NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good driver
Very good value for money. Saw the full big 5 in massai mara, with a very skilled driver. Camp side was very nice, with own bathroom.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by S. Müller
All flamingos are gone. Due to extension of the lake the scenery looks a bit spooky.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Be aware of last minute surprises and disappointment, as a disappointing start and a sad end.
The company maybe good, so long as they give you their dedicated tour guides.
We felt we were duped, in that the dedicated driver was changed the morning of the start of the tour, resulting in a late start. The replacement guide (who later confirmed he was freelance and not with the company) seemed like he was dragged out of bed and tired throughout the day. He was a nice guide, but we felt like things were rushed. There was no debrief at the star and or cautions during the drive. This was particularly important when a deep ravine was attempted to cross requiring a sharp decline. No warning was given, which sadly resulted in the wife falling from the roof vantage point and damaging her ribs and arm. The Serengeti was an awesome place, but sadly the promise of seeing the migration by the tour company was just a hype to get us to sign up with them as no attempt was made to try and view the migration, which sadly was told by a guide from a different company that the package/days would not allow for such a drive. The camps were ok but in need of maintenance, especially one where the hot water was not functioning, resulting in a bucket and electric kettle being provided. The last day was the biggest disappointment as it was Ngorongoro crater and home to the Rhino, which sadly, after repeated requests to try and find the Rhino, was never attempted and the day was wasted by killing time driving, stopping for 5 minutes, driving stopping etc. Then to our shock and horror, the trip was cut short by 40 minutes and we were rushed off to the airport without any further game drive.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
ES
Communicative
Overall my experience in a 4-Day Tour with Africa Magical Scenery Tours was good in terms of what was expected. To see and share wild life with animals is a unique experience! Also the driver/guide drove excellent on the road. Although, the second day of the tour my guide was confused and did not know that I was going to Nakuru with the rest of the group, then he sorted it out. The third day I could not enjoy the partial game tour it was supposed to be because the guide did not want to, or perhaps because of a lack of coordination. That day our guide made me feel bad for taking some pictures in a few specific points such as the Mara National Park main entrance, cos “it was a problem to take me there”, I still wonder why that’s a problem when it comes to feed the tourist curiosity and enrichen the experience. Last but not least, Next time I would rather hire a guide who has eagerness and initiative to explain about Kenian culture, curiosities and interesting facts about wild animals.
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania and its nature was great but we had some bad experience with tour guys
First of all, I loved Tanzania and everything I saw and I experienced during my trip. You can book any tours via here (I mean this website not th tour company) its really perfect. I had 4 days tour but I think 2 or 3 days would be really enough. Don’t waste your money and days for extra 1-2 day.
Our first day, our car broken and they gave us back up car. It was full of dust, we couldn’t even breathe. Also, with new car we had a new driver for that day. He driven car so fast (our speed was 3 times more then the others). Even our warning he just drive fast and it wasn’t safe. After the arriving camp site we waited more then 3 hours to eat and get into our tent. Every other groups ate their dinner and went to their tent and we just waited outside with nothing (no food, no tent, not even chair we just waited ). Anyway we asked where is our tents and where is our driver to every responsible person over there and they told us oh he will come in 30 mins every time. And after 3-4 hours they gave us tent which I should have my own tent but I shared with stranger. At midnight they told us they never talked with driver -they said they talked with him and he will come in 30 min severel times- and they told us to go to sleep. Also we didn’t have morning plan because we didn’t have driver. In the afternoon our driver came but we had same problems everyday. Our car broken 3 times, no body try to explain anything, we always went to campsite latest and started to tour every morning latest. It was really bad experience in that way.
PS: You can buy cheapest tour for same program because people in my group we all bought same tour from different operators. For the same tour we paid different amounts (there was a 250 dollars difference me and a guy). So with the over 4 stars operator you can choose cheaper one
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This company used to be great but has now gone bust
Discover Namibia used to be a great and trustworthy operator for years. We happened to be one of its last customers before the company went bust and feel like we should give an honest opinion and alert others that this company is no longer in operation. Our trip was not without hiccups because clearly the company was struggling at the time we went, but we were lucky enough to complete our trip. It appeared like we were one of the last ones who did, as numerous customers have had their deposits and payment lost after this.
