Kenya & Tanzania team at Tarangire Sopa Lodge.
Travel For Change Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Member Of:
- ASTA & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $300 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Terry Maxwell | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unable to fulfill their obligation
Very sad to say that due to the pandemic we had to cancel our safari to Kenya with Travel for Change Africa. Because we cancelled so far in advance we should have received a full refund. To date we have received nothing and they no longer return calls or emails. Initially they asked if we would accept payments which we agreed to but not a dime has been sent our way. Clearly our money was not escrowed for our safari but instead used to fund other projects. Don't send them funds for a safari.
Reply from Travel For Change Africa
Posted on Dec 29, 2020Hi Terry,
We appreciate your feedback and understand you are frustrations and also apologize for making you sad it's not our intention. We can confirm that you are among the clients who preferred a full refund instead of postponing your trip to a later date as your cancellation was because of the current ongoing pandemic.
We have tried our best to accommodate our clients' needs but 2020 has been a tough year for the travel industry making it impossible to accommodate everyones need on time. Since March most of our payments have been tied to credit notes from our suppliers, because there hasn't been any traveling it has been challenging converting credit notes to cash hence the delay in issuing your refund. The little cash flow we had was channeled to partial salaries of the office staff and the safari guides to ensure they don't fall on hard times.
We can assure you that your refund will be issued in the coming months all we request from you is patience and give us some time to get this sorted out.
Email Damian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent throughout. No hiccups and everything as we'd planned. Would book again!! Excellent
We have just returned from the Mara.
May I thank you for organising and sorting all the trip for us. It was unbelievable
The camp was nice for the price we paid and the people were friendly and helpful with no hiccups. Just what we wanted
I have to give a special mention to David the guide and driver. He is an absolute credit to you and I would not have wanted anyone else. Not only did he get us in positions from a photographic point of view he sourced everything we would have wanted to see. To add to that he was one of the most easy going most genuine guys we could of hoped for. He really did make the trip for us.
Thank you again and if you can pass the feed back to Dave also I would appreciate
Many thanks and I will return
DE
Email Oliver | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Had a fantastic safari in Tanzania, and were in good hands from start to finish
We (4 people from Germany) had an 8-day custom-made safari including visits to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. Also the first night we spent at Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge near Arusha, and on the last day we took a transfer by plane from Seronera airstrip to Arusha airport.
All the time we felt totally safe and in good hands, as the staff from Travel For Change were very professional and friendly and always supported us with anything we needed during our trip.
For all the planning and arrangements it started with Patricia, who not only was very responsive to our wishes, but also made good suggestions. Also she never lost patience with us! ;-)
Asante sana, Patricia!
Arriving at JRO airport we were immediately welcomed by Silvia, who stayed with us until we arrived at Ngare Sero (btw: incredibly beautiful and peaceful) and supported us until everything was clarified for us, so we could start relaxing and recovering from the long journey there.
Asante sana, Silvia!
Also right in the beginning we met Ely, who not only drove us from JRO to Ngare Sero while already telling us a lot of interesting things about Tanzania during that route, but also was our driver and guide during the whole safari. He simply seems to know *everything* about this great country, the people who live there, the different tribes, the history of East Africa, and of course the wildlife. It was a pure pleasure to learn so many things from him. Of course he also showed us all the animals but also never got tired explaining any aspects that could be interesting for us. He always seemed to know what the animals had done before we found them, why there were doing what they did right now, and what they would do next. It was unbelievable. Also he not only was very responsive to all our wishes but also made very useful suggestions about our safari, even changing our itinerary to give us the best experience possible. On our last day on safari he stayed with us at the Seronera airstrip until all of us were airborne (we had to split on two different planes), taking care of everything that had to be done. At the end it felt like he was not only our guide but also our brother and friend.
Asanta sana, Ely, you're great!!
As a side note: All the cars we used were overall in good condition, and during our safari we always had plenty of cooled drinking water at our jeep.
P.S.: I'm sorry that I forgot the name of the driver on our very last day, who drove us together with Silvia from Arusha airport to Ngare Sero (yes, again, because it's just soooo nice there) and later finally to JRO. Needless to say, he's a good guy too. :-)
IN
Email Harshita Shishodiya | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exploring Kenya at Affordable Prices and Quality Service
We had a wonderful time in Kenya, thanks to TravelForChange team and especially Carlos (our driver and guide). We planned a 7 Night 8 Day tour - Amboseli-Nakuru-Masai Mara-Naivasha
Patricia and her team patiently helped us customize our itinerary in the initial phase. Everything was well executed - Pick Up/Drop, Hotel Bookings, Food, Safari Bookings, Park Fee etc.
All you have to do is reach the airport and everything is taken care of. We didn't have to worry about anything in terms of logistics.
