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
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!
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!
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 Eve | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bad safari, not lunch, shouting rude owner,left on Maasai Mara roadside,
I was with my family in Kenya, East Africa, my husband and daughter going to Maasai Mara on 11th February until 14th February. For me and my family members, all the fees were paid. We had problems from first day, I was sick and I could not get free lunch, I’m not sure why not, I was sick and I didn’t even get some free lunch. I missed the safari anyway but it was my decision to miss it. On 14th February, our driver didn’t want going on the journey, our friends we travelling with told that driver not paid his money but we had paid in full. We asked if they can calling this owner of company, we had seen her in the first day, her name is Lilian. Our friends and the driver tried calling her but she was always shouting, and we not speak English good. We stopped many times because driver didn’t want continue with journey but we still must going to Nakuru park. Our friends told us that lady we met on first day, Lilian, from Lians Travel said we must “sort ourselves out” meaning that it was our problem and she said on phone, “I don’t care”. I have video of it and I will make it on all social media because it was very bad day, everyone frustrated, poor safari and we must pay for transport and entrance for Nakuru. Our friends after safari which we paid alone went to police station but no justice and no refund for our money. It was a terrible experience for my family and my first time in Africa. I not speak English and if I alone, I would in big big problems. Is many travel companies, please do not using Lians Travel because they make my family safari very horrible. I not recommend this company!
Email Martin and Nelius | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya safari: An amazing holiday
I have just returned from a 10 night safari in Kenya and what a time I had! The holiday was meticulously organised by Lilian , Lians Travel; I knew I was in good hands from the first moment I corresponded with her. After a couple of emails I rang Lilian so she could get a really good idea of what I really wanted (within reason!) on my holiday in Africa, and also what I wasn't so keen on (single supplements, six Land Cruisers around one lion...). As I made my enquiry quite late in the year I was probably not in a good position to get a perfect fit, however the resulting 9 nights in the Kenya ,Amboseli,Samburu,Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara more than met my expectations.
Everything went like clockwork with transfers and for the majority of my trip I felt like the queen, having a safari to our group to the kenya Parks , I never had to worry about any aspect of our trip.
The Kenya Safari itself was incredible, and the Camp are special places. I enjoyed the most beautiful views, fantastic food, great hosting and exceptional guiding. I had so many memorable wildlife experiences. Here are my top 6: Lion Pride Seeing wild dogs for the very first time; seeing a leopard on a walking safari; elephants making a huge hullabaloo eating their breakfast right next to my tent; seeing a leopard slink right up to the car and give it a good sniff on a night drive; a couple of elephants sauntering by the dinner table as we guests were sitting by the fire enjoying aperitifs... magic!
I recommend Liant Travel unreservedly and I plan to book more safaris from them in the future.
CZ
Email Mark | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible woman, very rude, non professional, stole our money, left us stranded
Dear reader, as you read this, please scroll to the review under this one. March 4th, a 5 star review of a ten-day safari with one picture of like 2 buffaloes, March 2nd, two days earlier, a one star review, might not seem odd. February 24th, one star review, followed two days by well what do you know, a five star review. From August 2018 to February 24th, zero reviews.And after two one star reviews, 2 days later a 5 star review shows up? The reason I’m pointing this is out is what I have to say about Lians Travel Africa. We met Lilian, the owner of Lians Travel in our estate, who had just arrived with the driver. They were slightly later than expected but nevertheless we were happy that they had come, we left and had to go to the bank to pay the driver presumably. This was on 11th February, long drive, thought we were stopping for lunch in a town called Narok but apparently after clients pay for all inclusive, they also pay for their own lunch. (I have the text message provided to me from Lilian’s confirmed number, check even on Lians Travel Africa at the bottom and see the Mobile phone number ending in 710 111. One passenger was sick but poor her, she didn’t even get lunch, priority was to get her to camp to relax. We saw the Maasai performance which was nice, safari on 12th was very nice too, it was a pleasant day and I can’t complain.
13th February was went it all went bad. We had no safari in the morning and I saw the itinerary and noticed a few issues that the driver had pointed out. I will mention these later. The driver was looking nervous and was talking to my daughter and her husband. We were just standing on the side of the road, not knowing what’s going on. A few phone calls in the car, messages exchanged, my daughter and her husband were getting concerned and from what they told me, the driver didn’t wanna go on the journey, it seems that driver was not paid his full money. We didn’t really know that but I just wanted to continue with the journey.
