Trip of a Lifetime!

Raymond was our guide and we can’t say enough good things about him! He immediately put us at ease when he picked us up at the Kilimanjaro Airport late at night. We were exhausted from the long flights but he made us feel welcomed and let us know that he was going to take good care of us. Ray is an excellent guide but aside from his extensive knowledge of the animals and of the areas we toured, he is friendly and has a great sense of humor! His skills in spotting animals and in driving the safari truck in very difficult terrain were remarkable. Ray constantly worked to provide us with the best safari experience possible and to show us the most extraordinary animals and terrain. He cares deeply about the wildlife and has a profound respect for all creatures. He would maneuver the truck to the best and safest position for us to view the animals all the while being careful not to disturb them in any way. Ray would also evaluate the lighting and help to put us in a spot where the sunlight would be most favorable for our photography. During the trip we saw guides who were not considerate of the animals which made us appreciate Ray all the more. We also noticed how Ray would speak to Park Rangers, exchanging greetings and asking questions about animal movements. We then saw several vehicles of other companies whooshing by us not even considering a stop to gain some insight from the Ranger. Ray taught us a great deal about the animals, the environment in the parks, the people and the country of Tanzania. He was very patient and thoughtfully answered all of our questions on a variety of topics. I will always remember the way Ray would point out an impala or giraffe and the affection evident in his voice for the animal. My husband and I wanted to keep on the go all day, every day, to see as much as we possibly could in the time we had, Ray made this happen. We were never in a rush and had plenty of time to absorb the fabulous natural world, take in the spectacular scenery and to take all the photos possible. I don’t think anyone covered more territory or saw more animals each day than we did! I don’t know how Ray was able to get any rest at night, but after each long and tiring day, filled with difficult driving, Ray would meet us early the next morning in a spotless truck, cleaned inside and out from the previous day’s activities. Ray introduced us to the animals, the parks and Tanzania in a personal way which made our safari experience very meaningful. We feel very fortunate to have had Ray as our guide and to call him our friend.

Cathleen F. (USA)

July 10, 2024

“My trip to Tanzania was the first time I went on a trip that I didn’t plan myself. It was daunting trying to decide on a trip operator solely by using the internet because I don’t personally know anyone who had been to TZ. Emails with Karen were answered promptly and our first phone call really put me at ease. The A2T website was easy to navigate and between that and my own internet research I rarely felt the need to reach out to ask questions. It was great to get an itinerary from Karen, who knew TZ so well. I liked that A2T had a small focus so I know that they had a deep understanding of the options. This was also the most expensive trip I had ever taken and I didn’t want to make any big mistakes that would diminish our experience. Lastly, this trip was particularly special because I was bringing my 2 adult children and I have no idea when we will be able to travel together again. It was important for me to plan a memorable and enjoyable trip.”