Classic Journeys Africa
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $280 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
MA
Email Nancy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They put more than one smile on your face.
We spent 10 marvelous days in Kenya and left in love with the country. The safari, the visits to the different places in Nairobi, the plane trip, the hotels, and all the necessary issues were very well organised. Our guides were the kindest of people and also very professional. There was not a hicupp during the trip. We highly recommend them and would gladly repeat the experience.
CA
Email sylvain Pare | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful
All was perfect i Will remember for thé test of m’y life
CA
Email Helen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Marbelous, professional and knows a lot about the animals
The service was excellent. Our security was a priority.
Email Harry and Hannah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unacceptable.
We have recently returned from your classic wonders of Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar safari, our honeymoon. We in fact left for home before the end of the booking due to the poor quality of the holiday. Up to this point we have reframed from leaving any reviews about Classic Journeys on your website or on any other platform as I feel it only fair to give you an opportunity to explain why the service was so poor first.
We originally had to delay our safari due to covid (no fault of yours). However, once we had changed the dates to ensure we would be able to go, your communication was terrible, waiting days for confirmation of payment and to get questions answered.
We were informed in an email that as we arrived in Nairobi our transfer to our hotel would be waiting for us at the airport with a sign with our name on it. This was the not the case and our driver was not there. I was unable to reach the driver on the number given to me for him via email. Thankfully a local taxi driver offered to use his phone to call and when we did get though our driver was in bed. We spoke to the office of the company as well and they said that they would get a driver to us in an hour, meaning we would have been left stranded at the airport for over two hours. This is extremely poor service! Our first impression of your company and the start of our holiday ruined, and our first time in Kenya an already stressful situation made extensively worse by Classic Journeys’ awful organisation.
Eventually we arrived at Longview Suites hotel. The hotel was not up to standard in the slightest and did not look like the photo on your website. Our room was metres from a building site (which was the view from our window) and the shower did not work. We were also only provided breakfast in our package on the day of arrival bearing in mind we stayed there for 24 hours and needed four meals during this time. We therefore had to pay more for this. We paid nearly 7000 euro for this holiday and it had become outrageously disappointing at this stage. I appreciate that building work and so on needs to happen but you as a company need to be aware of where you are sending people to stay and change locations accordingly as this was not acceptable. I can send photos as proof of this.
Day one in the bush, again let down. After a long drive we arranged with out guide to go on a nature walk once we had settled in. We arrived at the meeting point but our guide did not, Classic Journeys making a habit of not showing up to where they should be. Nearly half an hour after the time agreed, our guide arrived, and then told us there was no point going for a walk because of the weather even though other walks were going out. This information could have been sent to us and saved us the trouble of getting ready to go out. At this point plans for the next day were sorted as we had become increasingly stressed about meeting drivers at agreed times (note that we had to ask the timings of the next day instead of being told in advance). This as well was very difficult to sort despite being face to face. Again, not good enough and let down.
After one game drive in Kenya with a very mediocre guide who often gave us the wrong information (this information was confirmed incorrect by our second driver), we moved onto Tanzania. Once we arrived at the border, we needed to obtain visas. The link you sent us to obtain visas before arrival did not work and no guidance on this was given. When we were applying for our visas, we were told we had to pay a fee in cash which we didn’t have (again causing more unwanted stress). We were not informed at any point that we needed to take a lot of cash to cover the time away. Cash was needed for almost everything as well as tipping every member of staff we encountered (we were not prepared for this). We were told credit cards were excessively used and they were not and that included some of the camps we were staying on.
After crossing the border and changing cars we settled in for the long drive. We were aware it was a long drive and we needed to get to our lodge for the night, however on a holiday that as previously stated cost nearly 7000 euro, the last place I thought I would be eating lunch was in a petrol station. Completely unacceptable.
When we completed the safari part of our trip. We were given tickets for our flight to Zanzibar only to find that Hannah’s ticket still had her maiden name and did not match her passport. We made it clear that this was our honeymoon a name change cannot have come as a surprise. Furthermore, you confirmed receipt of Hannah’s updated passport information on the 16th of March 2023 which gave plenty of time to change the tickets, however this never occurred. This again caused undue stress on a holiday that should have been simple and stress free.
As we arrived in Zanzibar, Classic Journeys doing their usual and not being at the airport to pick us up. Two transfers and two transfers not there. When we eventually did meet our driver, the Classic Journeys office felt the need to message me and explain how it wasn’t their fault and that the plane had arrived early which it did by a few minutes. However, this is irrelevant and it is up to you and your drivers to be tracking the flight to ensure this does not happen. If the flight was cancelled would the driver be aware of it or would he wait outside the airport for hours on end? This is yet again unacceptable and poor service. Ensuring you are at the airport on time for a transfer is one of the most basic tasks and yet Classic Journeys repeatedly failed at it.
Uroa Bay hotel. We were sold a relaxing few days on ivory sands and clear waters in a lovely hotel. What we received was an extremely bad day (only one day as we were far to annoyed at this point and we flew home early) on a filthy beach in a hotel where everything was at an extra charge including water a basic human necessity. You as a company need to go to the hotels where you send people to stay and ensure that what you are advertising matches what you are delivering as this did not. The photo of the Zanzibar beach on your web site is clearly not at Uroa Bay. Nowhere in your emails or website did it say we would have to pay extra tax on arrival to the hotel, this was not listed in the ‘not included’ section. Photos again can be sent as proof. I cannot believe how this hotel was selected for this holiday an unacceptable choice. Also, on the so-called ‘private’ beach which had a security guard, locals approached to try to sell us drugs. That is not the kind of thing I expect on a holiday resort that has cost me so much. We felt that after the safari part of the holiday, Classic Journeys no longer were responsible and we were left at a bad hotel to fend for ourselves – this is different to the expectation of a relaxing few days in a luxury hotel.
