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Soul of East Africa Safaris (Uhuru Travel)
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Member Of:
- TATO, ZATO & ZATI
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CH
Email Sylvie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very bad experience
We are still waiting for a refund regarding our last scheduled travel.
FR
Email Antoine Humbert | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bad experience
Still waiting for a $ 1250 refund since 2020
At each reminder, we always receive a response that the balance will be refunded quickly. To date, we have not received the amount due to us.
SE
Email Magnus Midander | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 day safari became 4 days...
We pre-booked a 5 day safari in November 2019 with Uhuru and Mr Abdallah. Good reviews on Tripadvisar and SafariBookings.com together with a fair pricing made us choose this company.
This review is only for the company of Uhuru Travel & Tours Ltd and the owner Mr Abdallah and not for the safari and our guide Zabron which were both great!
We prepaid 60% of $4400 in November and the rest was supposed to be paid 10 days prior safari start. When trying to pay the rest (40% of $4400) the link sent by Mr Abdallah didn't work. I quickly responded and two days later I got a new link which worked and now 100% of the safari was paid. We had a conversation on WhatsApp and Mr Abdallah responded fairly quick that everything was fine and that we should enjoy our safari. When we asked for a pickup time the day before departure he responded "Pick up can be 0730am or 0800am or 0900am."
We waited. At 0747am we sent a message that we were ready for take off and Mr Abdallah responded: "My Opertion manager will arrive there in time." He did not.
5 minutes later he replied: "We have a small problem with credit card payments... please pay $1300 for park fees". " We have cash flow problems".
We responded that we already paid $4400 and did not trust him on paying an extra $1300.
3 hrs later a van came and picked us up and drove us to Mr Abdallahs hotel McEllys in Arusha were we had lunch on his account. That's when we realized that there won't be a 5 day safari. Several hours in the hotel restaurant and no response from Mr Abdallah on WhatsApp made us choose to stay one night at the hotel on his account. He now promised through his local manager Mr Roy to arrange a 4 day safari starting at 10am tomorrow.
Even after we started our now 4 day long safari Mr Abdallah did not communicate with us and we demanded to have some sort of compensation after missing an entire day of safari. It ended up with an upgrade to Acacia Luxury tent worth about $500 but this was not near our expectations of a compensation.
Please be aware of Uhuru Travels & Tours Ltd since their owner Mr Abdallah is not trustworthy nor reliable.
Since Mr Abdallah is replying on many reviews on both Tripadvisor and SafariBookings.com I hope yo understand that we had a horrible experience with him and his company regardless of what he replies.
Our safari ended well with a good view of the big 5 and many many more animals. Our driver and guide Mr Zabron was super!
IT
Email Eugenio and Elena | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dangerous Dishonest Agency
We booked and partially paid in advance a 7-day safari with Uhuru Travel & Tours. When we arrived in Arusha, we met Mr. Loi, who, after asking us to literally "make him rich" with the final payment, put us on a jeep.
After few hours on the car we realized that we were supposed to go back to Arusha after a 4-day safari, against the written schedule we paid for.
We contacted Mr. Loi and the kind secretary of Uhuru Travel & Tours, Margareth, that answered Hakuna Matata, everything would have been fixed and never tried to fix the situation
When we arrived in Serengeti, where we should have spent three entire days, we were told that the next morning we would have left the next morning.
We had to spend hours at the telephone to get what we paid for, since, at the beginning, the agency did not offer compensation for the change of program, then they offered some days in Arusha park. Definitely not what we wanted and we had to receive. At the end, we were abondoned in Serengeti public camp wating an entire day for a driver to pick us up. Finally, the next day a broken and unsafe vehicle showed up without spare tyres and with a leaking tank, which had several mechanical failures and literally fell down while driving, exposing us to the risk to overnight in the middle of the Serengeti.
Once dropped in Ngorongoro we had to wait for another driver, but the authorization papers for the park disappeared with the previous driver.
So, we had an overall bad experience and we would like to advise other people who want to discover the beautiful Tanzania avoiding this dishonest agency.
