US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Stole our money
We were supposed to do a Safari in Tanzania for my birthday and our honeymoon with It Started In Africa. They disappeared the day before we got there. Never answered our emails and stole our money!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible, feel absolutely cheated. Feel they spoiled what should have been the holiday of a lifetime
Please do not use these people. I do not know if they are fraudsters or just incompetant, but we paid a premium to stay at the plush NGORONGORO farmhouse. They took a 40 % deposit 3 months in advance and the balance was paid weeks before. They said the deposit was required to sucure the rooms. On the day we arrived in Tanzania he emailed to say we had been "upgraded" to a tented lodge (we could have booked a tented lodge for $250 less per person) we didn't get the email until they had picked us up because we had no internet. Then that seemed the least of our problemsbecause 4 hours after we were supposed to start our safari we were stillsitting in Arusha high street because there was no money on the entry card for the game reserve. We started to wonder if there would be any safari at all. We thought we might be being kidnapped. We eventually started our safari at 2.30 pm instead of 8 am. Then we were taken to this tented lodge (the name of which translates to "mosquito river") instead of the luxury hotel we had paid for. we also lost another half days safari at the end because our schedule was rearranged because they had no money on the card so we had to leave early to get back to Arusha by nightfall. a total disaster and no refund. DO NOT USE THESE PEOPLE.
That said, the animals were wonderful as was our driver/guide (it wasn't his fault) who did his best to salvage his employers incompetence/bad practice.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not book at this cheater agency!!
We confirm the comment of Dawn Clark. We travelled with this "company" two weeks ago and have been cheated too. Our plan was totally changed. We never slept in a lodge which was planned. The tour to the Serengeti was cancelled, because there was allegedly no car us. In Lake Manyara National Park we were the only onces who visited it with a Toyota van with dirty unopenable windows instead of an offroad vehicle with open roof (which was booked).
We paid 166$ more than we agreed and never got any money back. Although Victor (the agent) told us that we get this money back and also a refund because of the cancelled Serengeti tour there was nothing but excuses. Every day there was at least one anoying phone call from him with bad news for us like "We have no car", "we cannot pay the driver", "you must stay here one night more (again)". This was wasted holiday time and very unpleasant. Cars, drivers and guides changed almost daily.
This company seems to be no real safari company and we think that all the persons who allegedly work there are the same guy called Victor. This guy is something between incapable of planning and criminal. He is unfriendly and dishonest.
Tansania was beautiful but this company/guy destroyed our holiday. In the end my wife was afraid of his criminal aura. For sure all good comments for this company are fake. If we have not met such nice people who cared about us and have not paid more than we agreed we would have been probably lost in Tansania.
Do not book at this cheater agency!!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor arrangements and Cheating
We took Safari thru them in Sept. We were group of 11 senior people. In Tanzania we ended up paying for three Park entrance fees and stay at one camp. We had to pay out of pocket more than $9,000. Despite repeated requests and phone calls we have not received any money from them. They had verbally and by e-mails agreed to pay this amount in full. SO BE CAREFUL !! The Safari itself was excellent and the drivers were very good. It's the front office that lacks communication and make promises that they do not keep.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We got cheated!!! November 2017
We just now found out that they have not made any payments for all the bookings held in our name and as a result the bookings were cancelled and in some cases not booked at all. We welcome any suggestions on how to retrieve the money that we have already paid It Started in Africa. They are still conning us, pretending everything is fine and just awaits our travel.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Another case of fraud
Shame on Peter - did the same to us as the previous poster. Live and learn...
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Worst Safari we ever had!
We can confirm all this reviews above! We booked our individual tour with "Go 2 Africa Luxury Safaris". They confirmed the itinerary and all accomodations. They did not tell us anything about a different company making the safari.
These were our experiences:
The tour:
Day 1:
- Due to the bad logistics (people for the tour where missing/coming from a different place, cars where not fueled!) of that company we started at around 11:00 in Arusha although we should have started at 8:00!!! That was our Safari- and holiday-time we missed!
- Accomodation at Jambo Lodge (due to easy logistics for the company) which was not part of our itinerary and of much lower standard than the ones we payed for!
