DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Don't book!
The experience with this tour company was bad since the beginning. The communication by email didn't flow, and I always had to chase up Charles to get more information.
They offered me a good price for a 4 days camping safari, I accepted and rejected another tour operator (7wonderssafaris) that gave me a cheaper quote, because Charles seemed to have better reviews.
Charles asked me for a deposit a week earlier and the whole payment in cash the day before the safari, which I didn't feel comfortable to give because even the day before I had to chase up after him to communicate and he still didn't know who the guide will be or what time they would pick us up the next day.
Apparently Charles had another bigger group he would be guiding. This is understandable, but the guide we went with wasn't good. The other tourists complained that he didn't communicate anything with them. I was always talking to the guide and then passing the information to the rest of the tourists.
Even worst, to my surprise, it turned out that this guide was actually from 7WondersSafari !!!
So at the end I paid more to go with the company I rejected because they didn't have good reviews.
The safari itself was good, but the communication and service was deplorable. You can check what we saw here: https://ubuntutravelblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/07/safari-in-tanzania/
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don´t believe the prices. It´s a Claim
I asked for a tour in Safari Bookings and elevated the price more than a 100%. Don´t believe the pices you see
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Terrible safari with Tracks Berg Travel and KABS (kenyan adventures and beyond)
I am usually reluctant to give a poor review as sometimes circumstances arise that can make things difficult for tour operators, in this case though I have no qualms in writing this review on two companies that should quite frankly not be allowed to work in this industry. Below are the facts of what happened with our Safari, its long winded but I think it’s important to be accurate. The excuses and lies, the attempts to shift blame backwards and forwards were appalling. I don’t doubt the same excuses will be thrown up in response to my review.
We contacted Kenyan Adventures and Beyond (KABS) (owned by Doc Wilfred Omae) to organise our safari, we had used him 5 years ago, and things had gone pretty well. I paid Doc a 50% deposit several weeks before arriving in Kenya as requested so that he could secure and pay for all our accommodation. The remainder was to be paid on arrival in Kenya a few days before our safari started. Three days before the safari Doc sent Erick Muchai who introduced himself as our driver/guide for the safari to collect the remainder of our payment. Erick arrived with another man who he introduced as A###(not sure he was involved in this so will keep his name) . I paid Erick the balance in cash for the amount previously agreed, Erick had no means of giving a receipt so I had him hand write a receipt and he promised doc would send an official one (never received). Erick soon returned saying I was $50 short, on talking to Doc he told me he uses the KWS rate for exchange not the international rate, on this I did not agree but told him with a smooth safari I’d be happy to pay the $50 as a bonus.
On the day of our safari Erick arrived in a van again with A### . We were wondering whether we had a driver and guide or what, we loaded our gear and left our friends house. Around the corner about 500 meters from departure the van stopped at a Matatu stop and Erick got out of the Van and told us as he had a family emergency and could not take us on safari and that A### would be our driver(quite obviously Erick had no intention of being our guide, the first of many lies). As we had distance to make to our first park and afternoon game drive we decided to keep our questions till we got to the lodge. On arrival, I immediately sat down with the driver and asked him who Erick actually was, he produced a card for Tracks Berg Travel (owned by Erick Muchai) on asking the driver who he worked for he said Erick, clearly though the van had another companies name on it. It became apparent that Doc had subcontracted to Erick who had subcontracted to another company . The Driver had no idea of our program and had us returning a day earlier than what we had booked.
On the second night in Amboseli A### approached our dinner table with the news that the 2 nights’ accommodation had not been paid for, phone calls to Erick and Doc both came with assurances that it was sorted, when asked how it was sorted I continually got "don’t worry its sorted" over and over and was cut off several times, a complete loss of appetite and a sleepless night followed. As we were about to depart the lodge in the morning we were informed the accommodation bill still had not been paid. The lodge manager very kindly let us go and said he would pursue KABS for payment, at this time also A### informed us that he only had money for 1 more days’ park fees in Tsavo West. At this point we made the decision we would not dip into our pocket as we felt that we would never see that money again, and we would return to Nairobi if we had to and pursue the matter through the police.
Erick was blaming Doc for not sending money, Doc was blaming Erick for subcontracting further (I have the emails detailing all this). Erick also would not agree that as he had accepted the contract and a large pile of cash from us already that he was responsible for getting money from Doc and would not spend any of that money for our accommodation, neither taking any responsibility and blaming each other we had no way to turn, it reeked of a very well-orchestrated scam.
