Raymond greatly increased the enjoyment of our safari. He was focused on providing the absolutely best experience we could have while we were with him. He was extremely knowledgeable in wildlife behavior. He was able to get us in the perfect position for some great photography without negatively impacting the wildlife. While other guides would “chase” wildlife, he would anticipate what the animals were going to do or where they were headed and he would set us up to get the perfect view. He listened to what we were interested in and tailored each day accordingly. We had long days of game drives (9-12 hours every day) in which he never seemed to tire of showing us the wonders of Tanzania. He had a great sense of humor, was extremely knowledgeable of all the places we visited – the wildlife, the plants, the birds and the culture including information about the different tribes. He answered all of our questions with patience and provided additional information on subjects we would have never thought to ask about. It is easy to see how a guide can make or break a safari and Raymond was exceptional!
“Every detail was meticulously planned and perfectly suited to our needs. It was obvious that Karen paid careful attention to how we prefer to experience travel and matched us with a guide who perfectly suited our style. Barney was incredibly professional and let us set the tone and pace. He is an outstanding guide in so many ways; he quickly read us and we bonded immediately. Throughout the journey it was obvious that Barney is well respected by the other guides and they often follow his lead because he knows where to go and how to find the animals. He is also an incredible photographer–I got to a point where I just handed him my phone and he meticulously captured our trip. With no exaggeration, our 8 days with Barney were life changing and we think of him each and every day.
While we requested clean and comfortable accommodations with private baths, every place we stayed far exceeded our expectations. Nyikani and Mara Mara were the standout favorites. I have spoken with folks who were unsure and had reservations about the food that would be provided. We ate incredibly well–food was more than plentiful, very good to extremely delicious, and the soups were the best I have ever eaten. Service was consistently exceptional.
Honestly, we can’t say enough positive things about our experience and have been recommending Access 2 Tanzania and Barney to all we can.”