US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A total wreck
Before booking this tour I had some communication with Robert. I clearly asked if Karibu had a tour on my dates and he said it did. On my arrival date I went to the office, paid my balance and was subsequently sent to a car that would shortly transfer me to join another group with another company. Karibu never contacted me again.
At a transfer point myself and two other passengers joined a group of 6 other passengers for a total of 10 people (9 tourists plus the driver) The vehicle was so full we all had to sit with our own luggage and supplies between our legs and on our laps as the small space in the rear of the vehicle was woefully inadequate. Despite the fact that the tour was supposed to be maximum 7 people with everyone being offered a window seat and rooftop space, for the long drive to Masai Mara, the first evening game drive and the second day morning game drive we were 9 cramped passengers with three people having to use flimsy extension seats in the middle of the bus (ie. no window seats) and not receiving good views. After 2 passengers left after the morning drive it was still not possible for all 7 passengers to have a window seat and rooftop space as promised as there was only window space for 6 in the back. If you sat in the front of the bus with the driver, there was no rooftop space and you were situated lower.
At the camp, no towels were supplied to us. I only mention this because a few days before I left home I wasn't sure if I needed to bring my own towel so I e-mailed Karibu to see if towels were provided at the camp sites. They told me they were so I didn't pack one. I don't know if this was a lie or because the company they dumped me with used a different camp site with different standard.
On the third day I was supposed to visit Lake Nakura. The night before I reminded the driver since all the other passengers were going to Amboselli. He said he was aware and that I would be dropped off at a transfer point. After we left Masai Mara on the third day, I again reminded the driver about my transfer to Lake Nakuru. His reply was "You are not going, you will be going to Amboselli with us because there is no tour group going to Lake Nakuru today" There was no discussion with me at any point prior to this and had I not said anything to the driver, I don't know when they were planning to tell me. I asked him to call my tour operator (Karibu), but he refused saying this is what his boss had told him and that he was driving now and couldn't call (this despite the fact that he later picked up his phone while driving multiple times). I called Karibu's office on my personal cell phone which was very expensive as I did not have a local SIM card. Robert picked up and was very well aware of the situation. He suggested that they could refund some money which really wasn't a good option for me. He then said I could still go to Lake Nakuru on my last day instead. This would have meant backtracking a very considerable distance and spending about 12 hours in a car to go from Amboseli to the Tanzanian border to Nairobi to Lake Nakuru. It was never a real option as an evening tour at Lake Nakuru would have been impossible. I ended up taking an extra day in Amboseli, which is not something I really wanted to do as I felt one full day there was sufficient. What makes this even more frustrating is that the group that I joined for my second day in Amboseli had been in Masai Mara the previous day. If Karibu had communicated with me that going to Lake Nakuru was not be possible BEFORE I left Masai Mara, I would have much rather preffered to spend the extra day in Masai Mara.
Karibu failed miserably both in terms of communication and in terms of delivering what was promised. When my trip ended I wrote them an e-mail describing my experience and asking for a manager to respond. No one ever did, but after what I experienced, I really wasn't expecting anybody to. A complete disappointment.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
THE WORST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE
After much comparison on Internet, I decided to book my trip to the Masai Mara for 3 days with this company. Big mistake.
Despite they took their time to answer my emails (great 'pole pole'), the reservation was made without major problem, for a single room in the Mara Springs, which I took charge of checking in person at his office in Nairobi, two days before the start of the trip (where they tried to trick me).
The problem came on the day of the activity, where they tell me that I will have to share a room with a stranger because there is a lot of traffic in the park this season, that they feel it, that I must have empathy, that I must be proactive, that they fuck me and that I can stand it . Well, no. Because one thing is that there is a last minute setback and quite another is that there is no seriousness here. But of course, one takes the trip programmed to the fingertips and I could not afford the pleasure of looking for another company that left in less than 10 minutes to the park, so I agreed to go with them, they made me a ridiculous price reduction that I would gladly have paid for 20, so as not to share a night with the boy who played for me, who had also paid for a single room and to whom I scarcely frightened entering his 'tent' to usurp the next bed.
