Safari vehicle and our tour guide Steven Mbwambo
Kima Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- TTB, TALA & TANAPA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $1,080 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Anna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was so fun!
We saw so many types of animals and the drivers were very good and responsible!
ES
Email Katariina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor alignment on expecations.
We booked 1 day safari with Steven. However, our experience fell short with the expectations that were created by Kima Safari. Much to our surprise, the trip from DAR to Mikumi starts with the safari car so that means limited airflow due to no AC throughout the trip. This was rather difficult to endure during our 7 hour drive back in 40 degree heat. Moreover, we were promised a breakfast at the arrival which in the end was not offered. On our way back, the car broke down which caused a 2 hour delay in our trip back. We also wanted to pay in 2 parts and we were overcharged with the second payment.
Once we explained the situation to Steven, he told us that the 'driver forgot the breakfast' and that overcharge was 'his mistake'. Initially we were promised a minor refund for this but now we have been waiting for a response for a week and have not yet heard from Steven. On a positive note, we were able to see most of the animals which was definitely a memorable experience.
I believe better alignment on expectations from Kima Safari's side would have made the day trip more enjoyable and I recommend going over the itinerary with the driver prior to the trip in order to avoid any misunderstandings.
CH
Email Esther S. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
All was perfectly organized so that we had a wunderful Safari.
The communication, service and reliability were great. Our experience was worth the money.
Steven, our guide and driver, ist very competent, friendly and an interesting dialogue partner.
Cheapest best Safari going
This is a great company to work with. At the last minute my step daughter and I decided to go on a safari. Steven at Kima got back to me immediately and efficiently and we got the trip booked. No matter the time Steven replied. The driver Nazareth got back to us and helped get rid of any fears that he would be at the hotel at 3:00am. He was professional made sure we saw everything we could and even repaired the small problem with the car. We enjoyed every minute of it and grateful it was a cost within our tight budget.
Email Ngasori | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The commitment, kindness, patience and Safari knowledge of the tour Operator seconds to none.
My Safari experience with Kima Safaris was Simply the best. The driver was Incredible and always had time for all his guests. He was very knowledgeable and willing to do everything to make me and my group see all the animals we wanted. Provided us with all the services necessary and listened and prioritized our requests with no second thoughts (within reason). I highly recommend.
Email Lucy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Steven was knowledgeable and extremely accomodating to our individual goals for safari!
I highly recommend the Safari experience with Steven at Kim’s Safaris. We did a 2 day Mikumi National Park tour. We saw giraffes, zebras, elephants and lions up close! He was very patient while we took photos, and was happy to follow our wishes for the Game Drive. I felt very safe with Steven as our driver. The accomodation was also fantastic. I was very impressed with the value for money. I was extremely happy with my safari experience and would urge everyone to consider booking with Steven!
Email Adam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
1st Safari and 1 I will treasure forever, I had the most amazing experience and will definately return to do another. We had a boat Safari on the 1st day, drive Safari on 2nd day and me and my girlfriend did a walk Safari on our last morning, our journey to Kinga Lodge was long but fun as there had been lots of rain so it was like a wild drive experience, our driver Steve had it all down to a fine art. A very experienced driver with an absolute perfect manner. Good job Steve. Next time can I try the wild roads lol.
Email Stephanie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
I appreciate what Steve did for my children which are aged 15,13,4 and 2. He made the whole 3 day experience a wonderful one, on the drive safari my 2 Yr old was restless so he had him on his lap for 5 mins in the reserve to calm him, when we pulled over by a giraffe family, My 13 Yr old who has adhd was in front with Steve and he called him his co-pilot. He pulled over several times for us to stretch our legs provided biscuits and sweets for the kids and even bought bananas on return journey for us all. This was my 3rd Safari and the best yet. Thank you Steve for the wonderful experience. Ps big kisses from all my kids.x
Email Sarah John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely Fabulous. Steven was totally tremendous throughout our Safari experience.
Kima Safari’s was excellent. Steven was a great guide, he did everything possible to make our Safari a fantastic experience. He was so attentative with the 2 youngest passengers ages 4 and 2. He called my 13 yr old grandson his Co-pilot, I would highly recommend Kima Safari’s. Thankyou so so much Steve for a most memorable time. You’re the best!!!xx
Email Nigel | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Irresponsible; callous; unapologetic; indifferent to fact we paid for a service he could not deliver
Sold safari itinerary that proved to be undeliverable.
Driven in land cruiser with several major defects, many of which were significant safety risks.
The most harrowing part of the journey was during 14-hour drive from Makumi to Selous (which should have taken no more than 7 hours).
Just after 7pm on this drive, the headlights on the vehicle failed. It was dark and very remote where it happened.
The road was potholed and riven (a truck had been stuck in the mud earlier and we had waited an hour while villagers dug it out before we could pass).
The driver resorted to holding his mobile phone out of the window in his right hand,to shine the light from his screen on to road. His left hand held the wheel and he drove one-handed, with very little light from his phone, with hazard lights on.
The journey was completed agonisingly slowly in this dangerous one-handed fashion.
Because of the rain, it was also hard to distinguish the road from water on both sides.
We both thought we would die.
The following day we saw Steven, the company owner, at the river safari where he was with a group (from the hotel where we had been staying). He was in a more superior vehicle.
We were rightly angry. We tried to tell him about some of our experience of the tour, but he offered not one word of sympathy, still less any apology or acceptance of responsibility.
When we said our lives had been endangered, he said we should take it as an adventure! I am in my 70s and my wife is nearly 70. We do not need this kind of adventure at this stage in our lives. We are well-travelled and had ‘slummed it’ in our twenties.
When my wife mentioned that the hand rail came off when she held on to it as the vehicle tipped at 45degrees going through a rut, Steven said that it was probably because of her weight!!!
We pointed out to him that it was his responsibility to provide us with a vehicle that was fit-for-purpose. He responded that it was the rain that posed a problem to our journey having taken so long.
This is just an account of the worst part of the tour.
We bought a 4-day safari (84 hours) but spent spent a total of 31.5 hours travelling in the vehicle, with a mere 8 hours on actual safari in the two parks, Makumi and Selous.
We paid USD1800 and were provided with an unroadworthy, not fit-for-purpose vehicle.
The accommodation was changed at the last minute on the first day and we were put up in a place with no fan, air-conditioning or hot water.
The accommodation at Selous did have a fan, but no hot water for a shower after our gruelling journey or for an early morning shower. (They did provide hot water later in the day but no hot shower before our walking Safari before breakfast.)
It was a terrifying experience.
Clearly not value for money.