Bush Troop Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1997)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $900 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
FRAUD ALERT - this tour Company is defrauding tourists
In January 2015 “Bushtroop Tours & Safaris” company from Nairobi, Kenya refused to return the rental car deposit. We regarded this situation as a fraud and highly recommend extreme caution in any dealings with “Bushtroop Tours & Safaris” and personally with Jacqueline Mwathe and especially Moses Mutiva Ombeva.
My name is Nikolay Zagrebelnyy. I am 34 years old and I live in St. Petersburg, Russia.
In January 2015, me and my wife Natalia Klementyeva traveled in Africa: Kenya - Uganda - Rwanda - Congo - Burundi - Tanzania - Kenya together by car. The total mileage was about 5000 kilometers. This was our third visit to Kenya and sixth in Africa.
The car was rented in Bushtroop Tours & Safaris, Toyota RAV4, 2010, registration number KCB-573G. The company based in Nairobi, Kenya. Bushtroop Tours & Safaris has been selected on the Internet recommendations and the car availability. Our previous companies from Nairobi or could not be contacted or did not have the right car at the desired time. Many times we took a car in various countries and have never had problems, including previous trips to Kenya.
The car was given 31.12.2014, in good technical condition. Prospective route was agreed with Bushtroop Tours & Safaris, we made the contract and received the necessary documents. We paid the full rental price and a deposit - 1200 USD in cash.
When returning to Nairobi on 01/31/2015, we returned the car without any damage, which was confirmed by representatives of Bushtroop Tours & Safaris Jacqueline Mwathe and her colleague.
Despite this, Jacqueline Mwathe and her college refused to return the deposit, citing the fact that they put our deposit to the bank, and today is Saturday evening and the bank is closed.
At our request, the company chief Moses Mutiva Ombeva arrived and confirmed this information, also refused to return the deposit.
Bushtroop Tours & Safaris offered to transfer money to the bank card, or through Western Union. Moses Mutiva Ombeva Ombeva written receipt with a promise to transfer money and signed the contract.
The fact that the signature on the receipt does not match the signature in the other documents, I found only in the preparation of this site. Nevertheless, I guarantee that this signature of Moses Mutiva Ombeva.
The situation raises many questions, but in was already late evening and to return flight was only a few hours, so we went to the airport. At the airport Jacqueline personally promised to transfer money tomorrow. At that moment I almost believed her. We passed the car and flew home.
After four months, we have not received the money. Several times I called Jacqueline on the phone. In the last conversation, she promised to transfer the money on 28 April. This has not happened.
Conversations:
We regarded this situation as a fraud of Bushtroop Tours & Safaris and personally Moses Mutiva Ombeva. We highly recommend extreme caution in any dealings with Bushtroop Tours & Safaris and personally with Jacqueline Mwathe and especially Moses Mutiva Ombeva.
Reply from Bush Troop Safaris
Posted on Mar 29, 2016In regards of the above complain please do note that the above was sorted out and for any question please do get in touch with Mr Nikolay Zagrebelny for more clarification.
Kind Regards
Bush troop team
NL
Email Vera | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
2WD car rented out instead of 4WD and failing camping gear
Unfortunately, we had quite a bad experience with Bushtroop Safaris. We hired a 4WD car with them including camping equipment. At some point, however, we got stuck in the mud in a national park and that’s when we found out the car wasn’t a 4WD, but a 2WD. By then, we had already driven on roads that were 4WD only and realized we had taken some risks there. Also, we had to change our plans as we weren’t able to access all roads anymore.
We contacted Jacqueline, who was always quick to respond and friendly, and she was feeling really bad about this and said that they hired the car from someone else and didn’t know about it. We agreed to get a refund on the car, but we’re now 4 months in and still haven’t received it. We have had contact with Jacqueline several times in the past months ensuring us that the money was on the way, but it never arrived.
Beside the issues with the car, the camping equipment wasn’t in good shape either. The tent poles had been repaired very often and were only barely useable. Also, after the first night we found out that the air mattress was leaking. We tried to have it fixed, but weren’t able to and they apparently don’t sell them outside Nairobi so we couldn’t get a replacement. Finally the gas muzzle didn’t work properly as it took an hour to get a pan of water to get warm. That last thing was an easy and cheap fix, but on the whole we weren’t really able to camp out.
So, unfortunately, it wasn’t at all what we hoped for.
