African Comfort Zone Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email A moyes | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible. Book elsewhere. More focused on making money than customer experience
Booked a safari tour with acz tours in Nairobi. Joshua and the office staff replied very promptly and payment went through smooth. All questions answered fully and quickly, great customer service.
The tour itself is described as a 4 day safari. On day one I was picked up 0700 and drove around the city until 0900 picking up guests. The entire day was spent driving to the park with a 1.5 hour visit to park. (Wasted day).
Day 2 was a full 12 hours in the park where we seen lots. Unfortunately the breakfast had ran out of most foods by 0600 and no more was made so felt very hungry. When lunch came around it wasn't much better, a terrible sandwich with hardly any meat and some rotten fruit.
Day 3 again spent driving, this time from 0700 until 1730. Wasted day again. We got to hotel just as was getting late. Was promised WiFi to which never worked.
Day 4 we spent 1.5 hours in the lake and the rest of the day driving to Nairobi. Again another long day in the van wasted.
Besides all of the following, I would like to point out a few issues.
1. the drivers where late to pick us up every single morning from their designated meeting time.
2. They were forever driving whilst on their phones and 2 guests had to leave the tour early as they didn't feel safe. We almost crashed in the park trying to get to a rhino and inturn the van not only lost a wing mirror and the back bumper, but got stuck and we all had to get out and push! In a park full of lions haha.
3. The van is restricted to 80km so for 4 hours I had to sit listening to a continous beep noise.
4. Due to being a ride share I was forced to sit in the front as there was no seats in the back of the van. Due to this, I couldn't see very much whilst in the parks.
5. The van seat was infested with insects. I told the driver to which he shrugged and said "they won't bite". As there was no other seat I was forced to sit for 6 hours with insects crawling all over me and my belongings.
6. The best one of all, the van broke down 3 times and we spent over 2 hours waiting around. On 2 occasions mechanics tried to help but the bus driver Richard was too pig headed he wouldn't allow and the mechanic left. In turn we lost out of hours in the park because of the poor van maintenance .
7. Out of 7 guests on the trip, 4 left really annoyed and the other 3 were not too happy. One quit his tour 2 days early because of the electrical fire in the van and didn't feel safe. One didn't feel safe driving at night with the driver. And the others had to change their plans to accommodate us so were not happy at all.
Over all the tour was not worth the money paid. Although the park was nice and the animals seen was fantastic, I feel this tour was extremely unorganized and if I had children I'd be furious the drivers put us into such unsafe conditions. If you have the money I would book else where.
Reply from African Comfort Zone Safaris
Posted on Feb 27, 2018Dear Sir,
I would like to, on behalf of entire ACZ Safaris Team, send our sincere apologies for the misfortunes that occurred during your safari.
We pick our travelers going on a group joining safari from their Hotels. The hotels are usually not close to each other hence time is needed to pick every traveler. Driving from Nairobi to Masai Mara is around 6 hours. Our departure time to Masai Mara (for group joining safaris) is at 9am. It is a directive from the Government, under Kenya Traffic Act, Vehicles carrying travelers to have a speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour. These put together means arriving at Masai Mara in the afternoon. It is practically possible for some time to be spent on the road driving since the Parks/ places to visit are not close to each other. In some instances, depending on our travelers' preferences, we integrate transport via flights.
We have done a follow up with the driver on your safari. Disciplinary action has already been taken against the driver and more inquests are still in the process to ensure every matter is resolved exhaustively. We have also taken keen note regarding meals.
We have a passion to serve and our priority is to ensure all our travelers get value for their money.
Yours Sincerely,
Joshua.
ES
Email Charles | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
ACZ tried to change agreed conditions several times
After agreeing on conditions and contracting tour for Amboseli 3 days in lodges, and paying in advance 50%, they contacted to say that it wasn't a lodge but a luxury tent and that a suplement was needed for a lodge. We refused and referred to agreed terms, finally they admitted it would be lodge without suplement.
One or two days before the tour, they called us to let us know that they had problems with the vans, and that they were changing our open-roofed van for a jeep... we refused, and finally got the van as agreed (which is more spacious and permits a full experience).
During the tour, they disturbed us during dinner and argued that they had problems again with vans and proposed to change the safari drive of next day for a visit to a Masaai village. Again we had to refuse, really upset of being bothered by their logistic problems that we are not responsible of.
