Our Team
Kipok Africa Adventures
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Member Of:
- TANAPA, BRELA & MNRT
- Tour Types:
- Budget & mid-range tours that, when possible, use accommodations owned and operated by them
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IT
Email Fulvio | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Owner Amani ran away with the money
Amani (the owner) or nobody else from Kipok showed up to pick us up and did not answer any of our several calls. They left us alone in Tanzania and kept the deposit we paid.
We later found out that other tourists had the same experience. The police department in Arusha is taking care of this case. You can check other people’s reviews on Google and TripAdvisor too.
BE
Email Veronique | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This company ruined our Safari experience in Tanzania
According to previous reviews, Kipok seemed a great choice for travelling. Communication with Amani went good until arrival in Tanzania. Since the end of september everything seems to go wrong with this company since hotels are not being booked, gate permits are not being reserved and payed. We had to book and pay several nights ourselves. We were left without company /driver or guide for several days.
Amani showed up at a certain point, promising to refund us but was actually scamming us in the face. We even took him to the Police station for unreliable business.
To travel with children on a long expected holiday that was supposed to be an unforgettable experience and to end up in the Police station with support of our belgian embassy is - in 1 word - a horrible experience.
We were so lucky to meet other great people of amazing Tanzania and European travellers to help us out.
Amani is definitely not to be trusted at this moment. So sorry for al the others that got scamed.
ES
Email Miriam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We were scammed by this company - do not book with them!
Amani, the manager, stole our money and gave us alone in Kenya. We already paid everything to him before coming to Kenya, it’s our honeymoon so we wanted to relax. He did not book everything and We had to pay for the hotels, park fees and driver again to be able to finish our trip and arrive to our last destination. We went to the police to report this. Do not trust him, he lied to us and stole our money !
US
Email Taylor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Thieves
5 Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Nov 2021
Pro-cheapest price, plentiful food, terrific guide
Con-employee who arranged booking insisted I give him the tip money for guide and porters up front rather than allowing me to distribute the money directly to them myself during or after the climb. Upon return from the climb, the employee gave my tip money to the guide. However, the money was not the same as that which I had given to the employee. The denominations of bills were smaller and it appeared some money had been removed. Would not recommend this company as it seems the office-based employee who handles bookings is stealing some of the tip money from the guides and porters who do all the actual hard work on the mountain
Reply from Kipok Africa Adventures
Posted on Feb 2, 2023The client booked the tour to Kilimanjaro climb with us, and the tour was organized as promised, and the client left the tips to the office which was to be given to the guides and crews when they get back from the climb, the denominations left was in 5000 notes, so when they get back the tips was handed in front of him but with the 10000 notes but the amount is equal , so here is where the client saw it differently, but the guide who took the tips knows exactly how much the tips was left. however, the next day the review was posted reporting the tipping matter and theft.
we tried to reach out the client by phone and by WhatsApp to explain but ended blocking both the management and the guide who received the tip also wrote him explaining the issue that the tip was fully handed to the crew but also blocked the guide, so there was no way to get him or respond to the guides messages.
DK
Email Charlie Sorensen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and friendly
I went for a 5 day safari trip, around Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater and Arusha National Park and more which was great.
The guides where friendly and professional. We had our own chef and delicious food. The guide communicated with other guides, so we got to see every thing. We had a sleep over at the crater, which I highly recommend. At evening wild elephants came to the camp to drink water.
Email Japesh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lost $3K USD to the company - I recommend you stay away like the plague
TLDR: In my opinion Amani is a professional liar and it shocks me as to how he has been given 5 star ratings on this page. He collects the full tour's payment upfront but fails to deliver parts of the tour and pockets the cash for himself. We have many instances of Amani confirming the money will be refunded for the parts of the tour that could not be arranged, however we have yet to see the refund come through. We have been scammed of $3k USD and have filed a police report and are in conversations with the regulatory bodies in Tanzania requesting for aid in recovering this money. I am writing this review to create awareness of this premeditated disgusting scam that all current and future travelers should stay away from. Screenshots attached.
