Experience the Wildlife remains at Mara Masai
Ancient Wild Safaris
- Located In:
-
India
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2000)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $480 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Irritated | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A ridiculous, unprofessional organization
Where oh where oh where do I start to explain the ridiculous experience I had with this god-awful company. It should be noted to that one of the good reviews posted on here was actually posted months later and from Kenya so that's a lack credibility right there.
I found ancient wild safari's right here on Safari bookings and after writing off to about 6 to 7 operate is looking for a certain itinerary that fit into a certain period of time I landed on this company. At the beginning Michael was very very good about returning my messages and seem to have his stuff together. They didn't have as many reviews as another company I was considering but sometimes I like to try to give the new guys a chance as I know how ihard it can be in business. I found his photo on Facebook and thought he looked very pleasant and like a nice African man. Even when I looked at other companies after I had already somewhat committed to taking the tour through Michael I felt a little bad as I don't like to mess people around. There was a tour I really did like the look of better but I thought you know what let me give these new guys a chance as they hadn't done it that long from what I could tell a couple years versus many.
I spent the first day in Nairobi with Morris a private driver arranged by Michael. He honestly looked very tired at the beginning but he was a good talker and we got along. I was booked to do a group tour with African budget safaris for the first couple of days and then they hooked me up with a sister company in Tanzania as federal regulations prohibit the same tour operator operating in both states. You're actually required to do part of your tour and then you get put on the shuttle bus down to Arusha where the sister company picks you up and you continue. Morris and I had all day together and as the day went on he kept pushing me into doing a private Safari with just him and he kept stressing that I would have more flexibility. Finally at the end of the day back at the hotel we'll sit down together Michael Morris and myself. Michael said to me Morris thinks that you were very friendly lady he would like to take you want to private tour and share his love for Kenya with you and really a private tour would be much better for you so why don't you go ahead and do that. So I agreed and handed him the payment in full for the tour. He gave me a written receipt for the amount and then told me I would need to pay an additional US$300 give or take for the private version of the tour. I didn't have enough money and I told him so and this we agreed I would pay after the tour. I did tell him he better make sure it's a great tour as I didn't want to pay extra if it wasn't.
Morris arrives bright and early the next day. Again though he has these tired tired eyes and it was a little distracting so I asked him are you okay. He said yes. We get out on the road and as we're driving through out the day he tells me how a lot of Kenyans have a drinking problem but they all go out and drink a lot and it's a real problem. It didn't take long for me to put it together that he's tired bloodshot eyes were from a lot of drinking he was doing all night. We get to our first camp and it's quite satisfactory just outside the park Massai Mara. As promised my tent was a permanent self-contained and had its own bathroom with shower and toilet. I had specifically made sure I asked Michael in our email exchanges about these facilities and he told me that both Kenya and Tanzania had the same facilities that is self-contained tent with its own bathroom and shower. I was not willing to sign up with the company that did not provide these facilities and I was ready to pay more if need be but he assured me that these facilities were what I would get. Instead of going to dinner that night Morris decided to slip off into town and hit the bar and while he lied about it to me I'm not an idiot as my ex-boyfriend is an alcoholic and sometimes you can just tell the signs. I was a little put off that he didn't share dinner with me at the camp but I've heard different versions of what's considered appropriate and what's not. The next day we got out on the Safari and sure know if there was an actual beer in the door of the car!!! I mean really people come on. By this stage we were in the middle of nowhere and even though I was in constant contact with Michael at this point I didn't want to mention it as I didn't want to be irritating Morris in the middle of the African bush when it was just him and me in the car. Quite frankly he made me a little uncomfortable so what was I going to do I just had to get through it. So we get through the next couple of days and he smells and wears the same clothes one day as the night before when he picks me up but whatever. The same red tired bloodshot eyes the whole time so I just prayed. We end up in town and Michael is waiting at the shuttle bus to take me to Arusha and all that went okay. I get down to Arusha and get on Safari and that's all very well and fine but then we pull up at our first camp and I walking my little hut and guess what no bathroom no toilet no shower no self-contained nothing but a bed without sheets without anything. Again I was assured it was