Last day in the return trip which had lunch included, the driver stopped and told us that the company had given him some money for us to buy food. The amount was ridiculous, so we had to refuse again and as in other tours asked to go to a proper place where the meals are arranged for tourists and we don't need to care about prices.
None of these things happened with other safari tours that we contracted.
Not directly related to ACZ, but to the AA Lodge, we found several cockroaches in the lodge, not only in the bathroom but also inside the sheets. We had to move to a tent that night.
Apart from all of that, we enjoyed Amboseli a lot, and the driver was really nice (in these tours, drivers generally do the hard work in an excellent way and get the less of the money; managers just arrange conditions and pickup the money).
Reply from African Comfort Zone Safaris
Posted on Oct 2, 2018Hello Charles,
I would like to, on behalf of the ACZ Safaris Team, apologize for the misfortunes that occurred during your safari. We are doing a follow up with the tour Guide. Everything was arranged as per your itinerary. I even settled all unresolved matters you raised on the day before the start of your safari. On the day of your safari, I met you personally to ensure everything is in order.
We have also contacted AA Lodge regarding their rooms.
From enquires, planning, to execution of a safari program a lot of team work is needed. It’s not only drivers who do the hard work and it would be unfair on your side if you pointed out that drivers do an excellent job and get less pay in return.
We have a passion to serve and every member of our team is happy to participate in ensuring our travelers get value for their money.
Yours sincerely,
Joshua.
US
Email Jessica | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
miscommunication with a single traveler
So first of all, I have been on 2 other safaris. This wasn't my first.
So to begin, I chose ACZ because of their good reviews. Also, John was very communicative and helpful before I went. He answered all of my questions in a timely manner and seemed professional. I traveled as a single so I was nervous about this but John eased my fears.
I was supposed to stay at the Lenchada camp with the group but there was a mix up. I assumed John would have put me in a single since he knew I was traveling as a single. He did not. I didn't want to share a tent with strangers. It wasn't clear in our communication beforehand that I would be made to share a tent with strangers. In fact, they wanted to put me in a tent with 3 other people! No. I didn't realize this would be like a hostel. So they sent me to another camp where I spent a night in a single. But it wasn't a good situation since I was separated from the group. I think John should have admitted his error (instead he argued with me about it) and arranged for a single at the correct camp. He didn't. The next day our driver told me I'd have to stay in the other camp alone again- and I got very upset. Finally, they let me stay at the correct camp but I had to share at tent. I was so tired of arguing I agreed to it. This all left me very disappointed, though. What bad customer service!
Our driver was below average as well. On my other safaris the drivers engaged with us, told us lots of facts about the animals, and were very friendly. This driver only spoke to us when we asked him direct questions. He seemed bored. We got minimal information out of him about anything. While driving he never gave us an itinerary, didn't say when we'd stop to use the toilets, eat, etc. We would just stop and then he'd tell us what was going on. Some advanced notice would have been good. He also talked on his phone constantly while driving and this felt very unsafe, especially on the roads in Kenya. He was good, however, at bringing us to see the animals. He gets 4 stars for that. But his attitude was definitely below average.
The food at the Lenchada camp was good and the place as a good deal for the price. I would stay there again. The highlight of the trip were the other members of my safari.
Single travelers- make sure you are clear about what you are paying for.
Reply from African Comfort Zone Safaris
Posted on Dec 27, 2016Thank you for sharing your experience with us. First of all I apologise if we behaved in an unprofessional manner.
I would like you to know that there is a reason that we have all positive reviews except yours, we don't pay or give special treatment to our clients so that they can write good reviews. We offer our clients value for their money. It was unethical for you to demand me to give you a single occupancy tent which you had not paid for, with threats that you would destroy our business.
My first email to you clearly explained that you will be sharing a tent with another traveler or else you will pay a supplement of USD50 for you to have a single occupancy room. You ignored this and demanded that you must be given single occupancy room without paying the supplement, when I tried to talk you to sense you turned rude and we decided to pay the supplement and got you a single occupancy room in another camp (Rhino Tourist Camp) since Lenchada Tourist Camp didn't have the single occupancy tent. You still didn't get satisfied with that but demanded that you wanted to be taken to a lodge, I made arrangements and instructed my driver guide to take you to Mara Sopa Lodge where you would pay the supplement for the accommodation at the lodge since you had paid USD310 for a 3days Masai Mara budget safari which could not cover this lodge as it costs almost USD300 without transport, game drives and park fees.