Regarding the planning within the Masai Mara say that it was not fulfilled at all. The first day we spent 1 hour and a half at the door checking our passports (we were 9 people, so you calculate the slowness), and we spent half an hour in the park, which gave us a dreamy reddish sunset that I asked the driver to photograph and he did not leave me, answering me in an edge way and driving to the opposite side.
The second day was quite well and the guide seemed to change his character. However, same result trying to photograph the sunset of the previous day. Like they give bad luck to man, I do not want to prejudge, first of all empathy.
The last day, which was presented as to take advantage of to see the sunrise in the park, forced us to visit the Masai community, with no option to reply, and return to Nairobi, where they left me in a place that was not the agreed . I complained and they said I cause a lot of problems.
Regarding the VAN where we traveled all the time, although basic, it was comfortable a priori, it did not turn out that way since we were in it the top of possible people, bothering one another in many moments, inevitably.
On the other hand, the accommodation was finally carried out in the ENCORO WILDLIFE CAMP, which I will break down into another opinion, but which I can summarize in precariousness, dirt and loose snakes.
SULTRY.
ES
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thieves
How is it possible that this guy is still offering on the net? How can one stop an evident thief?
Again, do not use them, do not book with them and do not pay anything!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Misleading and sub contracts out without telling you in advance. Be advised, I was also harassed
Unless you are on a private tour and paying big bucks then don't be misled.
They will tell you anything you want to hear, and have good communication. But if you think you are joining one of their safaris, then be advised that they sub contract out to unqualified and poorly organized drivers who work for other budget companies like Bon Fire Adventures. You may be in a van with people from 5 other budget safari companies with different itinaries then you.
Because the driver was juggling different itineraries, he tried to change mine and when I didn't want to stay in a differant lodge, he pitted me against other guest whom one harassed me along with himself.
I lost out on 2 drives as a result.
At 60 years old this was not the safari experience I was hoping for.
They advertise professional driver/guide. The driver was neither. He drove 90% of the time on his cell phone both on the highway and in the park. He had a broken pair of binoculars and only relied on other drivers to tell him where the animals were. This may be ok for young travellers, but I did not feel safe and he was aware of this but continued.
Bison tours would not offer any compensation and did not care about my safety with the two men who were harassing me.
If you plan on joining a safari if you are alone or a couple do not go with Bison or Bon Fire or other operators that don't have their own van and sub contract out. Also make sure that everyone is staying in the same location and on the same itinerary.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Zero customer service! Transferred money, but their account was closed. Lost 74USD and no safari!
Terrible. We did an intercontinental money transfer to book safari's with Turacos. The day we left for Kenia there was still no confirmation of the receipt of the money. Finally, Turacos found out that their bank account was shut down (what?) and they could not receive the money. This caused the Kenian bank to transfer the money back to us, which costed us in total 74USD for transfer transactions and exchange rates. We saw someone from Turacos to fix this situation, but they did not have a machine to pay with the card, their account was still closed after 2 weeks and they were totally not flexible to find a solution to this. We cannot get 3000USD in Kenia from the bank within one day, because our bank accounts have daily limits which they did not understand, So we lost 74 USD and had no safari. And after several emails and whatsapps, Turacos refuses to pay us the money we lost due to their fault!!! "If you book another safari we wel deduce the money", but I am never going to book with them again and I do not recommend this company to anyone!
CA
Dirty tent. Vehicle breakdowns. Terrible ending.
I went on a 5-day safari with Bobby Tours. Price was comparable. It's run by Bobby's son Kassim who appeared nice at first but turned out to be an arrogant pr*ck. The tent isn't the canvas ones like the other outfitters. It's a big "Costco" one with holes and has that bad old tent smell. Their main campsite is run down and only one shower works and it's pretty bug infested (though I find that interesting). The vehicle broke down several times too. Anyway, we finished the 5 day safari early because Lake Manyara is an easy 2 hours on the way back. I asked Kassim if we could do a day trip to see Kilimanjaro in a car on the 5th day instead, paying for the extra fuel costs. Instead of politely declining or offering an arrangement at an extra price, he just YELLED (RAGED) at my girlfriend and I on the phone. I asked him if there was a bus to Moshi, only an hour away. He then told me he didn't know - ironic since he's a tour agent that advertises Kilimanjaro treks - and that getting there would cost $100 in a taxi of van one way. Fortunately, my Airbnb host saved the day and took us to Moshi for free, and I hopped on a bus back for $2. In short, Kassim ruined our trip of a lifetime. Once he gets your money, you're useless to him. Don't give business to this entitled brat and avoid Bobby Tours.
