We are a World Travel Award winning travel agency based in Tanzania, and for nearly a decade we’ve had the privilege of sharing our beloved Africa with guests from around the world. Each journey continues to inspire awe—not only in those we host, but in us as well, because the magic of one of the last true wildernesses on Earth reveals something new every single time.
Perfect from Start to Finish
Shadows of Africa did a great job with our trip to Tanzania. Everything was handled well from start to finish and the whole process was very easy. A big thank you to Sonja for the organization. All the transfers and logistics were timed perfectly which allowed us to just relax and enjoy the journey without any stress. We really enjoyed getting to know the culture in Arusha and at the Maasai village, and the days spent in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro were equally incredible. Another highlight was our guide and driver Dennis. He’s very professional and a steady driver, which you really appreciate on the long roads. We specifically wanted to see leopards and cheetahs, and thanks to his sharp eyes, we managed to find both (and actually quite a few of them). Of course we also saw plenty of other wildlife like lions and elephants. It was also really cool having breakfast or lunch right in the middle of the parks; its a unique experience to eat in such a wild setting. We ended the trip with some quiet time in Zanzibar which was the perfect way to wrap everything up. Overall the trip was every bit as amazing as we expected it to be and the whole team was fantastic.
Domen0906
Fabulous experience with a top notch outfitter.
The Serengeti was astonishing and I was lucky to have chosen Shadows of Africa as the outfitter. The arrangements were handled efficiently, the usual unforeseen circumstances were dealt with handily and the office incredibly went to the trouble of buying a bit of photo gear I discovered missing and sending on the next commercial flight to Serengeti. But the real star was my guide, Lucas. Very knowledgeable on a vast variety of subjects, an amazing game spotter, terrific driver through some very challenging terrains and really good company. Couldn’t have been better!
HenryTen
A trip / vacation one should go in lifetime
Hi all. This is Harish and Arjun from Kerala, India. We had really wonderful safari trip to Africa. Shadows of Africa provided us with great hospitality staying from the time we landed. One day prior to our arrival, our original flight (Kenya Airlines - got cancelled and rescheduled, so we had to book Air Tanzania and the arrival airport was changed from Kilimanjaro to Arusha). The Shadows of Arica, team, did not make any fuss and handled it so nicely, that, we never had any problem or inconvenience. And staring from day 2 we had our Safari Guide Charles Lucas. Charles is an exceptionally talented, superb, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic person. With him, we thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Every single day was fantastic with him. He made us see Cheetas from hardly 10 feet distance, a walking Male Lion from around 20 feet and all the a Big Fives of Africa in their natural habitat. Moreover, in between we had a day for relaxation, and Charles was very flexible with the timings as well as our comfort. He kept the vehicle very neat and clean, made our journey so smooth and comfortable. We had very good memories with Charles. I would recommend Shadows of Africa and guide Charles anytime any day. Thank you very much Shadows of Africa and Charles Lucas. Harish
Harish S
An Unforgettable 2-Week Tanzanian Adventure – The Best Safari of Our Lives!
