Hamadi Ningaa - Founder, Face of Africa Adventures
Face of Africa Adventures
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $1,700 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
AE
Email Ben | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SCAM WARNING - They will not return any deposit!
SCAM WARNING - They will not return any deposit!
I always hesitate writing bad reviews, but this one is worth over $2000.
We scheduled a trip with them for the end of June 2020 and paid 40% deposit. Due to current situations involving travel and mandated quarantine on both ends of the trip, we cannot go.
Faces of Africa Adventures says they will not return our deposit.
This would be understandable if they:
a) had a written policy about deposits (which they don't), or,
b) would provide any written verification of any deposits they had made on our behalf (they have none), or,
c) any services had already been rendered (they haven't).
They don't dispute any of the above.
They have switched excuses from they have already paid deposits (they can't provide any proof) to their office is being closed (yet, they continue to accept reservations and money from people).
We have contacted the Tanzania Tourist Board, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, and the Tanzania National Parks to help remedy the situation.
Please be very, very careful with this company and get everything in writing. Do not give them any money unless you have solid guarantees that you can back up.
Reply from Face of Africa Adventures
Posted on May 12, 2020Hello,
It was a great pleasure for you to request and book the safari with us for June 2020. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic in the world, you will not be able to travel again and have contacted us to claim for your refund.
First of all, we are sorry for all the inconveniences, the second thing is; WE ARE NOT SCAM the problem is you did not understand us. In reference to our past emails, Our reply was that; the occurrence COVID-19 is neither our fault nor yours and so this pandemic is affecting us both. Since your booking was done since last year and you had made the 40% deposit, we went ahead and did payments for your services to prepare for your arrival of which such payments are non-refundable by our partners, instead, we can have credit note to use for future service which is same as postponed one. Having said so we gave you options to either postponing your trip to any other time of the year or next once all this is over and you will be able to travel again. But if you have entirely decided not travel to Tanzania within this year or the next year and beyond, we asked you to be patient and wait till June once our executive management which is also responsible for serious financial matters is back to the office so that you can proceed discussing further regarding the refund. There is nowhere in our email conversation that exactly says we shall not return your deposit.
We hope your understand the situation corona-virus.
Thank you!
Email GeorgeX | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 3-days safari in Serengeti & Ngorongoro National Park
We decided to go on a 3-days safari in Serengeti & Ngorongoro National Park. After doing extensive research over internet, reading several reviews we eventually chose Face of Africa. I must admit that I was impressed with their services not only during the safari but also with the assistance provided before that. Not knowing how to plan our days, they spend long hours & emails with us trying to help us create our ideal itenary. They are extremely patient, listening to the customer and trying to prepare the best tour plan for each of their customers. During the 3 days safari, we had an amazing & super experienced guide/driver that knew everything about the animals - he cared first & foremost about our safety and make our journey one to remember forever. The chef also provided a tasty menu each day, that we cannot forget. We managed to see up & close all the big five animals & much more than that. I honestly cannot recommend more Face of Africa company. They made our safari a unique experience that we will remember for all of our life.
DE
Email Marlene R | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very satisfied and had a wonderful day at the Arusha NP
I was looking for a provider for my day trip to the Arusha National Park. Via Instagram I joined Faces of Africa Adventures and booked my tour there. I was picked up at the property and taken directly to the National Park. There was help with all the formalities, which was very accommodating, since I do not speak Swahili. The safari vehicle we were traveling with was very clean, modern and well maintained, which is very important to me. The driver and guide had a safe driving style and was always careful in the park that the guest had the best view of the animals. And that's so important on a safari. I was able to capture the best subjects with the camera. Also, everything was explained to me well and understandable, so that I now have a lot of animal knowledge and can also share this. At lunchtime there was a packed lunch, which was plenty filled and neat enough. Also drinks were offered. So the afternoon on the Game Drive could be spent in good spirits. After the trip, I was also safely brought back to my accommodation. For me, price and performance were right. Even with the payment everything was correct. All in all, I had a great day at the Arusha NP with the safari experience I had hoped for. Thank you so much!
TN
Email Foued | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience
I had a 4 days safari with face of africa adventures in september, it was an amazing expérience : we visited parks with beautiful landscapes and many animals, we had the chance to.see 4 of the big 5.The guide was very knowlegable and friendly.Suleiman and hamadi (the owner of the company) where professional and kind enough to let me shift my safari dates because i missed my flight.i really recommand this company for anyone willing to go on.safari in tanzania.
CZ
Email Lenka Z | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best adventure in my life
It was the best. We were with my friends on safari for 4 days and 3 night. It was amazing. We were at NP Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Thank you to driver(guide) and cheff. Thank you to Marek for help and your mediation. of safari. Thank you to Hamadi, the big boss of Face of Africa Adventures. We definitely recommend
US
Email Louisa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Trip of a Lifetime!
An amazing trip! Hamadi organized a special safari trip for a large (21) group of nature journalers. We travelled to Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara in 4 very comfortable vehicles. The driver guides were awesome!! Dickson, Felix, Anton and Shaffer—all delightful, knowledgeable, and patient (we weren’t your usual safari group, since we wanted to hang out at a spot for hours). They made sure we got to see the critters at the top of our lists, even birds, and overall ensured we had the best experience. Managing the logistics of a large group like this is challenging at best, and Hamadi and his crew pulled it off seamlessly. The accommodations were clean and comfortable, dinners and breakfast were delicious (beyond my expectations) and the days eventful and memorable. And at the end it felt like we were all old friends. I can’t imagine a better trip. I would be thrilled to go on another adventure with Hamadi and his most marvelous guides.
US
Email deb | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nature Journalers: taking it slow and deliberate, time to observe and record; knowledge from guides!
