Thomson Safaris Review

We decided to book the Wildlife Safari through Thomson based on our research and the reviews we read online. There are a lot of options and trips like this can be quite an investment so we took our time making the decision. We had really high expectations for this trip and thankfully they were met or exceeded across the board. We read "trip of a lifetime" in many of the reviews and now know what people meant. This was an experience we will both never forget.

It is hard to sum up this experience in a short review but I'll do my best

Guides Freddy and John were amazing and really in-tune with our needs and making sure our experience was fantastic. These two were knowledgeable and helped us see an amazing number of animals. I could go on for hours talking about how awesome Freddy and John were.

Wildlife like being on a different beautiful planet with so many amazing animals. Words can't describe. So very cool and we were able to see the big 5 and 3 river crossings via the migration.

Food & Accommodations - Tents were beautiful and situated in areas with fantastic vistas. We would have wildlife so close to us. We are vegetarian and our meals were amazing and unique at the different camps. There was an abundance of food that was fresh and delicious.

Safari vehicles comfortable and rugged. We felt that the vehicles were excellent on this trip and allowed us to get very close to the wildlife.

To do or not do the hot air balloon? It might be expensive but it is worth it. Do it. I have an issue with heights and it did not bother me a bit. The views are breathtaking.

Thank you Thomson Safaris, Freddy and John.

I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Thomson. Everything was fabulous. Our guide Freddy had the most uncanny ability to spot animals and we had some pretty amazing sightings. The staff at the camps were friendly and went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful. The food was excellent! The trips to the Masai boma and the school were heartwarming. Kudos to Thomson for the partnerships to support these local communities. We also did the Zanzibar addition which was so wonderful. This was truly a life changing trip.

Thomson Safaris was an excellent choice for our Tanzania TRIP. The Safari guide Robert was terrific during our 8 day, three park tour. He was very knowledgeable about the area and all birds and mammals. The food was better than we ever expected and the accommodations just got better and better. The hike up Kilimanjaro was epic and the staff couldn't have been more helpful and well trained. I highly recommend Thomson.

Went on Thomson Safaris' "Ultimate Safari" in October 2017. My travel experience from start to end was exceptional. Thomson's personnel, both in the US and in Tanzania, were top notch. What struck me the most while in Tanzania was how many years of service employees had with Thomson's (most had more than 10 years, if not over 20 years and in some cases 30 years), how positively they spoke of the company and its owners, Judi and Rick, and how highly regarded the company was by locals. Thomson Safaris invests back in Tanzania in many ways to improve local conditions. A safari is not an inexpensive trip, and Thompson Safaris offered premier service, accommodations, food, crews and guides. Our guides had several decades of experience and knew not only where to locate wildlife, but also every bird, mammal and reptile we saw...as well as their tracks. I highly recommend Thomson Safaris.

We just completed the Founders Safari which was the perfect blend of tent camping, luxury accommodations, time with the animals, and time with the people of Tanzania. Thomson did a excellent job from start to finish! They provided great advance information and guidance and during the trip it was perfect. Loved the tent camps (3 in the Serengeti) as well as our stay at Gibbs farm. Our guide, Babu was excellent in every way. Glad we chose an itinerary that included 2 short plane trips to reduce the time spent traveling on the ground. Highly recommend Thomson if you are considering a Safari!

Wow what a great experience, my wife and I climbed Kilimanjaro then went on safari. Thomson took care of every last detail to perfection. Couldn't imagine using any other company. We have memories for a lifetime...I recommend Thomson to anyone!

I travel alone so choosing a tour company is a very thorough process. I must trust and feel safe with the trip provider before I decide who to go with. I am very happy that I chose Thomson Safaris for my trip to Tanzania. The brochures were lovely and the details provided to prepare us were comprehensive. My main contact at Thomsons, Erin, sent cheery and regular emails so I felt comfortable. I had booked a year in advance. And our chief guide Ojukwu (OJ) from Arusha was the greatest. As we set out for our daily exeditions on our Tanzanian Safari, OJ never promised us anything...that way we were never disappointed. And we saw hundreds of animals every day! My American travel mates were fun (I was the only Canadian). Food was delicious. Accomodations divine. All was very very good.

Thompson Safaris set up a photo safari at locations in Tanzania that exceeded my expectations. The wildlife viewing was great, the camps were very comfortable and the employees that staffed the camps and provided the guide service did great.

We had a fantastic trip! Thomson was wonderful, everything was taken care of and the staff was excellent. When they say Safari that is what you get! Animals, experiences, adventure! Great guides!

Traveled with Thomson on a Safari as well as the Kili climb. One of the best travel experiences to date. The crew (US and Tanzania) was professional and caring. The facilities on Kili and Serengeti were best in class! The memories we made on the trip will stay with us for the rest of our lives and we will surely be back on a Safari soon to explore more of the amazing wildlife...Highly recommend Thomson without any hesitation!

