I just learned of this website today and am excited to use it. I am trying (quickly) to narrow down my choice of tour operators for my upcoming (aug '06) group trip to the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro: I am choosing between Good Earth Tours; ecoAfrica (who is using Alabatros Travel and Safaris); African Safari Co.( who is using Ranger Safaris for the Tanzania Safari and Bablyon Tours for the kili climb); African Travel Center(who proposed Hoopoe Safaris and Zara Travel for the Kili). I am looking for more of a middle ground pricing ($1200-1800 per week). I am the lead for a group of 8 and am nervous about who to select. I did get the African Safari Co. and the African Travel Ctr references from the National Geographic Traveler website. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Kimberli,

My family was in Tanzania last June and Ranger Safaris was our outfitter. Great company. We didn't have any problems, the guide/driver was great, and the 4x4 Land Cruiser was very nice. I highly recommend Ranger Safaris.

Have a great trip regardless of who you end up using.

Jack

Kimberli:
While you are waiting to hear responses from posters who have used the companies you mention, look at this website (supported by eben's kili-warriors company). It contains a wealth of information about climbing Kilimanjaro including selecting a route and a company.

http://www.go-kilimanjaro.com/

Hi, I didn't use either of those companies. I climbed with the Marangu Hotel who were excellent. I thought I would post and point you to my little trip report/story to help you get excited!

http://www.mcdougalladventures.com/t...bs-kilimanjaro

Have an absolutely wonderful time. I am very jealous!

Kimberli -- If you click on my name you will bring up a copy of my recent trip report from our Tanzania safari with Good Earth. We had a great time and I recommend them. You can see some of our photos and trip report plus itinerary planning background and other details on our personal homepage at homepage.mac.com/lisaandmarktravel

I have also heard good things about Zara; they specialize in Kili climbs and were one of the companies we considered for our safari too (their quote came in a little higher than Good Earth's so we ended up not going with Zara, but in checking on their references they did get good reviews as well).

We did see some Albatros vehicles when we were on our trip too but I don't know anything about them.

Hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did!

Lisa,

Should I expect something in writing (through the mail) from Good Earth? We've been booked for a while and travel in June.
Thanks!

Carrie
Sorry to hijack the thread.

No, unless you specifically requested something be sent to you in the mail (which I'm sure Narry would do if you asked), I would just save any relevant e-mail correspondence with them. We printed out and brought with us a copy of the confirmation e-mail we got from them with our finalized itinerary, phone numbers, etc. to be on the safe side.