US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible Experience with 3 Wonders - Avoid at All Costs!
Our trip with 3 Wonders was a complete disaster from start to finish. Here are the main issues we encountered:
Serengeti Entry Delay: We faced a frustrating 2-hour delay at the Serengeti entry due to incomplete paperwork, causing us to miss our evening game drive. This is there typical reason because they don’t pay the park fees and somehow expect to get around it. In some reviews, travelers have paid parks which is their strategy .
Accommodation Downgrade: Upon arrival at the camp around 8 pm, we found that our booking at the Serengeti Heritage Lodge had been downgraded to Engiterata Camp, a very basic camp, without any prior notification. Being stuck in the forest with no other options made this situation completely unacceptable.
Grouped with Campers: We were grouped with campers, wasting our time waiting for their activities, which was not what we had signed up for.
Wasted Time in Serengeti: The next day, we were dropped at the campsite around 11 am for an early lunch, only for the driver to leave and return after 2.5 hours, wasting our time and ruining our experience.
Limited Game Drives: We had no game drive on the first day and only a short one on the morning of the second day, which was a huge letdown.
Terrible Safari Vehicle: The safari vehicle was in terrible condition, constantly breaking down and needing to be pushed by other vehicles.
Broken Passenger Door: The passenger door of the jeep was broken, creating a serious safety hazard.
Rude Driver: The driver was extremely rude, lacked information, and appeared upset with us for no reason, which was very frustrating.
Broken Radio: The jeep's radio was broken, preventing the driver from communicating with others to locate animals, making the safari pointless.
Missed Excursions: Our itinerary included excursions like the Olduvai Gorge museum, but there was no plan for these, which was incredibly disappointing.
Fuel Tank Hazard: The fuel tank in the jeep was broken, which was very dangerous. Despite this, the driver continued to drive the same jeep for three hours. It was late evening and dark, and we were in the deep jungle where wild animals roam. Anything could have happened to us, and the rescue jeep arrived very late.
Actually no one now books with 3 wonders because of bad reviews but in some cases your safari company might sell your booking to 3wonders. If your safari company assigns you to 3 Wonders, please don't go with them because you will either die or, at the very least, not enjoy the game drive because there will be none done. Save yourself and ask your safari company who they are going to sell your booking to because that is what they do.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They're responsive until they get your money
If I could give 0 stars I would. I booked a private tour. Below are just some issues I faced with this company:
1. Rude guide. Being that I'm his only client on a private tour, it's inexcusable that he gave very little information and loved to chat with his guide friends but neglected me.
2. I specified I didn't want to camp and wanted very nice accommodations. The price reflected much nicer accommdations. They ended up booking me in some lodges with no hot water (it's winter in namibia and freezing on the skeleton coast), broken lights, and no heat while it was just 3 degrees outside.
3. They booked me a photographer. He showed up an hour late the first day. Took terribly over-exposed photos that were worse than photos on a phone. A month later, he still won't edit the photos in any way to make them look professional. People's Safari won't respond to my emails and won't take any responsibility for this issue.
4. The logistics were poorly planned. They didn't look for lodges close to destinations so we ended up losing time driving several hours out of the way. I guess they were trying to save money at the expense of tourists' time.
They're happy to take your money but give subpar accommodations and customer service. Please save yourself the headache and avoid this tour operator
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very bad experience!
We do not feel like recommending this operator: our experience was very bad. Starting with the stay at the Venice Hotel which is an old and dirty facility to continue with a general organization that was completely inefficient and inadequate for the amount spent. The manager pocketed the money and then subcontracted us to another agency without ever providing us with a detailed program with schedules and practical information. Our package included a night inside Ngorongoro Park, a very expensive choice and made to take advantage of the game drive from very early in the morning so we could spot predators. The agency assigned us to a group leaving from Arusha and we had to wait for 4 hours until late 10 a.m., thus sacrificing our safari day. The second night we were changed the lodge from the prearranged schedule without even a warning. Experience not to be repeated.
