Chabo Africa Safaris
Chabo Africa Safaris
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
Southern Tanzania is glorious and off the beaten track, away from the crowds of tourists and the sound of other safari vehicles. Here you will find wildlife undisturbed by human interaction in a place where time has stood still....The Heart of Africa With Chabo, you will travel with guides who have combined experience of 25 years in the safari business. We organize your complete safari package including transport, accommodation, guide, cooks and porters. We can explore all of Southern Tanzania's outstanding parks with you. with one of four big cheetah populations left in East Africa as well as one-tenth of all the lions left in Sub-Saharan Africa and supporting the third largest population of African wild dogs, Southern Tanzania is unforgettable!
Iringa, Tanzania
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
67 reviews
Excellent
56
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Paul H
Essen, Germany39 contributions
Sep 2022
We have just come back from an individually planned trip with Chabo Africa Safaris to Katavi National Park.
It started with shopping for food and drinks before the start of the trip. At the local village we got a delicious, fresh fish from Lake Tanganyika. They picked us up at "Lake Shore Lodge" near Kipili on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. For me this shopping was an interesting village tour.
Out guide was Serafino and our cook was "Dr. Stomach" Salim. While Serafino did the driving and guiding in the national park Salim prepared wonderful meal for us.
In Katavi we stayed 2 nights at the government bandas. There is everything you need including a comfortable bed, cabinet, chair and a bathroom with sitting toilet and shower. Everything was clean and in working condition.
At the end of the trip they delivered us to our hotel in Mpanda for our flight the next morning.
Serafino is a truly professional guide with many years experience. I have done 40+ safaris in the last 20 years and this trip was among the best.
The planning was done by Ellen via Email. Prices were transparent and Ellen helped me turn my ideas into a good plan.
It started with shopping for food and drinks before the start of the trip. At the local village we got a delicious, fresh fish from Lake Tanganyika. They picked us up at "Lake Shore Lodge" near Kipili on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. For me this shopping was an interesting village tour.
Out guide was Serafino and our cook was "Dr. Stomach" Salim. While Serafino did the driving and guiding in the national park Salim prepared wonderful meal for us.
In Katavi we stayed 2 nights at the government bandas. There is everything you need including a comfortable bed, cabinet, chair and a bathroom with sitting toilet and shower. Everything was clean and in working condition.
At the end of the trip they delivered us to our hotel in Mpanda for our flight the next morning.
Serafino is a truly professional guide with many years experience. I have done 40+ safaris in the last 20 years and this trip was among the best.
The planning was done by Ellen via Email. Prices were transparent and Ellen helped me turn my ideas into a good plan.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was great to host you on Safari vacation, we are happy for our supporting staff and team helped tommaie your safari experience. We are looking forward to travel with you again!! Ahsante sana
Written June 3, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jay Bee
15 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
I used Chabo safari in summer 2021 and it was great. I had 2 days being driven to, and then around, Ruaha park and saw all that I wanted to see, elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, hippos, etc. The girl in the office was very nice and professional, as was the guide/driver, who knew his job well and gave his all, though he didn't seem to like me much and we barely spoke beyond the necessary, I don't think he knew my name, my job or where I'm from, and we had 3 meals together. The one night accommodation was comfortable and the food was great. Great value for money and a great safari experience.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for choosing us we were very happy and hourned to travel with us. We will keep our services to the top always. And looking forward to travel with you. Ahsante sana.
Written August 15, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Luca G
Marnate, Italy64 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
24 hours of tour...very good experience in ruaha national park...
As first thing ..the communication with safari organization was ok...we had only some minor misunderstandings but in the end everything worked out perfectly...2 bottle of water per day & person were included while the meal (breakfast lunch and dinner) have been paid separatly... Chabo Africa picked us up in Iringa and after a bumpy 2 hours car ride we checked into the accommodation (nice and cheap lodge inside the national park with private bathroom). We had pleasure to seeing a lot of animals as Lion Leopard giraffes
Sunset and sunrise are very charming
Our driver Ernest was very friendly and professional
At the end, if you want to do a safari, chabo safari is the agency for you ...