I do have some Important Suggestion for those who plan to book with TravelForChange or other Tour Operators -
1. Ensure your Driver is also your guide and understands the bush better than you do. We got lucky as we have a wonderful guide. You have to remember that you will spend most of your time with the driver/guide. Please ensure you discuss this point in detail with the tour operator. Clarify Safari Timings before you sign the contract.
2. If you are doing Kenya only - You may skip Nakuru and Naivasha. Even if you have to travel longer by road, make sure you spend most of your time in Amboseli or Mara. If your budget permits, transfer by light aircraft between parks. The road to Masai Mara is badly maintained (Approx 150Km Stretch)
3. If your budget permits, try to book a lodge/tent inside the park.
On the whole everything was well arranged, accommodation in Amboseli - Kibo Safari Camp, Nakuru - Ziwa Bush Lodge and Naivasha - Naivasha Sopa Lodgewere brilliant. Wajee (in Masai Mara) was basic but very close to wilderness, we liked it but I think it could’ve been a little better.
We are very happy with our experience and we will definitely go back to Travel for Change Africa for our next Holiday in East Africa.
Regards
Harshita
CA
Email Aggie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best deal ever!
I was a bit skeptical at first about traveling with an agency I had never used before but from the moment I landed in Kenya, I knew I had made the right choice. Everything went super smoothly and I felt a bit nostalgic leaving a week later. I was meant to write this just after my trip but work happened! Thank you, Travel for Change. I hope to use your services again soon.
IT
Email Karime Jadallah Prisco | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not trustworthy
We had planned a trip in December for our family. Unfortunately my husband got sick and passed away. We reached out to Patricia letting her know the situation and and then the pandemic hit. It has been a back and forth with them for the last 2 years trying to recoup my money. They have promised so many times that they would make small payments, but as of today I have not received anything. I have written requesting the money be used as a voucher for a future trip. I would like to take my kids and fulfill the trip their father wanted to take with them. It is a real shame that we have had a loss, a pandemic, and now we have lost our deposit. I guess it is easier to ignore the client and pretend nothing ever happened. If a company cannot be professional enough to take responsibility for its actions then it is not worth dealing with. A very sad customer.
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Email Diane, Pat, Lynne, Ruth and Beth | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Travel for Change designed the trip of a lifetime for us
Our group of 5 ladies in their 70s was understandably nervous about getting everything arranged for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. But once we selected Travel for Change Africa, Patricia set about making us feel sure we were in the right hands. She selected options for us, answered many, many questions and designed a personalized 10-day itinerary that we loved. We were watching Kenyan news to learn more about our destination and asked Patricia if the big crack in the earth that was opening up and destroying roads would impact us. Patricia immediately got back to us to say that, no it was fine and she would be sure that Patrick, our guide, knew that we wanted to see that. Every question and request was handled promptly.
We chose the 10-day trip in early June, staying at mid-range properties. The safari included Samburu, Abadare (Treetops), Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara parks. They all were very different and the wildlife viewing, with Patrick spotting and teaching us about the animals was awesome. We did not miss any of the animals on our checklist. Each of the resorts was unique, the food was good and the staffs were friendly and helpful. We all felt the pricing was quite affordable, even the person who opted for single accommodations. Early June is still considered shoulder season rates.
The Travel for Change staff we met were outstanding. Patricia made a point of meeting up and touring with us in Amsterdam during our layover. It was great to get to know her in person after all the months of emails. And Patrick was the BEST. He may not have known what to expect with 5 young-at-heart oldsters but he soon found that mud, bumpy roads or any other travel discomforts didn’t faze us. It was pretty much smiles, fun and laughter the whole trip.
We would not hesitate to recommend this company to anyone, although we all did agree that you should be fairly fit for this kind of adventure. Just hanging on while traversing the bumpy game roads was a challenge.
IT
Email C & M | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
MANY THANKS to Travel for Change Africa for an unforgettable experience in TZ! We'll be back!!
We just returned from a fantastic experience in Tanzania - thanks to Travel For Change Africa (TFCA). This was our first trip to Africa, and our first safari. We did a lot of homework and spent quite some time vetting potential tour operators before deciding to work with TFCA. Below are a few reasons why. They:
- made us feel like we were in very safe hands from the start
- are extremely friendly and professional in their approach
- provided us with clear, prompt, and detailed communications from the very beginning
- promptly answered all of our questions - and we had LOTS!
