Andrew will take you to remote places
Wildebeest Safaris
- Located In:
-
China
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1997)
- Member Of:
- ETT & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Abby | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stolen Money
Though the actual experience of the safari was great, the company stole our money. They led us to believe that due to a switch in lodges (due to a flood), the money that we paid several months in advanced had not been able to transfer from one lodge to the next. They then told us that they we would have to pay for the fees again and they would refund us. Our driver's name was Dennis. He gave us the name and number of his "boss", Noah who was suppose to drop of the money in USD at the hotel we were staying at. Of course he never showed up and promised that he would transfer the money into our accounts when we arrived in the us. Of course, he lied again. Till this day, we have no received our refund. This company will steal your money. Do not book with them. The driver smiled in our face the entire time and then ripped us off and refused to drive us into Nairobi unless we paid the fees. BE AWARE. My friends and I are posting this review on every website we possibly can to warn others.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Aug 13, 2020Dear Abby/Clevanne,
Please confirm you have received the refund.
Kind Regards,
Noah
US
Email Clevanne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our group was scammed out of $700 USD at the end of our 3 day stay at Masai Mara -AVOID THIS COMPANY
While I would have loved to leave a positive review after my 3 day stay at Masai Mara, I cannot and will not support or endorse a booking with this company after my experience being scammed at the end of the stay. The group of young women (a total of 5 of us) booked our 3 day tour with Masai Mara since Oct 2019, paying nearly $600 USD that included all lodging accommodations, game adventures, meals and travel to and from our hotel. Not included was the gracious tip we provided to our server, driver and individuals who aided with our luggage during the course of our stay. On the first evening of our stay (Wednesday 2/2/2020)we were told by our driver Dennis (not the owner of the company)t that there was an "issue" with processing our tickets that served as entrance to and from the safari. This issue in no way had anything to do with us of course because we had paid all fees months in advance but clearly this company operates at a deficit and did not have enough revenue to pay for entrance fees that should have been taken care of months before. The issue would now require that each of us pay $140 USD (a total of $700) that would be refunded back to us. Given that none of us had $140 USD in cash, we asked if it would be possible to pay by card to which they responded yes. From this moment it was clear that none of us had enough cash to pay for the park entrance fees that should have already been handled so I would assume if this was a priority they would be diligent about making sure they recieved the payment as soon as possible. The following day (Thursday 2/13/2020), which apparently so happened to be the last day we could pay by card, we never heard anything from Dennis or who we now know as the business owner, Noah Kuti, about this matter. Now we get to our final day (Friday 2/14/2020)...after breakfast we did a brief tour through the safari and began making our way to Naroibi since it was a 6 hour drive away. Roughly an hour later at our first stop (for souvenirs - this is included in the cost), Dennis brings up the payment matter to one of us who had remained in the vehicle during the stop. At this time he stresses that it cannot be paid by card anymore and that we would have to take out cash at an atm or else we would not be able to get back to Nairobi. This was absolutely unacceptable, disgusting, unprofessional and rude. To assume that because we were american we had $700 amongst the 5 us easily laying around to make up for the companys mistake still to this day completely irritates my core. To make a long story short, Dennis ends up bringing us to an atm where one of us is successfully able to withdraw the money after a handful of attempts. Dennis then wires the money to Noah who is able to process the entrance fees. During this time Dennis passes Noah the phones who tells us that he will meet us our hotel at 6:30pm that evening to give us back that full amount in addition to the bank fees we accrued (an additional 40 USD). Please note: We are scheduled to leave nairobi on a 7am flight the following morning and we would make it to our hotel a little before 5pm on that Friday. Now that the payment is made, Dennis drives us to our hotel and provides us with both his and Noahs contact information before leaving. 6:30pm arrives and nothing. At 7:10pm we decide to give Noah a call who tells us that he is at the bank and will be there by 8pm. A little after 8pm while we are eating dinner Noah calls and gives us an excuse about not being able to retrieve money from the bank location he was in. He asks for the account number that we withdrew the money from which we quickly denied as we are told by our banks here in the states to never provide that information. We have since tried to follow up with him (Noah) via email to which the two emails he have responded back have been short and to the effect of "we are working on your issue", despite us providing multiple options for him to send the money to us (cashapp, paypal, venmo etc.). It has now been over two weeks and we are still short over $740 as a group for a 3 day safari trip that we paid nearly $3,200 for (including tips). We have now taken this to our banks to report this company as spam and intend to take every single measure to ensure this never happens to anyone again! While we enjoyed seeing the animals this experience was absolutely despicable and a disgrace - my goal is to see that Wildebeest Safaris goes out of business so that company's with integrity can thrive.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Aug 13, 2020Dear Clevanne,
Please confirm you received the refund to your card.
