Mega Wild Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $570 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Kim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
COVID19 Cancelled our trip and this company took advantage of the pandemic
I do not recommend booking with this company. Anne was very friendly, but the savings of a few hundred dollars turned out costing us thousands. We had a safari scheduled for early June 2020, which we chose to cancel due to COVID19. We cancelled 3 months in advance. We chose not to wait it out because we feared losing all of our money if this safari company decided that COVID19 was not a good reason to cancel and to be honest it turned out that they didn't feel a pandemic was a good enough excuse to cancel anyway. Their policy of a 75% refund less the gorilla permits was better than losing the total $6600 I spent.
However the upsetting part was that I emailed Anne asking how they planned on dealing with COVID19. I was nicely told they would give full refund less the Gorilla permit that they tell you aren't refundable (which is not true by the way.). Needless the say when I took her up on her kind offer of giving full refund.... well, there was radio silence for over a day. So I emailed again and then she finally replied telling me... Oh sorry that full refund I mentioned we could do, well we can't because i talked to people who told me I can't give it. IT IS HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DO THAT. Also their website states that they give 90% refunds if canceled more than 60 days in advance but their written policy doesn't say that. Also, please check out this link and never use a tour company like I did to book your Gorilla permits- Uganda Wildlife Authority does give refunds. It's just another way for these tour companies to SCAM you. https://www.bwindiimpenetrablenationalpark.com/gorilla-permits/cancellation/
After arguing with Anne over email that it was not okay to tell a customer full refund and then change your mind. I finally accepted the refund they would give and filed a dispute with my credit card company. The crappy part is my credit card company is so bogged down right now with other travelers. Anne failed to mention to them that she had told me full refund and then took it back. She also failed to mention, I never signed a contract. She failed to mention that the Uganda and Kenya are closed right now due to COVID19. Failed to mention that it's not possible to go on a trip right now.
Overall, my experience is I got scammed. When I didn't want to rebook my trip and took her up on her offer I think she freaked out and then said, oh no... By the way, rebooking the trip would have cost me more money. Why you ask? Because the Gorilla permits cost more next year and there is a fee to reschedule. And don't forget they aren't refundable. They are refundable, just not to you if you book with this company or one like it.
So the moral of this story is, I'm totally bummed I had to cancel my trip. Yet, there are better companies out there to work with. These guys are not fully honest. The policy stated on their website versus the one given to you are different. They can decide when they feel like it if they don't want to honor something they tell you.
I will likely not win my dispute for the other half of my refund, but I have not given up. One thing I've learned in all my travel is that you need to fight for your refunds. I travel a lot. I'm a digital nomad. I'm writing this review in hopes to save another person from this experience.
COVID19 or not... I would not trust this company. They have some good reviews and it's why I went with them, but don't be fooled. You could have a great trip with them or you could get total ripped off and scammed just like me. The choice is yours. I wish you all well.
Reply from Mega Wild Safaris
Posted on May 11, 2020Dear Kim,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are truly sorry that we failed to meet your expectations. Please kindly note that Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA), the only body responsible for issuing gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits, does not offer refunds for unused gorilla permits and Chimpanzee permits but rather offers reschedules incase a customer is not able to track on their comfirmed dates. As such, the company was unable to offer you the refund for the already purchased permits because Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) did not offer us a refund for the permits we had already purchased for your tracking. Please understand that the Company issued you a refund in accordance with the refund and cancellation policy that was clearly stated on your invoice and agreed to by yourself prior to you sending the payment for the trip. We are however sorry that your experience did not match your expectations and we'll strive to do better.
MT
Email Adele | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our tour operator provided us with the best guides ever!
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip in Africa - Kenya and Uganda. Our guides Patrick and Dalson made sure about this - they were very attentive, reliable throughout and did all they could to make sure we had the best holiday possible. I would definitely recommend them.
I preferred Uganda while my friend preferred Kenya. My choice is due to the fact that the programme was more at leisure and more varied in activities - Kenya had some early starts and long hours in jeep and heat; I would have liked a little more time to settle into a hotel and chill a bit especially since the accommodation the tour operator chose for us were great. I would have done either lake Nakuru or Amboseli in a week's trip - not both. Probably would choose Nakuru as less driving. But, I know my friend would want to do it all once again so it does depend on personal differences.
The accommodation was good, comfortable, and clean throughout the trip. The food and service were also very good too. The accommodation close to Bwindi was a bit lower in standards - mostly in terms of the service, lack of warm water, poor lighting, and internet.
Transportation - I hated that mountain road to see the gorillas but I guess that can't be helped :). It is recommended to have a proper safari jeep rather than a van.