As first thing ..the communication with safari organization was ok...we had only some minor misunderstandings but in the end everything worked out perfectly...2 bottle of water per day & person were included while the meal (breakfast lunch and dinner) have been paid separatly... Chabo Africa picked us up in Iringa and after a bumpy 2 hours car ride we checked into the accommodation (nice and cheap lodge inside the national park with private bathroom). We had pleasure to seeing a lot of animals as Lion Leopard giraffes
Sunset and sunrise are very charming
Our driver Ernest was very friendly and professional
At the end, if you want to do a safari, chabo safari is the agency for you ...
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MalmesburyDave
Malmesbury, UK460 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Our experience is based on some 50 safaris over a 40 year period covering Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya and South Africa. Seven years ago we made our only previous visit to the stunning country of Tanzania. A major tour company put our trip together and it included the use of a driver to take us to the southern parks before returning us to Dar es Salaam and an unwind at a beach resort. The driver was excellent, knowledgeable, articulate and a careful cautious driver.
We suggested that he should give consideration to using his considerable talents to start up his own business, he was too good to be a mere driver. It led to many emails offering advice and guidance. Then came our big fiftieth wedding anniversary and we succumbed to the idea of returning one more time to Tanzania and avail ourselves of the services of a company that we had done much to set up and one that continually suggested we should return.
In November 2016 we requested a price for a repeat of our earlier venture, we asked that ChaboAfrica should follow the format of our previous visit. There followed many emails over the next two months wherein it was suggested we should go mountain climbing, all day walking safaris etc etc. We were offered Fly Camping and various other ventures that did not align to our request to repeat what had gone before. Finally in December a text was received which announced that deals had been struck with two of the locations we had chosen, both offered us a free night as we were to stay for five nights at each lodge/hotel. Although we had no price for the final itinerary or indeed a final itinerary either we happily paid a considerable sum in dollars in December 16 following our being advised that the lodge wanted full payment up front. We knowing the company principal, had confidence that our trust would not be abused.
We arrived for our "special occasion adventure" in September, we were greeted by ChaboAfrica at the hotel, advised that the young lady from the office who had accompanied Ernest from Iringa had to be dropped off at a local mall which was on the way to Ruaha. Early concern arose when we were requested to pay a few thousand dollars in cash once we had stopped at the mall, the back of a diary was used to jot down a few numbers and we were shown the alleged outstanding sum this of course was in addition to the several thousands that had been paid some nine months earlier. We extracted all that the bank would allow us from the ATM before continuing onward to Iringa and Ruaha. The journey down was a frightening nightmare, Ernest our driver spent the entire journey sending and receiving text after text and when not engaged on that activity was making and receiving telephone calls. On arrival at the lodge we were told we were not to share with other guests the lodges safari truck and guide during our stay. We were shocked and on asking why it was made clear that it was at the request of ChaboAfrica and that the lodge owner had given us a saving of $50 each per day for using Ernest's car. Our arrival at the lodge coincided with the arrival of an email of the invoice for our holiday. It revealed that despite the lodge giving us a free night and a discount for non use of their vehicle ChaboAfrica had charged us $200 a day for their truck and had failed to pass on the lodge discount. In other words ChaboAfrica were profiteering to the tune of two persons at $385 each plus $200 a day for the vehicle a total of $1770. In fairness it should be noted that, that evening a private conversation was held with Ernest Lugalla (the owner) wherein he advised that it was an office error and the sum would be returned to us. Following five nights in Ruaha, where we enjoyed as before, wonderful sightings of virtually every animal resident in the park we were to travel back to our beach resort just outside Dar es Salaam. Aproaching Mikumi where we were scheduled to stop for two nights he announced the death of a family member that would necessitate his returning to Iringa to attend the funeral. Arrangements we were told had been made for another of the company drivers to take us to the beach front destination. The other "company vehicle" turned out to be a young taxi driver who was in a small saloon, unsuited to the sand roads that led to the beach hotel and what is more important he was totally unaware of the address or location of the resort. The poor lad had driven a total of 13 hours when we eventually located our hotel, we had endured nine of them. On arrival here it did not take long when mixing with other guests staying over the same period as ourselves and in conversation with the management to learn that here also a free night had been given us for our extended stay. Yes another overcharge and one could not help wondering if the embarrassment of our discovering the con-trick that we were subjected to in Ruaha and were about to come to light at the beach hotel would have been more than Ernest could face up to ! Here the overcharge was a $1090. We have been taken in a big way, a total of $2860 extracted from two pensioners in their seventies, two people who spent much time and effort in assisting the company to be born. We have now written to the various government departments responsible for tourism since ChaboAfrica will not respond to our mails or texts requesting they honour the commitment made to repay the overcharges.
