IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We felt scammed and lied to. I believe they are not honest.
We felt scammed. I do not recommend you book, you won't get what you pay.
We booked a Safari in Tanzania (Luxury), and everything seemed ok and professional until we paid the down-payment and got in Tanzania. The first day we arrived:
1) itinerary was completely changed (they said due to availability, even if they confirmed the plan and bookings with the downpayment months ago), resulting in a less efficent tour (hours lost compared to original plan), but less fees for them as we spent less time in parks.. they told us this change only when we were departing for safari, so we had to accept
2) the same day (we arrived) they also told us they changed from a Luxury lodge (Lobo) to a mid-tent (Kati kati)..we protested and they told us lobo was ok; the day we were departing for Lobo they tried to propose to us Savannah (another mid tent) and we said no, so they told us Lobo had problems in availability..we told them to stick with original plan or gave them an alternative luxury lodge (matawi, in which we stayed and liked): they said ok matawi but at 6.30 pm., when we were in front of the lodge, they sent our driver to Osupoku (a mid-tent) against our complaints and we had no chance since the park was closed..at the end they succeded in sending us to a cheap mid-range camp (which we always said no and we paid way more to have a luxury lodge) instead of a luxury lodge we paid for..and they even said it was our idea!!! we protested and promised a refund, never happened
3) the car they gave us was rubbish, having a broken differential, battery and fuel mixer from the beginning (we had to push the car from day 1 every time to make it start), had no long range radio, no emergency kit, no binocular. Every day there were 2 more problems with the car (day 1 broken radiator, day 2 broken tire support, day 3 broken roof top support, day 4 broken fuel tank) and the car was completely given broken and full of problems.
Every day we went to a different mechanic and waited hours stopped on the road
4) in Ngorongoro we spent only 2 hours (instead of a full morning) and with a Masai not speaking english and not knowing where to go as the car let us down (even if we espressly requested to be changed or to be checked the day before for Ngoorongoro as it was having problems).
We raised all these problems and all they said was that the car problems were maybe 'imaginary' and that we chose the change of accommodation and that they did not change the plan. You will lose money booking with them, I had the worst experience.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unprofessional tour operator
I would not recommend booking a safari through Kenamoti Tours.
We booked a 3-day Masai Mara safari through safaribooking.com (3-Day Masai Mara 4x4 Land Cruiser Safari). An important criterion for us was to have a real 4x4 safari vehicle (as opposed to minibuses). Therefore, we booked a safari that included the 4x4 vehicle.
Communication with the tour organization was mainly through a man named Amos. He was flexible with the tour dates, which was nice since our itinerary changed slightly.
However, when we got to his office to discuss final details and make payment, he wanted the money in cash, which we were not prepared for. During our trip we learned that it is common in Kenya to pay even larger amounts in cash. We were able to arrange with Amos to pay only a deposit in cash and pay the rest when we were picked up, which seemed more convenient.
On the day of the pickup, we were picked up around 9am by two people (the booked tour originally stated 7am) who drove us to the bus. It turned out that our safari vehicle was one of the minibuses and not the promised 4x4 vehicle. After some discussion with the staff, our only options were to cancel the tour (and probably not get our deposit back) or settle for what we got and pay the full amount. We decided to go ahead with the tour since we didn't have time to find another tour. When we arrived at the camp, it turned out to be a different camp than the tour description stated. Also, the tour description said that there was a maximum of 6 people per vehicle (we were 8), which was quite uncomfortable at times. According to the tour description, there was supposed to be another morning game drive on the third day. The driver informed us that the plans had been changed and instead of the game drive we would only have the option of visiting the Masai village (for $10). We were able to negotiate with the driver and he organized an alternative "plant medicine walk" with one of the Masai for free. In the end, it was a nice tour with good game drives, but the fact that we were tricked into a tour that was significantly cheaper than what we paid was very disappointing. Therefore, we give this tour provider a poor rating and would not recommend anyone to book with this provider. Amos is not able to properly plan the bookings he receives, which ends in chaos and disappointment.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I have felt cheated with this service
I do not recommend SAFARILINE DEFENDER to anyone. We did a safari with them and they cheated us with the contract terms. My recommendation is that if you do not pay attention to this comment CLEARLY LEAVE EVERYTHING IN WRITING WITH THESE PEOPLE, or they will deceive you as they did us.
When we decided to call her to clarify what had happened, she pestered us all the time saying that she was very busy and couldn't. She only called us back when we said we would speak to the police, and it was to yell at us and speak to us in a very rude and obscene tone.
In addition, our driver throughout the SAFARI, did not stop doing a reckless driving with the phone in his hand all the time and in the other driving talking on whatsapp, calling on the phone and playing mobile apps or games while he had to drive and be attentive To the road.
(automatic translation from Spanish)
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fraudsters
They defrauded my group that paid for a trip to St Andrews. Matter now a police case but they should neither be in the hospitality or golf industry. David Meiring and his partner are crooks be very careful dealing with them
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Scammer
I have had the same experience as so many others. Paid for a trip, tried to go on the trip and no response from Gemma and no trip. It was not a cheap trip so what happened to all the money she stole from so many people and is there some way to retrieve the money through the legal system? She didn’t even bother to contact us to tell us we could not go on the trip. Beware if you see her name linked to any tours or companies.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hyrax Safari functions as a middle man in Tanzania
Hyrax is not a real tour operator for Tanzania.