As a group that had come to Tanzania to journal and record in words and images our experiences, Face of Africa Adventures allowed us to have the trip we all had dreamed of. A slow and easy pace, taking the time to stop and let us observe and record and paint, journal, photograph as we needed. We saw so many things that others passed by! The drivers/guides provided wonderful information, not just identifying what we were observing, but giving us background stories and information, anecdotes and lore. I have always wanted to go on an African Safari, but part of me felt it could never be on my terms: that slow easy pace to really see and experience the wonder of this land. Face of Africa Adventures turned out to be an exemplary safari company that made a dream come true!
US
Email Cyndi V. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Face of Africa Adventure far exceeded all of our expectations!
Going to Africa had been on our wish list for decades. It is one of those big life trips that we said we’d take someday, but the thought of it was always somewhat daunting because of the expense, preparation time and distance. So for these, and a variety of other reasons, we waited. Well, this year, our circumstances aligned and our ‘someday’ finally came. This past July, my husband and I joined a safari group, led by Hamadi Ningaa and the guides from Face of Africa Adventure.
Logistics: There were 21 of us traveling together as a group, and I’m sure the logistics had to be complicated, to say the least! But Face of Africa expertly handled every detail of our safari. In the beginning, they sent us pre-trip emails including FAQs, itinerary details, and packing lists. (Hamadi answered my questions and emails personally). Face of Africa staff met us at the airport when we first arrived, guided us each day on safari, and transported us back to the airport for our flights back home at the end of our adventure. During our safari (ours was a seven day journey) our accommodations and meals for each day had been pre-planned and arranged so we had no worries. All we had to do was enjoy the sights and sounds of the wild.
The safari itself: The Face of Africa guides coordinated our four vehicles so that we stayed in close contact with one another. The guides were excellent ambassadors of their country and of the game parks. They greeted each of us every day with excitement and a sense of humor. They were all expert spotters, showing us and teaching us about the wildlife we came to see, even pointing out animals and birds that weren’t immediately visible. Hamadi and his guides were professional, polite, and patient. When one member of our group needed extra help in getting in and out of the vehicles, the drivers were attentive and treated her with extra gentleness and care.
I believe that our trip was a great success, specifically because we had Hamadi and the guides of Face of Africa as our hosts. If you’re planning a safari, don’t hesitate to reach out to them. This was our first trip to Africa, but if we ever have the good fortune to return, we won’t hesitate to join Face of Africa Adventure again!
US
Email gargi chugh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
EXCEPTIONALLY BRILLIANT AND FUN GUIDES!
This was my first time visiting Africa. I was worried about what the transportation, accommodation and food would be like. I am a vegetarian and was especially worried if my dietary restrictions would be met during this trip. I was however, blown away by the quality of arrangements. We had the Company drivers waiting to pick us up from the Airport. All the hotels that we stayed at were VERY clean and WAY more luxurious than what I am used to. And the food was YUMM!!! We had a HUGE buffet spread for dinner everyday. We took packed lunches on Safari so we can get more time in the National Parks. The arrangements overall were very safe and comfortable. Most of the accommodations that were provided to us had a GREAT view. It was breathtaking to wake up to the views of the National Parks every day. We would have Giraffes and Zebras just walking outside our campgrounds at some places within Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Can you believe hearing hyenas laugh and Lians roar in the middle of the night, and yet have the safety of your tent and have a guard for each tent?? It was UHHHMAZING!!
Now coming to the BEST part of working with Face of Africa - the wonderful Guides. They are one of the nicest people I have met in my life! We had enough days in . Africa to form a bond with them, they went out of they way to help us if we needed some meds in the middle of nowhere or when we wanted to take a restroom stop every one hour. They sand and Danced with us and made the trip exceptionally memorable for us. I went with a nature journaling group that heavily focuses on research, so mind it, people knew a LOT about the wildlife and Geology already, but the guides took what we knew to the next level by providing so much more context and information to everything. They were very very very knowledgable and experienced. I enjoyed hearing about the Maasai tribes and animal behaviors from them. I cannot wait to make more trips to Africa and hire these guys for my adventure every single time in the future. They felt like family in a foreign world! Thank you so much for making our trip so memorable, Face of Africa Team!
US
Email Elizabeth | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience, great service, knowledgeable guides
This was our family's first time coming to Africa, and Face of Africa Adventures made the experience one we will remember forever. We came as part of an artist group from California whose goal was to sketch, draw, and journal about the area (led by naturalist and field guide author John Muir Laws: www.johnmuirlaws.com) The pre-trip planning with Face of Africa Adventures was excellent, with regular email communication with detailed information. Face of Africa Adventures met us at the airport, helped us through the visa process, and transported us to our hotel. We enjoyed a 6-night safari, staying in comfortable tent camps and beautiful lodges, with delicious meals prepared for us every day. The service throughout the trip was outstanding, with hotels and lodges that greeted us each day, took our luggage to and from our rooms, and took good care of us. The Face of Africa Adventures guides were friendly, helpful, eager, and patient with our group and our many questions as they led us on wonderful explorations of Tarangire, the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater, among other beautiful places. They did their best to get us close to wildlife while being respectful of these creatures, never engaging in behavior that would upset the animals. (On our trip, we saw some guides from other companies clapping or calling out to elephants and other animals to try to get them to turn around for their clients to get a good photo, but our guides would never do that, thank goodness.) They worked very hard from early morning to after dark, safely driving us, talking with us, and laughing with us the whole time. They shared their wisdom and knowledge about the spectacular plants, trees, birds, and mammals we saw and greatly enriched our experience. We would gladly go on another adventure with Face of Africa Adventures!
