50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Luxury prices, economy experience
I had been to Kenya before with a high-end travel company and thought I knew what to expect. The price from Freedom Africa was a bit of a shock at over £14k but included Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. I was therefore expecting a high standard of accommodation and safari guides.
I had arranged to go to the Nairobi Elephant Nursery on the first morning before we were taken to Giraffe Manor. There was absolutely no flexibility in transportation so we had to pay an extra £140 for what amounted to a 20 minute taxi ride. After Giraffe Manor we went to Sweetwaters with what we thought was going to be our safari guide for the holiday. He was excellent and the accommodation on our first stop was quite good.
After Sweetwaters we went back to Nairobi and were put on a train to Amboseli (fare: £5 for first class). That was the last we saw of our guide until the final hotel when we bumped into him driving another party.
From then on the quality of the trip deteriorated with every stop. We did not have our own guides, we had hotel drivers who in our opinion are not safari guides. We spotted lions before they did, we heard the story of elephants' teeth from every one of them. Some didn't speak English very well. We were booked on a walking safari and they tried to charge extra. Every time we entered a national park we were asked for the entry fees which we had already paid.
Lodges were variable but none are what I would call luxury standard, and some are in fact described as basic. The worst lodge was Salt Lick at Taita HIlls - it was overcrowded and we had to wait for a table at dinner time. The drivers were silent and the cars were full, with people talking on their phones. We went to a rock which had a lone lioness and I counted 35 cars jostling for position to see an ear. The lodge is in two parts, the accommodation block with a restaurant and another block which has the pool and spa. On our second day we didn't leave the accommodation block or go on any drives because we couldn't bear the noise. It was the best day there. We couldn't wait to leave,
When I got back I complained to Freedom Africa. They said they were "surprised" to hear I wasn't entirely happy with my holiday. Further emails went unanswered. They didn't want to listen to any of my comments and insisted Salt Lick was one of their most popular lodges.
I had also booked a holiday with Freedom Asia which is part of the same group and had even worse problems with them.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Service advertised was not what was delivered
The service that we received was horrible thus making our holiday not enjoyable
Would not recommend this your company at all
Book at your own risk
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I had a horrible exprience. A strong NO. I wouldn't recommend going with her!
Two travelers, who paid 7000+500 USD for a 9 day trip in Tanzania.
Communication - won't give transparency on breakdown, very nice before you pay her, not at all responsive, no solution mindset and a heavy attack mindset
Service- horrible
Value for money- negative, will loot you
Reliability - not at all (as we learned)
Tour itself- very bad design, didn't take into account our preferences, gave us a very bad driver, the safari jeep had a huge crack, windows won't close properly...
1. The trip experience was horrible.
Most expensive trip we ever did, which turned out to be the most horrible trips we have done.
2. The driver assigned was horrible, didn't give us any space, made personal remarks and commented on our clothing, personality, money we have etc....didnt let us eat a single meal by ourselves.
3. We asked for a day in ngorongoro and we just got half. When requested to add more time, we had to pay 500 USD from our own pocket.
4. Didn't cater to our interests at all. Didn't ask if we want to see migration in Serengeti. Booked all the activities in Zanzibar on the day we were supposed to fly out. The day was known to her and confirmed by her.
5. Lack of professionalism - the communication is not at all professional. She makes personal attacks and guilts you in. Will use a lot of karma and other BS to guilt you to pay her, feel bad.
7. Changing accommodation every night unnecessarily.
8. No transparency on breakdown of prices. Not worth at all.
Don't go with her. Not at all worth it. Infact you will end up mentally stressed throughout. Till date, the prices charged were exorbitantly expensive. A strong NO.
CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unscrupulous behavior
If you want a preview of the contract, before paying the deposit, they will end all communication with you. That doesn't sound too serious. It seems more like they want to have you in their fist first and then you will have zero chance of negotiating any changes.
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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.