CA
Dirty tent. Vehicle breakdowns. Terrible ending.
I went on a 5-day safari with Bobby Tours. Price was comparable. It's run by Bobby's son Kassim who appeared nice at first but turned out to be an arrogant pr*ck. The tent isn't the canvas ones like the other outfitters. It's a big "Costco" one with holes and has that bad old tent smell. Their main campsite is run down and only one shower works and it's pretty bug infested (though I find that interesting). The vehicle broke down several times too. Anyway, we finished the 5 day safari early because Lake Manyara is an easy 2 hours on the way back. I asked Kassim if we could do a day trip to see Kilimanjaro in a car on the 5th day instead, paying for the extra fuel costs. Instead of politely declining or offering an arrangement at an extra price, he just YELLED (RAGED) at my girlfriend and I on the phone. I asked him if there was a bus to Moshi, only an hour away. He then told me he didn't know - ironic since he's a tour agent that advertises Kilimanjaro treks - and that getting there would cost $100 in a taxi of van one way. Fortunately, my Airbnb host saved the day and took us to Moshi for free, and I hopped on a bus back for $2. In short, Kassim ruined our trip of a lifetime. Once he gets your money, you're useless to him. Don't give business to this entitled brat and avoid Bobby Tours.
I went on a 5-day safari with Bobby Tours. Price was comparable to others. It's run by Bobby's son Kassim who appeared nice at first but turned out to be an arrogant pr*ck. The tent isn't the canvas ones like the other outfitters. It's a big "Costco" one with holes and has that bad old tent smell. Their main campsite is run down and only one shower works and it's pretty bug infested (though I find that interesting).
The vehicle broke down several times too. Anyway, we finished the 5 day safari early because Lake Manyara was an easy 2 hours on the way back (probably worth skipping if you're going to Serengeti). I asked Kassim if we could do a day trip to see Kilimanjaro in a car on the 5th day instead, paying for the extra fuel costs. Instead of politely declining or offering an arrangement at an extra price, he just YELLED (RAGED) at my girlfriend and I on the phone.
I then asked Kassim if there was a bus to Moshi, only an hour away. He then told me he didn't know - ironic since he's a tour agent that advertises Kilimanjaro treks - and that getting there would cost $100 in a taxi of van one way. Fortunately, my Airbnb host saved the day and took us to Moshi for free, and I hopped on a bus back for only $2.
In short, Kassim ruined our trip of a lifetime. Once he gets your money, you're useless to him. Don't give business to this entitled brat and avoid Bobby Tours.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The worse people ever
We booked a 5 days 4 nights tour with them threw "JIMMY" with Swahili Paradise Tours & Safaris, found on your website.
We used their services for airport transfert and Safari blue in Zanzibar and everything went well.
The Safari, apparently sub-rented to another company went TERRIBLY.
Day 1 : Kilimanjaro trek
The guy Buhembo (who apparently work with this Jimmy) appears asking us to pay the remaining 50% balance in cash on the side of a road... then we kept going on the drive to . They made us do more than 3h drive to Marangu gate to tell us on arrival their that it was too late to do the trek. we walked in the jungle 1h and then had to head back. Then 3h30 drive again on the other way. The car was old, smelly, no A/C...UNBELIEVABLE.
This Jimmy said his partner will refund us, he never did.
On that night, smelling the imposture, we went to the police with this Buhembo guy who said he did not have our money because he spent it all already. The police also corrupted, did not help at all.
Day 2 : We were supposed to go to Tarangire, we did a long drive to Serengetti. Except a 30 min game drive on the parc (cut off as it was night!) we did not do anything except driving that day.
Not at all the planning we paid. The jeep was shared, full full full !
The tent were old, we had to build them ourselves.
Day 3 and 4, we kept going on the planning of this other group we shared with, not ours. We lost nearly 3h in total as the tires went flat 4 times (6 differents tires as the two they had for safety were un-usable and the other they bought was flat too), ... We had to eat without chairs on 1st day, maximum 1 bottle of water per person and per day was plan. We had no water for the last day as he gave some to some guys on the road.