self-contained which is very important to me. Oh it gets better the next night was actual camping sleeping on the ground in the pouring down rain and me with my bladder issues having to get out in the middle of the night with the water buffalo just 20 feet away from me and I had to pay right outside the tent in the middle of the night with rain gushing down on me and this is exactly what I wanted to avoid and therefore why I made sure to ask ahead of time would I have my own bathroom. It really did suck I have to tell you I woke up in the morning pissed off cold and miserable as I didn't get what I was told I would get I didn't get what I paid full and there's nothing worse than when you're lied to in business. I did let Michael know the night before the first camp that I was irritated and he told me please just be happy. This time I couldn't contact him as I didn't have any cell phone service. The actual scenery was amazing and made it worthwhile but really that's not the point right here. Finally I end up on the shuttle bus heading back to Kenya and he's waiting for me at the other end with Morris to pick me up and take me to this restaurant that's included as part of the whole tour. Morris gets out of the car to greet myself and my new friends and actually staggers and crashes into the vehicle he is that wasted drunk!!!! I could not freaking believe it. I fought with him the whole tour we were on together as each night before we went to bed on tour I kept telling him don't get wasted drunk please please. With these early starts on Safari it's just not enough hours to get all the alcohol out of your system you know. Wasted drunk ridiculous oh my Lord. So I tell Michael hell no I'm not getting in the car with him he's drunk. Michael calls and all the driving and gets us to the hotel that is my friends and I. After we get there I proceed to let him know vigorously how unhappy I am with the alcoholism of the driver and the fact that I was lied to about my facilities in Tanzania and would you believe it he still tries to get the additional $300 out of me!!!!! I dig my heels in and say hello and my friends who actually United Nations offices all jump in and stick up for me as well. He fights vigorously until he gives up and leaves. The next day I proceed to get all these threatening messages from him with verbal abuse telling me that no one on the tour in Tanzania liked me they thought I was a horrible person they thought I was stubborn, I pissed everyone off. Unreal and not true, we had fun and the company in Tanzania was really good, it's not their fault he lied to me and the service they provided had that been my expectation was more than satisfactory and I will give them a great review on here as they did their job very well and professionally.
As for Michael, not once would he knowledge that he lied his ass off to me even though the night before I had showed him all the emails we exchanged back-and-forth and I have witnesses that agreed with me that his communication with me clearly indicated I would have my own bathroom. I don't have to explain why I need my own bathroom it should just be enough that that's a request that I need honored. I get into it with him and tell him that I have a bladder issue and I had to go to the bathroom in the rain and then have no shower for three days because I didn't even have a towel because I was told my accommodation would be self-contained and he actually has the nerve to tell me that I should've told him about my personal bladder issue!!!!! Are you freaking kidding me!!!!! It is no one's business what bladder issues I have can you talk about invasion of my privacy!!!!!! He won't quit and tells me that not once did we actually stop at any accommodation that wasn't on the itinerary. Wow he just doesn't listen it was amazing as that was not my beef!!!!my beef was lying to me about the facilities not that we stopped anyway we weren't supposed to ....my Lord it was so aggravating trying to communicate with him. He told me that I should've called him on tour to say I wasn't happy. Dude we were in the middle of the African jungle with no cell phone service are you really really serious. And not only that I did message him the first place we stopped when I realize the accommodations werent what he promised and all he said to me was please be happy please be happy the scenery is great and that's all. So I'm trying to get to the airport my last morning and he text me to tell me he's going to get the police to meet meet me at the airport and I broken the law and he's going to try to have me arrested and it was just ridiculous and even when I got to the Middle East he was texting me and calling me telling me he had my passport information he was going to the police at the airport he was going to go to the embassy and threatening me and it was just a complete circus. So if you read this far I beg you for your own sanity run fast from this company and save your money and yourself the aggravation of dealing with the most unprofessional, dishonest and ridiculous people I've ever met in my life. Oh and he even accused me of being racist , that was his defense. Yeah I'm racist and Id just come from volunteering at an orphanage where I spent time and money with all the kids because I'm racist and I have a black boyfriend because I'm racist. Fool . If there's any mistakes with grammar or punctuation in here it's because I talk text because I have a lot to say so if you actually want to verify that this is a true and legitimate review please don't hesitate to message me thank you.