- We asked for local food (as part of the contract). The dinner was planned to be separately from the others. As we said we would like to be together with the rest of the group, after some discussions we got our dinner first with the European food and the local food afterwards?!
Day 2:
- There was no breakfast for us, but prepared for the others. We received our breakfast after longer discussions. There was no coffee for everyone left.
- There was no toilet paper in the lodge. So we had to use our own one.
- We where told that we would get local dinner at Kati Kati tented Camp, but only got bad, cold food.
Day 3:
- We should get breakfast at 6:00 before being picked up at 6:30. Breakfast was ready after the group arrived at around 6:40. After telling the „guide“ about that problem we got some breakfast and the rest of the group had to wait. - Lost Safari-time again for the whole group.
- At around 11:00 we had brunch for the tented-group and lunch-box for us: There was no place at the table for us, no chairs, no plates. We had to sit outside on the ground in the sun with the lunch box! - That time we told the „guide“ that we do not except that kind of treatment, that we pay a luxury tour-price and want at least a part of our money back. He was supposed to call and inform his boss - we did not get any feedback or excuse.
- Due to the bad logistics of that company we had to wait unnecessary long time after lunch until we could leave. (our Safari-time again)
- At the border to Ngorongoro NP we had to wait around 2.5 hours although we were first told it should take around 1 hour. During that time we did not get any information. (again: our Safari-time!). We asked a different guide from that company and found out that they made a mess with the wrong permits in advance. The guides had to clear that problem. Abraham told us something completely different, so someone was clearly not telling the truth…
Day 4:
- We left the Ngorongoro NP very early (no lunch in the crater, …) and arrived early at the Jambo Lodge again (cheaper lodge, easier logistics for Abraham) and did not have any program in the afternoon, which was our holiday time we payed for!
- In the afternoon we were told that we get a local dinner at 19:00, but when we arrived for dinner the chef wanted to seat us with a completely unknown group and serve something completely different. We found out that SandLand Tours just booked the room at the lodge and not the meals that we were told we would get. After long discussions our „guide“ came and took us to a local restaurant for dinner. We said that he would bring us to his boss after the tour that we could discuss everything with him.
Day 5:
- We had the first breakfast without any trouble (except at Rhino Lodge) but still without coffee, although there was a shop just around the corner.
- Again we had to wait very long to leave.
- After a short trip to Lake Manyara NP we were brought to our hotel directly, but not to the office. When I shortly talked to Abraham at the phone he said he would let us pick up the next day at 8:30 to talk to him and to let us bring to the airport afterwards.
- We were pretty much enraged but talking to the owner of the hotel were we stayed (Sinzia Villas) got us down a bit. He invited us to an excellent local food dinner as he was ashamed for that kind of treatment we experienced (although it was not his fault anyway).
Day 6:
- After some WhatsApp-messages we were picked up at around 9:15.
- The conversation consisted just of excuses, lies (like it was not possible to stay at a camp at Lake Manyara due to mosquitos) and contradictions.
- He said he would give us 150,-$ p.p. and everything would be fine with that…, but he charged us another 30,-$ for the transfer to the airport. He wanted to send us the money to our hotel in Zanzibar and also offer us a free transfer to the airport on our last day.
Safety of the car:
- The wheels did not all have enough profile and seemed decayed.
- The brakes were not strong enough, so you always had to put stones under the wheels that the car did not roll away…
- The ignition did not work properly why you had to push-start the car or park on a hill…
- Many parts of the car were broken (e.g. cooler-box) or temporarily fixed (fold-up-roof)…
- One car of that company was broken why we had to wait while it had to be repaired in Serengeti NP.
- In general the cars do not look well-maintained.
The tourguide:
- Was rarely with the group and did solve arising problems.
- Did not look for the group to find together as a group.
- Did not inform about the tour or times. Only if you asked (when he was there).
- Did not inform when there were problems leading to longer waiting-times (e.g. at the border to Ngorongoro NP).
- Did not maintain the car (at least clean the windows), or refuel during off-times.