BG
Email Anastacia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good safari
Safari in Masai Mara is once in a lifetime experience. It's amazing to be that close to nature and observe the greatness of the circle of life. Bushtroop offered us a great organization for the 3 days that we had there, a comfortable car and excellent accommodation as well. Our driver Joseph had spent more than 15 years in the Kenyan national parks and was really competent to answer all of our questions and give us more information about the animals. He was very kind and organized our time perfectly. Besides the animals, visiting a Masai village is a must-do.
Online communication with Jacqueline was very good, we made the payments over a secure website and overall we didn't have any problems.
The transfer from Niarobi to Masai Mara is a bit long- 7 hours so for more comfort you might consider flying
US
Email Katie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jacqueline customized the perfect family African adventure.
Our family recently had the experience of a lifetime. We hung out with mountain gorillas in Uganda, did several safari/game drives in Tanzania, went snorkeling in Zanzibar, and visited the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. We were met at airports by professional tour agents, our drivers / guides were informative and caring, the activities were excellent and the photos we took will create lasting memories.
Competent, accomodating all our requests, friendly, fair prized
Absolutely worth it, top experience, Mt. Kenia was Great, so was the Driver/ Guide into all Safari Parks. Seen it all!!
NL
Email Pep | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good
Great vehicle, good communication. Gear was all there and we faced no issues with picking up or delivering.
Email Sarah | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional, well-organised, committed to making the safari meet the needs and wishes of the clien
Bush Troop Safaris organised a tailor-made walking safari to Laikipia. The trip included three days of walking through conservancies and common land where we were able to see a variety of game in a largely unspoilt and extraordinarily beautiful landscape. We were an older group and needs and our limitations were well considered and catered for. During the planning process, Jacqueline in Nairobi and Michael in Nanyuki were in regular contact to ensure that we were happy with the programme. The organisation on the ground was thoughtful and seamless: food was prepared and ready when we arrived at the various points, our tents were set up and ready, the food was tasty, well-prepared and plentiful. The staff running the camps were attentive, thorough and discreet. Our guides, two Samburu leaders, were exceptional and made the walk rich in information and detail - most importantly given that we were walking through elephant country, we felt completely safe in their hands. Without a doubt, the trip was great value and very, very enjoyable.
US
Email Grace | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable and accommodating
Bush Troop Tours & Safaris, did an excellent job; planning our trip to Diani Beach, Tsavo East/West tours with our own 4 x 4 Jeep and a drive. Seeing the animals especially, the Big five in their habitat and racing after them to catch a glimpse is a thrilling experience. Travel by air, train and pick ups were all as arranged and on time. Accommodations at the Airbnb Diani Beach, Voi Safari Lodge, Ngulia Safari Lodge were all wonderful. Food was great and so were the stuff. Excellent service.
The person who put all this together was Jacqueline. She's passionate, knowledgeable and will work with you. The charges were reasonable and it was money well spent. If you're considering a visit to Kenya, l highly would recommend contacting Jacqueline. You will not be disappointed. We plan to use Bush Troops for our future visits to Kenya.
An incredible experience climbing to Lenana Peak of Mount Kenya. Highly recommend!
My partner and I just completed an incredible 4-day trek to Mount Kenya, organised by Bushtroop Safaris, and we couldn’t have had a better experience. We climbed up the Naro Moru route and down Sirimon which was beautiful but very challenging on summit day.
Jacqueline was very helpful and responsive, always answering our questions very quickly. Everything went very smoothly and we felt very well taken care of.
Our guiding team, led by Peterson, were excellent. They made sure we were safe, had fun, were fed very well and helped us to reach the summit.
We chose to go with Bushtroop Safaris as we were looking for a more affordable way to climb to Lenana Peak, Mount Kenya. The trip was considerably cheaper than other providers but there was no compromise of safety or comfort. The only difference we could tell between this and another travel agent was that we took public transport to and from the mountain, but this was well organised so not a problem.
Overall an amazing experience that we would thoroughly recommend to those with a good level of hiking fitness.
Email Irene | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing organization and the best guide!
It is difficult to choose what I loved more of my experience in mount Kenya, the scenery of the route Sirimon- Chogoria is just amazing, the atmosphere experienced at the huts was great and the personal pride of reaching the summit can't be described. But all this wouldn't be possible without the support of a brilliant team who took care of me, Jack, Joseph at the kitchen and Julius, the super guide!! Thank you Bushtroop tours and safaris for organizing an unforgettable experience!
