IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very pleasant and well organised safari package
We, group of 7 people from India went on safari with Safari Tano tours in October 2016. Our tour coordinator Gabriel was very helpful and he was very happy to accommodate all our requests. Over all the tour was very well planned and we customised the safari for 5 days as per our requirement. We visited ngrongoro, Serengeti and Kilimanjaro (1 day trek) during our safari. Our tour guide Tony was very welcoming and made the trip memorable. Thanks Gabriel and team for making the trip a great one.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great volunteering and safari experience.
Prior to coming on my trip I had plenty of opportunity to speak to the owners to make sure my trip was organised to cater for my wish to combine volunteering at the school and seeing some of the safari opportunities in Uganda. Bunyonyi View Gorilla Packers was a comfortable place to stay with friendly and helpful staff. The setting by the lake is beautiful. Volunteering at the school was a life changing experience and it was great to spend time with the children. While I was there I was able to go on safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park where I saw a good range of wildlife-the boat trip along the Kazinga channel was a highlight. I also had the opportunity to go on a boat trip on Lake Bunyonyi and to take a forest walk. I would recommend this as a great way to spend time with the children and teachers and appreciate their way of life and also to see some of the amazing landscapes and wildlife of Uganda.
SE
50-65 years of age
my travel back to africa
This is where it started last year.
I, Percy (the man in my life) and some friends would go to Uganda for a dance and safari trip two weeks. We visited the school just outside Kampala. Bit and bit, it took a few hours in the car on a bumpy road. This place is one of the most beautiful I've seen of them, I have been on.
During the time we were here so we greeted also a school for orphans. These children are so innocent and yet so excited and happy for all the love. They danced and sang for us and it was there that made me know what I do. The feeling of wanting to go back was so strong it was like not to stop. I could not forget the children. Later, when I got home I looked at my pictures and movies and had such a strong desire to return, it made my eyes water.
It was then that I decided - I have to return!
In December last year began planning. I also contacted the Didan Atakunda, Manager at the school and asked if I could come down and work for a month. I was and am so welcome. I have worked and will work extra few Saturdays to get up extra money and finance this month when I pay everything myself.
So now - September 29, 2016 I fulfill my dreams, I go back to the children who made a big impression on me, in my soul and my heart. I'll spend a month there and it will be a fantastic experience. I start this travel blog for those who want to follow me - before, during and after the trip. I will add pictures and links there are more people who want to do the same.
I put a picture here on the amazing kids happy that I have such a strong desire to. It will be wonderful to meet them again. My first day in the Ugandan capital of Kampala was quite alone. My breakfast consisted of a glass of water and watermelon. I had contact with Didan on the phone and we decided that my friend Mush to come and get me some food. We went boda boda to Cayenne restaurant and ate pizza. He entourage even with and exchanged money. Later in the evening we went to dance class. I came home at 22 the time. Happy tired and satisfied.
This fatal city with a throng of people, boda boda and cars. You really watch out. For those of you who do not know what a boda boda is so, it is a motorcykel and it works as a taxi.
New day. Breakfast 3 bananas and a cup of coffee shop. Didan came and got me and we went to the Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe. A place for both sick and healthy animals. Mush and I fed the wild animals and it was really fun. I slept one night at Entebbe bed and breakfast for backpackers.
There I met Nathalie. A 25 years olf African girl with alcohol problems. She drank to forget. The week before, her friend who just graduated been killed while drove a boda boda. Driven, dead and forgotten.
A walk with Didans family in the amazing botanical garden we also had before the group of eight Germans from the same family arrived. They are sponsors of the school. We now went in two cars stopped at the lake Mboro for one night. Did not sleep much that night. Many new light and lots of honking trucks outside ...
Week 1
Today it has become many impressions. The day started with breakfast and then off for a little welcome party at the school.
I met Stella and her sister. I had presents to them from their sponsor Gabriella in Stockholm. The children were so excited.
After that we went with Didan and Crystal to a home. In the house lived a boy who was found when he was only 6 months old. He was found by an elderly couple, they thought he was probably between 7-10 years. I think rather 10. A guy from the German family took the boy to him and became his sponsor, which resulted in he came with us in the car. Now he would also have to come to school and learn to count, read and write but also live there.
The guy from Germany, Marcel, bought school uniforms, shoes and socks, bed mattress and bedding and other necessities to him. Now time is 22:49 here and it's time to sleep. Workingday tomorrow, it raining cats and dogs outside, my sheets is cold and so is my shower.