I cannot ever recall after writing almost 300 reviews ever feeling the need to say
beware to fellow travellers, more so if you are not just young back packers on short field trips, for them the vulnerability for being robbed is less of an issue. If you are wishing to package together a complete holiday in this magnificent friendly country and enjoy the southern parks use one of the longer established companies, I never expected to report thus.
We suggested that he should give consideration to using his considerable talents to start up his own business, he was too good to be a mere driver. It led to many emails offering advice and guidance. Then came our big fiftieth wedding anniversary and we succumbed to the idea of returning one more time to Tanzania and avail ourselves of the services of a company that we had done much to set up and one that continually suggested we should return.
In November 2016 we requested a price for a repeat of our earlier venture, we asked that ChaboAfrica should follow the format of our previous visit. There followed many emails over the next two months wherein it was suggested we should go mountain climbing, all day walking safaris etc etc. We were offered Fly Camping and various other ventures that did not align to our request to repeat what had gone before. Finally in December a text was received which announced that deals had been struck with two of the locations we had chosen, both offered us a free night as we were to stay for five nights at each lodge/hotel. Although we had no price for the final itinerary or indeed a final itinerary either we happily paid a considerable sum in dollars in December 16 following our being advised that the lodge wanted full payment up front. We knowing the company principal, had confidence that our trust would not be abused.
We arrived for our "special occasion adventure" in September, we were greeted by ChaboAfrica at the hotel, advised that the young lady from the office who had accompanied Ernest from Iringa had to be dropped off at a local mall which was on the way to Ruaha. Early concern arose when we were requested to pay a few thousand dollars in cash once we had stopped at the mall, the back of a diary was used to jot down a few numbers and we were shown the alleged outstanding sum this of course was in addition to the several thousands that had been paid some nine months earlier. We extracted all that the bank would allow us from the ATM before continuing onward to Iringa and Ruaha. The journey down was a frightening nightmare, Ernest our driver spent the entire journey sending and receiving text after text and when not engaged on that activity was making and receiving telephone calls. On arrival at the lodge we were told we were not to share with other guests the lodges safari truck and guide during our stay. We were shocked and on asking why it was made clear that it was at the request of ChaboAfrica and that the lodge owner had given us a saving of $50 each per day for using Ernest's car. Our arrival at the lodge coincided with the arrival of an email of the invoice for our holiday. It revealed that despite the lodge giving us a free night and a discount for non use of their vehicle ChaboAfrica had charged us $200 a day for their truck and had failed to pass on the lodge discount. In other words ChaboAfrica were profiteering to the tune of two persons at $385 each plus $200 a day for the vehicle a total of $1770. In fairness it should be noted that, that evening a private conversation was held with Ernest Lugalla (the owner) wherein he advised that it was an office error and the sum would be returned to us. Following five nights in Ruaha, where we enjoyed as before, wonderful sightings of virtually every animal resident in the park we were to travel back to our beach resort just outside Dar es Salaam. Aproaching Mikumi where we were scheduled to stop for two nights he announced the death of a family member that would necessitate his returning to Iringa to attend the funeral. Arrangements we were told had been made for another of the company drivers to take us to the beach front destination. The other "company vehicle" turned out to be a young taxi driver who was in a small saloon, unsuited to the sand roads that led to the beach hotel and what is more important he was totally unaware of the address or location of the resort. The poor lad had driven a total of 13 hours when we eventually located our hotel, we had endured nine of them. On arrival here it did not take long when mixing with other guests staying over the same period as ourselves and in conversation with the management to learn that here also a free night had been given us for our extended stay. Yes another overcharge and one could not help wondering if the embarrassment of our discovering the con-trick that we were subjected to in Ruaha and were about to come to light at the beach hotel would have been more than Ernest could face up to ! Here the overcharge was a $1090. We have been taken in a big way, a total of $2860 extracted from two pensioners in their seventies, two people who spent much time and effort in assisting the company to be born. We have now written to the various government departments responsible for tourism since ChaboAfrica will not respond to our mails or texts requesting they honour the commitment made to repay the overcharges.
