US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
extraordinary Ethiopian adventure
Our adventure in Ethiopia was perfect from the beginning to the end. Our guide, Ermias Tamiru, was knowledgeable, friendly, flexible and fun! In just 12 short days we were able to see much of the country and certainly many of the highlights. We were able to enjoy historical monuments and museums as well as natural hikes and cultural markets. I would not change a thing. Lara Ray did a spectacular job of setting up the tour, keeping us informed and helping us to be prepared.
US
Don't Use David Kiango!
David Daud Kaingo, you asked me to write you a review……here it is!
I have been waiting 2 months (2 credit card billing cycles), to write this review. I will not mince my words, just, DO NOT USE this crook. David (Daud) Kiango has no intention of helping you to book a hassle free trip. To make a long story short, he quoted me a rate, including lodging in 2 different locations, and private charter flights between locations…..and in the end, I was made to pay twice more, above the quoted rate. He was cordial and prompt at first, while initiating discussion, trip planning and rates. But, once I paid for the trip, communication was pretty much non-existent. He urged me to pay via bank transfer, but, for my security, I opted to pay the higher fees in order to have the insurance backing of my credit card company. I was later to learn, that was a very good investment on my part!
I was planning this trip, only one month before our travel date. Normally, I book all travel by myself. But, with time constraints and little knowledge of travel in Tanzania, I decided that I should use the assistance of an agent. My bad, and so unusual for me, I did not research well. There are only a few reviews of this David Kiango, a couple good, a couple minorly bad. I want to change that, along with a more recent review that was posted just before mine. Just move on, do not consider using him!
After a few days of correspondence, I booked and paid for our trip, on 11/10/16, for a trip to take place on 12/15/16. After I paid, I heard very little from David Kiango. He strung me along, saying he was waiting for my payment to be processed. That I should be patient. That funds would be disbursed for hotels and flights, and then he would send me vouchers. I sent many emails, asking for confirmation and trip vouchers. Finally, I heard from him 5 days before we were to embark upon our vacation. It was not the email I was expecting to see….. He said that the flight charter company changed their rates, and I would have to pay more. Not just a little more, but, A LOT more. 5 days before our trip, what was I supposed to do?! I paid again, with the knowledge that I would have to contact my CC company after the trip, in attempt to get my money back. Incredibly, though, this is not the end!
I contacted both of the lodges before our departure. Our safari lodge, the first stop, assured us that they were indeed expecting us, and incidentally, Kiango, just days earlier asked them to book our flights. WHAT?! Well, ok, they assured me everything would be ok. I never again contacted Kiango regarding logistics of the trip. We were picked up by an agent of the hotel, brought to our charter flight, and off to our Safari lodge. Everything was great…… until our last night at the lodge. Apologetically, the manager approached us and told us that Kiango still had not disbursed the balance of funds for our charter flights! The hotel had tried to resolve the situation quietly, while we were there, but, to no avail. You have got to be kidding me!!! ……we had to pay yet again.
What more can I say. Do not take the risk, do not use this crook, also known as:
David Daud Kiango
Kaingo Adventure Safaris
Tanzania Safaris
Zanzibar Travel Holidays Online Shop
ZanzibarMagic
Botanic Country Resort
Made In Tanzania Safaris
DaudKiango.com
I am lucky, I came home from our trip (which actually turned out to be great, despite paying 3 times for our flights), disputed the flight payments made to Kiango, with my CC company, and got that money back. Just trying to save you all from the hassles……don’t use him!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Bwindi and Murchison Falls
Both trips were great. The mountains near Bwindi are stunning, and we found a family of gorillas very quickly. We had some car trouble on the way back to Kampala, but the driver/guide was very proactive and the company owner came out to drive us back to Kampala. The trip to Murchison Falls was perfect: lots of animals, great scenery, a peaceful lodge overlooking the Albert Nile, and a very knowledgeable guide (the company owner).
QA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I highly recommend Speke Uganda Holidays to show you this beautiful country
From our initial contact, Speke proved responsive and flexible despite our numbers, and even arrival date, changing up to the last moment. And from the moment we met Robert, our driver/guide at Entebbe, I knew we were in good hands. Ever cheerful, personable, untiring and well-informed, he put in long hours and great effort to take care of us on a whistle-stop week that covered Murchison, Kibale, Fort Portal and Queen Elizabeth National Park, and he was truly soon part of the family. Many of the roads are poor, and the distances great, but the sights and experiences more than make up for this - from sunrise over the Nile, waiting for the ferry to cross and keeping a wary eye on the brazen baboons looking for a breakfast in the vehicles, to getting within a few metres of wild Chimps as they calmly sit, regarding you, to laughing at young elephants splashing delightedly as they bathe in the Kazinga Channel. I have lived and travelled widely in Africa and this is the friendliest, most beautiful, amazing country... you should not miss it. My family had the holiday of a lifetime in Uganda, and I can thoroughly recommend Speke Uganda and Robert to take care of you there.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We planned and purchased an incredible safari, but gained 5 new amazing friendships!
Nyx and I were absolutely at ease from the moment we met Brenda and Kakasii, Tanzania Choice Safari owners, and our tour guide, Joseph. Our 8 day adventure was exciting and an unbelievable experience. Joseph is an experienced tour guide with a passion to create the best experience for his clients. He is extremely knowledgeable and goes out of his way to locate the wildlife the client wishes to see. He ensured our safety and was always flexible with the itinerary. I really appreciated that he used his expertise to provide us with the best possible safari. I can't imagine changing one single minute of it!
Brenda and Kakasii are wonderful people. They not only ensure that every detail of your trip is looked after, but welcomed us into their home. Our safari was seamless! We also enjoyed a day at their farm and toured the local village. It was a nice, relaxing end to our safari. The personal family time shared with Brenda, Kakasii and their amazing twins at their farm is a memory we will always cherish.
We planned and purchased a safari, but came out with 5 new amazing friendships!
Thank you.
Connie and Nyx
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Camping in the Rift Valley with 9 and 10 year olds
We all loved every minute of our 4 day safari investigating the tribes and geographical featuresof the Rift Valley.
The vehicles and drivers were great - with chilled water provided and the drivers being kind and friendly to the children. We had to drive off-road to meet up with the more remote tribes and it all felt like an exciting adventure - going across dry river beds and parking under baobab trees. The camp site was perfect with nice clean bathrooms, deliciously cooked fresh food each day and a pool for a refreshing swim. All the arrangements we had requested were well planned with guides to take us on our walks through the forests and to visit the different tribes. I would recommend Jackpot Safaris again.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari at its best!
We booked the 6-day Amboseli-Lake Nakuru-Massai Mara package for February 2016. From first contact until the end of our safari trip, Moureen and her team did an excellent job and managed to organize everything perfectly. Pick-up was organized, lodges were booked, the only thing we needed to do was to relax and enjoy the trip. Our driver Silas was so nice and friendly, we always felt comfortable in our car with our "bush family" :-)
Kay Adventure Tours is highly recommended, a perfect and simple way to enjoy a wonderful safari tour.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
i really liked it
Got to do a walking tour at this park and loved it. We had a guide with us with a gun to scare the animals if they got too close. Such a great small park and got to see tons of wildlife.
Hard not to like it !
Design your own safari
The ability to negotiate accommodation type & level and means of travel allowed us to choose to suit our budget and time schedule. We chose to have a personal vehicle which allowed us to choose how we spent our time. Eustace, our driver, was a very safe driver, personable, and interested in making our experience wonderful. We would recommend this company highly.
NG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Private tour of Prison Island
The services and communication were excellent and the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. the prison island tour was fun and i would definitely recommend it.