First Safari trip-on the right track?
 

So.. I have done tonnes of research and after many mental detours believe I have my first safari trip with my husband and 18 yo next august zero'd down to Tanzania. We are wanting a private tour/guide and chance at seeing max variety of animals and I have always envisioned the Serengetti as 'THE place' to go. I was waffling about S Africa and Botswana for this trip but read that private guides/tours are much more $$.
Now on to the operator, thanks to other posts I know that in Africa its all about the guide. We used Kensington tours successfully for a Cambodia trip last year but have not read any good reviews about their trips to Africa. So... again your posts have lead me to Access 2 Tanzania and their reviews look great.
I am looking for feedback before taking the next step with this what I understand is a more local operator.
Thanks in advance for the feedback

I'm not familiar with A2T, so can't offer any comments there.

I used Roy's Safaris and was very happy with them. They're in Arusha, where they also own The African Tulip, a great hotel to start or end a safari.

It doesn't hurt to get a few quotes. Good luck with your planning.

We had a fabulous time with EASY TRAVEL. They were a pleasure to work with at every step in the process, tailoring the safari to our preferences while giving us the benefit of their expertise.
If you can get EMMILIAN as your guide, you'll be lucky, indeed.
As we were interviewing TOs, our experience with Access was not good.

We also have used Roy Safaris based in Arusha for 4 safaris now and should we visit Tanzania again would certainly consider them. Like other worthy companies there is considerable flexibility in itineraries including lodge so one can tailor a plan to fit different budgets.

I was very happy with Warrior Trails. Clamian is Maasai and stationed in Arusha but has a North American rep in Canada.

http://www.warriortrails.com/

He helped me fulfill my dream of purchasing a cow at a Maasai auction which was donated to a Maasai widow and her 5 children so it doesn't get any more tailor made than that!!

I used A2T on my first safari and it was wonderful. My trip report is here, as well as on Safaritalk.net I have also planned my next safari with A2T's sister company Treks 2 Rwanda.

Things to keep in mind about A2T: they own their own vehicles and employ their own guides, so they know who they're assigning to you and they're responsible for vehicle upkeep. Nothing is subcontracted out (which can happen with larger companies who hire on the ground companies to do the work for them). You'll talk to someone at A2T who will want to know about you and the others in your party to find out which personalities will match best with which guide. They'll also want to know your budget and how "roughing it" you're willing to go (lodges and hotels or tented camps with bucket showers? I highly recommend the latter!!!) I've served as a reference for A2T and can't recommend them highly enough. Whatever you do, be sure to TALK to whomever you're booking with. It's hard to put this all together for the first time by email, a lot gets lost in translation. I made lists of questions that we all had and had two or three calls where I got them answered.

Good luck! Planning is fun!!!