Reviews
DE
Email Julian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not book at this cheater agency!!
We confirm the comment of Dawn Clark. We travelled with this "company" two weeks ago and have been cheated too. Our plan was totally changed. We never slept in a lodge which was planned. The tour to the Serengeti was cancelled, because there was allegedly no car us. In Lake Manyara National Park we were the only onces who visited it with a Toyota van with dirty unopenable windows instead of an offroad vehicle with open roof (which was booked).
We paid 166$ more than we agreed and never got any money back. Although Victor (the agent) told us that we get this money back and also a refund because of the cancelled Serengeti tour there was nothing but excuses. Every day there was at least one anoying phone call from him with bad news for us like "We have no car", "we cannot pay the driver", "you must stay here one night more (again)". This was wasted holiday time and very unpleasant. Cars, drivers and guides changed almost daily.
This company seems to be no real safari company and we think that all the persons who allegedly work there are the same guy called Victor. This guy is something between incapable of planning and criminal. He is unfriendly and dishonest.
Tansania was beautiful but this company/guy destroyed our holiday. In the end my wife was afraid of his criminal aura. For sure all good comments for this company are fake. If we have not met such nice people who cared about us and have not paid more than we agreed we would have been probably lost in Tansania.
Do not book at this cheater agency!!
Email Dawn Clark | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stay well clear of this company and anything associated with the Vimic group.
This company and the individuals involved are utterly dishonest and disingenuous, and I found out the hard way. After spending a considerable amount of money on this safari (almost double of the others sharing the Jeep) I never got what the safari had been sold as. On more than one occasion I was left with no pre booked accommodation and had to arrange my own. I was told by Victor and Maurin that I would be reimbursed....which has still not happened and this was 2 months ago, the last time I emailed asking the whereabouts of the refund I was told to “be patient”. I was a female travelling alone and I was lucky that my travelling companions who I’d met along the way had my best interests at heart and made sure I wasn’t left in a vulnerable situation, which was never something Viktor ever cared about. On one particular night I was driven around different campsites by three men looking for accommodation that could fit me in, after 3 hours in the dark with no food and no toilet stop I eventually was placed in a chalet with no running water or lights. On the last day, and by now I thought things couldn’t get worse, I was told by the Jeep guide that my park fees had not been paid and so I would have to wait for Viktor to arrive and he would take me himself. Thankfully the other tourists thought this was unacceptable and when Viktor arrived we all insisted that he gave me the money for the park entrance so I could continue with the group. I wouldn’t of left anything or anyone with Viktor as he had proven himself to be an untrustworthy individual and I realized my safety was not something he concerned himself with. So while I “patiently” await my $400 refund I would like to offer my experience as a cautionary tale. Please feel free to ask for more information as I will be happy to help and ensure he is prevented from profiting on his dishonesty.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
"Best of the Best Trip for our Honeymoon"
I was a little unsure as to what to expect from I love Africa safaris because I found them online and was a little nervous about putting our honeymoon trip in someone else's hands. However, from the moment I contacted Pius and Ellena, they were incredible at figuring out what we wanted from the trip and how we could fit it within our budget. My husband and I went on a 5 day safari trip to Tanzania to visit Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ndutu during the migration and then wanted to spend a week in Zanzibar at a resort for some beach relaxation. The entire trip was amazing and flawless from start to finish. Our safari guide, Saimon, was incredible - hands down the best tour guide we have ever had. He was extremely professional, knowledgeable and personable and was able to spot lions, cheetahs and leopards from miles away. When other guides were complaining they couldn't see anything, Saimon would turn the corner and show us three lions under a tree. We saw every animal we came to see as well as a kill and the migration. On our request, he also took us to visit a Maasai village and an orphanage so that we could donate some supplies we brought for the children. From there, Saimon took us to the Serengeti airport to fly to Zanzibar, where we again, were flawlessly picked up and transported to our resort in Nungwi. The resort was breathtaking - absolutely beautiful. During the trip, I even had a question about our return flight so I emailed Pius and he was very prompt with responding immediately and addressing the issue. All in all, our honeymoon was absolutely amazing and exceeded our expectations and we cannot stop raving about it. I would highly recommend letting I love Africa safaris plan your trip and requesting Saimon as your guide if you plan to take a trip to Tanzania
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Owner with a true heart of gold!!!
I can honestly say I never had such an experience with a operator such as I love Africa Safaris company. He and his crew truly care about the client as a "person" not just a customer. Him and his guide John really cared about my experience on the mountain more so that anything to do with the financial aspects of the trip. These guys were the most honest and selfless people I have ever encountered in all of my years when dealing with guides, etc. There were a couple situations on the mountain that I could have easily been faulted and charged for but Pius and his team went above, beyond and out of there way to make sure my climb and my experience were of a life time event quality regardless of the monies to them. Again and in summary you would be a fool not to trust and book with this exceptional local company, as in the end you will get a better deal and better treatment vs any of the other shiny web site "agent" companies that just end up subbing out their work regardless. Thanks again Pius and John, it is people like yourselves that make traveling worth while.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolutely incredible!
We had an absolutely fantastic experience with I love Africa Safaris. The owner, Pius, is incredibly professional and responsive and will work hard to make sure you have the best trip possible. Based on discussions with guides and others throughout our trip, we got the sense that I love Africa Safaris is very fair to its guides and employees and operates an incredibly well run business. We had nothing but terrific experiences both before and during our trip. Matayo, our guide was fantastic. He has a very deep appreciation and understanding of nature and a real passion for his work. It definitely manifested itself throughout our time with him and we appreciated his respect for the animals and ability to truly understand their behaviour. There were several times where he would park in what we at first thought was not the best spot but sure enough, just like he told us, the animal would get up and move right toward us and we would witness really interesting behaviours and of course get some terrific photos. Book with I love Africa Safaris now! Highly recommend.