DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The most leaders are asolutely unreliable + the company dont keep promises!Get hurt by a guide
- The wildlife was absolutely various and we saw a lot of things.
- The food was most of the time great
- The accommodation was always perfect
- And our first guide was nice
BUT then we get a new guide. Ok we didnt get him, because Dan never arrrived and we didnt get any information about this, even when the hotel called him a lot of times. So we couldnt do the boattrip. The next day, we get a new guide. He was so terrible and drove his car badly. We asked him four times to drive a lit slower and to watch the streets (not his phone). When we finished lunch, we had to wait for him, because he wanted to talk and wait for other drivers. The restaurant was empty then, all the groups left the restaurant before us, even that we were the first group who was arriving in the locals and had to wait after lunch a half our extra for him.
He had just a normal car, so that we get in stuck in the safari. After that he was so nervous, that when I started to get in, he started to drive. (With my open door) -> so I get hurt and was falling on the ground. He was not nice after this and didnt ask me how I feel.
After we had also an disappointment with the company and Dan. Our first guide promised us, that Dan will help us with our camera, which we lost at the airport. Yes but noone came. We told the company about this promise and they told us, they called Dan in this moment and he will come now. But Dan didnt know about anything and was not willing to come. We told the company but they dont care.
So when they hadnt change our guide, I would give 5 Stars, but after our first guide everything was bad..... And honestly, with every other company you will see the wildlife. Choose someone else!!!!!!!!
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fraud
I confirm what the latest reviews says, this is (or has at least lately become) a fraudulent tour operator. We paid a deposit to E Safaris a few months ago for a 20+ group safari in October. All e-mail addresses, website and phone numbers are closed, and apparently they are investigated by Kenya Tourism Board. Our money now appear to be lost, although I expect proper investigation to be done by Kenyan Tourism Authorities. I have reported/complained to KTB (Kenya Tourism Board) and KATO (The Kenya Board of Tour Operators), and I urge everyone else affected to do the same.
Fortunately E Safaris had at least reserved the rooms at Mara Serena Safari Lodge, and Serena has been very understanding and helpful and has in short time set up an new safari for us. And I would like to emphasise that the large majority of the Kenyan Tourism Industry are honest and hard working people who do their very best to give visitors a great holiday. That I can say from personal experience.
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mr Valentine Gumpo makes empty promises and I find him UNTRUSTWORTHY
Mr Valentine Gumpo had advertised for a 15 day Wildlife tour to Zambia from Lusaka from 11 to 25 Nov 2014,essentially to cover the Bat Migration at the Kasanka National Park--Lusaka--Upper Luangwa River -- South Luangwa River -- Victoria Falls from Livingstone -- end of tour at Lusaka.
He had offered a discount of 15% on payment of full tour fees ( USD 2800 ) , if paid 6 months in advance. A sum of USD 2380 was therefore remitted to him through my bankers in India , on 6 May 2014-this was duly acknowledged by him , though after my repeated persistence to do so.
My troubles started after he had received the money in his account. He has not given me, todate , the finalised itinerary together with the hotel/lodge reservations and a formal letter saying that I ( ABL Gupta ) have formally been booked for a tour with him-- this is the letter which is mandatory for me to get the visa from the Embassy of Zambia in India.
I am getting to be 79 and have travelled to various wildlife destinations in Africa 4 times in the past 10 years--my impression was that one could trust the tour Operators in Africa on their advertised word on the Net , as invariably I have dealt directly with them ( and not through a tour operator in India ).
I am of the belief that a Code of Honour exists in all such transactions -- but in the present case with Mr Valentine Gumpo, I feel , it is being belied.
I have requested him for a refund , but , on persistent prodding , he simply says that the tour is on.
I would be grateful if Safari Bookings could help me recover my money from him.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Safari without animals
Serengeti park was absolutely empty, during our two days.
When I asked to change area the guide told us to be patient and that animals would have come. But when and where?!
He also told us that moving trough other areas was too far, but we had to spend 6 hours per day into the park, so too far for what.
I am sorry but I spent 600USD for nothing.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Short on Cash
We used Jesse Mfoi with Naenda Safaris for our safari. Jesse did not have enough cash to get us through some Massai road blocks and getting us checked out of a hotel. The last couple of days I loaned Jesse $450 USD so our safari could move forward with the promise of repayment. Jesse ducked out on this promise when he left us at the airport. I was left stranded in the middle of my vacation with no cash.
Addendum to original review:
Jesse did wire $500 (extra $50 for fees) 10 days later to my account after I started warning people online about my issues. I consider the issue resolved.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Please do not take excursions from them!
Jeep we had was so old, that it stopped in the middle of the savanna at 17:00… they tried to repaired it, then called other drivers and made it work… but it was very bad experience!!!
US
Mis-informatiom
I wouldn't put a lot of trust in SafariBookings. They keep sending me these surveys to fill out on my trip to Kenya. I've never been to Kenya and Never had a tour with these folks. I'd steer clear of this outfit.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worst Travel Experience EVER!!!
All I can say is do internet research before you give these crooks your money. Even if you get to Africa, you'll be stranded in country because they haven't paid their sub-contractors. The owner has even been arrested!!
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Kora National Park by ~lustedtowander~
George Adamson struggled to protect this remote region from the devastating affects of poaching. If you go, you will witness Kenya as he knew it. Wonderfully remote and woefully sparse of wildlife.
TH
35-50 years of age
Review about Kakamega Forest National Reserve by CedricVandermeulen
"Forest" is not how I would describe the few hecaters of trees that make up Kakamega Forest National Reserve. If you want to experience a tropical rainforest, go elsewhere (Democratic Republic of Congo, for example).