US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Liar, Cheat, disreputable! Do not use under any circumstances
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. My husband and I booked through a great agency in Kenya who outsourced the Tanzania portion of our trip to Galloping Safaris. Walter, the owner, is a liar and a cheat. Read other reviews (wish we'd seen them in advance). We were in Tanzania for 5 days. He hired a 3rd party guide/driver for us, Athman was EXCELLENT. He saved the tour for us. However, Galloping Safaris (GS) had us pay our entry fee into the Serengeti park (even though we'd paid everything in advance). He said he was installing a new payment system and was having problems. We put the $642 USD on our credit card, assuming Walter would do as he said and pay us back when we finished the trip in Arusha. Walter with GS outright lied to us. We wasted an hour waiting for him to respond so we could even enter the park. Next, as we were exiting Ngorogoro crater, we were not allowed to leave the park since GS (Walter) had not paid the concession fee of approximately $100 USD. Our driver, Athman, convinced Walter to go to the bank to immediately transfer the $$. Another hour wasted there. Then we arrived at Tarangire Park, only to find out, once again, Walter at GS had not paid the entry fees. He then asked us again to pay $227 USD of our own $$. We had no choice but to pay, because where else would we go? Yup, another hour wasted sorting this out. Upon our final day, we drove back to Arusha, met with Walter, his wife Glory (a Director of the company) and someone who said they were his lawyer. He did not have the money to pay us back upon our arrival ($869 USD total), instead he wrote and signed what we thought was a legitimate legal agreement that he would wire us the money in 2 weeks. That date came and went, no $$$, more lies from Walter and now zero response from him. He should not be allowed to operate. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY under any circumstances.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dishonest and threatening
Dishonest and threatening
Dishonest practices, threats to the police and extortion...agency to flee for better security.
We did a safari with Leboo from January 14 to 21, 2023. We had a big problem at the end: we had paid for our safari by bank transfer with the agreement of the agency. Our bank took their own fee from us, and their bank withheld a fee from them as well.
On an amount of 4000 dollars, their bank withheld 300 dollars.
On the last day, when taking us back, they asked us to pay that extra $300. We understand the bank charges, but we explain to them that we have already paid the entire sum on our side.
To avoid any problem, we suggest to step up to them and pay half/half their bank charges (in addition to the charges we have already paid on our side), they don't want to know anything and threaten to get us to the police and leave us locked in the car all night.
The agency will probably reply that we did not understand, but dialogue is impossible with them, especially with their accountant Joseph who refuses any proposal.
Dishonest practices, threats to the police and extortion...agency to flee for better security.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terribly organized safari tour (2-day fly-in/out Safari from Dar)
Terribly organized and chaotic tour, contact persons gave out contradictory information, horrible game-drive, many useless phone calls, dirty sleeping room full of millipedes, lodge staff friendly and food OK, taxi driver dropped me off at the wrong terminal to get the flight and later at the wrong hotel after the tour. I made very good experiences with other tour operators in Tanzania, so that I need to recommend: Do NOT book at Selous Kinga Lodge. Further details below:
I requested an offer for the “2-day fly-in/out Safari from Dar” via Safaribookings.com and was directly linked to Edward and Martin from the lodge who helped me to clarify first questions regarding the tour and send me the offer for the tour.
As soon as I had placed the down payment the trouble began. Martin called me several times. I did not have the feeling, that there was a language problem during the calls, however, almost no useful information was exchanged.
Taxi Pickup to and from the hotels, where I stayed before and after the safari tour were organized by Martin. I sent him the names and addresses of the hotels via Whatsapp. The taxi driver to bring me to the airport dropped me off at the wrong terminal, so that I almost missed my flight to start the safari. The flight was booked by Martin, so that he should have communicated to the driver were to bring me.
The taxi diver to bring me back to the hotel dropped me off at the wrong hotel. When I gave him the right address, he did not know, where it was, although I shared hotel names and addresses with Martin already weeks in advance.
