Aug 25, 2025
A really good experience - Really good expérience, we saw the big five and everything we were looking for !
I really recommend doing a safari with them
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 15, 2025
Best 3 day safari – Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara - We did the 3 day safari with Bush and Forest and it was an amazing experience. From the start, the team was professional, punctual, and very attentive. We visited Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara — three very different but equally stunning parks.
One of the highlights was seeing all of the Big Five (yes, including the rhino!), along with countless other animals in their natural habitats. The wildlife sightings were unforgettable, the guide was knowledgeable and passionate, and the camping experience was comfortable and well-organized. Everything ran smoothly, and we felt safe and well taken care of throughout the trip.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for an authentic and well-planned safari in Tanzania!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 15, 2024
3 days safari - The safari was just magic. Very good value for Award. The accommodation was top, the views splendid and the animals also. The 3 parks are great and so different.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 6, 2024
Amazing experience - A fantastic three-day safari. Cherished every minute in Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara; it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our driver was exceptional, brimming with enthusiasm, making each car ride delightful. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 31, 2024
A great safari trip, extremely enjoyable! - An amazing tour. Loved every moment at each park, it was the experience of a lifetime. Our driver was perfect, he was full of joy and made every journey in the car worth travelling. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 31, 2024
Amazing Safari! Well organized, can recommend! - I had the great pleasure of booking a three-day safari with Rafael, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience. Our journey took us to Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park.
Each of these locations was unique and impressive. At Lake Manyara, we witnessed an incredible variety of birds and hippos. The Ngorongoro Crater offered breathtaking landscapes and an abundance of wildlife, including lions, rhinos, and elephants. Tarangire National Park amazed us with its large herds of elephants and majestic baobab trees.
Our safari was not only visually stunning but also rich in wildlife. We were fortunate to see a wide array of animals, which made the trip an unforgettable experience. Rafael’s organization and expertise greatly contributed to the smooth and enjoyable nature of the safari. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and shared a wealth of information about the flora, fauna, and culture of the region.
I highly recommend Rafael’s safari to anyone seeking an authentic and unforgettable safari experience. It was a journey I will never forget, and I am already looking forward to coming back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 20, 2024
Amazing trip - It was an amazing trip. To see these beautiful places with an incredible nature and to get the chance to see so many animals. Highly recomand this trip. Rhe organization was great and I got the chance to just enjoy. If you thinking about doing it, do it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 14, 2023
amazing safari - The evening safari was breathtaking. Everything was well planned, the food was delicious and, above all, sufficient. We saw a lot of wild animals such as lions, hippos and giraffes. The driver gave us the best view and was able to tell us a lot about the animals and life in Tanzania.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 14, 2023
Full score - An outstanding experience that I wish for everyone to prioritize. The landscapes where absolutely breathtaking and mesmerizing! Also, to see the animals in their natrual habitat where simply unique! To top that, our driver and guide, Isidor, where lots of fun who brought a great mood on board on the safaricar! 10/10 experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 22, 2025
Honest Review 3 days Safari - My recent 3-day safari with Bush and Exploration Safari, covering Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Manyara, presented a mix of highs and lows.
Here's a detailed breakdown of my experience.
The Positives:
* Exceptional Value & Charitable Affiliation: One of the most compelling aspects of this tour was its excellent value for money. Joining a group significantly reduced the cost, making it a very competitive option. I was also genuinely impressed to learn of the company's affiliation with a charity school, which I had the privilege of visiting – a truly heartwarming initiative that adds significant value beyond the safari itself.
* Comfortable Accommodation & Delicious Food: The accommodations provided for both nights were surprisingly good. The tented rooms were exceptionally spacious, each featuring two bedrooms. The food, both at the lodge and the picnic lunches, was consistently very good and exceeded my expectations for a basic safari package.
* Friendly Guides & Fantastic Group Dynamics: Our guides were consistently friendly, polite, and gentle. Crucially, the group I joined was fantastic. Their positive attitude and camaraderie significantly enhanced the overall experience, especially during the challenging moments.
The Negatives:
* Persistent Power & Hot Water Issues: Despite the comfortable accommodation, we experienced continuous power cuts. This wasn't an isolated incident, with other groups confirming similar problems from the previous day. This meant frequently waking up without electricity, making it impossible to charge devices and challenging to navigate rooms in the dark. Bathroom and shower areas were entirely without lights, making nighttime use difficult and uncomfortable.
A more significant concern was the persistent lack of hot water for showers. On the first day, my shower was cold, a common complaint among other guests. Despite assurances that the issue would be resolved, the second day's shower was only "not very cold" – certainly not hot. After a dusty and often chilly safari day, a hot shower is essential for comfort. Regrettably, some group members opted not to wash for three days due to this issue, which is simply unacceptable for a paid safari experience.
* Inexperienced Guides & Language Barrier: While our guides were undoubtedly gentle, their youth and apparent lack of experience were noticeable. Compared to guides from other safari vehicles, ours appeared significantly younger and less seasoned. Their English was quite basic, limiting their ability to communicate effectively or provide in-depth explanations about the wildlife and local flora. A knowledgeable guide is paramount to truly elevating a safari experience, and this aspect was unfortunately lacking.
* Very Disappointing "Full-Day" Safari:
The safari on the second day was the major disappointment of the entire experience. We were scheduled for a "full-day" safari, yet we only had approximately three hours of actual game drive time, starting as late as 1 PM. This was a significant missed opportunity. An early morning start would have maximized our chances of wildlife sightings and allowed for a much more fulfilling and comprehensive experience.
* Vehicle Issues & Highly Disorganized Breakdown Response: While we were informed of merging with another group of four (not five, as turned out) on the second day, the vehicle, designed for seven, was fitted with an additional seat to accommodate eight people. Furthermore, the car had required repairs the night before our second day. Incredibly, the same mechanical problem recurred on our way back from the safari to the lodge, leading to a breakdown with all eight of us inside. While breakdowns can occur, the fact that the prior repair was clearly insufficient was concerning.
What followed the breakdown was, frankly, disorganized and deeply unsettling. We were randomly transferred to different cars without any clear explanation of our destination. After a long drive, we were left at a random bar for two hours with no communication from anyone, including the tour organizer, despite attempts by group members to reach him. We finally returned to the accommodation at 9 PM, with no apologies or calls from the tour organizer. It was only due to the exceptionally good camaraderie of our group that we managed to take this "disaster" in stride. A less understanding family or group would undoubtedly have been far more upset and likely would have requested a partial refund.
Overall Impression: Room for Improvement
My experience with Bush and Exploration Safari was neither a complete disaster nor an outstanding success. I would rate it 6.5 out of 10. While the competitive price, the commendable charitable aspect, the fantastic group, and the good food were definite positives, the recurring power and hot water issues, the inexperienced guides, the significantly truncated "full-day" safari on day two, and the highly disorganized and uncommunicative response to the vehicle breakdown are serious concerns. The complete lack of apologies from the organizer regarding these issues, even on the return to Arusha or in the following days, was also disappointing.
With significant improvements in organization, the provision of knowledgeable and English-speaking guides, and a much stronger focus on proactive customer care and communication, this company has the potential to offer a truly excellent safari experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor