65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Superb service from Cardboard Box
Extremely efficient.Could not have asked for more. We really gave Anita the runaround when changing bookings en route and she came out tops! The information we received was much more than we expected and came as a surprise
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I will come back in Southern Africa with Biwakwango
We contacted Thierry at Biwakwango in order to organize for our family (2 parents and our 2 youngest children a 2 weeks trip in South Africa.
The target was to have a first impresssion of this beautiful country, choosing small strutures along the way.
We did a clockwise trip starting at Kruger Park then Swaziland, Thonga Beach, Drakensberg and finishing by Cape Town.
Our teenagers were enthusiastic (and it is not so easy !) especially by the Rhino walking trials experience in the Kruger Park. We saw the big 5, Ugly 5 and more than expected.
All lodges chosen were very good (and not too big).
Thank you very much Thierry.
Chantal and Christian
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Worst service ever and you will know why through the ordeal mentioned below
This is a mail sent to the tour operator and Tanzania Tourism, Tato and safaribookings.com about this agent.
Dear Mr. Emmanuel,
This complaint letter is to bring to your notice and others that, your service during the 5-Days safari package we had undertaken through your company Tanzania Destination Safaris was pathetic and the worst we have encountered ever in our 20 years of travel life across the world.
Below I am presenting the account of horror we faced through your utter lack of service, causal and unprofessional approach.
• Through Safaribookings.com, we shortlisted your company Tanzania Destination Safaris, as our agent for safaris between 21 to 25 August 2016.
• We opted for your ready package for 5 Days/4 Nights, which included 1 night in Ngorongoro Crater, 2 nights in Serengeti and 1 night in Lake Manyara.
• Another 4 people joined in for the day package to Ngorongoro Crater.
• We even paid you USD 30/head extra for the newly introduced VAT, which you claimed was not included in the rate of USD 1305/head as advertised on the website and requested us to pay.
• The day before the safari, you visited our hotel in Arusha, collected the full amount for all 7 people in advance and introduced us to our guide/driver Khalid, who came to pick us up promptly the next day.
And now our nightmare begins.
• On the very first day, the safari vehicle engine heated up, and carburetor started leaking in Ngorongoro, right at the edge of Hippo Pond inside the crater. The driver/guide managed to get it rectified. This was promptly brought to your notice.
• Second day, there was a flat tyre on our way to Serengeti. Out of the two spare tyres at the back, one was already deflated, which is being careless and assuming it is against the law of the land. That’s not all, the jack was bolted badly inside the car and couldn’t be removed, and even the functional spare tyre couldn’t be removed, the tool kit was barely there. A passing vehicle helped us remove the jack. The tyre was removed with great difficulty with the help of few other people from another truck. We even borrowed a spare tyre from a third vehicle, just in case. We wasted almost two hours.
We complained about both these issues to you and you promised to send two spare tyres to Serengeti. The driver/guide says he never received any spare tyres, while you claimed you have sent them. Apparently they were not sent.
• On third day, we spent more time on getting the tyres checked at the workshops inside Serengeti during the safari.
And on these three days after the safari the driver/guide spent the evenings getting the repairs done, skipping his dinner with us. This we sorely missed, since we were waiting to hear his stories of other safaris.
• On the fourth day, we were stuck at Serengeti, unable to move to Lake Manyara, because the vehicle had three flat tyres now and no spare tyres. To top it all, the battery had completely died. A service vehicle was called to repair the battery. After a wait of four hours from 7:30 am to 11;30 am, we finally moved towards Ngorongoro/Lake Manyara.
• At the registration area of Serengeti, the engine was kept alive, while the driver/guide went to finish the paper work. But after half an hour of engine idling, it just stopped. Apparently the battery was dead. Push-starting with the help of others didn’t work. We wasted three more hours there, till another vehicle was organised to drop us to Ngorongoro Crater main office. By the time we reached our lodge at Karatu, it was 5:30 pm. A total of 10 hours through this painfully long troubled day and we could not visit Lake Manyara that evening.
We thought our ordeal was over and next day we can at least cover Lake Manyara for couple of hours before getting to Kilimanjaro Airport for our 3 pm flight.
• But the last day, at the gate of Lake Manyara registration counter, we discovered that the Lake Manyara entry card was not given to the new driver/guide, who came to fetch us at Ngorongoro gate. We called the old driver/guide, Khalid who was still at Serengeti. He mentioned that he had very clearly informed you to issue new card for Lake Manyara the previous day so that we are not inconvenienced. But you ignored this completely. At the gate, you suggested we pay and you will reimburse us at Arusha.
• We were certainly unwilling because by then we stopped trusting you completely. You have lied and deceived us throughout our safari and were least helpful in times of crisis. You avoided our calls at Serengeti when we were trying to reach you.
• We could not visit Lake Manyara for safari, thanks to your deficient service. And as compensation, you gave us USD 100/head. This did not even cover the Lake safari rest alone the trouble we went through because of a defective vehicle and your total lack of professional and ethical approach. In the end, you even refused to meet us at Arusha, instead sending your office staff with USD 300 to pay us.