Kind Regards,
Noah
SG
Email MK | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall smooth experience
We booked Wildebeest Safaris after a lot of research and after talking to many different agents. Main differentiation was that they were able to arrange the camp that we specifically asked for (Entim) and the price was competitive. Also, before the trip we asked a lot of questions to Noah (the owner) and he responded to all of them with the requested assurances. We asked for a good guide and he allotted Dennis to us. We asked for unlimited Water and he agreed and he allowed us to pay balance on arrival instead of all advance (we initially asked for some payment at end of the trip which he refused)
We stayed at 2 days at Lake Nakuru (Flamingo Hill) and 5 days at Masai Mara (Entim Camp). Flamingo hill camp was very good whereas Entim was excellent. Stay at Entim was incidentless but the stay had Flamingo had a problem when we were leaving as there was some dispute between Wildebeest and Flamingo and they held us hostage till Noah went to their office and offered himself as hostage instead. It was probably a past payment dispute and we lost 2 hours while they were talking to each other. The good thing was Noah rushed to their office early morning so that we could be released and leave for our onward journey. Flamingo offered us a bottle of wine as a compensation for the inconvenience so it was good gesture on their part. So all in all it wasn't a very unpleasant experience and some glitches are a part of every trip.
Dennis was a great person to have as the guide. He was very patient, is vastly experienced with Masai Mara area, is a safe driver and is a fun person to talk to. He answered all our questions in relation to the forest or the animals and whenever he spotted an animal he knew which one it was. He also showed us the animal in his book which he carries with himself describing the animal and interesting facts about it. That helped in better understanding what I was seeing infront of my eyes. He also agreed to wait when we wanted to at a particular spot and was not forceful to leave unless it was dark and time to get back to the camp (we waiting 5 hours for the five Cheetah brothers to wake up from their sleep and he was waiting without cribbing). Even if we barely had little time left, he ensured we atleast got 5 mins with an animal sighting so that we dont go back disappointed. He was constantly calling his network of people on phone to ask for right places to visit and he wouldnt tell us what was there till we reached to create excitement and element of surprise. Probably just his style. We took bathroom breaks whenever we needed and ate packed lunch at whatever time we wanted. Even if we wanted to eat in the car, he didn't insist otherwise. He was very good with spotting animals from a far distance and he spotted some really good lions which anyone would have easily missed. Another good thing was that he was a keen photographer himself (we went there mainly to shoot) and hence he understood if we wanted some specific angles and took the efforts required for us to get the right shot. He was happy to take the car in any position we asked so that we could take satisfying pictures. He was always ready to leave on time and got us back only when it was time to leave. It was only once in Nakuru that he ended the Safari at 4pm instead of 6.30pm as he wanted to get his car fixed which should have been done before we arrived in Kenya so we lost about 2 hours there. But largely my experience with Dennis (as well as Wildebeest Safari) was a pleasant one and I recommend them to others as well.
DE
Email Sven Schlesiona | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari with easy communication
Me and my girlfriend booked a 3-day Massai-Mara private safari. This was our first trip to east Africa and also our first safari.
The pre-booking communication with Noah was easy-going and hassle free. Our Driver picked us up in Nairobi and after three days dropped us off at Nakuru.
Our Driver and Guide Joseph was great and had an excellent experience in spotting animals that were well hidden. The park was huge and beautiful. Our Lodge was located on a small mountain right outside the park. The Lodge was incredible. The staff was extremeley nice, the surrounding jungle gave the place an unique feel and the view over the mara was breathtaking.
