CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Be aware that Balu does not run some of their groups and you may end up moved to others tours
Balu offers reasonably priced safari experience, but note that they act as more of an intermediary broker rather than an operator. They place you with other tour operators and so consequently you may end up getting shifted around one or more times to different joining groups/ vans during your trip. That does mean the max pax as set out in the booking and the itinerary may well change depends on what group you end up with- just be mindful of the flexibility that’s required when booking with Balu.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awful operating company, amazing tour guide
Let me start on the safari guide that took us around, Mike from Karava Brothers Safari. Absolutely amazing, his knowledge on animals was insane, he found cheetahs, lions and other amazing animals on his own without the use of the radio and utilised the radio to help us see every animal available. A lovely man who I cannot recommend highly enough, I will give his details to friends and family.
However, the safari operator whom I dealt with was appalling. My communication with Mercy Yetu Safaris began months before and we had an itenary arranged and paid for 6 months prior. A week before going away I informed the company where we were staying and got no reply for a couple of days. This was very unusual so I did a bit of research and found their website was out of use, and their page on the safari comparison company was out of use. None of the numbers given were working and there was no reply to any emails. I called the safari comparison site whom I found them on who emailed them. All of a sudden I got a reply to my emails with the Mercy Yetu claiming they'd gone into their spam, very convenient when I was getting replies daily a couple of months prior. The days before my safari were a complete stress as it had appeared the company had forgotten about my safari which was confirmed when I found out they had booked everything 3 days prior to our arrival despite us booking months in advance. I thought the trouble would end on our arrival however it continued. We had paid for flights and the company weren't sending us out tickets, after an absolute slog of back and forths we eventually managed to get the tickets late at night when we had a flight at 8am, shocking. Finally I thought this was the end of the stress but again, the return flight which we'd paid for experienced the same issues with the company not sending us the email with the booking code making check in impossible, a couple of hours before the flight I was sent the code by WhatsApp to end what was supposed to be a good day but turned into a stressful day due to Mercy Yetu's incompetence and lack organisation. To make matters even worse a couple of days before the end of the safari, despite being told we would be with our guide until day 7 we were merged with another group and said goodbye to our guide whom we had built such a bond with, we were told we had to pay $300 to keep him despite being told we'd have him till the last, they claimed it was because they were over budget, again lack of organisation.
I would strongly advise against anyone booking with this company to avoid the stressed we went through
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unrealiable
I would be very cautious and get all the information before making a booking with Fauna Safari. In the Itinerary they confirmed Masai Village but didnt pay for the tickets. We were left stranded at Maasai Village and asked to go back to the hotel. They didnt even offer to help or pay the amount to get us entry. They simply refused to coorperate. Also the drive from Naivasha to Maasai was horrible. There is a better road from Sentrim Mara. The tour operator didnt purchase the road tickets and we have to a rough drive of around 80 kms which took us about 3 hrs. This reduced our game f=drive time substantially and our guide/driver also got tired....
For first timers - make sure you can the right questions and get everything in black and white. They can leave you stranded and hamper your vacation...
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
charming, but not reliable and cheating
Very bad end to initiallly good experience!
We had an almost 4 weeks trip in Uganda and Rwanda.
The company owner (Meddy) drove us from Rwanda to Uganda and back. We we visited friends, the Murchinson Falls National Park including Budogo Chimpanse Tracking, and Mambasa Wet Lands, toured Rwanda (Musanze, Rubavu, Rusizi, Huye and Kigali). In the ed we did a 1,5 days tour to Akagera National Park. For the last trip, an employee was employed driver.
First everything went well and we had really great experiences. (Not the Company Owner is driving very fast.)
The travel was planned by myself and covened with the Company Owner and we paid in advance. For the last trip the company owner did not only ignore what we had convened, he changed the lodge, which made a big difference, but he did not tell us before and did not give a clear explanation, after questioning. The communication was very bad. I got very angry.
But more important in the end we had a problem about payment.
Arriving at Akagera Park Visitor Center we learnt to our shock, that the companys credit card was not charged suffiently. No explanation. The company owner asked me to pay and he would reimburse me. I trusted him, because he had done this before and he was friend of friend...
But in this case, Meddy first started to delay and to question details.... He was back in Uganda, I was in Rwanda. He did not pick phone. We texted..... In the end he reimbursed but in tranches and up to today incompletely, and only after many discussions, reminders and big delays!!! Up to now there is a still a balance due that he did not pay. He keeps on promising, and then not action but silence.
This startedd early February and we are not mid March!! This is not professional.
