PL
Beautiful country and very bad people
This is a formal complaint concerning the service provided by Waterlime Mobile Safaris during my trip "6 Days of Moremi Game Reserve" which took place between 29.August - 3 September (programme provided by the organiser of the safari).
The service performed by Waterlime Mobile Safaris employees selected by Ms Mosa: Frank and Katee was below proper standards and did not meet my expectations at all.
The most serious was that they: Katee and Frank lied to us telling that we cannot reach Xakanaka because the road was flooded by the Okavango, and without our consent they changed the programme of the 4th day of the trip and drove us to the south end of Moremi, 1.5 h from Maun.
Other offences in service include:
I. Waterlime Mobile Safaris guide/driver Frank:
1. Offered me to spend nights with me in my tent (“either me or Katee can sleep with you”) which I consider as personal offence. He never apologized for this.
2. As our guide, he never informed us about daily plans and never gave us any information about the area or animals we saw on the way and -in fact- was very bad at tracking them. I personally learnt more during 1 hour mokoro safari from a contracted guide than during the whole trip from our guide Frank
3. Instead of driving along the paths for vehicles in the National Park, Frank drove across the bush chasing animals, including a female elephant with a baby causing stress to me and the animals
4. Repeatedly refused me to use his telephone to call either Ms Mosa from Waterlime Mobile Safaris or my Botswanan friend from Maun when I needed contact, consultation and support (I offered to pay for the calls). Since our mobiles did not work at all we were totally dependent on their good will and cooperation. It did not take place.
5. Was arrogant and aggressive towards us. For example:
-When I asked if we were going to the camp because it was getting late, his reaction was: “who do you think you are to tell me what to do”
-Almost always he did not answer any questions and did what he wanted to do. Even in situations when me and my companions were asking him eg. to stop the car.
II. Waterlime Mobile Safaris guide/cook Katee:
6. During two last days of the trip, he did not provide us with proper food. On day 5 of the trip, for breakfast we got rice and a slice of beef, no lunch at all, and in the evening spaghetti with potatoes, onion and carrots. On the last day of the trip we only got black coffee for breakfast.
7. He refused to give us fresh water and insisted that we drink the plastic smelling water which was bought 6 days ago. He also refused to make fire on the last night saying that he had no more money left for buying wood. I had to give them some money to buy us water and/or wood.
When communicating with Ms Mosa from Waterlime Mobile Safaris they never spoke English so we did not know what they were telling to Ms Mosa and could not react.
My request sent to Ms Mosa from Waterlime Mobile Safaris to compensate financially such bad service was never answered.
Sincerely yours, Danuta
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip
All was pretty perfect. The nature and the wildlife in Tanzania is wonderful. There are no too more tourist in camp and reserve, we advice this destination to anyone who is in love with this kind of trip !
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
No Worries - All transfers and Activities covered beyond expectations!!!
I was very fortunate to lead 18 of my friends on a trip to Zambia/Zimbabwe/South Africa for three weeks. What an amazing adventure!! We had the great privilege of having Luciano Tours handle our group transfers to and from Livingstone Airport to the Royal Livingstone Hotel. The service did not stop at that point. Shadrick at Luciano Tours suggested activities that our group may enjoy during our short two night stay. Well, everything he suggested was "spot on." He emailed me back and forth over the months leading up to our visit and had everything so very well organized, priced, and so clear with directions. I loved working with him. The Zambezi River Cruise was fabulous! We did the 4:30 cruise with snacks and drinks and the sunset was beyond belief! We also enjoy the Livingstone Island Tour with the walk out to Angels' Pool. Devil's Pool was closed due to the amount of water and current. We had a fabulous time even hiking to the Angels' Pool and breakfast was delicious! I have the highest applauds to give this company, and especially Shadrick! When you find a truly honest company who goes beyond in helping you with everything, no matter if it is small or large, then you have found a treasure! That is how I feel about Luciano Tours. You will love working with this amazing company.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The BEST Ugandan honeymoon with the BEST Safari Guide!
