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
IE
Email Shannon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had the most amazing experience, prompt replies, detailed descriptions of animals, friendly staff
We loved our 10 day safari starting in Kenya to Tanzania. Patrick our guide was amazing, he was so friendly and accommodating, any questions we had about the animals or wildlife he knew all the information. The staff met us on the first day and any queries we had they messaged back in minutes. Crossing the border was super easy and they had a staff member waiting for us. Everything on the intinerary was 100% what we got. I highly recommend this tour and the tour guide Patrick!
IE
Email Nicole | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
OUTSTANDING
We did the 10 day Safari from Kenya to Tanzania and it was a once in a lifetime experience. We had tour guide Patrick for Kenya and julius for tanzania.
The accommodation varied from lodges to camp sites to tents to hotels. The food was good. We learned so much about the animals on the Safari and the drivers were so educational. The variation of venues and lakes and canoes were amazing. There aren’t enough words to describe this amazing experience. I would recommend to anyone visiting
US
Email Ellie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not the best company to use
I did the 14-day Kenya and Tanzania shared group safari. I’m going to tell an entire story here, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if TouristLine categorized me as a “difficult” client. But I do NOT recommend using this agency.
To start, my trip and safari and the food and the people were all wonderful. However, the guides do not work for TouristLine, they work as contractors through a separate company, so it’s really luck of the draw there. No matter who you book through, you could end up in a group with clients from different agencies.
My first red flag from TouristLine was that they advertise assistance with booking lodging for any days before or after your safari. When I asked for hotel recommendations, I was ignored and they asked me for my hotel information for the safari pick-up. I found a great hotel on my own and didn’t think too much of it.
The start of my trip was difficult, as my luggage remained in NYC and so I had to do some paperwork and make some extra accommodations right from the start. After the long flight and with the extra stress I just wanted to get to the hotel and shower and make a plan. I was under the impression that once I left the airport, all of the logistics of travel would be handled by TouristLine. I was incorrect. No one picked me up from the airport as advertised. When I brought this up, I was told that I needed to call once I landed. Every other time I have had an airport pick-up, they use the flight number to track the flight and I have been picked up without difficulty. Anyway, I took a $20 cab ride to my hotel.
Out of frustration (that wasn’t necessarily all TouristLine’s fault), I wrote a Day 1 review on safaribookings.com. The company reached out to me and offered to cancel and refund my safari. This would have left me without luggage, accommodations, or a safari. I took the review down and played nice, even though at this point I knew that I was going to experience some bumps in the road.
TouristLine was contacted about my luggage situation. They were able to verify when the luggage had been put onto a plane and assured me that upon arrival it would be delivered to me. At this point, I volunteered to give up a day of my tour to make sure that I had my bag before heading out to the parks. They again assured me that the bag would make it to me and we continued with our original plan. I had a free day in Nairobi so I went and bought three outfits and some basic toiletries, thinking this would be more than enough to cover me until my luggage arrived. My luggage arrived in Kenya the next day, which was the day I was set to start my safari. My hotel pick-up was at 0700 and that went smoothly. However, my pick-up time was apparently much earlier than the other tour participants because we didn’t leave until around 0900. If I would have known this, I could have swung by the airport and grabbed my bag and that would have been the end of that. This didn’t happen, but I was again told that the bag would be picked up and would meet me the next day at the first camp. I won’t get into too many details, but this back and forth went on for four additional days before I receive my luggage. While the initial luggage situation had nothing to do with TouristLine, I feel like they gave me the impression that this was high priority but in actuality they did not care at all. If I would have known that there was going to be a delay that long I would have gotten extra supplies when I was still in Nairobi.
From that point the rest of the Kenya trip went smoothly. However, crossing into Tanzania started the real problems with TouristLine. Firstly, I had specifically asked about vaccination requirements, another question that had gone unanswered. I had done research on my own, but read the requirements incorrectly. I had to pay $50 cash at the border to get my yellow fever card. I was also told that Tanzanian visas were gotten at the border, while everyone else in my van had successfully completed e-visas in advance.
Okay, so after customs, I was waiting with another traveler who had a similar itinerary as I did, although he had booked through a different company. We assumed that we were traveling to Arusha together as we had not been given individualized instructions. We waited for several hours for a bus to Arusha, but finally boarded and headed to the hotel. It was at this point that I learned that the bus and hotel were just for my friend and not for me. NO ONE WAS SENT TO PICK ME UP AT THE BORDER. If I hadn’t been with a friend using another agency, I would have been completely lost since the border and drop-off point are very chaotic.
At the hotel I got in contact with TouristLine and asked if it was possible to swap my itinerary to match my travel buddy’s, since it was just swapping the days of Serengeti and Ngororgoro. She was able to change my itinerary, however, the changes did not put me onto my friend’s tour so we went back to the original plan. You have to understand, the plans for safaris are pretty much made day to day. The tour guide seemed responsible for getting people to their next destination, which required a lot of transfer vehicles and last-minute arrangements as they are unaware of each traveler’s individual itinerary. I heard the phrase “hakuna matata” very much during this time. That is the only reason I thought the change might be able to be made. TouristLine did attempt to help me make the requested changes and I appreciated the effort even if it did not work out.
The rest of the Tanzania leg of the safari went smoothly. Even though the tour can end in Arusha or Nairobi according to the website (and TouristLine had a copy of my flight information), my tour seemed to officially end in Arusha. The hotel I stayed at helped arrange a shuttle for me to go back to Kenya to make my flight. I had to pay an additional $35.
