Our tour consultant with our clients on departure
Tourist Line Safaris (permanently closed)
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2020)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Hunter S | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This is one of my our favorite things we have ever done.
I don’t even know where to begin. My wife and I love to travel and a safari has always been a dream of ours. Tourist Line Safaris made that dream come true. We chose the 10 day Kenya and Tanzania budget safari and couldn’t have been happier with the entire experience. Everything was very well organized, and they take care of everything from start to end. Pick up times, game drives, meals, lodging, the schedule was pretty much perfect. I saw a couple of reviews that made me hesitant about our trip, but I think it all comes down to expectations. We knew on a budget safari we would be camping most of the time, but to our surprise, a lot of the camp lodges were “glamping style” with beds and a toilet and shower in the massive tents. Electricity times were specified which some might not be use to, but we didn’t have any trouble navigating around that. We even stayed in a few hotels that we thought were pretty nice considering what we paid! The meals are basic but better than we anticipated. But with a safari, it all comes down to the game drives and WOW they did not disappoint. Our safari guide/driver Patrick (who is literally the best) gave us the experience of a lifetime. He did the absolute most to get us to some of the more rare animal sightings. We got to see a lion ripping apart a wildebeest corpse early in the morning, we got right next to a cheetah, some lion cubs, found 7 rhinos, and saw hundreds of giraffes and elephants almost every day. We also saw thousands of zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles. Kenya was definitely our favorite. The Serengeti in Tanzania was no disappoint though, the grasslands are simply incredible, and we finally got to see a leopard! The camping in Tanzania was typical tent style so just a little bit rougher than all of the other accommodations. But to do it in the middle of the Serengeti hearing animals all around us all night is something we will never forget. It takes a lot to organize all of this and we thought Tourist Line did a phenomenal job, especially with communicating. Any question I had for them they typically got back to me the same day. I can’t recommend them enough. I know they offer a bunch of different safaris and I’m sure any of them will be absolutely wonderful. You’re in great hands!
CN
Email Jarheng Zhang | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour organizer!
Just finished a very enjoying tour with TLS, 7 days in Kenya + 6 days in Tanzania. If you have limited budget like me, TLS surely can help you; if you have mid-range or even luxury budget, TLS can also organize it. Personally I suggest sleeping in a lodge rather than tent camp in Masai Mara and Serengeti. Fiona is always very patient with my questions, informative, helpful and considerate. In a word, choose Tourist Line Safaris, they will never let you down!
US
Email Jon | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very accommodating and attentive!
Tourist Line Safaris did not disappoint. They were very accommodating to my specific safari request to make sure I had the perfect experience. Lilian was very attentive and was very helpful. My main guide was Patrick! He was amazing. He communicated well regarding itineraries and shared information about the locations and animals. Due to me having a special schedule, I stayed at the Masai Mara an extra day. I had Felix as my guide on this day. He was also great and helped us see the leopard! After meeting back up with my original group and Patrick, we continue to have a great time in Amboseli NP. The other travelers in my vehicle were fun to chat with and I made some new friends! I booked a last minute half day safari at Nairobi NP before my flight back home and Lilian was quick to make it happen. I couldn’t be more pleased with the price, services, and locations. Definitely will be booking with Tourist Line Safaris in the future. Can’t wait to come back to Kenya!
IN
Email Anmol | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour operators had done good arrangements. Appreciate for all the arrangements.
Safari was good but due to some miscommunication it was not as per the expectations. Still all other arrangements were good.
DK
Email Amaresh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Great recommendation!
We have been on a safari trip to the Masai Mara with Tourist Line Safari. Right from the first contact we were welcomed and all questions were answered quickly by Fiona from Tourist Line Safari.
The trip itself was a huge success. We had a super guide/driver. The trip was very professionally organized. We felt safe the whole way. We highly recommend Tourist Line Safari and will definitely use them again.
(automatic translation from Danish)
IE
Email Kalle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Possible scam and fraud. We feel ripped off
Be aware, possible scam, fraud and very dishonest people!
Dream holiday turned into a nightmare!
First and foremost TouristLine safaris is not a tour operator but an agency within an office with numerous other seemingly fake agencies all under the names of Fiona, Lilian and some guy going only by the name of Daniel! Among others those agencies include tourist line safaris, absolute holiday safaris and big time safaris!
