Tropical Vacations
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2001)
- Member Of:
- KPSGA & pack for a purpose
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
FR
Email hayann | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Avoid Tropical vacations Inc
Avoid Tropical vacations Inc, his manager Mathew Adams is a lier and a thief, and avoid as well his Tanzanian partner, World Tour Tanzania. Here is the story in brief:
We booked a 4d/3n safari in Serengeti/Ngorongoro with this Kenyan based company. The detailed program has been comunicated to us, we have received photos of the cars we were supposed to use, the price and terms of payment has been agreed, everything seemed perfect.
The day of departure the pick up time was planned at 8h30 by people from the "Tropical vacations "ground office" Mathew wrote to us. At 9h30, no news from anybody, we started calling Mathew Adams, that we could not reach, and later our Landlord in Arusha ( we gave her phone number for more convenience) told us that she received a call from a guy in Arusha, saying that the safary was cancelled (....). After again many sms and attempts to speak with Mathew adams, he sent us an sms saying that things has been solved(...). We indeed were picked up and ended up at 11h30 am in a far away offices of a company called World Tour Tanzania, from which we have not heard about before. They told us that we were going with them in Safari, but they asked us to pay more than what has been agreed and under different payment terms than the ones agreed in written with Tropical vacations.
We refused and asked the Tanzanian guy to call Tropical vacations to solve this problem. The guy said he does not want to spend money calling Kenya from Tanzania, and told us that we have to call ( !!!).
We went back to downtown and again tried to call/sms ( at our expenses of course) Tropical Vacations. At 5 pm, World Tour tanzanian called us back , the price he asked was finally the one agreed with Tropical vacations, but still not the tems of payment. So after loosing one full day of our holidays trying to reach Tropical Vacations and solve the problem, as we coudl not get the terms which has been agreed in written with Tropical Inc and as we had now little confidence in this company, we decided not to go with this company. So Tropical vacations Inc did not respect the terms of its written commitments + was hiding to us the fact that it was just a simple intermediary company + lying to us on the service rendered : we have indeed not seen in the office of this World Tour Tanzania any of the nice cars that we have seen on the fotos sent to us by Mathew Adams. Later Mathew told us that the kenyan cars he showed us were not allowed to go to tanzania ( !!!). And regarding the non respect of the agreed terms he told us that a new regulation has been enacted in Tanzania 6 months earlier, that he was not aware of... while he is claiming to have, I quote " +14 years experience in Safari Tour Operations".
Last lie, back in Europe we proposed to Tropical Inc to reimburse us the paid money and we would forget about this sad story, Mathew Adams proposed to reimburse us 75% of the money we paid, we agreed on that. He was supposed to reimburse us before the end of last year, then he said he would pay us after the 26th of January... we are at the end of February and we still did not get our money back, and now he is no longer answering the mails. Maybe this comment will make him respect at least this last commitment ?
As a conclusion, avoid Tropical vacations Inc, and generallly speaking, I would advise you to use local companies, ie for Kenya kenyan based companies, and for Northern Tanzania, Arusha based companies.
US
Email Caroline Wallace | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beware of Mathew Adams & Tropical Vacations
In my opinion you should NOT use tropical Vacations! Our money was wired in full almost a month prior to our safari. We paid the director, Matthew Adams, $1630 in total for our lodge accommodation, safari drives, and flight to the Masai Mara from Nairobi Wilson Airport.
We got to Wilson airport at 14:15 to check in with Air Kenya. When we checked in the lady informed me that there was a problem with our ticket, and she sent us to the reservations office. When we went to the reservation office, we were informed that our tickets had not been paid for. An agent, Mary Anne, helped us to attempt to communicate with Matthew.
Matthew said that he was waiting on the refund from Sarova, and said that we just need to pay for our plane tickets, total of $644 for Casey Parker, and myself, Caroline Wallace. He said, and I quote, that he would "sort us out tomorrow". We told him that we could not do that, we can't afford that. We asked him to give Mary Anne his credit card number. This is when he began hanging up on us, talking in circles, and he never gave us an answer.
We had to pay for our plane tickets, which was an additional $580, that we had already paid for well in advance. I am exteremely dissapoointed in the service I have recieved. Matthew Adams said that he would sort us out the next day, well unforunately that day has come and gone. He has turned off his phones, and has been dodging our calls and e-mails.
I do not want this to happen to anyone else. Please do not use Tropical Vacations!