Our 2-week trip to Tanzania (one week of safari followed by 5 days in Zanzibar), organized by Shadows of Africa, was, quite simply, perfection. From the very first inquiry, the planning process was exceptional. They are incredibly responsive, usually answering every question on the very same day. The entire trip was so well-organized that we didn't have a single negative experience. The heart of our safari was our guide and driver, Gerald. We honestly couldn't have asked for a better guide. He was always smiling, in a great mood, and incredibly flexible with our plans; we never once felt like he was in a hurry. Gerald’s skills on the terrain are mind-blowing; his years of experience really showed. While driving through tough terrain, he would spot animals instantly that we would have completely missed. Thanks to him, we saw the Big Five and so much more. He truly went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed every second. Having previously been on safaris in Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and parts of Botswana, we thought we knew what to expect—but this was on another level. The Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater are breathtaking. The choice of lodges was also superb. Three, in particular, stood out: 1. Tumbiri Lodge: It offered a level of luxury we didn’t expect near Arusha. The food and service were world-class. 2. Tamu Tamu (Serengeti) and Nyikani Lodge (Ndutu): These provided the "authentic Africa" experience. Hearing lions and hyenas outside your tent at night is spine-tingling, yet we felt completely safe the entire time. During our trip, we also visited three tribes (there are more than 120 in Tanzania). First was the Hadzabe tribe, who live in the bush and are so different in every sense of living. But thanks to our local guide Hasan, who could even speak their language, we could really discover their way of life. He also led us to the Datoga tribe, known for making beautiful metal bracelets. A visit to the Masai tribe is necessary when visiting this part of Africa. They still live their traditional life, despite the challenges of the modern world. Lastly, a quick tip for anyone visiting is the Hot Air Balloon safari in the Serengeti. It is not cheap, but it is worth every single dollar. It’s hard to put into words how incredible this whole experience was. Thank you, Shadows of Africa and Gerald, for the memories of a lifetime!
Bojan V
Once in the lifetime dream
This company organized our whole 7 weeks experience in Sansibar and many different safaris both in Northern ja Southern Tanzania. Everything went beyond expectations, all the transports (and there were many) were just on time and accomodation were high standard even when we asked no luxury. All the time the staff was in whatsup if we had any questions and their digital itianary application worked well even offline. Good service and really capable guides during the game drives. Good knowledge on animal behavior and respect for nature.
Meander06818239413
Amazing, unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience, ultra professional from A to Z!
I usually don't bother writing reviews, with the exeption of amazing experiences. And this is one of them! Our safari with Shadows of Africa was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the most unforgettable trips we have ever taken. And we're quite seasoned travellers! Everything was organized perfectly! The itinerary was diverse, well-paced, and full of incredible experiences. Our safari in Serengeti National Park was absolutely amazing – we saw an incredible number of animals in their natural habitat, including several of the Big Five, which made the experience even more special. Elephants were only a few meters away for several times, lions nearby, ten of their cubs lying on the road. Giraffes strolling by our tent in Tamu Tamu camp... more than 50 species, that our experiencend guide Charles spotted from afar and drove us so close as to touch them! The landscapes are spectacular, and the feeling of being surrounded by such vast and untouched nature is something we will never forget. Driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was breathtaking. Wildlife medeling with humans in the most respectful way, seeing the great migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebra heading north, while Maasai herd their cattle amongst. We visite a Maasai bomo and have been alowed to experience their lifestyle. Amazing! One of the most unique highlights of the trip was visiting the Hadzabe tribe in their natural environment. We tried shooting with their traditional bows, and even searched for wild honey together. It was a rare opportunity to experience their way of life in a very authentic and respectful way. We also visited the Datoga tribe, where we saw their traditional blacksmithing. Watching them melt metal and craft tools and jewelry by hand using ancient techniques was fascinating. Our guide Charles was outstanding – extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about wildlife, nature, and Tanzanian culture. He made sure we always had the best possible safari experience and shared so many interesting insights along the way. The safari vehicle was very comfortable, with possibility of charging our cameras and phones. Meals in the bush while on the game drive were served hot on a proper table, plates and silverware with a glass of wine, so other groups with packed lunches were quite envious. The lodges were beautiful and well selected, Olerai lodge in Arusha as well as Tamu Tamu camp in central Serengeti are above any expectations. The entire team was warm, professional, and attentive. We felt safe, relaxed, and very well taken care of throughout the entire journey. Shadows of Africa exceeded all our expectations. If you are planning a safari in Tanzania, we highly recommend them. It was an extraordinary adventure that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
Lara L
Big 5, Ugly 5, thrilling experience, close encounters & great accomodation.
