US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Scam Alert. Francis Otieno (Holgger) is a 1 person tour company with a fake website. He scammed me!
We just concluded a wonderful 7 days in Kenya. Its a beautiful country with amazing wild life - but I want to raise a scam alert in case you run into the same tour operator/rental agency. We chose to rent a 4x4 with driver in Nairobi to have a 6 day Safari to the Masaai Mara and Naivasha before returning to Nairobi and flying back to the USA. I worked via email and phone to book a Toyoto Land Cruiser from a guy named Francis Otieno (Holgger) from "Adventure Dragon Safaris". I later find out that "Holgger" (a 1 employee owner) also shows up in Trip Advisor as @holggeropondo faking to be a traveler!
But I took a look at the website below, and since there were no alerts I went ahead with the booking.
Here's what happened:
- Francis (Holgger) was proactive and (overly) friendly via email and whatsapp phone convincing me he was legitimate.
- He requested a 25% advance payment for the rental of a 4x4 on booking via PayPal (that I paid)
- When I landed in Nairobi, at the time of getting the 4x4 he revised his price and requested an extra day of payment AND also requested a $150 "insurance deposit" that he said he will pay me back on return of 4x4
- Being in a new country, I trusted him and paid up BOTH incremental $ requests.
When I finished the Safari, he conned me from paying back the $150 deposit. (He kept telling me that he had initiated deposit return via Pay Pal, but he was lying). He also lied about the 4x4 being a newer vehicle with AC. Infact, I later find out he doesnt even own any of the vehicles on his web site - that he rents the car and driver from a different company/3rd parties, fronting himself via a fake website.
Please BE AWARE.
I have benefitted so much from Trip Advisor that I feel obligated to inform my fellow travelers so you can be carful. Like I said, 99.9% of Kenyan are GREAT people - and I tried not to let this one bad seed spoil my wonderful vacation! I am also reaching out to the Kenyan travel association authorities to let them know so they can take appropriate action again Adventure Dragon Safaris and Francis Otieno (Holgger).
Good luck and Happy Safari'ing!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Better than expectations!
I contacted this tour operator online while I was planning my trip to Mikumi National Park , Already I found a fraud company earlier so I was a bit apprehensive, but as I started talking to the hello Tanzania my confidence grew, We did a game drive at Mikumi NP, the owner mjembe , excuse me if spelled it wrong came to pick us from the airport, after which everything was perfect , everything which we had on the email was delivered , I forgot my jogging pants and she even sent it to me in stone town where I later went during my trip. I highly recommend you to try this tour opeartor in this region , we had a perfect holiday and we saw a lion also so it was just perfect . Thank you Hello Tanzania! - AJ (India)
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Heidi Bedford was brilliant. She gets a 5* rating.
Communication with Heidi Bedford was excellent. She was prompt and provided great guidance when we were planning the trip. Once she understood our itinerary, she completely laid out the detailed plan for us. We were a group of 12 people and I was the main point of contact but she fielded questions/concerns from other individuals in the group as well. She was always extremely polite and professional at all times.
I found Pembury Tours on the internet and I had read good reviews on Trip advisor but was skeptical in the beginning but Heidi put my fears to rest after the booking process went smoothly. None the else, we as a group were nervous wondering how the trip will go once we landed in Cape Town. All I can say now after the trip is over is that Heidi did a fabulous job for making this trip an amazing and remarkable experience of us. The entire trip went according to plan, like clock work. The stay in Cape Town was excellent, the safaris were brilliant-once in a lifetime experience, all the transfers were on time, and the accomodations were comfortable.
Heidi's services exceeded our expectations and this sentiment is shared by our entire group of 12 people.
We give Heidi Bedford a 5* rating.
Heidi - Thank you so much for a fantastic, memorable trip!!
MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very friendly all the way and our safari guide was amazing!
Super happy with their friendly approach. The safari guide was professional, we managed to see the Big 5 in 3 days
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The safari was great!
Everything was perfect besides two small details... during the safari we had two drivers. The first one drove us during the time we were in Masai Mara. Althought our package said that water was included he didn't provide us any. Also the last day we were supposed to have an early game drive in Masai Mara but instead he told us we were driving directly away from the park.
The second driver was great, and the overall experience really good!
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing tour!
Before meeting the guide I was worried about his skill of speaking Japanese. But it was sufficient and he was really kind to us. The safari tour is also amazing!
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was very good service. The team ensured our safety while keeping time limits for each stop.
Very good experience. Highly recommend!! Visit lake nakuru and masai mara for sure. Good follow up by pamela!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic lifetime expirience and excellent trip
The trip was completely living up to our expectations.
Rhotia Valley is on a great location and the staff had a very warm welcome for us. This unique project is led by two amazing people who beside their lodges run a childrens home. A significant part of the revenue of these lodges, is allocated to this children’s home. This makes a stay at this lodge every penny worth. Note: The food was great too.
Our Highlight was the Serengeti game hunt and the lodges at Kenyan Kisura tented Camp. This place gave us the real outdoor safari expirience. Besides the great tour that we made, the camp fire in the evening with the wildlife surrounding us was unforgettable.
Our tour guide Victor was great. He was polite, drove safely and provided us with excellent information over the wildlife that we encountered. He was flexible to our wishes and was always anticipating to the situation.
Makasa service was very good and very well organized.
Makasa, Thank you very much for this great and lifetime expirience.
Best regards
Frits, Margitta, Jolanda and Michel.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Marvelous!!! Thanks to Pamela for creating the extra ordinary itinerary !!
Simply unbelievable!! Once in a life time experience!! Our guide cum companion Sam’s enthusiasm made our stay and Safari more excited!!
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exellent guide
The agency answered all our questions very fast. The safari was good but the lodges we had booked could be better, but you get whar you pay for. It would have been easier to chise lodges if you had got the lodges webpaiges instead of trying to find them yourself.
Our driver Ken was very good at spotting the animals, tell tus about them and an exellent driver. We felt very secure both with him and the van