Some points for reference:
1. US dollars are preferred and only the new ones are accepted - and papers need to be flat, clean - no tears, no gem marker etc.
2. Despite paying a lot for this trip (a 2 week trip in Africa has cost us as much if not more than anywhere else in the world including the US/Canada; Central and South America; Asia) one is still expected to fork out in tips .... daily.
3. Take some clothes, and sweets for the kids waving by the roadside.
4. Check all plans in detail with the tour operator beforehand since we had one or two miscommunications. However, these were rectified. Communication was regular prior to the trip and the guides could easily contact the operator during the trip.
5. Try to go to a local dance/performance show, it is worth it!
Anne was very responsive and attentive to our needs/wants during the safari
We were very pleased with the service we received from Mega Wild Safaris, Anne was very attentive to what we were wanting for our trip of a lifetime and was quick to respond to our emails/questions. We liked having someone local in Uganda because we think it made the price more reasonable and she had contacts in Uganda, our trip was booked for Uganda and Tanzania over the Christmas holidays.
Our driver in Uganda, Kassim, was the absolute best! Unfortunately, the airline lost our luggage for 6 days and finding medicine/necessities/clothing etc is not that easy but Kassim was very patient and we were able to get a few things so we could have the basics. Anne was instrumental in locating our luggage and was able to get it to the hotel where we were originally going to stay, because of the time and curfew it was a challenge getting it to us, but Kassim was able to get a couple of his friends to drive the 9 hours and we were able to have it before the Gorilla Trekking! We enjoyed the hotels in Uganda and Tanzania, in Uganda we stayed with the locals on holiday which was a wonderful experience and we met some of the nicest people we have ever encountered. We would definitely travel with Mega Wild Safaris again and would ask for Kassim as our guide/driver. Anne is very Professional, Calm and understanding to anything you may encounter along the journey which made us feel like we were always in good hands. Uganda is a beautiful place with beautiful people! Tanzania is better equipped for tourists and our guide in Tanzania was very good, Anwar, but it was definitely more of a professional feel as a opposed to a more personal experience we had in Uganda. Overall, it was an incredible experience and we look forward to returning!
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Email Lillian Tsai | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very knowledgeable and friendly service
The communication was transparent and clear. There could have been more details about the Rhino lodge and what to expect. I appreciated Mega Wild letting the lodge know of my special diet although the lodge wasn’t consistent about the amount of salt they used. The tour was great. My guide was persistent in seeking more animals through communications with other guides and the Park.
Email Alasdair Morrison | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing honeymoon to Kenya with Mega Wild Safaris
We just returned from a breathtaking 9-day safari through Kenya with Mega Wild Safaris, and we can’t recommend them enough! From the moment we were picked up by our guide, Edwin, in Nairobi, we knew we were in for an adventure of a lifetime.
Our journey took us through stunning locations including Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha National Park, and Amboseli National Park. Each destination offered unique wildlife experiences and unforgettable landscapes. The combination safari was intense and action-packed, but every moment was exhilarating and worth it!
Anne, the Managing Director, was exceptional in her communication and ensured that our itinerary was perfectly tailored to our needs.
A special shoutout to our guide, Edwin! His passion for wildlife and dedication to making our trip magical truly set him apart. We loved our long drives filled with conversations about the animals and Kenyan culture. Edwin’s professionalism, extensive knowledge, and great sense of humour made every day memorable.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable safari experience, look no further than Mega Wild Safaris. Thank you for making our honeymoon so special!
CA
Email Val & John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience in Tanzania & Uganda
We went on a 12-day safari through Tanzania and Uganda with Mega Wild Safaris, and can highly recommend! It is a professional company, with terrific personnel. The trip was extraordinary from beginning to end.
Emmanuel met us at our hotel in Arusha, and just an hour or so later we were experiencing incredible wildlife at Tarangire National Park. I mean - up close and personal with giraffes, elephants, cheetahs, zebras, buffalo, wildebeest! Amazing start. We spent the next three days in various parts of the Serengeti and were wowed by many lions, a leopard right above us in a tree, hippos, and thousands of wildebeests making the Great Migration across the River Mara!! Wild! Ngorongoro Crater was beautiful too... so amazing to see so many different animals all within a 360 of the jeep. There are no paved roads in the Serengeti, so be prepared for a lot of bumping and jostling ("the African massage") and dust. Emmanuel was fantastic! He regularly arrived at the perfect viewing spot well before the other safari vehicles, and worked hard to make sure that we got the best vantage point. He is extremely knowledgeable about the land, the animals and the people (apart from speaking several languages fluently) and was excellent company throughout the drives and meal times. At the end, he made sure we were safely checked in at the Kilimanjaro airport.
