What Our Travelers Say — 5,000+ Safari Stories

"We spent two weeks in Tanzania, starting with game drives in Serengeti and Ngorongoro, followed by a week in Zanzibar. Traveling with our teenagers, we wanted a mix of wildlife, Omani history, and active water sports. YAWAPEPE customized our schedule, booking kite-surfing in Paje, a spice farm cooking class, and historic walking tours in Stone Town. The logistics, domestic flights, and transfers were perfectly synchronized. A memorable family vacation with a highly professional local operator."

"For our honeymoon, we booked a combined 8-day Serengeti safari and 4-day Zanzibar beach stay. It was a seamless transition, organized entirely by YAWAPEPE. After the thrill of tracking lions in the dust, flying directly to the tropical coast was paradise. We stayed in an oceanfront suite with a private plunge pool. The Stone Town tour was culturally rich, showing historic Omani palaces and narrow spice markets. A perfect combination of adventure and romance, highly recommended for couples."

"Our private safari was exceptional. The booking process was handled quickly by Arusha office specialists, who answered all our questions about packing, vaccination, and entry visas. The safari vehicle was spotless, equipped with binoculars and a cooling fridge stocked with refreshments. We saw all the Big Five, including tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara and endangered black rhinos on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. YAWAPEPE is a highly professional, locally owned operator that truly cares about conservation."

"As an avid wildlife photographer, I required a private vehicle and a guide who understood optimal angles and lighting. YAWAPEPE provided a senior naturalist guide who was outstanding. We spent hours in silence, capturing Cheetahs hunting on the plains and endemic bird species. The service was impeccable, with gourmet bush lunches, hot coffee on early morning drives, and smooth coordination of charter flights. Staying in private concessions allowed off-road tracking and night drives. I returned home with gallery-quality photos."

"Witnessing the Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti was on our bucket list for a decade, and YAWAPEPE delivered it flawlessly. We stayed in a mobile luxury tented camp positioned right in the heart of the migratory path. On our second afternoon, our guide read the herd movements perfectly and positioned our vehicle in a prime spot. We watched thousands of wildebeest plunge down the steep banks, dodging crocodiles in the water. An intense, emotional, and spectacular experience. 10/10 recommendation!"

"We traveled with our 8 and 11-year-old children, and YAWAPEPE made it an exceptional and stress-free experience. Our guide was incredibly patient and engaged the kids with wildlife print books, tracking checklists, and Swahili lessons throughout the game drives. Spotting massive elephant herds in Tarangire and descending into the Ngorongoro Crater caldera felt like stepping into another world. The family suites they booked were secure and comfortable. It was both educational and unforgettable for the children."

"YAWAPEPE SAFARIS crafted the most magical 8 days for our wedding anniversary. The Serengeti safari was absolutely thrilling, and our guide, Joseph, was incredible. He knew exactly where to spot camouflaged leopards and tracked a lion pride on a hunt in the Seronera Valley. The custom-outfitted 4x4 land cruiser was very comfortable with USB charging ports and a pop-up roof for panoramic photos. Every lodge recommendation exceeded our expectations. Absolute perfection from start to finish, we will definitely book again!"

"The Northern Circuit is the longest and most scenic route on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a 98% summit success rate due to its excellent acclimatization layout. YAWAPEPE's crew was outstanding. They are certified by KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project), ensuring ethical wages and fair treatment of our porters, which was highly important to us. The equipment provided was professional and weatherproof. Standing on Uhuru Peak was a dream come true. Thank you for this perfect trip!"

"The Machame Route offers breathtaking, dramatic scenery, including the climb up the steep Barranco Wall. The guiding team was exceptional, showing great leadership and mountain expertise. Camp setups were always complete before we arrived, and the sleeping tents and mats were top quality. On summit night, they sang Swahili climbing songs to keep our spirits high through the freezing cold. I felt completely safe and supported. Merci to YAWAPEPE team for an amazing expedition."

"We chose the Marangu Route because we preferred sleeping in mountain huts rather than tents. YAWAPEPE managed the entire expedition perfectly. Our guides paced us at a steady "pole pole" (slowly slowly) speed, which was key to our acclimatization. The huts were clean, and the hot dinners served in the communal dining halls were outstanding. Summit night was cold and demanding, but the encouragement of our guides kept us going. Reaching Africa's roof at 5,895m was unforgettable."

"I highly recommend YAWAPEPE for Kilimanjaro. As a physician, I monitored our acclimatization closely and was impressed by the guides' strict adherence to safety protocols, including emergency oxygen and altitude symptom checklists. The food prepared by the camp chef was nutritious, fresh, and kept our energy levels high. The Lemosho route offered beautiful scenery, traversing mist-covered rainforests, heather moorlands, and arctic desert plains. Our entire group of four summited successfully!"

"Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route was a physical and mental challenge of a lifetime, made possible by the professional crew at YAWAPEPE. Lead guide Sarah checked our oxygen levels and pulse twice daily, prioritizing our safety above all. The porter team was incredible, carrying our gear, setting up camp, and greeting us with warm water and hot meals at every stop. Standing on Uhuru Peak at sunrise was emotional. Ethical treatment of crew and high safety standards make them the best choice."

"A wonderful wilderness and beach vacation! We started with a private fly-in safari in the remote Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park) and Ruaha, followed by a beach stay in Zanzibar. Spotting wild dogs and boating past hippos on the Rufiji River, followed by diving along Zanzibar's coral reefs, made for a perfect holiday. YAWAPEPE's planning was impeccable, and their local guides were warm and knowledgeable. We highly recommend booking with this local Tanzanian operator."

"Our Zanzibar getaway was highly relaxing and culturally immersive. We spent two nights in Stone Town, experiencing its Swahili-Arab history, winding alleyways, and the bustling Forodhani night market. We then spent four nights at a private villa on the east coast. YAWAPEPE organized our spice plantation tour and historical excursions with expert guides. The service was excellent, from hotel pickups to coordination. Truly a high-end luxury island experience that we recommend."

"We spent two weeks in Tanzania, starting with game drives in Serengeti and Ngorongoro, followed by a week in Zanzibar. Traveling with our teenagers, we wanted a mix of wildlife, Omani history, and active water sports. YAWAPEPE customized our schedule, booking kite-surfing in Paje, a spice farm cooking class, and historic walking tours in Stone Town. The logistics, domestic flights, and transfers were perfectly synchronized. A memorable family vacation with a highly professional local operator."

"Our beach holiday in Nungwi was wonderful. YAWAPEPE arranged our airport transfers, Stone Town spice farm tours, and a private boat excursion to Mnemba Atoll. Swimming in the crystal-clear water and snorkeling with green sea turtles and vibrant reef fish was magical. The boutique resort they selected on the tide-free north coast was beautiful, offering direct beach access and fresh seafood. We didn't have to plan a thing—everything was taken care of with great local hospitality."

"For our honeymoon, we booked a combined 8-day Serengeti safari and 4-day Zanzibar beach stay. It was a seamless transition, organized entirely by YAWAPEPE. After the thrill of tracking lions in the dust, flying directly to the tropical coast was paradise. We stayed in an oceanfront suite with a private plunge pool. The Stone Town tour was culturally rich, showing historic Omani palaces and narrow spice markets. A perfect combination of adventure and romance, highly recommended for couples."