One week later:
- After several messages we had not received any money yet, but he arranged the transfer to the airport. We had to drive through Stonetown to meet a friend of Abraham who gave us 230,-$ - He charged the free transfer with overpriced 40,-$ (usually we would have payed 25,-$)!
Two weeks later:
- Now it's two weeks later. We have contacted and informed Go 2 Africa Luxury Safaris. They blame us that we have not informed them before or did not give them all information about this case (although we can prove that we have sent all information in the first mail!). After a meeting between Abraham and Milambo from Go 2 Africa Luxury Safaris we are just accused beeing deceitful, because we want our money (the missing 40$ + a compensation for the resentment and the time consuming mailing back).
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our tour was booked with Go 2 Africa Luxury Safaris but conducted by SandLand Tours
We booked our individual tour with "Go 2 Africa Luxury Safaris". They confirmed the itinerary and all accomodations. They did not tell us anything about a different company making the safari.
These were our experiences:
The tour:
Day 1:
- Due to the bad logistics (people for the tour where missing/coming from a different place, cars where not fueled!) of that company we started at around 11:00 in Arusha although we should have started at 8:00!!! That was our Safari- and holiday-time we missed!
- Accomodation at Jambo Lodge (due to easy logistics for the company) which was not part of our itinerary and of much lower standard than the ones we payed for!
- We asked for local food (as part of the contract). The dinner was planned to be separately from the others. As we said we would like to be together with the rest of the group, after some discussions we got our dinner first with the European food and the local food afterwards?!
Day 2:
- There was no breakfast for us, but prepared for the others. We received our breakfast after longer discussions. There was no coffee for everyone left.
- There was no toilet paper in the lodge. So we had to use our own one.
- We where told that we would get local dinner at Kati Kati tented Camp, but only got bad, cold food.
Day 3:
- We should get breakfast at 6:00 before being picked up at 6:30. Breakfast was ready after the group arrived at around 6:40. After telling the „guide“ about that problem we got some breakfast and the rest of the group had to wait. - Lost Safari-time again for the whole group.
- At around 11:00 we had brunch for the tented-group and lunch-box for us: There was no place at the table for us, no chairs, no plates. We had to sit outside on the ground in the sun with the lunch box! - That time we told the „guide“ that we do not except that kind of treatment, that we pay a luxury tour-price and want at least a part of our money back. He was supposed to call and inform his boss - we did not get any feedback or excuse.
- Due to the bad logistics of that company we had to wait unnecessary long time after lunch until we could leave. (our Safari-time again)
- At the border to Ngorongoro NP we had to wait around 2.5 hours although we were first told it should take around 1 hour. During that time we did not get any information. (again: our Safari-time!). We asked a different guide from that company and found out that they made a mess with the wrong permits in advance. The guides had to clear that problem. Abraham told us something completely different, so someone was clearly not telling the truth…
Day 4:
- We left the Ngorongoro NP very early (no lunch in the crater, …) and arrived early at the Jambo Lodge again (cheaper lodge, easier logistics for Abraham) and did not have any program in the afternoon, which was our holiday time we payed for!
- In the afternoon we were told that we get a local dinner at 19:00, but when we arrived for dinner the chef wanted to seat us with a completely unknown group and serve something completely different. We found out that SandLand Tours just booked the room at the lodge and not the meals that we were told we would get. After long discussions our „guide“ came and took us to a local restaurant for dinner. We said that he would bring us to his boss after the tour that we could discuss everything with him.
Day 5:
- We had the first breakfast without any trouble (except at Rhino Lodge) but still without coffee, although there was a shop just around the corner.
- Again we had to wait very long to leave.
- After a short trip to Lake Manyara NP we were brought to our hotel directly, but not to the office. When I shortly talked to Abraham at the phone he said he would let us pick up the next day at 8:30 to talk to him and to let us bring to the airport afterwards.
- We were pretty much enraged but talking to the owner of the hotel were we stayed (Sinzia Villas) got us down a bit. He invited us to an excellent local food dinner as he was ashamed for that kind of treatment we experienced (although it was not his fault anyway).
Day 6:
- After some WhatsApp-messages we were picked up at around 9:15.
- The conversation consisted just of excuses, lies (like it was not possible to stay at a camp at Lake Manyara due to mosquitos) and contradictions.