The number one most important thing about any safari is your safari guide - when my husband and I booked our honeymoon to Uganda with Crystal Safaris we did not realise just how lucky we would get - Hannington - our safari guide went above and beyond to make our honeymoon the most special time of our lives! He was extremely knowledgeable, professional and as a well respected tour guide - he had great connections - meaning we were able to see even the most rarest of animals during our game drives. Crystal Safaris and Hannington ensured each lodge we stayed in were aware it was our honeymoon and we were never disappointed - we had cakes made especially for us at each lodge, a traditional Ugandan song dedicated and sang for us by the staff at Gorilla Safari Lodge in Bwindi (also owned by Crystal Safaris!) and a private candlelit dinner outside our lodge overlooking the lake at Crater Safari Lodge (also owned by Crystal Safaris!). In terms of our safari, we saw all the animals we could have wished for - Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Leopards, Buffalo (many types), Antelopes (many types) and a huge variety of incredible birds (including the rare national bird of Uganda!!). In addition to all of this, Crystal Safari organised our Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking experiences - both of which were once in a life time experiences. We really were very happy with our safari and most of all with meeting Hannington and having him as our tour guide and driver as we feel we have a safari guide for life! Hannington is an exceptional tour guide and I would highly recommend asking for him specifically when booking through Crystal Safaris - he is always high spirited (even after an 8+ hour drive!), makes great conversation ensuring you learn not only about the animals but also about what life is really like in Uganda and really cares for you during your holiday, we were very lucky to have had him as our guide for our honeymoon!!
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing gorilla tracking experience with Karumuna Safaris
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful experience tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest with Karumuna Safaris. Richard and Jonah were very professional in their communication with us right from the beginning. The whole experience completely exceeded our expectations, the accommodation at Gorilla mist camp and Lake Bunyonyi was excellent and the food was delicious as well. Our guide Caleb was very friendly and very knowledgeable, providing all sorts of information about the Gorillas and other wildlife on the long journey to and from Kampala. The Gorilla tracking itself was a phenomenal experience and worth every penny. All in all Karumuna Safaris were a great company to do our trip with, from the first communication until they dropped us off at Kampala, they took great care of us. Thanks a lot guys!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Memorable safari
I and my 3 friends visited Uganda through this tour company , the whole trip was fantastic, Robert who was our guide and he did a lot to make our trip memorable. I want to thank the office especially joy for the useful information given to us.
Thank you African based safaris management for making our 5 days trip successful.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experience
During the booking process, the company were very responsive and informative.
Once in Johannesburg, we were collected from our hotel and driven by a very knowledgeable and personable driver, to our accommodation in Kruger. The accomodation was rather rustic and felt very authentic. We felt very welcomed. The staff were delightful, and food amazing.
The excursions were well organise, the sunset game drive set the tone, allowing us to see some amazing wildlife, but by the second day, the whole day game drive, we saw ALL the big 5, plus a few extras. Very very happy.
The journey back was great, we went the panoramic route and saw some amazing views from the mountains.
I'd highly recommend this service and would happily use next time I'm in Africa!
KR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Honest and reliable plus budget friendly
I want to see the Gorilla.
But there is few information about it.
So I have to do it by myself.
I contacted almost every agencies on the web.
Almost everyone of them wants to sell their expensive tour.
All the agencies lied that I have to pay guide fee and entrance fee for NP and so on.
Only G.S.U.T was honest and suggested the right thing I wanted
with budget price.
Yes. You can choose a program consisted of the luxurious car and 5 star lodge and so on. But for someone like me, budget is more important.
I was not a big guest for G.S.U.T.
I needed only permit. They couldn’t make much profit from me.
But they really tried to help me from first to finish. I really appreciate GSUT
for everything about my gorilla trekking. Without them, it was impossible. I should gave up.
Thanks!! I really recommend them.
I already introduced them to my friend. He will join the gorilla in a day.
CH
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great accommodations, fine lectures, memorable game drives, and competent, knowledgeable guides.
As a university professor, I have led numerous academic travels to Southern Africa for students on the themes of ecotourism, natural resource conservation and sustainable development. Most recently, I worked with lead guide Ettienne Froneman of Safari With Us as we traveled from Joburg to Kruger National Park, then on to Swaziland, KZN and Cape Town. I had worked with Ettienne and his assistant guide, Bianca Potgieter, on several prior trips, and once again, I found them to be most competent and positively engaging professionals. Both Ettienne and Bianca are superb drivers, great cooks, knowledgeable interpreters of natural and historical landscapes, and professional caretakers of our safety, security and logistics. Without hesitation, I have asked them to guide my October 2018 academic travel to Botswana and Zimbabwe, as well as my March 2019 travel to Namibia. They both have the right combination of professionalism, knowledge, a fine sense of humor, and self-assured competency. I highly recommend them and SafariWithUs for your journeys in Africa.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A Nightmare in Botswana
We spent last year 12 days with MG and his team and our experience was really bad. We had to pay the entrance to chobe and the manager MG never paid to us. Our driver didn´t found our camp in Khwai and we had to sleep in a local cottage. The guide was estressed all time and our camp in Kalahari desert was diferente that the camp for which we have paid. A total disaster of company!!