Lians Travel Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $700 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Leah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The puick up from our respective places was impeccable,the driver and the services rendered was nice
Well if I'm being honest, the communication was good, The driver as well was patient with us and very polite
when we finally arrived at our hotels in Maasai mara the way the ushered us, was simply amazing, the rooms were to our expectations.
My friends and I had a lovely time.
I would greatly recommend this tour company. I simply have zero complaints from our side, everyone was content.
CZ
Email Phil | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
abandoned with 6 Czech citizens, money stolen, police investigation, horrible safari
Booked a safari for 7 to Maasai Mara and Nakuru National park which was to start on 11th February to 14th February, Valentines day. We paid the full fee which was all inclusive, but the surprises began, we didn’t get lunch on the first day, 11th February, I contacted the owner Lilian who said clients buy their own lunch. Firstly, it had been paid for and secondly she went on to lie that we are suposed to have lunch in Maasai Mara. we were told to leave Nairobi at 9 a.m. and thanks to delays, we left at 10 a.m. and we were supposed to have lunch at 1 p.m. or even 2 p.m.?? I asked her if we were meant to have two lunches or what? She then said we would get packed lunch on our way to Nakuru?? So in fact we were getting lunch but on a different day? On the day we were going to Nakuru there was lunch at the hotel and have the packed lunch that we missed? The lies were so bad you just tell this woman was a bad liar. I asked that there be no problems from that point forward,no reply. One of the guests was ill but didn’t even have free lunch,how pathetic from Lians Travel! We got a very nice welcome at Mara Sidai and the guest went on to rest and was to miss the next day’s Safari.
12th February: we go on safari all day,packed lunch,everything was superb I must say. The sick guest was well rested and everything seemed fine with the world.
13th February: no game drive in the morning?? In the itinerary,depart from Mara for a 3 hour distance to Nakuru? That was problem number one, problem two,driver says he can’t leave because he has issues with the owner. He asks me to contact her and I do. I was furious at that point, we were standing by the roadside,having driven some distance from Maasai Mara, the driver says that he doesn’t have enough money to go to Nakuru. I called Lilian who claimed the driver was trying to sabotage her. I got confused because I and the others wondered if the driver was in fact the problem. Instead of enjoying our safari, we all became Sherlocks trying to find out who was lying to us, the driver,Lilian the owner of Lians Travel Africa? Who? After Lilian claims that the driver is trying to sabotage her, she tells me secretly to get off at Narok town. Now,are we ghosts to exit the vehicle at Narok without the driver noticing? What IQ does one need to realize that? I realized though where the problems were coming from. I tell the driver what I’ve been told,he is still visibly nervous and uncertain and I wasnt sure if we would continue with the safari, interrupt our safari and go to the police station or not. I tried to call this woman called Lilian and when she realized that the driver was listening in the call, she starts to accuse me of being in cahoots with the driver and trying to sabotage her. I am her client and I paid for the safari and she was accusing me of sabotaging her and my own safari?? What person of sound mind would come to such a conclusion? She texted me the same thing and said that since I started it,I should sort myself out. I called her,her words,” I don’t care, you started it, sort yourselves out” There were 6 foreigners in the car,some of whom cannot speak English and she was ready to ditch them in Narok, later on, that’s what she did.
Poor them, I had to explain what was going on. We were stuck between her and the unpaid driver. The driver didn’t want to leave Mara and he just couldn’t leave us stranded with our luggage. Lilian left us at the driver’s mercy, so we and the unpaid driver had to find a way to get out of this crazy mess. The person we paid the money to,Lilian, adamant and it was clear she wouldn’t help. I told her to call the driver and that I was not her go between,I was her client but she even ridiculed me and said that since I became the spokesman of the trip,i her own client,had become the object of ridicule, simply incredible how rude, how selfish and heartless a person can be! She even claimed that since I was a Kikuyu,one Kenyan tribe, I was stealing from the other foreigners too, she assumed that since I was the only black person on the safari, I was either too poor to be there or I was stealing from the other foreigners in the van,little did she know that I was with my wife and in laws and friends and not some clients I had lied too. On top of the problems, she goes on to ridicule me because of the colour of my skin and my name, JUST BECAUSE I'M BLACK, DOES IT MEAN I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY MYSELF A SAFARI??Anyway, we pleaded with the driver to go to Narok and figure it out because it was clear she wouldn’t pay him and expected us to pay more money to finish our own trip. The driver hesitantly agreed to go since he was now operating at a loss. At this point,we may have been stuck in Maasai Mara, Narok, the side of the road, a ditch but Lilian from Lians Travel Africa had abandoned all parties and even suggested we go to the police. I told her these were my family members so I would certainly go to report her. She texted that she had left the park fees at the hotel reception and was done with us. I have the text message to prove this. We told the driver if the park fees are there, we can just fuel the car ourselves and go to Nakuru. It was either that or go to Nairobi and ruin the whole holiday without even having been to Nakuru.