In the week I was in school and took care of a second class. English. It went well. Inquisitive child who showed respect. Lovely. After breakfast, which consisted of a mug of thin corn porridge, which the children incidentally eat morning noon and night. Time to upgrade. A third class. The day ended with playing the game bounce pig which was appreciated by the students.
While the other volunteers went on a little trip, I worked in the school. Home for lunch and in the afternoon I took one of the staff for a walk in the surroundings. Great to move.
Wednesday was the school again and then it was sixth I took care of. They had 1000 questions about Sweden Then it was my turn to ask the children. It turns out that there are between 4-9 children in each family. Some live with the mother. Someone with grandma and those who have no relatives allowed to stay at school.
They sleep 2 in each bed. There are bunk beds. The rooms are about 7 square meters and there are eight children in each room.
Last Saturday we organized with our dresses for the upcoming baptism on Sunday. We visited a family on Saturday morning and cooked local food. Matoke. In the evening we went to school and got to see when it was killed and slaughtered a cow and a goat. They boiled food all night to baptism.
Sunday and the big day with the D was here. The baptism of little godchild Melia. 300 people was invited and the baptism with the celebration went on for seven hours. It was danced for several hours and the kids were very happy. Amid all the rain came but what did it.
As long as the sun shines in the heart, it does not matter.
Today Monday, me and Mr. Didan and some ladies in the small village and did errands. I had with me Justine 13 years of school. I would buy new shoes for her and new sweater, which she needed. When we got back to the backpackers where I live she showed off her new things. She was really overjoyed.
We went on to their football field which was the match between students and adults. Justine asked if I wanted to visit her house. Of cours. We went there. She showed her house. I greeted her father, who was overjoyed at her new things. Justine showed her bedroom. There was a bed that she shared with her cousin. A bed without a mattress
Ok. On Friday I go to town again. I want to buy a mattress.
The day ended with a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi. Tomorrow I go to Lake Mutanda.
week 2
Another week has passed. On Monday we went to the bank I and Didan. The German family materials sponsored with in order to be able to build a classroom for grade 7. I myself bought three bags of cornmeal porridge they eat for breakfast and lunch. 3 sacks enough for all school children in 9 days. Feels good.
Tuesday morning, after breakfast, we went to Lake Mutanda resort. Time for myself and time for reflection. The road here was very bumpy and was like a roller coaster. The road was lined with assorted markets, workers, cars and children.
Do you know!! They cut the sand itself. Starting from the mountain and cut into smaller pieces until it has become sand. What job. What force. Here it is not like Sweden. It helped all community worker. They also make their own brick - by hand. They mix thin red sand with water. Cut out squares and let them dry in the sun for a month. Then they burned in ovens. Either use the brick itself, or as they are sold in markets.
Lake Mutanda with its breathtaking views. It was beautiful there. Ate a three-course meal for myself and had a quiet moment until I went to bed. The following day Didan and Stanley came and picked me up and we went back. On the way home at Kisoro, we stopped at the road and baboons fed with sugar cane and bananas. Back to Lake Bunyonyi - home sweet home.
Thursday AM I was with the small children in kindergarten a little while. Talented 3-year-olds who could whole alphabet. Impressive.
Before lunch we helped to make the packages to the children of the clothing collected. The idea is to give them presents for cristmas.
After lunch started my needlework. First with the teachers so they can teach the children. 5 enthusiastic teachers who had never knitted before. It was only to start from scratch. All learned quickly so they immediately wanted to knit a scarf respectively. Ok. I went down to Kabale to buy more yarn. 20 skein and it was some form of knitters.
On Friday, I helped one of the teachers to draw various characters from teaching the book on large sheets of paper. Here there is no copier and also no magnifier. Just to get started. The idea was to put the sheets on the blackboard so all students were in classrooms could see. Colorful images on sheets of paper so they could not tell what color it was.
That Friday afternoon, the children always debate most to learn debate. This time it was about the differences between schools, pros and cons.
A small continuation of the knitting with the teachers.
On Saturday we were in Kabale and bought materials for the school choir. Material for new clothes to be sewn up and materials for collages to decorate the walls. All the material was of 800 SEK I and a colleague sponsored to. Thanks Catherine for it. Yesterday afternoon I had chillday.
