AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unprofessional Tour Operator - suspect him of cheating on money
The driver and the guide (not sure if the person was a guide as he did not volunteer with any information or describe any game through the two and a half days) couldn’t have been worse . Took us more than 10 hours to reach Emaiyan Camp from Nairobi , as we were brought in from an inconvenient road - Sekenani Gate is what should have been used , we came through Talek gate (which you must avoid if you are getting to your stay place). As we reached the gate at 5 pm (after starting at 830 am at Nairobi airport - we did breaks of about 60-90 mins total on the way) , the driver took a transit pass - which is free of charge . However , our driver took 100 USD per person (5 of us were there ) - taking money like this is cheating (to me !) .
Emaiyan Camp was great - always out to make you comfortable . And the game sightings were also great - made for a great trip overall , despite bonfire !
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour operator did not consider my interests and what I wanted to see.
The director of operations for this tour company (Safaricare International) inserted himself into my trip instead of providing a knowledgeable guide. While we MOSTLY followed the proposed itinerary; we did no birding along the way to various destinations as described. The director of operations claimed he did not know I was interested in birding. That was a false statement. On many occasions I asked the driver to stop so I could take a photo of a bird or other wildlife. I was often told "we'll see that tomorrow" or statements such as "that bird is too small". On other occasions he was driving so fast that if he did stop it was meters away from the bird/animal or we were consumed by a cloud of dust. The director of operations did not correct this behavior. When I confronted the director of operations about why he was along on my safari he indicated that he was there on business to check out the lodges and some of the tours. He is a marketing professional and not a skilled guide. That was not what I paid for. Later he claimed it was for my safety (I travelled solo). Neither situation warrants not having a skilled guide as promised.
Lastly, I will say I would have rated this company as POOR (2 stars) since most of my itinerary was followed, but the fact that the director of operations purchased bananas for the sole purpose of feeding the baboons along the road in Kibale National Park makes this company a 1 star (which is still too high). He and the driver tossed the bananas one by one out the window. Driver would speed up, so the baboons gave chase, then tossed more bananas. To any responsible eco-tourist this action should cause alarm. This is not an organization that is interested in good stewardship, sustainability or the promoting of eco-tourism in Africa. Would NOT recommend.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Joost
The Ngorongoro crater was the biggest disappointment for me. I imagined a crater full of wildlife but it was mainly a crater full of tourists. To see lions it is a good place but again, like the other popular parks in Tanzania, you will always have to share it with 70 other cars. In addition, I found the practical aspect of the crater a real obstacle. If you are not staying on the edge of the crater, but like most people in Karatu, it will easily take you 2.5 hours one way to get to the crater from your lodge. The crater is very small, so you can explore the vast majority of it in 2 hours. If there is something to see somewhere, you can recognize it by the dust cloud moving in the direction of the sighting...
I would strongly advise skipping this destination. It's better to stay an extra day in the Serengeti...(which I didn't like that much as well)
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unethical
I booked a 12 day safari in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania in September 2023 for a trip scheduled the end of June 2024 (fully paid for April 2024). At the time of booking I was promised all confirmations of lodges, flights. The beginning of June, I reached out to their office to request the promised confirmations 3 times. When I did finally receive the confirmations, they were only for the Uganda portion. I repeatedly requested the confirmations for Kenya and Tanzania and was repeatedly told “everything is reserved.” This turned out to be the first of many lies made by the head of the company, Simon. The day before my flight to Kenya, with no evidence of a flight from Entebbe to Nairobi, I contacted the lodge in Kenya to confirm my reservation. I discovered the reservation had been made but was not paid for, so they had not released the confirmation. Additionally, I was informed the Kenya agent they outsourced (they contacted her the DAY I ARRIVED to organize that portion!!) had not been paid for the additional 7 nights (lodging, flights, activities) in Kenya and Tanzania. My flight from Uganda to Kenya, which I was also told conflicting lies and excuses about, was purchased by an office worker 6 hours before scheduled departure. As of this time, the payment (which is significant) to the agent in Kenya (who is beyond superb) is unpaid by Azas. Avoid this company at all costs.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor Safari experience
First, regarding the full-day safari, The contract mentioned a full-day Safari, but what Patrick provided was not a full day. Patrick took us out daily from 8 AM to 4 PM, or from 8 AM to 12 PM and then from 4 PM to 6 PM. He said this was the park's requirement. However, as far as I know, other drivers booked through your company were out from 8 AM to 6 PM, or from 7 AM to 12 PM with lunch in the park and then from 4 PM to 7 PM. This does not align with your promise of a full-day Safari. Patrick’s actions were a significant breach of our agreement. He misrepresented the concept of a full-day safari, depriving us of valuable morning and evening game drive opportunities.
Except for Amboseli, where we stayed 2 km from the park, we were lodged inside the parks at Masai Mara, Nakuru, and Ol Pejeta. Therefore, we had ample time for full-day safaris, with no valid reason to return to the lodge early. Yet, Patrick insisted on bringing us back by 4 PM, citing non-existent park regulations. In contrast, other guides from your company provided a genuine full-day safari experience to their clients.
Second, while safaris are inherently unpredictable, this does not excuse a lack of skill in animal spotting. Our reduced game viewing time, confined mostly to the less active midday hours, undoubtedly decreased our chances of seeing animals. Given your extensive experience, you surely understand this impact better than I do.
Third, on the last day, Patrick refused our request to visit the Maasai market, citing safety concerns, theft, and distance, although our map indicated it was less than 30 minutes away and we had sufficient time.
