of nowhere day after day. The staff we met were happy that we were there and proud to show us their country. Our experiences were priceless!

We had an extraordinary safari trip with Thomson Safaris - we can't say enough great things about the experience. We booked the trip to celebrate our son's graduation from college and everyone in our family LOVED our week on safari - it was by far our best family vacation ever. The guides and camp crews were friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable and fun, the camps were beautiful with the most stunning views and delicious food, the animals were plentiful and amazing, the cultural experiences were fabulous and so memorable, and the pre-trip logistics and planning were well organized. Asante sana Tanzania and Thomson Safaris!!!

It's difficult to express how incredibly wonderful our North/South Safari was. We took the Ultimate Safari two years ago and couldn't wait to go back to Tanzania. This time, we elected to visit Ruaha for the first time. At the Mwagusi Camp, we felt a connection that neither of us could describe. The park is very different from the Serengeti and Tarangire. It is lush and verdent. The animals behave very differently. Once again, Thomson managed the whole trip exquisitely and exceeded our high expectations. Until next time!

Brittany and Kristine at Thompson Safaris planned a private family safari for: myself, my mother, sister, and 7 year old son. During the planning process they were very responsive to my emails. They also provided helpful hints for preparing along the way. I think what sets Thompson apart is how much they listen and get to know you before you set foot on that plane. They shaped our safari around our desires and, most importantly, made it family-friendly so my son would stay engaged.

We had a 10 day safari spending 2 or 3 nights at each Nyumba. Even with short amount of time with the folks at each camp...we found it hard to leave. They were immediately warm, friendly, accommodating and fun. They also communicated with the teams at the Nyumba's we would be travellng to next. As they discovered our likes and dislikes, it was already in place at the next Nyumba. (I'm talking small details. For example: my son liked to mix the powder into his hot chocolate. After this was discovered by the Eastern Serengeti crew, the powder was left for him at every Jambo Jambo following.) I realize I'm talking about the people and not the animals.

We absolutely went to see "The Big Five," and The MIgration of the Wildebeast. Waking up to coffee, or hot chocolate, and a view of zebras and giraffes cannot be beat. Checking tracks to see who visited the camp that night was a highlight of the morning. We talked about the sounds we heard and guessed which animals they were. The proximity and beauty of the wild animals was surreal. But the warmth, kindness and character of the people we met made this trip a once in a lifetime experience. We cannot wait to return to the Serengeti. Asante sana sana Thompson Safaris. xoxo

We were on safari with Thomson Safaris in March 2017 and it was the most memorable experience we have ever had. Tanzania is a beautiful country and if you want to see animals you cannot go wrong visiting places like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park. I took many pictures and have told friends"it is almost impossible to take a picture without a wild animal in it".
The experience was made great by the staff and accommodations of Thomson Safaris, they really know how to make the whole experience perfect. The guides are accomplished at finding animals and birds. My favorite moment was being surrounded by 250 elephants (I literally lost count at that point) and feeling very comfortable with our knowledgeable guide.
We will be going back to Tanzania with Thomson as soon as we can.

Truly one of the best experiences of my entire life! I traveled in February 2018 - calving season! So many wonderful memories - comfortable accommodations located right in the middle of the wildlife, the BEST staff and guides, delicious meals, enriching cultural experiences! I think about this experience daily and can't wait to visit my Thomson Safaris family in Tanzania again!

My wife and I went on a Tanzania Safari with Thomson Safaris in February 2019. The experience more than met my expectations. Everything was well planned, our guides were first-class, and we were fortunate to see everything we hoped to see. I would highly recommend Thomson Safaris.

This trip was the experience of a lifetime for me. I told my family I wanted to do this before I was 80, and I just made it! I was very happy with the experience provided by Thompson Safaris. We had seen 9 different species of animals before we reached our first camp. Our guides were able to spot animals we would never have seen and they were very knowledgeable about both animals and birds. The accommodations were lovely and the staff at each location couldn t do enough to please us. They even provided a birthday cake and a celebration for my grandson s 18th birthday. Two of us in our party were older and they called us the Bebes...grandmothers....and treated us like queens. One of the best parts was our exposure to the Maasai people and their culture. I am sure they welcomed us because Thomson has contributed so much to their community. That was very special and the Maasai guides who accompanied us on parts of our journey were delightful. Thompson was able to arrange an itinerary that provided for 5 of our party to climb Kilimanjaro while the other 5 were on Safari....then we met and continued on as a group of 10. We really appreciated this flexibility. Thank you Thomson for a wonderful trip!

We are so happy we selected Thomson as our Safari outfitter! They worked with us from the beginning to make sure our family had the tour we were looking for which included all the best sites Tanzania had to offer! The safari staff was friendly, experienced and eager to show us even the smallest detail like the tracks in the dirt road from a large snake. We looked forward each evening to relaxing with other guests, having delicious meals together and hearing from our head guide about what the next day would bring. Gibb's Farm near the Ngorongoro Crater where we stayed three days was a paradise surrounded by some of the best wildlife and bird species in Africa! Looking back we would not have changed a thing about our itinerary. Asante sana (thank you very much) Thomson Safaris!

OK, going through my photos to write this review brought me to tears, again. This was the most spectacular trip. I am a 68 year old woman, I say that because I was concerned I might be too old for the ruggedness.... not at all. Every day was full and inspiring. Our driver FRED was simply amazing, so knowledgable, amenable and a perfect gentleman. The staff at all the camps could not have been more warm, welcoming and accommodating. The food was amazing, incredible they could create such masterpieces under such rustic conditions. They were so sensitive to my vegan dietary requirements. The tents were cozy, the beds super comfy, the hot water bottles a delightful touch... the toilets and showers were quite rustic but adequate and added to the authenticity of the experience. The jeep ride was rough at times, but worth every bump for the wildlife which was way beyond what I had hoped for, we saw the big 7 and more and more and many of them up close and personal without any feeling of intrusion on either side! The African landscape and sky are bigger and wider and more colorful than can be imagined. Breathtaking. Africa is a divine country, full of peace and gentleness and raw beauty. And then, the people .... warm and genuine and so much fun to be with, as beautiful as their landscape. This was a trip of a lifetime, and Thomson's made it so special and easy and safe and ethical and affordable. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Thank you all at Thomson's for making it all happen. I miss you Fred!!!

Especially if you're thinking of a Kilimanjaro climb, Thomson is the number one best way to go. Expert guides, supreme care taken of all health and safety details, lovely atmosphere. Thomson does it right.