Tour Details
Tour Operator: Amani
Company Name: Kipok Africa Adventures
Tour Dates: August 17 - August 23, 2024
Booking and Payment Summary
I paid 50% of the total package fee ($4,285 USD) prior to the start date, with the remaining 50% paid in cash on August 17.
We were asked to pay an additional $550 USD in cash for a night game drive and a visit to a Maasai village on August 17. These activities, however, were never delivered, and the hotels confirmed that night game drives were not possible. Amani definitely knew this and yet promised to deliver a night game drive, indicating a beginning of the scam.
Daily Itinerary & Incident Summary
August 17 - 19: Amani Mara Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya – No issues; services provided as agreed. However, the night game drive and Maasai village visit, for which we paid $550 USD, were not delivered.
August 19 - 22: Kubu Kubu Tented Luxury Lodge, Serengeti, Tanzania (Screenshots attached)
Before our arrival at Kubu Kubu, Mr. Laizer informed us of a payment issue on his end and requested that we pay the hotel directly for our three nights. He assured us we would be refunded at the end of the tour.
Despite repeated follow-ups, we have yet to receive this refund.
August 22 - 23: Neptune Lodge, Ngorongoro, Tanzania – No issues; payment covered as agreed.
Incident at Ngorongoro Park (screenshots attached)
Upon arrival at Ngorongoro, Mr. Laizer cited a “technical issue” with his payment to the park and instructed us to pay the park fees directly. We complied, incurring additional costs.
Between these incidents, the extra payments totaled $3,076 USD, revealing a consistent pattern of fraudulent requests for money. We had already paid the tour fee in full, and the additional payments were unjustified and based on false pretenses.
I am sharing this to alert other travelers to the fraudulent practices of Amani Laizer & Kipok Africa Adventures. Please be cautious and consider other, more reputable safari operators. I would be giving 0 stars if I could.
CA
Email Julia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good tour at reasonable price
Overall we were pleased with our tour of Ngorongoro crater. Our driver/guide arrived as scheduled and he spoke good English. He adapted as needed based upon the weather (visiting the overview at the end since fog covered in the morning), and worked with other guides to find various animals. We saw plenty of animals including rhinos which we had failed to see on the other two safaris we had done. He also stopped at two gift shop areas on the way back to Arusha which was a bonus.
We only have two complaints. First, we had been told that we could pay be credit card but during our meeting the day before the tour, they were asking for a portion of it to be in cash. We were unprepared since they had told us credit card when we had booked weeks in advance and then also asking again the day before. If they had simply told us they wanted it to be cash, we could have been better prepared for it. In the end, we gave less cash than they wanted and they let us pay the rest of it by credit. Secondly, the lunch had mixed reviews by our family. It was a lunch box and overall it was pretty good, but a few of the foiled cheese wedges were all moldy when opened. We had stopped to get the lunches on our way out from somebody so I don't think the lunches are made by them, but they may want to consider a better supplier.
BE
Email Aicha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
magical Safari
Excellent organization. Giovani and Joachim are attentive to the satisfaction of the group. Good circuit rich in discovery. Good food. An unforgettable stay and Safari.
I recommend
(automatic translation from French)
US
Email Jessica Guerra | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very kind and professional
It was a an amazing time! The tour driver was very nice and knowledgeable. We saw so many animals and he was always willing to wait for all participants to take as many pictures as they wanted.
The tour is long but worth it!
GR
Email Theodora Gift | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly professional and organised worth every minute of safariing !
Operator Amani, our driver Juma and the cook Peter were ready from the very beginning to make us feel relaxed safe and excited. They gave us from before, every information we needed and they really sticked to the program ( even though things could be flexible if we asked them too). We chose the 5 days safari so we could see as much as possible and so we did. Our driver Juma (happily whistling swahili songs) spotted the animals easily and patiently was waiting to catch the action. We saw the "big five" as expected, many times! Due to our low budget two nights we spend camping outside in amazing campsites with super warm tents and sleeping bags. The other two were in beautiful simple two bed lodges with amazing view and friendly happy stuff ( like most of Tanzanian people!) They provided us three rich meals per day and lots of water. We were treated like friends and not clients and this is why i totally recommend this to people who want to feel adventurous but spoiled at the same time.