My wife and I just returned from a wonderful 8 nights vacation to Tanzania. It was a life long dream but came about within less than a week after I suddenly decided we’d spend Valentine’s Day there. After scanning the web for providers of Safari services I came across Shadows of Africa and reached out to them. Meghan was so helpful from the very first conversation. She was quite informative, gave us excellent suggestions once she knew what I wanted, and came back super quick with her quote. We went with her recommendation for the accommodation and she said we would definitely love each one of them; I must say we did. We felt that each place we stayed was hand picked for us. It just goes to show Meghan knows to read her customers quite well. Every interaction was seamless and we cannot thank her enough for arranging such a memorable trip for us. We will be leaving individual comments for each accommodation we stayed at too. I would highly recommend Meghan to anyone who’s interested in safaris to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangiri, Ndutu. We had an excellent guide, Eugen. His natural instincts at spotting animals only made the experience even better for us. His driving was very good, steady & alert on those bumpy tracks. Eugen was very knowledgeable and shared his knowledge of the locations, animals and inhabitants. He was very professional in his communication and was genuinely helpful. My wife requested we be taken to a Catholic Church for Ash Wednesday Mass and Eugen did his homework beforehand and fulfilled this request by fitting it in without compromising on the jam packed safari itinerary. We have not stopped sharing our trip with family and friends and have been and will continue to recommend ‘Shadows of Africa’ Meghan, Eugen, Emmanuel the Tamu Tamu camp manager and the rest of the wonderful people who all played their parts in the overall experience we had. We have returned with a lifetime of memories that will always remain with us. God Bless us all.
Owner's reply Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a beautiful and detailed review of your safari experience with us. We are truly honored that you chose Shadows of Africa for such a special trip, especially one planned around Valentine’s Day and a lifelong dream of visiting Tanzania. ❤️It means a great deal to hear that Meghan was able to assist you so smoothly from the very first conversation and that the accommodations exceeded your expectations. She will be delighted to know that her recommendations helped make your journey so memorable.We are also very proud to hear your kind words about Eugen. His passion for wildlife, attention to detail, and dedication to our guests are exactly what we strive for in every safari. We are especially happy that he was able to arrange the Ash Wednesday Mass for your wife while still keeping the adventure-filled itinerary intact. Moments like these make a trip even more meaningful.Thank you as well for recognizing Emmanuel and the team at Tamu Tamu Camp, along with everyone who contributed to making your safari such a special experience. Your appreciation means the world to us.It brings us great joy to know that you returned home with a lifetime of memories and that you are sharing your experience with family and friends. That is the greatest compliment we could receive.We hope to welcome you back to Tanzania someday for another adventure — there is always more to discover! 🦁🌍Warm regards,The Shadows of Africa Team
Ray and Rebecca F
Goed georganiseerd
We hebben een super leuke reis gehad. Frank was een geweldige gids, de reis was goed opgebouwd en de accommodaties waren prima.
Owner's reply Thank you so much for your lovely review! 🌍✨We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful trip. Frank will be delighted to know you appreciated his guidance — he always aims to make every journey smooth and memorable.We’re glad the itinerary worked well for you and that you enjoyed the accommodations. Your kind words mean a lot to the entire team, and we hope to welcome you back for another fantastic adventure soon! 💛— The Shadows of Africa Team
Mirjam K
Exceptional Six-Night Private Safari in Tanzania
We had a six-night private tour, beginning with one night at Ikumbi Lodge, two nights at Tamu Tamu Serengeti Camp, two nights at Africa Safari South Serengeti Ndutu, and the final night at Four Points Arusha. Overall, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience with cute animals, amazing nature, and kind people. Among everything, two things stood out the most about Shadows of Africa. First and foremost, our guide, Mr. Edwin, is well-experienced, skilled, and very knowledgeable. He efficiently identified the locations where specific animals would appear, enabling us to witness numerous rare animals and unforgettable moments in the wilderness. He also explained many interesting animal behaviors to us — personally, my favorite was the “zebra-hugging.” Most importantly, Mr. Edwin is a genuinely good person. You can easily see that he is a friend to everyone along the way! By the end of our trip, we had also become good friends. When we visit Tanzania next time, we will surely ask him to be our guide again. Second, although we had little information about the food quality beforehand, during the trip we learned that the meals we had were far better than those provided by other companies. We even had a fun moment when a client from a different company joined our lunch table to try our food. Indeed, except for the two days when we stayed at Africa Safari South Serengeti Ndutu, where the food was somewhat underwhelming, we enjoyed our meals very much. Overall, this journey exceeded our expectations in every way. From the breathtaking wildlife encounters to the professionalism and warmth of the team, Shadows of Africa delivered an unforgettable safari experience. We are truly grateful for the memories we created and would highly recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Tanzania.