We fueled in Narok, with our own money by the way, all the other travelers, all foreigners were now fully drawn into this situation, poor them, and what if they were alone left at the mercy of this heartless woman called Lilian, what would have happened then?She would have left them in Narok or in Maasai Mara with no way out of it.
We went to Nakuru and as far as we were concerned, Lians Travel Africa had no idea where we were. We went to Chester Hotel and I must say that at Chester we had such a warm welcome but they noticed something was off. We had lunch and we were curious if the park fees had indeed been sent or not and when the receptionist was calling and calling Lilian awaiting for confirmation, we just told her, “We are dealing with a conwoman here, she will not send the money,kindly avoid speaking with her”. Since we are here, and despite not having the park fees paid, we decided to pay it ourselves. The driver wanted to leave and go to Nairobi so actually we almost didn’t go because he was still operating at a loss, we had only fueled him until Nakuru so if he wanted to leave he could have. I can say it’s really not the kind of mood you want on your holiday or safari. Some didn’t go to Lake Nakuru National Park, they were already pissed off by everything, a big thanks to Lians Travel for that by the way. We went to the park, paid our own park fees, and I have the receipts to prove it. We had like one hour only in the park, from what was supposed to be like 4 hours or more, but the driver was fantastic and he was still a proper guide in spite of what was going on. Lilian has the audacity to “enquire whether we had checked in and decided to pay our own park fees” and I told her to fuck off, because seriously, after ditching us in Narok, she was waiting by her phone and calling the reception to find out if we had made it to Nakuru, how horrible, how despicable! I can’t fathom of the kind of person who would do such a thing. She even ends her messages with "Have a blessed day". i mean who does that? How terrible and cruel must you be to make fun, insult someone at the comfort of one's office without a care in the world, all while screeching at us on the phone. We went back, had dinner and reflected on the past events of the day unaware of whether our driver would return or not.
14th February: Valentines day in the worst circumstances, we wake up to the question of whether our driver is still there and luckily he was. We all just wanted to go back to Nairobi, and since Lilian had urged us to go to the police, we went to The Tourist police and spent hours telling and retelling the story and by no means did I wanna spend my time at a police station on my holiday. After a long time the OCS came and it was already apparent who the cause of the problems was, he called her up and just like she did to us, she kept on yelling and yelling, with a police officer, no respect even for the law, so as I write this, I urge, I beseech and ask that you not do business with Lians Travel Africa. That wasn’t the end, the OCS asked her to come to the police station but of course she was busy, she asked him to go to the police station, the next day and so the story continues.
15th February: 10 a.m. Did the lady show up? She didn’t. As I write this, we still have no word from her, she didn’t intend to show up at the police station, and she is playing a waiting game until we leave. Our experience with Lians Travel Africa has been nothing but disappointing, I guess no refunds are coming but the word had to come out, I write this on your behalf, the traveler that may lay eyes on Lians Travel Africa and think of doing a trip with them, I again urge, beseech and ask you to avoid this company called Lians Travel Africa headed by one Lilian Maina, she put me and my guests, all foreigners through hell after paying full fees. No refunds as of now, no word from the woman and she has refused to show to the authorities, what would she do to you and your fellow travelers, you have seen my experience, do avoid this company. You will be left on the roadside, abandoned in a foreign country if you are a foreign traveler, money stolen, trip ruined, use Lians Travel Africa at your own risk. The police investigation is still going on, as to whether it's a real company or not, she has not presented herself to the authorities and has stolen our money with no intention of returning it, she shall do the same to you, the future traveller who reads this, I am writing this review on your behalf, to save you from the agony of a ruined holiday, STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!
