Trip Advisor Africa Safaris
Trip Advisor Africa Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Tour Types:
- Short mid-range tours (½ to 3 days)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $300 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
AT
Email Michelle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Easy and friendly cancelation due to car problems
We have booked a safari when we ended up having troubles with our car. We forgot to tell the office so they contacted us since they were waiting at the pick up location to get us. The service was very friendly and easy, we could cancel the trip with no problems. Thank you very much!
SG
Email Bhaskaran | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good but can be better ...transparency is the key !
When we decided to experience the much famed African Safari, stumbled upon the online market place “Safari Bookings” which has thousand over African Safari operators offering either standard packages or some of them can customise according to traveller needs. It is quite overwhelming to choose from the list of operators – in spite of applying certain preferences. We wanted to cover Masai Mara, Serengeti, Amboseli, Ngorongoro and Lake Nakuru. We saw the standard packages from 3 operators offering these and one of them was TripAdvisor Africa Safaris. We usually rely Trip Advisor reviews but we couldn’t find any review for “TripAdvisor Africa Safaris” which created a suspicion if this could be a scamster operator. But their itinerary was definitely better than others we compared; while Safari Bookings assured that they do verify the tour operator licenses, they cannot guarantee things cannot go wrong with the operators listed under their wings. So we took a chance with TripAdvisor Safaris as Vincent Seth assured us that we wouldn’t regret taking up a package with them. I should add, we mentally prepared ourselves to expect some disappointments based on the past reviews and hoped we weren’t one of those who had to face severe disappointments. Our 11 nights 12 day (Jul 13 - Jul 24 2019) African Safari in Kenya and Tanzania definitely met our expectations though we there were some items of the itinerary had to be skipped – the distances between the national parks are very large and it is not possible to jam pack so many. We had to skip the baby elephant and welcome dinner at Carnivore on day 1 – this I guess depends on the arrival time. We had to skip the Hells gate national park on day 3 so that we shall be able to reach Masai Mara before the stipulated park closure time. Our major gripe is about the accommodation in Masai Mara – we were put up at Sun Lodge which is very far off from the game viewing areas, though it is located inside the park. While the location of the lodge is exotic, the difficult terrain and the long drive makes it very a very demanding. Contrary to the itinerary we were booked for 3 nights here and we were the only family in the entire lodge – that made us wonder if Sun Lodge was so infamous such that even in peak season no one prefers it. I guess this was booked pretty cheap compared to any other lodge in Masai Mara. But it would be bad on my part if I don’t appreciate the service of the most friendliest staff I ever came across in Africa and the sumptuous dinner they had prepared for us. It would have been perfect if not for the difficult terrain and long travel to the park every day. The game drives in all the national parks were very good; the guides were knowledgeable, pleasant – Jacob in Kenya for Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara; Ezekiel for Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Richard for Amboseli. Lion Hill lodge at Nakuru, Kati-Kati tented camp in Serengeti (best experience of the entire trip and sumptuous dinners), Ngorongoro Wildlife lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge were all very good and matched our expectations; again in Tanzania, we had a terrible experience at the Twiga camp site – this was not as per the itinerary and a rundown place; food was not good as well. We were supposed to travel to Tarangire and accommodation was Tarangire Safari Lodge but ended up in this Twiga camp site. The border transfers were smooth with the drivers/guides waiting on time – I was quite apprehensive if things would be smooth after reading some experiences. Overall except for the accommodation mess up in Masai Mara (since it was 3 nights high level of inconvenience) and 1 night at Twiga camp site, we had an excellent gaming experience. I am thankful that Vincent made sure that the gaming drives were good, sent us reasonable drivers/guides and most importantly border transfers were smooth with the drivers waiting there on time to receive us. Vincent Seth seems genuinely interested in improving the quality of tours he offers; he can definitely achieve that provided he tweaks his itinerary not to over promise and to be transparent about the accommodation if in case its different from that of the itinerary. One more vital point is to communicate the agreed itinerary to the drivers/guides and stick to it.
US
Email Madden | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Misleading Information + Unprofessional Response... Can book same safari with more reliable company
If you want to skip reading the review, here's just a quick list of reasons you shouldn't book with Seth Vincent and things that were PROMISED TO BE INCLUDED in our safari package that WERE NOT: First nights stay in Nairobi, visit to elephant orphanage, giraffe sanctuary, farewell dinner at Carnivore, a limited number of people in a van, and adequate amounts of daily drinking water. He just wants to find any way to take your money!