Following extensive research, we selected Thomson Treks for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. They exceeded my expectations in every regard. Their route, guides, porters, camps, and food are top notch. I especially appreciated the emphasis on safety and their care for the staff (guides, porters, chef, etc). As we were told during orientation, our (the climbers) goal may be to reach the summit, but their goal was to make sure we made it down safely.

We chose the 9-day Western Approach, for the ideal combination of trail beauty and altitude acclimation. This route did not disappoint. I suffered acclimation difficulties on summit day but with the guide's support, thru breathing exercises and short breaks, was able to reach Uhuru peak safely. Thank you Thomson for making my dream come true!

Waking up to birds singing; "Jambo Jambo" hello at my tent door - would you like coffee with cream and sugar?; making my way to the camp dining room - more coffee, eggs, toast, fresh fruit for breakfast...I wake up to this wonderful routine everyday on Safari and keep pinching myself that I'm here. At 8am our jeeps are ready, we climb in and anticipate another day of surprises, wonder and drama. Each area of Tanzania -Tarangire Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti offered its own unique story. I loved watching a 50 plus her of elephants swimming in the river in Tarangire Park, adolescents wrestling in the water, babies learning to dust their backs, mothers protection scared teenage all in one hour.
In Ngorongoro Crater I saw a rhino, my first time after three two former trips, along with lions, ostriches, zebra, wildebeest and much more. For me the Serengeti was the highlight of my trip. Driving in the midst of thousands of migrating wildebeest and zebra making their way up to the Mara River was a thrill to hear and see. We were lucky to catch a herd crossing the river and later viewed many crocs moving about. We also
spotted a magnificent leopard in a tree with its kill. He handily stood up for us and turned in our direction so we all had a perfect view. What a gift!
I know it may be luck if we see these reclusive animals but Thomson's guides are so well skilled and in communication with others that we were always rewarded with a very special sighting. I also think that Thomson's tented camp sites are strategically placed throughout Tanzania that greatly enhanced our access to the animals, especially the migration. We were able to follow the herds from Central to the Northern camps.
I particularly loved our guides Kileo and Kumbi who went out of their way to make us all happy. Each of us really appreciated their personal touch. I always felt that they gave each of us the time we wanted to observe the animals, not just take a quick shot and leave.We also enjoyed the friendly camp staff at each location. My boys were often in soccer matches with them at the end of the day. We truly felt welcomed and at home for the entire trip.
Africa tugs at my heart and I hope to return again soon with Thomson.

One of the very best trips I've ever had. Fantastic staff, accommodations - you name it, Thomson Safaris made it ready and easy, and INCREDIBLE. Highly recommended.

Our Thomson Safari more than met our expectations. We had the information we needed before we left, ie. packing, itinerary, what to expect. The staff in Tanzania was wonderful, from our guide to the nyumba staff. The food was exceptional. We saw animals every day, including Elephants, Rhinos, Zebra, Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Giraffe, Hippos, Wildebeest, Cape Buffalo, Crocodiles, Hyenas, Jackals, Monkeys, Baboon, different varieties of gazelles and antelope, and over 103 variety of birds! The trip was worth every penny!!

Thomson is the best! Our Kilimanjaro trek was so amazing and well executed from booking to coming home. Thomson helped us plan, get the right gear, and get all the details covered. When we were there the very best porters and guides took care of our every need. HIGHLY recommend Thomson Safaris!

Thomson has been bringing people to Tanzania for nearly two decades, and it shows. Their trips are incredible. I can't imagine a better safari company.

This climb of Kilimanjaro combined with a safari afterwards was a trip of a lifetime. Nothing short of amazing!!

I have traveled a few times with Thomson Safaris, most recently in February/March 2019. From Arusha to Tarangire to Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Selous, Ruaha and walking with the chimps in Mahale. No other adventure has surpassed my experiences with Thomson. These adventures steal your heart and make the most memorable memories!!! It is absolutely a wonderful adrenaline rush each time you see one of the beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Thomson didn t put the animals there but I can assure you their guides can spot every one of them for you. No matter what your style, Thomson can accommodate your every taste. Nyumba camps are an awesome experience. The staff members are unbelievably helpful, kind and accommodating. You will find that to be true whether you re camping or luxury lodging or making your reservation to go on safari!

No disappointments with delicious fresh mango, papaya, melon, juices, Tanzanian coffee and eggs . If you travel no other place in the world, don t cheat yourself out of a Thomson Safari adventure in Tanzania !!!

Thomson Safaris created the perfect trip for Jennifer and me. It was done very professionally from the planning to the completion of the trip.
We travel Worldwide and feel Thomson Safaris was the best agency we have ever dealt with. They are responsive, polite, friendly and are very quick to respond to all contacts/emails/phone calls.
We give Thomson Safaris our greatest recommendation and look forward to dealing with them in the future.

Greg and Jennifer

This is by far the best trip we have ever taken. My husband and I took our 3 grown children with us and everyone totally enjoyed it. This was my 2nd trip to the Serengeti with Thomson as I had taken a trip with my best friend about 3 years ago. Both trips were amazing and very different. Again, we saw more animals than we could have hoped for. This time we saw an amazing number of cats up close- maybe 30 including cubs. We also saw leopard and cheetah cubs and a baby rhino! Spectacular. Our guides, Kileo and Babu, were informative, gracious, funny, and made us feel like family. All the staff was so polite, helpful, and helped us learn Swahili. Meeting the Masai people was heartwarming. Thomson took such good care of us every step of the way. I would return in a heartbeat!!! Janet Haist

We have traveled to Tanzania with Thomson Safaris three times during the past 8 years. Every trip was unique and each time Thomson exceeded our expectations. Their pre-trip planning walks you through the process and makes it very easy, and once you arrive in Tanzania you are made to feel like part of their family. The Thomson guides, camps, food and vehicles are fantastic. To this day we are still in contact with many of the guides we have spent time with and are looking forward to future trips back to Tanzania to visit our friends again!

I ve traveled with Thomson Safaris three times, and each time was as amazing as the first. My first trek of Kilimanjaro was with Thomson and was truly a dream fulfilled, after that I wanted more and decided to trek Kilimanjaro again, and again and have had some of life s more incredible times trekking Kilimanjaro with the Thomson team. Thomson has been amazing from start to finish, from the treks to the safaris each time exceeded all of my expectations already planning another kili trek with Thomson Safaris, in 2020.