Today (Sunday 16 October), I took a walk. Today was also my turn in the kitchen. Banana soup I offered. Ingredients bought at the market yesterday. Popular. Lovely. They should use the recipe in his menu. Thank you Linda Lundqvist for the recipe. It lives on in Uganda.
Today in the afternoon, I took a 9-year old girl, plus singing teacher down to the lake. They took their waist rings. Mixed emotions of these two, after 10 minutes thought it was lovely in the water. If I will be able to teach someone to swim is the question. They've never even been in the water so you have to tread carefully. My job will be enough to make sure not to be afraid to get close to the water. Will be content with it.
Now it's only two weeks. I fear for the farewell. It will be tough.
week 3
Monday 17 October so we went to Kabale and bought a mattress to Justine and even two pairs of shoes to Melia. The shoes were paying her sponsor who provided money to me. When we went back to school, we saw 15 prisoners from the prison with some policemen who guarded them with rifles. We went back to the Gorilla packers for lunch.
After lunch, I went on to school and made shirts for the children. It became 10. When school was over 16:30 we went to Justine and left the mattress. I stayed for a while to visit family. They were truly overjoyed. The mattress cost 80 crowns.
Tuesday morning I woke up 02 and went back to sleep at 05. Got up at half eight. Breakfast and then off to school. I cooked some shirts to the children. 10 pieces.
At 11 am, we went to the pool at the neighboring hotel. 8 children from P6. Expectations were high at them. We started with dry-swim and concluded that all the children were in the pool, each with a waist tube and swam. Happiness. Some of the children had never been the kind of water before. I had to take it very easy. They think it's nasty when they do not feel the ground with their feet.
At 13 0´clock return with the children to school for their lunch. Porridge. I went home and ate lunch. In the afternoon I went back to school and now continued knitting class with teachers plus 3 girls from P6.
After work, I asked Busco if we could not paddle to shore as he told me about. Would be better if swimming school was where I found when children were unsure. We paddled there and watched. Perfect conditions. It will be good for tomorrow exercises.
Wednesday working with repair of another 10 shirts. Swimming school with eight children from P5. We took a waiting boat across to the beach. It was not as easy here. But today's swimming lessons ended with all the children were in the water, each with waist tube. Back to school for their lunch and I to mine. On which the dinner we were in the village smithy black.
Thursday morning I woke up at 07. Breakfast and then off to fetch the children who would accompany to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel. On the way there we made a stop for lunch.
Restaurant for the first time for the girls. New experience. Further, to Pumba cottage where we would stay for two nights. Kids slept with me. I did not think they would sleep in their own room because they had never been away from home. I even had a little salsa course in the evening. Showering all the kids and then bed.
On Friday, we woke up early 5:30 for we would go into the park early in the morning. We drove through the park. Saw many animals but no lions. Then time for lunch and a tour on the Kazinga Channel. The rain came. Many hippos in the water. One of them swam under the boat and got the boat rocked. Frightening because no one wants to end up in the water when there are crocodiles in it. Dinner. Continuation of salsa course. Showering all the children and then bed.
Saturday breakfast and then off. Chimpanzees trekking for me. Down in the darkest rainforest. I saw many chimpanzees. At 12 pm we drove home to leave the kids at school. Many memories from the trip. Much to tell on Monday for them when they return to their classrooms. I brought the fruits from the rainforest that chimpanzees eat. The children will get to show in class. They even got a map from the Queen Elizabeth National Park to set up in the classroom.
Sunday morning lie-in. Justine came to me with two gifts from her parents thanks for letting me take care of their daughter and given her so much. Before lunch I had swimming lessons for P4 in the basin. In the afternoon, I did nothing except chilling.
Week 4
24th October. Workingday. Breakfast and off to school. Before school, we passed a market. I bought a goat as a donation to the school. The only cost 170 crowns. Named it to Monica. Took 7 children to swimming lessons. Incident. One child jumped into the water and swim ring flew off and she ended up in the water. She was luckily not afraid. Return to the hotel and lunch. After lunch down to Kabale and bought stationery envelopes and stamps to Justine so she could write to me. I have decided to be her sponsor.
Tuesday morning. The village wakes the rooster crows and I hear kids outside who are on their way to school. The time 7. The sun is coming up over Lake Bunyonyi. Today is not a fun day - today it farewelldag.
Once at school, I taught the teachers how to end a stitch. They showed me their work. Impressive. Which students. Afterward, I helped the teachers to cut a log bananas and 11 pineapples in pieces. I had bought this to invite all the children when it was farewell.
