Mbio Mbio Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2022)
- Member Of:
- TTB & TANAPA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $25 to $800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Melissa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The name says it all: RUN RUN (Mbio Mbio)
I'm pretty sure that the good reviews here are from David himself. We had a bad experience with our safari tour. It would be too much text to list everything but now the worst: When we wanted to leave the Serengeti National Park, we waited longer than the other groups until our guide came to us and asked if we could pay the fee, because there is a system error and David's payment is therefore not registered there. We were skeptical because we had already paid everything in advance and the other groups had no problems. After asking several times, it turned out that David had kept the fee for himself and never intended to pay it. In a phone call, he simply said: "Either you pay the fee or you're out of luck and have to spend the night there without accommodation". After hours of waiting and many phone calls back and forth, we finally made it out. We had to drive through the park in the dark, our car broke down (we also had to pay for the repairs ourselves, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to get out of there) and so we only arrived back in Arusha late at night. During a phone call with David, we mentioned that we would give him a bad review because of all the things that had happened. He didn't wanted this under any circumstances and offered to pay for an overnight stay in the hotel. We emphasized several times that we didn't need an overnight stay because we already booked one. We also told our safari guide that we wanted to go to our hotel. When we arrived in Arusha, we were driven to a creepy backyard and it turned out that we were driven against our will to the "hotel" that David had booked. We were three young women and were now quite scared and had to exert real pressure to get out of there. After we asked our guide why he had taken us there against our will, he said that he had been instructed to do so by David, even if we didn't want it. After we confronted David on the phone, he offered us a refund. We will probably never see the money. I can imagine that David will try to deceive people again in the future under a different name. I can only recommend booking Safari Tours, which has been around for several years and has many reviews.
BE
Email Jonathan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Starter and honest operator
I had a wonderful time. After I saw some reviews, I thought I got scammed, but David did not disappoint. I booked my safari 4 months in advance and 2 weeks before the date I contacted him asking about the booking. He said that the safari couldn't go according to plans and proposed to refund us or to rebook another tour. We went for the second option and he did his best to maintain the high level service and fulfill our expectations. Even though the safari was not what we planned or originally wanted, he gave ud an amazing experience that we will not forget any time soon. If you have some doubts about him, I suggest you meet him in person. I would definitely recommend him to someone willing to do a safari in Tanzania.
US
Email Rita | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This is a possible scam do not book. We have a pending case with the tourism police ART/AB/165/2023
We reserved our tour in June 2023 with safari date of September 2023. Upon arrive in Arusha, the owner of the company David wanted a cash payment which we reminded him that during the reservation we informed him we will be paying by card (which we did). We were to leave the next day for a 5 day mid range luxury tent safari at 8:30 am. We did not leave until almost 10am. Once we arrived at the Ngorongoro crater gate we noticed something off as we were at the gate longer than other safaris. After getting through, the same happened at the Serengeti gate. The permit was not paid and when he finally paid he only did so for one day. When we got to the lodging it was not paid. Long story short we had to cut the tour short and go to the tourism police. A case was initiated. The good thing we paid by card and informed our bank to reverse the charge
IT
Email Luigi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We believe this is a scam
Please avoid this tour, we believe it's a scam, it promises you quite decent tours and accommodations, with last minute excuses they change plans and accommodations (horrible places)
With excuse of deposit, having agreed on a refund and getting a confirmation from the official email, they never refunded the money.
stay away
(screenshots removed for privacy reasons)
QA
Email Ali Ghosn | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I feel scammed
I believe that this operator is running a complete scam. The so-called "David", if that even is his real name, in my opinion he is a deceitful individual who charges money/deposits for fictitious bookings. He can be reached at +255 614*** 104, and claims his name is David. I've seen his face in a couple of pictures, and I have also met him in person. If you are currently in touch with this man for a Safari Trip, I strongly advise you to cease all communications with him and seek another Tour Operator. I feel defrauded because I transferred a deposit to him over three months ago for our Safari Trip. He did absolutely nothing in return, forcing me to plan the entire trip myself. Needless to say, I have yet to receive a refund."
NL
Email Mat | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Scammer. Asks for deposit and makes promises that are not kept
Seems very professional in the beginning but did not keep the promises made and changed the schedule to his liking and convenirnce to make more money for himself.
I planned 8 safari day tour and managed to actually do only 3 days. The rest had to be cancelled or changed because of external factors.
Despite having agreed on a refund and getting a confirmation from the official email, they never refunded the money.
I dont recommend going to them for this.
IT
Email Daniele | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nightmare
Terrible experience. Totally disorganized. They don't even give you a receipt when you give them money, they didn't book the rooms they told you or the flights. Unreliable! They don't give you back a single euro of what they promised you. Rely on an agency that rather charges you more but doesn't screw you over because it ruins a beautiful experience.
IT
Email Silvia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thieves and disorganized
I decided to organize a safari with this local agency and I couldn't have made a WORSE choice!
We left on July 9 and finished on July 12 and there was not a single day when anything was arranged as planned. All the places that he had arranged for us to sleep were then changed at the last minute, WITHOUT EVEN NOTIFYING US. I can understand that the period was loaded with tourism and that there could be changes in the process but giving notice seems to me to be a matter of fairness. In addition we were asked for 300 euros at the time for a tented, of course we refused to pay them but had to fight for more than an hour.
He had told us he would arrange, INCLUDED ALREADY IN THE PRICE, both the outbound and return flights (Zanzibar - Kilimanjiaro Airport and Arusha - Zanzibar). I PERSONALLY PAID for the first one from Italy because he couldn't arrange it and he guaranteed that he would at least make arrangements for our return flight.... OBVIOUSLY, WE ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR THE RETURN FLIGHT, HAVING ALSO HAD TO POSTPONE THE RETURN BY ONE DAY because THERE WERE NO MORE FLIGHTS. The total lost for hotel + flight is 530 euros. He promised that at least that money would be given back to us but clearly not even that.
For a modest 2700 euros we had 3 days of INCUBE safari, luckily the incredible animals seen soothed our spirits a bit, otherwise it would have been a real tragedy.
Do not book with this totally INAFFIDABLE agency!!! DAVID, is the name of the man who "organizes" your tour and he is practically a scammer since in addition to the money we gave him, he also stole our money that he never returned!
KR
Email HYEONA | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The safari that gave me an unforgettable time in my life
It is not easy for an Asian woman to travel to Africa alone. Even walking and sleeping normally. However, Mbio Mbio safari gave me an unforgettable time as a solo traveler, and I was so happy throughout the tour.
My sincere thanks to the three of them: chef Ebdala, guide Laurian, and driver Noel. They prepared a separate tent for me to rest comfortably, and also provided an English interpreter. They served me a delicious course meal. They have given me so much kindness that I can't use it all.
The animals, which are the core of the safari, were also guided so that I could see a lot, so I was able to see sights I would never see again. I also thank boss David, who came to my accommodation to say thank you when I returned from the tour. I would definitely recommend Mbio Mbio safari to those traveling alone.
ES
Email Juan DM | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I had a nice guíe that pass the day with us ,we visited amazing place during the whole day ,was amaz
I had a nice guíe that pass the day with us ,we visited amazing place during the whole day ,was amaz