Mark - Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Lochinvar Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary (clients assist with camp chores)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $60 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Dee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My advice is that you avoid this company at all costs
Our Lower Zambezi tour was a disaster from start to finish. Mainly because of our guide Mark's incompetence and lack of consideration. Despite booking three months in advance, everything seemed to be organised on the fly, disrupting our experience. Mark was more interested in sleeping in, networking, and handling personal tasks than in giving us a quality safari. He even put our lives at risk by ignoring instructions about how to handle a situation where an elephant charged toward us.
The transportation, tents, and meals were inadequate - tents which are too small for anyone over 5’9 to fit in and dry bread for lunch. The advertised itinerary was ignored, and we missed out on key experiences due to Mark's poor planning and coordination. We had to do all the work of setting up and breaking down camp while Mark sat around and went for a shower.
Based on our experience do not use this company. They do not care about their clients. We have been seeking a compensation for the Lower Zambezi tour and compensation for the stress and disappointment caused by their ineptitude, but they have been ignoring us for months.
Reply from Lochinvar Safaris
Posted on Jan 13, 2025Dear Dee, Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback regarding your Lower Zambezi tour (Zambia) and Mana Pools National Park Tour (Zimbabwe) with us in April 2024. While we respect and value all reviews, we were surprised to receive your comments 10 months after your trip. Firstly, we regret to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. It was the inaugural trip for that specific route to Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, and while challenges can arise with new itineraries, we have since worked diligently to refine and improve our services. Since your trip, we’ve successfully hosted many satisfied customers on the same route, reflecting these enhancements. Regarding your concerns about the use of a photo on our social media platforms, we would like to clarify that the image in question was captured by our media team during your tour. It features our guide, Chris, and is therefore within our rights to use for marketing purposes. We assure you that no personal or unauthorized content was used. On the matter of your tent setup and other logistical support in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, my role as the tour coordinator was to oversee operations while delegating these tasks to our team. This division of labor ensures the smooth functioning of the tour. If there was any perception of neglect, I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding. We are particularly concerned by the tone of your review, especially the alarming statement, “AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COST!” While we acknowledge and respect constructive criticism, such sweeping declarations can misrepresent our current standards. Your experience is not reflective of the experiences of the many happy clients we have since served on this tour. If your intention is to help us grow, we encourage you to revisit this same tour. We are confident that with the improvements we’ve made, you and your boyfriend would have a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience. Once again, we appreciate your feedback and hope this response clarifies the points you raised. We value your perspective and remain committed to delivering exceptional safari experiences. Yours sincerely, Mark (On behalf of Lochinvar Safaris)