Faustin tour and travel tanzania southern safaris
Faustin Tour and Travel
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Alice | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Avoid Faustin tours
We (my boyfriend and I) booked a full 5-day Mikumi /Selous safari package tour with Faustin. We agreed on the price and paid Faustin the whole amount in advance. We never received a bill, although we asked several times for it! After paying, he told us, that he wasn't accompanying us for the trip, leaving us with an odd driver, who couldn’t speak English. Even though we had many negative incidents with the driver, the peak reached on the last day of the trip, when the driver never turned up at the hotel to bring us back to Dar!!! Even the people from the hotel and the local guides were shocked with this behavior.
Faustin’s organization was not well planned at all. For more information please read my boyfriend’s (Kosta) review below!!! We never heard from Faustin during the whole tour and are a bit shocked with his response. He uses fake facts/information to respond to honest feedback from customers. Faustin response doesn’t add up. We booked a full package tour from the beginning (pickup Dar + tour + dropoff Dar), not only a driver and a car!
Our trip was never about the money, we had the money, it was about the service. We flew to Tanzania for safari, of course we had the money!!! We are not his friends to ask for favors.
Looking at his negative reviews, his response is always the same. Faustin blames the customer by responding that the customer had no money and he -Faustin- tries to help making a tour possible. Which in our case was not true. He never offered help in any way.
We do not want such an incident to happen to anyone else, that’s why we really not recommend Faustin. If it would be possible, we would give him zero stars.
I bet he is going to respond to my review also negative.
Be very careful booking your safari by him.
Reply from Faustin Tour and Travel
Posted on Oct 9, 2017I have already reply this to your husband comment but whatever you may try to lie to the public if is not true it will never work as you wish becouse so may people used my agent and they will say the truth but nexty time be prepared for safaribudget and do not put your problem to people. I past you again the fact that i gave to your boy freind.
The fact is that Kosta and alice booked for the car not regular safari tour package and he went far by asking us to help him organising tent in selous and mikumi becouse they had no money for the lodges. After one night in the tent at selous game reserve Kosta found that Tent is not confortable with his girlfreind so they asked for lodge while they do not have money to pay, They have given one night in the lodge in selous and 2night in mikumi at morio hotel and all that tent and lodge i paid by my self for knowing that he will cover our money but one day before we found that Kosta had no money to pay for extral services so we took car money of one day we pay to the lodges so Kosta were supposed to pay for the car for one more day becouse we spend car money to the lodges that they sleeped. Kosta had nothing to pay for his last day transfer to dar es salaam so we advised him to take public bus to dar which is cheaper and my guide took them to the public bus to dar(Bus name is Upendo bus services). Kosta plan was to get help for free so that he may give us good reviews but we do not need good review for helping people for free so this is how story was so kosta is trying to wash him self from the shame of not prepared well for safari and put blame to other people for expecting help. Its better for kosta to show the agreed plan so that people can get truth of what he booked and what he and his girlfreind spent. The more wost thing from Kosta is bad word to my driver and guide, he insulted every one in mikumi but this is becouse of stress of lack of money. God will bless him
DE
Email Kosta | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Avoid this guy!!!
Attention, be very careful with Faustin!!! I can't recommend this tour operator at all!!! We have never experienced such a disaster before. The tour was a nightmare!!! The organisation was terrible.
The driver left us in Mikumi at the Hotel, on the last day returning back and disappeared into thin air!!! Faustin and driver would not pick up the phone since then! We were left alone and had to go back by ourselves to dar!!!!!!!! Luckily it was not our day of the departure, else we would have missed the flight back home!
We reported this incident to the Police and the Tanzania Tour Association as well as the National Park Administration!
But let me tell you the whole story...
...My girlfriend and I, booked a 5-day Mikumi and Selous private tour. Faustin was recommended by friends, who made a 9day luxury safari. Faustin and his driver John picked us up with the car ready to start the tour. Once we paid him the full amount cash (by the way we never received a bill) he left the car telling us that he is not going to join the tour with us. If we knew before, we would have canceled.
Alone with the driver we soon realized, that John wasn't speaking English at all. Luckily my girlfriend is from Kenia and speaks Swahili. Even though John was not talking to us, he was just driving like a robot. No conversation, no stories, no jokes, no social interaction. In fact, he was texting all the time and even stopped to handle some private business while we were waiting for him in the car. Being scared of getting a fine he drove 40km/h although the speed limit is 50km/h. Can you imagine how long a 5-day-trip can get with someone like that!