My October 2017 trip with Thomson Tours to Africa was spectacular. They arrange all the details allowing you to relax and enjoy the wonders of Tanzania. The guides and camp staff are absolutely amazing...all smiles making every day a fun, comfortable journey. The safari through the Serengeti is a wonder taking your breath away with every new sighting. And the beautiful animal images will be forever imprinted in your mind.
A special thank you to Willie, Casmir and Samson for sharing their knowledge, keeping us laughing and being such gracious hosts.
I can not wait to go back!

The BEST of the BEST!!! An epic adventure with a family of 19. 10 kids, 9 adults. Thomson was excellent in every department.

Thomson s sister company, Tanzania Conservation Limited, is in a court battle with three Maasai villages over the ownership of 12,617 acres (5,106 hectares) of land in Loliondo which the company uses for safaris.

A Maasai quoted in a court report said Thomson had built a camp in the middle of their village, blocking access. Imagine, a stranger comes and constructs a big building in the centre of your home, reads the testimony. Our livestock cannot go to the waterhole there is no other route for the villagers or their livestock.

The report says villagers have been driven off, assaulted or arrested by local police, park rangers or security guards.

Quoted from the Guardian news outlet.

EXCELLENT service. Looking around the different camp sites, it was obvious Thomson was one of the best to be with. When on Kilimanjaro, the private toilet tents are priceless! Great food, guides, porters, service, etc. I wouldn't go with anyone else.

What a great experience! We truly were treated like a king and queen. I can't say enough about the delicious food chef Simon cooked on our trek. Our guide G-love went above and beyond to make sure we made it to the top. He did all the kick stepping through the snow for over 3000 feet of elevation. Without him I know I wouldn't have made it. Our safari was just another grand experience after our trek with guide Kileo, who was and expert on all the birds and animals. We learned really detailed information on each and every animal. Not to mention, he was really fun to hang out with and get to know on a personal level. We call each and everyone of our Tanzanian friends family now. We keep in touch via email and sure hope to cross paths again in the future. No goodbyes, just until next time! Tunakupenda - we love you! Asante sana - Thank You!

Thomson Safaris delivered on their marketing and then some...the staff at each Nyumba and the guides who are your most important companion along your adventure are nothing short of superb. The guides are knowledgeable, professional and engaging so that you truly love hanging out with them every day. The staff at each Nyumba are truly exceptional and make each stay a treasure, and the food is delicious...I actually gained 6 pounds on the safari!

The wildlife viewing lead by your guides to find the best spots and shots for your picture memories is incredible. You are so close to the animals and seeing them in their natural habitat is life changing.

Thomson cleverly straddles the line between pampering the guests too much and allowing us to experience the true nature of the Serengeti. With their approach, you are in the bush each night sleeping in a tent that is more Glamping than Camping, but no so much as to remove you from the depth of the experience. It was in a word - SPECTACULAR - and not to be missed by any animal lover on the planet!

These people should be ashamed. Driving villagers off their own land for a glorified zoo is disgusting.

We had a few hiccups in terms of pre-travel information, but once we got on the ground everything was perfect. Our guides were amazing - true experts, professional drivers, and all-around fun to be around. Thompson did a great job matching us up with a very compatible family, so all of us had a great trip and the kids got along very well. We saw everything we wanted to see, and always felt safe and in very good hands. I would recommend this trip for families, but I also interacted with couples and adult groups along the way were having an equally great time with Thompson. And while my family does not have dietary restrictions, I noticed that with other parties the chefs were incredibly accommodating and always cooked something that worked for them (and the food overall is really great). It's a once in a lifetime trip, and totally worth it!

Everything about our Ultimate Safari was excellent: the communication, accommodation, our guide (Simon), food, etc.
The Nyumba tents are great. You hear animals at night. The beds are comfortable, and you have your own shower and pump toilet.
All of the staff at each camp went out of their way to make sure we wanted for nothing.
We couldn't recommend Thomson Safaris enough.

This was my third trip with Thomson and each time I continue to be impressed by their professionalism, quality of the lodging, food and such expertise at all levels of their team . From the beginning before the trip to every aspect of the trip nothing but the very best. Our guide Kileo brought such knowledge, experience and warmth that we saw the big five up close , the crossing, and everything that one could dream of in a safari. Five stars underestimates Thomson.

What a great place! High end Tanzania safaris so glad I went with this company

Our trip to Tanzania was a marvelous, mystical immersion into the world of Serengeti wildlife and the Maasai culture. The guides, food, accommodations and the sights and sounds of Africa combined to provide me with an experience that I will cherish forever. There are dozens of tour operators to choose from, but I know of none that can compare with Thomson. They not only offer an outstanding safari, but also are actively engaged in projects to empower and affirm the Maasai people, and to protect the wildlife and other natural resources.

I couldn't recommend Thomson more. I climbed Kili with them in 2013 and it was a life changing experience. we were a group of all women, ages 16-67 and we all summited. the care and attention was so kind and genuine. I feel very strongly that you don't climb Kilimanjaro, the porters do and then they pull you up. my friend is the one that found Thomson and as she put it... you climb Kili once, so why not do it with the best! If you want to have a life changing experience, do your self a favor and do business with these folks. regardless of it being Kilimanjaro or a Safari... you won't regret it.

Thomson Safaris certainly walks the talk. When we first visited their office to discuss the possibilities of a safari they were fantastic with us. Walked us through everything to consider: planning, what to expect, variations to trips, etc. They were in constant contact with us along the way prior to the trip. Our guides were not only incredible people but also walking encyclopedias on the game animals, birds and areas we traveled. I would highly recommend Thomson Safari's - after all it is what they specialize in.

A Thomson Safaris trip goes well beyond a safari. It, for our family of five, was an experience that will be forever a perfect point in time in our collective memories. Thomson's service -- from planning, logistics, lodging, meals and team -- is remarkable. They immerse you in the local Tanzanian culture, knowing just how far to take you understanding you're not from the country. The blend of tourism and education, western appetites with local cuisine, and wildlife is remarkable. We saw every species of wildlife we hoped for and then some! And Thomson helped our family engage the area culture and community, including through a visit to a Masai school, which had an incredible impact on our three children. Finally, our guide will forever be a member of our extended family. He offered deep regional knowledge and expertise, humor at every turn, safety and security in remote regions, and the empathy of a parent, ensuring every member of our family had a perfect journey. Well done Thomson, could not recommend you more.

