NO
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional fraudster & scam artist. Don't engage Drive Tanzania/Yoeni Japheth Mkiramweni.
We hired a Toyota Land Cruiser from the sham company Drive Tanzania Ltd for 15 days (June-July 2018), paid in advance. The company address in Arusha is a parking lot! - the office is a cell phone. Despite calling it's self one of the "biggest & best" -we found out as we our trip progressed that everything is just fraud and lies. Yoeni doesn't own a single commercial safari vehicle. The 4x4 supplied was a private vehicle in unroadworthy condition, not commercial, and as such illegal without valid insurance. The brakes and steering were faulty, also no brake fluid & the engine devoid of oil, we had to fill both, not serviced for ages.
In the Ngorongoro Crater the steering main joint broke as we parked. We were lucky it went then as at speed we would have either gone off the road, or the vehicle turned over. We were lucky we weren't killed. We were rescued by the Crater rangers who drove us out of the crater to our lodge. Three weeks later I'm told the vehicle is still in the crater, pending repairs to both steering and radiator before it can be driven out, also daily fines. We had to hire an alternative vehicle for the last 5 days, Yoeni true to form was impossible to contact.
No lodgings had been ordered in advance for the driver, Yoeni told him that we hadn't paid him yet for the safari and therefore we would be paying for all his overnighting and food, also all the vehicles safari fees and expenses which according to the contract Drive Tanzania were responsible for. The driver was shocked when we showed him the contract - a clear breach of contract.
Eventually brought in by the police, in the presence of witnesses at the Arusha Tourist police station Yoeni promised to refund all the money he owed us by a stated date, through "Malaika Tours", also to pay his driver. More lies, the date has come and gone, he still hasn't refunded us anything and the poor driver also hasn't been paid.
Yoeni is now the subject of a police investigation for this case and complaints from other customers, also investigation on suspecion of mis-appropriating WMA fees and Tanzanian VAT. He also offered to pay in the park fees for us in advance, his quote for 14 days was $4.000 which he didn't seem to be able to document. Needless to say the amount we ended up paying by Visa Card at the park gates was just $1.570 !!
An incredible story - yes, and 100% true.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Dream Holiday
A dream Holiday.
My trip as a whole was very well prepared and perfectly organized, the mere fact that I had not one problem on such a long journey, is amazing!
On this trip, I visited Tanzania between 5th July 2018 and 12th July 2018. I am very happy with my trip , I wish to thank Savilinyi for making it possible in so very little time.
I will not hesitate to book another trip with Get Together Adventures and I will highly recommend to everyone and I will surely book with you again!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was the trip of a lifetime!
If you had told me 13 months ago that I would be returning from the most amazing safari adventure in South Africa and Zimbabwe in July 2018, I would have laughed in your face. I had no intention on doing any of this. But then my parents surprised my family and my sister's family with a trip. A year later we were on our way to South Africa for the trip of a lifetime. The rest is history.
None of this would have been possible (nor as elegant and amazing) without Kanyezi Africa Safari. My mom had secretly been planning this trip for all of us (ten people total, including four kids between the ages of 7 - 14) for three years. She developed a close working relationship with Chris, who was incredibly helpful, kind, knowledgable, responsive, and supportive. It is because of Chris that we saw so many spectacular things. He worked hand-in-hand with my mom to arrange tours and sights that would be appropriate and meaningful to our family. He personally took us around Cape Town. We learned so much! He also arranged little things, like a gourmet seaside picnic, flowers at the airport upon arrival, and great restaurants.
And that was only Cape Town. After that we went to Sabi Sabi Lodge for five days of safari. Chris made sure we had the best guide and the best rooms. Everything was taken care of. The animals, of course, were spectacular. (I highly recommend Sabi Sabi Lodge -- it was out of this world.) After that we went to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe -- it also was magnificent.
Chris had everything arranged for us and anticipated every want and need for us throughout our 17 day adventure. Even our flights (which included 25 hours of flying time on our return!) were meticulously thought out. We didn't have to think about anything throughout the trip. I think this was the first real vacation I have taken in 20 years -- I've never been so relaxed and at ease!
I highly recommend booking your safari vacation through Kanyezi African Safaris. It was the best decision that I never made!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good tour operator
We had a fantastic time on our 12-day safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Everything was completely well organized, the accommodations were amazing and the driver guides tried to show us as much as possible during the game drives and, if possible, to respond to our requests. We would always book again with African Paradise Safaris and we can recommend this company to anyone who also wants to do a safari tour.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience
Just coming back, Soul of Tanzania made our trip a lifetime experience, esp thanks to our guide, Ahmed, who beard in his mind every road in Serengeti, and is rich of knowledge of animals, which made us to see so many lions. We can tell that he loved his job, everyday he drove a lot and show no tired, and he also knows a lot about photographing, always helping us to catch good light. BTW, we enjoyed our warm lunch and even wines, wow, thank you so much, Soul of Tanzania. Highly recommend to my friends.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
No concern for the animals or the other tour companies.
Wow. We spent a week on safari and had several encounters with Leopard Tours, none of them good. On several occasions the Leopard Tours would pull in front of other safari vehicles just so they could be closest. Also when a great dusk cloud would be racing towards us and passing at high speed driving in the grasses or any area to pass us , you could always be assured it was Leopard Tours. The best was when the Leopard Tours vehicle drove off road in front of many other tour vehicles and drove right towards a pack of 5 lions. Thus causing them to get up and leave the area because they were about to be hit by the vehicle driven by Leopard Tours. So if you want to be first in line without ever waiting your turn, you have no regard for the wildlife you area there to see, and you have no respect for other people on tour, then this is for sure the company you should book with. Other wise I would steer clear of this company. I have found similar complaints about this company on here, with a reply from the company. But it appears this Leopard has not changed its spots.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari trip for this solo gal
Adam was terrific! He communicated well and quickly. All transports were arranged and he even met me at the bus station in Arusha (not an easy feat). He showed me around Arusha and the tour guides that he works with are awesome!! Had a great camping safari and was able to see 4 of the Big 5. Would highly recommend Adam and Afrozone to anyone, especially a solo chick.
OM
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great personal experience. Easy and transparent to deal with.
Dealing with Ernest was a pleasure. Always prompt and accommodative. We planned this trip over a year, and our itinerary and number of persons kept changing, but Ernest never grumbled.
When we arrived, he and his team were great. Our guides Luka, Ali and George were like a family to our group of 16, and very knowledgeable. We saw all that was there to see, including incredible chases.
One of the most memorable trips of our life.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
For an experience of a lifetime, Go2Africa will custom create your tour
Jessica from Go2Africa had helped us plan our very first safari. She helped us plan our trip which started at Capetown-- Sabi Sands Game Reserve (Lion Sands River Lodge)--Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls River Lodge)--then to Sable Alley (Okavango Delta, Botswana) - a 2 week tour.
All the arrangements were seamless with only one hitch (not the fault of Go2Africa but at the lodge who got the information wrong) which was immediately addressed as other arrangements were made so we did not miss our transfer to the next site.
I have never been on a safari before and if I had any expectations, Go2Africa's custom tour would definitely exceeded them. I was very pleased with the safari tour Jessica put together and now that I have been "bitten" by the safari "bug", I would definitely book with Go2Africa again for another tour.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Does Tom kilongola work for your company
Tom Kilongola had us wire him $9200 USD in advance for 6-day Safari and then canceled the tour on the day we were flying to Tanzania.
He has asked us to be patient in the refund.
If Tom does not work for your company I don't know what we will do,
Yours
Gilbert Goodwin
Long Beach, California, USA