Advises: Don't pay all in advance, don't pay on his behalf and do not rate until the very end of the trip and all bills settled!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor communication
This was my first safari as a solo traveler. This review is of the safari company, not the safari! I opted for a 5day group safari. I chose Everlasting as they seemed to communicate well prior to me committing to go with them! I did obtain 3 quotes and they were all comparable in price and itinerary. What I learned during the safari was that smaller tour companies ( Everlasting) don't exactly have your safari "well planned" ( it was described to me this way). This means that if you have a group tour for various locations and a different level ( budget vs. midrange), it is likely that you will have different drivers. They confer with each other the night before to see who is available. This is what happened to me. Not only was I dropped off at the wrong lodge, but, if I had not reviewed my itinerary, I would not have been sent to rhe correct lodge ( much nicer and what I paid for). I had 3 different guides on a 5 day safari. And, honestly, the problem is that Everlasting never bothered to inform me that someone not belonging to their company would be picking me up or that guides would change! One morning, they sent a driver who spoke no English or sign indicating he was there for me. I was then told by Everlasting that I would be driven to another lodge to meet with another guide. I was, in fact, driven to the park to meet with the guide. Just poor communication!!
Also, because I had midrange accommodations, I was 45 min away from the budget travelers. This meant, I had to get up before sunrise to travel and pick them up to begin game drive and was the last one to reach my accommodation at days end!
I did not allow this to ruin my safari as I had wonderful guides ( not belonging to Everlasting) that I felt very safe with. Unfortunately, they offered no apologies or explanation, and for that reason, I would not choose this company again.
It was still an experience of a lifetime!!
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful team on the field during the hike but very bad experience regarding the service in Nairobi
I did the 5 day Mount Kenya trek (Chogoria down Sirimon). The team on the field (guide, cooker and porters) were very good and thanks to them it was a great experience, with wonderful landscapes, and amazing service from the team.
But the organisation and quality of service (equipment provided and logistic/transport from Nairobi to Mount Kenya) received from the company and their intermediate in Nairobi were very bad. Despite the high price paid, they wanted me to take a local public transport (a matatu from the matatu station a 15 minute walk from the office in the city center). When arrived in the matatu and when I understood it was not a vehicle provided by the company but just a local public transport, I just refused to stay in the matatu (unsafe transport and it was empty, had to wait for it to be filled with passengers, and how long would have last the travel with many stops, etc.). I asked for a refund or another solution. My tour was supposed to be a private one but I had been notified that I will use a shared vehicle with two other clients, and I was OK with that... But actually it was just a matatu without any other clients... Finally they provided me a car with a driver and the travel was OK even if a big waste of time before departure.
But the tent provided was very small, much smaller and cheaper that all the other tents I saw in Mount kenya, provided by other companies to their clients. And the mattress I was given was too small (1,60 m but I am 1,80 tall, so the feet touched the cold soil, not professional). I should have checked their mattress and taken my own mattress, not theirs. Other point, before arriving in the NP we stopped in Chogoria for lunch. It was a very cheap restaurant (no problem with that if food is OK) but it was not good.
At the beginning of the trek, after the intermediate let us in chogoria, the local team seemed not to be aware of the itinerary i had paid for (5 days whose 4 days climbing and the last day for the final climb and the going down, itinerary precisely described in the written offer). They wanted/described to me another itinerary (apparently 3 days up, 2 days down, staying in other campsites, not the same itinerary). Fortunately I had previously checked the map of Mount Kenya, the names and the locations of the different campsites and routes and so I understood it was note the good itinerary and I insisted to make the right itinerary. The local team accepted and it was finally a wonderful route and trek, with a great service from the team. But apparently the intermediate or the company didn't give the right information to the local team about the itinerary, which could have led to a less scenic trek (and more difficult for acclimatisation).
At the end of the trek, I was given a shared vehicle with other clients to come back to Nairobi so it was better than a matatu but I had to wait more than 1,30 hour the two other clients, and they were prioritised for the drop off in Nairobi. Apparently they were clients of the intermediate not of the company. So despite the high price paid, it was a several hours waste of time for me to get back to my hotel in Nairobi.
I clearly don't recommend this company (and this intermediate) for Mount Kenya treks. But I am very grateful to the local independent team for this wonderful trek.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unsafe experience
We had the opportunity to see various animals and the lodges the agency booked were really good.
The guide was kind and helpful and would make sure that everyone was happy at the end of the day.