Roselyne, who runs Hyrax, was recommended to me by a safari guide my friend used. I booked a 4 day safari and a Kilimanjaro trek with her.
She quoted me $1000 for a safari. I paid her a deposit of $300 and, upon arrival to Arusha, I paid another $700 in person to a tour operator of a different name (strange right?).
During my safari of the past 4 days, I learned that everyone else on the trip paid $650 to a different company (instead of the $1000 I paid to Hyrax). I pointed this out to Hyrax and explained that I wished to be paid the $350 I was up charged. Roselyne said that we should no longer conduct business if I feel I was cheated and cancelled my Kilimanjaro trek that was supposed to start tomorrow.
The Kilimanjaro trek was quoted at $1700 ($200 as a deposit and $1500 once I arrived here in Tanzania). She kept my $200 Kilimanjaro deposit and would have kept the $1500 I had en route (had I not deactivated my visa).
Moral of the story:
-Hyrax is not a real tour operator in Tanzania (they are in Nairobi I believe). They place you on trips with existing operators out of Arusha and then charge you hundreds of dollars more than local companies you could have just booked directly with.
-If you notify Hyrax of the upcharge and complain about them secretly acting as a middle man, then you could get the rest of your trip cancelled and your security deposit stolen like I did.
-Tanzania is a wonderful place to visit and my safari over the past 4 days was incredible; just book with a real company in the area for a cheaper rate.
Disclaimer: Roselyne did un-cancel my trip hours after doing so (and likely after realizing I cancelled that $1500 bank transfer she could have stolen). By that time I had already found another company to go with.
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We regret booking with this safari company
We are two backpackers who allways trying to see good things on our trips. We ordered safari trip (Tarangire, Ngorongoro) which included a flight from Znz to Arusha.
The only bright spot was unforgetable experience seeing those beautiful animals at the parks and our safari guide Molel because of his knowledge about wildlife.
The rest of the organization was a disaster. We were directed to the wrong flight at Znz airport. If we wouldn't figure it out last minutes before departure, the plane would leave without us. The guy working for company didn't even look at our tickets, he just send us to the wrong group. When we came to Arusha, nobody was there to pick us up. We spend 1 hour browsing on the web for their contacts with the local people. The whole thing looked like their company didn't even exist. That morning was extremely stressful for us. Thanks for the kind-hearted locals who helped us find a guide who was 1 hour late and airport employee who stopped the flight for us.
When we came to the safari we said: "Okay, let's forget about this, we solved this out." But at the end of the trip again there were problems with transportation back to Znz. Also the things that were written in the plan about the trip weren't real (both days the park ride was shorter than it was written, they wanted the money from us for the dinner which was included in the plan.)
We had a deal that we will fly back to Znz in the morning. We didn't recieved info about the flight till late evening and we were asking them for informations all the time. We got the flight tickets at the airport.
They were telling us there were so many mistakes because we ordered this trip "last minute" (3 days before). We did get an apollogy from a driver.
We could write more, but we believe you allready got an impression why we don't recommend this company.
US
Poor Value for Total Cost of Trip
I would reccomend staying clear of Go2Africa. The trips are overpriced and the customer service leaves alot to be desired. When they asked us for feedback after our trip we expressed our unhappiness and the customer service team wouldn't provide us with the link to post our review.
BH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Non reliable
I planned a family trip with my daughter and Kenyan friend to Kenya for first time. I used safari booking to find the right operator.
I selected safari updates based on reviews which was completely misleading.
Silas sounded professional by providing pricing but he did not change the pricing for my Kenyan friend and took 1700 dollars for 3 days trip to masa marai.
Since we were ladies on own, I requested him for reliable car and he mentioned it 4x4 top luxury which was completely the opposite.
The car stopped 3 to 4 times because of the battery. It was full of dirty masks, broken handles and the driver Charles didn't knew how to open the socket switches to charge our mobiles. The car provided was not anywhere close the to the pictures.
I was frustrated by first day and it was too late to change the plan. Then our driver Charles did not know where animals were, he was just roaming around the park following our operator cars.
When I called Silas, he offered us a free trip to masai village as part of the package which Charles did not have clue about.
The only positive thing about this trip was the hotel people at jambo mara in masa marai. I have to mentioned that they went beyond and above to make us feel comfortable which was completely opposite to what Charles and silas provided.
If I had the option I would rate Silas 0, I don't appreciate dishonesty specially when I had planned my trip in July and paid 50%.
I finished my trip yesterday and I called him expressing all of this, he has vanished and never called back.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stole my money
Seca the owner was initially helpful and responsive, but after having to reschedule a few times due to covid she just stopped responding to my emails for the safari I'd already paid $1000 for, stealing my money. Tried calling and contacting via IG with no luck. Avoid this company.