Reply from Soul of East Africa Safaris (Uhuru Travel)
Posted on Oct 26, 2019“Difficulty, misunderstanding & discontent clients”
Eugenio and Elena booked with us 7 Days Camping sharing budget group safari but unfortunately their group canceled at last minute and changed the dates of travel, but we decided not to cancel their trip instead we decided to let them join a different existing 4 days group with itinerary of Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater with One Night at the Camp Site near Lake Manyara, One in Seronera Camp Site at Serengeti and Last Night at Simba Camp Site in Ngorongoro Crater!
We explained the situation before departure to safari, since they have 6 days for safari they will do each park a night that is, Tanagire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and finish with Arusha National park. They agreed! A big Mistake my Operations Manager did was not to have a written agreement with them.
First day for safari they started with Tarangire overnight Camp Site near Lake Manyara and second day proceed to Serengeti via Ngorongoro. Third day they were superpose to travel to Ngorongoro Crater with the group but refuse to co-operate and decided not to join the others and choose to remain behind at the Camp site. As per our driver guides he had a “Chick” she was the one driving him crazy, whenever we asked him why he do not want co-operate he was saying he want to make her “chick” happy!!!
After long negotiation and telephone calls we decided to send another Private Jeep for only 2 of them, Due to those changes, we sacrificed ourselves as a company and added extra cost from our company account to offer them a private trip for the remaining 4 days and never wanted to disappoint them by asking them to pay any extra money for
the private trip we offered. We changed the Jeeps due high demand of them since was peak season. The arguments was to have 2 nights in Serengeti National Park and in deed they had them.
We decided to go at a loss by paying extra costs of more than $800/USD so as to satisfy them as our clients. They were very difficulty, misunderstanding & discontent clients even our drivers had hard time driving them around.
Last day of their safari at Lake Manyara we had our 2 clients supposed to be doing Lake Manyara National Park. They were also doing Camping sharing budget safari, we arranged the two to join Eugenio and Elena going game drive together to be four in total but they refused the others to join them. Then we arranged alternative Jeep hence we loss another $200.00. All in all with them was very hard and stressful but we managed to give them safari as planned with
difficulties. We do not deserve such hash review for the hard work we did for them. Despite any difficulties we promise and committed to deliver best services to our esteemed clients.
UHURU TRAVEL & TOURS LTD TEAM
Email John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A great Safari marred by a VERY poor quality vehicles - no satisfaction in getting replacements
Uhuru Travel regarding the vehicles provided for our recent safari with that company.
The vehicles advertised by Uhuru Travel were not provided and very inferior old vehicles were used despite our requests for replacements. We expected a vehicle similar to that in the pictures sent to us in an email but were transported in the sub-standard vehicles.
Apart from the age of the vehicle (manufactured in 1999, hence 20 years old), it had many unsafe features, namely:-
1. We were unable to open the one passenger door from inside the cabin - see pic 4 - jammed up against the seat and difficult to use
2. The seatbelts were difficult to attach and impossible to tighten
3. There was no left-hand rearview mirror - see pic 9
4. The seals were in a poor state
5. The bull-bar was dragging and had to be tied up - see pic 10
6. The seats were extremely uncomfortable - the backs were leaning uncomfortably too far whilst the seats all sloped making for a VERY uncomfortable ride
7. There was only one panic handle with considering the uneven and very bumpy roads further exacerbated the uncomfortable ride
8. The driver had to push up and down his window which was unsafe
9. Limited visibility through the windows
Finally, we paid extra for an upgrade of a vehicle which was not forthcoming.
We were given several promises to replace the vehicle with a better version followed by a number of excuses as to why we had to wait another day for one to be sent. No replacement vehicle was provided. Quote from a director "You don't need a Ferrari for a Safari".
We feel that this company has not been honest with us and has made what should have been a holiday to remember with pleasure and amazement to one of disappointment. We also feel that they have let you (Safari Booking Company) down. We can hardly recommend you or them as reliable sources for safaris in the future.
You may have noted our comments regarding our safari experience on TripAdvisor. I hope the above confirms our poor rating as being far from unfair.