On arrival in Tsavo West I enquired if that accommodation there and the accom at Tsavo East had been paid for, I was told by lodge staff that it had been.
After leaving Tsavo west, the driver had no money for park fees so more phone calls were made and we waited in Voi for quite some time for money to come through to pay for our entry into Tsavo east. Eventually only enough money for 1 day’s entry not the 3 days came through. Each day the driver left the Park (thankfully the park left us in the lodge) and waited for money so that he could pay park fees.
After 3 nights in Tsavo East we went to leave the lodge at 9.15am for the drive back to Nairobi and were told we could not leave as 4 nights (tsavo east and west) had not been paid, on pointing out to the lodge manager that both lodges had assured me on enquiry that it had been paid I was told that parties involved had convinced them not to further upset the clients and that payment was forthcoming, also a further $120 US in Park fees was due at 11am. This was very clever in that it robbed us of 3 days in which to bring more pressure to bear on the operator and dumped us in a very stressful last morning situation where I believe we were expected to cave in and pay for our accommodation a second time just to get the hell out of the mess.
The lodge manager at this time whilst conferring with head office learned that KABS had done this previously and had still not paid that bill hence they had no choice but to hold the driver and us.
Thankfully during this entire process a very dear Kenyan friend in Nairobi had been battling for us on the phone for hours every day, cajoling and in the finish threatening police action to get money for park fees, (she was being lied to also about the accommodation). At 10.55am payment came through and we were allowed to leave. The final note was on the journey back I put petrol in the car as the driver claimed no money and that he had already been making up shortfalls all trip.
3 days prior to the finish of our safari Doc requested a meeting on return to Nairobi to explain the problems we were experiencing, I saw this as a delaying tactic to prevent us taking action and refused the meeting requesting only the remainder of the trip be trouble free, I was assured this would be the case, again another lie.
Erick also jumped up and down and said he would be reporting KABS to the tourist police but has not responded to our enquiry on how that complaint stands or to give us a reference that we can use in our own complaint, I believe confirming that these guys have worked this together before. Searches on the web since have revealed several very poor reports on their business practices.
Both Kenyan Adventures and Beyond safaris (based in Mombasa) and Tracks Berg Travel (based in Nairobi) should not be in business but will no doubt continue their dodgy ways, best I can do is tell people to avoid them like the plague or any business they may start or associate themselves with in the future.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Didn't get what I paid for!
I have booked a three days and two nights private safari to Amboseli National Park.
On our way to Amboseli the car broke down (I understand it happens). We waited for a taxi to take us to the park and then we finally joined a couple who was on a private safari and not so happy to have other people joining their safari.
For me it was my first safari and I ended up seeing a lot of wildlife and the car wasn't even stopping or explaining anything (it wasn't my safari of course).
The next day I had my own plan but since I had no car and no guide (that I very much paid for). I joined the same couple again and I had to comply with their plan. At 8am on the second day I returned to the hotel after a morning drive and until 5pm I had nothing to do! This day I wanted to do a full day game drive but again, no car and no guide and most of all no words from Michael. He didn't try to call me even once (despite he had my kenyan number or he could have contacted the hotel). I wasted a whole day and no apologies were presented nor different activities were planned for me. Simply nothing, just abandoned.
At 5pm Joseph the guide finally arrives after fixing the car and took me on a game drive (1 hour). The drive was awful as we only had 1 hour before the park closed. So we couldn't go deep inside the park.
On our last day we had finally one proper game drive (one out of the 4 we paid for).
Again we contacted Michael and tried to get him to meet us in Nairobi. He agreed and then once in nairobi, of course he was not available.
He apologized over the phone but I wanted a partial refund. I paid a very expensive private safari with a private guide. I didn't get what I paid for at all and then he tried to talk about religion and making excuses.
They don't don't how to deal with customers and I practically paid $540 for a 3 days private safari with 4 game drives (I got one real game drive). As my first safari experience it was awful and it was disrespectful to be treated this way.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Please, do not go on safari with Tembea East Africa Safaris !
We ( a party of 4 ) went on a Tanzanian safari with them out of Arusha.
They seemed reliable, as they were also appearing on Safari Bookings. But what a mistake I made !
When requiring information and quotation, Evangelina, reservations staff, was extremely helpfull and replied by email always within the hour. I did some research, so I gave her the names of hotels / lodges I would stay in ( Arusha - Tarangire - Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro ). She also quoted me the price of this week safari in " all-in formula ". I specifically asked her if this would include all drinks in the lodges ( whether alcoholic or not ) and she replied me yes !