We be booked a 13 day safari tour through Kenya and Tanzania for 4000usd p.p and paid 30% deposit. After paying the deposit, communication abruptly stopped. We didn't think much of it yet but were already concerned. At no point they provided further instructions and/or asked for hotel name to pick us up etc. We contacted them instead twice to confirm the hotel name for pick up and they confirmed pick up time. When we arrived in Nairobi I again confirmed hotel name for pick up. Among day of pick up after 1h there were still nobody, I contacted them and they said someone just left the office. Half hour later, still nothing. Then apparently it turned out the driver went to a different hotel. Long story short we ended up already 3h late that morning. After paying the rest of the amount the problems started.
They started changing the plans and tried to cut off game drives.
The safari car was in a very bad condition. It was falling apart and my partner even hit her head the first day on one of the many loose nails/screws. She bleeded and got a big bump on the head. The car was filthy, almost all windows broken, no handles, no A/C and so on.
On the second day every 10-15min the driver started checking under the car. He told us apparently the brake oil was leaking.
On the third day in the middle of the road the breaks stopped working, and the driver was then driving only 10-20km/h because he couldn't use the breaks and was looking for a mechanic. We lost overall 3h that day. The next day without any communication or warning he drove into a mechanic shop again and put the car with us inside into the forklift so that the mechanics can check something. We didn't know what's going on. He didn't even ask us to leave the car in the meantime. We were literally left inside the car not knowing how long it might take or so. I was looking at all the other tour cars the vast majority were really good. Only a handful of cars were equally bad
Because of the car we lost multiple hours of game drive.
Also the driver/guide was constantly late in the morning and we were the last to leave the hotel and usually the first to come back. He literally the whole time on the phone, didn't communicate anything with us and even worse, was picking up people and doing some extra stuff despite having a private tour.
Until now we thought it's just bad service.
However, when we were about to go to Tanzania only then we were told that the Tanzania part will be with a different tour company. Something we were not aware of at any stage prior to paying full amount. Once we crossed the border the actual real and big problems started.
It turned out tourist line safari is not a tour company per se but hires different companies to do the safari.
The tour company that picked us up in Tanzania had a completely different plan and way worse hotels. E.g. instead of staying in nysa lodge, rhino lode or sangaiwe lodge which cost around 200-400usd a night, we stayed in octagon lodge and charity hotel in Arusha which costs only 30usd a night.
We immediately started calling TouristLine safaris and told them this is not what we booked and paid for. But they just said that they booked different accommodation as per availability. However this was never communicated with us before. They didn't inform us about all the changes and thus we completely overpaid. I asked for either doing the tour we actually paid for or get a refund for the Tanzania part because this was completely different and low budget. They first said that they will refund but then immediately said that its not possible etc.
The agency in Tanzania was also lying to us and was constantly contradicting themselves. First they said they told tourist line that they can't book the accomodations we paid for and blammed TouristLine. TouristLine safaris at this point stopped responding to us and just said this is now the tour and not their responsibility anymore, we can either do this safari with the changed program and accommodations or come back and loose all the money.
We were left with no choice but doing a low budget safari. We lost overall at least 2 days worth of game drives and stayed in accommodations worth much less.
We started doing some research and found out that numerous tourists were scammed this way. They suddenly change the plan and put tourists in cheaper accommodations blaming one and each other and nobody actually feels responsible. They sell tours and accommodations that they never actually booked or even had.
We also found out that they operate under several different tour agency names.
Unfortunately we feel scammed and our dream holiday became a nightmare. We were left with a tour that was not what we booked and the frustration and disappointment is huge.
We also overpaid by a big margin.
When we arrived back in Nairobi we went to the office and there were different people actually saying that TouristLine Safaris doesn't operate here but after they realized we won't get scammed so easily they started arguing and after 2 hours they agreed to refund us very little amount not even covering the difference of one accomodation. There were so many men in the office and we felt threatened and in danger. We were then forced to sign some paper that we agree not to sue them. It seems this is the way the silence people and keep scamming tourists.
Please guys be aware and don't book from this agency and any other one under the names of Lilian, Fiona or daniel. We are not even sure if those names are real or who we were actually talking with on the phone and in the office.
Reply from Tourist Line Safaris (permanently closed)
Posted on Sep 26, 2023Hello,
First, we take this chance to apologise to this couple for this experience.
Second, we would like to put some light on the following points that they mentioned:
We are not scammers, we are registered with the government of Kenya as a company and we offer services professionally as we are supposed to, without compromise. What we advertise, is what we sell.
Our terms and conditions state that if for example a luxury/midrange accommodation facility is fully booked, we suggest a higher class facility or similar. This is exactly what we did, and also briefed the clients before hand and they agreed to partake the safari.