The ride in our Land Cruiser was enjoyable, in spite of the kenyan roads.
We were lucky to see four out of the "big five" as well as numerous other animals. Only the Rhino didnt show himself in the Mara (we did see Rhinos later in Nakuru).
I can highly recommend this tour operator. Ask for Joseph!
AE
Email Ankit Garg | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Pathetic
Very unprofessional... Don't plan with them if u want a peaceful trip...
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 28, 2023Dear Ankit,
Thank you for your Safari feedback to us. Please confirm what exactly happen in order for us to address the issue accordingly.
Kind Regards,
Noah
RU
Email Irina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent holidays in Kenya with Wildebeest Safari
Best services and best safari experience with this tour operator
CA
Email Kim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The safari of a lifetime!
We had the most amazing safari experience. Our guides Abubakar Chotara and Ibrahim Swalehe were experts on everything from the animals, to the roads, to the driving, to the people. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have had their experience in choosing the parks we visited and the timing of the excursions each day - we literally saw thousands of animals!!! We were so close to a lion sleeping in a tree that we could have reached out of the truck and pulled his tail! I highly recommend this "6 Day Adventure Tanzania" safari which covered Tarangire park, Serengeti park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara park.
Email Nikhil Tanna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Warm and Friendly Team - Hamza was great!
My wife and I did a private tour safari with Wildebeest in Tanzania.
We had a FANTASTIC time and I recommend safari on the bucket list for anyone that's never been.
We had a good strong car, it was reasonably comfortable and it gave no trouble during the trip. Hamza our driver was very warm and friendly and we felt looked after from pick up to drop off.
We had fantastic experiences getting right up close to the animals and Hamza's experience here was invaluable. He was chatty and friendly but could tell when we were tired so didn't chat us to death after our long journey from London. He had a great eye for animals and spotted so much but could also sense when there was something about to happen and patience was required e.g. lions about to hunt, an elephant about to cross the road. There were times where people waited and he could tell they were done trying to hunt and recommend we move on but also times where he advised to wait it out and almost every other car had given up and we'd see a spectacular occurrence e.g. we saw 12 lions attack a huge buffalo, or cheetahs on the hunt. It was amazing and the insight he brought was really incredible.
I want to be realistic about this review and particularly say it's not like our trip was without hiccups because when visiting the wilderness that's just unrealistic. Our first hotel didn't have our booking and had to remind about being vegetarian after arriving but going to visit Africa the team are juggling lots of unexpected factors and they were very professional and apologetic about anything that didn't go fully to plan. They tended to any issues we had and resolved them as quick as possible and the reality was we didn't really have to worry about a thing because they took care of everything. Coming from the UK being able to make the entire payment by credit card was important to us for security and they were happy with that approach. Some companies really push and insist on cash payments and this extra security really helped. I think if you have an appreciation of everything they are juggling they really do a phenomenal job.
We'd thoroughly recommend Noah and his team and particularly if you're going to Tanzania ask for Hamza, he was fantastic!
IT
Email Gianfranco | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari Top . Guide Hamza Fantastic !
We did the 5 DAYS MAJESTIC TANZANIA.
Lake Manyara National Park 1 day
Central Serengeti 2 days
Ngorongoro Crater 1 Day
Every park visited was wonderful. Our Guide Hamza was of incredible courtesy and professionalism.
Hamza's fantastic view allowed us to see and photograph all kinds of animals (my wife kept taking pictures and Hazma's patience was exaggerated).
The lodges chosen were all excellent
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Recommended for everyone.
Many thanks
LK
Email Kelum | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Breathtaking safari
From the pick up at the Nairobi airport until the return there, it was a well planned tour. Our driver guide Geoff was a fantastic man who was exceptional in his jungle driving and reaching the wild animals. I had a little fear when the first lion group surrounded the land cruiser but for Geoff it was only a routine, safe moment. The lodging was also a more comfortable and safe place with protection of massai warriors. The hotel staff was also very friendly and keen on their work. I can happily say that I got the best wild safari experience.