I am giving you my entire story so that you can judge for yourself. In my opinion, the agency’s only job is logistics since the tour guides direct the safaris themselves. As I had issues with my luggage, transportation, and the border crossing, I am not 100% sure what TouristLine did for me. I’m sure there are a million things they did on their end that I am unaware of, but there are over 400 companies that arrange safaris and I am sure that they all do those same things. I would recommend trying another company if you want to avoid additional, unnecessary stress during your vacation.
Reply from Tourist Line Safaris (permanently closed)
Posted on Aug 3, 2023Dear Ellie,
Thank you for your review and feedback. We apologize for parts where you felt like Tourist Line Safaris did not meet your expectations. However, we'd like to differ from a few things that you stated;
1. It is true that you, forgot your luggage at New York and Tourist Line Safaris team went out out of their way, above and beyond, just to make sure you got your luggage. This included spending more money that you weren't charged for. (The duration by which you were supposed to get your luggage was affected by the fact that Nairobi was experiencing political demonstrations. These news were everywhere and we even tried to explain to you that the luggage had been held by the airport due to the protests and you couldn't understand that even though we were really doing our best). We found that somewhat inconsiderate.
2. Tourist Line Safaris owns the facilities and guides used in the Safari, and yes we allow other agencies to outsource our services, in group joining safaris instances.
3. We help our clients book accommodation prior to their safari, and even after, but, on request. You did not efficiently communicate.
4. We cater for all airport pick ups and drop offs for our clients at no extra cost, provided we are in efficient communication with them, so it's easier for us to work together. We have a 24/7 customer service.
5. Our clients' accomodation reservations are done in advance. Therefore, it would have been inconvenient to suddenly match your itinerary with your new travel buddy whom you had just met during the group joining safari.
6. We reached out to you so we could drop you off to the airport on the last day of your safari, and you ignored our emails, started calling us uncouth/unpleasant names via email, insulting us. We only had to remain proffessional to try and end the safari the best way we could. We concluded that you were probably going through something, so we really tried to accommodate you, proffessionally.
7. The reason we offered to refund you full amount a day before your safari is because you actually wrote us a review even before travel. From this, we could already tell that you were absolutely a different client and we therefore resulted to that. We wanted to avoid further problems with you as we could already tell that working with you for the 14 days would have been difficult. We were also sure that you were not going to be left with no accomodations or safari since on your review, you had stated that you had recognized other companies with similar/better services, so when we offered to refund you, we were hoping you'd book with them. Then, you apologized and said that you just had a bad day. This did not make sense, but we proceeded with your booking and did the best we could even though our best went unrecognized.
Anyway, overall, Tourist Line Safaris takes this opportunity to own accountability of where you felt like we did not meet your 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. This is what we have always strived to do and it is what we have always done to our best.
With kind regards,
Tourist Line Safaris
CN
Email Lee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic and amazing experience with Tourist Line Safaris
Have to say I enjoyed my safari so much.Lilian helped checked every details and our driver Bonface is the best driver ever.
Email Biko | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A safari to remember
My friends and I enjoyed our Kenya safari to the maximum. From the time we started communicating with Fiona; she made a presentation for our quote proposal, answered all our questions and made us feel comfortable.
The guide Mr. David, was so proffessional and knowledgeable! He made sure that we saw all the big 5 animals, and many others.
The accomodation, even though budget, it was comfortable and clean throughout our trip. That was an upgrade for a budget. The food was amazing, and there are options too.
There's freedom to have food of ones choice, and the company took care of our meal preferences upon request.
I got a birthday gift from the company too, as I had gone to celebrate my birthday on safari with my friends!
Totally recommend! Worth every coin!
AE
Email Berry | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice and kind
I enjoyed a lot , however i wasnt fan of the food
AE
Email Hassna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best tour operator
My husband and i we planned to come to kenya for tour safari from Dubai we were so worried in the beginning because it was our first time to africa, i started searching on instagram then i get to know Tourist line safaris I spoke with Fiona that she Helped me a-lot, she gave me the time to understand everything she was so helpful and she was always following up with me until we came .
the staff were very friendly and respectful
The trips was incredible from day one tour the guide was amazing caring and very knowledgeable and he was insisting to show us all the animals including big 5.
thanks everyone who made possible this unforgettable experience!
Highly recommended to everyone.
Thank You Tourist Line Safaris for helping us create wonderful Safari memories!
PT
Email Miguel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The team was super organized
Just returned from my 10-day trip to Kenya + Tanzania with my friends and I have to say that everything was amazing.
Lilian made sure we had everything we needed and the drivers Edward and Sylvester were always on time and taking care of what we needed.
We had all meals included, from breakfast to dinner and the quality was good, especially in Kenya when we had our own cook (Donald)
Make sure to pack some warm clothes since the nights can be cold in the middle of the Savanah.
PT
Email Bruno | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded my expectations
I made a 10-day Safari Trip in Kenya and Tanzania with my friends and I have to say that was one of the best trips I have made, everything went great.
The coordinator, Lilian, made sure that we had everything planned, the drivers Edward and Sylvester were both very reliable and experienced and helped us see the big 5 very easily, the cook, Donald, made delicious food for us and the great locations around Kilimanjaro, Masai Mara and Serengeti were magnificent.
Without any doubt, I recommend Toursistlinesafaris!
US
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Reliable Safari Agency
This is a Safari agency you could fully trust and rely it on. Lilian was very helpful on our travel planning and always having a very quick/effective communication whenever needed. Their price is also very competitive. We are glad to find this agency and had a satisfied happy Safari experience.
Strong recommend.