Lucretia, our family used 2Afrika for trip in Tanzania in 2002. You might do a search of this board for 2Afrika and also for Tanzania. I left extensive notes in form of trip report. We are considering a return this coming June and am certainly considering that company again. But, we are also considering other companies and this board is a great way to gain insight. As we traveled in 2002 we often noted vehicles and travelers with other higher priced companies staying at same lodges and eating same meals as did we. Thus, I felt we got good value for less money. In any case, enjoy the planning. We may be looking at the same 17 day trip (Kenya/Tanzania) as are you. Dick

I also posted an extensive trip report on 2afrika, that my husband and I took to Kenya in 2002. I loved them, and if I go to Africa again, will book with them again.

My husband and I went on the wangiko safari (I assume that is the one you are considering). We left on June 9, 2003 so fairly recent.

I would unhesitatingly recommend them -
we were amazed at the quality we received for the money we paid.

Lodging was equivalent at least 2 probably 3 star hotel (and spacewise probably more) - the night in Arusha was maybe a bit less, but still more than acceptable, and other locations were better. No TV's or radios in rooms, of course but that was a bonus for us instead of a detraction.

Food was fine - sometimes beef a bit tough etc. but overall very creditable and tasty, always at least some choice, and there was certainly a LOT of it. The vegetarian option was usually curry of some sort (particularly in Kenya) which was always a safe, tasty option if you werent sure about the others.

Guides and vehicles made the trip for us, as did the group of people that we ended up with (wonderful people, cant say enough good things about them).

Our guides tried very hard to find out what we were interested in and to supply "special" information (for example we had a birdwatcher with us so the guide made special attempts to find birds as well as everything else). Vehicles were well maintained, and the guides cleaned them out and made sure they were pleasant for the next days drive. Also, a generous supply of free bottled drinking water was very welcome.

Nairobi was no worse than any other big city (and we were there during the Kenya travel ban). I wouldnt have walked around the streets but the hotel was fine and the (good) restaurant we went to even had a shuttle that collected the 4 of us for about $10USD round trip (Might even have been less). I wouldnt walk around New York at night either, however, so I didnt feel any more threatened than in any other large city I wasnt familiar with.

If you want to see some of our photos from our trip, some of the "highlights" from the Tanzania portion (no comments etc. yet, and we still have to do Kenya....) are posted on our website at http://www3.sympatico.ca/thaynes/

There are some photos of lodges/rooms/vehicles included in the photos a long with the many animals.

Feel free to e-mail me (nicole.haynes@sympatico.ca) if you have more specific questions about our particular trip, and I will do my best to answer.

You may be interested in this thread about 2Afrika.

http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/2afrika-is-a-nightmare.cfm

This thread was initially posted in 2004. And brought to the top recently as the services of this company are non-existent. Suggest you stay away.

More threads about 2Afrika can also be found on Trip Advisor, www.tripadvisor.com/forums - select Africa, select Kenya and/or Tanzania for these threads.