You changed your mind and decided to take the single occupancy tent that we paid for at rhino Tourist Camp, however in the morning you declined to stay there claiming you were separated with the rest of the group, the same group you didn't want to share a tent with. All the other members of the group had paid the same rate and they agreed to share the tent and since we did't have any other alternative and you still wanted to stay at Lenchada Tourist Camp, we prepared the tent so that you can share it with one of the traveler in the same group.
I think you had not made up your mind about this safari as I remember you had requested a refund a month before the safari departed but later you changed your mind and decided to proceed. Please stop misleading our clients there was any miscommunication, evenif there were any you should have accepted the tent we offered you as it was even better and we still paid the extra $50 for it.
I have never heard any other client complain about our driver guide Martin, even the rest of the group recommended him and wrote good reviews about him, he has the best attitude with our clients because he loves his job. I believe if he had a bad attitude like you want to potray he would not have made these efforts to show you the animals you claim he had.
With all that said am grateful for choosing us.
Yours sincerely,
John Murage.
US
Email Larry Hayes | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari Adventure was not quite what I expected. The housing was primitive and unacceptable.
The communications were average the service was very poor the tents were absolutely terrible. No hot water for 3 days no way to flush the toilet. Could not take a shower for 3 days
Reply from African Comfort Zone Safaris
Posted on Sep 15, 2017Hello Larry,
Sorry for the misfortunes, we communicated with the camp's management and they agreed to discipline their staff who mistreated you. They have also promised to repair their tents. We also request you to always raise these kind of grievances to the contact person as soon as you experience such so that it can be corrected. We take full responsibility for this and promise that this will not happen in future.
Wish you well in your future endeavors,
Kind regards,
John Murage.
Email Erin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Had a fantastic time on this 3 day tour, saw a lot in the time and loved the Maasai village tour
Met all expectations, great communication from company before the tour started
Very friendly, very professional.
All facilities were as per stated itinerary. We were thoroughly satisfied.
AE
Email Raja Hussain | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent and very friendly team.
The whole team of ACZ were good and friendly during our visit to Kenya last week. Our tour guide Mr. John is very funny and knows exactly where to spot the animals! Thanks to him we have some amazing pictures and memories to carry. Joshua is an excellent co-coordinator and will be available always to answer your questions. Hope to avail their services again in future.
Scope for improvements:
The lunch arranged during game drive can be better.
CA
Email Mel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good value, fun 3 day 2 night safari at Masai Mara
Safari itself was a good time. Our driver (Peter) was awesome. He was polite and listened to us when we wanted to stop or move on to other things. The campsite was alright, but the food situation was weird. It seemed like other groups at the same campsite had a specific cook that would reserve tables (of which there weren't enough for the number of people staying there) and set them up and make specific buffets just for them. For some reason our group didn't get this treatment from our cook. Our food was basically the exact same meals both days... but for 2 nights it's not a big deal. The food wasn't bad, just kinda bland. Shower was hot, toilet worked, towels were provided when I asked for one, and the bed sheets seemed clean to me. Beds weren't terribly comfy, but for 2 nights, they did the job and it was a heck of a lot better than sleeping on the ground would've been.
Josh was very reasonable and helpful. He answered all my questions, and picked me up from my place near the Nairobi centre to meet other safari group members. He was very organized. Only thing was when I was brought back to Nairobi, it was with a different driver than we'd had the rest of the trip with (we transferred at a town on the way back because some others were continuing on to Lake Navisha) and he wanted to just dump me in the city centre (not back at my place as Josh and I had agreed). When I called Josh, he arranged for a taxi driver to bring me back home and it all worked out.
All in all, the best deal I could find. Was $290 USD all in, and I have no regrets. Great experience, met some really nice people from all over the world in my group.
CN
Email Alice | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
nice experience
nice people, only if the road condition could be better
NL
Email Lilian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a very excited experience
Communications: good
Service: good
Expectations: excellent: tents, lunch/diner, service
Guide: good