Operation Manager
Rhino Explorer Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Member Of:
- TANAPA & BRELA
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
SA
Email Nader | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not recommended Safari organizer
I booked with this company based on the many positive reviews I read on this website. I arrived on the first day, the pick up was OK, I spent the whole day in Arusha as per the trip schedule. The second (trip first day) was generally OK. By end of day, however, our guide Malaki dropped me off at Kilimamoja lodge and immediately left, I went to the reception to check in, but the responsible person there advised there is no reservation in my name, I tried to contract Malaki but he did not answer, and it almost took 1 hour to check in, while all other guests of other companies checked in smoothly without any issues. Rhino response on WhatsApp is too slow.
The pick up time on the second day was set by Malaki at 7:00-7:30 AM. I waked up at 5:30 to be ready on time, he texted me at 7:17 AM saying that a couple from the same group who were on camping accommodation asked to buy some camping stuff, they also requested not to wake up early since they were on honeymoon. The driver eventually arrived for pick up on 10:40 AM although we had a long way driving to Serengeti.
At this point, I preferred not to continue the trip with this company, and I arranged for private Safari with Savannah Explorer & I was lucky to do so.
I met with other couple of the same group by coincidence at a lodge in Northern Serengeti, they advised that Rhino were just cheating, the couple who were on honeymoon never asked for buying stuff or waking up late & this was Malaki's arrangement. Similarly, Malaki informed this couple that the pick delay came at my request.
On other side, I contacted Malaki after withdrawal from the group trip to contact Danial to confirm the balance due to Rhino since I did not pay any of the due amount from the very beginning, Malaki told the group that I am in contact with him asking to re-join the group since no other company accepted to arrange a trip for me. In addition, he sent me a video on WhatsApp of 2 lions hunting a Wildebeest as if he took this video during the trip to show me that I missed a lot due to my leave, Malaki did not notice that the car hood that appeared in the video had a logo other than Rhino's logo, which is indicating that the video was not taken by him at all.
Finally, Daniel contacted me during my stay in Tanzania threatening me that he will refer to the governmental authorities in order not to let me go out of Tanzania until I pay his money although he asked to pay through the website & the website delayed in sending the payment link. I left Tanzania on 21.08.2019 and remained in contact with him to pay his money. I paid him on 26.08.2019 and had the option not to pay him at all, but I finally paid him $861 as per his request from a moral perspective only.
DE
Email Frank | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari in Tanzania is great, but not with Rhino Explorer Tours
A safari in Tanzania is really recommendable, because you can observe really many different animals. However, this is true for all companies that organize safaris, so we would like to review the company Rhino Explorer Tours with their boss Daniel. The organization was unsatisfactory for us for the following reasons:
- On the day of arrival no one came to pick us up from the airport in Arusha, although we send the relevant information in advance by e-mail. We had to organize a taxi ourselves, which Daniel then paid.
- On the second day we should be picked up 8:40 from the hotel. Finally we started around 11 o'clock and after many telephone calls. That was very frustrating as we were not sure if we would be picked up at all.
- On the second day there was no drinking water available. Since we had not prepared ourselves for it and did not bring our own water with us, this was very unpleasant for us. In the end we bought it ourselves after the game drive, although it was actually included in the price.
- On the third day there was no game drive, although it was included in the program. This was due to the fact that we always had to wait on a second Rhino Explorer Tours vehicle had, which never showed up. This led to the fact that we arrived late at the campsite and hat our dinner after 22 o'clock.
- On the fourth day the breakfast was omitted.
- On the last day in Arusha Daniel wanted to come for dinner, but he never showed up. One should not rely on him.
- We did not receive several other things that were promised by e-mail, such as sim card and Masai blanket. We recommend Rhino Explorer Tours therefore not to promise these things in advance if they are not adhered to.
We would also like to add the following points for the sake of completeness:
- We liked the Venice Hotel in Arusha and also the accommodation at Lake Manyara very much.
- We were very satisfied with our driver and guide Francis, a freelancer who was hired by Daniel for the time of our tour.