Unfortunately, I will have to be honest about what happened and the reason why I am giving a bad review. The car was quite old and gave us several problems during the days of the safari. Initially, the lights were not working during the evening, then the tyre got a big hole and the engine didn’t work twice. But the worst of all, was the day 4, when the car flipped upside down. Fortunately, it was an empty road and we were going slowly so no one got severely hurt, but we feel this was a serious safety concern due to a lack of supervision of the car’s condition by the company.
When we contacted the company about this, they blamed the driver and did not assume responsibility.
The companies need to have a system that ensures they know exactly the cars they are providing, and mandatory safety reviews are done on a regular basis. This doesn’t seem to be happening, and this is extremely dangerous.
All the other things went well but the accident really screwed up this experience.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unprofessional and unclear charges
1. Unprofessional
The deposit is paid by credit card, there is an additional 3% processing fee, because the account manager did not calculate the correct price, so the account manager kept asking us if we paid less. The deposit of 2530 yuan requires us to pay 2606, the credit card charge is calculated according to 2606, and the handling fee of 78.18 was charged, and we actually received 2527.82, we did not pay less, but the account manager kept saying that the amount was not right, and I still did not admit that I had a problem with the calculation after explaining, and finally we paid 2 dollars before it was over.
2. The charges are not clear
We asked for a receipt for the park tickets, but the account manager never provided them, and we were not sure if the tickets were purchased normally, or the true price of the tickets. Ngorongoro Crater charged nearly $600 for tickets and was unable to provide receipts.
3. The guide is not devoted.
The vehicle got stuck in the mud and forgot to bring lunch, which we can all accept. When we made it clear that we wanted to see such and such an animal, the guide only said that it was a matter of luck, which meant that we could not see the animal, and it was our bad luck. So what's the point of a guide? Just driving? So why do we have to tip £10 per person per day when we have already paid the fare, and who needs to tip when taking a taxi? Ngorongoro Crater made it clear that the park was small and only needed 3-4 hours to end that day, and on the day we paid 600 tickets + 300 fares and only took us on a half-day tour, is it reasonable? Also, assuming that Crater Park is really small, why can't we take us to the rest of the park when we have already bought tickets for Ngorongoro? In the end, the actual situation was that we visited Ngorongoro Crater for a day and did not go to some areas, and the guide gave instructions that there were very few people in that part and there was no need to go.
4. High price Low cost performance
Some of the hotels were booked by ourselves, as it was more expensive to book through a travel agent.
5. Vague answers to questions
When I ask questions about orders, receipts, or charges, I am vague and unclear about what I know. In particular, some additional charges are not notified in advance, and it takes many inquiries to say that they need to be charged. Sometimes the reply to messages in the group is very slow and cannot be contacted, but at this time, when you send other irrelevant messages in the group, you will reply quickly.
Some suggestions: If you want to give some souvenirs, please provide high-quality products. We didn't bring back the bags,the quality is very poor, and the hardware is very sharp, scratching the hand. Nice blankets make a good gift.
KW
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bad experience
The bad experience start from the condition of the car take us from airport old and dirty . Second the camp in masai mara it suppose to be luxury five stars but i found it’s 3.5 only as per google and as per what i saw and i sent pictures and video to the agent
Also the agent was not helpful and she some times was un polite with my sister .
I paid more than i get
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An In-Depth and Constructive Critique
We recently embarked on a 42-day trip through Africa in July and August 2024, booked via African Overland Tours and operated on the ground by Nomad. The total cost for two people was approximately EUR 14,000 (USD 450 per day), which we believed would guarantee a professional and enriching experience. Regrettably, it turned out to be our most disappointing travel venture to date. As two seasoned travelers who have lived in multiple countries and are generally quite flexible, our expectations were reasonable but were met with numerous shortcomings. We share our experience below so that future travelers are adequately informed, and in the hope that these companies will address these issues.
1. Excessive Idle Time and Limited Activities
• Only 3% of the trip dedicated to actual activities: During the first ten days (240 total hours), merely 8 hours were devoted to any form of organized activity (e.g., a 4-hour safari, two 1-hour village walks, a 2-hour coffee plantation visit, and 30 minutes at the Baobab Valley).
• The remaining 97% of our time was spent either in the truck (8–15 hours daily) or at budget lodges with nothing planned or suggested.
2. Uncomfortable and Inadequate Transportation
• Long, exhausting drives: While the first hour of scenery can be interesting, enduring 8–15 hours in a cramped truck becomes unbearable.
• Poorly maintained truck features: The microphone did not function, the seats were extremely tight for anyone taller than 175 cm (5’9”), and the filtered-water mechanism was outdated (offering no reliable source of mineral water).
• Meals in transit: Be prepared to have breakfast and lunch inside the moving truck. Given the rough roads riddled with bumps, it is almost inevitable that you will spill coffee, juice, or food on yourself.