Thomson did almost everything as advertised. Their people were extremely helpful and experienced. The accommodations on the safari were quite good, not so good on the mountain.(speaking as a non-camper)

We took our granddaughters, 9 and 12, their parents, and were joined by their other grandparents on a ten-day, family safari with Thomson in Tanzania, an outstanding experience this August 2018. Saw forty varieties of exotic animals in their natural environment--the objective of this crowning bucket-list adventure--but found so much more to enlighten and inspire us. Couldn't count the number and species of African birds which came as a delightful surprise to all of us, their presence, size, and vibrant colors a remarkable bonus. Our hunt for new sightings spanned 750 exciting miles facilitated by our three engaging guides, two amazing vehicles, and staff at the lodges and camps who were relentless in making us comfortable. Real highlights: walking up to a family of giraffes; observing the unsuccessful, half-hour stalking of a reedbuck by two still-hungry lionesses; the stately march of a lone cape buffalo to and through a watering hole as hordes of zebra and wildebeest made way; the striking pose of a spitting cobra in the middle of our road as we approached at 40 mph. None of us will forget the vistas from the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti Plain seen from atop a kopje jutting up as another timely rest stop, the panorama of grazing ruminants from the front porch of our tents at Eastern Serengeti Nyumba, the Sunday morning drive by Tarangire Hill, or glimpses of Kilimanjaro from the vicinity of Arusha. If our finicky eaters were satisfied, imagine our general delight with the freshly made soup course each dinner and the incredible camp kitchen tour is not to be missed; absolutely delicious cooked-to-order eggs each breakfast. The people we met are another endearing dimension, school kids and their teachers, Masai women and children, and the origins of our species at the Olduvai Gorge and Museum. We learned about nature, geology, geography, history, sociology, and cultural anthropology, even felt an earthquake! Truly, our Thomson safari was an education that exceeded our expectations with thought-provoking, life lessons on our planet.

My wife and I booked our Tanzania adventure with Thomson Safaris and will never forget the wonderful experience. It was even more than what we had hoped to experience. First rate operation from start to finish. We thought it would be a great wildlife adventure, but what we came back home with was an unexpected, truly memorable, cultural experience. When, not if, we go back, there is no reason to consider using any other safari company --- the Thomson Safaris family would be hard to beat !!!

I climbed Kilimanjaro (Western Approach) with Thomson, and everything went well - outstanding porters, inspirational guides, great food, and proper coaching and preparation to get us to the top. I chose not to do the safari after the climb, so now I get to plan when I can return to Tanzania with Thomson!

My husband son and I climbed Kilimanjaro(Western route). A truly life changing experience. Can't say enough about how excellent the guides, porters, and cooks were. We were encouraged, and helped in every way possible. They all went above and beyond to make sure we were successful, safe and had fun along the way. The safari was amazing as well, extremely knowledgable guides and comfortable accommodations.
Can't wait to come back for an even longer safari!!

Absolutely brilliant, all of our needs were met. Very comfortable accommodations, exceptional food, outstanding Guides, all the staff went above and beyond.

We did a family safari for 8 days. The safari was incredible and the staff was amazing. Our head guide Willie was a great storyteller and every guide was so knowledgeable about the fauna and flora. The camps were so luxurious! Our every need was taken care of before we thought of it! Food was amazing! Excellent soup every night and lots of vegetables! Don't know how they created such fine food with a camp kitchen!

Loved the day tours and we saw so much more than we could have imagined! Enjoyed the bird checklist and our guide Albert had an eagle eye for seeing every bird!

Would highly recommend Thomson Safaris!

I have just returned from my third Thomson wildlife safari in Tanzania and as usual the staff at Thomson far exceeded my expectations. This was a private tour I asked Thomson to organize for me in the central part of Tanzania - Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Preserve and this was another Trip of a Lifetime type venture and Thomson staff did a wonderful job of arranging my itinerary. Tanzania is a wonderfully friendly country and the views of the wildlife have to be experienced amazing. Elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, lions, hyenas, Jackal, wildebeest, warthogs (my favorite) rhino, leopards, cheetahs, and more exotic birds than I have ever seen. The food and accommodations are excellent and by the time we had to say goodbye to our guides for our return trip home there was hardly a dry eye in the group. If I could give Thomson 10 stars I would do so. If you are contemplating a Tanzania safari you cannot go wrong by using Thomson.

In September of 2014 I went on a 14 day Classic Safari with Thomson and last week I booked my return trip for 2016. Five stars are not enough to express my satisfaction with everything. Wildlife viewing? Of course! We saw all of The Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros, and African buffalo, and hundreds of other animals in their natural habitat. That's what a Safari is about right? The animals?

The animals of course, but the vastness of space, the diversity of natural beauty that came with every day. The anticipation that came with every Jambo, Jambo and every fresh, crisp morning. Land Rover rides became periods of quiet reflection where I felt pure joy and pure contentment in moment. Thompson made it easy. Every need, whim was taken care of. The accommodations were outstanding and our guides quickly became friends guiding us to the best spots for photos, teaching us about local customs, and sharing stories of their experiences.

For anyone considering a safari I'll leave you with this. I have never felt so exhilarated by a trip, maybe not anything really in my entire life.

It is sad that a wonderful climbing experience in summating Kilimanjaro could be marred by a family of four with three of the family never should have been allowed to climb the mountain as they were in no shape to climb the almost 20,000 foot elevation. The mother compound fractured her leg on Day 2 with the husband and two adult children abandoning her to an Aruba hospital while they continued their climb. My four climbing companions had utter distaste that the three left a wife and mother to a strange hospital and environment so as to continue their trip which would not be interrupted. My recommendation I had wanted to share with the owners of Thomson, but they would not return my phone call. I believe a screening should be done as to those wanting to tackle Kili, and if a family group wants to climb, they should sign a letter that if one in the party is injured and needs to abandon the climb, the others in the party need to leave also. The three also went on a safari afterwards and again left the wife and mother, shipping her home by herself. Thomson allows it as the climb and safari were lucrative and the money aspect was more important than common decency. In fact, during the remainder of the climb, the head guide, Bernard asked me several times why the three were still climbing and not with the woman that was in severe pain when she left the mountain.

Reading all the positive reviews for Thomson Safaris on the web set our expectations high, but even these expectations were exceeded. Everything was first rate - accommodations, meals, vehicle were all top notch. But it was the Thomson staff - from camp crews to our guide - that really made the experience so memorable. We experienced new "how can you top this?" moments almost every hour when wildlife viewing. Our guide, James, could find anything, and was able to answer our endless questions with great patience. The itinerary was executed with military precision yet did not feel rushed - literally everything was done for us - all we had to do was enjoy the safari - which is as it should be. I wholeheartedly recommend Thomson Safaris!