As two college students who booked a "budget" safari, and have been to Africa before, we went into our trip with no expectation, knowing that traveling over there is an adventure of it's own! We booked a 6 day safari through Seth Vincent and initial communication was clear. Once the deposit was paid, however, his communication became a little more sporadic and it was unclear how we were going to transfer the remaining balance, as we made it known we did not want to travel with that much cash. Anytime we sent an email asking questions about anything prior to landing in Nairobi his response was nothing other than "it will be fine."
In the email he sent with our itinerary, he said that our first nights stay upon landing in Kenya was paid for in the cost of our safari. He never booked us a place to stay, or gave us money from the safari package to put towards a hotel, so we booked and paid for our own hotel in Nairobi (which wouldn't have been a big deal if he wouldn't have told us that a room was included in the package and then lied when we asked him about it)
Upon landing in Kenya we were picked up by a driver named Samuel! He was great and according to him, and the itinerary that Seth Vincent had sent us, someone would be meeting us at our hotel to go over what the rest of the week was going to be and someone was going to take us to the elephant orphanage and giraffe sanctuary. No one ever came and we were instructed to be ready for pickup the following morning.
Seth arrived as we were departing for our safari and took us to an ATM where he had us withdraw the remaining balance for our safari after we had asked multiple times if we could just wire the money the same way we had paid the deposit.
After taking our cash he dropped us off at a van where he told us that the van would exceed no more than 6 people. Well, after just a few minutes of waiting the van was completely full (9 people) and we were stuffed elbow to elbow with people from a different tour company that Seth evidently partners with. So, the number of people he told us would be on safari was false, which at the start wasn't a huge deal, but after being stuffed into a van for numerous days on bumpy roads, it got a little too crowded and very uncomfortable.
Then the amount of water that was promised to us each day was not given... to the point that I was so dehydrated I was vomiting (there is water available for purchase at the camps so we just ended up buying water for ourselves... which also wouldn't have been a big deal if Seth Vincent would have just been honest about the amount of water we were going to receive)
Upon returning to Nairobi after the safari, we never heard from Seth (he would have never known if we even made it back to Nairobi) so we reached out about the "complimentary dinner at Carnivore" that is promised in the itinerary, along with the visits to the elephant orphanage and giraffe sanctuary. He told us that because we didn't go on the first day (BUT THE REASON WE DIDNT GO IS BECAUSE HE NEVER SHOWED UP) he wasn't required to take us to see the elephants and giraffes (and was incredibly rude about it), but he offered to arrange to take us AT AN ADDITIONAL COST (to something we already paid for!!) and when I asked about the farewell dinner at Carnivore he flat out told me no. When I asked to be compensated for the first night's stay in Nairobi he also told me no, even though HIS INITIAL EMAIL STATES THAT HE WILL PAY FOR IT. He asked for additional money to arrange visits to the elephants and the giraffes and dinner. So we just took an uber and planned a day for ourselves.
The safari itself was magical. We absolutely loved our first driver, Jeffery Bruce. Everything about the Maasi Mara is absolutely breathtaking, but you can book the same safari with other companies for cheaper (: We were put into a van with another company and everyone who booked through them paid less than we did (and seemed to be given what they were told in their itineraries)
Our second driver, James, was AWFUL. He drove on the wrong side of the road on a busy highway on the way to Amboseli and didn't notice until someone told him... and FELL ASLEEP multiple times while driving on the safari.
Our safari went to the Mara, Nakuru, and Amboseli... we both agreed that if we had to do it all over again we would book a 5 day safari (through a different company) and only go to the Mara and Nakuru (: Amboseli is cool, but not nearly as fascinating as the Maasi Mara and a lot more work to get to than it is worth!
Go on a safari... just book it through someone that's honest!
Reply from Trip Advisor Africa Safaris
Posted on Sep 15, 2019Dear Madden ,
Thank you too for reviewing our services and also indicating areas of disappointment.
We appreciate that there may have been some misunderstanding at both the booking and safari stages.
It is important that we clarify on the issues raised and also put the facts straight
May i address the areas of concern as outlined in your review
1.Safari tour programs on our website have detailed itineraries starting with pick up at safari start to drop off at safari finish
The itinerary is complete with pick up time,safari route,safari progress,game viewing drives,safari accommodation options,meals etc.
This is the basis of your safari booking and it is this product that you choose as a preference and book.
If you have specific areas you wish to visit,we expect that you specify this to us during the safari discussion booking stage.