• Unsuitable for a wide age range: In our particular group, travelers ranged from about 15 to 75 years old. The long hours and uncomfortable seating were especially challenging for older individuals and for younger travelers unaccustomed to such conditions.
3. Lack of Proper Guidance
• No professional guide provided: Despite the substantial tour cost, we only had a driver and a cook. While both individuals worked hard, they lacked the expertise or training to properly inform, organize, or address customer concerns.
• Minimal information about destinations: We received only the most basic daily details (“Tomorrow we drive to X, then stay at Y”) with no in-depth coverage of cultural, historical, logistical, or natural aspects. There was an absolute lack of information about the surrounding environment, local geology, fauna, or ecosystems—knowledge that would have greatly enriched our experience.
• Poor problem-solving: Complaints or suggestions were largely dismissed. Even when our concerns were constructive and proposed potential solutions, we were told that “complaints will disturb the peace of the crew, the clients, and the company.” There was little to no communication from Nomad’s management during the trip.
4. Substandard Accommodations and Extra Costs
• Budget lodges: Approximately 90% of the lodges were in the USD 30–60 range, often lacking hot water (and sometimes water entirely). Only about 3 out of 35 accommodations could be considered “good.”
• Additional fees: While visiting major attractions (e.g., National Parks or optional tours in Zanzibar), we were frequently charged extra (e.g., USD 350 for a game drive in Tanzania, and numerous other add-ons). Basic drinks, including water at lodges, were also billed separately.
• No meaningful stops en route: Travel breaks were typically confined to fuel stations or malls—no scenic or culturally significant stops were made without special request, and even then, requests were often ignored.
5. Overreliance on Guests’ Labor
• Expediting meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were rushed to about 30 minutes, leaving no opportunity for a relaxed, enjoyable break.
• Unpaid assistance: Guests were expected to handle tasks such as arranging tables, chairs, helping with cooking, and cleaning dishes, presumably to cut staffing costs.
6. Poor Communication and Organizational Gaps
• No document checks: There was no verification that all travelers had correct documentation, nor was there assistance or advice concerning border crossings.
• No room assignments: Upon arrival at accommodations, rooms were distributed randomly without prior arrangement. Travelers had to negotiate among themselves for room type.
• Erratic time management: Stop durations were inconsistent—if the driver/cook said “30 minutes,” it could easily turn into 40, 50, or 70 minutes, leaving everyone waiting without clear instructions or schedules.
7. Dismissive Customer Support
• Slow or no response: Both Nomad and African Overland Tours were unresponsive when issues were raised during the trip. Post-booking, African Overland Tours took over a week to reply to emails and generally offered no meaningful solutions.
• Lack of empathy and poor phone assistance: The telephone representative we spoke with interrupted us constantly, showed no empathy, and placed blame on us instead of assuming any responsibility. Their main suggestion was that if we were unhappy, we could leave the trip at any point. Ultimately, we did leave three days before the tour ended—and unsurprisingly, no refund was offered for the unused hotel nights.
• No compensation or accountability: Even in cases where promised accommodations were unavailable (forcing guests to camp instead of using rooms they paid for), there was neither an apology nor a financial adjustment.
8. African Overland Tours: Marketing Over Substance
• High-pressure sales tactics: The African Overland Tours team appears to be primarily focused on marketing and selling the product as quickly as possible. Clients are encouraged to make fast decisions under the pretense that spaces may run out otherwise.
• High commissions: They add a significant markup over the price charged by the actual operating company—Nomad in our case—yet contribute no additional value or support once the sale is finalized. Essentially, they operate as a middleman who could just as easily be selling a car as organizing a trip.
9. Final Observations
• National Parks and city visits: Africa’s wildlife and cultural experiences are undeniably astonishing. However, these highlights owe nothing to the tour operators, who merely facilitated transport to these locations.
• No guided urban explorations: For major cities like Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, we had to organize our own tours. Most participants, unaware of what these cities had to offer, stayed at the lodge and missed out on wonderful experiences.
10. Conclusion
Given the high cost, one would expect at least a professional guide, better accommodations, and a more efficient itinerary. Instead, we encountered disorganization, lack of communication, and a general sense that the primary goal was to reduce expenses rather than deliver a memorable journey.
Recommendation: We strongly advise looking into other agencies. In our view, it would be difficult to find a more poorly organized operation than what we experienced with African Overland Tours and Nomad. For the sake of future travelers, we hope this review prompts these companies to improve their standards and offer the quality of service that travelers deserve when exploring such a magnificent continent.