I highly recommend using Thomson Safaris to climb Kilimanjaro. They took amazing care of our party of four. The guides and porters made sure we had everything we needed to make it to the top. The climb was challenging both physically and mentally. Thomson had provided excellent preparation materials and packing lists. All in all a great adventure that will always be a fond memory. Thank you Thomson!

I forgot to mention we also did a safari with Thomson about 10 years ago. Also a wonderful experience. We are already planning our next trip.

I had booked my trip with Thomson almost a year in advance, with a photography group. To say that I was looking forward to it would be the understatement of the decade. So you can imagine my disappointment when my airline canceled the flight that would connect me to the flight I had to be on in order to meet the rest of my group to start our tour. Aside from being exhausted (said airline had put us on one plane, deplaned us; put us on another plane, and deplaned us again. We sat in the terminal for 3 hours and only THEN did they cancel the flight at 3AM.) In a scramble from my emergency hotel room and after 4 rebooking situations that didn't work, I finally got myself rebooked but would have to join my tour already in progress. First World problems, of course, but I was crushed.

Thomson Safaris stepped right up. As soon as I had my itinerary set, the Boston team took over and the tracked my progress along the way. As soon as I set foot in Arusha, I had a transfer set up to meet me at the airport to take me to a local hotel for the night. As a single woman traveling alone, I have no idea how I would have handled this on my own. It's a little overwhelming coming out of the Arusha airport to 75 guides with signs. In a foreign place without cell service, frankly, I was unnerved. But my driver was so kind and helpful, he quickly put me at ease. He dropped me at the hotel and picked me up in the morning to take me to the small airstrip to meet my group.

Despite the small size, the airstrip and plane that flew me to meet my group seemed to run like clockwork. Landing on dirt runways was an experience I'll not soon forget. But once I touched down, my guide was right there to greet me as I stepped through the small terminal and drove me to reunite with my tour group.

Once the initial flight plan was reorganized, Thomson "had my back" all the way. I'm so grateful to them for helping me get back on track. Surprisingly, despite missing a few days of my tour, I still had an amazing adventure. I have the people that work with Thomson to thank for that. The guides, the hotels, the camps and all of their staff? TOP NOTCH. All you have to do is ask. They were the most gracious hosts. I'm so confident that I made the right choice in Thomson Safaris. We all know that there are a lot of companies to choose from. Believe me, you want Thomson Safaris. They have the right people, the right vehicles, the right locations. It all matters when you're doing a trip like this. Not if, but WHEN I go back, I'll be calling on Thomson again for sure.

I would not hesitate to recommend Thomson Safaris since they provide exceptional service and attention to detail from initial contact to the end of the journey.

I have traveled with Thomson on 3 safaris and will continue to book with them in the future. A friend of mine took a safari with Thomson in 1998 and recommended them to me at that time. Even though I didn't make my first trip until 2014, I wanted to try Thomson and ultimately discovered they uphold a very high standard of commitment to their guests.

Thomson has a way of making you feel completely at ease and confident in their ability to provide you with the maximum enjoyment of your travel experience. From the build up of anticipation with their pre-departure planning documents, complete itineraries prepared to your specific interests, the respectful and accommodating staff, knowledgeable guides, comfortable vehicles and lodging, inclusion of cultural activities, to the welcome home pack; Thomson thinks of everything!

Tanzania is a must see destination! Unbelievable! Not enough words to describe the experience. The memories you make will be with you forever and Thomson can help make your dreams come true!! Absolutely can not wait until my next trip.

My trip of a life time.....
I could tell you about all the things I saw and heard on my trip. I could post hundreds of photos all of which would impress you but, would it make you take the next step. How about if I tell you this? You will see things on your trip that you thought only happened on T.V. You will meet people that make you sad when you say goodbye. You have more amazing food then you could ever eat, even as vegetarian. There will be moments that will take your breath away and those that will bring tears to your eyes. You'll will learn about the culture and see what is being done to keep it thriving. And, you'll get some pretty amazing photos. But you will never see this if you don't a chance and book your trip of life time. I can only tell you about mine!

Use a local safari agency. The profit goes to the local people.

Thompson is a very good tour organization for beginners and novices. The food was great and the equipment and accommodations were all top tier. But it is not a good guide company for experienced climbers and trekkers.

On the summit day I was climbing behind the lead guide and doing fine. The pace was a bit slow for me but I was comfortable with it. At the 18000 foot level, just 1,300 feet short of the summit, my guide started commenting on my breathing. (We were all breathing pretty hard. I also have mild asthma that is fully controlled by medications.) Finally he stopped and insisted on testing my blood oxygen level with one of those pulse/blood oxygen monitors. I was concerned so my eyes were glued to the monitor. My reading was 67%, and the guide said that was alarmingly low and I needed to go down right away. I had not researched blood oxygen levels at altitude so I believed him and went down, missing the summit.

When I got back to internet range I looked it up. There are scores of articles on the internet about testing blood oxygen levels among elite climbers at altitude. It turns out that my blood oxygen level (0.67), while slightly low under the circumstances, was well within the standard deviation for accomplished climbers tested at 5533 meters (18,152 feet) in Mustagh Alta in China. They tested to 75% +/- 6 (meaning a low of 69%, which was very close to my 67%, and a slight variation in the monitor would have put me in the middle of the range). The next level up, at 6,265 meters (20,500 feet), the same group tested at 73% +/- 6.73% +/- 6, which has my 0.67% within the low end of the distribution. And these are all professional climbers, fully acclimatized and in top physical condition.

In short, my blood oxygen level was just fine.

We had all tested our blood oxygen levels at dinner time throughout the trip and I was consistently in the middle of the group. If the guide had tested all of the climbers in my group at 18,000 feet instead of just me, I am sure I would, again, have been somewhere in the middle of the range. So if he had used 67% as the cutoff, he very likely would have had to send half the group down with me.

I have concluded that I was wrongfully deprived of the summit based on my head guide's ignorance about the meaning of particular blood oxygen levels at altitude. That's a long way to go, at considerable expense, to be deprived of the summit because of the head guide's ignorance about blood oxygen levels.

What's worse, when I raised the issue after we got down, the head guide started saying that my blood ox level was actually lower than 0.67 (it absolutely was not - I never took my eyes off the monitor and 0.67 was the lowest it ever got), and also told others that I was staggering and appearing unsteady. This, too, was false - I've trekked hundreds of miles at altitude on similar and more difficult terrain and I am very sure-footed. No one on the trip ever saw me stumble even once, let alone fall to my knees or onto the ground. Others did, including one of the supporting guides, but I never did. That never happened, on summit day or on any other day.