Owner's reply Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review! 🌍✨We’re thrilled to hear that your six-night private safari with Shadows of Africa was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From Ikumbi Lodge to Tamu Tamu Serengeti Camp, Africa Safari South Serengeti Ndutu, and Four Points Arusha, it sounds like every stop added something special to your journey.Edwin will be so touched by your kind words! His skill, knowledge, and genuine friendliness are exactly what we hope every guide brings to a safari, and it’s amazing to hear that you not only enjoyed the wildlife encounters but also formed such a strong connection with him. “Zebra-hugging” will definitely be a fun memory for us too! 🦓We’re also delighted that the meals, especially at Tamu Tamu, impressed you. Our team takes great pride in crafting fresh, local, and flavorful dishes, so it’s wonderful to hear that even others noticed the quality of your meals.Thank you for highlighting the professionalism and warmth of the team. Knowing that your trip exceeded expectations and left you with unforgettable memories means the world to us. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another incredible safari in Tanzania! 💛— The Shadows of Africa Team
Joon N
Amazing 6-Day Tanzania Safari
We just finished a 6-day safari in Tanzania with Shadows of Africa, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Our trip started with Katlijn, who helped us from the very first day. Her advice was incredibly helpful. She listened to exactly what we wanted and worked with our budget. Thanks to her experience and ideas, we created a plan that made the most of our time. Right from the beginning, we felt we were in good hands. When we arrived, our guide Zamoo was waiting and escorted us to a comfortable 4x4 jeep. He made sure everything ran smoothly and according to what we liked. What we appreciated most was his safe driving and how much he knew about the plants and animals. He spotted animals long before we noticed anything. His keen eyes and enthusiasm allowed us to spot most of the animals around us. The only thing that we all felt disappointing was the optional visit to a Masai village. This wasn’t worth the 50$. The 4 of us have wonderful memories of this adventure. If you want a company that offers personal service, local knowledge, and a love for nature, we highly recommend Shadows of Africa. A big thanks to the whole team for this dream trip!
Owner's reply Thank you so much for sharing your experience! 🌍✨We’re thrilled that your 6-day Tanzania safari with Shadows of Africa was fantastic from start to finish. Katlijn will be so happy to hear that her advice and planning helped create the perfect trip for you. It’s wonderful that you felt in good hands right from the beginning!Zamoo will also be delighted to hear your kind words. His safe driving, enthusiasm, and keen eye for spotting wildlife are exactly what we aim for in our guides, and it’s amazing that it helped you enjoy so many incredible animal sightings.We appreciate your honest feedback about the optional Masai village visit. For future travelers wanting to know more, have a look at this blog post: Why You Should Reconsider Visiting a Maasai Boma / https://www.shadowsofafrica.com/blog/why-you-should-reconsider-visiting-a-maasai-boma/. Every trip is unique, and we hope this helps set expectations better.We’re overjoyed to hear you have wonderful memories and can’t wait to welcome you back for another dream adventure! 💛— The Shadows of Africa Team
BDM007
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Years of experience, since 2010
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