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
Basic accommodations, excellent guides
ACZ Safari is one of the most affordable options available for a Maasai Mara safari, well organized, and has excellent guides. But because it is really affordable, the accomodations are very basic and a bit old/worn out. For example, I had to ask to replace the mosquito nets in our tent because they were torn and dirty. Despite the basic accomodations, the food was very good. My position on safaris is that you are going to see the same animals whether you pay for luxury accomodations or basic ones. So, if you want glamping, this is not the right option. But if you want to see the Mara at a very affordable rate, ACZ is a very good option.
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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.
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Email Lauren | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
3-Day Maasai Mara Safari
Overall, my friend and I had an amazing safari with ACZ. Everything was perfect from pick up to accommodation to the safari itself. The price, $300, was also remarkable (most safaris charge from $350-500). Our tour guide, Freddy, was very informative and friendly. We had six people in the van, but everyone had a window seat so it worked out well. We saw a ton of animals including lions, baby simbas, elephants, giraffes, hippos, leopards, cheetahs, and more! I would recommend booking with ACZ!
AE
Email Soha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
Me and my friends had an amazing experience! I'm recommending this to some other people I know.
PT
Email Inês | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Company!
It was really cool! The staff was always making sure that we got the best experience :) and we got! Totally recommend
Email Ashley | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What an experience :)
We had such a wonderful time while out there. From the tour guide to the location everything was absolutely brilliant. I would most definitely want to go again and recommend this to everyone who wants to go on safari. The team is brilliant and most kind. We felt just like being a part of the family. thank you African comfort Safari's for everything
Awesome experience
We got a good guid,he has good experience as drive in Safari and always do his best to find animals.
All of our member got satisfaction from your tour.
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Email Gwen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awesome Safari
I have to praise John and his team. They worked with us throughout to make our trip the best possible. They picked us up in Thika and returned us to the same. This kept us from having to get a hotel room in Nairobi. James, our guide, arrived promptly at 7:00 on Saturday and was very accommodating all along. When there was a problem with the vehicle that delayed the beginning of our Saturday safari drive, he made up for it by starting one hour earlier in Sunday. All the guides worked well together to make sure we saw as much game as possible. In all, we saw 10 cats on the Sunday drive!! Can you say, "Awesome" . I will recommend ACZ to others. Thank you
ES
Email ximena | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing experience!
Me and my friend went on a 3 day safari with ACZ Safari, we had an amazing time!
Organization was clear and easy. We shared the van with other people, in total 7, everyone had enough space to be in the open roof, it was a fun group of young people and with our driver Martin we had a lot of fun!! we went really close to the animals and all over masaimara. Martin is an excelent driver!!!
The lodge was better than expected, i just didn't enjoy the food, but that's just me. It's a great place to stay keeping into consideration what you are paying. Every tent had a built-in bathroom with hot water, which was nice.
Overall it was an incredible trip, i would recommend this guys to anyone! It was just one of those experiences that you will remember forever.
Email Amina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
From start to finish, everything was exceptional. Definitely give it another go
It was such a wonderful experience especially as me and my friend had never been on a safari before. We weren't sure what to expect but John and his team looked after us from the moment we met to the moment of departure. It was an unforgettable experience. Thank you so very much guys