Reply from Ancient Wild Safaris
Posted on Apr 21, 2015Hi Sarah, Thank you once again for your honest review about the trip you had in Africa. We are truly very sorry for the mess you had with us. It shows mostly the driver Guide was miss behaving on the trip, we only wished that you had time to tell us this before you finish your trip with him as was your right to get the best out of him. Please note that client is always right, and i think was fair enough even to let you go for the whole trip with balance of which not many operators would allow this. People experience different and since you have all the days on trip we accept the mistake of not giving you your own room on Tanzania side. Please let us also note in advance when you have special need as these are always very important to help us arrange all facilities with Hotels and Lodges.
Thank you as we learn through mistake. Therefore shall be very keen next time.
Best. Ancient wild.
BE
Email Britta, Antwerp - Belgium | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Bona fide organisation with good knowledge of what foreign tourists expect (quotation, safari, etc)
This company clearly has experience in dealing with foreign tourists asking all kinds of questions and requesting a detailed programme with segmented prices.
Good communication and also once in Kenya they are easily reachable (they actually return your call, not all companies do!) and they tend to any additional enquiry you might have.
We booked a car and safari driver for 4 days/ 3 nights (stayed in Tawi Lodge and Acacia Camps which we booked ourselves), the driver Mr Joseph proved a safe and careful driver who has good knowledge of his country and the animals in general, he's good company without being the pushy kind.
The car, a typical safari minivan, was in good condition and was cleaned every evening.
Ancient Wild Safaris profiles itself as a budget operator but I find they're perfectly able to handle more upmarket tours as well, just clearly inform them what your standards are and what you expect from the trip.
My next safari will be booked again via Ancient Wild Safaris and yes I recommend them to friends and family.
Thank you Michael for making our 1st trip to Kenya a memorable one!
IE
Email Bernie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
9 day trip - 5 days in Kenya, 4 in Tanzania
We travelled from Ireland in December 2017.
We would be keen to stress that this is a review of the booking company - African Adventure Safari, not of the safari itself.
The safari was, for the most part, brilliant. It would be hard to travel to the Masai Mara and Serengeti and not be impressed.
It appeared to us (and several others we met) that essentially, for the budget trips you paid a tour company who booked your place on a safari trip. Safari guides/drivers seemed to receive their assigned tourists each trip or each day. So, whilst the drivers (who seemed to work for several various companies) were very good, we couldn't credit this to the tour companies as there seemed to be little relationship between the two.
So, onto reviewing the booking company;
It was arranged and confirmed that they would collect us from the airport in Nairobi around 7pm. Upon arrival, there was no sign of anyone. We waited and eventually opted to use the mobile phone of a taxi driver. We rang Mike, who we had been dealing with us over email. He advised us that he was parking the car and would be with us in five minutes. After ten minutes, the random taxi driver came over and told us that Mike had called back and had asked us to wait by the road. Another twenty minutes passed, with the taxi driver waving to us every so often to indicate that it would be another five minutes.
Nairobi has a reputation and we were growing increasingly uneasy.
Eventually the taxi driver came back with the phone and handed it to me. It was Mike advising us that his driver had gotten stuck in traffic (odd, given that Mike said he was parking the car) and told us the taxi driver would take us. Given that I had just been handed the phone, I made sure to make him confirm a few of our details before we hung up. We were very clear with the taxi driver that we wouldn't be paying him for the journey as the transfer was already paid for. He wasn't very happy about this and made another call to make sure he would get paid.
The taxi driver asked us to wait while he got his car. Two cars pulled up (neither particularly looked like a taxi), he sent the first car away and the driver of the second one got out and our "taxi driver" got in. The route we took (presumably to avoid traffic) went through some very rough areas, with several fires burning by the roadside, through the outskirts of the city. We have travelled a lot (including countries like Venezuela, Colombia and Indonesia) but this was the most uneasy we have ever felt whilst travelling. The combination of being unsure about the taxi driver and the route we had taken had made us feel very apprehensive. This wasn't the start to our trip we had hoped for. As it was our honeymoon, we had booked through a tour company in order to avoid these specific issues.