This information on your website and that which was sent to us was not good enough and in some cases just plain incorrect. A standard day on safari as described by your company was, ‘up before dawn for coffee and a drive before returning for breakfast and then to take part in other activities. All this before another game drive in the afternoon evening time.’ This was not the case, early mornings but not in time for sunrise, leave the lodge do not return till around 1600 with no time to take part in other activities. What you are advertising is not what we received.
The itinerary that was sent to us was the only information we received before the trip and this was before we even booked it (which was two years ago due to postponing). There were no updates to the itinerary to fit to the actual timetable of the week and we were not even sent any information to prepare for our trip, for example, a kit list would have been useful. This, bearing in mind, being our first time to Africa and not knowing what to expect. When we asked via email what was needed for the trip, Classic Journeys replied with ‘just luggage’. I’m sure we are not the only customers you have that haven’t been to Africa before either.
This was our honeymoon, it cost us nearly 7000 euros for your package, excluding flights.
Communication was poor.
We were left at the airport twice.
Stayed in a hotel with a not working shower and was practically on a building site.
Were left waiting for our guide only to be told our walk would not go ahead.
Were treated to a lunch in a petrol station.
Were provided tickets for a flight with an incorrect name.
Stayed in an awful hotel that was not anything like the description or photos you sent.
Paid taxes we were not informed of and that were not listed in the excluded cost list.
Were offered drugs in our resort by locals.This is awful on your part and something needs to be done. The price you charge for the standard to deliver is unacceptable.
Thankfully the one time your driver showed up on time was to get us to the air port so we could leave the horrendous holiday earlier than planned.
Also apon return to the UK I have repeatedly tried to contact you about these issues through email, WhatsApp and phone call only to have all of them ignored.
CA
Email Marie-Pier Brunet | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING !
Above our expectations! Our guide, Amir, was able to direct us well regardless of our questions. It is a real Wildlife GPS! He has several contacts in different cities who facilitate reservations for additional activities (night safari, hot air balloon, etc.). Amir is interested in wildlife so he learns about animals which makes learning easier during our safaris. He speaks French very well and loves to tease his customers. I strongly suggest you ask to be with him if you speak French! A big plus to our dream trip!
The rooms were A+ and even the tents! We didn't see any cockroaches, spiders, etc. VERY CLEAN !
(automatic translation from French)
NO
Email Anne | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly recommend
We had a fantastic trip that Classic Journeys Africa planned for us down to the smallest detail.
As four adult ladies alone on tour, we felt safe from the moment we landed in Nairobi and met by our service-minded driver Chris.
A varied program was planned with interesting visits to selected places.
Our trip to Flamingo Hill Camp in Nakuru with Lorenz, our safari guide and driver, was a triumph, where we were guaranteed to see flamingos and the Rhinos, a promise that was certainly fulfilled.
Lorenz took us on to the Zebra Plains Mara Camp in Masai Mara, where the wildlife was absolutely fantastic!
We left the safari stay with four of the big five attached to the camera roll, no leopard to be seen, but an eating cheetah really made up for that.
Then we traveled on by train from Nairobi to Mombasa, where we were met by guide Nelson and driver Gabriel.
After an overnight stay at the wonderful Sarova Whitesands, (if we had known how beautiful that place was, we would have stayed longer) we traveled on to Malindi, where we got a warmly welcomed at the Sandeid Malindi Dream Garden.
The boat trip that was arranged for us with snorkelling and a visit to a sandbar rising out of the sea was a wonderful finale to our stay.
We can and will wholeheartedly recommend Classic Journeys Africa and their staff for their excellent service and work.
Amazing
This safari met all our expectations. The guide gave us 100% made sure we experienced all that was to see. The punctuality was great and communication with the French and English made everything easier for us. Hotel - tent beautiful and great variety of food. Sorry to head home.
CA
Email Allan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent organizer
We are a group 17 of us finally back home from our trip and I would like to thank you for Classic journey organizing our trip for us throughout the 16 days via Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Cape Town safari trip, We had a wonderful time at every destination and the hotels that you chose were excellent indeed. The 4 Land Cruiser driver that you provided was excellent and drove very safely and gently.
US
Email Sunita Singh | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a trip, fun and facts both combined into one
This trip was a trip of my life time and was full of pleasant surprises. Right from receiving us at the airport to sending us back, we had a heavenly experience with the warmest of the people and smartest of the guides. Classic Journeys did not disappoint us at all, infact it aced in every aspect of the trip. The warmest smiles picked us up at the airport, we were placed in a very clean and classic hotel and we felt safe. Although we were skeptical of our stay in the forests, to our surprise it was a glamping accommodation and the tents were extremely clean and well equipped. The dinner served at the camps were 3 meal course dinners with soup, salads and desserts. The tour guides were not only friendly and professional, they were extremely educated and carries a few educational book materials which made our gaming even more exciting. I have nothing but only good things to rave of this company and its staff. I look forward to sending my friends and family members to you all in future.
US
Email Hemanth | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Seasoned Tour Operator
Great communication, good vehicles, fantastic guides, especially in Kenya, excellent camps and camping arrangements, top it all, saw the big 5 and a lot lot more; all in all delivered on all fronts, 5 stars for sure!! Thank you very much to make it the most memorable trip of our lifetime!