SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Diappointed and feel robbed
The company took money and disappeared. I booked in July, they should not take my booking if they had troubles, I should arrive on September 6. I was in contact with them about visum just last week, today got message that they got troubles. Terrible. I don not know if I got my money back. I see that there are many others in the same situation.
I do not know what to do.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Must be the best Tour Operator in Tanzania
We opted to go on our safari with Vervet Tours and Safari is a travel agency based in Tanzania because they had many positive reviews that they provided excellent services. I communicated with Rachel, with whom I made all plans prior to the trip. She was flexible and she tailored the trip to all my requirements and had Melkiot, our guide, waiting for us at the airport. Melkiot drove us from the airport to Rivertrees Inn where we spent our first night in Tanzania .
Our 6 days safari took us to Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti NP. Melkiot spotted a lot of animals during the game drives and was very flexible to our wishes and needs. My wife’s birthday found us in Serengeti, during dinner staff from Lemala Mara surprised us with a birthday cake and staff singing the birthday song, I later found out that our agency had paid for the cake!!!. That was an excellent touch
Thanks to Vervet Tours and Safaris for the incredible experience we had in Tanzania.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice safari with great guide
Communication:
They replied to my emails quickly, and the information was precise. I guess it is for all safaris, but one should know that when it is said 5-days safari, we only had 2 complete days of safari (because we had to do the journey from Dar to Selous, and then from Selous to Mikumi, and then from Mikumi to Dar).
Also, we weren't told that we had to pay only with US $ from 2009 and after. It is better to know, especially when you come from Europe, where we had ordered some $US, and some bills were even before 2000.
The tour operator was very convenient, we had agreed to pay for the safari when we would arrive in Dar Es Salam, but as we were lost in the city, they offered to come directly to our hostel the day before the safari to get our money. It was pleasant.
Service:
Good car, and our guide Matata (Leopard) was so nice. He was very kind, he knew everything about all the animals we saw, he was always on time, spoke English very well. he was the perfect guide for us.
Food: the food in the lodges was ok, but the food we had for the lunch outside were not tasty.
Water: sufficient water bottles were provided.
Lodges: the first lodge in Selous was ok, the water in the bathroom was cold and we had electricity from 6pm til 10pm. The food was good. The second lodge in Mikumi was great, I think we were upgraded. There was a swimming pool, a fireplace and everything you need. But when I made the booking, I was not really asked what kind of lodge I preferred. It would be better if I had be given all the options with the different prices, for me to choose the money and luxury I wanted to use for the safari.
Thank you again Matata!
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
How do you get a refund
Just received an email from the company saying that the tour won’t be operation , they asked for my bank detail in order to process the refund of my deposit, but I have a bad feeling that it might not happen and I worry that I’ll have to unfortunately face the financial loss. Does anyone here who is in the same situation have any suggestions what to do to get my deposit back ?! It’s a large amount of money that me and my family worked hard for, I can’t actually believe this is happening..
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Greates safari - Best guide
I can really recommend Safari Soles tour - my friend and I bought a private safari tour staying in tents. We had looked at MANY different companies with big difference in price range! We decided to go with Safari Soles as they had gotten a lot of great reviews and the price was good! There is absolutely no need to buy this safari from an expensive company, because this service, the guide, the tour and the chef which Safari Soles gave us was amazing! The guide Augustine was so good at telling us about the animals and Tanzania - we even got to see all of the big five and it was clear that he had a lot is experience!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best experience with tanzania roadside expeditions
I booked a 6 Day safari luxury tour for me and my friend. first i had a lot of questions and i could ask through WhatsApp and Paul gave me all the exact informations, very good service. At our Arrival the driver was getting us at the Airport and bring us to the Hotel where Paul was already waiting for us. he explained day by day what we will see at the safari.
The next day , our safari guide James picked us up to start the safari tour. He is very friendly and knows everything about the animals,wildlife,safari & more. i recommend tanzania roadside expeditions because it was a perfect safari tour , the best service i ever saw with a safari. thank you very much for this Special experience. Kind regards Delaine & Milena
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Money fraud. Ruined trip. Pay the hardworking drivers at least or you aren't humans!
I've just known that the company seemed to get bankrupt more than a week ago. I wish they had told me earlier about that instead of keeping silence which is what cowards do. After we made a payment (1600 USD which is like 1.5 of my monthly salary) there has been a silence to my e-mails regarding the receipt and other questions. I called and they sent me the receipt but the silence continued until August 7 when I knew that they had stopped all their services. I see there are dozens of tourists who face same situation. Some of them had to face it straight at their arrival when they found out there were no one to pick them up and they couldn't reach anyone. I appeared to be luckier but as everyone else I lost my money and trust in more humans. I understand that everyone has to survive in this rigged monetary system but if you do so at the expense of others you aren't a decent human being. It's not the loss of money of that importance but it's the loss of trust. So Mr.O, if you read this message, please at least have decency to pay off your former employees.
JP
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wildlife Safari from Western Kenya
We did a safari with Oluokos Signature Ltd from Kisumu, Kenya. Having a couple of weeks in the Western Kenya s volunteers Oluokos team engaged us responsibly on some amazing excursion where we visited Ndere Island National Park, Kit Mikaye, Kakamega Forest and Ruma National Park that was very special to us.
After all the great excursions in Western Kenya, we embarked on a longer safari that took us to Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria, Samburu Game Reserve, the Aberdares National Park, Amboseli Maasai Mara and then finished with Lake Naivasha where walking safaris, mountain biking and a night game drive iced our safari experience.
Oluokos Signature passion towards responsible tourism is very impressive and it's worth every penny that you spend. We highly recommend them. Their choice of lodges is number one plus the best land-cruiser safari vehicle that made us the champs of the wilderness experience.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service
Very knowledgeable
Excellent service.
Very personable.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
DO NOT BOOK!!!
This “tour operator” is a scam artist. I booked a tour months in advance. And now 20 days before my tour is set to begin, I receive this email:
“Thank you very much for your email. Please this is notify you that the company has technical problems and therefore cannot give the required services”
My flights have already been booked, but I have no tour. I paid over $5000 USD, and now I have to somehow get my money back.