After 40 minutes we pulled up at our hotel. Mike was there to meet us, with one of the safari guides. He wasn't very apologetic, but seemed friendly enough and gave us his mobile number to contact him through Whatsapp. We had booked the hotel through Mike and he asked for cash to pay for the room. We handed over the cash and it was only when we went up to our room and was able to check my emails that I realised that it was double the price we were expecting to pay. We checked the price on booking.com (which was also cheaper than the price we had been quoted). We texted Mike and he told us that the price he had quoted was per night, so was double what we were expecting and double the cost on booking.com. We were unhappy but there was little we could do.
After our trip to the Masai Mara and Hells Gate, which were both brilliant, we were taken back to Nairobi for a transfer to Arusha (Tanzania). We missed our bus, but that wasn't a problem because we just caught another one. We were met in Arusha by a taxi driver and taken to our hotel, which all went well.
The next morning we were starting a trip to Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We met the 'boss' and who asked us what our itinerary was (he didn't seem to know what we had planned). He asked about water, we told him it was included in our trip, he asked about our transfer to the airport at the end of our trip, we told him that was also included. We found out later that the 'boss' is the boss of all of the drivers/guides in Arusha, so manages all of the trips that leave from there.
There was clearly very little coordination between the tour companies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The first night of our trip we stayed in a really nice lodge, but one of the other groups (all of the vehicles will stop to eat and sleep in the same places, so you will see a lot of each other) had to stay somewhere else because there had been a mix up and the lodge was overbooked. The next morning, everyone was moved to different vehicles because there had been a mix up with the bookings. This wasn't really a problem for us, but did take a while to be sorted out and a couple of groups had to wait longer than us because people from Arusha were joining them.
Once on the trip, again it was amazing and the driver/guide in Tanzania (Estome) was brilliant. Estome had a couple of different books on the animals and answered every single question we had. He stopped when we wanted to take photos, spotted more animals and birds than you could imagine, and was a really nice guy. Overall we enjoyed the experience in Tanzania more than Kenya, although we saw more animals in Kenya.
Some people from the other groups had problems with their itineraries not being followed and accommodation not being what was expected (this seemed to be people who has asked for an additional stopover or to not be in a tent or a shared tent). When they were booking, they were told it was ok, but once they were on the trip, they were sent along with the rest of us. A vegetarian in our group had to remind them a few times. We hadn't made any special requests, so we didn't have any of these issues.
In Arusha, we had been booked in to the Cloud View Hotel for our last night. Our diver had asked us where we were staying and had been speaking to the 'boss' through the day. When we arrived at the hotel there was no booking for us. Apparently the 'boss' hadn't received the information or money from Mike so no booking was made (this hadn't been mentioned until we were at the hotel's check in desk though). We were taken back to Arusha Tourist Inn and stayed there for the night (this hotel seems to owned by the 'boss' so a booking wasn't needed).
We text Mike about this straight away, but didn't get a response until the following afternoon, by which time we were in Zanzibar. Again, there was no apology and Mike's response was that they are looking for a new partner in Tanzania.
Overall, the trip was amazing and the guides, particularly in Tanzania, were brilliant. The issues we had were with the organisation and, with the exception of the pick up from the airport, were annoying but had no lasting effect on us.
Whichever company you book with, our advice would be to reconfirm everything before you travel (dietary requirements, transfers etc), take printed copies of your itinerary, be prepared to stand your ground on what is already paid for and included as part of your trip, and unless you are booking a bespoke trip, stick to the basic itineraries because people who had special requests didn't seem to get them. And have a great trip.
KR
Email PARK | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not recommendable
It occurs to me quite clear that this travel agency has very little inflence to the guide, who normally works as a freelancer. Don't fully believe agency's word, once payment is being made and hit the road, only person you could argue or meet is a guide whose working relationship with agency is quite limited.
We've got confirmations of many things from this agency before we made a reservation, only few were true. Every day, guide were showed-up late, travelers were being instructed to take different vans every day or every trip, usually up to 7~9 people on one van which made people quite cramped.