When making the reservation, I had to pay a 60 % deposit. I did this by bank transfer. Damian, the accounting staff, was very eager to get the money, as he wrote me already the next day where the money was. I told him to be patient, since it takes a while before a bank transfer is done between Belgium and Kenya. After 4 days he got the money. Suddenly, he asked Evangelina by email ( with a copy to me ! ) if she granted me the usual discount. Seemed, that by paying the balance 6 months before the trip ( instead of paying cash upon arrival ), I could get a 3 % discount. Of course, this was a trap !!
Upon arrival in Arusha, Mr Issa ( the manager of Tembea ) was there at the hotel in order to collect the balance. He tried to switch my first lodge at Tarangire into a campsite, but I refused.
First day ( a visit of Arusha National Park ) everything went well. Comfortable jeep, excellent driver who gave us a very good explanation with spectacular binoculars. At the end of that day, we made an appointment with him for the next day, when we would leave Arusha together for the one week safari.
Next day... nobody came at the agreed time. More than 2 hours later, a wreck of a jeep arrived, with another driver, who's english was very poor and difficult to understand. He also had binoculars ( when I specifically asked for ) but they did not work !!
With this wreck of a jeep we went on safari. From day one, a warning light was appearing on the dashboard, that the oil level of the brakes was too low. Twice we had a big mechanical problem and had to go to a local garage for a while. The worst mechanical issue was that on the last day, decending from the Ngorongoro Rim to Karatu, we had NO brakes at all for 30 km !! A horrific experience !!
Also, in the contract, they allowed us to go twice into Lake Manyara. But once there, this was refused and only one entry was paid for. The driver would have liked that we would be back in Arusha before lunch, instead of dinner, so to cut our safari by half a day. But this I refused of course.
Besides this, all lodges refused the all-in formula. When I contacted Mr Issa, he said to keep all the receipts and that he'd reimburse me at the end of the trip, back in Arusha. Guess who didn't show up ? He was stopped at the Kenyan border ( he said ) ?!?!
I later on emailed all the receipts to Damian, and he replied me every two weeks, that the refund will be done.
Guess what ? Nothing of all this happened of course !
When asking Mr Issa and Mrs Evangelina some explanations about this trip, no reply came.
They obviously are only after your money. They do not care about customer service at all. They only cheat, lie and mislead you !
Hopefully this will help you to have a wonderfull safari, as Tanzania is amazing !
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
17 day camping trip in Nambia is exhausting, not well organized and way overpriced
We booked this tour through a Belgian travel agent that seemed to be well experienced and selling qualitative good trips. Unfortunately the 17 day camping trip with Drifters was far below the quality for what we have paid. It was organized very low budget but the travelers are paying a lot of money. On one side the tour was mostly a rush with only very limited time to visit places/sites etc. And on the other hand it was set up very low budget, parts of the tour were not carried out, the Drifters/Greenfire lodge where we slept was old and rusty and should have been broken down two years ago it seems but they are still putting all their tours in there, so its pure monetary gain!! The truck was very old, seatbelts were not working, the windows were very difficult to open and close, the fridge didn't work how he should have. We were left 2 days on a campsite with more then 40 degrees without any cold drinks, had to take our garbage on the truck. Dirty swimming pool at Greenfire desert camp. And worn out facilities on some camp sites they use because the organize it very low budget although we did not pay low budget prices! Also complaint handling from Drifters organization is 0! Very rude, ignoring the complaints and even putting the blame with us!
FR
Shaban the scam artist
Within the first 10 minute Mr Shaban had broken his own contract. The itinerary had changed, and indeed the accommodation and the company as well. I chose this company as the reviews appeared to be good. I was put with another cheaper company with poor reviews but had to pay the higher price. Mr shaban would not answer his phone to discuss the situation and refund the difference. Eventually he replied to my texts and was very rude and aggressive in his responses. He told me i should go to the police about him breaking the contract. Terrible man. No one should book with this company
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Be aware of Tony Kopolondo, a professional liar and cheater.
After good reviews on Internet, I contacted Tony Kopolondo in July 2015 and booked the 15-day Kenya and Tanzania safari tour. I transferred 50% of the tour cost to his bank account in Tanzania on July 11, 2015. The original tour departure date was June 22, 2016.
I sent my flight details in May 2016, one month before the tour schedule date and asked Tony to send me the link for paying the balance money by credit card. He informed me that the tour was postponed to August 14, 2016 as other members of the tour postponed it. I reluctantly agreed to the new date after getting assurance from Tony that the tour would be 100% guaranteed, I paid the balance money on July 19, 2016 by credit card.