John was just the driver, he had no clue about the daily planned program. He asked us, what to do next, instead vice versa. We had to coordinate the trip with the local guides ourselves, who were also shocked with Johns behavior. He littered in the national park. In the national park, during safari he jumped many times out of the car while talking on the phone, although advice differently by the guides as it is forbitten by the rangers. He scared away animals and spoiled pictures. He had no patience and was bored quickly. At some point, after a long wait, trying to get a good pic, he decided to drive off. At this point I lost my calm and had an argument with him. Because he didn’t understand English, he thought we insulted him.
A regular (taxi) driver with no safari experience would have done the job with more passion and care.
We booked a regular tour, but Faustin delivered less than promised. He cut our program short. He is profit oriented but delivers a really bad service and showed a very unprofessional behavior!!!!!!
During the whole tour, he never got in direct contact with us, although we expressed some concerns. Maybe he will do that now, through this platform. I'm curious to see his response.
After the driver dumped us in Mikumi, locals told us, that Faustin is known for this tricky behavior. He owes local guides/drivers money. He doesn't pay them their full salary.
If you are thinking of doing a safari-tour check the safaribookings.com for the best rated company. I strictly advise you not to ignore my review.
Reply from Faustin Tour and Travel
Posted on Oct 6, 2017The fact is that Kosta booked for the car not regular safari tour package and he went far by asking us to help him organising tent in selous and mikumi becouse they had no money for the lodges. After one night in the tent at selous game reserve Kosta found that Tent is not confortable with his girlfreind so they asked for lodge while they do not have money to pay, They have given one night in the lodge in selous and 2night in mikumi at morio hotel and all that tent and lodge i paid by my self for knowing that he will cover our money but one day before we found that Kosta had no money to pay for extral services so we took car money of one day we pay to the lodges so Kosta were supposed to pay for the car for one more day becouse we spend car money to the lodges that they sleeped. Kosta had nothing to pay for his last day transfer to dar es salaam so we advised him to take public bus to dar which is cheaper and my guide took them to the public bus to dar(Bus name is Upendo bus services). Kosta plan was to get help for free so that he may give us good reviews but we do not need good review for helping people for free so this is how story was so kosta is trying to wash him self from the shame of not prepared well for safari and put blame to other people for expecting help. Its better for kosta to show the agreed plan so that people can get truth of what he booked and what he and his girlfreind spent. The more wost thing from Kosta is bad word to my driver and guide, he insulted every one in mikumi but this is becouse of stress of lack of money. God will bless him
Well-organized safari with amazing guide
We liked...
- Patrick is an amazing driver, a very positive, appreciative and helpful person and had great knowledge regarding the animals which he was eager to share. All in all very happy to be with him.
- car was in good condition
- all lodges (especially Mikumi safari lodge) are very recommendable and had a good standard
- procedures were uncomplicated
All in all we are satisfied with tour.
Areas where Faustin could improve:
- after having paid the remaining 70% in cash on site, it definitely would have been necessary to hand out receipt for the payment. The digital invoice with the cost split was not sufficient and for reserving it, it caused some discussion (and should be common practice)
- the hiking with Maasai in the uluguru mountains did not take place which was a pity and which is different to the description given on safari booking
DE
Email Christian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spectacular impressions from Tanzania
We stayed for 14 days in Tanzania for safari and beach time on zanzibar a and these days had been one of the best in life. Faustin is very well connected, and knows many good places. He organised the safari including driver and accommodation as well as our stay in Zanzibar very flexible based on our wishes. And all this via email between tansania and Germany. The organisation was absolutely perfect, we stayed in cozy, clean lodges and our driver, Davis, who drove with us through selous, mikumi and ruaha national park was very friendly and showed us the beauty of the wildlife with all of his passion and experience. I highly recommend Faustin for all persons, who want to really "feel" Tanzania. It was a blast. Thank you again for this experience. Iam pretty sure it was not the last time, I visited Tanzania.
ES
Email Xavier and Laura | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very good tour
Faustin organized us a tour of 12 days including a safari and a stay in Zanzibar. Everything was organized as wished. The ratio quality/price was excellent comparing with other operators. Our guides were friendly, reliable and resourceful when we faced small issues or setbacks.
I recommend Faustin tour and travel.
faustin tours&travel is the best tour in Tanzania,it was a wonderfull vacation with my family.
communication was excellent we get communication signal all over, good serviceand nice food, we get everything fresh,the service I get and everything it was above and beyond of my expectation we really enjoy wi my family hope to travel again with faustintours all over the national park mikumi,selous ,ngorongoro , all the best hope to see you next year again.
AT
Email Irene | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Faustin made our stay in Zanzibar wonderful
We met Faustin in Zanzibar who gave us a warm welcome to this beautiful island. He arragend everything perfectly for us and we also did a very nice tour with him. The service was great and I would recommend anybody to chose Faustin tours.
US
Email Julia | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing experience I would highly recommend.