Reply from Tropical Vacations
Posted on Sep 21, 2014There was a problem with this booking as a result of a cancellation by a third party supplier. We're very sorry that this happened and take full responsibility as we are the ones who selected the third party supplier as the only available alternative by then. We had to change accommodation in order to make sure the safari proceed as scheduledd. As a result the clients paid $290 per person too much since the alternative accommodation was more expensive compared to the initial choice (total $580 for 2 persons). We have refunded the full $580 to the client as we agreed and promised. Again, we are bery very sorry that this happened. It was unfortunate and regrettable. Customer satisfaction is extremely important to us, as our other reviews show.
DE
Email Christina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Paid in advance, nowbody showed up in Arusha...until now no refund!
Mathew Adams is a lier and a thief!
He still owes us 630 USD!!!
DE
Email Christoph | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We payed 630€ (half tour price) in advanced on the prefing day nobody showed up at the hotel!
My girlfriend and I booked a 4 day safari via safaribookings.com with http://tropicalvacationsinc.com/ for 29.12.16-01.01.17. We payed 630€ (half of the tour price) in advance. On the evening of 28.12.2016 we were waiting in our Hotel in Arusha for someone to come for the pre safari briefing as agreed before. But nobody showed up or even answered the phone. Bevor we had a lot of contact via whatsapp and email. Next day we still hoped to get picked up at 8am but of course nobody showed up. We couldn't reach the company for the next days any more. Until now I’am in email contact with Mathew Adams and try to get my back. I did not want to make this a police case but I gave him a lot of chances so far and he often promised to pay soon but until now nothing happened. Of course this is the short story and I can proof everything with the emails and Bank transaction.
DE
Email Teresa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An agent you can trust in organising your trips in Africa
We engaged Matthew’s company twice for our trips in Africa. The first time he put up a wonderful trip for us in only 3 days (Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia); and this time across Uganda and gorilla watching in Rwanda. We had plenty of time for planning and Matthew had not failed his services – all our numerous emails in the last 12 months were responded in prompt and polite manner; and all our requests were fulfilled for our tailored tour. All his recommendations for hotel/accommodations are the best in the region; and his staff/guides/partners are top notch. This time he even travelled from Kenya to Entebbe to greet us in the airport upon our arrival. A very reliable agent for satisfying trips in Africa. Thank you.
US
Email Anna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An Amazing and Unforgettable Experience
This has been our second trip to Africa and the second time I used Tropical Vacations, Inc. This is an amazing experience for people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and groups alike. Mathew truly makes your vacation memorable by showing all the places of Africa that you otherwise would not know to visit. As a travel agent I expect the very best for my clients and work with tour operators who give exceptional service. On this particular trip I was traveling with a group and Mat has exceeded our expectations and went above and beyond in service. Mathew is an amazing tour guide and very welcoming host. He is experienced, knowledgeable, and professional. Mathew wants you to come as a tourist, but leave as a friend and my traveling group truly did feel special and cared for. Be sure to bring a lot of memory cards to capture all the beauty, culture and history that Africa has to offer.
Great vacation for the whole family or group!
I am a travel advisor and have had a working relationship with Mathew Adams - owner of Tropical Vacations Inc. for many years. Mat is always on top of mind when my prospects and clients ask for Africa or other destinations. Mat is very professional, replies quickly and thorough. He goes above and beyond to service his clients and has exceeded my clients' expectations each and every time. Whether you are single, a couple, business travelers or traveling in a group, Mat and staff at Tropical Vacations Inc. will make your vacation unforgettable and I highly recommend him. Please check out his website: http://www.tropicalvacationsinc.com and his Facebook page for the latest travel specials: https://www.facebook.com/tropicalvacations
LV
Email Inga | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustworthy safari operator
Happy customer of Tropical Vacations Inc. Did a 4-day safari tour in Tanzania (Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro crater).
Mathew did an amazing job prior to tour by being professional, fast and great communicator. A day before the tour we also met company's director Richard in Arusha offie.
During our 4-day tour we changed our vehicle twice, since initially were put together in a car with 2 other travellers who had a longer safari tour (more nights in Serengeti NP than we had).
Shout out and thanks to Stanley, our second driver for being awesome and fun.
All in all everything was good, as promised and described in itinerary.
ES
Email Isabel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We enjoyed a lot the 6 days safari! Amazing!
We contacted Tropical Vacations by internet when we were organizing our trip from Spain. We had a immediate response from them and it was easy to arrange everything before the departure to Tanzania.
They adjusted all the trip tou our requirements, so it was fantastic!
We took the 6 days/5 nights safari and visited Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro! We enjoyed all of them and we had a really good time with the staff from the company! They took care of us a lot!
I recommend 100% this company to have a great african experience!!!
Isabel
Email George Magak | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Safari
Thank you for facilitating my safari well in Kenya. I appreciate all your efforts to take me through wonderful places . Kudos for not having any hidden charges. I recommend you to all safari people , thanks.
George Magak