AE
Email Samana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The experience was amazing! Everything was taken care of!
We wanted to plan a family safari and contacted a few companies... Lillian from Lians travel was the first to reply. All my queries were replied to asap and she made us an itinerary that suited our requirements perfectly! Our tour guide Humphrey was also great! He was always on time and very knowledgeable! Would definitely recommend lians travel!
AE
Email Salman | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lians Travel is one of the most professional and flexible tour operators in Africa.
I am extremely glad that i chose to book my itinerary with Lians Travel. They are the most competitive in terms of price and service. My tour to Masai Mara was well customized as per my requirement. I am pleased with the expertise tendered by Ms. Lilian and her team in conducting my successful trip. Ms. Lilian has personally monitored my trip and kept in touch throughout my journey. Their effort to ensure my comfort and safety is highly appreciated.
Selection of tent, ambiance, food and game ride timings were up to expectation and I will be glad to recommend Lians Travel to family and friends.
AE
Email Marwan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
EXCELLENT TOUR AND TRAVEL / THE BEST / INCREDIBLE
I would easily rate EXCELLENT to Lians Travel as they perfectly organised my Tour pretty well. I did a 4D & 3N at Kenya. Everything was pre- organised and briefed to us. Like what to carry what to wear etc . We were picked up from airport NBO and as per ittenary and Lian herself came to airport to receive us . We got our Ride with driver Mr Peter . Amazing guy with 15 years experiences on safaris. We started our journey ( AMBOSELI - NAIVASHA - MASAIMARA) . We had 5 game drives all together and perfect stay at all the places . I strongly recommend Lian's Travel.
If anyone wish to know more about our customized Ittenary please mail me or call me .
+971502669434
US
Email Grace | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Prompt and efficient
Lilian communicated throughout the planning process and went out of her way to get us accommodation with a short notice. The first part of the tour wasn't as good but that is not because of Lilian, it was the Mara base camp's failure to communicate well. Otherwise, the trip was good and I would highly recommend Lilian.
OM
Email Thank Thammaiah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good and prompt response to our enquiries. Tried best to give good hotel price.. staff are good .
Good and cooperative staff. Safari was good and enjoyed.
Excellent service during our first ever trip to Kenya Safari
Words are of short to describe the continuous support during planning phase of our first ever trip to the African country, Kenya. Effective support and daily follow-ups by Lilian helped to put us at ease and ensured all minute details were taken care of.
As our younger child’s birthday coincided with the trip, we had requested for a surprise event for the kid and it was a grand one indeed, thanks to Lilian and Fig Tree staffs.
The Safari was a great experience to see the big 5 in their wilderness and the hotels were awesome, With the wildlife that could be seen very close.
HK
Email Kevin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Quick communications, professional, and able to handle issues/last minute changes
Our experience with Lilian was very positive. She was excellent in communications, from providing a quotation to our specific itinerary and requests, and during the trip as well. More importantly, she handled issues during the trip when things went wrong (as we experienced horrible issues with a third party company that she had to hire because we wanted an open jeep, or when Adventures Aloft overbooked our original hot air balloon date and we had to change dates at the last minute). She also handled well any late changes (such as when we decided to book a flight to the Mara from Nairobi one day before). This is a sign of a good agent as people can experience difficulties with companies in the tourism industry in Kenya (from our experience and also what we saw/was told by other tourists during the trip), so it is good to know she is reachable at any time. There was some slight miscommunication during one point with the itinerary/place we assumed we would go, so it is best to confirm beforehand the exact details and places you will travel to (do your research on where you want to go, to see what you want to see as I believe the normal packages in the industry is quite a rushed itinerary). Overall, I recommend Lilian, as you will be in good hands.
Our itinerary was a 6 day safari visiting Ol Pejeta and the Masai Mara (Lemek Conservancy and the game reserve), including hot air ballooning and flights to and from the Mara (both highly recommended).
QA
Email Prakash | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good support and good trip we had.
Communication is so good and very nice accomdation we had