SG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unprofessional, deceitful and greedy Kenyan operator
- We booked a 7 day Masai Mara, Lake Naruku, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli safari with Wildbound Safari from 3-9 August through their consultant, Electine.
- Wildbound Safari is a terrible operator who outsources to other operators, in our case - Jocky tours and does not bother to follow up on the itinerary. Thankfully our guide Joseph from Jocky tours was great.
- There have been multiple hiccups with them right from the start. First, we booked a mid-range safari experience with all Sopa lodges accommodation and paid the 50% deposit weeks in advance. Weeks later, on the actual day of our flight to Africa were we suddenly informed that all our Sopa lodges are full and our accommodation have been downgraded.
- Fine, we accepted that but then again they downgraded us to a tent/ campsite on the last day instead of the hotel that we had paid for. There was no refund of the amount we paid.
- Wildbound Safari also misrepresented and gave us a deceitful proposal with 2 game drives (1 in Lake Naruku and 1 in Amboseli) omitted as we were merged with another tour group who paid US$1,000 less per person than us.
- They then failed to refund us the entry fees for those 2 game drives that we missed which amounted to US$240.
- Wildbound Safari is super unprofessional as when they picked us up at Nairobi airport, Electine gave us the wrong bank account info for us to complete the rest of our payment here despite us checking multiple times with them.
- After our funds were transferred with proof of payment that the funds have left our bank account, they insisted on us paying a double amount to them again through no fault of ours.
- They called our guide Joseph everyday to bug us and we never got a good night of rest, and we were constantly bugged throughout the long car rides.
- Speaking of which, our itinerary guaranteed no more than 6 passengers in a group per land cruiser but they squeezed in 8 people and it was so uncomfortable!
- Their director Duncan did not take any responsibility and instead disrupted our schedule by insisting that our entire group stop by Nairobi to pay them and even go to the bank which is known for ridiculously long queues.
- Duncan also threatened us and said that our accomodation for the rest of the trip isn't booked if we don't pay them again.
- Duncan then also threatened us with police at the airport.
- Basically this has been a shit show for what was my birthday trip and I would never ever deal with them again.
- Deal with them at your own peril. This trip is an absolute disaster!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worst , liar and asking money for fuel
I had worst and terrible experience with Mashack tour operator and guide. He is the liar and not trustworthy. He did not pick up at the airport and I was stuck in the middle of night outside of airport. He switch off his phone. They invite new clients to join groups to earn more money. Unnecessary drop off and pick up new clients waste time which impact a lot in game drive. They lied and asking money for fuel. I advise not to go with Mashack tour operator.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kevin is A con man,a liar and a thief
Kevin you should stop lying to people,return our money . Since you lied that you have canceled out Dubai visa which you never applied at all till now,no picking calls,no replies no communication. Have been begging for my own money till now. 32k is not small money you are joking with.
Till you refund my money,I will be here every day to update about your unprofessional behavior of lying and conning people. I demand that you refund my money immediately.
I would not recommend trying this agent, I feel I have been scammed,he has no legit locations,he acts nice before payment,once you pay..he will behave like a round about. No picking calls,he will claim to be travelling all day,he will be busy and far from his laptop if you ask for any evidence of your application.
I wish I could attach messages of evidence.
My advice is that you avoid him!!!!😭😭😭😭😭
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unreliable
I was not picked up at the Nairobi Airport as promised. They did not have me stay in proper lodgings as promised.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Daniel worst rude, big liar
Worst and terrible experience. Daniel big liar. Do not stick with itenery. He told me that he will give professional guide but he lied to me. These people over charge and asking money for fuel. Most of the time no response. They did not pick me up and I was stuck in the middle of nowhere in mid night.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A scandal
Does not realize half of the time of mokoro, 1L of water for 2 for a full day, you had to feed the guide and give him water and will not even say thank you
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The worst customer service and tour planers !!!