The last camp was reach at 3pm on the last day, the camp was in the middle of a town... we had water on the face in the tent during the last night because of the rain, the guy did not have enough money for fuel and was asking for us to pay it!
The car was in a bad shape (like doors locked, Windows not able to open, no radio Cb, all shaking...) No radio, No talky walkie, no binoculars. Seats are not equals (large ones and tiny little ones on the back) for people who all paid the same amount;
The only positive point : the food was Ok and the chef sympatic, the only one who did not lie during those 5 days.
We lost nearly 2 days on the schedule we paid for, informed them, and Nothing at all was done.
So yes we saw beautiful animals, but you do not need any agent to do that!!!
+ The Jimmy guy never answered either to mails or calls;
We nearly lost 3500 € for them, including nearly 500€ for the 1st day.
NO RECOMMANDED AT ALL !!!! DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM !
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This operator just took my money and didn't make a refund until now. Operating skills very poor too.
I would just write facts here. It is your option to judge.
In brief, this operator
1) Took my money(entrance fee) and made me pay twice. Didn't make my refund until now.
2) Didn't inform me about changes within the tour
3) Didn't pay hotel in advance
4) Doesn't keep promises
1. Just took my money and didn't make a refund
I met Cate(Operator) at my hotel before my trip to Masai Mara. I paid the remaining deposits to her, including Masai Mara entrance fee(280USD for 2 pax). However, when I arrived at the national park, the park rangers said no entrance fee was paid. I had to call her(several attempts since she didn't pick up the phone) and she said the queue for the bank was too long so I should pay the rangers 280USD and she would pay back my money once I get back to Nairobi. I told her to tranfer the money directly to my Mara hotel but she said that was not possible. I had no other choice so I paid the rangers 280USD and went for my tour.
Cate promised me to meet me at Wilson airport once I get back, but she didn't show up. (She was in Tanzania) I needed to keep calling her and check how things were going. (Why would I use a tour operator if I needed to do EVERYTHING by myself?) She promised me (again) that she would send someone to my hotel in Nairobi and give me back my money. She didn't. I came back home after my trip and requested online refund. She said she will but kept ignoring my emails and said she needs a month due to funding issues. (She obviously used my money elsewhere) So I waited with patience but she decided to ignore my email again. She knows that she owes me my deposit(she stated that in her own email) but keeps on refusing to pay me back.
2. Not a professional operator.
- This operator must have done hundreds of excursions but never notified me regarding which domestic airport I should book for Masai Mara. I used skycanner and searched an airport and booked it in advance, but Cate said it was another airport few weeks before my trip. Shouldn't I be notified?
- Due to booking a different airport, my hotel was changed to a more expensive hotel. However, since this was my honeymoon, I wanted to have a private game drive. That was why I booked this tour in the first place because it was all private. However, I found out that my game drive was shared by 6 people. I understand what happened with the hotel but nothing was informed. I needed to call her(again) to check.
She insists that she is making nothing from this tour due to a more expensive hotel, but this wouldn't have happened if she informed me about the aiport.
- When I was checking out at Masai Mara Hotel(Serena Lodge), they said my balance was not paid. I paid everything to Cate, but the operator didn't pay the lodge in advance. I needed to call her(again) and check what was going on. The operator was on his/her way to pay and I needed to wait until I was free to go. I had a flight coming up so wasn't comfortable with waiting.
I strongly recommend you to look for another operator. This is how this operator does business.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No response
FYI- This company answered my email asking what type of safari we wanted then never responded again.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unprofessional and disappointing
We did a really bad experience with the Tour of faustin Tours and Travel.
We tried to get any confirmations on payments and an invoice before we went on the safari which already turned out very difficult as Faustin obviously doesn’t like to confirm anything.
The First day everything Went well, we went hiking that was very nice. After that we drove in our Hotel. The tan Swiss Hotel which was nice. In the evening we Should pay the half of the Money Cash to our guide in the Hotel.
In this Moment we noticed that money from us have been stolen.