On August 10, 2016 I sent an email to Tony asking about the tour arrangements including who would be coming to the airport to pick me up. Immediately, he responded saying that the tour was cancelled as one of the members of the other team passed away. I was very disappointed and lost faith in Tony and asked him to refund the money.
Tony Kopolondo has not given the refund even after 7 weeks of the trip cancellation. After repeated follow up, Tony informed me that the money was electronically transferred to my account on September 16, 2016. Even after repeated requests for a copy of the bank transfer receipt, Tony did not provide it and stopped responding to my emails. Tony lied to me about the money transfer without actually transferring it. He cheated me and I lost US$5000. I want everyone to know the true colour of Tony. Please don’t do the same mistake and book any safari tour with Kopolondo Expeditions.
Baburao, Perth, Australia – October 11, 2016
NL
Still waiting for my refund because they messed up my 3 days Tsavo East and West
I booked 3 days Tsavo East and West. With the briefing I was asked to go to Amboseli instead of West. I didn't want that, that was not what I had booked. The night before I get a call that my tour was cancelled (did they already knew that in the afternoon...?)
I could go to East only and for 1,5 day. I didn't agree. I booked and planned my holiday around it for 3 days and wanted to see West as well. Then they said I would get a car for myself for West after I went to East with another group. That was okay by me.
East was beautiful but the second day there was no car to get me to West. I had to find out myself. No messages, no missed calls to me or the guide. The reason was that it was too expensive to get a car there for me alone... They could have known that in forehand...
I got a little of my money back. But still waiting for the other part because my trip for 1,5 days is now really overprized!!!
A lot(!) of emails with promisses, but overall a lot of frustration, a spoiled holiday and now 4 weeks later i'm still waiting for my refund for the part that I missed...!!
But now I get no reaction on my last e-mails anymore from Sheeqs Safari...
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The good, the bad and the very ugly parts of It Started In Africa
I experienced a the good, the bad and the ugly parts of this company, It Started in Africa.
I was a solo female traveller and safety was a priority. I knew I could have paid less with other companies, but the BBC Travel logo really did stand out to me. A company with BBC Travel as a partner would surely have set standards and uphold a duty of care to it's travellers.
Let me start off with the good. I was partnered with Martin who was an experienced safari guide and he was such a kind and caring guide. We chatted and he would educate me on all aspects of the country, the landscape, the trees/plants and all the details of the animals. He also helped me learn all the names of the animals in Swahili and I was very grateful to have him as a guide.
The company who mans the emails responded promptly to emails and the trip was arranged and paid for within a week of my initial email query.
The BAD:
The night before departure from home to Tanzania, I received an email to inform me of a mis-booking at Ngorongoro Crater. My option was to go to another campsite (not their first line recommended) or upgrade to their recommended. It was quite stressful to think that I had to pay another further amount and my tour hadn’t even started. I paid it but really thought the company should have covered the full cost as it was booked 1 month in advanced and the night before flying out I had to respond and ensure it was booked. The company advised that it was the accomodation’s fault, but really, it should have been picked up on confirmation not reconcilliation, days prior to my tour.
My other bad part was on my 2nd last day in Arusha where I was no longer on safari with Martin and planned and paid $125USD for a coffee plantation tour. The company sent me off with a Driver and a guide named James. James kept questioning why I want to go on the coffee plantation tour and tried to persuade me to go to a Tanzanite tour (it was obvious he wanted to commission for tanzanite purchase). He was quite persistent & I had to be firm and say it was a coffee tour he was to take me to. He kept pushing me so I agreed with enough time after the coffee plantation tour I would go.