I cannot ever recall after writing almost 300 reviews ever feeling the need to say
beware to fellow travellers, more so if you are not just young back packers on short field trips, for them the vulnerability for being robbed is less of an issue. If you are wishing to package together a complete holiday in this magnificent friendly country and enjoy the southern parks use one of the longer established companies, I never expected to report thus.
Written October 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Santi R
Marseille, France9 contributions
Jul 2019
We booked a 2-week safari package, including Selous, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa. In summary, we have mixed feelings about Chabo. On the one hand, the trip went well with the lodges and Safari guides and also sometimes with the Chabo staff. On the other hand, Chabo has not been able to establish a real relationship of trust. For example, they lied to us several times about the reasons for the absence of our guide after three days of safari. The car they had for us broke down and instead of openly informing us of the solutions they were considering, they strangely preferred to say that the guide had had a personal problem. Fortunately, the people of Selous' first lodge, Mpingo Lodge, took over, including Selous' visit (read our opinion on this highly recommended lodge). Chabo then rented a cheap open car (without seat belts) to take us from Selous to Mikumi and finally join our guide. It would have made sense to have a closed and safer car (probably more expensive too) to drive for seven hours on dusty and dangerous roads. Later, without explanation either, they replaced a correct car, which we only kept for two days, with another car in quite poor condition. Most of Chabo's good reviews are certainly well deserved, but it would be a pity if the reputation they have built up over the years were to begin to fall apart through a certain lack of respect and consideration for customers. Apart from that, Tanzania and its people are wonderful.
Written July 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
australeve
Bolzano, Italy37 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We had a fantastic experience with Chabo Africa Safaris from the first moment we contacted them per email. Ernest, Modest, Elen, Sam and the entire staff are extremely nice and friendly and really take care about their customers. Our 1 day safari to Ruaha NP from Iringa was absolutely great. It's a long drive but totally worth it. Our guide Serafino was very knowledgeable and good fun too. We were lucky and saw lots of animals, including lions eating a buffalo and a couple mating! Asante sana Chabo Africa Safaris!
Written July 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy
Washington DC, DC24 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
After a 6 day Safari to Selous, Udzungwa and Ruaha I have to say that Chabo has made for an absolutely wonderful experience. From the customer service and accommodating nature of Elen to create our demanding itinerary to Serafino's incredible humor and wildlife knowledge..... We can't be more pleased with our trip. I can't recommend this company enough. You will not be disappointed.
Written June 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caroline1974122
Bruges, Belgium2 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
We had wonderful moments in Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park and on the island Bagamoyo - Lazy Lagoon. Everything was well organised. Elen en Ernest prepared a program that succeeded to all our wishes. We were very fortunate to have Ernest as guide as he is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his job! Accommodations were great too. I would recommend Chabo to everyone who wants a safari fit to their needs. Thank you Ernest for the wonderful moments!
Written February 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ag1357
London, UK3 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
We spent 3 days/nights in Ruaha National Park with Chabo and Frank as our guide. I can honestly say it was one of the best trips I've done, exceeding my expectations. Chabo is a very professional outfit with very reasonable prices and Frank was an amazing guide - not just in terms of his knowledge of the park and its wildlfe, but also his willingness to go over and above to help us out (the airline lost our luggage so we had to spend the day before the safari in Iringa traipsing round buying clothes, toileteries, medication etc. all with Frank's help and negotiation skills!).
The safari itself was extremely enjoyable. We were originally staying in the tourist Bandas within the park, but when the park HQ had double booked us, we were upgraded to the ensuite resthouse. Frank's excellent knowledge of the park, its wildlife and ability to spot the animals meant that we got some really fantastic sightings - including four of the "big five" (rhinos aren't found in the park).
In terms of Chabo the company, we were very impressed with how responsive and helpful they were. I had done quite a lot of research beforehand to find the best budget safari company for Ruaha and Elen was very resopnsive to my many questions! The only slight downside is that at the time of our booking, they didn't have a credit card machine, which meant paying through either bank transfer or cash in hand (or a mixture of both). I was initially hesistant about transfering a large amount of money to an unknown company, but it was no problem at all.