It exceeded expectations. Everything was thought out so well, and we always knew what was happening. It was so fun and informative and the food was amazing.
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Zanzibar and Mikumi Holiday
We booked via Faustin after discussing our requirements with him as we required a bespoke solution rather than one of his advertised tours.
I booked the flights to and from Zanzibar independently as it suited our travel plans, Faustin was helpful in providing information to help book.
I arranged the rest of the booking (hotels, transfers, tours etc) with Faustin directly. I paid 50% in advance via transfer and paid the rest when I arrived in Tanzania.
Faustin was very helpful and accommodating in booking the trip and the different parts, and was aware of our requirements as we were travelling around southern Tanzania independantly (especially that we had to be back in Dar Es Salaam for a flight in the afternoon of our final day.
The trip could not have been better, we arrived at Zanzibar airport for the first part of the holiday and were met by Faustin's team in Zanzibar at the airport where they transferred us to the Amaan beach bungalows (as recommended by Faustin) And although it was quite a distance from the airport it was worth it, it was a lovely beach location and a good quality hotel which had a pol as well as access to the beach. The hotel had good food (there were also other hotels close by for food as well). We just relaxed the first day but there are plenty of activities (snorkelling etc) that are available.
Our second day was the spice tour ans stone town tour. The driver was there to meet us at the agreed time and took us to the spice tour which was really good, we then went to Stonetown tour which although interesting was not as good as the spice tour and lasted longer than we wanted. The driver took us back to the hotel and made good time.
The third day was our trip back to Dar (via our own booked flights) for the trip to Mikumi. The driver was there at the hotel to pick us up as agreed to get to the airport in time, and when we arrived in Dar Faustin was there to meet us with the driver to take us to Mikumi. We needed to get some food so Faustin took us to the other terminal to get some food before the long drive to Mikumi.
Although the Land Cruiser did not have Air conditioning it was quite comfortable and with the windows open remained cool for the journey. The drive was long and we got to the game park after about 5 and a half hours - due to the time we could not go into the game park, but we were able to stop (frequently) on the side of the main road through the park to view some of the animals (Impala, giraffe, elephant, zebra) were all seen from the main road. We stayed at the Mikumi Safari Lodge which is about 30 mins from the main road (via an offroad track that requires a four by four!) So we finally got to the hotel about 7 and half hours after setting off from Dar.
The welcome from the hotel staff was great and they were able to get food ready for us quickly, they could not do enough for us. The rooms are all separate buildings and are joined by a path so we were glad we had bought torches with us, as although there are some lights it is quite dark going between the buildings. The rooms were good (large and spacious) with a nice shower with Hot water. The food (dinner, breakfast and the packed lunches) were very good with a good selection available.
The next day was our full day safari at the game park, so we set off early in the morning. We had a knowledgeable guide with us (arranged by Faustin) who accompanied us throughout the day and guided our driver through the park to get the best views. We were lucky as we saw a lot of animals including Lions, Giraffe,Monkeys, Elephants (which we saw very close up), Hippo, Crocodiles, but we did not see the leopards.
During the safari we went to the on site hotel / restaurant to have our lunch (I had the packed lunch but my family preferred to pay for a restaurant lunch!
We finished the safari in the early afternoon having seen loads and returned to the hotel for dinner and an early night as we had agreed an early start with Faustin in order to get back to Dar Es Salaam for our flight home. The hotel staff also got up early to provide us with breakfast before our trip (they could not have been more helpful and friendly at the Mikumi safari Lodge).
We set off on time (I had allowed for contingency in the time as we really needed to get the plane) The trip took us 6 and a half ours in total so we made it in plenty of time , but I was glad we had some contingency as the roads are not great and the speed limit is low, there were also two hold ups on our trip (truck accidents) that held us up 30- 40 mins and could have been more. There also seem to be a lot of punctures so you need to leave plenty of time and not cut it too fine.
Overall we were very pleased with the holiday and with Faustin and his team who were always on time and did what they could to make our holiday great. The Hotels were both good but the Mikumi Safari Lodge deserves a special mention for the Staff and welcome that we had.
Thanks Faustin for helping make a great holiday (although tiring) for my family and I.
Overall enjoyable
I travelled with Faustin tours in April 2016. I did the 8 days tour that includes safari in Mikumi National Park, hike to Sanje waterfalls and a stay in Zanzibar. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my travels. There were a few hiccups along the way, fx. miscommunications between the agency and the guide in Mikumi/Sanje about timings and travel and the full day of hiking turned out to be less than half a day which was dissapointing. However the guides were informative, the accommodation was lovely in all places, I was very lucky when it came to the weather seeing as the rainy season has started in April and as aforementioned I enjoyed the tour and my experience was positive.