Gemma was not a scammer but unfortunately Discover Namibia is lost now.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great people, great country, terrible government
Generally, the people in Tanzania are very helpful, friendly but poor. Corruption level is very high (especially with police and government positions). I got the impression that Tanzanian government want to keep its population poor for their own benefit. This did not feel very comfortable. Country is very rich in natural resources and has beautiful scenery, parcs and beaches. The high corruption level is a disturbing factor however
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Average company lacking transparency
Please note that Okora safaris is part of Big Time Safaris and is simply one of around 12 separate agencies all operating under Big Time Safaris.
We booked a 7 day budget sharing safari in Kenya. What we didn’t realise, and weren’t told, until we turned up at the office on the first day, was that this meant different members of the group are doing different itinerary’s. So for us we had a group of 7, 3 doing 3 days, 2 doing 5 days and the two of us doing 7.
We had assumed “sharing safari” meant we were joining a group of others all on the same trip rather than a private trip for the two of us.
The different schedules therefore resulted in swapping drivers at various points and wasted time dropping people off at inconvenient times and places. For example of day 3, on the way back from Massi Mara, rather than arranging a pick up point for three of the group In Narok, we ended up spending an extra 3 hours in the car as we drove most of the way back to Nairobi rather than going straight from the Masi Mara to Lake Nakuru via the road in Narok.
In Amboseli we were a group of 8 people in the mini van making it very tight for the game drive and with all of the bags. Please note all of the group had been told different things about maximum group size, some were told a max of 4 people some 6 people so 8 wasn’t acceptable to anyone.
The organisation and communication on the whole was poor and whilst everyone in the group appreciated we are in Africa and not Europe, the trip simply did not run as scheduled with all the car journeys taking hours longer than had been indicated.
Our guide was very knowledgeable but wouldn’t volunteer information unless asked and seemed content with doing the minimum required. For example On Day 3 in the Masai Mara, the guides view was that we had a good day on day 2 and saw lots of animals therefore the sunrise game drive that was scheduled for Day 3 was not required. After some awkward conversations he eventually agreed that the sunrise game drive could go ahead on Day 3…not the attitude you are looking for in a guide…He was also late on 2 occasions by over 45 minute late each time meaning we lost valuable sunrise game time in both the Masai Mara and Amboseli.
What was also disappointing was that we confirmed that we could pay by card, accepting a 2.5% charge for doing so. Our quote for the trip was priced in USD. However when arriving at the office the agency said this needed to be converted into Kenyan shillings at the rate that they would then need to convert Kenyan shillings back into dollars. In effect paying two conversation rates on the same payment. We challenged this and the “quoted exchange rate” was reduced albeit this seems completely unreasonable and unnecessary and still cost us almost $100 when compared to the market rate USD to Kenyan shillings rate on the date of transaction. It is my opinion that this is simply a scam so the agency can pocket some extra cash. Having booked other tours with other Kenyan companies priced in USD these “double exchange rate” payment did not exist.
All that being said the beauty of the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli is amazing it’s just a shame that the tour company were not transparent about what to expect on the trip and that our guide was context with doing the minimum required rather than trying to maximise the time available in these locations to give the best experience possible.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Promising young operator with good potential and alot to learn about international tourism
To speak the language of $ easy but to prepare expected results for tourists is harder than last years: draught turned vegetation in black, killed and dispersed wild animals in Tsavo, petrol cost high as in Europe, $54 entry visa + $62 park fee per day = less tourists and more pressure on safari tour operators. After 4 days in Tsavo West -Amboseli-Tsavo East with 2 hours game drive in the morning + 2 in the evening, I wished I had a better customized tour/tourism info and spent 2 days in Amboseli instead of Tsavo East. The bad trick allowed on safaribookings with safari vehicle I paid for JEEP but got a Van - so disapointed. Learning the language of results is the key to steady long-term tourism. I could see now why Tanzania is on top.