Email Sandra Green | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Did not deliver on promises despite our constant concerns
We have just returned from a safari in Kenya and Tanzania. The accommodation was as expected as we checked the lodges online prior to booking to check the level. However the vehicles in both countries weren’t even road/safety worthy and did not look like the picture we received from Abdallah, the owner, prior to booking. To add insult to injury, we paid extra to ensure we had a comfortable vehicle. In both countries we had by far the worst vehicle seen anywhere. One was over 20 years old with lots of safety and comfort issues. When we complained we were told lies after lies and were strung along. Eventually they said all they’re required to do is give us a vehicle that works! I would strongly suggest you do not deal with this company as they’re not trustworthy.
NL
Email Nick & Anke | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari, poor organisation
The safari itself was great, beautiful nature and nice to see all the animals.
Unfortunately, the organisation and service of Uhuru travel was very bad and no value for money. There was no pick-up from our accommodation, the game drive started more than 2 hours too late, there was no breakfast on the first and third day, and the group size was larger than communicated. Moreover, we were placed on a campsite which we did not book for and we had to pay again to stay at the right campsite.
Reply from Soul of East Africa Safaris (Uhuru Travel)
Posted on Mar 20, 2019We are happy that safari organized by Uhuru Travel & Tours Ltd was "Great" And you fall in love with our nature and wildlife. We are very sorry for not being pick up in time at your hotel. Your hotel was outside Arusha Town. Normally we have free pick up and drop off in any hotel within Arusha Town. We were picking other clients from nearby Hotels but unfortunately you decided to come to Arusha Town-Meeting point by yourselves but my Operations Manager was coming to your hotel. I am not sure if you did not had breakfast on first and third day while the group is normally traveling with private cook! Its not normal. Why you did not inform the office the same time and you had all the contacts? Size of the group is normally 4 for small Jeep and 6 for extended Jeep of which are normally size. Its can not excide that number! Camp Site they are not hotels but just an open space to pitch Tents so it can be changed to suites the group needs. Thanks for coming with us to Safari and am sure you did enjoyed 98% of your safari. We promise next time all the clients will be well informed about pick up and drop off, Camp Sites, Size of the Group etc.
LU
Email Steve | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
What can you expect, not the extra mile.....
I made my decision for Uhuru because they offered the tour I wanted to do and their price was good. We had several exchange of mails and all went quite well. We realised after that the plan they proposed was unrealistic and the driver, who was excellent, told us it was always like that. Mostly by companies based in Zanzibar....
For the payment, keep some of the total with you. There are always, always, always changes...T.I.A
Still enjoy, beautifull part of the world.
Reply from Soul of East Africa Safaris (Uhuru Travel)
Posted on May 19, 2018Thanks for your mail and also the complements. The issue is Asilia Camps push up their last minutes rates and we had no options. The Issue of concession fees has been introduced from 2017. If you compare the price for last minutes and their real price then you still got the best price, i do not see any reason of complaining! The price per night in Sayari Camp you booked in was $900+ per night means its was like $1800 for 2 nights for accommodation only! But you got it for only $1500 for All Inclusive Accommodation and Return flights to Serengeti from Zanzibar. The above complains has been addressed and such things will never happen to any other client. In case of any increments we shall inform our clients accordingly in advance.
Yours Faithfully,
Uhuru Travel & Tours Ltd Team.
Email Dagmar | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nice tour ... but appalling customer service
I must say, I am really disappointing by Uhuru.
The good organisation upfront promised a great adventure, but instead we got an old uncomfortable car that had to go to repairs 3 (!!) times during our tour. And it rained through the roof and I couldn't open my window. All in all not ruining a tour, as the game drives were fantastic and the hotels really nice. But as we reached out after the tour to give our feedback, the reaction was that we were accused to have made things up. Unbelievable!!!
AR
Email Gabriel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uneven service, with great things mixed with defficient aspects
We bought a 3-week package thru Uhuru with my family of 5 (me, my wife, and 3 grown-up children (27-25-23), from December 28th to Jan 17th, 2020. It included 12 days in safaris, and 8 days in Zanzibar. We chose the mid-range option (other being budget & luxury).
Positive side:
1. First, Margaret, our contact person throughout the trip, was there for us 24/7, constantly attentive to our needs, and ready to solve any problem that could arise. It was great to have her reachable in Whatsapp at all times!
2. The organizational part was impeccable, everybody was waiting for us in the right places, at the right times, rooms ready in hotels, guides and drivers ready to take us where we were going.
