Private and Luxury
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$436
per adult
Wild Gaze Safaris Ltd
Wild Gaze Safaris Ltd
4.8
Multi-day Tours4WD, ATV & Off-Road ToursSafarisBalloon RidesNature & Wildlife Tours
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
We have ten years of safari guide experience and we love sharing it with our guests! Wild Gaze Safaris is owned and operated by Ernest Lugalla and his team of professionals. We run Ruaha Hill View Lodge with exceptional views of the classic miyombo woodland just outside Ruaha National Park.
Iringa, Tanzania
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Wild Gaze Safaris Ltd
4WD Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$88
per adult
4WD Tours
3 days
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$640
per adult
Car Tours
2 days
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$761
per adult
Travelers talk about
Contribute
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
4.8
58 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
2
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Peter D
Bremen, Germany10 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Our three-week safari through the south of Tanzania was just perfect. With our guide and driver Michael, we had a very sensitive and competent partner at our side. All national parks (Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha, Kitulo, Katavi) were very eventful. It was a trip full of animals, nature and culture. Michael managed to bring us closer to the country and its people. Our local guide in Dar es Salaam Emanuell was also able to give us many individual impressions of the city in a short time. We can highly recommend Wild Gaze Safari!
Many thanks Steffi and Peter
Many thanks Steffi and Peter
Written December 19, 2023
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.
Danke!
We felt privalaged to travel with you for over 21 days exploring the southern Tanzania.
Thank you so much for the outstanding review to us we promise to work more better and better. However we are looking forward to travel with you again family or friends again.
Ahsante sana!!
Written April 24, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dummi d
16 contributions
Jul 2022
Wild Gaze worked out perfectly for me. I contacted them (along with a few other companies) about organizing a safari through central Tanzania and Fred responded immediately with a couple of suggested itineraries and prices. Prices were reasonable and after a little email discussion, we settled on an 8 day trip through Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha NPs starting in Dar and ending in Iringa. Shout out to Fred here, he was about the most conscientious contact person I've ever dealt with. The driver, Michael, picked me up by Dar airport and astonishing things unfolded from Day one. Really, these guys took all the stress out of traveling in a difficult place; I just stood in the back and watched the wildlife flow by: leopards, lions, elephants wild dogs, kudus and every other antelope you can imagine, hippos, crocs, giraffes, hyenas and on and on. I had a safari walk along the Ruaha River with the crocs and hippos, what a rush, stayed with a pack of wild dogs for an hour, took a night drive and saw bush babies, civet cats and sleeping lion cubs, sat within a few meters of a family of lions and a roadside leopard. I doubt I'll ever have a better safari experience. Thank you Michael, he seemed to know everything and was an excellent companion. Suggestion (although others may disagree): in Ruaha, I upgraded to the cottages from the bandas and was glad of it. It was a breezy, panoramic view of the river from the lanai of a new cottage vs. riverside in the older, darker bungalows, which have their own charm.
Written February 18, 2023
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 for choosing us for safari and great review, we are so happy to travel with you next time. Ahsante sana
Written May 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania54 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
We did a 4 day/3 night safari to Nyerere National Park with Ernest. We had the most amazing time and I can't say enough good things about Ernest and Wild Gaze.
We initially got in touch with Ernest when we were still planning what we wanted to do and he helped us plan everything to encompass exactly what we were looking for with a super reasonable budget. He worked with us on making sure everything was set in advance so we didn't have to worry about anything.
My friend and I felt looked after the whole time. Our accommodation was basic, but very budget friendly, which is what we were going for. Ernest's game drive through Nyerere National Park was stellar. I've been on several safaris in Tanzania and Ernest is such a professional, really going above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. He just very clearly is an expert in what he does. He arranged for really great specialist guides as well for our boat safari and for a bush walking safari.
The whole experience was excellent from the time he picked us up in Dar es Salaam to when he dropped us back off four days later. I will definitely be back in touch to arrange future safaris with Ernest.
