Adventure Dragon Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $300 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Lisa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Francis Otieno is a SCAMMER!
Francis Otieno is a seasoned scam artist operating as a tour operator 'Adventure Dragon Safaris'. Under the suggestion of the safari driver (who was working for this scammer for the first time thus didn't know him), I have filed a police report and he has been issued with an OB number.
I could go into a lot of detail, but in short, he actually pretends to work for a registered company called Big Safari Tours and he didn't fully honor the tour I paid him for. On day 2 of the safari, the driver said he had not been sent the park fees and because we were such a long way, we had to pay for these (again) and hope he would refund us the money later. Of course, he turned his phone off. Back in Nairobi, the guide managed to get a hold of him, but he refused to refund the money so effectively, he had stolen those park fees even though it was part of our agreed safari tour. That, along with impersonating a registered company, is what is in the police report.
Foolishly, I did not verify that he worked for Big Time Safari until after I paid him the deposit in his MPesa account, in which he issued me with a receipt from his 'sister' company 'Adventure Dragon Safaris' with an official-looking logo. I couldn't verify with KATO that his 'business' is registered. While I wondered whether he was going to turn up at all and run off with my deposit, he did turn up, so I thought I was simply going to get what I paid for but with another company. I was obviously wrong. He is very manipulative, but the lies started becoming obvious when he suggested additional activities at clearly inflated prices (he quoted $150 for an activity I already knew was $60). I also discovered that he overcharged me for the actual tour too.
I acknowledge that all this wouldn't have happened if I had done my due diligence and had not been so trusting, but as it has happened now, all I can do is warn others not to make the same mistake as I did. I feel rather stupid because normally, I verify these things on Trip Advisor and such. I'm not the first person he has scammed, but I do hope I'm the last. Given he hasn't even changed his phone number or Facebook for several years, I feel it has been too long that he has been getting away with it. He told me he recently bought a new car (he's also an Uber driver). It's probably no wonder with all the money he continues to steal from people.
Email Tenshi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible experience with Dragon Safaris
Horrible Horrible experience with Francis. I would not recommend him to anyone at all.
Never met any expectations of the client. Really dissapointed
US
Email SkiNHGolfer. See Full Alert in Trip Advisor. | 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!
AE
Email Shaniz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive and Attentive to Travel Needs
I contacted Adventure Dragon only few days before the trip and they immediately responded. They found me a group safari to join (not all tour companies has this program so I'm glad I found the right one. The whole package included airport pick up, full board meal and a great stay in Masai Mara. They arranged everything, you have nothing to worry about. Kudos to Francis who made sure the whole trip was arranged the way I wanted, responsive, kind and trustworthy. I definitely recommend them.
Amazing adventure that stays with you long after it has ended
The safari was good. We only did a short one over a weekend, but got all we needed and made some good friends on the way. Where we stayed was great and the tour guides were great too. We are vegetarians, so that was our only struggle, to find suitable food. Otherwise we were very happy.
FI
Email Amira | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome safari experience
I did a 3 day Safari with Adventure Dragon Safaris. I had one guy with me as a driver and he also took care of everything. He was great and fun company and I felt very safe with him. The camp site was very nice and the tents were clean, comfortable and very well equipped. Food was good also. Definately a great deal all together!
DE
Email Holger | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic service
Adventure Dragon Safaris has a very kind and friendly manager who answered all my questions and solved all my problems. I spended a very interesting safary in Masai Mara! Everytime again
Email David Davies | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great service of all time. Thanks for Francis for making all arrangement for our memorable safari
Get the best African tour experience at your convenience with Dragon adventure Safaris at a very affordable price. I promise you'll not be disappointed. We had 3 days Maasai Mara Camping and it was so grate with help of Fransis