This is to allow us advice on the specific choose for your safari to enable you visit your preferred area of National park
Please note that National parks occupy thousands of square Kilometers and and can not be covered within span of 6 days, above all you did group tour so our priority is to save everybody in the group.
We are sorry if this was inconvenience to you, we hope to serve you a gain in future.
Regards
Seth Vincent
Director Trip Advisor Africa Safaris
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service and experience
Seth always communicated with us and gave us all the necessary information that we needed. The tour lived up to expectations and more. Seth gave us complete professionalism in all services he provided us with. The safari was amazing, getting to see so many animals with the incredible help from our knowledgeable guide, Godfrey. The cook, also named Godfrey, was also great, providing us with delicious meals everyday. They were both happy all the time and made our experience truly unforgettable. Thank you Seth for helping us have the best safari with the best possible people, we feel so lucky.
ES
Email Laia Llobera | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience!
Our trip to Kenya and Tanzania was quite interesting. We lived numerous adventures and experienced a true naturalist trip. Even if having to adapt to the condition of a low budget trip, we broke the routine and witnessed incredible wildlife. It was a surprise to see the animals so close and the amazing views that the natural parks have to offer.
ES
Email Ramon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exciting experience to get the best of both Kenia and Tanzania
Our trip was a magnificent experience guided by the wise planification of Seth and his team, always taking care of the needs of our group and in constant comunication with our group leader. Also the drivers, Alan and Goody trying to give answers to our demmands and the helpful assistance of the cooks Calvin and Goody jr. Our trip was beyond our expectations and we were really satisfied with the organization and the final result.
NL
Email Julia van Gils | under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We have seen so many animals...
I am 15, I had already gone on a gamedrive before but this time we have seen a lot of animals and even a leopard and a cheeta hunting!
We have slept in tents, we have visited Masai Mara villages... It was very nice!
Our drivers and cooks were super nice and explained a lot of things about the animals and the countries. We have learnt us a lot of words in Swahili! Now I’m back and I miss the african sunsets, the yellow grass of the Savannah and the colorful Masais! Thanks Vincent! Thanks Allan! Thanks Calvin, Thanks Goody, Thanks Goody!
NL
Email Cristina Irun | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Low budget safari, great experience.
The communication with Seth Vincent was always very good. He has listened to our wishes ( we wanted a program for teenagers and adults with cultural visites) and has arranged a very nice program for us in Kenya and Tanzania. He is very flexible and try to please his guests. During our stay he contacted us often to be sure that everything was going well.
We had a very good experience also with our drivers who gave us a lot of information about the country and the animals we saw and we have seen a lot of them! We were also very grateful with our cooks who had prepared very tastefull meals even if we were not very easy with food!
If you like aventure, want to go low budget and are flexible to understand that things can be different Trip Advisor Africa Safari can offer you a great experience!
We want to thank everyone who made possible to go home with an unforgetable holiday!
Email Roxanne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was an amazing experience all round
The communication from Seth has been amazing through out our trip he has made sure that our holiday was the best it could be. The safari it’s self was amazing, we saw many different animals and got to enjoy the views of Tanzania. We are so glad we booked with this tour company and will be telling our friends to book with them too! It truly was an amazing experience. Akuna matata
US
Email JOHN AND CAROLINE | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
SETH WAS VERY RESPONSIVE AND ATTENTIVE. TRIED VERY HARD TO PLEASE.
COMMUNICATIONS WERE FINE. ONE PROBLEM WAS THAT TWO OF OUR SAFARI DRIVERS DID NOT ALWAYS COMMUNICATE BETWEEN THEMSELVES WELL. ARRIVED LATE TWO OR THREE TIMES TO OUR LODGINGS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT.
ONE DRIVER, DICKSON, WAS OFTEN ON HIS PHONE WHILE DRIVING, CHATTING WITH FRIENDS OR WIFE.
THAT SEEMED TO BE HIS PRIORITY DESPITE OUR COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. NOT GOOD.
OPANY AND ALI BABA WERE GREAT AND KNOWLEDGEABLE.
RIFT VALLEY ROUTE VERY CROWDED AND FRUSTRATING...BUT TRIP TO MASA MARA FROM LAKE NAKURU WAS BRUTAL. FORTUNATELY, THE GAME VIEWING AND VISIT TO THE MASAI VILLAGE FAR EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS. WELL WORTH IT, VERY MUCH SO. P.S DO STAY AT THE WONDERFUL, CHARMING SAROVA NELSON HOTEL IN NAIROBI. OUTSTANDING STAFF!