Instead of taking me to the half day plantation tour (included lunch at the plantation) that was 1+ hr away from Arusha (Moshi - tripadvisor has it rated well) he tried to do a dodgy self tour by the side of a road of a coffee farm. Understanding the tour (from other people I met along the way) and that a 30minute drive in traffic was not Moshi, I spoke up. James then proceeded to say I had to pay for that tour. I told him I have! They then drove me to this town at the foots of Mt Meru to a plantation, stopping and asking for directions along the road (this was not the one I was to visit) and I was asked to pay $51USD. After saying (again) I had paid, and knowing this is not the right place, I thought I was stuck in the middle of nowhere, feeling a unsafe and on my own with 2 men the company sent me off with who clearly have not taken me to the correct place, I will be quiet and go along with it. But after it clearly was not what I paid for, I asked to speak to Mathias (Manager of Arusha office). James kept ignoring my many pleas. After another 15 minutes, I got really mad and demanded it and refused to walk any further and pretty much had to raise my voice and have a meltdown-like tantrum until he eventually did. I spoke to Mathias and said I was not taken where I was suppose to be, it was 3pm, I have lost a day and would like to return to the office for a refund then back to my hotel. I told him I do not feel safe here - during this tour, a group of school children followed behind me stealing my water bottle which I happily said was fine, but they went to unzip my backpack and grabbed my hand and asked me for my watch as well. My guide James was walking 5-10m ahead intently listening and learning from the other tour guide. James continued to avoid taking me back to the office for a refund and insisted I continue the tour. I was stuck and just agreed to get it over and go back to the safety of my hotel. During the tour, James took photos of me on his phone. I was not happy about the whole unsafe situation I was in. I was walking with 2 men into farming land away from other people on a tour I did not feel was real. Luckily, the tour finished off, and they asked me to tip the guide. I refused as it was not the tour I paid for. On the drive back, James thought it was amusing to take more photos of me in the car - I was furious! I asked him to delete all photos of me and he tried to just delete 1. I was stern and said all. Whether he did or not, I do not know.
Eventually they returned me to my hotel (refused to take me to the office for a refund) & told me Mathias the manager, would meet me at the hotel. Mathias avoided me. My hotel manager overheard my terrible experience that evening (3 hours after my return) and contacted the company to ensure someone came down to chat to me. Without the hotel manager's persistence, I doubt anyone would have met me to apologise. A large, unfriendly, and unkept man arrived to the hotel and after explaining the events, he did not offer an apology. In fact I felt he was sent to intimidate me into submission. I stood my ground and he eventually got on the phone and let me speak to Bernard the Tanzania Manager for It Started In Africa. I had to explain the days events again, and I was quite fed up at this point so I told him that he needed to do the right thing and refund the money. I said I know he can refuse, but if his company was truly apologetic in sending me off with 2 men who cheated me of a tour I paid for, he would organise a refund. Eventually, Bernard assured me that they would refund me and that the following day Mathias would have the money in cash for me at the hotel for my airport transfer.
The ugly...
the following day, they made my guide Martin return to Arusha (from his home town 1 hr south of Arusha) to smooth it over. When I still wanted my refund they handed me 1/3 of the value. Another man was there also (to intimidate me?). They arrived 20mins late for my airport transfer and had to remind them the amount owed. Martin wrote it down and got on the phone to Mathias. After a drive to the office, Mathias finally met me. He handed another 1/3 of the value. I was still short! He made excuses that he wasn't told the amount. I knew my guide Martin called him up and said in Swahili the exact number (i learnt the swahili numbers). I confronted Mathias who did not expect me to know the Swahili numbers. Mathias returned with the rest of the money and then made an excuse that the person who organised the refund did it wrong - Mathias is the office manager! Who else would organise it? Another terrible lie!! 1 hour behind schedule we headed to the airport. Along the way, the other man in the car spoke in Swahili to Martin and laughed about me - I referred to the the guide and driver that day as cowboys, and this man repeated it and laughed. I did not find this professional sitting next to him while he made fun of me and gave me intimidating stares. My guide Martin did not respond, being the professional he was and knowing that I understand a few words of Swahili.
Later, I found my itinerary with the full amount breakdown and circled the value to be refunded in the car! They knew the amount to be refunded and hoped to get away with less. It was very upsetting that I had to deal with 5 different men who attempted to intimidate me and waste time to avoid a refund!
I was left in tears from the emotional experience.
It was truly a corrupt Arusha Office!
I arrived at the airport late and just made my flight - my luggage was not able to make the flight.
On return I wrote an email to the Europe base and they were not even informed of this incident and mishandling afterwards. Joao in customer relations did well in responding with an apology & a promise of a full investigation. I asked to see the report and was told this can take long to prepare. I really hope they investigate and learn from this incident and mishandling but I am not to know if they will actually follow this up. I acknowledge that a full refund was given for the extra night accomodation and day tour that I was cheated out of, and they refunded the extra amount I had to pay for the last minute change in accomodation.
Tanzania was a beautiful country and I would definitely love to return. But would I chose to go on tour with It Started In Africa? Definitely not!
I have written this review so that anyone who does go on tour with It Started In Africa - be careful!! Make sure you are aware of what you paid for and if you are cheated of any experience or tours you paid for, you get the refund!
If you are thinking twice about this company - do some further research! While on tour I came across the most popular Leopard tours, trek2kili, Abercrombie & kent etc
But if you chose to try It Started In Africa - do your research & be self aware!!