The children danced and sang to me. Many wept. Me too. So sad. I left the kids at school all the teachers and the principal. Went to the hotel and ate late lunch.
In the afternoon, Didan and Justine and picked me up. I told her that I should be her sponsor. She cheered and clapped his hands. We went to Kabale and bought a dress, winter jacket with a hood and a backpack to Justine. Even shoe polish and a math book for her was over. Everything cost me 170 crowns. She was so happy. We then went to her parents to tell them that I'll be her sponsor. Everyone was so excited. The sad thing is that she has two brothers who also need sponsors. I can not help everyone.
Justine came with the hotel. She ate dinner with me and slept with me. Showered and fell asleep very quickly. I woke up 06 when she cried, "Mom, are you awake? Cute!
Wednesday morning at 7:20 am. We Showered and dressed us. Packed our things and left the room. We ate breakfast and she read two books for me. I said goodbye to the staff who have become my friends. Busco, Junior and Elijah. Left money to Junior for him to buy a goat. A black male to be renamed to Perka. We went. Lump in the throat. Justine left the school. We said goodbye. Tears again.
6 hours drive from Kampala. Lunch in Mbarara. Once arrived in Kampala took 2 hours to get across town to Anna's house. Took a shower and changed. We went to a dance hall where we were one hour. Home and ate a Rolex. Sat and talked to 22 then go to sleep.
Thursday morning. My birthday. Went to a lovely cafe in Kampala and ate breakfast. Then went on to Wildwater lodge in the middle of gushing Nile in Jinja. Greeted by a canoe that would take me out there. Once there, I was greeted by the staff who stood with welcoming freshly squeezed juice of passion and a wet towel to wash my hands. After some information about the hotel, I was shown to my room. I ate lunch and took a glass of white wine. Sat poolside and enjoyed. Then went back to the room and waited for the masseur. After the massage, the rain came. It played like no role. I had decided to take a bath in the tub that stood outside on my balcony. A bath with foam. Can you imagine! ! Sitting outside in a tub underneath a tree while raining and watching the nile. Awesome.
After these glorious SPA - hours I order me to dinner. First a drink. Pineapple daiquiri Five meal course and a glass of red wine. Cake and song of the staff. I got so many happy greetings from friends and family at Facebook.
Once I got to the room again so low that two envelopes on the bed. One of Didan and Crystal and the other from school. Emotions overflowed. . Listened to roar off from the Nile. Fell asleep.
Friday and last day. Slept well. Woke up at 7:30 and went to the pool. I took a swim and sat at a chair and ate breakfast. Was picked up by the boat of Crystal. Went to the Source of the Nile. We took a boat ride on the Nile and ate lunch in Jinja.
Back to Kampala. On the way food vendors who came rushing to the car and put all the kebabs in the car. Percy knows what I'm talking about. He was last year.
In Kampala, I bought a silver necklace for Justine. My godchild. She will turn 14 on November 17. Didan and crystal hand over the package to her. We go on to Entebbe. I'll spend a few hours here with the family Atakunda. They left me at the airport at 23. Sitting here now. Alone. The plane leaves at 0440 tomorrow morning.
On the way home. Do with me many memories and leave Uganda. For now. One thing, however, I take with me. A piece of Africa. Justine. I am now sponsoring a 14 years old girl.
Many thanks to Bunyonyi View Gorilla Packers that has been my home and all the staff who made my stay absolutely fantastic for 4 weeks and been like my family.
Thanks also to the Loving Hearts Helping Hands pre and primary school who received me with open arms.
If any of you out there want to follow your heart and do the same as me. Do not hesitate. You will not regret it. So many people and especially children who need help. So many.
Just do not forget that if you want to Uganda so think of the Yellow Fever syringe. It must not be older than 60 years and you will not be let into the country without. Exceptions do if you received it earlier. But check before you book your trip.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Be aware of this tour company
I had a very stressful and disappointed experience with this this tour and Tom Ocharo as organizer of this mess.
Tour was for 10 nights and after 3 nights many things went wrong. My itirinary was changed doni had to spend senseless long hours on a bus going back and forth.
Tom itself spoke very bad English and communication with him was exhausting.
He was very responsive when he wanted my money but then when trouble arises he went silent.
Tom mixed up a lot of things and made my vacation very stressful.
Tour itself is not worth the money. Accommodation in fact are very cheap if you book them directly. Food was very bad.
First night after transatlantic flight I was put in a really horrible hotel and spent sleepless night listening to all night music from next door night club.