I went on a 5-day safari with Bobby Tours. Price was comparable to others. It's run by Bobby's son Kassim who appeared nice at first but turned out to be an arrogant pr*ck. The tent isn't the canvas ones like the other outfitters. It's a big "Costco" one with holes and has that bad old tent smell. Their main campsite is run down and only one shower works and it's pretty bug infested (though I find that interesting).
The vehicle broke down several times too. Anyway, we finished the 5 day safari early because Lake Manyara was an easy 2 hours on the way back (probably worth skipping if you're going to Serengeti). I asked Kassim if we could do a day trip to see Kilimanjaro in a car on the 5th day instead, paying for the extra fuel costs. Instead of politely declining or offering an arrangement at an extra price, he just YELLED (RAGED) at my girlfriend and I on the phone.
I then asked Kassim if there was a bus to Moshi, only an hour away. He then told me he didn't know - ironic since he's a tour agent that advertises Kilimanjaro treks - and that getting there would cost $100 in a taxi of van one way. Fortunately, my Airbnb host saved the day and took us to Moshi for free, and I hopped on a bus back for only $2.
In short, Kassim ruined our trip of a lifetime. Once he gets your money, you're useless to him. Don't give business to this entitled brat and avoid Bobby Tours.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The worse people ever
We booked a 5 days 4 nights tour with them threw "JIMMY" with Swahili Paradise Tours & Safaris, found on your website.
We used their services for airport transfert and Safari blue in Zanzibar and everything went well.
The Safari, apparently sub-rented to another company went TERRIBLY.
Day 1 : Kilimanjaro trek
The guy Buhembo (who apparently work with this Jimmy) appears asking us to pay the remaining 50% balance in cash on the side of a road... then we kept going on the drive to . They made us do more than 3h drive to Marangu gate to tell us on arrival their that it was too late to do the trek. we walked in the jungle 1h and then had to head back. Then 3h30 drive again on the other way. The car was old, smelly, no A/C...UNBELIEVABLE.
This Jimmy said his partner will refund us, he never did.
On that night, smelling the imposture, we went to the police with this Buhembo guy who said he did not have our money because he spent it all already. The police also corrupted, did not help at all.
Day 2 : We were supposed to go to Tarangire, we did a long drive to Serengetti. Except a 30 min game drive on the parc (cut off as it was night!) we did not do anything except driving that day.
Not at all the planning we paid. The jeep was shared, full full full !
The tent were old, we had to build them ourselves.
Day 3 and 4, we kept going on the planning of this other group we shared with, not ours. We lost nearly 3h in total as the tires went flat 4 times (6 differents tires as the two they had for safety were un-usable and the other they bought was flat too), ... We had to eat without chairs on 1st day, maximum 1 bottle of water per person and per day was plan. We had no water for the last day as he gave some to some guys on the road.
The last camp was reach at 3pm on the last day, the camp was in the middle of a town... we had water on the face in the tent during the last night because of the rain, the guy did not have enough money for fuel and was asking for us to pay it!
The car was in a bad shape (like doors locked, Windows not able to open, no radio Cb, all shaking...) No radio, No talky walkie, no binoculars. Seats are not equals (large ones and tiny little ones on the back) for people who all paid the same amount;
The only positive point : the food was Ok and the chef sympatic, the only one who did not lie during those 5 days.
We lost nearly 2 days on the schedule we paid for, informed them, and Nothing at all was done.
So yes we saw beautiful animals, but you do not need any agent to do that!!!
+ The Jimmy guy never answered either to mails or calls;
We nearly lost 3500 € for them, including nearly 500€ for the 1st day.
NO RECOMMANDED AT ALL !!!! DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM !
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This operator just took my money and didn't make a refund until now. Operating skills very poor too.
I would just write facts here. It is your option to judge.
In brief, this operator
1) Took my money(entrance fee) and made me pay twice. Didn't make my refund until now.
