linjudy

I've read some nice things about this company in this forum, but mostly references to their website, or people who used them for climbing Kilimanjaro.

Any experience using them for a Tanzania safari?

PredatorBiologist

linjudy: I have not yet had the safari but I have worked very closely with Kiliwarriors to plan and be the operator for a small group safari that I am leading to Tanzania in February. As my reputation is at stake with the responsiblity of a group trip I chose very carefully and I can't imagine any outfitter in Tanzania with more intimate knowledge than Kiliwarriors. The go-safari.com and the killiwarriors.com sites are constantly recommended because they are consistently visiting camps and marking the exact locations and aware of their current conditions. Kiliwarriors knows which companies are good at moving camps to the best locations and if they do it at the correct times -- critical for the best opportunities of viewing the migration. They also can set up their own private camps that look to be excellent.

Beyond the incomparable knowledge to make the best plan there were three other factors that have lead me to work with Kiliwarriors:

1) in 2008 they will be utilizing new state of the art custom vehicles -- the best in East Africa. See link and look around the middle of the page for the prototype. http://www.kiliwarriors.com/safari_vehicles.htm
As it currently stands to have an open sided vehicle you have to be at a camp, I don't believe there are any that can take you on your entire safari circuit. These vehicles close for the long haul drives but can be open sided and pop-topped for wildlife viewing. They are also extended so you have extra room vs. the ones in camps. Since the bulk of your time is in a vehicle I think this is a huge factor that differentiates Kiliwarriors and it allows for an open sided experience without needing to depend on camps to have them (many don't) or pay extra for camp guides/vehicles.

2) The company has Maasai ownership.

3) Kiliwarriors safari operation is lean and meant for high quality trips rather than servicing a high volume of clients. Thus they only have a couple of guides and vehicles, ensuring that all are of the highest quality. Many operators are using 25+ vehicles and guides at times which means the quality can be quite variable. I want to know that I am getting the best guiding and that they are guides who have been well trained and know what they are doing rather than a last minute private contractor needed to meet demand.

At this point in the process I am a huge believer in the quality of Kiliwarriors safari operation. Come March I will be able to comment directly on the guiding and on the ground performance.

Feistybrit

Hi there.
Just thought I'd let you know I have booked my very first safari with Kiliwarriors for my daughter and I next year. I paid the deposit in July.
Eben was very nice, very helpful and I am looking forward to my first ever safari.
I was very very nervous about who to choose and it was one of the most difficult decision, but in the end Kiliwarriors just felt right.

Sue

Pula

Can't make the kiliwarrior link work -- I get an error message. Is it me?

Patty

The first link has a typo (double L). Try it with one L or try the vehicle link.

tripofalifetime

I too recently booked a trip for September 2008 with Kiliwarriors. Eben was very responsive to my questions and seemed to try to understand what I was interested in seeing and doing rather than trying to force something already planned.

toontowndoc

We have just returned from a three week safari to Kenya ,Rwanda,and Tanzania,all organized by Kiliwarriors,and I cannot say enough good things about their organization!The itinerary was very well planned,I got excellent advice,and some special interactions with some communities we support in East Africa were expertly organized.Pricing compared to other large companies that we had previously booked with,was extremely competitive,and fully descriptive in terms of price breakdown for all components of our safari.We felt safe and well cared for at all times during our journey,and we particularly liked their emphasis on the use of locally based and staffed camps.When we met Eben's partners in Arusha,it was like being with family.I would not hesitate to recommend this Tanzanian-based company.If you wish any more information,please contact me at [email protected] I do plan to post a trip report very soon!

Leely

Denbasking booked and traveled with them; search for her here. She had nothing but positive things to say about them and her trip. FWIW, I did a brief visit to a school with Wilbert, Eben's Tanzanian partner, an amazing, amazing guy.

jenack

Eben booked my Kenyan portion of my recent safari. Incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and attentive to exactly what I was interested in. All transfers ran flawlessly, and each camp was prepared for us and what we were interested in doing.

5221

Linjudy,

Yes they also do safari in Tanzania, try to speak to Eben and see what they can arrange for you, otherwise see with Tanzania Private Select, they are also small not big company and always note that the small companies do better for their clients, they have time to follow everystep of what you are doing and getting for your safari.

Please let me know if I can be of more help

linjudy

Thank you so much for all the response!

atravelynn

TripofaLifetime,

You should be back by now. Any feedback you can offer?

tripofalifetime

Hi Lynn,

It's September 2008 - still 10 months to go.