We initially got in touch with Ernest when we were still planning what we wanted to do and he helped us plan everything to encompass exactly what we were looking for with a super reasonable budget. He worked with us on making sure everything was set in advance so we didn't have to worry about anything.
My friend and I felt looked after the whole time. Our accommodation was basic, but very budget friendly, which is what we were going for. Ernest's game drive through Nyerere National Park was stellar. I've been on several safaris in Tanzania and Ernest is such a professional, really going above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. He just very clearly is an expert in what he does. He arranged for really great specialist guides as well for our boat safari and for a bush walking safari.
The whole experience was excellent from the time he picked us up in Dar es Salaam to when he dropped us back off four days later. I will definitely be back in touch to arrange future safaris with Ernest.
Written June 6, 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.
Thank your taking time to drop us a review it is really great to hear your feedback, we that k you for the genuine review to us. Please let us know when you want to travel again, we promise to more better and better services.
Ahsante sana
Written November 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dennis G
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • Family
With a group of 4 people we hired this operator to take us on a 2-day trip to Ruaha NP and on a 3-day-hike through Udzungwa mounain NP. Although it was a good trip overall, with knowledgeable and friendly guides, we feel scammed by the company.
First thing we learned on meeting with the tour organizer was, that they had "forgotten" about a camping fee at Udzunga, so they asked 300 US extra from us. On arrival to Udzunga NP it turned out, that entrance fees had not been paid (because of "network problems"). The operator asked us to please pay the fee (420 USD), he would pay us back via paypal. A few days later, same story: A car was supposed to take us back to Dar, but the driver had not been paid. We had a plane to catch, so another 200 USD went from our hands. No need to say that we never recieved the promised refund.
A part from the financial damage, these incidents put us and our guides into awkward situations and left a bad taste. So, unfortunately, even though we were happy with our guides and the overall experience, I cannot recommend this tour operator.
First thing we learned on meeting with the tour organizer was, that they had "forgotten" about a camping fee at Udzunga, so they asked 300 US extra from us. On arrival to Udzunga NP it turned out, that entrance fees had not been paid (because of "network problems"). The operator asked us to please pay the fee (420 USD), he would pay us back via paypal. A few days later, same story: A car was supposed to take us back to Dar, but the driver had not been paid. We had a plane to catch, so another 200 USD went from our hands. No need to say that we never recieved the promised refund.
A part from the financial damage, these incidents put us and our guides into awkward situations and left a bad taste. So, unfortunately, even though we were happy with our guides and the overall experience, I cannot recommend this tour operator.
Written February 23, 2025
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.
Vincent8520
Kuurne, Belgium45 contributions
Dec 2022
What un experencie !!!!
We did the inverse way : starting in DAR and ending in Iringa.
They pick us up at the airport of DAR at 3.30 am with was very easy for us.
Then we went to the Selous NP (2 nights) + 1 night Mikumi NP and 2 nights in Ruaha NP.
It was a very good choice to go to the south Tanzania safari parks : you see almost the same animals as in the North but there are almost no others jeeps to disturb the animals. We heard others tourists and in the NP of the North there was almost a "queue".
After 15 minutes we saw already a few lions eating a buffel. In these 6 days we saw almost all possible animals including the leopard (3 times !!) with is very execptional.
One of the reason was that our guide Michael was very, very good !! And he is english is also very good.
NP Selous : 8/10 NP Mikumi : 7/10 NP Ruaha : 9.5/10
RECOMMANDED !!!
We did the inverse way : starting in DAR and ending in Iringa.
They pick us up at the airport of DAR at 3.30 am with was very easy for us.
Then we went to the Selous NP (2 nights) + 1 night Mikumi NP and 2 nights in Ruaha NP.
It was a very good choice to go to the south Tanzania safari parks : you see almost the same animals as in the North but there are almost no others jeeps to disturb the animals. We heard others tourists and in the NP of the North there was almost a "queue".
After 15 minutes we saw already a few lions eating a buffel. In these 6 days we saw almost all possible animals including the leopard (3 times !!) with is very execptional.
