CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Do not book with this company
Do not book a tour with Seven Wonders in Arusha. In all of my travels, it was the worst experience I’ve ever had. This is not just a post about a bad tour company, this is a safety warning to all travellers – please do not use this company.
My boyfriend and I booked a safari to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater for 3 days and 2 nights. Our cook was great, but our guide was awful. We shared the safari truck with two lovely French ladies, and we were all told that the guide spoke both French and English – but he didn’t speak either (other than a few basic phrases), which made communication very difficult.
He couldn’t tell time, and kept telling us to get up for breakfast at 2:00 am (which we actually did the first morning!). He was very disorganized and always late, which decreased the amount of time we got to spend each day in the national parks. We had to set-up and take down his tent each morning to try and speed up our departure time, as he didn’t know how to. He didn’t spot one single animal our entire trip! And when we spotted them he would drive past more than half of them. And on our second day when I spotted a leopard, and we requested to park for a better view, he kept driving and said that we had to go home for lunch, yet proceeded to stop for antelope!!! We’re not usually picky with driving, but he was honestly very unsafe and came close to hitting walls, trees and animals on the road on multiple occasions. He was always on his phone in the truck, and when he wasn’t talking on it he was taking creepy pictures of the young French girl (trying to disguise them as selfies). He made the experience so bad that it brought the French ladies in our truck to tears - they called Seven Wonders several times to complain and to try and get a replacement guide, but the manager of Seven Wonders yelled at them over the phone and called them “liars” and refused to compensate them in any way.
As if this wasn’t bad enough, on our last day we were scheduled to visit the Ngorongoro Crater. Our guide had forgotten to pay our tickets for entry the night before, so we were late entering and late leaving the park. Our guide on exiting the inner gate of the crater told us that we had to pay a $70 USD fee per person for exceeding our permit time. We explained to the ranger that it was our guide’s fault because we arrived late, and the guide lied and said that we had threatened to fight him in the truck (3 small girls and 1 guy vs. 2 grown men!), and that we had made him stay late. When we tried to exit the last gate of the park in a taxi, we were detained because the fee had not been paid. The head park ranger agreed that Seven Wonders should pay the fee, and he arranged over the phone with the manager the he should mobile transfer the money. He never did, and as a result we were kept at the gate until after dark before being allowed to finally leave at 8:30 pm (after waiting for 5 ½ hours).
The next day, we were approached at our hotel in Arusha by the manager of Seven Wonders, along with a group of 5 other men. He told us we needed to pay him the $140 USD. We tried to calmly reason with him, but he was simply aggressive and rude, and accused us of lying. They wouldn’t leave, and harassed us until we asked for the police to be called. The police warned us that these men were dangerous, and that they believed that if we didn’t give them what they wanted they were going to hurt us. The police were unable to charge them unless they did first harm us, so we filed a police report and had to be driven to a hotel outside of town where we were safe.
Please be warned – these are bad people. Do yourself a favour, there are many other tour companies you can choose from.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good experience with Migada
Very timely response from the marketing manager.
Professional guide provided good service with high quality, including the transpotation, accomodation and food.
Very excellent experience in Ngorongoro national park.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari full of surprises
A friend recommanded Bella as a tour operator and I am really glad she did. Together with Bella we arranged a beautiful safari and we had a lot to bring in. She constantly tried to make the trip perfect for us. She did not always stick to the plan, but made sure we got the most out of our trip. Because my dad has a dairy farm, she even took us to an Ugandan milk factory. With amazing accomodations and unbelievable views. We got to see the whole big 5 in those 6 days. It was the best week out of my life. Greetings, a daugther together with her dad.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly an unforgettable experience with remarkable guides!
I thought the guides did an exceptional job! They were very friendly, well knowledgable, and more than happy to answer all questions. I felt very safe while in the care of our guides. Not only did they care for our safety, but that of the animals as well. I shall definitely tour with this group again! I'll also gladly recommend them to anyone!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent Weekend In Diani
This was a fantastic trip... Serene took care of us despite our last minute demands and changes in itinerary. We were a family of four and there was something for all of us, from miniature golf, to swimming, to other sports. Clearly a lot of thought went into selecting the destinations. Thank You so much!
We all came back rejuvenated and energized at least until December when we plan another trip with Serene.
Well in Serene, excellent customer service... Keep up the good job!!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Father and son trip to Botswana and Zambia
I first contacted The Luxury Safari Company through their website asking for ideas as to what I could do for a week with my son who wanted to quad bike and whitewater raft. Rose Hipwood came back almost immediately and quickly put together an itinerary that way exceeded my expectations. From the VIP greeting at Johannesburg airport ( which helped enormously to get through the early morning queues) to the tour of Soweto hours before departing for home, I don't think more could have been included. It is hard to pick out just one or two things as highlights - everything was excellent - the meerkat experience, quad biking on the salt pans of Botswana, all four safaries in the Okavango Delta, whitewater rafting on the Zambezi and the spectacular Victoria Falls. Camp Kalahari, Machaba Camp and Sindabezi Island were all outstanding - the accomodation itself was excellent, the staff at each camp could not have been more welcoming and helpful and the food was top quality. Am still recovering from seeing my son bungee jump off the bridge at Victoria Falls. Every aspect of the trip was perfectly planned and executed - hard to imagine a better trip. Thank you Rose.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was an extraordinary experience. It was so personal and so connected.
My uncle and I had a superior experience. We were well looked after from the moment we arrived. The safari was amazing and we were fast tracked into the safari as they were well prepared. I have visited other Safaris in both Zimbabwe and South Africa but this was an unparalleled experience. They knew were to find the animals. We saw endless giraffes, lions, hippos etc. I even got to dress as a Masaii and interview what it was really like for them living in the Ngorongoro crater. A year later I am still in communication with them.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good tour operator
It was my first time in Tanzania and I contacted Lesaga Adventure Safaris. I was happy because they speak spanish. Everything was perfect: good accomodation, good food. But also good conditions to see animals. Our guide Gasper gave us explanations about wildlife. He knows as well fauna than flora. The price is not expensive and we could do a good safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Keddy is an inspiring guide. Loves the mountain and knows lots about the flora and fauna.
I like the fact that these guys are trying to build a real business here and are very flexible and responsive to your needs and requests. Everything went according to schedule and Keddy was very responsive to my requests on the mountain. ...like doing extra things and suggesting additional things that other guides would not do
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Experience, Very Professional
We did a 3-day, 2-night safari to Masai Mara from Nairobi. Everything was as planned and the staff and driver were very professional, timely and communicative. Peter was constantly in touch to ensure we had a good experience, and our driver to and from Nairobi was helpful and responsive to everything we asked to do. The Mara was beautiful and we would definitely book again through Africa Flash Mc Tours.