Hello fellow travelers:

Has anyone out there ever taken a safari with Thomson Safaris (exclusively in Tanzania)? I'd be interested in your experience, as I am contemplating a trip with them next summer.

Now if I was up to date on the trip report index, I could send you there to look -

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34725679

But, I'm not - so here is the only post that I know of which used Thompson's recently-

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34821686

Thank you, Lynda!

I'm pretty sure Andy Biggs has used Thomson Safaris for his Africa photo safaris. Maybe he'll read your post and comment.

Dear beecher
I went with Thompson last February because I felt they were the best having been in Tanzania the longest and treating their guides better than anyone else I know. Our guide Willie has been with them for 17 years and is not the most senior. I don't have time to post trip reports, but I'll be happy to answer your questions if you email me.
I haven’t had time to annotate all my pictures yet, but they are all up on my website starting with this picture as we met Willie across the Namanga border: http://67.171.25.95/2006/Kilimanjaro/Namanga/jvn018.htm

PS. I used Thomson for the Kili trek also because they are the best and take great care of their porters and guides which was of outmost importance to me. I am LyndaS's friend Kristina in Seattle

I traveled with Thomson's this past March and wrote a trip report. Do a search under "Finally Trip Report" or feel free to email me directly at [email protected].
UltimateAfricanSafaris...
I had Willie too!

Kristina - I see you hang out windows too to take pictures!! Wonderful pictures! I know, I know, I am supposed to be working aren't I?
Not reading posts....

Countingdown, thought I'd let you know that that was your trip report I directed beecher too - I really must get to work on that index!

Thanks, Lynda!!!

Wow. Where do I start. Let's just say that I used to run safaris with other safari outfitters in Tanzania, and I just got tired of either big messups or the smaller details. Thomson Safaris and I have a wonerful relationship together, and they operate all of my safaris for me from a logistics standpoint. I could not be happier. They have listed my safaris on all of their marketing material and on their web site, and we work very closely together.

Thomson definitely has the best guides, vehicles and dedication to their employees and customers. And it shows. I am successful in my business because of Thomson.

Willie K? He is my good friend. And that is a great photograph of him. He is always smiling. He is a good man and and a great host and guide.

If you call the Thomson (note that Thomson Safaris doesn't have a 'p' in their name, which will make web searches more difficult) be sure to tell them hello from me. They always get chuckles when my name comes up.

Haved heard very good things about Thomsom. But, they were very high on their quotation for my safari itinerary.

My daughter and I are booked for a safari with Thomson for February, 2007. Thanks to this board - especially Teri...."countingdown" - I've gotten the best advice and high recommendation for Thomson. I know I made a good choice.

pbrydie:
Is it just the 2 of you going?
Ultimate, countingdown--how many were in your party?

The reason that I ask is that when I contacted Thomson (more than a year ago) the rep told me they did a minimum of 4 persons? I am wondering if I misunderstood.

I"m traveling with my daughter but we meet the rest of our group in Boston so I'm sure there will be others on this particular safari with us (max of 12 I think) - unless we luck up and have a private safari! (possible, huh Teri?)

When I booked my safari it was to be a "group" safari. I was told there would be a maximum of 12 or 15 people. When I emailed a few weeks before the actual trip I was thrilled to learn nobody else booked for that specific time (March 17-29..the last safari before the rains)...so, we (2 of us) got a private safari.
However, isn't "private safari" listed as an option on their website?

Does anyone know if Thomson uses a different ground operator once in Tanzania? Or are they actually Thomson vehicles and guides?

And is this the correct site for Thomson? Wasn't sure if there are two different companies because I see Thomson spelled with a 'p' sometimes:
http://www.thomsonsafaris.com/default.htm

Blue11,

That's them, no p. Their website is different from the last time I looked at it, maybe a year ago.

Whatluck Countingdown, scoring a private safari at group pricing.

Their big pitch is no middlemen and they have custom vehicles. They also tout their own guides and that they are in complete control.

Thomson Safaris operates everything themselves, and they are not a marketing machine that turns you over to a less capable outfitter. Abercrombie & Kent used to be this way, but their east Africa operations were sold off a few years ago, and the quality of their safaris and guides have severely suffered.

When I started using them for my own safaris, they mostly had 110 Defenders for all safaris, and now they are replacing them one by one with larger, stretched out Landies. Some other companies use these as well, but their guides aren't in the same league (Leopard Tours and Ranger Safaris come to mind).

I hope this helps.