Kilisa Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range & luxury tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $189 to $559 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Amy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kilisa Tours and Safaris should be avoided!
I had a horrible experience with Kilisa Tours and Safaris. Originally I had booked with them because they had received such positive reviews from Trip Advisor. They also offered cheap prices and I decided to go on a safari with them, but I am glad that I didn't book with them to do Kilimanjaro otherwise they would have definitely botched it up.
Twelve days before my trip, they informed me via email that my hotel was changed from Moshi to Arusha and that the tour group decided to start a day earlier. I had been doing Mt. Meru and Kilimanjaro so I had no email access, and went to the hotel that they booked me in Moshi. I was told that I was booked for Moshi by Kilisa tours, but there was not room for me and I had to go to another hotel.
After Naick was told, he tried to tell me I should have gotten the email and I explained that I had no Internet access since I came to Africa. I was tired after my 8 day Kilimanjaro trip, and he claimed that the Lemosho route that I had done should have finished at 5AM. That isn't true as I didn't finish until 2PM that day with another group as we went back to the gate, and then had lunch before I was dropped off to my hotel.
So instead of staying at the Key's Hotel, in Moshi (which I was originally told) and had a high standard, I was booked to stay in Arusha Centre Inn in Arusha which is a much lower caliber hotel. However, I was not told this, and the price that I paid for the safari did not change.
I was also asked if I brought $875 in cash to pay for the trip. I had not been informed via email to do this, and asked if I could pay by credit card. Instead, I was told that to avoid a surcharge, I would pay for the park admission which would total $875. I was not told that I would be paying for the park admission of the other people on the tour and my tour guide.
I was not told that the safari was going to be with other people and it was thru another company that wasn't associated with Kilisa. I thought all of these other tourists were from Kilisa tours. I was driven to Lake Manyara to catch the tour group on their second day of the safari since I had missed the first day.
They were staying at the Sunbright campsite which offered a cabin. I was given a cabin initially, but when two people in my group complained that they had a cabin before, but were then designated to stay in a tent, the manager asked me to move to the tent and to give the two people the cabin. I was sick and had a cough (after finishing my Kilimanjaro trip) and despite that these two people paid less than me, I had to move.
For the next 2 days I ended up sharing a tent with 2 other people on the trip that I didn't know.
When I went to pay at one of the park gates, I was told to pay $10 more than Kilisa had informed me. Although that shouldn't be a big deal, I did not like how the driver had forced me to just pay, and not question it. I was angry and said that at the next park gate, I would pay $10 less so that I would not be overcharged. The driver did not like that and insisted that I pay what I was told to pay.
On the last day, at 9:40AM at Ngorongoro Crater, our safari car had broken down. Our driver called his friend to pick us up and take us back for brunch at 11AM. The friend just drove us back to our campsite and we didn't do anymore sight-seeing. Then when the driver got back with the safari car repaired, we had to be driven back to Arusha and end the trip.
I asked for a refund as I paid for 4 days for the safari, and on the last day, since the safari car broke down, we could not explore Ngrongoro Crater much at all. I brought this up to Naick who tried to claim that the second safari car had taken us around Ngorongoro but I insisted that it only drove us back to the camp site. Then Naick said that the blame was actually for this man from another company who actually run the trip, and that man refused to refund me saying no one had ever complained about the trip.
At the end of the day, I wish that I hadn't booked with Kilisa as there were these screw ups with the hotel and also having a cheap safari car that broke down. Also, since the safari car was overloaded with 5-6 passengers (sometimes with the cook too) and luggage, I did not get to see the animals properly nor take as good pictures as I expected to.
Stay away from this company!
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello Amy
Thank you for your review,
We would like to extend to you our most sincere apologies regarding the issue with your safari and frustrating experience you had with us
We'll use the Feedback and strive to do better while ensure this doesn't happen again
If you would be willing to talk further, please contact me at [email protected]
Sincerely
Juliana
5 day Marangu Trek
I went on the 5-day Marangu trek with Kilisa and thoroughly enjoyed it! Naick is very professional and quick at replying emails and organising the trek even though i booked it last minute. Initially I was meant to go in a group however I ended up being the only person. The guide Patrick is a great guy and the chef Hasan an excellent cook! Overall had a good time with these guys, I would highly recommend them!
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello
Surein, Thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback ..
Next Time The chances arises and you happen to be here! Please, come see Us
Rgds
Juliana
CA
Email Novlette Campbell | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
excellent service
I did a 7days Kilimanjaro climband a 3 days camping Safari with Kilisa tour the service that was provided bye Naick and his team was excellent. From the frist email back in October to the pick up from the airport I was impressed.The Services that's was provided by Kilisa tour have exceeded my expectation I would definitely recommend kilisa tour.
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello Novlette
so Appreciative for you taking your time to give us your feedback ..
But seriously those are some of the nicest things anyone has ever said about us.
Thanks a bunch!! for recommendation
Next Time The chances arises and you happen to be here! Please, come see Us
Rgds
Juliana
TR
Email Umut aydın | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Süper tour süper people süper firm
We veryyyyyy like safari with kilisatour,i want again go november(i say My Türk friend)
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello
Umut, Can't thank you enough for your kind review
Kind Regards
Juliana
PL
Email Agnieszka Siemaszkiewicz | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very well organized tour
We climbed Kilimanjaro with Kilisa crew. Didn't expect the exceptional service we got on our trek for a great value. Meals were delicious, there was always fresh fruit and salad and enough water for the day. The guides were experienced and knew what they doing. We were in good hands. Every member of the team was very helpful and friendly. There was enough porters to carry our stuff. Naick took care of us before and after climb, was very pleasant to deal with.
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello Agnieszka
Wow! thanks so much for the detailed feedback, We are so pleased to hear that you had great experiences Kilisa and the rest of our team, It's our pleasure to make sure your expectations and needs were met and we're glad we didn't miss the mark!
Thanks again!
Sincerely
Juliana
US
Email Silvia Pratama | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good trip with good memories
To visit Serengeti was my dream but now I made my dream become true, Many thanks to Guide Tuma who leads me very well and I enjoyed a lot
I did camping Safari 4 Days/3 Night full game viewing in Serengeti as a solo traveler the Kilisa team was very nice to me and I real recommend them for those who planned for safari. I assure you won't be regret on your Safari.
Also many thanks to Naick who is a managing director of Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Reply from Kilisa Tours & Safaris
Posted on Dec 30, 2019Hello
Wow! Thanks so much for the Kind words Van! I appreciate the feedback giving and how you detailed the experience you had with us, Happy all went well and that we were able to meet your satisfaction
Ahsante sana!!
Glad you made it home home safely
Sincerely
Kilisa Tours