We‘re not sure where it happens either it was in the Hotel or it was the driver. But that Not belongs to faustin tours. The Problem we got was, that we wanted a new driver and since that he didn‘t answered any of our calls. Our Guide was sitting next to us and Wrote with faustin what means that he saw our calls and didn‘t picked them up on purpose.
We accepted that we don‘t get a new driver so we drove to udzungwa the next day. But when we came there he didn‘t payed the entry fee so we had to wait there Many Hours because we couldn‘t enter the park and Start hiking. We tried to reach Faustin but without any success so we had to pay it again and went to a lot of trouble with the personnel of the wild park. The only helpful person being the tour guide that will definitely not work for Faustin again! So far all attempts to reach anyone at faustin travel were without success. No one answers the phone or writes back on messages - very poor!
Also we came there and suddenly he said we don‘t get any lunch, although it was included in our offer.
After we came back there was Money over that Had to be payed, but he also didn‘t send the guide the Money and didn‘t pick up the phone as usual.
So i recommend you to Never do a Tour With faustin Tours and safaris!
He‘s absolutely unprofessionell and criminell.
If you want to do a safari or hiking trips i really recommdent taylor safaris, the Agency where our Guide Kevin was from. He was really nice and helped us a lot.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The director Dennis Solomon is a incompetent and is only worried about money. No respect.
I was super excited about the safari, and the lady who helped us book was so nice, even our driver to the safari was so nice. The issue was on the second day ( we did only two days one night), logistics was awful. We were told to meet the tour guide at 6 am only to find out, the tour we were suppose to be on left. We spent the next 45 mins in the safari searching for that said group, only to find out they were finished in the park, so we parted the park to return to Nairobi. We were suppose to spend three hours in the safari. All while my husband did not have a seat in the van ( over crowded) so he sat on the floor- literally where you put your feet. When we discussed this with the direct of baboon budget his response was; “ who told you you would have a seat, you can stand”, which was not of course what we paid for. After some time explaining his only response to our cristicms was, “ oh you people- I know people like you- you are just never sastified, you just want to complain and get money”. We were of course only relaying our complaints. We ( my husband and I) spent 520.00 usd ( 240 a person, plus surcharge for using debit machine), and spent less than three hours actually touring the safari. Logistics are awful and the director does not care about the costumer.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A very poor operator with terrible organisation and incompetent subcontractors.
Bonfire was contracted to organise a safari tour to Tsavo West and Ambosselli. Day one and we have no tour bus and no communication. The day was shambolic with an alternative transport company organised by independents and eventually a 5 hour delayed arrival at our lodge. More alternative transport substituted on Day 2 in two run down vehicles. Third rate guides. Poor itineraries. And finally a broken down vehicle on the last day. Use this company at your peril.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
BEWARE: INSOLVENT BUSINESS. DO NOT SEND MONEY
Open Africa Safaris is run by John Williams, who is a middleman for safari tours. The business is insolvent and John took my payment but did not forward it to the African operator Dilunga (even though he kept assuring me he would), so I could not do my safari. DO NOT SEND him any payment. Use another agency.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Did not pay my accommodation in the lodges
I chose to use a local Zambian company for my holiday. I wanted to spend the entire time in South Luangwa National Park. That I did, but all within the same immediate area. A little disappointing considering the park is over 9000km2.
I was asked for payment in July to secure lodge accommodations....Mfuwe, Flatdogs, Wildlife camp, Nkozi for my holiday in October/November.
So Tafika Travel Advisor failed to pay for my accommodation at 3 lodges, although I am not sure about Nkozi. Mfuwe Lodge told me they were already owed money from the previous year and so were Wildlife camp. My dealings were with Paul Manda and Robert Zgozi
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
All started well, but we're completely abandoned for our stay in Zanzibar!
Avoid this company at all costs, they changed our itinerary, omitted many features of the trip, booked us into a substandard hotel, provided a vehicle which should not have been on the road, and a suicidal driver. Once we got to Zanzibar, all communications ceased, leaving us to arrange and pay for meals, drinks, outings, transfers and flights, which were supposedly included. Very disappointing. Only redeeming feature was Michael the guide who was a star.