So all in all, I thoroughly recommend Chabo, Ruaha national park and Frank as a guide!
The safari itself was extremely enjoyable. We were originally staying in the tourist Bandas within the park, but when the park HQ had double booked us, we were upgraded to the ensuite resthouse. Frank's excellent knowledge of the park, its wildlife and ability to spot the animals meant that we got some really fantastic sightings - including four of the "big five" (rhinos aren't found in the park).
In terms of Chabo the company, we were very impressed with how responsive and helpful they were. I had done quite a lot of research beforehand to find the best budget safari company for Ruaha and Elen was very resopnsive to my many questions! The only slight downside is that at the time of our booking, they didn't have a credit card machine, which meant paying through either bank transfer or cash in hand (or a mixture of both). I was initially hesistant about transfering a large amount of money to an unknown company, but it was no problem at all.
So all in all, I thoroughly recommend Chabo, Ruaha national park and Frank as a guide!
Written January 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samt Tours J
Lusaka, Zambia2 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
1 hour after leaving, the 4x4 broke down.. no front brakes! The driver tried to fix it just enough to keep going which meant driving in second gear for the entire journey. A 2 hour trip turned into a 5 hours trip which was just to the park entrance. The driver took the car to a mechanic after our game drive, which was limited to just 1.5 hrs due to our late arrival, but had no luck so we continued with no front brakes. On the way back, one of the doors almost fell off and the driver had to secure it using rubber strap. We had to stop every 40 minutes as something else went wrong (low oil pressure, refill leaking radiator). Eventually the car died and we continued our return in a taxi. We wasted another 5 hours getting back to our hotel. Ann from the agency agreed to compensate each customer USD 50 each, which amounted to USD 200 as we were 4. But as it was a Saturday and she had no cash and we were leaving Iringa, she agreed with the Mama Pizza Iringa Hotel, where we were staying, to deliver the $200 first thing Monday morning which would go towards our accommodation bill. This never happened, the hotel manager (Richard) called her and went to see her in the office but no money.. always offering another excuse. We tried to contact her but she refused to answer. Eventually we gave up and transferred the money to Richard so at least the hotel was not out of pocket. This company cannot be trusted and their service was absolutely terrible as was their unsafe vehicles. As for Ann and the way she managed this situations, she should be ashamed of herself. You can confirm this info with Richard at Mama Iringa Pizza Hotel.
Written August 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reading your review made me feel very sorry of myself and the company. Though there's nothing I can do so far but reaching to the point of disqualifying my company regardless to the breakdown of vehicle and to be compensated with $50, the company was able to refund that.
Breakdown of vehicle is something that we can not guarantee that it won't happen. The road condition is very bad that can lead to anything. Thank you to the driver who managed to drive you back safe but at the end you were rescued with a small car that was available at that time.
Regarding to the way you were treated with Anna during this tragedy, was unfair but there was other levels of management that you would have followed.
We have created the company reputation for the past 4 years and we have excellent reviews from people who trust in us. Our company is trusted and we will continue providing a best service to all of our customers.
Written November 12, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello! I am looking to get information on a safari! Can someone please contact me at..... themillersonthemove@gmail .... I would like the following questions answered
1) We will be starting our safari Sept 27, 2019, and would prefer it to be a 4 day safari ending on the 30th. We want to be in the correct area to 100% see the wildebeest migration? that is our #1priority for us to picking the perfect safari.
2) is there a fly in OR fly out option? if so how much more does that cost? (we are okay with one way driving and one way flying. just trying to use are time wisely while still not going way over budget. :)
3) if it is possible to fly in OR fly out.... we will be coming from Nairobi and after the safari heading to Kigali. Is it possible to fly into the serengeti in Tanzania from Nairobi Kenya? OR from the Serengeti to Kigali? or do we HAVE to fly into mt Kilimanjaro/arusha?
4) what are the accommodation options
5) Is there Wifi at the accommodations that we will be staying or do you know if there is Verizon reception around camp? We will need some sort of reception to check in with work.
6) we would like this to be a 4 day safari starting on Sept 27th ending on Sept 30th.
Excited to hear back from you!! :) thank you, Bethany
Written August 4, 2019
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