My husband gave me (us) a safari trip in Tanzania for my last birthday. An African safari had been on my bucket list for a long time and the anticipation was huge. Friends told us we’d love it, that we’d never forget it, that we’d lose part of our heart to Africa, that something inside of us would change, that we’d always want to come back. How right they were!
Kudos for making this trip such a success goes to Abby, our Masai guide, a very knowledgeable, friendly and entertaining man. In articulate English he happily answered our countless questions. His love for the animals and nature was contagious. Over six full days, we got to see all the animals up front and personal. It was humbling to watch them live in harmony with each other, bolt in a mad dash to avoid a predator, predators protecting their kill, predators courting. The most stunning sight was the migration of wildebeest and zebras to Serengeti. It all blew us away! Abby also took us to a Masai village in Ngorongoro, where we were invited into a family hut to see how they lived. Avery special privilege. Accommodations all around were excellent. The food was delicious. We highly recommend Boutique Safari and Abby to anyone looking for the trip of a lifetime!
Bo and Ulla Hakanson, Canada
Africa was the one place I had wanted to travel to since I was a little girl. My expectations of what I would see and experience were extremely high. I dreamed of the animals, the people, the villages, the colors, the food, and wanted it all to be just as I imagined it. It was hard to believe that my experience far exceeded my expectations and this was no doubt in large part from our amazing guide, Ole. His knowledge, experience, professionalism, kindness and consideration of guest’s needs and wants, his keen eye, incredible driving skills, connections to the local community, and amazing grasp of the English language all blew me away. I was shown animals, plants, birds, insects, landmarks, people, culture, food, markets, orphanages, and landscapes, all beyond what I could have possibly hoped for. I truly can’t wait to return to Africa, and bring my husband and anyone else who wants the experience of a lifetime, to tour with Ole again as soon as possible.
Nicole MacKenzie, Canada
Olemisiko Matthews is a guide my wife Deb and I met on our trip to Tanzania. Ole is Maasai, grew up in a Maasai village and had the good fortune to get an education which culminated with a 2 year college program in wildlife management. He has an incredible blend of village knowledge and western education. As a guide he was unmatched, with the ability to find game, and then explain everything at any level of detail we asked. For example, he was explaining why the different groups of grazing animals coexist due to the different grazing patterns based on the chemical composition of the grasses. Wow! He now runs his own guide service. Ole is 100% reliable.
Dave and Deb Mallory, Canada
I have done many safaris in East Africa. Whilst I always have an amazing time, Abby has been the most knowledgeable tour guide and the only guide I have ever travelled with where I have seen a leopard. Harder than you think! He knows places that you will never find on the tourist route, nor the map, some of which, have been some of the most amazing experiences. I have known him for a long time and he is honest, trustworthy and will tailor your needs to whatever you desire. His Masai background is also very interesting and he can take you where other companies cannot if you are interested in this culture. Highly recommended if you want the best, most personalised experience in East Africa.
Angela Knight, Australia
Our Safari with Olemisiko was truly the trip of a lifetime. Everything was fabulous from the moment we met Ole at the airport in (WHAT CITY DID WE FLY IN TO??) to the moment we bid a tearful good-bye on the airstrip in the Serengeti. Not only is Ole extremely knowledgeable and motivated, he is also one of the most charming, delightful and engaging people I have ever encountered. I went on safari with a group of 17, including my youngest son, who was only five at the time. I was concerned about traveling with such a large group, and especially concerned about bringing my youngest child, but Ole’s logistics were seamless, and he very smartly created a job for my little one! My son became Ole’s “little navigator,” proudly sitting up front next to Ole and helping him point out all the incredible sights.
I left Africa in tears, thinking I may never come back since there are so many other places I hope to visit, but since that time, I have dreamed of nothing but going back to Africa. People told me the trip would be life-changing and I nodded my head in agreement, but didn’t really think a place could have that kind of affect on me. I was wrong. It did.