I have traveled more than 70 countries and I can confirm that this is one of the worst tour companies. We were in touch with someone named Rose and I believe she’s the MD of the company, she just doesn’t know how to plan the itinerary neither has the basic manners and work ethics.
I would still say our whole trip was good because of the drivers(guides), friendly people in Kenya and we felt safe in this country.
I traveled with my wife and 2 kids(5yrs and 3yrs old) and I had chosen 5-6days private safari in Kenya.
Everyday we had to ask for our lunch(except the two days when we had whole day game drive- the lunch was packed and taken from the camp) and was served after 3.30pm, due to the poor plan of the itinerary.
The first day they were supposed to pick us up by 9am and we had to wait an hour and finally they arrived by 10am to pick us up. Of course I didn’t say anything as these things happen. There were 3 ladies with the driver cum guide and they sounded really nice however the safari jeep was an old one and not so clean. I still didn’t say anything as I believe the condition of the jeep is what matters and I was also in a mindset that the safari jeeps in Kenya are like this! I paid them 4310USD for two adults and they had already told us that the kids won’t be charged in the private safari. The trip started off really well however we had to wait for more than an hour to enter Amboseli National Park. There was some serious confusion going on with the entrance ticket(first the driver asked me to pay as his card doesn’t work and then he said the ticket is with another driver etc). And the worst part is there’s no air conditioner in the jeep and we can’t leave the windows open due to the local vendors surrounding the jeep. Finally around an hour later we entered the park. By now we realised the jeep windows are mostly jammed with no clear vision(due to them being old), the roof top which is kept open for the game drive kept collapsing every now and then(I was fixing the collapsing bar so that it doesn’t fall on anyone’s head) and I could see on the road that the other safari jeeps were all new except ours. We came to know that Safariline defender is a small company with just 3-4 vehicles and they mostly hire 3rd party drivers who come with the rental vehicles. Well this has nothing to do with us as long as we get a good service. On the third day when this rooftop collapsed on my hand(no injuries or swelling as me and my wife quickly supported it) I decided to message Rose to do something about the vehicle. She agreed to send another jeep on the 4th day evening, before entering Masaimara, by then most of our long drives were finished. By the way in this 4 days the jeep had been to the workshop twice, once with us on board near a town in Amboseli and second time luckily after we were dropped in the hotel in Nakuru. The driver himself told us that after us he has another 2days trip and then this jeep has to go for a complete revamp.
We were still happy that we got a new jeep on the 4th day evening and another great driver cum guide.
On the way from Amboseli to Nakuru we were stuck in traffic for more than 30 minutes and the driver said he’s not allowed to use the expressway. It was just over 30 minutes so I didn’t say anything moreover I was tired of complaining!
Now with the new jeep and driver our trip was going well. On the last day on the way from Masaimara to Nairobi we were stuck in city traffic for more than an hour and this driver said the same thing that he’s not allowed to use the express way. When I saw other safari jeeps going through the express way I messaged Rose again and her reply was “yes I’ve not authorised the driver to use the express way“. The fact is they can’t take the monthly/yearly express entry pass as most of their vehicles are from 3rd party however even the one way pass is just a few dollars and they don’t even want to spend it. There was never any apology from her which was fine but now she was being rude in her messages. She even mentioned that she gave free for our 5yr old child and the fact is none of the private safari charges for kids of this age. By the way I have never asked her to give anything for free. These things were clear from the beginning. When my wife called her and was trying to explain she just hung up the phone!
I think they are afraid if we ask for monetary compensation so they are not open to feedback. But that was never my intention, there are many European tour companies however I specifically booked with a local company so the whole money goes to Kenya.
Extremely unprofessional behaviour, no respect for customer’s time and money.
I have all the proof such as photos and invoices of the facts I have mentioned above including the rude messages on WhatsApp. I’ll definitely raise a complaint in Kenya tourism website. Probably when they get a few complaints they will cancel the licence or at least a warning will be given.