PH
The company did not deliver the 5-day trip as agreed upon, and until now is unable to refund us.
We booked a 5-day Meru-Samburu tour with the Malindi-based Afrikan Buffalo Wildlife Safaris Ltd. on 09-13 March 2024. We chose it because it is one of the few companies we found that offer such package, and we saw good reviews online.
We have already paid the full amount for the tour at least a month before the scheduled trip. The trip commenced on 09 March, in Meru National Park, but it got cut short on 11 March. As we were trying to check out from the camp in Meru in the morning, we were informed by the camp management that the tour company had not yet settled our bill. The camp did not allow us to leave the premises until the company is able to pay the balance.
The company's representative told us that he was still on his way to the bank, and later on, said they were scammed by another tourist so they are at a police station in Malindi, and many other excuses. It took the company seven (7) hours to send the payment to the hotel (not even full payment, and we even had to cover some remaining amount). This meant we were stuck in the hotel parking lot for seven hours, much to our embarrassment in front of other hotel guests and staff. It also meant that the next leg of the trip, going to Samburu, was no longer feasible, so we headed back to Nairobi in the afternoon of 11 March.
We even had to pay for the gas money for our trip back to Nairobi as we found out that the company had not given the driver enough money for fuel for the whole duration of the 5-day trip.
The company expressed its apologies and promised to provide a refund within 10 days, but until today (almost a month) has not made any.
The company also insists on providing only partial refund, but according to its very own Contract and Booking and Cancellation Policy, we are entitled not only to full refund, but also to compensation, as the cancellation of the rest of the trip was the company's fault.
We had a horrible experience with Afrikan Buffalo Wildlife Safaris Ltd. They made the decision to send us to Meru, fully knowing that they have not paid the hotel yet, and they concealed this information to us, the clients. The company has also been unresponsive and non-committal about its timeline for refunding us. We sought the intervention of the TRA, but despite this, the company remains unable to give us our refund, in accordance with the terms of the company's contract/booking and cancellation policy.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Just perfect!
Our experience was amazing, unforgettable! We have nothing to complain. Besides that, Stanley was very polite, patient and friendly!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very adapting, understanding, patient and friendly, motivating and funny
Climbing Mt Meru:
very obliging and very nice guides
From the very beginning our guide Isaac was very nice and accommodating. Booking was very easy and flexible. Price is top compared to other offers! Our flights got cancelled and postponed and our booking to climb Mount Meru was easily postponed without any problems.
The whole team (guides, porters and cook) have been super nice throughout the whole trip and were very encouraging and motivating to climb the Meru when we were very tired.
They made sure we were hydrated and eating enough, so we have energy to climb. The whole time our schedule was clear and we were always supported.
On top the guides were very funny and pleasant to be around with.
I will climb with them again! :) and recommend their company to my friends.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible
The service from the staff was excellent. We had a fantastic guide who did everything right. He was a great tracker and found so much amazing for us to experience. As soon as our vehicle started driving, we saw animals every day. One morning we watched a small group of elephants over breakfast, then got in our vehicle and got to see them up close and personal just a few minutes later. It will really be a memory for life! Highly recommend.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing adventure with a kind and experienced guide.
I’m so happy that we took this trip and that we had Barack as a guide. He was professional and experienced and very accommodating. He came and met with us the night before to brief us on the safari and then was there bright and early the next morning to start our adventure. He handled all the proper paperwork and suggested a boat trip as well( which enabled us to see even more animals!). We had an amazing time and felt very safe and taken care of with our guide. I highly recommend Barack and Rwindi Safaris without reservation. One of the most rewarding excursions I have ever taken.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful tour guides
I recently got back from a trip to Kenya, and everything Tall Masai Safari and its employees have to offer is excellent. Benson handled all the formalities to get my suitcase back after it did not arrive on schedule. Wonderful tour guides; Joseph is a true pro. Don't think twice to work with them if you want to have a true African journey at an amazing price.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience, Great Tour Operator
A lot of the budget operators are working with the same company and are putting together trips as a conglomeration of services by connecting already existing trip itineraries with drivers to drive people between the different places that the tours stop and start. Most tour itineraries are basically the same, just with different lodging at night. Because of this, a lot of the value proposition that these tours operators add is how well they are able to figure out the logistics for you and their ability to serve any requests you might.
We were working with Anthony from Josana Tours and he was excellent. He was always available via WhatsApp and was able to help with any specific needs we had. We had some questions throughout the trip and had to get more money out, and he seemed to know someone in every town who he messaged and was able to get the answers or the booking for us. He was very accommodating of our situation, and was able to deal easily with our flight coming in late (we got rushed out to the tour), as well as the additional time we wanted to spend in Nairobi. It was truly a personal experience with Anthony, which is not something you are usually able to say about budget tours.
In addition, the standard tour planning was excellent. All drivers and cabs were prepaid, Anthony would update us the day before who was picking us up and at what time, and everything went smoothly. Logistically, it was very impressive to me how all this worked and how it worked so well.
The safari itinerary was fairly standard but also impressive. We really liked the Kenya side, especially Amboseli, and would consider coming back during the summer months (although it was cool during May too - still lots of animals and impressively green). We got to see the big five and all our other fives as well. Personally, we didn't think the Serengeti was worth visiting as the grasslands were kind of boring after all the cooler parks in Kenya. The Ngorongoro crater was cool though and worth visiting and we really enjoyed camping.
Since this was a budget tour we were in glamping accommodations in Kenya plus a hotel or two and then actual camping accommodations in Tanzania. We didn't realize we were actually camping in Tanzania so we didn't bring everything we needed (soap), but as young travellers we enjoyed all of it. The glamping accommodations were actually really nice compared to what we're used to and were cooler during the night than a hotel room which was a solid plus. However, camping isn't everyone's cup of tea and if that's you case you can just ask Anthony for different accommodations for those nights and I'm sure he'd be happy to accommodate.
Overall, it was a great experience and booking with Josana Tours made it that.
HU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable trip to Safari!
I was on a solo trip and took organized trip 2 nights to Massai Mara with these guys. The trip went over my expectations. In 1 day and a half we were so lucky too see all animals I could ever imagine including 4 big of Kenya out of 5. Our guide, Sami, was SUPER NICE! He was always punctual, cordial and patient with the group. If I come back again, I'll definitely book a tour with them again!!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible, extremely prompt and responsive and kind.
Josana tours developed a unique and fit to our needs itinerary at great rates. They also were able to deal with any issues that came up promptly and were always quick to respond and made the trip extremely enjoyable, definitely will come back.