US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Swindled by this company--avoid!
I was slated to do a 4-day trip to Nogorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara with this company back in October 2015. A day after I made the payment in full ($410) via M-PESA, I was informed by a company representative that the safari was canceled because the company director (Kristen Hubert) had had a serious accident on her way to Diani. Completely understandable, and I asked them not to rush with my refund, given the circumstances involved.
Fast forward to November: the company director's husband (Georgette Hubert) gets in touch with me and tells me that he will make a refund ASAP. However, since November 19, I have heard nothing from him, in spite of several reminders. Since I did not wish to be insensitive, I was patient, realizing that there could have been medical complications associated with Kristen's accident. However, intriguingly, since then, the company has continued advertising for safaris on their Facebook page (since then taken down) and has actually organized safaris for clients, as vouched by one of their recent clients with whom I have been in touch. To me, this reeks of corruption and hints rather strongly that I have been swindled of my money, as they are quite obviously flat-out ignoring my emails and Facebook messages. Considering that we are now in April, I do not envision receiving my money back again. That being said, I wanted to post this cautionary message, so that other travelers are not swindled by this company.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Memorable trip in lifetime hosted by swahili paradise tours
Hi ,All
I'm Spanish guy who love to travel and share travel experiences with others , in June of last year i was travelling through East Africa from Kenya to Tanzania to explore the nature of wildlife , as solo male traveller in tight budget . My journey started in Kenya for 5 days which was based for 2 nights at Maasai Mara , 2 nights at Lake Nakuru and 1 night at Amboseli N.P , it wasn't cheaper at the beginning when i planned to do it alone , but after i read different on-line reviews i discover it's worth if i could share the costs with others . So i opened a deal to share my trip with others who loves to meet and join with new people on trip . from those reviews i found most of solos were talking about swap groups which operating in East Africa , so that i contacted some of agencies who could mingle me with swap groups , off-course each of them came with different quotations , but finally i took a deal from swahili paradise tours , because it was affordable to my budget i had . i joined a swap group from Kenya to Tanzania , where in Tanzania i was doing 4 days itinerary safari which started from Tarangire - Serengeti - ngorongoro . To be honest in each park which i was visiting had unique viewing , and the guides in each country were knowledgeable , tents were in good condition ,even sleeping bags and mattresses .
All in all i have to say this was the first one remarkable trip in my lifetime which i ever had before , so i love to go back to Tanzania and visit many places as much as it will be possible . Apart from this short review i have to say thank you every one who spent his/her time to help me to have this trip , and i am happy to recommend others to use this agency and swap groups when they are in East Africa .
Lo sentimos también para mi Inglés que no es mucho. De lo contrario, le deseo feliz viaje en África.
Philp
US
Everything turned out perfect
Thank you for all your help everything turned out perfect. Ebrahim was super I'd highly recommend him to anyone traveling in Cape Town. Ismail was also excellent . We met Robert More at The More Quarters one morning he was extremely nice thought he might be at Lion Sands when we were there but left us a special message because he left the day we arrived and a book signed by him his greatgrandfather wrote.The staff at More Quarters were so friendly we loved our room and the hotel itself. Mont Rochelle is probably the most beautiful place we have ever been.Loved Franschook, The vineyards and wineries were magnificent. Could have spent more time there. The Lion Sands River Lodge was absolutely beautiful the staff was great and we had the best ranger in Neil and tracker Albert. Made friends with two couples we did our safaris with. Trip of a lifetime all we can do is pray we can go back some day. If we know anyone who is interested we will definetly refer you. Thank you again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible choice to sub-contract the Tanzania portion of our Trip
We recently went on a Safari (Kenya and Tanzania) with SafariBookEvolution. These guys can handle Kenyan safari alright, but they were not forthcoming about the fact that they don't run the Tanzanian safari themselves, and it was nothing short of a disaster as they sub-contract to Jackpot safaris (who basically give you dangerous cars, careless guides and put your lives in danger. See below the list of issues we faced. I wouldn't recommend them and can't say much for Safaribook Evolution as they but us in a very terrible situation.