- gave us lots of insights into what to see & do - including what made sense, based on the time we had available
- worked together seamlessly as a team
A bit more about our experience:
We had 10 days in Tanzania and TFCA helped us put together a great itinerary that allowed us to see and do lots, at the right pace. We visited National Parks/Conservation areas, but also less touristy sights such as local markets and shops. TFCA understood that we wanted to see the spectacular scenery & wildlife, but also get a good idea of the local culture and traditions. And they also were great about putting together a journey that combined game drives with activities such as walking/hiking. In terms of accommodations, we chose mid-range lodgings and were very pleased with the selection that TFCA made for us. They were clean, comfortable, well-maintained and offered a nice variety of food. We requested one place ourself (because of their permaculture activities) and TFCA was very good about including that on our list of accommodations.
There are no guarantees about which animals one will see on a game drive, and that's something everyone needs to understand before going on safari. That said, our guide/driver Joshua was fantastic at driving at the right pace to allow us to soak up the scenery and listen to his stories about the vegetation, animals and surroundings. He was always kind, patient, easy-going, and open to share so much with us. Moreover, we loved that he was so respectful of the environment and animals. We noticed that there were several drivers/guides who would really drive up too quickly/closely to the animals, but Joshua was always very conscious of our approach. Throughout our journey, he took care of everything we needed - hakuna matata! We're still amazed at how he could drive AND spot animals at the same time - some at a huge distance. He tells us that we were lucky to see all of the so-called Big 5, but we feel much of that was thanks to his lucky star and "expert eyes/nose/ears"! We're very conscious that spending 9 days with a "stranger" could be challenging, but in our case, we really had a lot of fun & laughs with Joshua and felt he was a joy to have around. A real "people person".
Throughout our journey, the "home team" checked in with us to make sure we were happy and had all we needed. Patricia and Silvia were keen to make sure our needs were being met. They had no reason to worry - TFCA delivered beyond our expectations and we couldn't have asked for more. They were so easy to communicate with - such a pleasure! And we loved their personal approach.
We really had a fantastic first "taste" of Tanzania and are grateful to TFCA for providing us with this unforgettable journey. We feel we have made new friends. And we are already looking forward to returning!!
MANY MANY THANKS to Travel For Change Africa for such a memorable experience!!! "Asante sana" and "tuta ona baadaye"!
DE
Email Toma | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lifetime experience
Million thanks to Travel for Change Africa company for our unforgettable honeymoon :) Before our wedding, we started to look for nice experience that would not be so easy to forget like usual beach holiday. Safaribookings.com was a good web to compare various Safari providers. Our only wish was to have it quite short due to limited holiday time. Travel for Change Africa had a great offer which was 3 day long. Anyway, when we started to chat with company directly (best regards to Patricia!) our plans changed a bit and we were convinced to go for 4 night Safari in 2 parks. We visited Mikumi national park, and as well Selous reserve. Between these parks there is quite a long distance to drive, so we spent some time on the road which was also very nice because we had a chance to see local life.
All in all, everything was really perfect- Patricia and her team made a great job advising where to go, giving tips for travelling, and well offering several different options that we would be able to choose. All our questions were answered and we booked the trip. We did not have to worry about anything. Our wonderful German speaking guide Emmanuel met us in the airport, and together with the best driver-guide in the world Iman took care of us during all our stay. In the end they arranged flight tickets to Zanzibar for us to continue the journey.
This was our first safari ever, so can strongly say - I was expecting expecting to see a huge zoo, but this was far away from my imagination. It is stunning when you drive through the field and suddenly see a giraffe or zebra close to you in the bush. We brought back thousand pictures. Other tourists we saw were on group rides, with the open cars, and more or less sticking to the routes. and they definitely were jealous for us because we could drive wherever we wanted or to watch something as long as we wanted..
So to sum up, I strongly recommend Travel for Change Africa - excellent communication, very polite and helpful staff, perfect organisational skills and customer oriented attitude. 10/10!
To the ones who are still not sure - go for safari, you will never forget this experience.
And we are definitely coming back just next time during migration :) See you soon!
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Email Jeff Jones | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya Safari with Travel For Change
My wife and I just got home from a 9 day, 8 night safari with Travel for Change Africa and I wanted to hurry and write this review because the company, tour, and driver/guide were just that amazing. Safaris can seem daunting and expensive when looking to book them from the US, but Patricia provided a customizable quote that was entirely within our (modest) budget. She contacted us regularly via email and WhatsApp as we approached the date of the safari, and was very professional. As other reviewers have said, a safari is "made or broken" by your driver/guide, and our guide, Patrick, was perfect. A twenty-plus year veteran of the industry, he seemed to know everyone (he was always shaking hands with fellow drivers) and everything (from an obscure bird to the best place to go in Samburu to see lions). Needless to say, we saw lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, hippos, etc., many of which Patrick seemed to find for us! While this company may not be that well-known, I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. I warily contacted a few reviewers here prior to booking for reassurance, and I will happily reassure anyone looking to book with Travel for Change.