US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible!
DO NOT BOOK WITH VALENTINE!!!! He took our money and abandoned us half way through our trip. We had to pay for our own meals/ hotel/ safari and transport after having paid him the whole amount before we even got there. I've asked him for the vouchers before we left USA and he said he has everything and not to worry since he will be with us the whole time. WRONG! It was an 18 day trip and he was with us for only 7 days. We drove with him in the nastiest SUV I've ever been for 4 days and the other 3 days on different cabs. He didn't deliver all the tours he promised and made us pay some of the meals saying he'll pay us back once the bank opens again. I'd say he's not to be trusted. I find him a deceitful and a horrible person. We haven't heard from him since we left Africa on June 23 2014.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bunch of liars and fraudsters in my opinion. Never trust them!
Simply fraudsters if you ask me. We organized a 3 days safari one month before the departure, but after we paid them half of the bill in advance, they totally disappeared. We tried to call them multiple times but they never answered; by email they continued to say that everything was fine, but they didn't tell us any further detail about the transfer, they didn't book any room in the lodge in which we were supposed to stay and, furthermore, no one actually showed up on the agreed day of the meeting. In the end, in my opinion they are liars and I would advise you to never trust them (even if they offer you a convenient package! ) unless you want to have your holiday completely ruined by them.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Scamsters & Fraudsters are the best we can describe this company
We had booked a 6 day tours with them for about USD 2800 from the 21st to 26th of July 2014. They never showed up at the pickup point and refused to take our calls, we were left for hours trying desperately to contact them. When we finally booked into a hotel and checked their website, that was shut down too. We had to cut short our trip and head back home, which cost us big additionally too. This was our worst nightmare come true. In my opinion, these guys deserve to go to jail for a long time.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fraud
DO NOT BOOK Via this agent. They are currently under investigation by Kenya Tourism Board for fraud. We have almost lost all funds paid to them for a recent safari trip. They took the deposit and only paid deposit to parts of lodges. They never booked airline and failed to pay the lodges the remainder of the balance due.
Just a few days before the departure, we were informed by Serena Hotel when they knew that the another group who would stay in Serena Hotel were stranded by e Safaris.
We would believe that e Safaris had planned the fraud intentionally.
See also another warning at Tripadvisor here,
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294207-d5984096-Reviews-E_Safaris_Day_Tours-Nairobi.html
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fraud - Under investigation
This company is currently under investigation for fraud. It has taken client money made initial bookings and then cancelled bookings once they have received full payment. The Kenyan Tourist Police have blocked their website. If you have any contact details (other than those on this website) for the company please contact The Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO).
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mr Valentine Gumpo makes empty promises and I find him UNTRUSTWORTHY
Mr Valentine Gumpo had advertised for a 15 day Wildlife tour to Zambia from Lusaka from 11 to 25 Nov 2014,essentially to cover the Bat Migration at the Kasanka National Park--Lusaka--Upper Luangwa River -- South Luangwa River -- Victoria Falls from Livingstone -- end of tour at Lusaka.
He had offered a discount of 15% on payment of full tour fees ( USD 2800 ) , if paid 6 months in advance. A sum of USD 2380 was therefore remitted to him through my bankers in India , on 6 May 2014-this was duly acknowledged by him , though after my repeated persistence to do so.
My troubles started after he had received the money in his account. He has not given me, todate , the finalised itinerary together with the hotel/lodge reservations and a formal letter saying that I ( ABL Gupta ) have formally been booked for a tour with him-- this is the letter which is mandatory for me to get the visa from the Embassy of Zambia in India.
I am getting to be 79 and have travelled to various wildlife destinations in Africa 4 times in the past 10 years--my impression was that one could trust the tour Operators in Africa on their advertised word on the Net , as invariably I have dealt directly with them ( and not through a tour operator in India ).
I am of the belief that a Code of Honour exists in all such transactions -- but in the present case with Mr Valentine Gumpo, I feel , it is being belied.
I have requested him for a refund , but , on persistent prodding , he simply says that the tour is on.
I would be grateful if Safari Bookings could help me recover my money from him.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Safari without animals
Serengeti park was absolutely empty, during our two days.
When I asked to change area the guide told us to be patient and that animals would have come. But when and where?!
He also told us that moving trough other areas was too far, but we had to spend 6 hours per day into the park, so too far for what.
I am sorry but I spent 600USD for nothing.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Short on Cash
We used Jesse Mfoi with Naenda Safaris for our safari. Jesse did not have enough cash to get us through some Massai road blocks and getting us checked out of a hotel. The last couple of days I loaned Jesse $450 USD so our safari could move forward with the promise of repayment. Jesse ducked out on this promise when he left us at the airport. I was left stranded in the middle of my vacation with no cash.
Addendum to original review:
Jesse did wire $500 (extra $50 for fees) 10 days later to my account after I started warning people online about my issues. I consider the issue resolved.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Please do not take excursions from them!
Jeep we had was so old, that it stopped in the middle of the savanna at 17:00… they tried to repaired it, then called other drivers and made it work… but it was very bad experience!!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We never got to experience our life long dream of visiting the Vic falls
Between the travel agent who booked our flights and Falcon Safaris who booked our night at The Royal livingstone neither of them informed us of yellow fever certificates to enter Zambia so we got turned away boarding our plane. Therefore we never got to experience our life long dream of visiting Vic Falls and still had to pay full price for our very experience night booked at Royal Livingstone. All in all a terrible let down and bad service.