Lilac Adventures
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1999)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $176 to $650 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Rick | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible experience
We paid for a 12-day safari in Kenya and Tanzania with Lilac adventures. The trip went as expected for 2 1/2 days. After that time we were abandoned by Lilac and manager Daniel Njamwea after repeated attempts to contact him via texts, e-mails and phone calls. To avoid cancelling our remaining itinerary, we were forced to pay again for Serena lodges, meals, driver/guide fees, and Park entry fees. Please take our advice and DO NOT book a safari with Lilac Adventures.
Reply from Lilac Adventures
Posted on Nov 19, 2015Hello,
Thank you for reading all our reviews which 90% are very positive from happy clients.
We wish to clarify on what happened to this family that has posted the 3 last reviews. I agree something went wrong with this safari which was beyond our expectations and control as no one saw it coming. This happened when our main local bank was put on receivership by central bank just few days before their arrival. It was not possible for any account holder in the said bank to access money nor withdraw/deposit. You can read more http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Dubai-Bank-Kenya-placed-in-receivership-for-a-year/-/539550/2832750/-/rp6vfdz/-/index.html . We have changed bank and now dealing with only two strong banks, Equity bank and ABC Bank that all our payments are coming through including Paypal for those who want to pay online.
On the said clients, we did what was possible for them to have a great holiday but something went wrong due to delays as they were doing long safari Kenya and Tanzania among other groups which had a successful safari under prevailing circumstances.
We have already talked to them and agreed to refund their entire payment just to compensate them even if part of their safari went on very good. All in all our posts are positive like you may have noted from happy clients. We are committed to personalized services to all our clients and what happened is highly regrettable even if it was not a mistake of our own making.
Everything is now settled and company back to normal operations with groups departing every week from all our destinations. We have also sold some company shares with now a list of 6 directors and added our savings and insurance to make sure this will never happen again.
Again, we really regret what happened to the family that was the only one affected among many others.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Kind regards,
Lilac Adventures Limited Team
For more details feel free to contact us on [email protected]
US
Email Raj Dawra | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Disaster
Confirmed a 10 day safari holidays with Lilac Adventures for Kenya and Tanzania online, did not meet any representative from Lilac only met the freelancing Tour Guide/Driver. At every game drive Park Entrance me and my three friends from Canada and US had to wait for hours for the Entrance fees to be paid since Daniel MD of Lilac had not paid the fees. Also while crossing the border from Kenya to Tanzania had to wait for 3.5 hours to be transferred to another vehicle for Tanzania safari with another tour company in Tanzania. Most of our time in this trip was trying to communicate with Daniel the MD of Lilac Adventures who never called even once after sending several emails while over there. Finally our last three days in Tanzania was in a Resort in Manyara since the tour company in Tanzania did not receive the cash for the Park Entrance fees from Daniel. Would highly recommend to avoid using this Tour company.
Reply from Lilac Adventures
Posted on Nov 19, 2015Hello,
Thank you for reading all our reviews which 90% are very positive from happy clients.
We wish to clarify on what happened to this family that has posted the 3 last reviews. I agree something went wrong with this safari which was beyond our expectations and control as no one saw it coming. This happened when our main local bank was put on receivership by central bank just few days before their arrival. It was not possible for any account holder in the said bank to access money nor withdraw/deposit. You can read more http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Dubai-Bank-Kenya-placed-in-receivership-for-a-year/-/539550/2832750/-/rp6vfdz/-/index.html . We have changed bank and now dealing with only two strong banks, Equity bank and ABC Bank that all our payments are coming through including Paypal for those who want to pay online.
On the said clients, we did what was possible for them to have a great holiday but something went wrong due to delays as they were doing long safari Kenya and Tanzania among other groups which had a successful safari under prevailing circumstances.
We have already talked to them and agreed to refund their entire payment just to compensate them even if part of their safari went on very good. All in all our posts are positive like you may have noted from happy clients. We are committed to personalized services to all our clients and what happened is highly regrettable even if it was not a mistake of our own making.
Everything is now settled and company back to normal operations with groups departing every week from all our destinations. We have also sold some company shares with now a list of 6 directors and added our savings and insurance to make sure this will never happen again.
Again, we really regret what happened to the family that was the only one affected among many others.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Kind regards,
Lilac Adventures Limited Team
For more details feel free to contact us on [email protected]
US
Email Diane | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The personalized service expected from a small business making it happen!!
Every aspect of our service was good and was above our expectations. From pick up and transition to proper airport, storage of extra luggage, pick up return from safari, the extra day of personal transport around Nairobi for local sites and prompt arrival to airport for departure home. Daniel was very responsive all the way through the booking process and then Benson greeting and Dominic's service driving all made the best impression.
SA
Email Wenying | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour guide
The tour was arranged nicely although we had to switch a destination at the last minute with extra cost (It would be nice if the cost of the original stop could be refunded though.) due to security reason. The guide, Ruben, is nice and professional. He knows his way and made our trip an enjoyable experience. It was better than I expected. We were taken good care of from the time we got out the airport till we enter it for our return flight. Thank you!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The perfect Safari
We had a great Safari with Lilac Adventure. The vehicle was good, the driver / guide was incredible ! I recommend lilac for your Safari without any doubts.
RU
Email Ksenia & Anastasia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience
The 4 day safari trip was an amazing adventure. Apart from beauty of Kenya's wildlife and nature, the service provided by the company was great and our guide, James, was just outstanding. He took good care of us from the first moment we met until he dropped us of in our hotel in Diani beach and ensured that we checked in and got the room. There was no question about Kenya he could not answer and his love and respect to the nature definitely deserve respect.
It was a very important trip for me and my sister, which was planned in order to clear our minds after several problems we faced in the recent months. With help of Lilac adventures and James, we had an amazing unforgettable and problem-free trip. In case we ever come back to Kenya or any of our friends plans a trip there, we will definitely recommend this company.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience, flexible and helpful team
I had a chance to book my Maasai Mara safari via the Lilac Adventures team. Entire team was very flexible and helpful while organising this on a very short notice. It was unforgettable experience to see Masai Mara park and all the wild life.
CH
Email Sally and Natalie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Safari with a perfect and experienced driver!!
I've been on safari with my wife. We've had the bus just for ourselves. Our driver "Musa" was very very nice an he knew EVERYTHING about the animals... even everything about birds an animal-poo ;)
We've seen them all: on our first day a group of about 70!! elephants, wildbeasts, buffalos, cheetahs!!, a leopard walking along the road!!, rhinos, six times lions, even with little cubs, a lot of hippos (mara river lodge), few flamingos (lake nakuru) and of course lots of giraffes and zebras.
We've never been in danger, even as we've been right between the elephants, because our driver's had so much experience, that he knew, how to handle this possibly dangerous situation! I really really can recommend him and the lilac adventures limited!!! Book MUSA, he's the best!!!
Thank you very much for this wonderful, unforgettable experience (this was my first safari and won't be my last for sure!)!!! Sally and Natalie
CZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We have good experience with this operator - reliable, helpful, friendly.
The communications very good, excellent service - especially our guide James was the best and safari was wonderful.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personal, professional and always interesting
It was a very nice combination of good and pleasant Service mixed with high profesionalism and personal touch.
During the trip we felt very comfortable, supported and safe.
The guide provided us lots of insight knowlegde with a good portion of humor.