One of the reason was that our guide Michael was very, very good !! And he is english is also very good.
NP Selous : 8/10 NP Mikumi : 7/10 NP Ruaha : 9.5/10
RECOMMANDED !!!
Written January 6, 2023
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 for the great review, we are happy that you enjoyed the safari, you liked the southern parks, also thank you for our guide driver that he did good job.
We happy for the review and looking forward to tarvel with you in the future!
Ahsante sana!
Written February 6, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Diego Arturo M
4 contributions
Jun 2021
By chance, Wild Gaze Safaris was hired to take to the Ruaha National Park from the airport in Iringa and then back from the park to the airport at the beginning of June during the Eid holiday. All of this was arranged through the Ruaha River Lodge, whom they managed all the package for me. Ernest picked me up from the airport and on our way to Ruaha National Park, the airline contacted me to let me know that my flight back to Dar es Salaam was cancelled, and I needed to be back in Dar by Sunday night because I needed to go to work on Monday. You can imagine that this was a highly stressful situation and not an ideal way to start my short trip.
After brainstorming with Ernest on how best to get back to Dar, and remember I was about to head into the wilderness, Ernest reassured me that he would take care of everything. We decided that the best way to go was for me to spend one night in Iringa (Saturday night) and then drive to Dodoma to fly from Dodoma back to Dar es Salaam. Wild Gaze and Ernest took care of booking my flight, reserving a hotel in Iringa and they also would drive me from Iringa to Dodoma. I told Ernest to please just be careful with prices and I asked him for a fair price. We exchanged numbers and off I went into my safari adventure trusting that they would take care of everything and wouldn't charge me thousands of USD.
Ernest checked in with me a couple of times over whatssap and he reassured me completely that I had nothing to worry about. Ernest picked me up from the national park as per what I had already paid for in the package that lodge had arranged, and he was not wrong. I did not have to worry about anything.
Wild Gaze safaris had booked for me my flight from Dodoma to Dar, a really nice and affordable room in the best hotel in Iringa, Ernest took me to see the Isimila Stone Age Site, he took me the German Boma, to the Gangilonga rock and then ultimately, to the Dodoma airport. He is very knowledgeable and we had lovely conversations about Tanzania, its history, the parks, etc. I had been at that point a resident in Tanzania for 3 years, so I knew when I was being overcharged. Overall, I would say that what I paid was the fair price for an excellent service.
I would recommend Wild Gaze Safaris and Ernest a 100%. My experience with them was one of the best customer services I had received in my 3+ years of experience in Tanzania. In addition, Ernest's company and conversation were englightning and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I will always be thankful to Ernest and to Wild Gaze Safaris for helping me avoid a situation that could have turned into a true nightmare and for taking such a good care of me and assuring that I would get an incredible experience.
After brainstorming with Ernest on how best to get back to Dar, and remember I was about to head into the wilderness, Ernest reassured me that he would take care of everything. We decided that the best way to go was for me to spend one night in Iringa (Saturday night) and then drive to Dodoma to fly from Dodoma back to Dar es Salaam. Wild Gaze and Ernest took care of booking my flight, reserving a hotel in Iringa and they also would drive me from Iringa to Dodoma. I told Ernest to please just be careful with prices and I asked him for a fair price. We exchanged numbers and off I went into my safari adventure trusting that they would take care of everything and wouldn't charge me thousands of USD.
Ernest checked in with me a couple of times over whatssap and he reassured me completely that I had nothing to worry about. Ernest picked me up from the national park as per what I had already paid for in the package that lodge had arranged, and he was not wrong. I did not have to worry about anything.
Wild Gaze safaris had booked for me my flight from Dodoma to Dar, a really nice and affordable room in the best hotel in Iringa, Ernest took me to see the Isimila Stone Age Site, he took me the German Boma, to the Gangilonga rock and then ultimately, to the Dodoma airport. He is very knowledgeable and we had lovely conversations about Tanzania, its history, the parks, etc. I had been at that point a resident in Tanzania for 3 years, so I knew when I was being overcharged. Overall, I would say that what I paid was the fair price for an excellent service.