There are two explanations for what happened and they are not mutually exclusive. Either (1) the head guide was genuinely concerned about my wellbeing and ignorant about blood oxygen levels at altitude, and he sent me down to be super safe and cautious; or (2) he felt the need to "put me in my place" in front of the others in the group, because I am an accomplished mountaineer and he needed to show the others that he was the boss. I think he is a decent man, but that it was probably a little bit of both.

The bottom line is I missed a summit I easily could have made safely - something I have never once done in 40+ years of high altitude climbing and trekking.

So while I think Thompson is an okay outfit for beginners with little or no trekking or high altitude climbing experience, it is not a good outfit for experienced trekkers and climbers. I cannot recommend them for that and will never use them again.

Fabulous safari experience. Thomson delivered exactly what it promised - a luxurious and intimate look into Tanzania , its wildlife and its people. Accommodations unique and top-notch, our guide was impressive in his encyclopedic knowledge of the country and its animals. Food was amazing, just the right blend of familiar and interesting local twists,

Not cheap, but you get what you pay for - STRONGLY recommend.

I recently climbed Kilimanjaro with Thomson Safaris and it was a wonderful experience of a lifetime. This was my second adventure with Thomson, the first being a great safari in 2012. The preparation for the trip and selection of the appropriate route for my skill and condition level, and the trip organization was very professional and well done. There were nine in our group (all of us summited) and the guides were very knowledgable, helpful, safety conscious, and set a good pace. The porters were outstanding and the camp set up (tents, wash basin, toilet, and great meals) was excellent. The excursion was designed to ensure we were all well acclimated for the summit. I would definitely go with Thomson Safari again! Max Kiefer

We just returned from a family vacation (3 kids from 13 to 18yrs old) in Tanzania and was on a 8 night safari with Thomson. It was early in the season so we had two of the three camps we visited mostly to ourselves. Thomson did a fantastic job for our family! The accommodations were great, the chefs, the security, and all the support staff were above expectations. Our tour guide, Leonard, was fantastic. He knew where to go to have the best chance of seeing the animals we were interested in seeing and always accommodated our needs or requests. Thomson was the only tour company that we saw that uses the much better Land Rovers (vs. Land Cruisers) which made the bumpy dirt roads much easier to ride (all 900 miles worth!). Also, several of us have a gluten sensitivity and they were able to accommodate for all meals along our trip - and in some cases, the food was better than home! We've been on a bunch of once-in-a-lifetime vacations like this, and this was one of the best! I highly recommend Thomson Safaris.

On our safari through Tanzania, we saw the big five and many more species of wildlife, primarily because the two guides knew just where to look Accommodations at four camps were quite comfortable and well guarded. Meals served at the campsites were hearty and tasty (with the exception of the last site). On the road in the Serengeti we had tasty picnics, served by the guides.

I wish there had been more cultural exchanges or visits, but I learned what I could using my limited Swahili with the "locals". Our visit to the Gibbs Farm on the escarpment broke up our bumpy and dusty road from Tarangire Reserve with a perfectly delightful and refreshing lunch. As we reentered the "real world" after visiting the Northern Serengeti and prepared for our departures, we had a delicious lunch and refreshing afternoon stay at Mt. Meru Hotel in Arusha.

Great accommodations, great food, and lots of animals! A perfect trip!

I traveled with Thomson Safari on a 10 day trek on Kilimanjaro and a 5 day safari to the Central Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Both experiences were far above my expectations. The trek crew was fantastic from the assistance on the trail to the delicious meals. On safari we saw a huge amount of animals including cheetah and leopard. The hot air balloon ride at dawn gliding over a pride of lions, a pool of hippos and the occasional giraffe or zebra was the experience of a lifetime. If I were just a bit younger I would not hesitate to repeat this entire experience.

All I can say is...WOW! My trip to Tanzania with Thomson Safaris was amazing. Everything about it was perfect. The staff is efficient and personable. The food was delicious and the tents were really comfortable. We had O.J. for a guide and he was perfect for us. He was knowledgable, patient and could see an animal a mile away. He made our safari drives incredible. I have no complaints and I hope everyone has a chance to experience something similar. WOW!

Very well organized group. No detail too small to address in advance. Group leaders have a sense of values that made me proud to be part of their tour operation. They showed respect for their environment, clients, fellow Tanzanians. The safari itself was superlative. The Nyumba camps were well laid out and very comfortable. Meals were very good and filling. Surprises (good ones) appeared several times over the course of the safari adding to the pleasure. Ending at Gibb's Farm was truly icing on the cake. I would recommend this outfit without hesitation.

The Porters, Guides, cooks and waiters were fantastic. They made sure that I made it to the roof of their continent

It really was a fabulous experience and Thomson does such a great job - everything runs like clockwork and is so well organized. You can tell there were many people behind the scenes making that happen! We loved the cultural piece. It was one of the reasons we chose Thomson in the first place. School visit was a highlight. The 2 evenings of soccer at the camps were great. The guides were all FABULOUS! Leonard, Onesmo, Babu, and Nayman. I don't know how you find such personable and knowledgeable people, but they were great. It was a truly memorable trip and we met some wonderful people - both the people we traveled with and the locals.

I climbed Kilimanjaro with my son and daughter from March 11-16 2020. It was an incredible, once in a lifetime experience made possible by Thomson. Our Head Guide Polite Mboma and his crew did a great job of keeping us safe and supporting us through a challenging and arduous trek. My daughter experienced extreme altitude sickness on our final climb to the summit. Polite s experience, calm and strength sustained us during that difficult time and enabled us all to successfully reach the summit. The food was amazing! The equipment was excellent! We had a wonderful experience! I would highly recommend Thomson Safaris!

My wife and I could not have been more pleased with the Tanzanian safari with Thomson. Hillary and Erin were excellent planners in that every question was answered and whatever they told us turned out to be true. Nothing was left to chance and we felt well prepared. Our guide Robert words cannot express our appreciation for his knowledge and understanding which made the trip more spectacular. We saw so many more animals and birds than ever expected while all along getting a history, geography, geology and biology lesson from Robert. The camp sites were wonderful as the staff was considerate and helpful. The food plentiful and diverse, especially for us vegetarians. It is always a sense of satisfaction to make the correct choice which we did when selecting Thomson. I see no reason why anyone would not choose Thomson.