2) Didn't inform me about changes within the tour
3) Didn't pay hotel in advance
4) Doesn't keep promises
1. Just took my money and didn't make a refund
I met Cate(Operator) at my hotel before my trip to Masai Mara. I paid the remaining deposits to her, including Masai Mara entrance fee(280USD for 2 pax). However, when I arrived at the national park, the park rangers said no entrance fee was paid. I had to call her(several attempts since she didn't pick up the phone) and she said the queue for the bank was too long so I should pay the rangers 280USD and she would pay back my money once I get back to Nairobi. I told her to tranfer the money directly to my Mara hotel but she said that was not possible. I had no other choice so I paid the rangers 280USD and went for my tour.
Cate promised me to meet me at Wilson airport once I get back, but she didn't show up. (She was in Tanzania) I needed to keep calling her and check how things were going. (Why would I use a tour operator if I needed to do EVERYTHING by myself?) She promised me (again) that she would send someone to my hotel in Nairobi and give me back my money. She didn't. I came back home after my trip and requested online refund. She said she will but kept ignoring my emails and said she needs a month due to funding issues. (She obviously used my money elsewhere) So I waited with patience but she decided to ignore my email again. She knows that she owes me my deposit(she stated that in her own email) but keeps on refusing to pay me back.
2. Not a professional operator.
- This operator must have done hundreds of excursions but never notified me regarding which domestic airport I should book for Masai Mara. I used skycanner and searched an airport and booked it in advance, but Cate said it was another airport few weeks before my trip. Shouldn't I be notified?
- Due to booking a different airport, my hotel was changed to a more expensive hotel. However, since this was my honeymoon, I wanted to have a private game drive. That was why I booked this tour in the first place because it was all private. However, I found out that my game drive was shared by 6 people. I understand what happened with the hotel but nothing was informed. I needed to call her(again) to check.
She insists that she is making nothing from this tour due to a more expensive hotel, but this wouldn't have happened if she informed me about the aiport.
- When I was checking out at Masai Mara Hotel(Serena Lodge), they said my balance was not paid. I paid everything to Cate, but the operator didn't pay the lodge in advance. I needed to call her(again) and check what was going on. The operator was on his/her way to pay and I needed to wait until I was free to go. I had a flight coming up so wasn't comfortable with waiting.
I strongly recommend you to look for another operator. This is how this operator does business.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No response
FYI- This company answered my email asking what type of safari we wanted then never responded again.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unprofessional and disappointing
We did a really bad experience with the Tour of faustin Tours and Travel.
We tried to get any confirmations on payments and an invoice before we went on the safari which already turned out very difficult as Faustin obviously doesn’t like to confirm anything.
The First day everything Went well, we went hiking that was very nice. After that we drove in our Hotel. The tan Swiss Hotel which was nice. In the evening we Should pay the half of the Money Cash to our guide in the Hotel.
In this Moment we noticed that money from us have been stolen.
We‘re not sure where it happens either it was in the Hotel or it was the driver. But that Not belongs to faustin tours. The Problem we got was, that we wanted a new driver and since that he didn‘t answered any of our calls. Our Guide was sitting next to us and Wrote with faustin what means that he saw our calls and didn‘t picked them up on purpose.
We accepted that we don‘t get a new driver so we drove to udzungwa the next day. But when we came there he didn‘t payed the entry fee so we had to wait there Many Hours because we couldn‘t enter the park and Start hiking. We tried to reach Faustin but without any success so we had to pay it again and went to a lot of trouble with the personnel of the wild park. The only helpful person being the tour guide that will definitely not work for Faustin again! So far all attempts to reach anyone at faustin travel were without success. No one answers the phone or writes back on messages - very poor!
Also we came there and suddenly he said we don‘t get any lunch, although it was included in our offer.
After we came back there was Money over that Had to be payed, but he also didn‘t send the guide the Money and didn‘t pick up the phone as usual.
So i recommend you to Never do a Tour With faustin Tours and safaris!
He‘s absolutely unprofessionell and criminell.
If you want to do a safari or hiking trips i really recommdent taylor safaris, the Agency where our Guide Kevin was from. He was really nice and helped us a lot.