Kenamoti Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2000)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Nadine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unprofessional tour operator
I would not recommend booking a safari through Kenamoti Tours.
We booked a 3-day Masai Mara safari through safaribooking.com (3-Day Masai Mara 4x4 Land Cruiser Safari). An important criterion for us was to have a real 4x4 safari vehicle (as opposed to minibuses). Therefore, we booked a safari that included the 4x4 vehicle.
Communication with the tour organization was mainly through a man named Amos. He was flexible with the tour dates, which was nice since our itinerary changed slightly.
However, when we got to his office to discuss final details and make payment, he wanted the money in cash, which we were not prepared for. During our trip we learned that it is common in Kenya to pay even larger amounts in cash. We were able to arrange with Amos to pay only a deposit in cash and pay the rest when we were picked up, which seemed more convenient.
On the day of the pickup, we were picked up around 9am by two people (the booked tour originally stated 7am) who drove us to the bus. It turned out that our safari vehicle was one of the minibuses and not the promised 4x4 vehicle. After some discussion with the staff, our only options were to cancel the tour (and probably not get our deposit back) or settle for what we got and pay the full amount. We decided to go ahead with the tour since we didn't have time to find another tour. When we arrived at the camp, it turned out to be a different camp than the tour description stated. Also, the tour description said that there was a maximum of 6 people per vehicle (we were 8), which was quite uncomfortable at times. According to the tour description, there was supposed to be another morning game drive on the third day. The driver informed us that the plans had been changed and instead of the game drive we would only have the option of visiting the Masai village (for $10). We were able to negotiate with the driver and he organized an alternative "plant medicine walk" with one of the Masai for free. In the end, it was a nice tour with good game drives, but the fact that we were tricked into a tour that was significantly cheaper than what we paid was very disappointing. Therefore, we give this tour provider a poor rating and would not recommend anyone to book with this provider. Amos is not able to properly plan the bookings he receives, which ends in chaos and disappointment.
Reply from Kenamoti Tours
Posted on Sep 27, 2022good morning traveler
this was a moment of miscommunication and understanding on the type of safari vehicle that was to be used during the entire safari
we explained the same to this group of travelers and they agreed to embark on the safari
As a matter of fact the travelers proceeded on with the safari only to be ambushed with this negative review
we appreciate your concerns and emotional feelings and wish to apologies for the inconvenienced caused as a result of the miscommunication
Email Ben | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They canceled on me the day before
Communication and service was highly unprofessional. The organization confirmed the safari tour in advance, but canceled at 4pm the day before due to lack of vehicles. Upon calling them to see what options I had, they were neither helpful nor apologetic. Be careful in booking with this company. Since I never got to go on a safari with them, I cannot comment on that experience.
Reply from Kenamoti Tours
Posted on Aug 19, 2019thanks so much for sharing your experience
we are sorry to inform you that our policies for booking and making reservations is by payment of 30% cost of safari for reservations
we are sorry that this client never paid any money in advance for bookings and reservations but only presented himself on the day of travel with cash money. we referred him to other companies but they did not have availability because of lack of early bookings
it is my advice to future clients to make an endeavor to pay deposits for bookings and reservations especially during the high season time-July to December
we are sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Email Scott | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
SCAM - PLEASE DO NOT BOOK
Please do not go anywhere near this company or a company called Right Choice Tours. We had booked, paid deposit, had everything confirmed for our 4 day safari from Nairobi to Masai Mara and Hell's Gate National Park/Lake Naivasha.
On the day of our safari, we were taken to a completely different area of Kenya than what we had booked, even though we had been reassured numerous times we were going as per our given itinerary. When emailing Amos (owner), he replied saying that we didn't book through him and he has no record of our booking. Even though on the exact same email thread he confirms our booking and says how his driver will collect us at 7am (which he did). Amos pretends he has no knowledge of who we paid and booked through and what safari we booked.
PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM KENAMOTI TOURS - SCAM
Reply from Kenamoti Tours
Posted on Aug 13, 2019Greetings; DEAR VISITORS/CLIENTS/TOURISTS
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE CEO KENAMOTI TOURS
WE HAVE LEARNT WITH ALOT OF REGRETS THAT OUR COMPANY HAS BEEN REFERRED AS A SCAM. THIS IS NOT THE TRUE POSITION BECAUSE OUR COMPANY HAS BEEN REGISTERED BY THE KENYAN LAWS TO OPERATE TOURS AND WE HAVE NEVER SWINDLED ANY CLIENT SINCE WE STARTED OUR OPERATIONS
THE REVIEWER HAD SCORES TO SETTLE WITH THE COMPANY JUST BECAUSE OUR COMPANY REFUSED TO ACCEPT HIS CREDIT CARD SINCE OUR POLICY OF OPERATION IS PURELY CASH BASIS. IT IS A FACT THAT THE REVIEWER WENT FOR A SAFARI WITH A TOTALLY DIFFERENT COMPANY FROM US. HE PAID HIS CREDIT CARD TO A COMPANY THAT IS NOT ASSOCIATED TO KENAMOTI TOURS
AFTER MY INVESTIGATION IT IS THE CORRECT POSITION THAT THE REVIEWER PAID FOR HIS SAFARI TO ANOTHER COMPANY CALLED SPIRIT OF KENYA BEST KNOWN TO HIM AND HE WAS TAKEN TO LAKE NAKURU AND MASAI MARA, HE HAD REQUESTED TO BE TAKEN TO LAKE NAIVASHA AND MASAI MARA
THE REVIEWER IS NOT HONEST WHEN HE IS SAYING THAT HE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER PART OF KENYA THAT HE DINT KNOW. THIS REVIEWER IS AN ALARMIST AND THIS IS UNFAIR AND UNCALLED FOR AND HIS REVIEW SHOULD NOT HOLD ANY WATER BECAUSE HE IS IN RAGE AND ANGER.
FINALLY, OUR COMPANY IS LEGIT AND NOT A SCAM. IT IS UNFAIR TO REPORT OUR COMPANY IN BAD NAME BECAUSE OF MISUNDERSTANDING WHICH WE COULD have RESOLVED AMICABLY WITHOUT ALL THESE BAD SENTIMENTS TO OUR COMPANY.
THIS IS VERY UNFORTUNATE AND WILL CORRECT THAT THE SAME DO NOT HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
The complaint posted is not genuine because the client did not book a safari with kenamoti tours neither do we work on behalf of the spirit of Kenya tours and if there is any proof of such payment via credit card kindly post the same here for the public to witness
the client requested to book a safari with us and we offered to provide 4-day safari to Masai mara and lake Naivasha, however on the date of arrival the client insisted on paying with a credit card and our payment policies do not accept credit card
The client should also publish proof of payment to our company and any receipt that we issued for the safari that he claims to have a paid via credit card
We even paid for a taxi and took the client to more than five ATMS in Nairobi Kenya but he didn't have money in his account
The client requested to pay safari through credit card services but we declined because we only allow cash for our operations
Kindly I request the client to proceed and post the proof that you paid any money via your credit card to our company
It is very unfair for the client to maliciously taint our name with false accusations
This is unfair and uncalled for and should be treated with the highest
FINALLY, ON BEHALF OF OUR COMPANY AND ALL CUSTOMERS /CLIENTS WE SINCERELY MAKE APOLOGIES AND VERY SORRY for the miscommunication and misunderstanding in relation to the conditions of reservations and deposits set in the company payment policies
Also, we are sorry for the fact that our company has had so many clients during this high season and we have had problems with accommodation in the camps in Masai mara for clients who did not make early deposits and reservations
ALSO IN FUTURE WE SHALL ENDEAVOR TO ACCEPT CLIENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE CASH BUT WOULD LIKE TO PAY SAFARI VIA CREDIT CARD
we promise to correct this and not happen in future and we have taken action against our employee who handled Mr.Scott
Its unfourtunate, i was not in town because I went to Kisumu town to attend to emergency family issues
OUR SINCERE APOLOGIES AND GLAD THAT AFTER DUE DILIGENCE AND FOLLOW UP WE GOT INFORMATION THAT THE CLIENT GOT SERVICES FROM SPIRIT (4 DAYS SAFARI TO MASAI MARA AND LAKE NAKURU INTESA)OF KENYA WHO ACCEPTED THEIR CREDIT CARD OFFER though we are not associated with the said company
we are very sorry that because of miscommunication you were taken to LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK INSTEAD OF HELLS GATE WHERE YOU WANTED TO RIDE BIKES.
Email Joseph | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Total Scam - Cancelled Tour With No Notice
Made reservations a week prior and was told to come to 4th Floor Portal House in Nairobi CBD. Upon arrival no one was there to make final payment and they did not even have a physical office.