Drinking water were provided, as promised, but at first day for 3~4 days, therefore every trip and acommodation we heaved heavy weight luggages along with given bottle of waters.
At Masaimara, accommodation were overbooked and moved to another camp which provide no water and no electricity inside the tented camp. Notwithstanding, no one felt sorry about it although some of the traveller contended heavily.
Guide was less likely acting as a guide but more like a boss or merely driver. Almost zero explanation was given regarding the schedule.
Unnecessary detour or idle time happened due to the fact that groups all had different itenery.
Kenya itself was amazingly nice place but my trip was degraded by all abovementioned facts.
It might be impoved if you select private tour.
Reply from Ancient Wild Safaris
Posted on Sep 20, 2016Mr. Park, Hey from Nairobi Kenya. Hope the rest Maverick are fine. We have gone through your feedback about the experience you had in Kenya during your 6 days trip. We accept the mistake for the trip and apologize for this. Actually from the point of view you had booked the tour 3 persons. It is confirmed that you had 1 driver guide Joseph whom you used for the rest 6 days and there was no change of vehicle you did, The season was very busy and talking on behalf of other tourists from different agencies is giving us a lot of downfall. This because People sell various packages and upon agreement has to a bid with it. Please confirm that you had Joseph as your guide and the car you used was 4* 4 safari van. If you check at the review posted on 8th Sep 2016 by Mr. Lukas, you can write to them since they did safari with same driver guide/ same vehicle.
We are sure 100% that those other travelers whom have used our services/our agency will prove to you right that our guide Joseph is not a Free lance guide sorry for this. It is because you met with lot of travelers whom you shared the experience together and their agencies could not meet clients satisfaction. You had the special request even before coming that you prefer to have one guide for the last 6 days trip which was fulfilled. You were about 7-9 in the car at Masai Mara which actually has daily departures and the rest part Nakuru and Amboseli were 4 persons only. This is something still to be mentioned since group tours do have a lot of challenges. Once you have confirmed the tour at times you get the last minute cancellation and nothing to do rather than making sure that the few clients you have must go on safari as agreed.
You did mentioned to us on the way to Amboseli about the few things on the same trip but for the sure reconfirm to us that your itinerary went smooth as agreed starting on 10th Sep Saturday at 9:00 am and ended on Thursday 15th direct at airport by 2:00pm for your early evening flight same guide Joseph.
If there was not enough information regarding the Flora and Fauna from your guide we shall look on that, very sorry to hear this. At sometimes when the expectations are too high kindly any time let us know about it for us to work extra hard to meet your need. We shall always value you all as our esteemed clients. Our main objective is to meet our people as clients and leave each other as friends for tomorrow business. Thanks for everything you remain great to us.
Kind Ancient Wild Team.
ES
Email Natalie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible organitation. Nobody knows your itinerary. No information, poor atention and bad manners.
I have never write my opinion about a travel, but they have ruined my trip, and I want to advice other travelers about this company.Don´t choose this company, look for a better one.
First at all, highlight the horrible organitation that they have. At the begining, before start the trip, Mike answer all the mails very quickly and without problems, although he didn´t send us the final itinerary with the overnight places until 3 days before. When we arrive there, start the problems. In each part of the trip (2-3 days) you have different groups and diferent drivers. They divide people in several vans and we were from different companies in each one. They are only drivers and don´t know nothing about your trip and intinerary. Don´t give you information about nothing. They let us at a crossroad where the itineraries are separated, and nobody knows who have to pick up us and the hotel that we had for this night. It happens again two times more, and when we arrive by bus from Tanzania noboby was waiting for us, we have to call the agency because they forgot it, and wait near an hour, and Nairobi is not a safe place for the tourist.
They also change the most part of our acomodation, they weren´t the lodges and campings that they said. And you are paying an expensive trip and they change by more economical acomodation. One of the camping was a place of free camping, without a ranger or security, so you can understand all the money that they get of the trip.
But the worst was the attention and manners of all guides. They are nothing friendly and I had never experience such a violent situation, when they ask for tips. They think tourist are a cash machine, they ask for tips for all the staff, including people you have never seen, and saying it wasn´t enough, and I assure you that with income per capita that has the country, they have enough with that tip to live 5 months.