I made the down payment for the tour already three months before tour start. In January Martin explained me, that he could only give me the flight tickets 4 days before departure, because it would be last minute tickets and there were not enough booked passengers on the plane, yet. At the end, the plane was full of tourists and the other tourists told me, that they have received the confirmation for the tour and the flight several months in advance.
The flight with Auric air itself was a great experience: New planes, friendly staff, great views out off the plane.
Edward explained me via email, that it was fine to pay the rest payment directly at the lodge. However, Martin called me only a few days before tour start, that I need to pay everything upfront. Because of that, I needed to give the money in cash to the taxi driver, who brought me to the airport. He could not give me any receipt or payment confirmation.
The game drive in Nyerere Park was horrible. The driver drove at full speed in direction of the animals so that in most of the time we were only able to see the backs of frightened creatures. Bushes and small trees were destroyed when they were run over by the car. Out of the driving car it was generally difficult to take pictures and good positioned stops were very rare.
When I entered the sleeping room, there were around 10 millipedes with a length more than 100 mm inside. I pushed them out, but when I came in the next time the were new ones inside. I understand, that the Lodge is in the middle of the nature. But I slept in comparable locations, where the sleeping rooms, tents or cabins were very clean from the inside.
Do not book at Selous Kinga Lodge. Choose one of the good alternatives.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible, don't book with this company
When we asked a quote we received different photos than where he accommodated us. When we arrived we were in shock for the location, we asked to be moved immediately and Mr. Mika told us to pay for the upgrade. For 2 days in Lenchada Camp we had the electricity just for 3h per day, was from 7pm to 10 pm, in the tend wasn’t plate for recharge the cell phone. We booked for 2 persons for 1.700 dollars for 5 days, full board, includes Breakfast/ Lunch/Dinner/Drinking water. Driver/Camp/Hotel/Safari/National Park.
We had to recharge in the fake restaurant (was a small a dirty tend, and the food was terrible, the chef wearing very dirty). No electricity, no water to drink in the camp. We never meet Mr. Mika, he staid away from us.
In the our tour for 5 day were with us others 5 persons. One paid 550 dollars for Lenchada Camp where Mr Mika accomodated us, and the others 4 paid 600 dollars each for a good location in Enrock Camp.
Thanks to the driver for our safari Mr. Andrew from other company we recovered the shock of the terrible first 2 days in Lenchada Camp.
We give the good reviews for the driver Mr. Andrew, and bad reviews for Akoa Africa Tour and Mr. Mika from this company.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Poorly planned and did not refund fees we paid for them
Hallmark not only poorly planned and communicated our safari but failed to pay certain fees that we ended up having to pay with promise of reimbursement. It's been 6 months and now after multiple lies about the "check is in the mail" will not answer email regarding our payment. Basically stole from the 3 couples.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible, they are thieves
We did a 5 days mount Kenya Hike.
First of all: I am rating the office right now and not the mount Kenya hike. The mount Kenya hike is definitely recommendable and was one of the best experiences we had. Great views, great guides (the guides are freelancers and not related to the office)...a wonderful experience!
But very important! Book this wonderful hike with another (maybe a little bit more expensive) tour operator! Our experience with this tour operator was the worst we have ever experienced (and we are travelling the world for 2 years now). They are robbing you and most of the things they tell you are lies! With this operator you get a reasonable offer and you find yourself paying 20% more than agreed to. Susan seems to be a friendly contact at the beginning and at the end you realize that she only told you half of the truth and lies (if you are not able to pay by US dollars in cash you will pay 10% more than the offer, because the company shifts the financial risk onto the customers, be careful about every "optional" they tell you...it will cost you more than expected...for example the ride back at the last day will cost you 50USD which is not included in the price) they also will make itinerary changes which will affect you with aditional costs without asking you. I really recommend to experience this wonderful hike with another maybe a little bit more expensive company. If you value honesty please avoid Susan and avoid this company, they are thieves.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I got scammed out of my deposit by this company.