Waited over 45 minutes after which time Amos (CEO) finally called and started making excuses that the vehicle was not working as of yesterday. I asked why I was not notified the night prior and all I got was excuses. He finally apologized and made no effort to seek alternative plans.
No alternative arrangements were made, ruined our weekend and no refund for transportation as yet occurred (still waiting on refund).
I would definitely use another agency or at least not pay in full until the trip is confirmed and you see the actual truck! Good luck - a real scam artist.
Reply from Kenamoti Tours
Posted on Aug 13, 2019Hello Dear clients/tourists/reviewer-THE REVIEWER IS MALICIOUS/LIAR WHO HAS NO MORAL AUTHORITY TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC BECAUSE OF SELFISH INTEREST AND RAGE
Our company is legit and registered in Kenya under the company laws of Kenya and have dully paid all the operation levies in the country to operate tours
the reviewer made an inquiry via email claiming that he is a resident of Kenya and he wanted an overnight safari. you claimed that you reside in Kenya and you wanted to go for an overnight safari on 9th August to Masai mara
I invited you to get to our office and produce your Kenya national identity card or resident card
You never showed up in our office. you claimed that you reside in garden city, Nairobi
I even sent you (reviewer)our local mobile payment platform and asked you to pay a deposit for reservations.you made it impossible by insisting that we send you an invoice before you pay
We don't send invoices to clients but only we issue receipts upon payment for confirmation of safari
In the first instance we did not make any reservations for the reviewer neither did we take your money for reservations
And if there is any proof of payment kindly provide receipt and back up your claims
You cannot just taint the name of our company because we didn't take you for a safari due to miscommunication and misunderstandings.WE NEVER CANCELLED YOUR SAFARI BECAUSE YOU BOOKED NON WITH KENAMOTI TOURS
OUR BOOKING POLICY STATES THAT YOU MUST PAY A DEPOSIT FOR SAFARI TO ENABLE US MAKE RESERVATIONS.IN THIS CASE NO DEPOSIT WAS PAID AND NO CANCELLATION OR RESERVATION WAS MADE.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE AND IN BAD TASTE FOR THE REVIEWER TO DISHONESTLY MAKE MALICIOUS COMMENTS. THIS IS ABUSE OF THE RIGHT TO MAKE A REVIEW ON THIS PLATFORM.
THE REVIEWER EVEN DEMANDED THAT I REFUND HIM BACK HIS USD 10 FOR TAXI TO OUR OFFICE WHEREAS THERE WAS NO BOOKING MADE WITH OUR COMPANY.
We have the right of admission and reservations and cancellation of safari.if the right to cancellation and reservations of safari is what you call a scam then you are very wrong
We don't offer safari without payment of the deposit for reservations
Our conditions are that during the high season if you don't make deposit payments for reservations we cannot reserve safari for you because the accommodation has to paid in advance in Masai mara during this high season
Yes, you came to the office and found my assistant but there was no space for you in the safari van.it could have been different if you paid the deposit for reservations as per our policies.
You went on to abuse me on phone and called me names and you threatened to write a bad review.
This is blackmail
Also, you are claiming a refund of uber /taxi services that you used to reach our office. we didn't make any reservations for you
Can you show evidence of deposit to kenamoti tours or payment proof!!!!!!!!
Stop emotions .you refused to pay for reservations
Stop.being malicious for no good reason because you know you are not honest since you even refused to produce documents showing that you are a resident of kenya
Stop being a liar and romour mongure because you have no right to taint the name of our company without any proof of reservations/payment.THIS IS UNFAIR,ITS WRONG,ITS UNETHICAL
AS A COMPANY WE HAVE STATED OUR POSITION AND THE REVIEWER HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT WE NEVER TOOK HIS MONEY, NEITHER DID HE PAY DEPOSIT FOR SAFARI AND THUS OUR COMPANY IS NOT A SCAM.
finally, we take this opportunity on behalf of the company to apologize for all the miscommunication and misunderstanding concerning bookings, our conditions on reservations and misunderstanding with Mr.Joseph.we are very sorry and very sorry for not having able to fix in you for a safari for lack of early reservations due to lack of payment of the deposit. our sincere apologies for miscommunications
in future, we shall improve on the mode of communication and effective response so that we avoid future miscommunication with clients
thanks