Mega Wild booked our flight from Tanzania to Uganda, and it went off without a hitch. Dalson picked us up at Entebbe Airport, and we were immediately with a new friend :) We drove for several hours across beautiful lush Uganda, and Dalson helped interpret what we were seeing at every step. Our experiences with the chimpanzees and with the gorillas were beyond belief. Such close access, such magic. We felt that we really got to know something about Ugandan life through our long chats (and laughs) with Dalson, which put everything we were seeing into context.
Our accommodations were all fine, with some of them being quite luxurious and others more basic. Sometimes there can be power or hot water issues along the way, but these were usually resolved quickly. Everyone at the lodges treated us well, and the food was quite good. We are vegans but were flexing to vegetarian for the trip. Emmanuel and Dalson always communicated with the lodges, so that we almost always had good variety and tasty food at dinner. Breakfast and boxed lunches were sometimes a bit sketchy, but there was always plenty of fresh fruit and bread and we had brought granola bars and other snacks to augment. In Uganda, we recommend the Ride 4 a Woman lodge near the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - they provide lovely accommodations and food, and all profits go to help local women develop skills and independence.
We had good communication with Anne Bright before and during the trip. There were some last minute changes made to the itinerary, but most of these were for the better.
There are tons of safari companies out there. We chose Mega Wild because they were local, the prices were reasonable, and we appreciated the good communication in our early enquiries. We were happy with our choice!
IT
Email Maria | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable tour operator with high standards
We asked Mega Wild Safaris to organize 15 days for us between Kenya and Tanzania. The organization of the tour was very smooth, Anne was able to satisfy all of our requests. During the tour, we had a small issue due to a change of flight timing and Anne was immediately able to support us.
The tour guides were nice and friendly, always available to answer our questions.
AT
Email Harald Wachauer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Value for money is very good
Everything worked great. Very nice guide and booking was easy and uncomplicated. All of our questions were answered quickly.
CA
Email Clarize and David | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari tour operator- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Great Migration (Kenya- Tanzania (and Zanzibar))
Working with Mega Wild Safaris has been one of the best decisions we have made especially when we finally decided to do the Great Migration Kenya-Tanzania Safari Tour. I have reached out to more than 10 companies and none of them gave me the time of day to help me customize our trip and work within my budget. When I reached out to Mega Wild, I got in contact with Anne and she has been nothing but patient and amazing from the pre-planning stages all the way to the end of our trip. She helped us customize our trip to what we wanted and did her best to work within our limited budget. We have never done a multi-day tour before that was arranged by a tour operator so we were a bit apprehensive about the quality that we were going to get. However, we were very surprised and amazed by the quality of our tour guides and the accommodations that we were able to get during this trip. Until now we still could not believe the quality and service that we got especially with the budget that we had. Not only that, communications have been phenomenal and Anne and Yonafika always checked to make sure everything was running smoothly and if we had any concerns throughout the trip. I also want to give a huge shoutout to our tour guides Henry and Gabriel for making our trip so enjoyable and interesting. We thought that they were just there to show us the animals, but we were completely wrong, they taught us so much about the animals, their behaviors, and their way of life. It felt like we were in a live version of Animal Planet.
This trip made us so happy that we are already considering when to go again. I will highly recommend them to our friends and family!!!
Thank you so much for making this bucket list trip an amazing one! We will never forget this trip
Thank you, Anne, Yonafika, Henry, and Gabriel
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Email Connor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great company to work with
We spent 6 days in Kenya and 4 days in Rwanda with Mega Wilds. It was all around an amazing experience! Working with Anne was very easy - she was very responsive and had lots of good information to help us get the itinerary just right. She addressed all of our questions and concerns and checked in with us to make sure everything went well. Both of our drivers were great too - Stephen in Kenya and James in Rwanda. Stephen had many years of experience and made us feel very comfortable as he knew all the good spots, other drivers, park workers, where to stop during long drives, and how to position the vehicle for the best pictures of animals. He was very kind and flexible, often checking with us to see what we wanted to do. There wasn't a question about the animals we had that he didn't know the answer to. James was also very good, had lots of good information on the country and history of Rwanda and got us to our treks on time, called ahead to check on hiking conditions, and provided suggestions and ideas for how to structure our days while staying in Nyungwe. Our highlights of the trip were the impressive landscape at Amboseli, the big cats in Masai Mara, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe, and visiting a tea plantation in Rwanda. Everything felt very secure working with Mega Wilds - would highly recommend!