US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dishonest,Disorganized,Ripoff,Old Worn Out Tour Van .
Avoid SILVESTER at all costs . He is supposedly the SENIOR TOUR CONSULTANT at one of their Nairobi branches .He does not reply emails ,texts and when i confronted him he said he didn't receive any emails . Luckily we got a different Consultant Terry who booked us our safari to MasaiMara and Mombasa .Bonfire didn't honor the price quotes they had stated earlier and their reason was the prices have changed .The price quotes on their website are wrong . Hotel transfers from train station in Mombasa was a disaster .Anyway Terry did her best and she was warm and welcoming . Martin was our driver and tour guide . He was excellent in everyway . Its sad he works for such a disorganized company.Avoid this tour company if you want to enjoy your vacation .May be pay a little more elsewhere for your own comfort and peace of mind. SHAME ON YOU BONFIRE!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Based in Nairobi - so operates well within Kenya. SOL If you are planning to use them outside.
Where do I start? Here you go!
1. A/C did not work on any of the vehicles outside Kenya. Driver had windows lowered and with the muddy roads, there was dust everywhere.
2. One of the drivers (Charles) stole one of our smartphones and lied to us when we asked about it. Later we found that there was a social media account attempted to be opened under his name with this number.
3. We made the mistake of adding an unplanned point (Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side) to the trip. They not only charged us exorbitantly, but also charged us for services not rendered, and refuse refund the excess charge.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
....Refund done on 25th January 2018
..I had written a complain on a tour we booked with Day safari, we paid deposit and were never booked. The refund was sent back after a long wait and followup.
I would not book anything else with Day Safari, But the decision to book Safari with them depends ON YOU.Good Luck.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
WARNING: do not book a safari with this company!!
They are at best utterly incompetent and at worst a criminal organization! I agreed a safari tour with them for January and paid a $200 deposit into their account. After 2 weeks they informed me this money had not gone through and I should send it through a different link. I found this a little strange and asked for a reason why the original payment didn't work. I heard nothing back from them and since the money was back in my account I ended up booking with another company. Then having heard nothing for a month this dodgy 'representative' turned up the day before my safari asking when we would like to be picked up!!!Face to face he was apologetic and said not to worry and he understood. However once back home I found that somehow this money had been withdraws from my account without my permission.The representative has lied and been elusive since I found this out. I have all the email documentation that proves this and My bank confirmed it was an illegal transaction.However I suggest anyone steers clear of this company. There are many fantastic safari groups in Kenya but this is not the one! Keep away if you don't want to be cheated!
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
Fraudulent!
I was close to giving this company a Four Star rating but have to give it One Star. Cost me an additional $4,800! I have to determine is Felix is dishonest but can tell you that I have not received $4,800.00 in over paid funds. Upon arriving to Nairobi I was told that my wired funds had not yet been received. I had a confirmation but was told that Equity Banks LTD was holding funds due to the election issues that were happening in Kenya at that time. In order to continue I had to pay cash for the trip. Once the funds were received and released Felix would refund the amount to me. Once the elections had been resolved my funds would be released and Sardius Tours would refund me. Well the elections were resolved about 30 days later in October. It is now the end of January and I have to be refunded. The owner (Felix) continues to telling me to wait a couple of more weeks for good news. I have attempted to contact the Bank and the Department of Tourism and have yet to hear back. I will continue this fight but please be warned. Stay as far away from Sardius Tours as possible! Don't give them your money! Fund a more reputable Tour agency!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This company stole $2,900 USD of my money! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!
I am one of many people who trusted ISIA last year. I wired $2,900 USD to the company a year in advance. Four months before I was to leave, I received an email that my safari was being cancelled because the company was going bankrupt. The money was never returned. A group of us set up a page on Facebook. Some of the clients lost much more than I did to these dishonest operators. You can search for our stories on Facebook under 'It Started In Africa Client Group.'
Please contact me if you have any questions about what happened to me and others. I am happy to share my story with you. Please do not book with this company.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Time Safaris Ltd is a RIP-OFF!!
Must sadly agree with others we were conned by Victor Godwin. Consider yourself warned if you book with him. Had the EXACT same experience as others:
We (a party of three) agreed to a safari itinerary via email communication and paid in advance, all inclusive. When we went on the safari, Victor called and asked if I could please pay for park entry fees. He promised to reimburse me once we got back to Arusha. Now the problem is that the drivers do not have funds for the park entry fees so you have no other option than to pay or not enter the park. Of course, he does not refund your additional expenses.
On our trip we had two vehicles on the tour, one for the three of us (a couple and an individual) and the other for a family. Long story short, he played the parties against each other, for park admission, hotel accommodation upgrades, etc. Each of us got taken for $600, for a total of $1800. The other family actually ended up missing their flight for a trip to Zanzibar!! When confronted, Victor claimed he would reimburse us all. We suspected, however, that being thousands of miles away in the US, we would never see that money.
It’s been 10 months since our safari. He stopped responding to my emails and we’ve never been reimbursed. I couldn’t make a claim against my credit card, as I didn’t pay Victor as part of the tour, but paid for entry directly to a park.
Victor is not a member of Tanzania Tour Operators Association. Make sure your tour operator is part of this organization. This essentially means that they are not able to help any customers who might have problems with Victor. Another reason for staying completely clear of this guy.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Somak Driver Offroad and Endangering Lion
I've just come from the Mara where I saw a Somak branded vehicle go off road so that they could get a meter away from a sleeping lion. The driver then got angry when he saw me with my telephoto lens taking his photo. Do not support companies that employ irresponsible drivers.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
These people are completely dishonest. Both Maggie and driver Patrick are not honest or truthful.
The first 3 days of the safari was excellent. I thought our driver was excellent.
Then, the driver, Patrick, cancelled the last game drive on the last morning, cheating us out of the last game drive on the last day of the safari. The schedule called for a total of five game drives, we got four. I thought we had another game drive, but I never had a printed hard copy. I had the schedule on my computer, but internet access was bad at the lodge and the schedule was inaccessable.
I calculated the value of each of the drives at $220 each.
Patrick was in a bad mood on the last day. I could not get my seat belt fastened, and he impatiently got out and finally got it fastened. I then unfastened it to make sure it would reopen properly, and then I could not refasten it. He angrily asked why I had unfastened it. I said I wanted to make certain that it would open. I do not want to be stuck in a wrecked van and unable to get out. FIRE?? He could not get it working and I moved to another seat.
Also on that last day, he refused to stop and allow me to take a photo I wanted. He said no, that the locals did not want their picture taken, and wanted to be paid for it. I said ok, I will pay. He still would not stop.The photo I wanted was of a donkey pulling a very heavy loaded wagon.
It turned out to be an deadly silent return trip to Nairobi. Patrick had previously told us he was tired of the job. This day was totally unlike the first days.
I talked to Maggie about the trip and asked for a refund for the missed last game drive. She offered $20.00. I declined that offer.
Then, Maggie said she finally talked to Patrick. She said that he told her that I called him "shit" the entire trip. That was ridiculous. She also said something very strange, that I was "drinking" something. I hardly ever drink, and when I do, I am country western dancing and my natural limit is two, and there was no alcohol in the van. That was a very far out claim.
DO NOT PAY THESE PEOPLE CASH- THERE IS SOMETHING VERY BAD ABOUT THESE PEOPLE.
ALL THE SAFARI PEOPLE WANT CASH UP FRONT, WHERE IS THE PROTECTION FOR THE CUSTOMERS??
By all means, go on a safari! The animals are great! Just don't risk it on these people!