What Our Guests Say

Our 5-day mid-range safari with Exceed Expectations Tours was absolutely incredible. Our guide Emmanuel had an almost supernatural ability to spot wildlife. Within the first hour in the Serengeti, he found a leopard resting in a sausage tree that we never would have noticed. The lodges were comfortable and clean, the food was delicious, and every detail of the trip was well organized. Seeing the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater was a dream come true. We are already planning our return trip to Tanzania.

I traveled solo on the 8-day Great Migration Safari and it exceeded every expectation. Witnessing a wildebeest river crossing at the Mara River was the most extraordinary wildlife event I have ever seen. The sheer chaos, the crocodiles, the sound of thousands of hooves, it was overwhelming in the best possible way. My guide Joseph positioned us perfectly and his knowledge of animal behavior meant we were always in the right place. The seasonal tented camp in the northern Serengeti was surprisingly comfortable. Worth every penny.

We chose the 7-day luxury northern circuit for our 25th wedding anniversary and it was the perfect celebration. The luxury lodges were outstanding, particularly the Serengeti camp where we had a private tent overlooking the plains. Waking up to the sound of lions roaring in the distance and watching elephants from our veranda while drinking morning coffee is something we will never forget. The attention to detail, from bush breakfasts to sundowner cocktails, made us feel incredibly special. The Ngorongoro Crater was the highlight, seeing a black rhino with its calf just 50 meters away.

As a solo female traveler on a budget, I was nervous about booking a safari, but Exceed Expectations made the whole process easy and stress-free. The 4-day budget safari was fantastic value. Yes, you sleep in tents, but the camping experience actually added to the adventure. Falling asleep listening to hyenas in the Serengeti and waking up to a stunning sunrise over the plains was magical. Our cook prepared amazing meals and our guide Michael was knowledgeable, safe, and great company. I would recommend this to anyone who thinks a safari is out of their budget.

The 8-day safari and Zanzibar combination was the perfect trip. The safari portion was thrilling, with close encounters with lions, elephants, and a cheetah hunt in the Serengeti. Then flying to Zanzibar and stepping onto that white sand beach was like arriving in paradise. Stone Town was fascinating, the snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll was world-class, and the beach hotel was lovely. Having the whole trip organized as one seamless package took all the stress out of planning. Highly recommended for anyone who wants both adventure and relaxation.

I am a wildlife photographer and chose the 6-day mid-range northern circuit specifically for the variety of parks. Tarangire delivered incredible elephant photographs among the baobabs, Lake Manyara gave me my best-ever flamingo shots, and the Serengeti provided lion and cheetah encounters that exceeded my wildest hopes. My guide understood photography and always positioned the vehicle with the best light behind us. I have been on safaris in Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa, and Tanzania is now my favorite.

Even as South Africans who have been on many safaris at home, the Ngorongoro Crater blew us away. We did the 3-day budget trip to Tarangire and Ngorongoro as a quick getaway and could not believe the value. Tarangire was full of elephants and we even spotted a python in a tree. The crater itself is in a league of its own, we saw lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and countless flamingos in one morning. The camping was comfortable and the food was excellent. You do not need to spend a fortune to have an amazing Tanzania safari.

Climbing Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route was the hardest thing I have ever done, but reaching Uhuru Peak at sunrise was the most rewarding moment of my life. The Exceed Expectations mountain team was incredible, the guides were encouraging and safety-conscious, the porters were strong and cheerful, and the cook somehow managed to prepare delicious meals at 4,000 meters. After the climb, four days on Zanzibar was exactly what my body needed. The combination of mountain and beach is brilliant.

This was our first safari in East Africa and we could not have asked for a better introduction. The 3-day mid-range Tarangire and Ngorongoro trip was perfectly paced. Our guide Francis was passionate about conservation and shared fascinating insights about each animal and ecosystem. The lodge on the Ngorongoro crater rim had the most spectacular view we have ever seen from a hotel room. We saw all of the Big Five and countless other species. Tanzania has stolen our hearts.

We booked the 14-day honeymoon safari and Zanzibar package and it was the trip of a lifetime. Every detail was thought through, from the champagne waiting at our Serengeti camp to the private beach dinner on Zanzibar. The safari was extraordinary, with three of the most exciting days of our lives watching lions, leopards, and elephants in the Serengeti. Then Zanzibar was pure romance, a private villa, sunset dhow cruises, and the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. If you are looking for a honeymoon that goes beyond the ordinary, this is it.