US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Katona Tours delivered as promised, on time and in a professional manner.
They were easy to deal with. Responded to questions in a timely manner. Flexible----No problems whatsoever.
FI
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Decent return for the price
Communicating with the operator was fairly easy while planning the tour. Overall quality and promptness of service from the operator was good. The actual tour corresponded with the plan. National parks were interesting places and absolutely worth seeing. Distances between parks, especially in Kenya, were long so that meant long hours of traveling. The quality of cars used in safari left quite a lot to desire, especially in Tanzania. For the most part the accommodation was satisfactory for a budget tour. Although in some places (Amboseli, Arusha) cleanliness of accommodation and service attitude of the staff were substandard.
Drivers/guides and chefs were top blokes and definitely worth a praise.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tony Kapolondo is a fraud
We had a horrible time with this tour operator. A friend and I booked with him for our first safari, planning to see Tanzania’s wildlife in mid-luxury lodges. We also paid him upfront for a hot air balloon tour over the Serengeti.
When we arrived, we were a bit surprised at the status of the car, as we expected a more modern vehicle. The next morning, we were told that we will not be staying in the lodges we planned to stay in according to our itinerary; instead he booked us sub-par lodges for less money, including a two night stay in a tented camp outside Serengeti instead of Serena and Lobo as we originally paid him. He also informed us that the hot air balloon, which we paid USD 550 each for, is not likely to happen. His excuse was that since we changed flights by arriving a day earlier (we informed him of the change 2.5 weeks before our departure, and paid him in full a week prior to that) then it made the accommodations and balloon tour very difficult. Prior to our departure, however, he told me that all the bookings for hotels are done, implying it was based on the original itinerary.
We later discovered that there were no bookings. The first place we were to stay in instead of Flamingo Lodge was not paid for and so we ended up staying in a tiny room with problems with hot water and wifi. Tony did not answer me when I asked him that night on the reason why our ‘big room’ was booked already, even though he supposedly confirmed the bookings beforehand. After that, we moved to Serengeti where Tony told us the tented camp we’d be staying in would be “luxury”. We ended up staying in a tent with no hot water, and no wifi, either. We had serious issues that day, as he told us one thing and gave us something completely opposite. We paid Tony good money expecting a service and accommodation based on what we agreed, but that has not been provided.
All his excuses turned out to be false. On the night before we were supposed to go to Rhino Lodge for Ngorongoro, the driver informed us that Tony told him we’re staying in Karatu, instead. He also told him that we’ll do a short drive in Ngorongoro on our way out of Serengeti stating that there is no availability in Rhino Lodge. At this point we were sick of his lies, so we contacted Rhino Lodge ourselves and found there’s a room available. We informed him of this, and lo and behold, Kapolondo miraculously ‘found’ availability and booked a room for us.
Before we move on to the rest of the tale, before our departure, my friend found a balloon company in Serengeti and contacted them regarding Kapolondo booking. We were informed that there’s no booking in that name. Tony told us he booked with a different company. At the time, we trusted him, unfortunately. When we arrived in Serengeti, we contacted the other balloon operator (there are only two), and they informed by phone and email that there are no booking under Kapolondo name. Tony told us, bizarrely, that he booked under a different name.
His lies continued and he wanted to charge us for the last night in Mvuli lodge, even though it was already included in the itinerary, and he tried to get out of arranging us transfers to the airport. After talking to him, he finally relented and agreed to give us what we already paid him to do. There was no booking, and he had to transfer money after we talked to him.
Tony decided not to hold himself to any of the agreed upon itinerary we paid him to do, and instead he wanted to keep our money to himself without regards to our agreement or the fact that we honored our part and paid him in full well in advance. He claimed he will provide copies of vouchers on the original itinerary, including the supposed balloon tour when we arrived in Arusha, but that turned out to be another lie as we didn’t even see him on our last day. He is a fraud and you should avoid him at all costs.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Safari of Uganda and Gorilla's in Rwanda
My wife and I have just returned from an absolutely amazing 16 day tour of Uganda and then to see the gorilla's in Rwanda. This has been the best experience of our lives and cant wait to come back and see more!
I was, initially, nervous about booking with a non Uk based company but Jackie at Katona was wonderful, answering all of our questions and helping us develop our tour. When we arrived to meet our absolutely brilliant guide, Caesar, at the airport we were immediately reassured and felt secure in the knowledge that we were with a company that would look after us and make our trip the best it could be.