DO NOT BOOK. "Silas" scammed me. I communicated via the email initiated on safaribookings.com . He told me his credit card machine was down and to wire the money (not uncommon for African safaris to wire money). I double checked other people were satisfied with his safaris, everything seemed extremely legit (they also wired money)
When I wired it he said he never received it then said I should have sent it via credit card on his website. When I showed him the email thread, he confirmed that was indeed his email, but said the invoice never came from him. Yet he denied his email has been hacked.
I'm not sure what's going on with this company and I'm hoping my bank can stop the wire. I'm happy to share the screenshots of my conversation back and forth so you can protect yourself.
When I asked what had happened he immediately shut me down and told me he doesn't want my business. It seems odd to me that a legitimate business isn't concerned that their email has been hacked.
I will update this review once I have reached conclusion on this event. But I wanted this warning published ASAP so other people don't get scammed.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
WORST COMPANY EVER! STAY SAVE AND DON'T BOOK WITH THEM!
WORST COMPANY EVER! STAY SAVE AND DON'T BOOK WITH THEM!
It already started badly with no binoculars in the car, so everybody else could watch a leopard hunting close and l just saw some points moving far away, which is definitely not what l have paid for… but it came worse and we couldn't enter in parcs which we were supposed to and even if l paid for everything l had to pay again at the entrance fee after 1 hour of waiting in the bursting sun because my driver spent all the money... worst was, that he said he would not bring me to the hotel, till MORNINGSTAR pays him more.. so over all a nightmare which they don't take any responsibility. never ever book with MORNING STARS SAFARI! You won't be safe and it can get very dangerous!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don’t go please with them! SCAMMERS !
Please skip this agency!! SCAMMERS !
My worst experience. I booked 5 days Masai Mara with Amboseli, and when i arrive in Nairobi they pick me up then said that they don’t have that tour now ( day before they said that they have).. and they didn’t care about that mistake, I didn't even get an apology, so I was forced to agree to go to something I didn't book , different 5 days trip. When we finish that conversation i sat in the car to start that tour, on the way to safari, after 1 hour i got weird messages and calls on my kenyan number from local numbers and messages like “f*ck yourself, stupid” they called me next two days when i was on my safari trip, and i block them, and just people from this agency know my number! Because i bought my sim card on airport on same date, when i arrived in Kenya! I felt unsafe as a tourist, because you don’t know who to ask because the same Agency organize that to me! When we finish that tour after 5 days they were supposed to drive me back to my hotel/airport for free. When we arrive back to Nairobi the girl who told me that “i have included transport, because if i book 5,6,7 days safari i have included transport” and now when we arrived she told me “no its not included (with laughing)” i have screenshots of our chat if someone don’t believe me. So i was very angry and i went alone back to my hotel with some street taxi because i saw that this agency is playing with tourist. Also for example “Naivasha” its just transport to the place, you have to pay 35-50$ for boat tour or walking, without paying that you cannot enter. Aware that they made a big mistake at the beginning (because i paid expensive ticket to kenya and i didnt see Amboseli what i wanted) and instead of correcting it, in the end they turn out to be even bigger scammers until the end , and I didn’t get a single apology for all of that. I really like Kenya and it was my dream place to visit but this is very sad, if you want to enjoy in beautiful Kenya skip them and find a serious agency who respect their guests.
(Driver James was very nice and kind and i recommend him) but agency is horrible, they don’t deserve more tourists. I have a proof for all of that what i wrote. I booked with this “Bienvenido tours” and when i text the number from email they said “Purity” is name of agency, so they are maybe connected. Be careful.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Bad Experience
We compleleted Kilimanajro and Tanzania /Kenya Safari in Aug 2022 Paid Calvin Gibson of Safari Lift Africa the full amount . He failed to pay for some of the park fees, and the last 3 days of our hotel stay. He made a lot of excuses about failing to pay and asked us to pay ,with the promise he will return it later. We made mutilpe attempts to get back our money ..but have not receive it so far ..