DE
Satisfactory safari provisioning
I chose Crystal Safaris after reading reviews and comparing prices for safaris on this website. They seemed to be solid value for the price, which was the case. I had booked for 3 days to Murchison Falls, then expanded to 6 days. My email interactions with Barbara were fine; she responded quickly with information. However, I wish that more information about the hotels would be included in the package description. I was not prepared for the quality of the room in Paraa Lodge - I expected to have AC and a view, but neither was provided. Knowing more about the hotel prior would have allowed me to manage my expectations, and not be disappointed.
Our driver, George, was very good and attentive to our needs. He did a great job on the game drive to find nearly all animals present in the park - the only one he couldn't find was the leopard, which is not surprising. On our last day with the tour, in Entebbe, George was needed for another tour, so we got a different guide. This guy must have been new to the company, because he did not have quite the same skills and personability as George.
Overall I was satisfied with the tour and would recommend Crystal Safaris.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good overall, but small details weren't up to scratch.
The safari and the Transfers from O. R Tambo were as expected and I am happy with the service.
The Lodge on the other had needs some attention.
- the rooms are nice and authentic, but the cleanliness was not up to scratch. The room was was sticky and it was necessary for me to wear socks within my room at all times.
- the bathroom was not clean in terms of smelly, mouldy and run down...updates or industrial cleaning needs to occur.
- the service was push and confronting, being pressured into eating, and ordering food that wasn't first picked to eat.
- the pool was very merky, the bottom of the pool could not be seen due to this, along with bugs floating on the surface at prime swimming times.
- wifi is claimed to work at reception, the pool and the restaurant, this is false, it only works at reception and if your lucky enough to sit at the right table, works in the restaurant. This is unacceptable for an accomodation that mainly receives international guests, along with the fact the local reception is a 2/5 within the lodge rooms.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Coordinator was great but driver was rude
The coordinator Angela G. was extremely helpful and accommodating. I highly recommend her!
The driver Simon M. made inappropriate comments, was rude, drove unsafely, and was passive-aggressive when we made inquiries (that were paid for in the itinerary). His tour of Lake Nakuru National Park was rushed and we had to insist to get to spend time viewing the game (again all prepaid for).
The meal and tour at the Kericho tea plantation hotel that we requested was extremely disappointing: the food had an insect and the waiter did nothing about it, the paid tour lasted 15 min only and we only were allowed to see a tiny lot that is unused but had old tea bushes. Deviating to Kericho was unfortunately not worth the money.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
High Dollar tipping required ??
Good day
It has come to our attention by a couple that has completed a tour lately with your organization that they were required to tip $20 per day to the guid and $10 each to the assistants.
Kindly advise why this is required from the tourists. I was a tour guid in RSA and this was not the norm.
Percival Fourie
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Let down by inept and inexperienced tour leader
The tour was from Nairobi to Vic Falls. The driver and cook were terrific but the tour leader was inexperienced and failed to integrate those who went to Rwanda with her with those who joined later in Kenya. She just refused to manage any form of seat rotation which saw on a day where we were on the road for 16 hours, 6 newbies share just six seats while 9 others (who had been with the tour leader earlier, enjoyed sprawling out over 18 seats. Some having 4 seats to sleep across while 6 others sat upright in single seats with the bags under their feet. After the 16 hour day and the following 14 hour one, I suggested the tour leader enforce some type of seat rotation. Didn’t happen. Lots of other examples of her inexperience. She was also easily influenced by some of the travelers. She would give instructions only to have a couple of strong characters challenge her plans and more often than not she would give in and accommodate their complaints. One example of her favouring some of the travelers was when she dragged out of a bar a couple when they were 5 minuets late for dinner but 3 nights later, one of her “gang” was 20 minutes late for the evening meal so she had a plate made up and kept warm for him. The truck was getting on a bit and the tents/mattresses are a bit tired. But overall the trip is good value but would benefit greatly by having an experienced tour leader. The food was great. The tours fantastic as were the game drives.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Driver, guide and cook were excellent. ATC cut our guide loose 2 days early and the trip fell apart.
What started out as the trip of a lifetime ended in frustration. Our safe wasn't emptied and car keys were left behind. No big deal right? Drop them in snail mail and take care of your customer who spent thousands on the trip. Months went by and finally a rude email arrived saying that they wouldn't send me my keys. Such a small gesture left a really bad taste in my mouth. Once they get your money, they're done with you.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Arranged for us a walk and helicopter tour of Victoria Falls, cruise on the Zambzi River and a safar
The tours themselves were great, however we were unprepared for the realities. No one told us to bring flashlights,towels and soap for our camping trip. We were not prepared for the primitive nature of our camping. We expected glamping and got a bed on the ground with a very thin foam and very shallow pit toilets. While we enjoyed the safari vey much we would not have chosen that type of accommodation. Better preparation for travellers is essential.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well, It was a little bit disappointed
This company is based in South Africa but our trip was to Okavango, Chobe, and Victoria fall. So they subcontracted the local lodges and travel agent in Botswana and Zambia. If you're lazy traveller like me. I don't recommend this company since I didn't pay much attentions to the detail plan. Actually the 3 nights in Okavango delta with 6 times game drives were too much. Even safari guide got bored. :-(. In Chobe it was great lodge and safari. but in Vcitoria fall, the travel agency was strange. They didn't tell or provide water for 2 hour walking with 40 degree weather. We didn't know that it was walking tour. Also, each time we need to confirm the plans and car ride.
Communication with this company was difficult. When I called them, they didn't know about my itinerary and just said "we gave this to another contractor". what a surprise!!! only communication is email but sometimes we need to talk!!!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good agency, poor driver
This was the second time we went to Kenya with Aardwolf. Just like the first time we had a good contact with Esther. The itinerary was custom made. All the accomodations where great. The accomodation in Tsavo west (voyager ziwani) was also great, but to far from the gamedrive surrounding. This time we had David as a driver. From the ten drivers we have had in Africa, this was the worst. He didn't seem to like it and did as less as possible (this was the opposite of our other driver James of this company in 2016). Also he didn't know his way at all. When the itinerary says full day game drive, David makes it a half day. He only drives on the main roads foreward and back and never takes the gamedrive loops there are. There was every day a discussion about the itinerary. So when you book with this company make sure everything in the itinerary is very clear and make sure you don't get David as a driver. They have better drivers and you will have a good trip with Aardwolf.
Good safari experience slightly damaged at the end
+Good contact with safari organiser prior to the safari who gave us plenty of useful information and answered promptly all the questions
+Good organisation during the safari, in line with the description
+ We were shown a great deal of game during the safari, good skills of the driver
-Our driver Richard was not extremely talkative, he could improve by speaking more about what we see during the safari and adding his own stories, experiences.
- The trunk of our minivan broke when we returned to Nairobi after the safari (it may happen to everyone) and although it was agreed that all the participants will be transported to their hotels within the agreed price for the entire safari, the driver stopped the van by the market in Nairobi and told everyone that they will be transported to their hotels by taxi for which they will need to pay themselves(!) - finally after a bit of discussion we did not have to pay, however it left us with a bit of a sour feeling - this behaviour is clearly not professional and in case of fault, it is still company responsibility to provide services which were agreed a priori