Our tour was busy, but thats what we wanted as there is so much to see. Our view of Uganda is cemented as one of the best places to visit, the people, wildlife and scenery is all spectacular.
We opted for the "luxury" range of accommodation and were, in general, thankful of this as after a long day of seeing the wonders of the area you are in a bit of comfort goes a long way! Some of the places we chose were more mid-range by European standards but there is limited choice and overall we are very happy.
I would recommend Katona Tours to all and will happily share our experience with you should you wish to contact us.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A 3 day safari through 3 national parks.
We were met by Foot Slopes' Gabriel upon arriving in Arusha. He was immediately warm and friendly, and very helpful. He gave freely of his time, even spending an evening out in town with my husband and myself and another couple. He helped us navigate the troublesome banking system, and advised us of a bus we could take on our way out of Arusha.
The 3 day safari was a little different than we expected, in that we were shuffled around into different groups with different drivers for each of the 3 days, however we understood that this was the most effective way to use drivers and vehicles to the maximum. We saw many animals and very much enjoyed the tour. The food was plentiful and dining with the large group of tourists in the evenings was very enjoyable.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Footslope experience was excellent. Friendly staff, well organised, fab glamping.
The whole experience was excellent. Excellent staff and communications. Loved the whole experience with Footslopes. The guide particularly was very knowledgable and attentive. The tents were so lovely and having one base for the two nights was ace also. The organisation also was spot on.
The only negative for me was the tourist hotel in Arusha and that was a couple of the staff were unfriendly, that was all. Thank you for the experience.
HR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari in October
My wife and I did a two day safari in Tanzania, on 13. and 14. of October 2016. as part of our honeymoon trip, and experience was really great, even better than I expected it to be.
We booked the tour with Mojhi.com about one month in advance, and Mojhi team connected us with Foot Slopes Tours & Safaris for further arrangemens concerning pick up, drop off and some safari details. Every step of that process was very smooth and eficient.
I would especially emphasise the effort that Gabriel and the rest of the Foot Slopes Tours & Safaris team made for us to enjoy the safari. Our inbound flight to JRO airport on the morning of the beginning of safari was delayed, so the group we were supposed to join had to leave for Tarangire NP without us. Even so, Foot Slopes Tours & Safaris arranged a special driver to take us to Tarangire so we could join the group and catch up with afternoon game drive through the park. Also, the other day was apparently a national holiday in Tanzania, so there were some complications with making a deposit in a bank, needed in order to get into Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We managed to get in even so, and had a really great day there. After the end of Ngorongoro safari we had to get back to Arusha, while rest of the group was bound to Serengeti, so again they provided a special driver to take us back to Arusha. They did all of that without any additional charge.
We were also very satisfied with accomodation, both the tents in the safari camp in Mto wa Mbu and a hotel in Arusha. Everything essential was provided, meals were served as agreed, so we really had an opportunity to rest and relax properly in both locations.
Our guide was professional and trustworthy and made our game drives even more interesting by providing additional information about the wildlife in the region. He was also very open to make some plan adjustments according to our needs.
Overall, we had an unforgettable experience of safari in Tanzania, and I can fully recommend Foot Slopes Tours & Safaris for thieir friendly and personal approach in organising our wildlife adventure.
Thanks again guys!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very excellent
To all at Africa Starpal Safaris Team,
We recently got back from our safari which you planned for us and we would like to say a huge thank you to all of you. We had the time of our lives in Masai Mara, and we are incredibly grateful for all the efforts you put in to ensuring we had the best time. Please thank Anthony our driver especially, for making our trip so enjoyable and for how hard he worked. if there is anything else I can do to encourage other travelers to use your company I certainly will do.
Thank you, you are one of the best operator in Kenya and we will come back again.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Is not what you see in your safari tour, is also about who you are with!
Great to see that Joseph has now his own Business. We still remember the great safari tour he shares with us four years ago. Never is too late to thanks him. Merry Christmas and very good year for your 2017 next tours!
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
All details perfect planned, great customer service
People in this company get our trust by their professional approach. Whole service was great! They take care of us before safari, during the fantastic adventure and also after. I could see that our feedback was important as well as our satisfaction. I really recommend :)