Forche Tours and Travel
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- Zimbabwe Tourism Authority
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Jennie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beware- Fortune is a criminal
We booked with Fortune from Forche Travels in Zimbabwe back in February 2022. We paid him over $11,000 for an 11 night/12 day safari to Botswana and Zimbabwe. He sweet talked us up through the very end. When we arrived in Boswana, no one was there to greet us at the Maun airport because Fortune did not pay for our luxury camping excursion to the salt pans; therefore we were unable to go. Then we learned he did not pay Kwando Safaris. Upon arriving at our next destination that we had to pay out of pocket, Fortune showed up at Chobe Safari Lodge and told us our next location was cancelled due to all his mistakes and dishonesty so he “upgraded” us to the Elephant Eye in Hwange. At this time he was assuring us everything would be okay. Obviously a week in without Fortune paying for anything promised in our itinerary and contract, we then called to see if he indeed booked the Elephant Eye, which we learned that we had the booking but no payment. At that point we parted ways with Fortune and continued paying for everything out of pocket, documenting everything, including a recording of Fortune and names/numbers of all witnesses (general managers). It is disheartening and cruel that he took advantage of a family with young children. A police report was made and the tourist authority and the U.S. Embassy notified. Fortune was arrested on charges of Theft of trust of personal property. As I write this, he is due in criminal court for sentencing. We do not want anyone else to get robbed with their money or their once in a lifetime trip to Africa.
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Email Victor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stole our money- did not pay for anything
Do not book with this company. They robbed my family of 4 of our money and did not provide any services on our itinerary or signed (by both parties) contract. A trip we planned and paid for in February 2022 became a nightmare. Fortune asked for all money paid for in advance to pay deposits on rooms to hold them for us. He never paid any of the places: Moremi Crossing, Chobe Safari Lodge,Hwange Safari Lodge, or Pioneer Lodge. We had to pay for everything out of pocket. In our itinerary food, activities, and guide service was to be included but nothing was arranged or paid for. Once we arrived in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe where he lives and operates Forsche Travels, we went directly to the police and tourism authority. We also contacted the U.S. Embassy. We attended pre-trial with Fortune on charges of Theft of trust of personal property. He is currently awaiting sentencing. If you booked with this company, contact your credit card company ASAP. Be prepared to pay for everything out of pocket and document & save all receipts. I’m so sorry for anyone who has already booked with Fortune. I know the emotional roller coaster you are about to face!
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Email Frank Grosse | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Competent and very helpful partner for traveling
We booked an individual tour in and around VicFalls and everything was organized perfectly. The owner Fortune was available 24/7 and took care of my mom and me excellent. It was one of the best personal service I had in my 25 years travel experience and I can highly recommend Forche Tours. Thanks again for your wonderful help and organizing an unforgettable trip for us.
Email Kady Moodley | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organised
I found Forche Tours from a TripAdvisor post raving about their experience and now we understand why. Everything was arranged via emails and WhatsApp, Fortune organised our helicopter tour and sunset/dinner cruise and communicated every step of the way. Would highly recommend Forche Tours to anyone visiting Zimbabwe
Email Belinda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Thief, liar and conman
We booked with Forche Tours & Travel in Nuly last year. In the beginning, Fortune was accommodating and helpful however, as soon as he received full payment from us, his communications became less frequent and he continually experienced “wifi” or “internet” issues which he used as an excuse to not respond to us.
Upon discovering some bad reviews made after we booked, we followed up
With the hotels and lodges that Fortune had apparently booked for us only to find that they had not been paid for. We asked when the payment was due by and called to speak with Fortune. He “assured” us that payment would be made in full and that we could relax and just look forward to our holiday.
He never paid and with two weeks before we were due to fly out, we had to scramble to not only borrow money to cover this additional unexpected expense, we also had to find new accommodation, tours and transfers as the ones that Fortune had booked for us were way out of our price range now we had to repay for our holiday.
We have asked on numerous occasions now for a refund and of course, we have received nothing.
My advise… STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!
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Email SWEET Talking Con Man and Thief | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sweet talking THIEF and CON MAN
We booked with Fortune over a year ago to travel with our children to Botswana and Zimbwabe. He was a good communicator the entire time, except upon arrival. No one was at the airport to grab us. We quickly learned that Fortune failed to pay for any of the bookings that we were promised in our itinerary and invoice. When we finally reached Fortune, he made on excuse after the other. Although we paid $11,000, we have only had him transfer $300 of that back to us as ordered by the Chief Inspector. My husband and I took time away from our vacation to press charges against. Fortune was prosecuted in Victoria Falls Courthouse and ordered to pay restitution. I am writing another review to warn others. A year later, Fortune continues to let us down despite promising the court to pay restitution to avoid more time in jail. I have photos of Fortune in handcuffs.