SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
BLUFFERS AND CALMERS
3 days safari ,,, NIGHTMARE West I have been with, if you want to die then you can choose this safari
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent wildlife and environment, but shameful to one caregiver in the rhino sanctuary.
Excellent wildlife and environment. All staff members are very good and nice, except for one caregiver in the rhino sanctuary.
After being introduced to the rhino sanctuary and taking photos with the rhino (everything happened in 3 minutes), the so-called caregiver kept asking for tips. I gave him 5 US dollars, but he impolitely said it was not enough and demanded 10 US dollars. How disgusting!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
N/A
I paid over $300 cash for my wife and me to go on this safari with a group. My wife had a medical emergency to where I had to stay back with her and were not able to go. We wanted a refund, but was told the money was already given to the park and could not get it back. I was disappointed that we were told to pay in advance and not able go. I am saddened to say that I will not be asking for their services again.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Possible Scam!
Horrible company and the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced from Steven. I booked a safari for two with the wonderful Elsabe (who is no longer with the company) for March 2020. This was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19. It was confirmed in writing by the company I would receive a refund after a year’s time to let the economy recover a bit. I waited patiently - in that time Elsabe left the company and no one replied to me for months on end. I finally got written confirmation from Steven that I’d get a refund in September 2022 and that this would take place latest 1st March 2023. That day came and passed. After dozens of emails trying to get a single reply, I have been forced to give up. I have since been advised that I should log a complaint with the South African Consumer Protection Agency as this is a clear violation of the laws in place since I have the refund promise in writing with a tangible date attached. I noticed Steven of this as I did not want to pursue this matter further and would have just settled for a reduced payment, but they have refused and again gone silent. I’m only writing this because I can see another review where this has happened listed here on trip advisor. I agree with them - please be careful when booking this company!!
HU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Canceled safari by operator
We booked our safari two months in advance. 4 days before the date we got a request from the tour operator to re-schedule the date due to organization issues. We managed, re-arranged our schedule. After that it was extremely difficult to communicate to the operator, we received no info, no replies to emails. Complete incommunicado. We only hope that we will receive back the deposit we paid - the safari never happened.
We could still give five star even after a canceled safari as we can understand if there are unforseen technical difficulties during organizing a tour - but at least, talk to your client! Not communicating, not answering emails for days just a few days before a scheduled and then re-scheduled safari, leaving the client in uncertainty deserves nothing but one star.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
No point in using them
If you are using a travel agent to give you guidance and insight knowledge about where to stay and what to do, this is not your agency. In our trip to Rwanda and Tanzania, we stayed in five hotels in total. We payed for what we thought was a luxury package. One hotel was excellent, which we chose ourselves, one was ok, but not what we were expecting, two were old, outdated and tired hotels and the last one was an all inclusive, terrible service, nightmare of a hotel. We spent the last part of our vacation complaining while being offered no real solution to the issues. They are very polite, but basically you are left to deal with the hotel yourself. If you want a luxury, smooth experience in Africa, find a different Travel Agent. Trust me on that one…
Unfulfilled Promises, Hidden Costs, Locked Out in Rwanda (AVOID!)
Rwanda trip with Starboard turned into a nightmare. Promised 20-hour bus ride took 34, activities vanished, clients locked out of hotels for non-payment (owner detained!). Choose a different operator for your African adventure!
Key Points:
* Deceptive marketing: promised comfort, delivered cramped nightmare bus ride.
* Unfulfilled itinerary: paid for activities that disappeared.
* Unprofessional & opaque: owner detained, clients left to handle hotel bills.
**Recommendation:** Book elsewhere for a safe and enjoyable African safari experience.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very bad experience
We are still waiting for a refund regarding our last scheduled travel.
IS
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park with Victoria falls serious of fun.
Got back problem and informed the office. They told me because of this they would refund me the money. That was 2 weeks before the trip. Beginning of December. Now it’s January I am still trying to contact them every day and they only give me broken promises. Every day for a month. I am at loss for words and I only want my 900$ back. But still getting the same answer that’s it’s going to happen today or tomorrow. There is something really not right. Client should not have to fight this hard for its money that was promised back!!
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They may change plans unexpectedly and without informing the clients.
We booked a ten day safari. The original program was changed without informing us and without our consent. The vehicle was downgraded without informing us. They also decreased the number of safari day to 9, leaving us one day without activities. This is especially bad since they erased from the program one day in the Masai Mara. We found out about all of this during the trip, not before. Communication was virtually non-existent.