We discuss with them and didn´t assume they mistakes. We come back very ungry and disappointed with the trip and all the staff.
Reply from Ancient Wild Safaris
Posted on Aug 31, 2016Natalia, Greetings from Africa.
Thanks very much for your feedback after the 9 days trip with us in Kenya and Tanzania. I have gone through all what happen during the tour from August 12th to 20th. We are sorry for this. It is our second time again to get the negative feedback from our customers. This While i would say the following. You were in good communication with Mike about the trip. When you were in Uganda first you request for the final itinerary we agreed earlier this was on Friday 5th August at 3:26pm, then on Saturday 6th we did send you the same itinerary And that was the final word on the mail. This means that you had not printed this copy out when leaving for Uganda.
I Mike met you at the departure point just few minute before leaving and said hey, again you were met by Mike himself at the shuttle on Monday 15th time for Lunch and you mentioned all fine.
We keep asking all our customers to communicate just incase something somewhere is not going well. This because we need people with us to help in giving you good service. Kindly confirm to us the all the Hotels you stayed during your tour, There must be something happen since for the first Kenya side 4 days and 3 nights you stayed the exact accommodation as per the itinerary please proof this with your copy of itinerary. Infact not about the money first as we have proof too of clients we have offered safaris first when the transaction has the problem.
Paulo was one of your guides too during the tour to Lake Naivasha, and he even had another couple for the on the review ref: 53 Mary collins from USA a day after you left for Tanzania, the same couple were taking the same package for the 9 days only that you were one day a head of them. They stayed at the same same accommodation you stayed since the package was one. So the review mention that were given one of the best drivers to take them around ( PAUL) whom you had during your services. Therefore not all the guides were bad tips always comes out of your good heart and willing, If the guide on Tanzania side did forced you for the tip, please sorry. It is m=not must though good for all our customers to notes that on Tanzania side tip is highly expected.
Lack of communication caused all this so it is always , always good to talk and ask for the management just in case you meet with someone whom does not understand you. For sure when it comes to challenges we do avail and communicate. We understand the value of loosing that one customer. At least good to recognize that one person whom help us make changes and replace any department with a reliable personnel. Next time we promise you of better attention and care to you. Thanks for everything. Regards Ancient wild team.
AE
Email Sarah | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not book with Ancient Wild Safaris
What was meant to be an amazing experience was tainted by our experience with Ancient Wild Safaris.
Fortunately we didn’t let the complete lack of management ruin our trip however it added an immense amount of stress to what was meant to be a relaxing break from work.
There was not a day that went by that I wasn’t worried about the next part of the journey and spent my time trying to get in contact with you or information from you.
I had started to get concerned before we left when I had to continually chase up the details and request copies of tickets and bookings. We were assured everything was in place and that a file of the printouts would be provided in Nairobi. It wasn’t.
1. Our 1st driver thought he was taking us back to Nairobi and it wasn’t until he asked how many days we were staying in Nairobi after Amboseli that he called and was made aware he was driving us to Lake Nakuru
2. After chasing and chasing on the booking receipts we needed one of your team met us before we flew to Mara and promised that we would get a copy of the remaining documents we needed at Neptune. I made it clear at this time that I was not happy and that you should be making sure I had them emailed to me
3. Our 2nd driver who was meant to pick us up from the airstrip didn’t show up - he had been sent to a different airstrip
4. The Masai village experience was terrible. We paid the 100 USD each and then they tried to charge us 450 USD for souvenirs. They then also asked for money for their school. All in all it was a 600 USD excursion and not worth it one bit.
5. Our 3rd driver was not aware of when we were flying out to Zanzibar and neither were we as we still didn’t have any flight details
6. I called and emailed a number of times once we reach Ngorongoro as again there were not details as to our flight the next day
7. Your manager on the ground in Tanzania said he would meet us before we got to the airport. He didn’t. He then asked us to come to the office. He then called and said he would send someone to the airport. 20 mins later still no one. The driver called again and he then said he would send ticket numbers through. Another 20 mins and no ticket numbers. The driver then called back again and was told to take us inside even though we had no tickets to show the security.