You and your company will definitely NOT be recommended for anything to do with Tanzania tourism. You spoil the name and efforts of your wonderful country, its tourism department, the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) and websites like safaribookings.com.
I request the respective authorities to take action against Emmanuel and his company Tanzania Destination Safaris.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Turned out great despite hiccups
My husband and I booked our 7-night safari through Bramwel after receiving a prompt and charming proposal to our online request. Since it was out first time to Tanzania (we had been to Africa before, and on Safari in Kenya), we asked a few questions before confirming and paying. Although the trip ended well and we had the friendly and professional Freddy as our guide, it wasn't without several early hiccups including delayed airport pick up, grubby car, not meeting our tour guide until the first camp, hotel booking not found at the first camp, having to pay $840 at the Serengeti National Park gate (despite transferring the full amount 3 weeks in advance of our arrival. The amount was of course refunded to us in Arusha on our way back out), the cool box in the Land Cruiser not working, etc. Having said that, the rest of the trip was amazing, the experience highly memorable, we got to see the big five and more. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, professional and really passionate about showing us the best sights and he salvaged our initial disappointments and concerns.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
“Fantastic, Amazing, Brilliant!”
Where do I begin to explain just how fantastic African Scenic Safaris are. From start to finish they excelled in making our trip an experience of a lifetime. I am glad I did not use a third party agency, went with my instincts and booked direct.
Amanda who help create/organise our spectacular trip was faultless. Always quick to reply to my questions and queries. Knowing the right type of places to stay and which parks would best suit our time in Africa. She was kind and so helpful. Amanda helped with our accommodation before the trip began and also helped organise the magical hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. We chose a 4 night, 5 day trip in Tanzania which included Tarangire NP, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, staying in a mix of luxury camping and lodges. Thank you Amanda for all of your help. The safari car which we spent so much time in was comfortable and clean. With plenty of space. Binoculars were also available in the car which was a handy added bonus. Bottled water was also provided. A very special thank you goes to our guide for the duration of our trip. David was by far the most knowledgeable, funny, charismatic guide we have ever met. There wasn't much he didn't know. A font of knowledge on all things flora and fauna. He always wore a wonderful smile even on the very early mornings. We expected a lot on our trip armed with a long list of animals we wanted to see and David always delivered. We got to see the big 5 which we felt may be impossible but not with David on the lookout. He knew where to look and always had interesting insights about what we had found. Forget about the Superb Starling it’s all about the Superb David! If you plan to book your safari through the company I would strongly suggest you ask for David to be your guide. He made our trip unforgettable. I would highly recommend African Scenic Safaris for your trip.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
excellent organization!
it lived up to my expectations! profecionele organization,
nice people
NG
Kenya Safari Arcade booked my flights and accommodation when I visited Kenya from Abuja.
Everything was dealt with very efficiently and with the minimum of fuss. We didn't go on a safari tour, just booked a trip to Samburu and a week later went to Diani. Everything went very well and worked out perfectly.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari! I highly recommend this company.
We are back from a fantastic ten-day safari visiting Taranguire, Manyara, Serengeti (both, Seronera and Mara regions) and Ngorongroro. Beatrice was excellent and helped us planning the itinerary and selecting the accommodation, which was all very good. She always responded very quickly with precise information. Our guide, Adrian, was marvellous. He is an encyclopaedia of knowledge about fauna and flora (he could tell you the name of a bird from far and then show it to you in his book), and also about culture, history, geography and whatever you want to know about Eastern Africa where he has travelled extensively. He made sure that we all had a great time, which included being super patient and accommodating with our seven-year-old son. We drove in a quite new eight-seat Toyota Land Cruiser just for us which was very comfortable and worked impeccably throughout the trip. Everything went exactly as planned, and we had a great holiday. I definitely recommend Easy Travel.
Accommodation: we had a mix of hotels and tented camps. Personally, we liked the latter best because they allowed you to be in the middle of bush. They were super comfortable and safe (despite wild animals grazing all around).
Season: we travelled in late August/early September, which is the dry season. Serengeti is quite dry and looks brown, but still full of animals (somehow more concentrated around waterholes). Going north (to the Mara region) is the best to see the migration. At this time of the year roads are dusty, but the temperature is very pleasant and there are very few mosquitos or flies. We were in these four national parks about a decade ago in February, and it was greener but also much warmer and with mosquitos.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
striiking experience
During 3 days and one night, myself and other six guys went to Massai Mara. The experience was absolute incredible. Accomodation was in Rhino Tourist Tented Camp, good option, clean, nice food, gentle staff... our driver Isaac knew very well the area and his knowledge about the park helped us in order to ejoy the trip.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phacochère
We wanted to do the southern parks to be away from mass tourism and a tour that is affordable for a family. And with Grassroots we did a very good choice. Micky arranged our 9 day trip as we wanted it, he is well experienced and mailed us without delay. We had a very safe driver with an outstanding knowledge of wildlife, good English and a perfect "picture hunter". We saw the big five (besides the rhinos, they are only in the north), lots of birds and lots of other animals. Our accommodations were all comfortable, even the one night in a tent. We loved Hippo Camp; sleeping by the sound of hippos snorting in the river is something unforgettable. Our cook was the best. He prepared the most delicious meals.