I specifically asked how many people will be in a safari car and was told by Tom no more than 7.
In fact there was 9 of us which made the whole trip very uncomfortable.
I do not recommend this company to anyone. Lots of things went wrong and there were lots of misrepresentations of what company is offering. Not worth even remotely the money spent
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Appalling vehicle
We completed a tour in a vehicle that had no air conditioning into the sixth day, despite being repaired once. No attempt made to replace the vehicle with a substitute. Uncomfortable and too small for size of group and terrain covered. Poor viewing from vehicle. Road conditions and vehicle meant we were frequently too late for scheduled itinerary features. Driver very knowledgeable but spent too much time telling us we should have been going elsewhere and staying in other accommodation! I completed their review form and heard absolutely nothing in the way of explanation or apology. Poor value.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome Once in a Life time Safari Experience
We did a 14 days Safari, 7 days Kenya and 7 days Tanzania. Mr. Noah Kuti, was personally involved in all the bookings and I must say that he was a true professional in terms of selecting the hotel lodges, refining the tours based on locations, your budget criteria and other details. This tour was our second tour to Kenya and at first I was hesitant since I did not know the company and having contacted them online. But at the end of it was one of our top vacations till date. I can vouch and highly recommend Wildebeest Safari on being honest and professional to the core and provide an excellent Safari at an affordable price without sacrificing on quality.
We started with our stay in Nairobi followed by an evening dinner in Carnivore (highly recommended). Next day we started on our way to Samburu where we stayed for 2 nights. Our Tour guide “Ken Sila” was very friendly, professional and adventurous. On our full day tour we spotted BIG 3 (Lions, Elephant and Buffaloes) and were entertained by a lion couple on a honeymoon up close and personal, Somali ostrich family (14 in no), Grevy Zebra’s, Reticulated Giraffe, Samburu Kudu, Oryx and many more. Samburu is no doubt our second best game reserve after Masai Mara. After Samburu, we proceeded to Lake Naivasha boat tour recommended if you love birds…followed by Lake Nakuru where we spotted the mighty Rhino..Big 4 done…In Masai Mara we spent 3 nights and watched the wildebeest migration once in a lifetime experience, Pride of lions (7 in no) waiting and hunting on a group of zebras, Cheetah family, Buffaloes, Masai Giraffe and the masai village tour.
Border exit from Kenya was done without any hassle and on the Tanzania side we met one more gem of a tour guide “Gabriel” who was very knowledgeable, energetic, multilingual and friendly. He promised to show us the Leopard the remaining to do of our big 5 spotting. The next day on our full day tour, he took us to Central Serengeti where we spotted not one but 4 leopards. My next to do was to spot a mane lion and lion with cubs, he kept his promise and took us to the right place. We followed a Lioness hunt for almost two hours which finally managed to catch a warthog. We stayed in Serengeti for 3 days, 3 days in ngorongoro crater a must see to see the wild life and natural beauty of perfection in a closed crater.
All in all Kenya and Tanzania was a fantastic experience, thanks to Wildebeestsafaris and all credit to Mr. Noah Kutty and our Kenya tour guide “Ken Sila” and Tanzania tour guide “Gabriel” for their relentless passion ,work and drive to make our holiday a memorable one.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect Midrange trip to Uganda/Tanzania
I am super impressed with Matoke, that is why I am writing about them. I have been a travel consultant and freelance travel writer for over 37 years and have booked with countless operators for my clients and my friends. To start the communication was Outstanding. I worked with Manager Ilse and she was very clear in every thing she stated. She replied immediately and always in great depth with extreme clarity . This is important when you are working with a local operator and especially when there is limited Skype access....I trusted her every word and she was right with everything. The trip I booked was a "midrange" trip and it felt more like a Luxury high range trip. They work on a tiered program, so if you wanted to upgrade you could do it where you wanted to. I also have been to 22 countries in Africa through the last 44 years and I have booked and stayed in luxury, not my choice for a Safari and certainly NOT necessary, give those extra funds to the various NGO's empowering people's lives there.. Maktoke offers such quaint, cozy and clean well run properties, that they scout themselves. Their vehicles are clean, and well maintained. They partner with Easy Travel in Tanzania, a top notch operation in itself. The "Pearl of Africa" is Uganda, and the driving was perfect including offering Chimp and Gorilla tracking that anyone can do even disabled, they need to pay for a chair to be bring up and it is so worth the experience. The prices that most tour companies in the US offer for Africa are double the price. With Maktoke you can book directly and save about half the price, this makes Africa affordable. Also dealing with a Dutch company comes with organization and no stone unturned. Their tiered system of bookings is state of the art for Travel. Only a company that knows all of the properties can offer this. They are now offering trips to the Congo and to Madagascar. I am looking forward to putting my next group together for Madagascar.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic experience
Eyes on Africa were a brilliant team from the moment I started the booking process - prompt response to queries, good advice re itinerary and accommodation choices as well as location chosen to see all the animals in Tanzania. On arrival the guides were very knowledgeable and flexible to making changes depending on what our group wanted to do (we were a travelling party of 10 people) on a daily basis. The 4WD were quite new and well maintained with pop up tops for excellent viewing on safari. I would absolutely recommend Eyes on Africa team to book your safari as well taking the time to go to Serengeti - the scenery and animals were amazing (I have been to other locations in Africa in safari and it is one of the best locations). Well done to the team, we had a very memorable holiday, I would definitely book again.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well planned and well organised
I had a great time in Kruger national Park and Nkambeni Safari Camp.