8. We then arrive in Zanzibar and there is no driver - we have to pay 60 USD on top of what we had paid you for the transfer and arrange a driver ourselves
9. We then get to the hotel and they ask for our booking voucher which we didn’t have as we still had not been provided any details in paper or email form
10. The new contact in Zanizbar, Kondo, then called and was at that time the 1st person who had actually apologised for any of this - there had been no apology from Mike and his team at Ancient Wild Safaris only excuses and blame pointed to the Tanzania operations
11. Kondo again apologised as he was not able to get us the VIP seats that should have been booked for us on the Ferry on the way back - if this had been organised properly and booked when we paid our deposit then we would have had the VIP seats we wanted
12. Thank fully there was a man with a sign to meet us in Dar es Salam which was a relief……this was no thanks to Ancient Wild Safaris but to Kondo and his company who had taken over managing the last part of our trip.
DK
Email Steen Christensen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Secured a very successful safari
We were four adults and one child touring Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. Our driver was Joseph. We were very satisfied with both the information before the trip, the planning and the execution of the safari, and will highly recommend their services to other Danes intending to visit Kenya. A special praise for Joseph who went out of his way to make us comfortable and make the safari a great experience.
US
Email Dorian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our private safari was ruined due to the incompetence of this company!
I booked a private 3-day safari in Amboseli National Park with a friend at the end of November. I spent six months arranging all the details of the safari via email with Michael, the owner of Ancient Wild Safaris. This was my fourth safari, so I was very clear about the services we wanted.
I was coming from Tanzania and met my friend Sergio and the driver Joseph at the Namanga border. 15 minutes on the road to Amboseli the car broke down. The driver was clueless how to fix the problem and didn't communicate any information to us. We waited for two hours on the dirt road until a taxi arrived to take us to the entrance gate of Amboseli, an hour away. The driver, Joseph stayed with the broken down car. Once at the park entrance, we waited another hour for a van to take us on our first "game drive". We booked a private safari, but were forced to join a Danish couple's tour. This game drive was really just driving across the park to our hotel, on the opposite side.
I contacted Michael several times during the first day, but he never communicated to me what the plan was for the next day. Eventually, Joseph told us that we would join the Danish couple's safari again the next morning. This became our second group game drive during the trip. Also, it was not our driver or tour company, so we had no choice in what we visited or where we stopped or for how long. We were just along for the ride.
After the morning game drive, we were dropped off at our hotel with no driver and no car. I had originally arranged an all-day game drive on the second day. Instead, we spent most of the morning and afternoon being bored around the camp. Eventually, Joseph contacted us to say he would pick us from the camp at 5pm! He arrived with the mechanic and we did a one-hour game drive before the park closed.
The next morning we did the only full, private game drive before returning to Nairobi. So we got 1 proper game drive out of the 4 we paid for. In Nairobi, Michael failed to show up at our hotel to discuss the poor service. He kept trying to make excuses instead of taking responsibility for the problems with the safari. I kindly requested a partial refund since we didn't get the private safari that we paid for and he refused. There was zero accountability!
I would never use this company again due to the lack of professionalism and costumer service. Throughout the entire ordeal, there was almost no communication and direction from the owner.
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Email Garima | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enjoyed the experience in Kenya!
Mike was great from the beginning, he replied to all my queries very patiently and in a very friendly manner. We took a 12 days Safari covering Kenya and Tanzania. The Kenya safari operated by Mike was a really great experience! We had travelled with Joseph and Stanley (Stano). Both were great guides.. Stano had amazing eyes, he could spot an animal when no one could see it. They both had amazing knowledge about the parks and animals, and made our experience really great! Thanks everyone!
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Email Tapan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trusted operator. Vacation delivered as promised.
Mike, who looks after the bookings, etc was very helpful right from day 1. He gave the best rates on Mara Sopa Lodge and overall was very helpful and quick in responding to all travel related queries. Our guide, Patrick, was a very informative and experienced guide. His great sense of humor kept us entertained through out. Thanks to Patrick that we were able to watch Cheetah up-close. I would definitely recommend Ancient Wild Safaris and book thru them again.