SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Diappointed and feel robbed
The company took money and disappeared. I booked in July, they should not take my booking if they had troubles, I should arrive on September 6. I was in contact with them about visum just last week, today got message that they got troubles. Terrible. I don not know if I got my money back. I see that there are many others in the same situation.
I do not know what to do.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our guide Lorry made our experience wonderful!
Snow Africa Adventures took care of us for six days in Tanzania, from Lake Myanara, to the Ngorongoro Crater, to the Serengeti. We stayed in the Serena Lodge near the crater, and in two tent camps in the Serengeti. Every day we were out in the safari truck seeing the sights. Our driver/guide Lorry was warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and very competent. Six days turned out to be a long time in the safari truck; we were often in the truck for eight hours at a time. But we saw so many wonderful sights that it was a small price to pay. Animal sightings included wildebeests, zebras, hippos, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, elephants, lions, birds of all kinds, jackals, crocodiles, and cheetahs. The tent camps were fun, the food was fine, and the views great. Sometimes hard to sleep with the wildebeests so close and loud, but that was part of the adventure.
We would have liked to have been advised to take a good supply of US dollars. We had to pay $100 in cash per person to get into Tanzania, and at the camps, US cash dollars were needed to by a bottle of wine for dinner and for tips. This was my only complaint: that we didn't get that message ahead of time.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Barack looks after you very well
We went on the Nyiragongo tour organised by Barack. Barack was very helpful and organised everything we needed. He was conscious of limiting our costs which was great as we are backpackers. He welcomed us into his home and drove us to the starting point himself. Thanks for looking after us Barack!
KR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Scam!
I’m the one of victims of KWSS. The only thing OT had for me was arranging a ride from the NBO airport to the hotel. The day before a ride he replied my email well, but the day I have to start a safari he didn’t pick me up and disappeared. Because of a kind help of my hotel concierge, I report my case to the tourist police and take another safari tour but I didn’t get a reimbursement of credit yet. I hope there will be no other victims in this company and Kenya. There are so many scammers prepare to catch you.
Dear people who scammed. One of the news article is introduced. Please contact the author and give him more informations about your case and let him rise this issue public so the Kenya government will do right action.
https://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/Pain-of-tourists-in-hands-of-fake-agents/1950946-5231206-df7ghw/index.html
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
SCAM Company
We booked a 9 day custom safari. As with the most recent review, communication was poor, but they did continue to respond. We have just landed in Nairobi. No guide has shown up to meet us. The number on their website is not working. We called the business that is supposedly located physically next to them and they have never heard of them. This company is a scam. They even placed reservations at some of the camps but never paid so that if we had called the camps to check on the reservations they would have existed at the time. Currently trying to figure out what to do with the next 9 days in Kenya.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do NOT book with this company
Communication with this guy Joseph was terrible. We booked a 3 day trip to Masai Mara. We were supposed to meet them at 9am in the hotel, he arrived by 10 am with another couple saying he had a problem with another driver(probably a lie) and told us we had to share the safari, although we had paid for private safari. Finally we went to Masai Mara, we had our game drives and when we were leaving the camp site on the final day we were told we could not leave because the company hadn’t paid our stay. So to be able to leave we had to pay AGAIN for something it was already included. Terrible company, don’t even think to book with them.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was one of the best experience in my life.
Staajabu Africa Travel not only that they have given me the best experiences of my life, but they have exceeded all of my expectations.
The team was great from start to of the whole tour. They were able to take me to the locations where all the animals where either watering or just lying under trees. This is something I dreamed of seeing since I was a child. I was fortunate see all the big and small animals. Some of which I was able to identify from reading books in my childhood years. Thank you Staajabu for making me so happy. I wish you and your staff every success in the years ahead of you.
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Martha is the best; Great experience, will use this company again
I planned my safari in Kenya and Tanzania with Big Time Safaris. Big thanks to tour manager, Martha, who was very responsiveness, provided great support during planning, bookings, actual trip and upon return. Overall, great trip within budget. I would highly recommend using this company and especially Martha.
I was able to customize my entire trip itinerary and the places I wanted to stay at well within budget. Great support throughout.
The only minor hiccup was communication from the Tanzanian company that Big Time outsourced to but nothing major.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A worst travel experience ever !!!
We were a group of 14 people (5 families) from Dubai who planned to visit Kenya from August 12 to 17 ,2019 ,through' Lians travel Africa ' . This tour operator was selected because she showed the lowest quote and best itinerary. We started communicating with Ms.Lilian, operation manager concerning parks, places, accommodations,vehicle.....about 6 months before the safari started and made an agreed contract for touring in Kenyya for 5 nights and 6 days for 14 people. We were made to pay 25% the initial booking amount as advance. As soon as we landed Kenya we paid the rest of the amount leaving a small balance to be paid at the end of the trip.We could sense some trouble in the beginning itself. We got the message fromMs.Lilian,4 days before our date of travel,saying our hotel bookings are cancelled. But later on she confirmed that every thing is done as per the agreed contract. During the first 3 days of our trip, our valuable safari time was wasted due to the issues between the drivers and agency, on 3rd day they changed the vehicles and drivers. But it took a very bad shape when we reached Masaai mara on 4th day. We were made to pay accommodation charges. What was more shocking was on 5th day we were left stranded without food and accommodation. Finally we had to find out a camp on our own, had to pay the park fees.etc.... we would not recommend to use Lian Travel agency services as they focus more on trying to cheat and get the most money from clients than increasing customer satisfaction/experience.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Warning: don’t book with Gatatu!
For our honeymoon we booked a Gorilla tour 5 months in advance. We also transferred 1.300 USD to Gatatu. Gatatu confirmed the booking by e-mail and we even drove to Bwindi NP to start the Gorilla trek. After the introduction the driver (no connection with Gatatu) told us something is wrong. No booking was made by Gatutu with the Uganda wildlife authority and also no permits left. Meaning we couldn’t do the Gorilla trek, the main reason we booked a flight to Uganda! On our return to the lodge we met with someone from Gatatu (interim manager) and he apologised and we asked for a full refund which we received. We understood from him and someone from our lodge that Richard, owner of Gatatu, is in jail for fraud! We are very disappointed with Gatatu. From everything during our trip this was the only thing that had to go right because the permits are very limited. Gatatu, NEVER AGAIN.