During safari, the clients ran out of cash and were constantly borrowing money from our tour guide to buy souvenirs multiple times, and of course our guide could only come in handy for so long, till he couldn't. From here, the clients started to ignore the guide during game drives and stop overs when it was time for lunch, started to shout at him and caused a fuss. This followed by them demanding for refunds through emails while they were still on safari for the "stress" they had experienced from one of them being hurt by a door. Our vehicles are also well maintained, and we really wish you attached the photo of the luxury land cruisers you used during the safari.
For the better part of the safari, all we received from them during safari is: "We will sue you to the tourism police and our embassy as well if you don't refund us our money for the stress we are going through...." When we asked to seek understanding since everything had been provided as per the contract, there were no reasons, they were just angry. At some point while they were still on safari, we were willing to refund them full amount since it was getting bit hard to satisfy them even a little, no matter what we did extra. Then after a 5 hours conversation with them on phone, they decided to do the safari to completion, and they were satisfied.
So the end of the safari came and we brought them to our office. It is true that Lilian, Fiona and all the other ladies were not in since it was a Sunday, and only the gents report to the office on Sundays. (The ladies take breaks on Sundays and the gents on Saturdays so that the office remains always open every day of the week). When they got to the office, our operations manager David, not Daniel as they call him, wanted to hear from them and to also make sure they were fine as we always do for all our clients at the end of their safari. They demanded for a 10% ($800) refund of the total amount they had paid, which was definitely not going to be fair for us since all the services had been provided accordingly. The lady started crying and banging our table and threatening to call the police. It was starting to get uncomfortable for other clients who were in the office. This was very unfortunate, and as a diligent company, we came down to their level and in as much as it was going to take a toll on us, that refund of $800 was initiated.
The reason why they signed upon refund is not to silence them for any reasons but because, as per our office policies: if/when any amount of money is extracted from the accounts department, be it of any use, that is utilities, refunds or any other causes, a petty cash document is signed to ascertain that the money was actually used for that specific purpose.
It is very unfortunate that this is how it ended up with these clients, it does not make us happy, and this is not what we do.
However, Tourist Line Safaris takes this opportunity to own accountability of where the clients felt like we did not meet their expectations. Our aim is to always give the best to all our clients, to give them quality services and make their holiday vacations exceptional and memorable.
Every single day, we strive to offer quality services to our clients and they have always felt happy with our services. This has always been our ultimate goal and satisfaction.
With kind regards,
Tourist Line safaris
ES
Email Marta | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our safari totally safe thanks to tourist line safaris
They organized a great trip for us a week in advance. And very well organized! We were able to enjoy 11 great days of safari. In the most visited places for it. Throughout the trip, Fiona was very aware of us and we were able to contact her whenever we had doubts during the trip. She answered us right away! Which is appreciated.
As for the safari, she set us up with a great driver in Kenya named Patrick. He made it possible for us to enjoy the views of the animals, being respectful of the animals and at the same time offering us good views and a good location to photograph the animals! In addition, he was very polite and he created a good atmosphere among those of us who were in the car.
In Tanzania we enjoyed the animals but also the delicious food that chef Christian cooked for us! A great cook.
We thank tourist line safari, the good organization in each change of cars. We also thank you for picking us up and taking us to the airport and including all the transfers!
It has been a great experience!!!
(automatic translation from Spanish)
ES
Email David | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best experience of our lives
We chose the 11-day trip (6 days in Kenya and 5 in Tanzania). From the moment we were picked up at the airport, to the moment we were dropped off at the airport 11 days later, we felt super comfortable and pleasant. At all times, TouristLine has been concerned about our condition and has allowed us to enjoy an incredible experience.
The accommodations were spectacular, the food typical of Africa was delicious and the guides made us feel at home.
Not only were we able to see the Big 5 up close, but also all kinds of animals and landscapes that made us enjoy every minute of the experience.
Without a doubt, we will repeat this trip with this company, we are very grateful to the TouristLine team for the treatment received and for their experience in this type of trips.
MY
Email John T. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent and a smooth trip
Had an amazing and smooth tour and safari trip with Tourist Line.
Transport from Jomo Kenyatta Airport to Maasai Mara was smooth all the way. No hiccups and detours. Driver was also patient in waiting at the airport since I had trouble initially with passport control.
Driver and safari guide Johannes at Maasai Mara was also good.
Would like to thank everyone!
DE
Email Fabia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable experts with a vast knowledge of animals
From start to finish, it has been an incredible safari and experience. The team has been super responsive and helpful, giving us the maximum support for a fantastic trip.
Our driver Geff has been the most impressive guide and we got to see more than we could ever have hoped for. He had a deep understanding of animal behaviour and was able to turn this trip into an educational journey.
The value of money was excellent and I would recommend Tourist Line Safaris as a preferred operator to all my friends and family.