My wife and I can't begin to express how wonderful this trip was. At times we felt we were being sent back to "the creation" (figuratively speaking), and at Oldevie Gorge, perhaps we were. Our guide, Freddy, was outstanding as was the entire staff at each camp location. I was disappointed not to have more people in our group prior to leaving, but after seeing the packed trucks of some other safaris and people there struggling to get good views of the wildlife I realized how lucky we were. The camp accommodations were very well thought out and, of course, Gibbs was fabulous. While we had little time there we got in a nature walk and a good swim in the pool (gorgeous location overlooking the coffee plantation) to stretch our muscles and bones after many days of long, bumpy traveling. And, of course, the food and service there excelled. We also enjoyed the cultural side, especially visiting and learning about the Masai, seeing the clinic and talking to the nurse there. We are thinking about how to be helpful there, but a gift to FOTZC will certainly be forthcoming. All in all, well done Thomson!

All of the Thomson Kili and Safari staff were awesome. Their professionalism and interest in our health while climbing was paramount to our success and ability to summit Kilimanjaro!!

I would recommend Thomson Safaris without hesitation. It was second time using them and they have maintained the high level of service, with extremely knowledgeable staff.

Our Thomson Safari experience was incredible! My wife and I went on our Tanzania safari through Thomson for our honeymoon and it was truly an amazing experience. Thomson does an outstanding job of preparing you for the trip by providing a detailed trip itinerary, travel planning list and other travel tips. In other words, there were not surprises when we got there. On safari, we saw lions, aardvarks, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeest and my favorite, the elephants! We also took a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti and had fantastic food. Such an impressionable trip! I highly recommend Thomson!

Amazing trip. Everyone associated with this company has great.
Truly an unforgettable experience (Classic Safari) due to the guides, the camps, the camp staff, the food, and of course the animals.

Go in end of October. End of the season, less crowds, still plenty of great migration going on.

It was as good as it gets. Our family of 10, ages 13 to 90, were absolutely delighted. Thomson staff everywhere were thoughtful and attentive, attending to every detail. Still glowing nearly a month later, wanting to return.

This Safari was my dream vacation that I was so excited to go on and it was everything I imagined and more. Thomson Safari was the best choice we made for our tour guide! From the time we arrived at the airport until we departed, it was perfect. The itinerary, accommodation, food and guides were great! We were fortunate enough to have a long time Lead Guide named Willie to accompany us on this trip. Willie was a wealth of information. I would recommend future travelers to use Thomson Safari as their guide.

A bucket list trip that exceeded our expectations on every level. The experience was more than diverse game viewing (of which there was plenty), it was cultural trip of animals, food and people. Can't wait to return.

I just returned from the trip of a lifetime with Thomson Safaris. They have thought of everything from the wonderful tent accommodations in the Serengeti to the fresh, seasonal food and animals, animals, animals. Our guides comments were very knowledable, informative and educational. I especially loved the Thomson approach because of the work they do to improve the lives of the Tanzania people. They built a badly needed clinic, a school and housing for the teachers. The experience with Thomson also covers cultural visits including a visit to a Maasai women s cooperative, a genuine boma or Maasai home, a classroom school visit and story telling. I ve traveled a great deal in my life and I can honestly say that this experience exceeded my every expectation. The stay at the Gibbs Farm was beyond description. In my evaluation of the trip, I encouraged Thomson to inform future travelers to bring a positive adjective book with them. It really is that good.

Our experience with Thomson Safaris was excellent. Booking with Erin was a breeze and she kept us informed on all required steps. Once we arrived in Africa, every little detail was attended to: from pickups at the airport, flights, lodges, porters, tours, etc. there was always someone to greet us and guide us to our locations.

The safari itself was amazing and the local guides ("Shout out" to Head Guide: Willie, as well as Mohamed and Mohdi) who were so knowledgeable as well as personable (funny!) and helpful to our entire group. They were amazing in locating animals and birds and worked tirelessly each and every day to accommodate the day's agenda as well as our group's desires. (Also, Mohdi did his best to teach us some Swahili phrases and words, too, which was fun.) I can't leave out the fact they are fantastic drivers/mechanics as some of the "roads" (if you can call them that) were extremely difficult to traverse.

Additionally, all staff at the hotels/lodges as well as the camp crews went above and beyond to make our stays comfortable. Camps were well appointed, and getting a personal wake up call along with a cup of coffee each morning was so appreciated! Charging stations, great food (try the soups!), hot wash towels, hot showers, a comfortable bed, Happy Hour campfires and a welcoming camp crew made the camp experiences fun and something to look forward to.

The cultural/educational experiences with the locals-Maasai that were built into our itinerary contributed to us having a more well-rounded safari experience. We all learned so much and it was joyful to see the locals welcome us with open arms.

Lastly, no one day on the safari was ever the same. We saw so many animals, the wildebeest migration and even the notoriously "shy" Black Rhino!

Tanzania is truly a beautiful country with a great culture and welcoming people. We can't say enough about the entire experience and highly recommend Thomson Safaris for your first (or next!) safari adventure!

Everything about our safari exceeded our expectations. From the initial planning stages (Erin is a rockstar) to the final flight home and everything in between, Thomson set the bar very high. The camp staffs were fantastic and our guide was absolutely incredible. And don't even get me started on the food. We saw more wildlife than I could ever imagine (and I imagined a lot). I'm not going to say that there aren't other good safari companies out there, but I don't need to look, Thomson has my business. We are already starting to plan another trip and Thomson is the only company for us.

Fantastic life changing experience. Thomson was amazing.

Thomson Safaris provided us with a safari that was an incredible, once in a lifetime experience.
From the start, being picked up at the airport, to the end, being dropped off at the airport for our journey home, all of our expectations were met . The guides could not have been better or more knowledgeable.
The sites were beautiful. The food was delicious and the people on the trip were lovely. Each day was planned to perfection with enough down time built in as to not be overwhelmed. I was beyond impressed!

Thomson Safaris provided me the support and experience to summit Kilimanjaro. There were 12 in our group with an age range of 18 to 70 years old. Thomson Safaris' guides were experience and extremely accommodating to our pace- the fact that all 12 of us summitted is testament of their proven and sound approach to this challenge. Thomson Safaris is very well organized and planned for every detail- from tents, gear and meals. After summiting, I had a medical emergency. Without delay, our guides took me down the mountain and to a hospital. I will be forever be indebted to our guides; they were there when I needed help.