- He said he would give us 150,-$ p.p. and everything would be fine with that…, but he charged us another 30,-$ for the transfer to the airport. He wanted to send us the money to our hotel in Zanzibar and also offer us a free transfer to the airport on our last day.
Safety of the car:
- The wheels did not all have enough profile and seemed decayed.
- The brakes were not strong enough, so you always had to put stones under the wheels that the car did not roll away…
- The ignition did not work properly why you had to push-start the car or park on a hill…
- Many parts of the car were broken (e.g. cooler-box) or temporarily fixed (fold-up-roof)…
- One car of that company was broken why we had to wait while it had to be repaired in Serengeti NP.
- In general the cars do not look well-maintained.
The tourguide:
- Was rarely with the group and did solve arising problems.
- Did not look for the group to find together as a group.
- Did not inform about the tour or times. Only if you asked (when he was there).
- Did not inform when there were problems leading to longer waiting-times (e.g. at the border to Ngorongoro NP).
- Did not maintain the car (at least clean the windows), or refuel during off-times.
One week later:
- After several messages we had not received any money yet, but he arranged the transfer to the airport. We had to drive through Stonetown to meet a friend of Abraham who gave us 230,-$ - He charged the free transfer with overpriced 40,-$ (usually we would have payed 25,-$)!
Two weeks later:
- Now it's two weeks later. We have contacted and informed Go 2 Africa Luxury Safaris. They blame us that we have not informed them before or did not give them all information about this case (although we can prove that we have sent all information in the first mail!). After a meeting between Abraham and Milambo from Go 2 Africa Luxury Safaris we are just accused beeing deceitful, because we want our money (the missing 40$ + a compensation for the resentment and the time consuming mailing back).
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
scam
ATTENTION SCAM!!!
HE DID NOT RETURN US 250$,
We ( me and my wife) booked with Edward Wilson a package safari ( 4 days in Serengeti Ngongoro Lake Manyara 640$ each) +Kilimanjaro ( 2 days 250$ each).
After the end of Safari Edward delayed our Kilimanjaro trekking of one day without asking it in advance to us. For us it was not possible to start the trekking with one day of delay as we had already bought the flight to Zanzibar.
At this point we tried to speak with him, call him and text and we finally met him (one day after the end of our Safari). He refunded us 250$ on that day telling us that he was going to return the remaining 250$ the week after.
We then tried to contact him plenty of times called texted him but no reply was received and his phone was off.
NO RETURN OF 250$ WAS GIVEN!!
STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY
LV
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A horrible journey and attitude
I regret the day I got in touch with this company. It was my expensive and pointless sport in my life - walk to Mandara Hut. 380 dollars (for 2 persons) for bringing you to a place from where you can not see anything beautiful.
The terrible experience began when it was time to start a new day with new adventures. We got up early in the morning to have breakfast before Kili Holidays arriving to the hotel to pick-up us. They arrived instead of the time (at 7:00) with an hour's delay (at 8:00), and only when they were called. There were 3 men in the car: a driver, a guide and a person who was collecting money. Nothing was arranged. We all went out to lunch boxes. It was only then that the journey began (from Arusha for more than two hours until Mandarin trail).
When we get there, a guide was no money to pay for the entrance. I need to pay this, although it was included in the price (we get back money when we arrive, but it shows the attitude). Upon starting the route, the guide said that we could not get up to the end, because we had to be back in time (although they were the ones who delayed). We went up to Mandara Hut, because we climbed quickly (there's nothing to see). The guide does not even lead us to the magnificent waterfall 200 meters from Route (the Mandara waterfall). I only noticed this when we returned (watching a photo on the Internet).
On the way home, I heard that the guide told the driver about the company and then I understood that none of them was working at Kiliholidays. They have been taken from the edge at the last minute.
Upon returning to hotel, a man who at start of the day charged money from us, was waiting us. (To make sure about how we liked, but in reality - he did not care. He thought he would get some tip, or something).
No one spoke to us either during the trip or during the climb.
We paid a lot of money just to be able to climb the beautiful trail and see and find out exactly nothing.
This company is badly organized.