Moreover, we learned that Patrick’s previous Chinese clients faced similar issues, such as being short-changed on safari duration, poor animal spotting, and being taken to overpriced souvenir shops.
We initially chose Africa Celebrity based on your reputed excellence. However, we are deeply disappointed by not only Patrick’s actions but also your company's failure to take responsibility and address these issues effectively.
Trust and respect are reciprocal, and regrettably, we did not feel either.
I hope no one else has to endure the dissatisfaction we faced due to a poor choice of safari provider.
US
65+ years of age
We are not happy with the service given by this operator
TIMBUKTU booked me on an $18,000USD/person trip to Asia. it has been a NIGHTMARE for us and they couldn't care less.
I caught them up-charging 125% on a flight change fee.
I extended a night at a lovely Rosewood in Luang Prabang and was given 25% off ( because I had been here 4 days). They kept the 25%.
I pre-paid for expedited service with baggage and Visas. The Visas were to come before my departure. only one came.
Then they said that was "normal" and we wouldn't waste any time doing it the airport.
Then in Luang Prabang --after 6 days--i am still waiting for my Visa. No Visa is illegal, but they ignore me entirely.
They booked a connecting flight in such a cheap way that I have to fly 6.5 hours to get somewhere you can fly to on any other palne for 4 hours. The flight they insist I use is 6.5 hours and you have to go all the way back to Bangkok and then CHANGE PLANES, MOVE YOUR OWN LUGGAGE, etc. that'd be one thing on a "shoestring" trip, but this is a 5-star $18K/person trip.
They took us to closed museums. They consistently gave us false information. By today I no longer know what's true and what isn't true. But if I bet that what they are telling me is false, that turns out to be the right bet.
HORRID!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
UNRELIABLE
I really need to write this review because tourists need to know that Swahili Paradise and Tours is completely UNRELIABLE and with a TERRIBLE ORGANIZATION.
In summary:
- our contact Jimmy disappeared once we did the payment
- No timely answer about how to pay the balance amount that finally had to be payed with their own personal exchanging rate (+10%)
- Lodge with employees that does not speak English and not helping during 2 blackouts and not working showers
- Wrong informations about how to use the showers in the lodge
- Terrible organization to collect our luggage
- Employees asking for the wrong amount of money (they discounted 3$ on an amount of 665$) and after all that we were asked for the remaining 3$.
- After all that, Jimmy did not even understand that there were SOME problems
- Before writing this review we gave Jimmy a feedback about the whole experience and he did nothing to improve the situation
I WOULD ADVISE YOU NOT TO TRUST THIS COMPANY.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unreliable
Robert is very unreliable and not honest about the tours he offers.
I booked a private tour with Robert (the owner of African Wanderlust Adventures) for two people to visit Oldupai Gorge, the Laetoli Footprints, the Endagulda cave paintings, and a few other sites, for three days. The itinerary was great and we were very excited. The morning of the tour, we paid the full amount, and only 4 hours into the day we found out that we would NOT be visiting almost HALF of the sites on the itinerary. I immediately called Robert, who refused to give us any refund (even a partial one), and refused to extend the trip so we could see the rest of the items. There were 9 items on the itinerary that we agreed to, and we only ended up seeing 5 of them. Two of the sites we missed were things that I EXPLICITLY asked to include, including the Laetoli Footprints, and the Endagulda cave paintings (both of which we did not see). It was a major disappointment, and I do not know when (if ever) I will have time to return to see them.
Anyone considering booking a tour with Robert, I would suggest you look elsewhere. He cannot be relied upon to keep his word, and you cannot trust that he will honor the itinerary.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
NOT Financially stable company - I would advise you do NOT book with them !!
Had to cancel our safari due to a (severe) accident 2 months prior to departure. Despite dozens of mails and promisses, nothing ever got refunded.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible Safari Partners Tanzania
Safari Partners is a third party booking agent. This means they will find other Company that will take booking. NO STANDARD and Less Service!
Our booking agent was Edward who was impossible to contact when we had a problem and did not do a proper job with booking causing a lot of stress on our Safari.
The 1) Safari vehicle used was not up to Healthy standards. After spending 12 hours traveling to and from Serengeti National Park, the vehicle was plagued by Dust and Dirt due to faulty windows, doors and no air conditioning which could help filter the air.
This resulted in an unhealthy air quality inside the vehicle, especially for senior citizens.
2) Moreover, communication with Edward became inadequate after he received payment for the Safari.
He also 3) failed to book the correct number of rooms for the duration of our Safari, leaving one night unbooked.
Edward also 4) Did not book our flight to Zanzibar correctly causing us to spend night in Dar es Salaam in a very very cheap and dirty Hotel. After we paid for Zanzibar Hotel and missing the first night in Tembo Hotel Zanzibar.
Edward also 5) promised a city tour of Arusha though the driver showed up an 75 minutes late allowing no time for City Excursion.
Edward should know his contract helper. Edward did not take responsible to his clients!
6) Safari Vehicle had many problems: windows and doors will not shut properly leaking in dust and dirt, loud noise after starting engine, seat belt and safety bar did not work properly, and finally Vehicle Broke Down.
In my life experiences, words are Cheap and often used by individuals with Questionable motives to shift blame. Edward did not offer any refund, just a bunch of red excuses and misleading statements blaming others.
My recommendation is to find another company to plan your Safari! Don't use Edward.