Thomson Safaris was a wonderful choice for our trip to Africa. Beginning with the driver who picked us up at the airport, to our guides and the staffs at each of the camps -- everyone was top notch. The trip was well planned, the meals and accommodations were excellent and the experience was magical. I can't imagine a better choice for an African safari than Thomson.

From booking to our flight home, our trip was simply amazing! The support and care we received from Thomson was outstanding. Trip preparation was made easy with the support of our trip coordinator. She was available at all times to answer questions and provided info as it was needed via emails as well. Our transfers throughout the trip were excellent, with Thomson staff staying with us to ensure our safe and efficient travels. Our guides, John and Onesmo were fantastic! They are so professional yet fun to be with. They could spot animals miles away and seemed to know the Serengheti by heart! The tents were so comfortable and the hotels the top of luxury! Staff at each Nyumbo were always available to help us with anything we needed. Frankly, we were quite spoiled by them all! The cultural experiences were beyond our expectations. They were informative and often touching. Sharing in the lives of the Massi and others changed out lives as well. We waiting years to take this trip, dreaming of it all that time, and it exceeded our wildest dreams. Thank you to everyone at Thomson!

This was a trip of a lifetime. From the first night, at River Tree Resort to the lodging out in wilderness, they call them tents, whoever heard of a King Sizer bed out in the bush. , a unique shower, sink and a "John". The food was as good as you get anywhere. One night na Elephant visited us, he was within 30 feet of our lodgings. Wait until you see, Gibbs Farm. A working Coffee Farm where you get to drink the crop. Lush flowers and buses lined the walk ways. Perhaps the best part was our guide (insert his name please). He was extremely knowledgeable and he was driven to please. We saw all the species we hoped for including the shy Rhino.
This trip was a 7 out of five. Their was an optional "Balloon Ride" where
you soar over the African Plains and the "wild life". This really was "A Trip of Your Lifetime. "ENJOY".

My wife and I went on safari with Thomson in 2010. It was our Honeymoon and Thomson did everything in their power to make sure it was special. They succeeded. The entire experience, from the time we first called to after we landed back in the US, was exceptional and remains, to this day, the best trip of our lives. I could go on but reading a long-winded list of adjectives would most likely be boring.

If you want excitement and some of the best memories you'll ever have, stop reading reviews, get on the phone to the excellent people at the Watertown office and go to Tanzania with Thomson Safaris. You won't regret it.

We'll be back some day and it we wouldn't think of going with anyone else.

My husband, myself and a friend took a 6-day safari from the Serengeti through to Ngorogoro Crater, and a Maasai Village. Thomson worked with us to taylor the carefully planned itinerary to our desires and needs.

After a month of working in Tanzania, I wanted to end my first visit there with a Safari that was comprehensive, educational, safe, culturally rich, environmentally sustainable, employed Tanzanians and compensated them well, and that supported local communities, arts and commerce. I found all of those things in Thomson Safaris.

The representatives we planned with were patient and worked with us on our ever-evolving itinerary (given time and financial constraints) until we settled on the perfect schedule and price for us.

Communication during the planning stages was seamless and fun; we were never left waiting for information.

The guide for our Safari, Robert, was simply amazing. He was a wealth of information, and avid birder (like myself), and excellent tracker. And yes, we saw the big 5; you can never be sure with nature and given the scarcity rhinos these days due to poaching. Robert was perfect and we consider him a good friend now!

From a comfort standpoint, we were simply stunned. The "tents" were better appointed than most hotels, warm, safe, romantic, yet left a light footprint on the land and felt authentic and culturally in sync.

Food? Get ready to go on a diet when you come home. I'm STILL thinking about all the amazing meals that were prepared for us.

Safety? A local Ikoma tribesman manned our campground at night with a bow and arrow, and, in case of real danger (you are a guest in the wild, after all) a single security agent who watched the perimeter of the camp with a rather large gun. He was not imposing in the least.

Transport? The vehicle was spacious, comfortable, airy, and well designed to allow for animal viewing.

In short, Safari was a bucket list item of mine; my experience was life-changing. I have Thomson's and their crew, home and abroad, to thank for that.

:)

Thompson Safaris exceeded our expectations. The guides felt like family friends, and were so knowledgeable. They were funny and kind. The staff at each stop was extraordinary and the food was fabulous.
Then there are the varying locations, the animals, the geology, and did I say the animals!! The animals!!! Oh my god such abundance of animals.
Every one of our needs and wants was anticipated and taken care of.
I would and am choosing Thompson Safaris again. I am going back next year.

What an amazing way to see Mt. Kilimanjaro. The entire Thomson Safari Team made sure this once in a lifetime trip was truly amazing. From preparation, travel to Africa, both my trek and safari experiences were top notch! Everyone was professional, courteous and concerned about ensuring guests were having the most memorable experience! Thanks Thomson for making this dream of mine come true!

I can't say enough good things about this company. From the pre-planning phase of our safari, to our arrival, and every minute of our stay, we were treated as special guests. The accommodations are top-notch, super clean, and staffed by truly friendly people who always seemed glad to see us. If you're thinking of going on safari, you really can't go wrong with Thomson!

The Deluxe Safari was a wonderful experience. The tent camps were very comfortable. The staff were courteous and well trained. The food was surprisingly good. Our safari guides, John and Omesmo, were very knowledgeable and fun. We saw a remarkable assembly of animals. There were vast herds stalked by predators. Be prepared for bumpy, dusty roads. The hot shower at the end of the day was most welcome. We took the extension to a resort on Zanzibar. It provided a relaxing, reinvigorating few days before the long plane ride home.
Our only recommendation is that you provide more durable luggage tags.
Stephen and Judith Spellman, Fargo, ND

While it was my wife and my first time in Africa, I cannot imagine a better experience than our Thomson Safaris trip. Our guide had over 15 years of experience and did a fantastic job getting us close to an amazing variety of animals (including 83 species of birds). You cannot imagine how interesting it is to see animals in their natural setting (including watching lions and hyenas hunting) until you have done it. We really enjoyed seeing the "Great Migration" of Wildebeest crossing the Mara river. The food was wonderful including freshly baked bread, wonderful soups, salad, lots of vegetables and savory meat dishes, and eggs made to order in the morning. The tents at the Nyumbas were very comfortable (including being provided hot water bottles for the higher elevation camps). Wonderful listening to the animal sounds during the night. Gibbs farm is a lush oasis with beautiful gardens and rooms. Every logistical data was flawless. Definitely one of the most enjoyable trips we have ever taken.