Good Time Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $45 to $490 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Marci Szymanski | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Time Safaris Ltd is a RIP-OFF!!
Must sadly agree with others we were conned by Victor Godwin. Consider yourself warned if you book with him. Had the EXACT same experience as others:
We (a party of three) agreed to a safari itinerary via email communication and paid in advance, all inclusive. When we went on the safari, Victor called and asked if I could please pay for park entry fees. He promised to reimburse me once we got back to Arusha. Now the problem is that the drivers do not have funds for the park entry fees so you have no other option than to pay or not enter the park. Of course, he does not refund your additional expenses.
On our trip we had two vehicles on the tour, one for the three of us (a couple and an individual) and the other for a family. Long story short, he played the parties against each other, for park admission, hotel accommodation upgrades, etc. Each of us got taken for $600, for a total of $1800. The other family actually ended up missing their flight for a trip to Zanzibar!! When confronted, Victor claimed he would reimburse us all. We suspected, however, that being thousands of miles away in the US, we would never see that money.
It’s been 10 months since our safari. He stopped responding to my emails and we’ve never been reimbursed. I couldn’t make a claim against my credit card, as I didn’t pay Victor as part of the tour, but paid for entry directly to a park.
Victor is not a member of Tanzania Tour Operators Association. Make sure your tour operator is part of this organization. This essentially means that they are not able to help any customers who might have problems with Victor. Another reason for staying completely clear of this guy.
Thieves. Conmen. And other words not suitable for a public review
I can sadly see that we are not the only ones who have been conned by Victor Godwin. Here is the trick. Consider yourself warned if you book with him.
You will agree safari itinerary and you will pay in advance, all inclusive. When you go on the safari, Victor will call you and ask if you could please pay for park entry fees or for upgrade of accommodation. He will promise to reimburse you once you get back to Arusha. Now the problem is that the drivers do not have funds for the park entry fees so you have no other option that to pay or not enter the park. Clever right. And yes, of course he does not refund your additional expenses.
On our trip, we were six people whilst another car had thre people. On the first night, we stayed in a different hotel than agreed. We went along with that. On the second night, Victor called the other party and ask them to cover additional expenditure for upgrade of accommodation, not upgrade for them though but for my family. So he played the parties against each other. He did the very same thing the next day where he called me asking me to cover an upgrade for the other party. He asked for $600. The following day, he called me again asking us to cover the entry fees to Ngorongoro, again $600. I refused. He called the other party of course with the same request. We briefly discused between our two parties and agreed that one from the other party would cover the entry fees. This was to ensure that none of us would end up having thousands of dollars to be refunded, again it was $600.
It is now five months since our safari. As I live in Tanzania, Victor has not been able to simply disregard my calls, SMS, Whatsapps. He has again and again promised to pay. Each week, he will make that promise and then find an excuse. He is nothing but a frail little liar who should never ever be trusted.
Also note that Victor is not a member of Tanzania Tour Operators Association. This essentially means that they are not able to help any customers who might have problems with Victor. Another reason for staying completely clear of this guy.
AE
Email Ian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Do not use this your operator
From someone who doesn't normally write reviews, I felt I owed it to possible future travelers who may fall victim to this company. Whatever you do, do not use Good Time Safari or deal with Victor Godwin. If you are contacted by them, find a different company immediately. This is a man and a company that shows little care and respect for their clients. So much so, that they steal money from them. After I paid the safari in full, Victor then asked me to pay the fees at the park entry, for which I would be reimbursed (he promised). This reimbursement never came. I felt taken advantage of and ignored after several attempts to contact Victor and arrange ways to get my reimbursement. This company is poor and unethical. Stay away.
Parks were amazing but organisation, communication and trust with the agency were quite poor.
The safari experience in itself was fantastic but this is mostly due to the beauty of the parks rather than the tour agency. We've had too many last minute changes, very poor communication, quite antipathetic driver and we were stolen a significant amount of money during the trip. I'm not accusing anyone from the agency, I just think that the conditions were really not trustworthy.
QA
Email Tricia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Customer Care!
I booked well in advance of my safari dates but on the day of it turned out I was being 'subcontracted' to another tour group. I was amazed at the constant contact Victor had with me and with the tour guide to ensure all my needs were met including a last minute change of National Parks! Victor ensured that my accommodations met all of my requirements and the cost was very reasonable compared to other companies. I would highly recommend Good Time Safari.
CA
Email Floyd | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had a very good experience with this tour operator
With Goodtime Safari I climbed kilimanajaro, visited zanzibar and serengeti and was very pleased with the service. At Zanzibar there was a bit of a confusion with my itinerary but Sebastian made sure to get it fixed and always kept in touch with me to make sure I'm doing alright.
Overall I had a great trip to Tanzania and I would recommend this tour operator
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The BEST Service for the BEST price - your search stops here =)
Do not bother looking anywhere else. Good Time Safaris provided us with far better service at a much better price than any other company I contacted or went on a previous safari with. Our guide was relaxed yet very professional, flexible and knowledgeable. The vehicle we rode in was top notch as well. Cannot recommend this company highly enough. My wife and I went with her parents on a 4day/3night safari to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti and stayed at the Ngorongoro Wild Tented in both places (which I also recommend).