We have referred several friends to Ole and everyone has had a great experience with him. He understands the seasons, he knows all the best places, the hotels, the people, the landscape, the culture, and the wildlife. We highly recommend a safari in Tanzania with Ole!
Katie Trevino, USA
Having used Safari Boutique twice we can warmly recommend the company.
A three days walking safari through masai land was an unforgettable experience. It took us from Engaruka Historic ruins via Oldonyo Lengai, the holy mountain of the masai, and the only active Vulcano in East Africa to Lake Natron, the nesting place for hundreds o flamingos. Our luggage and gear was carried by donkeys , and tents and food were ready when we arrived at the camp.
Abbey as a very professional, helpful and knowing guide was also the organizer and tour leader on our next safari – a 10 day birding safari around Engaruka, the Ngorongoro Highlands and Tarangire. It was a birding safari, among the 7 participants were experienced birders and some who were looking at birds for the first time. Again It became an unforgettable safari for all participants.
Erling and Kirsten Qvist, Denmark
We first heard about Ole from friends who raved about his services as a guide in Tanzania. Via email Ole made many suggestions and worked closely with us to organize a three week photo safari for our small (two couples) group. We stayed at six different tent camps and lodges in various national parks and game reserves, all selected by Ole, and each one was spectacular. As a guide, Ole is incredibly knowledgeable about the anatomy and habits of the amazing and beautiful mammals and birds and insects of Africa. We saw and photographed thousands of things in what became the trip of a lifetime. Ole also has a deep understanding of the history and economics of the people and tribes of Tanzania and Africa as a whole. Ole is thoughtful, patient, articulate, flexible, dedicated to assuring that his clients’ expectations are exceeded, and loads of fun to spend time with. He is a natural teacher, a warm and richly talented person, and we cannot recommend him highly enough.
Dave and Carol McClenahan, USA
We gave Ole the ultimate challenge for our Christmas visit to Tanzania. We had a family group of 17, including eight adults and nine kids ranging in age from 5 to 19. Ole somehow managed to keep us all corralled, interested, and having an absolutely wonderful time every single day of our trip. There wasn’t a single complaint or harsh word spoken.
Accommodations were uniformly excellent. Food was delicious. Travel arrangements convenient and on time. And, most importantly, the animal watching was superb. Ole knows where to go and where to look. He was willing to take us out whenever we wanted to go and stay out as long as we wanted to stay. Plus, he was incredibly knowledgeable and so willing to share his knowledge with us.
Our African adventure was absolutely a “trip of a lifetime” and we will remember it always. It taught us so much about life, maybe even more important, life as we humans should live it. The animals do better than we do! We will remember it forever and think about it often. Our grandchildren all want to do it some day with their own families. I hope Ole will still be around to take them because he’s the best and he was a huge part of making our experience so very, very special.
Nancy and Bud Liebler, Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA
We traveled to Tanzania with a private company owned and operated by Abby Matthew Olemisiko. “Ole”, as he is known, designed a customized private safari for four of us with our specific wishes in mind. Our adventure was expertly arranged and orchestrated by Ole. He is extremely knowledgeable about Tanzania and with his careful thought and planning we had a top quality, well balanced itinerary which showed great concern for African wildlife and its people. I was truly impressed with his attention to detail, his knowledge, enthusiasm and obvious love of his work, his country and its inhabitants (both human and wildlife).
The arrangements, accommodations, transportation from one park to another and other logistics were exceptional.
As a guide, Ole was professional, astute, friendly and entertaining. Ole’s expertise and eagerness to satisfy his clients’ desires in all matters was impressive. This safari exceeded my “very high expectations”. It was truly – THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!!
Patty & Richard Friday, USA
Our dream trip to Tanzania was even better than expected due to our educated, knowledgeable and totally fun guide, Ole. He was simply amazing. I think that we saw more animals because of him and his skill at knowing just where to find the cheetahs, the lions, etc. on any given day. We all fell in love with him and felt totally secure with him. We would recommend Ole to anyone wishing a fun filled adventure.
Warren and Jean Geiger, Canada