3. All the lodges in the safari part of the trip, also great, meeting or exceeding our expectations!
4. Having a vehicle and a guide/driver exclusively for ourselves the entire trip was also great.
5. The guides: superb! Perfect I’d say for Charles in Kenya, and very good Godwin in Tanzania. They of top importance, you get to spend most of your day with them.
On the Negative side:
6. Major problem: the vehicles! Transport in safaris are 50% of the experience. In a trip like this, we spent 8-12 hours a day on the transport, either as a game drive or in between Parks (several of the game drives were planned to occur during our inter-park trips, with all our luggage inside the vehicle, and it cannot be done in any other way). And we were 5 adults with luggage for 3 weeks. The quality of what we got was absolutely terrible, not up to standards. And that after much complaining from our part, Uhuru refused to change the vehicle, is really incomprehensible. It ruined our experience. In every lodge, every park entrance, every stop to watch animals, where we saw other tour vehicles, ours was by far the oldest, most decrepit, and overcrowded of all! I happened to read on several Safari.com reviews that other passengers also complained in the past about the same issue with Uhuru, and also read in disbelief that management from Uhuru replied that Uhuru assigns the small Jeeps for up to 4 passengers, and the extended Jeep for up to 6, and we were 5 adults and Uhuru had us crammed in a small Jeep for 8 days (the Tanzania part)!!! So Uhuru did not even respected its own established standards. It is really lamentable, this was meant to be the trip of our life, but it gave us reasons to complain every day we had to endure such bad mini bus/Jeep. On top of that, since the conditions of the roads are so bad, the famous "African Massage" turned out to be torture for us due to the bad conditions of these very old vehicles. Advise to future travellers: find a way to know ahead what kind of vehicles you will be given during the safaris!
7. As compensation, Uhuru offered a free half-day tour in Zanzibar (we chose snorkeling in Nmemba Island). Although this was a nice gesture: 1) it was not nearly enough to compensate the problems we had during the safaris, and 2) the tour itself was bad, the service was mediocre, and the facilities at the point of departure of the boat were just terrible. I’d strongly suggest Uhuru to not use those guys anymore.
7. Airport hotel at arrival: 67 Airport Hotel at Nairobi was horrible, and in a terrible location! My daughters arrived at night and were so scared when they saw their airport transfer entering the streets where the hotel is, it is like a slum. And the arrival hotel is the first impression one has of the whole trip, the country, and the tour company. It is at least three levels below the quality of the safari lodges. It is clearly not “mid-range” level that we chose for the whole trip, and I’d say it does not even qualifies for “budget”.
8. Nungwi Nmanari Cottages in Zanzibar: the hotel is OK, I’d say more budget than mid range, but acceptable in terms of rooms, services and general facilities. But it is on the wrong side of the island!!! It has no beach!! We spent 6 nights on a tropical paradise island in a hotel with no beach. High tide: no beach, low tide: the sea retreats to 800 meters away, and impossible to get to because there are stones, coral, and see urchins. We could not believe it when we went to the other side (just a 10’ taxi ride away) where a lot of other hotels are, and saw such beautiful beaches, enjoyable in both low and high tide. My son and daughters, who love the beach, complained day and night, and I felt that I let them down organizing this trip in such a way that didn’t let them enjoy Zanzibar’s world famous beaches
Reply from Soul of East Africa Safaris (Uhuru Travel)
Posted on Jan 27, 2020Thanks for your great reviews its always a pleasure to have positive and negative side of the review. We shall work on all the points. Hotels will change them for better ones and Jeep we will make sure with the clients before their safari. Since Mr. Gabriel was assigned with Min-Van in Kenya for 6 Seats and Tanzania Jeep 6 Seats but they had many luggage about 7 pieces with back packs! Was to much to be accommodated in the Min-Van or Jeep. Luggage consumes a lot of space in the Cars. Its has been a great challenge with many clients paid for normal size Jeep of 6 seats requesting for Extended Jeep for 8 seats in the middle of the safari while they are only 4 or 5 due to their many luggage in the cars. Better bring one luggage and one back pack each at least will fit well in the Safari Car. No space for too many luggage. We promise to deliver smooth and good services to all our clients. Uhuru Travel Team.