Bison Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Tour Types:
- Budget tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $90 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email gerald.mcdougal | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
These people are completely dishonest. Both Maggie and driver Patrick are not honest or truthful.
The first 3 days of the safari was excellent. I thought our driver was excellent.
Then, the driver, Patrick, cancelled the last game drive on the last morning, cheating us out of the last game drive on the last day of the safari. The schedule called for a total of five game drives, we got four. I thought we had another game drive, but I never had a printed hard copy. I had the schedule on my computer, but internet access was bad at the lodge and the schedule was inaccessable.
I calculated the value of each of the drives at $220 each.
Patrick was in a bad mood on the last day. I could not get my seat belt fastened, and he impatiently got out and finally got it fastened. I then unfastened it to make sure it would reopen properly, and then I could not refasten it. He angrily asked why I had unfastened it. I said I wanted to make certain that it would open. I do not want to be stuck in a wrecked van and unable to get out. FIRE?? He could not get it working and I moved to another seat.
Also on that last day, he refused to stop and allow me to take a photo I wanted. He said no, that the locals did not want their picture taken, and wanted to be paid for it. I said ok, I will pay. He still would not stop.The photo I wanted was of a donkey pulling a very heavy loaded wagon.
It turned out to be an deadly silent return trip to Nairobi. Patrick had previously told us he was tired of the job. This day was totally unlike the first days.
I talked to Maggie about the trip and asked for a refund for the missed last game drive. She offered $20.00. I declined that offer.
Then, Maggie said she finally talked to Patrick. She said that he told her that I called him "shit" the entire trip. That was ridiculous. She also said something very strange, that I was "drinking" something. I hardly ever drink, and when I do, I am country western dancing and my natural limit is two, and there was no alcohol in the van. That was a very far out claim.
DO NOT PAY THESE PEOPLE CASH- THERE IS SOMETHING VERY BAD ABOUT THESE PEOPLE.
ALL THE SAFARI PEOPLE WANT CASH UP FRONT, WHERE IS THE PROTECTION FOR THE CUSTOMERS??
By all means, go on a safari! The animals are great! Just don't risk it on these people!
Reply from Bison Safaris
Posted on Feb 15, 2018Thanks for this review
First of all i would wish to thank you for booking with Bison Safaris for your Mara experience , Tsavo and Amboseli Experiences.
I would also wish to apologize for any misgiving from the driver Patrick to you either in omission or commission.
You called me from your hotel room to make the booking which i really appreciated as you left many companies to chose us.
The first part of safari to Maasai Mara went very well with no complain and so is the second part of safari which was Tsavo and Amboseli which by your confession you say Patrick and you had an excellent safari and you say things changed on the last day.
What happened on last day is quite unfortunate as that confrontation ruined the whole safari experience for you and this made you get another bad perspective of me as Maggie and i feel is really unfair .I have never stolen any clients money and the condemnation you are portraying is not fair at all.
You told me you would write a bad review that would ruin my business but i fell bad that you have turned the confrontation you had with Patrick to a personal ridicule towards me .
let me say on wanting to take pictures on the road of the donkey ,Patrick must have been careful as it was at the middle of the road and as there was nowhere to pull aside being a highway he had to be careful as he could cause an accident which would lead to more problems later on and he should have explained this to you.
If at all Patrick raised his voice in the regard of safety belt i apologized and i apologize once again and i had a talk with him that no matter what he has to keep his cool . No matter what provocation he has to give my clients the space to express themselves fully with no fear at all .
I have never heard any other client complain about our driver guide Patrick , many clients have wrote great reviews about him and always recommend him and as you say he was an excellent driver till the last day.
The refund i offered you of 20USD per person for the last day was ok since all park fees in Amboseli were
paid and you had already exhausted one full day and also park fees are paid at usd 60 Per person so i also felt asking me USD 220 was not fair and i agree no amount of refund can repair any damage caused
whatsover.
I always hold my clients in high regard and i do sincerely hope you accept our apologies as i have passed on
With all that said am grateful one again for choosing us .
With kind Regards
Maggie Githae
Managing Director
Bison Safaris-Kenya.
AE
Email Aashish | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised trip
The trip was excellent and a once in a lifetime experience , game drive was very good, saw all the animals from a very close distance. James filed us with enough information about the animals. Its better to take a LandRover than a safari van. Very friendly staff at the Rhino camp as well. Good cook at the camp. Mutfarm Breakfast was too good! Balloon Ride was even better our Pilot (Peter the Pilot) flew balloon close to ground so that we could see the animals clearly. Balloon ride is a must.
Things NOT to do.
Don't buy a lion tooth from the Masai Tribe, (they will tell you it wont be a problem at the airport and this money will go to their school and you will feel obliged to help for the school, If you wanna help the school donate some amount don't buy any animal part.) as you will be jailed if caught in the airport.
Email Jamie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent private Safari by Edward!
My friend and I arranged a 2 day Safari to the Masai Mara with Edward who was our driver and Guide in a private Landcruiser.
Edward was excellent and always kept us updated, made lots of interesting stops to break up the journey and he was kind and respectful throughout.
He knew where to find the animals once we were in the Mara and we were able to see most of the "Big 5"in just one day. He provided lots of useful information throughout and listened to us well with what we wanted to see.
Doing a Safari once in the Masai Mara is a once in a lifetime opportunity and is not to be missed if you get the chance. I had a great experience and would highly recommend!
FR
Email Marielle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
What a dream to visit the Maasai Mara!
We took a 3-day safari to the Maasai Mara and although we were only really on the safari for 1 full day, it was enough time to see everything we had ever dreamed of and in a land cruiser jeep (much better than those vans!). We also did the Maasai Village visit to see the life of the Maasai people. Saw many animals in the reserve especially the big cats, had a great time getting creative with photography, the budget camp lodging was simple but great (the staff kind), the food was very generous (all meals were included in those 3 days from departure to arrival), and the communication with Lawrence / Maggie was smooth and efficient.
Note that you will be grouped with other people as we booked a budget joining tour. Overall, our group was great because we met other travelers like us that made the experience better but there were also some people in the group which I would prefer not to have to be with but that's the price for joining a tour like this and the price was reasonable / maybe one of the lower priced ones we saw all around so its to be expected.
I would recommend this tour if you're limited in time or budget. And thanks to the team at Bison Safari for their assistance!
JP
Email Tom | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
4 days safari at Masai Mara and Nakuru
Maggie is very responsive and the tour is well organized. However, I gave three stars, because the guide/driver was not so professional. I did not feel his passion to entertain guests who came to Kenya from far away countries. He sped away through many interesting scenes, and he drove slowly in barren area without any animal. One day, he came back to the hotel at 4.30 pm from full day safari, while sunset is 6.30 pm. He can be more attentive to guests and communicate with them to confirm what guests want.
Reply from Bison Safaris
Posted on Jul 3, 2017Dear Tom .
Thanks for the review and we really appreciate and value your feedback on same as through this we always improve on our weak areas .
We asked the driver what happened and unfortunately he received bad news from home of a sick relative and he didn't inform the office as he was supposed to since we could have relieved him and send another driver . He is usually a very good driver guide and we were surprised and we made sure to make a follow up on same and this is the reason he didn't give it his best as he usually do. We have clearly reminded him of the procedures to follow should such an incidence occur again and am sure to the future clients he will handle the situation in a more sober way.
We really do apologize for the way he behaved and given a chance Bison Safaris would do it all in a different way.
Thanks again and Regards
Benjamin Barasa- Customer care and Complaints manager.