Joachim was phenomenal!!! As stated previously, we connected with Joachim from our first brief meeting the day before we began our safari. He was a very effective communicator and was sensitive on picking up on our needs. He could tell when we wanted to stay and observe animals, and knew when to ask if we were ready to move on. We felt comfortable sharing our thoughts and asking him questions.
When we set out on our safari we didn’t have a particular “check-list” of animals we wanted to see. Joachim was great about making terrific suggestions to us. My daughters boyfriend, Dylan, mentioned wanting to see a cheetah. We knew it would be difficult and on day 5 we had still not spotted one. By the end of the day we had seen 9, including a mother and cubs feeding on an antelope. Joachim always quietly delivered.
What I most loved about having Joachim as our guide was his deep knowledge of the animals. One day we watched a group of elephants for hours as he explained their social dynamic and interpreted the sounds they were making. It deepened our safari experience and I came away feeling like I got a wonderful education. He taught us every day and we loved it.
Finally, Joachim is a truly caring person. I saw it in the way he treated the staff at the lodges, they way he spoke to the coffee shop barista in Karatu and the way he treated us. Always professional, always kind, always patient.
“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.”