Guest Reviews

Thomson Safaris Endorsement from Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project

The gear, single tent, and food were so beyond what I imagined. I realize that I was extremely fortunate to have climbed Kili with Thomson Safaris and that this is not the typical experience on the mountain.

I am also so thankful for the opportunity to have witnessed the work that everyone does on the mountain. I now can better understand the extent of the hard work that the mountain crew performs. I have nothing but high praises for the quality of work and care that was provided for me. Nashukuru sana (I am very grateful)!

-

Karen Valenti, Program Manager
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project - Moshi, Tanzania

Karen monitors activities with the Partner for Responsible Travel Program. She is also Acting Director of IMEC in Moshi, Tanzania.

Thomson Treks Endorsement from Humanitarian, Dr. Greg Allgood


Thomson Safari guides and porters deserve credit for getting us up and down the mountain. CSDW gave porters plenty of PUR for their families. - Dr. Greg Allgood (via Twitter)

Humanitarian, Dr. Greg Allgood, traveled with Thomson Safaris on MTV’s Summit on the Summit Kilimanjaro trek. Dr. Allgood travels around the world distributing PUR packets, which turns dirty water into clean, drinkable water, helping to prevent illness and save lives every day. Thus far, he and his partners have delivered more than three billion liters of clean drinking water for children and their families in more than 60 developing nations.

Watch footage from MTV's Summit on the Summit trek below.

See more photos and read about the trek from the perspective of the celebrity climbers on the Summit on the Summit blog.

Thomson's Rovers Are the Best!

Land Rover Review: Eric A.

I have owned and driven Land Rovers in East Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer and Baja, California much of my life.  We owned Atlantic British Export here in the United States for years (the North American source for Land Rover and Range Rover parts) and had never seen a safari modification like Thomson’s with the higher rear seat sections, the taller windows and windshield. Wow!!  What a difference from a passenger’s point of view!!  Compared to any of the other safari machines out there, the visibility toward the horizon to the front and sides…from any of the back seats is unsurpassed.

Eric A.
Thomson's Signature Safari, July 2008

Tanzania Trekking Safari was AMAZING!

Thomson Safaris Review: Paloma S.

The safari was AMAZING.  Beyond amazing.  There are just no words.  I expected to see phenomenal landscapes and wildlife but what I didn't expect was the wonderfully magnificent Thomson folks that we encountered EVERY STEP OF THE WAY (starting with Michael stateside).

The team in Tanzania was not only more than accommodating, they were enthusiastic and knowledgeable, possessing a great sense of humor and spirit, patience with teaching Swahili, and a great many other talents. I felt like I was among family throughout the whole trip.  I was sad to move from location to location leaving behind new friends we were just getting to know at the campsites and the nature refuge.

The conservation work that Thomson does in Tanzania is certainly commendable and important, but the team of people you have gathered and empowered to show us the riches of their country speaks volumes about Thomson's spirit and values. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of something so grand.  I will come back again and refer many others.

Kwaheri for now, Paloma S.
Tanzania Trekking Safari, July 2009

Review: Photography Safari

Review: Cor and Julie

Thomson Safaris is one of only a few outfits that are allowed to have facilities right in the middle of the action. They have a tented camp right in the Serengeti, no fences, no barriers, just you and the animals sharing the same space. During the day we would often see animals in the vicinity of the camp, from zebras to giraffes, from warthogs to gazelles. At night, it was not unheard of for these animals to actually venture into the camp. Right outside the tent you would hear warthogs dig around, and if you'd shine your light into the edges of the camp, shiny eyes greeted you. And while you're trying to sleep, zebras would call for alarm, while hyenas grew more and more excited. It is a feeling that's difficult to describe.

The tents are also quite luxurious as far as camping goes. They have large beds with mattresses, a vanity area with sinks and mirrors, a bathroom and a shower. Hot water is provided on request, usually right before taking a shower. It's not a fancy lodge, but it's very comfortable and the experience is worth it. Being right where the animals are beats anything else there is.

…everyone agreed the Thomson tent camps are actually nicer [than the permanent lodge]. Even the food was nicer at the tent camps. I don't know how the cooks in the tents do it, but it's amazing that they could out-cook the permanent accommodations of a lodge.

As one of our guides told us, you can not visit Africa only once, and truer words were never spoken. Africa is in our hearts now, and we'll certainly be back.

Cor & Julie
Africa through the Lens, February 2011

Visit Cor and Julie photo gallery and blog