My daughter called this woman, her husband did too, the driver and at some point it was just shouting and shouting even when they told her to calm down. The woman called Lilian. From what I have been told, she accused my daughter’s husband of being on the same side as the driver who were apparently running the safari. I have the message to prove it. It’s funny because my son in law also paid for this safari so I didn’t understand why she accused him. Later he explained that Lilian sent a text message saying that “You are from Kikuyu tribe so I know you also stole something from the safari.” Kikuyu tribe is one of the biggest tribes in Kenya and apparently the stereotype is that Kikuyus love money and Lilian was by a long shot, trying to say that my daughter’s husband was stealing from us too. I think she thought that he was some travel agent who booked the holiday for us, in Europe we are not saying this to people, I just don’t understand why she said it. What kind of person is this or what kind of country is it where someone judges another by tribal basis? I really didn’t understand this. I will attach this message here and you will see with your own eyes. It’s unbelievable that after ditching us in Narok, she was trying to secretly find out if we paid the park fees for ourselves, hello? She had just ditched us a few hours earlier! Anyway,I’ve got a video of her telling us to “sort ourselves out”, it’s a shame I cannot post it here, but IF YOU ARE READING THIS,JUST GOOGLE LIANS TRAVEL and you will see even on YouTube.There is just something terrible about seeing your loved ones and family members looking despondent, it really gets you. it was very bad day, everyone frustrated, poor safari and we had to pay for transport and entrance for Nakuru. A police report was made but I understand that Lilian just hid from the authorities, no justice in Africa. It was a terrible experience for my family and my first time in Africa. You have seen the suspicious reviews here, and on no other platform will you find Lians Travel Africa, just on safari bookings, that should be your first red flag. Check the top of my post and see the reviews from August 2018 to now, see if they make any sense, 2 days after this, another 5 star review might show up. Since 4th March, no review yet, strange indeed. I shall attach the text messages here as proof.
I will give some advice too, there are many good travel companies, with good reviews all over the internet, much more trustworthy, do you wanna risk it with this company? I’m sure you don’t. I don’t recommend this company at all!
Email Patel Hitesh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service and one of the best experience in Masai Mara trip
Very excellent communication, excellent service we received and on top of it time to time information we received
US
Email Anthony Almojera | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful experience. No guess work and wonderful driver Ronnie Dickson!
The company was very helpful and the facilities at the Maasai Mara were spartan but lovely. The animal sighting could not be beat. The driver Ronnie Dickson was phenomenal. We did not miss one animal. He knew where to go and was very informative about all the species. Would recommend this company to anyone who asks.
AE
Email Biju Oommen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible Company !!! Cheaters !!! Left our group of 14 Tourists stranded in between the tour.
Complaint against Lians Travel Africa and the Operations Manager Lilian Maina.
We a group of 14 Indian Tourists including women and children from Dubai, United Arab Emirates had booked a tour package with Lilian's travel company and have been communicating with her from March, 2019 for this trip. We agreed for an all inclusive full board package for 5 Nights (12th Aug till 17th Aug 2019) excluding Flight tickets to visit Amboseli, Nakuru and Masai Mara. We paid a 25% advance before coming to Nairobi. As soon as we landed on 12th we could sense trouble as we were put up at a different hotel than agreed. Hence we only paid the rest of the amount leaving a small balance to be paid at the end of the trip.
However as the days passed, more trouble started and after the Amboseli and Nakuru hotel stay was over and when we reached Masai Mara, the company and Lilian could not be contacted anymore.
The Masai Mara hotel was just booked for one Night instead of two, this even after we agreeing on a contract with Lilian that was for the full travel stay of 5 Nights. After the first night stay at the hotel in Masai Mara is when we realised that we and our families and kids were left stranded without any money and accommodation. We had to arrange additional money with great difficulty and had to pay all our expenses for the last two days including the Masai Mara Hotel stay for two nights, Park entry and Masai Village fees ourselves.
The whole group feel cheated and we would like to officially log a complaint against Lilian Maina and her Travel company Lians Travel Africa.
Antony Kurian and Group (14 Tourists)
AE
Email Antony Kurian | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A worst travel experience ever !!!
We were a group of 14 people (5 families) from Dubai who planned to visit Kenya from August 12 to 17 ,2019 ,through' Lians travel Africa ' . This tour operator was selected because she showed the lowest quote and best itinerary. We started communicating with Ms.Lilian, operation manager concerning parks, places, accommodations,vehicle.....about 6 months before the safari started and made an agreed contract for touring in Kenyya for 5 nights and 6 days for 14 people. We were made to pay 25% the initial booking amount as advance. As soon as we landed Kenya we paid the rest of the amount leaving a small balance to be paid at the end of the trip.We could sense some trouble in the beginning itself. We got the message fromMs.Lilian,4 days before our date of travel,saying our hotel bookings are cancelled. But later on she confirmed that every thing is done as per the agreed contract. During the first 3 days of our trip, our valuable safari time was wasted due to the issues between the drivers and agency, on 3rd day they changed the vehicles and drivers. But it took a very bad shape when we reached Masaai mara on 4th day. We were made to pay accommodation charges. What was more shocking was on 5th day we were left stranded without food and accommodation. Finally we had to find out a camp on our own, had to pay the park fees.etc.... we would not recommend to use Lian Travel agency services as they focus more on trying to cheat and get the most money from clients than increasing customer satisfaction/experience.