The trip I took with Thomson Safaris was truly the experience of a lifetime. I couldn't have asked for anything more spectacular. Their pre-trip communication and attention to detail is truly unmatched, and the memories I made during the trip were magical. Our guides and the camp staffs became like family, and the food was absolutely superb. I'm already thinking that I need to return for another Tanzanian safari, and I wouldn't go with anyone other than Thomson.

Once arriving in Africa, the experience was incredible. The guides, porters, and office staff in Arusha never missed a detail, and they were professional, gracious, and caring.

The main office in Boston, however, was the exact opposite. Our trip planner failed to mention the need for ice spikes as we neared the top of Kilimanjaro, and then we were charged a $35 rental fee for Thomson s mistake.

The main office also had no record of half of my rental gear, nor of my full payment, and I had to pay again in order to secure that gear.

I also had to leave early and return home, and Thomson has not contacted me, as of wtiting this review, for reimbursement of a hotel room and overpayment for gear.

I loved the trip and the experience, but the Boston Office needs some revisions to stay in keeping with the folks in Africa.

Just returned home from the 10 day-Western Route Kilimanjaro climb with Thomson Safaris. There is not enough words to describe how fabulous the trip was. My Husband and two kids (18 yo, 22yo) felt encouraged, safe, supported and pampered-yes pampered-(unbelievable on a trip that has no running water or electricity for 10 days). The superhero guides, support staff and Porter's were absolutely amazing. Friendly, helpful and incrediblly strong. The climb itself is daunting, scary, and at times feels completely overwhelming but the guides constant encouragement made everyday seem doable. One foot in front of the other-pole pole. Could not recommend the group Thomson employs for the climb-stellar top notch group!!

It has been a number of years since my wife and I took their Tanzania Safari. Everything, from the food, the guides, the sights, the Range Rovers was outstanding. One word of caution, although it could be dated by now, but if you have a size EEE butt you may want to go on a butt reducing diet as the chemical toilets in the tents are size AA.

Best trip ever!!! Thompson is top notch. The guides are truly professional, friendly + helpful. The staff at the lodges are also. Food great. Sleeping/lodge areas also wonderful. I still cant get over how close you can get to the animals without it being an enclosed zoo. The parks and itineraries were perfect. We loved visiting the school, women's coop and traditional Massai home. I went with my teenage daughter who usually thinks everything is boring, but she also said this was the best trip and she wants to go back + do it again

Great tour operator, wonderful trip, would highly recommend it.

My husband and I got a refferal about this agency and decided to book a trip with them . After I called them they reffered us to their sister agency and we were reffered to Gabriel to organize our trip . She asked us a few questions and what we were interested in and said that she would get back to us before the weekend to book our flights and hotels . I never got an email back from her after the weekend was over. They ignored us completely and never got back to us . very disappointed . will never deal with this agenency again .

The Wildlife Safari organized by Thomson Safari was an exceptional experience. Could never have imaged the emotions that we felt having the extreme privilege of seeing so many magnificent animals in the wild. Thomson Safari provided us excellent service, the opportunity to meet many wonderful Tanzanians who work for the company and one of the best "guides" ever. His exceptional knowledge and warm personality made the five folks on the trip feel like family by the end of the safari.

Was a memorable trip. Accommodations very good, very comfortable bed and tent quite clean. Coffee brought to tent in early AM great idea. I asked that my cup be heated before pouring coffee and once was all it took. Hot cup came every time after. Breakfast quite good, especially fruit and eggs to order. Other meals fair to quite tasty. Warm Shower water delivered on time always. Guides Mustafa and Kaleo were great and wonderful people to get to know. Spending first night in River Tree Inn and last afternoon in hotel in Arusha, very good idea. Staff was exceptional and very accommodating, friendly. Well managed safari!
Everything worked like clockwork. Thanks to all who worked to make the safari such a wonderful adventure! Ken Koock

Taking a trip to Tanzania with Thomson Safaris will be one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have. When you hear "trip of a lifetime" this is what they are talking about.

I have wanted to go on an African safari for years. Deciding where to go and what safari outfit to go with were critical decisions to make. Because the purpose of our trip was to maximize our opportunity to see animals, we selected Tanzania as our destination and Thomson Safaris as our guides. We spent our time at Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti. Before we went, we were told not to have expectations on the trip because you could end up disappointed, but, no matter how high my expectations, they could not have been high enough. It s not just being able to see the big 5, which our incredible guides located for us, or getting to watch baby elephants learn to pull grass up, or watching the wildebeest cross the Mara River, it was being able to sit around a camp fire after a delicious dinner, stay in (very nice) tents and hear the animals wake you up in the morning, An incredibly immersive experience that I will never forget. It was an absolute dream come true!