I would recommend Wild Gaze Safaris and Ernest a 100%. My experience with them was one of the best customer services I had received in my 3+ years of experience in Tanzania. In addition, Ernest's company and conversation were englightning and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I will always be thankful to Ernest and to Wild Gaze Safaris for helping me avoid a situation that could have turned into a true nightmare and for taking such a good care of me and assuring that I would get an incredible experience.
Written June 27, 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.
Mirak L
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Couples
This company messed up what was supposed to be our romantic honeymoon trip trip in Ruaha and Mikumi. They shortchanged us and wanted to squeeze an extra dollar any chance they got. The vehicle was old and unroadworthy. It broke down two times in Ruaha in the middle of the bush where there are lions and had to be rescued by the park rangers at 9pm. So we were stuck in the vehicle from 3pm without the possibility of a toilet break in the sweltering afternoon heat.
The lodge in Ruaha was filthy and the food bad. It really broke our hearts. The next day to Mikumi was not any better. The replacement vehicle was still old though it did not break down, however it got stuck in a mud pool which we had told the driver to avoid, but he rudely ignored our concerns.
This was the worst experience as our honeymoon in Tanzania was totally ruined!
The lodge in Ruaha was filthy and the food bad. It really broke our hearts. The next day to Mikumi was not any better. The replacement vehicle was still old though it did not break down, however it got stuck in a mud pool which we had told the driver to avoid, but he rudely ignored our concerns.
This was the worst experience as our honeymoon in Tanzania was totally ruined!
Written December 18, 2024
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.
Vicente Gómez
Manchester, UK8 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
The first visit did not end well. The guide we picked, name is Ben, scammed us. We contacted the company and have the opportunity to talk with Ernest, the owner, he listened to us and even drove down to Mafinga to show his face and offer an apology and a solution. Ernest is an ex-ranger, with many years on his back hunting and stopping poachers. Ernest is very professional and knowledgeable, he will drive you to many spots where you can enjoy Ruaha at its full. I am sure this company have professional and experienced guides but Ernest is the real deal. The experience did not star well but end up brilliant. I totally recommend this company, they show up when a customer have a problem and they deliver. Thanks Ernest for managing the situation with professionalism.
Written January 16, 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.
Thank you for the honest and great review to us ,we promise to work more better and better in the future, we are also looking fort to travel you again in the future. Ahsante sana!!
Written July 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carlos
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The best was the 2 days safari in Mikumi NP. The 1 full day in Undzungwas was also excellent (very interesting in flora and landscape, forest and montain). I recommend to stay 2 nights at bandas into the Mikumi NP (confortable, clean and good service). The weak point was the lodge in Undzungwa NP (no really confortable). I recommend the company Wild Gaze safaris, the guide (Mikel) excellent in everything. We could see a lot of fauna.
I recommend 2 nights and 2 and half days in Mikumi and 2 nights and 1 full day in Unzungwa.
Bye.
I recommend 2 nights and 2 and half days in Mikumi and 2 nights and 1 full day in Unzungwa.
Bye.
Written July 18, 2023
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.
Great comments and thank you for traveling with us. We are looking forward to join you on safari again.
Written September 13, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Naomirouse
18 contributions
Aug 2020
Ernest regularly takes me and my family to rural locations in Iringa for camping. He's a great guy and always our driver of choice. He has a well maintained car that can handle the rough roads, he's very good company and we have great chats on the way. He's keen to develop his businesses further and good ideas of "off the beaten track" tourist experiences.
Written August 14, 2020
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.
This is great review, thank you so much!
Written September 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It is a local owned tour operator based in Iringa south Tanzania close to the biggest Ruaha national park.
Written December 22, 2018
We reputable Safari comapny based in Iringa south of Tanzania. An ideal connection from capital city Dodoma, Morogoro, Dar es salaam and Mbeya
Written December 22, 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.