Kenyan Safari issues
1) no power at destiny Eco camp for 2 days
2) no hot water at destiny Eco camp for 2 days, although we were promised.
Tanzanian Safari issues
Safety - We put our families in danger. Don't risk it!
1) Car's door kept opening right in the middle of game drives and on the highways endangering our families.
2) The car's open top literally fell on us which could have killed all of us. Thankfully we were sitting at that time.
3) Car broke down in the middle of forest. And the driver had least concern for our safety. A speeding vehicle nearly crashed on our car.
4) We were lost in the jungle of for four hours with the driver George not having a clue about where we were. He didn't even have the mobile number of the Kati Kati camp.
Value for Money - Zero
5) We paid a lot for the Kati Kati camp's luxury tent, but stayed there just for 8 hours in Kati Kati camp without enjoying any part of the stay. Thanks to George who got us lost in the jungle.
6) Car was small and cramped in Tz for 3 days. When we complained about this, George said he couldn't drive the other car so we ended up using the same cramped car for one more day which eventually broke down.
7) The guide/driver was very rude and arrogant, not well informed(like he didn't have the phone number of the Kati Kati camp when we were lost in the jungle.
8) The tents given to us at the flamingo hotel were so small. We had to pay $200 extra to get the rooms. Andrew (Jackpot Safari) threatened to cancel the whole safari even though he saw we had 2 small kids.
9) No binoculars for the Tz safari, although we were promised that we will be given one.
10) The itinerary was changed mid way, only one day at the Tarangire national park as opposed to two days.
11) the Tz driver has a total lack of interest with the safari, with us having to push him to go on game drives. For example we spent only 2 hours at the Lake Manyara game drive. Then we had to call the managers to get him to take us to another game drive.
12) The Tz driver only drove us around the main gate most of the time. We had to constantly push him to drive a little bit further. As soon as he shows us one thing, he will be satisfied, but we were not as we have paid a lot of money.
13) The last two days were completely useless, especially Tarangire was a complete waste of time. We didn't see anything partly because of the itinerary change. George, the Tz driver, lied to us that Tarangire will take 3 hours to reach when it took only an hour and a half.
14) The Tz driver tried to sneak into all the parks without paying for the kids
The list goes on. But there are two big things to keep in mind. First, Safaribook Evolution never informed us that they subcontract the trip in Tanzania, nor did they tell us who it would be doing our trip. In the end they are responsible for our trip and our safetey. Second, was anytime we spoke to Andrew about the problems he was not willing to discuss ways to solve them, but would simply threaten to stop the safari and abandon us in Arusha. This is very unprofessional, especially as we were only asking for what was written in the itineary and to be in a safe vehicle.
Don't use them of Tanzania!!!
under20 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Truly an amazing and magical experience with Landside Adventure and Safaris!
Landside's Staff truly makes every single moment special and worth it! They care about the smallest things, from morning break fast to hot water for washing! The encouragement they give you will definitely make you keep moving... They play a huge role in the accomplishment and will certainly make your trip memorable!
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
4 days we will never forget
4 years ago we did a safari with another company. This year, recommended by friends, we booked African Mosaic Tours (AMT).
The difference has a name: George, our guide.
He knows everybody and everything, and, most important: he is not only a paid guide, he makes you feel like a friend, like beeing at home. Just feeling well.
If you're going to book a safari, try to get George, you will not regret it.
What is also good at AMT is: They are very flexible with the route, the price is negotiable, the cars are neat. We were really impressed.
Tip: If financially possible, book the jeep, not a group travel.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
The safari was one of a life time thanks to our tour guides and the entire team in general.really made our stay one to remember
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely professional, hard working, considerate, and experienced. We loved the camping in the wild
We loved the carefully planned route tracks and huge effort for us to experience the animals and birds. Understood our needs. Loved it.
US
Saw the big 5
Showed up to Africa hoping to see the big 5. My guide managed to show me the big 5, including the leopard which is apparently quite elusive. Nothing more I can ask for really.
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!
Great first time safari, very nice people, very friendly and always willing to help, special thanks to Tom!