Reviews
US
Email John and Susan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
We were defrauded over $6000 US Dollars
We and another couple booked a custom safari package with Safari Lift Africa through Calvin, the owner of the company. Mr Gibson did not apply our last payment to many of the services described in our safari package and we were required to pay again in order to continue with the safari.
More specifically, after we arrived, we learned that Mr Gibson had not paid for our booking at Pom Pom Lodge; our flights to and from Pom Pom on Mack Air; airport transport at Dar es Salaam airport; park entry and concession fees to Victoria Falls, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti Parks; transport from Arusha to Mosha (a 2 hour drive); a hot air balloon ride in the Serengeti, a Masai experience, a Materuni waterfall tour at Kilimanjaro and a Mto Wa Mbu cooking class; and another meal that should have been paid for as part of the package. In addition, the safari vehicle used in Tanzania was rented by Mr Gibson and the vehicle owner had not been paid so we had to pay that rental fee as well as gas in order to continue with the safari. All were promised as part of our safari package.
We made repeated inquiries to Mr. Gibson as did our Tanzanian guide who also did not get paid. As a result, we paid the guide on our departure from the Serengeti to make up for his lost salary since he had done the best he could in a very difficult situation.
Overall each couple paid $6286.55 US dollars for these unpaid services. Interestingly, Mr Gibson promised to “pay us back” (while claiming his company is in bankruptcy). We have never received a dime of reimbursement from Mr. Gibson. As you can imagine, to be left high and dry in the middle of Africa was incredibly stressful. Mr. Gibson’s fraudulent actions ruined what should have been a once on a lifetime experience. We later learned that we were not the first to be defrauded. We talked to someone else who had lost over $5000 on his safari from this company. There are many reputable operators that run wonderful African safaris. Do yourself a favor and use one of them.
IE
Email Slit O'Slang | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Poor experience
We thougt it was a good price for a safari but showed to be a really bad experience. Do not recommend.
SE
Email Tove | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We are so unhappy with our trip!
We are so unhappy with the trip! The car had problems at least 5 times, the suspension broke, the car could not be started, problems with the oil, overheated tires.
The WORST thing was that we feel that the owner Calvin scammed us out of money too!!
SE
Email Alve Högman | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We feel scammed by this operator
The experience was terrible. From the actual Safari where the poor planning and condition of our SUV made us miss big part of the safari. Furthermore, the company hadn't paid for the gate fees (1000 USD) and made us pay to get out of the park. We also had to pay for our hotel stay that should have been included. All of these money we have not seen yet. I would not book again!
US
Email Ashwin Dixit | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Bad Experience
We compleleted Kilimanajro and Tanzania /Kenya Safari in Aug 2022 Paid Calvin Gibson of Safari Lift Africa the full amount . He failed to pay for some of the park fees, and the last 3 days of our hotel stay. He made a lot of excuses about failing to pay and asked us to pay ,with the promise he will return it later. We made mutilpe attempts to get back our money ..but have not receive it so far ..
Email PoP | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amaizing
Everything was exactly the way i had imagined in my brain, and the time management was great we got to see everything and finish everything as planned
Email Saly | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He was very professional and kind with good hospitality
We had an amazing experience with Safari Lift, we spent 7 days Safari with Mohamed (our best guide).
Everything was great organized by Baraka
.
We had the opportunity to see all the animals and we spent the nights in really nice hotels so we could say that the trip was perfect.
ES
Email Mireia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience!
My friend and I decided to go to Africa and it was a great experience from the moment we start planning until the moment we left. Calvin help us organizing the trip based on our needs and offered a tailored made itinerary with a very competitive price. The drivers, Jonas and Waldon along with the res of the crew were super attentive with us. It has been a lovely experience we would repeat all over again!
ES
Email Paula | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best team ever
My friend and I decided to do the safari with this company and everything was great. They helped us a lot with everything from the first moment till the last one. Also, they are super nice people. In conclusion, if I come back, I will come back to them.