Everything was so well planned and executed and there were no problems at any point. Also we never felt it was unsafe.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Big 5 game drive and also the Panorama route on the day of return.
Booking process was very easy and Getaway Africa staff are extemely professional, informative and always reachable.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Owner cancelled the trip 4 days before arrival!
I will do my absolute best to hereby share my experience with African Sunset Safaris in the most objective way.
Note: This review do only cover their services in regards of booking accommodation and their general way of working and communicating, since Mr. Haron (the owner) decided to cancel the trip only 4 days before arrival!
Mr. Haron is a well-spoken person. The problem is that he lies a lot!
He lied about the condition of the tents at our confirmed accommodation, and therefore asked us to pay more to move us to another hotel.
He lied about the cost of our accommodation when calculating on our refund.
He lied about the Kenyan tourism levy rate (6% instead of 2%).
He told me it is against the Kenyan law to share the receipt of his payment to the hotel (I have not confirmed this, but I find it very hard to believe).
All in all, his last-minute cancellation made us find another agent in very short notice, in peak season.
It cost us 300 USD more than initial agreement, for the exact same itinerary due to out-sourced jeep rental.
I would never recommend African Sunset Safaris to anyone.
Full time line:
October 10th: We agree on booking of 2 nights at Mara Leisure Camp + game drive in jeep + transport from/to Nairobi at 1400 USD for 2 persons.
October 16th: I transfer 945 USD (~70 % of total amount) to Haron as deposit.
October 24th: Haron confirms payment is received and "hotel is cleared".
Dec 18th: Haron emails: "I had to move you from Mara leisure to Sarova Mara due to unavoidable reason being at Leisure the were affected by the short rains two weeks ago and currently most of there tents are under Maintenance." ... "I kindly advice we shall have a small hick on the price by USD 250."
Dec 19th: I find Haron's message suspicious and contacts Mara Leisure Camp directly to verify that their tents actually are under maintenance. Their sales manager dismisses this false facts and personally guarantees there are no problems with their facilities. They also say "your booking is still on tentative status awaiting for payment to confirm". (meaning my pre-payment had not yet been received by the hotel!)
Dec 21st: I get back to Haron: "We believe we will be very satisfied with Mara Leisure Camp, even though the tents are in bad condition.
I want you confirm the booking of a Nyati tent at Mara Leisure Camp ASAP and send them the money to confirm the reservation before it gets lost to any other client."
Dec 21st: Mr. Haron now seems to feel neglected and decides to cancel both the safari game drive and transport! However, he promises to pay the money to Mara Leisure and refund us the remaining amount of 200 USD.
Dec 22nd: I asked Mr. Haron about a reciept for his payment to Mara Leisure to confirm that 200 USD is the correct amount to refund. He now refers to their listing rates instead (which is higher that his agent rates) and concludes that I actually owe him additional 35 USD, but in the same e-mail he also states that he is willing to refund 200 USD anyway as a Christmas gift (?!).
Dec 22nd: Still without showing any receipt of his payment to Mara Leisure, I at least get the 200 USD in refund.
Jan 10th: After a number of emails to Haron and Mara Leisure Camp, I finally received a copy of Haron's payment of 716 USD, i.e. 264 USD less that what he tried to tell us when referring to their public listing rates + Christmas supplement.