Back of Africa Adventure Manager Making Bookings.
Back of Africa Adventure
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) & KWS
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $110 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Five stars for George, he was the perfect guide. Minus one star for Hell’s Gate bike ride.
George was our guide for the first four days, and he made them amazing days. He is not only a good guide, but a good person to spend many hours with. He was incredibly knowledgeable about all the animals we found. He knew how to find the more elusive animals (leopard, cheetah) and often we were the first safari van to find one of these special animals, due to his understanding of their movements and habits. He was patient in waiting for good viewing angles and opportunities. And he answered all our (many, many) questions about the large animals, the small ones, the birds, the bugs, and the plants. He even explained larger topics like the Kenya’s history and culture.
His personality was a perfect fit for us. Calm and present. He was attentive to every question, but did not fill silence with meaningless chatter. He thought carefully about his answers to our questions, and clearly understood the science behind the natural world. We really appreciated the space he gave us to talk amongst ourselves, or just enjoy the sounds of nature.
For the final day, George left and Obama became our guide. He was friendly and full of jokes. We visited Hell’s Gate that day. The park is nice, with some dramatic geological features and populations of zebra, impala, giraffes, and buffalo. The negative was the bike rental. We asked Obama about price but were told to wait and see, even after he spoke to the bike tour guide on the phone. When we met the bike tour guide, Obama explained his guide fee as 300 shillings, but the man corrected him to 1500. Then we had to pay a bunch of small fees, including the guide’s park entry fee and even his bike fee. We rented the guide’s bike for him, from him. The guide had a thick accent and a frequent cough. He mostly pointed to animals.
Only later did we see other tourists without guides and realize the guide was optional. We asked for some privacy and our guide rode ahead and mostly let us bike at our own pace.
One purpose the guide apparently serves is scaring away buffalo by clapping. So give the buffalo plenty of space and clap them away if they’re too close - they can be dangerous.
Finally, Alan was a responsive organizer and answered our emails promptly. Much appreciate that
DE
Email Benedikt | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful 7-day-safari
We had a wonderful 7-day-safari through Tsavo West, Tsavo East, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Nationalpark. Allan organized our whole costumized safari in only 2 days as we booked very spontaneously! The communication per mail was very good, he always responded immediately. Simon is the perfect driverguide with his excellent knowledge about the nature, animals and local culture as well as the best spots for great animal sightings. Also he never rushed but gave us enough time for watching animals and taking pictures. Not only did we see all Big Five but also many many other animals. The accomodations we had were amazing. As we are on a vegan diet, Allan made sure that we had all vegan meals. We recommend to book a Safari with Back of Africa Adventure 100%!!!
Thank you very much for a wonderful time!
US
Email Jake | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This is the best Company to use for a great Safari. Ask for Obama!
I did two different sets of Safari with Back of Safari. My guide was Obama. I had an absolutely amazing experience. Most guides will just show you the animals. On our safaris, our guide explained to us all of the details of the land, the culture, the neighboring tribes and much more. They have the best prices and without a doubt the best guides. If you are wanting a great safari experience, Back of Safari is the best way to go.
FR
Email Yuan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had to tell myself not to be mad and enjoy this honey moon private tour
I'm here to note the tour operator so I'd like to state several facts dealing with Back of Africa:
1. Allan asked me to pay the balance in cash but we don't have any USD, so he added 40 dollars (I can't remember how much excatly) bank fee in order to pay by card.
2. Three hours after departure we realized that it's not the direction to our first destination Amboseli so asked our driver. He told us we're actually going to Masai Mara.
3. I contacted Allan, he replied sorry for not telling us, and the program change is due to non availability at a lodge. Given that we were asked to pay the deposit 3 months ago "in order to secure the logistics", it's simply NOT acceptable to make the reservations at the last minute then realize that it's full. After carefully studying and made this tailored grogram together, imagine my furstration when Allan reversed our itinerary without informing us at all.
4. Since the itininary is reversed, I asked for a new full program. He said ok but I never recieved anything until the end of the trip.
5. On the initial program is included 3 hot meals per day, except for the full day safari in Masai Mara. Surprisingly we were given 3 times this non editable and completly non hygiene lunch box (imagine a toast sandwich with cheese and a greasy chicken leg after 5 hours under the sun). So we didn't have lunch and starved the whole day until I suffered from stomachache every evening. For the 3rd time I had to complain and fight for a real meal during our 7 hours drive from Naivasha to Ambosali.
(Allan told us later that full board hotel booking is only 5 dollars more expensive than half board, so it's more interesting for him to book with in-hotel lunch or lunch box. Again, since our program is changed, the road trips don't allow a in-hotel lunch. Since he never sent over the new program, we always needed to figure out by ourselves where we go the next day, and have no clue of lunch arrangement.)
6. On the last day back to Nairobi, Allan joined us for lunch, and asked us to express ourselves. He said sorry again, gave us loads of excuses that we as customers find it hard to accept. I asked on D1 some form of compensation which he refused, because he is too busy, and "miastake is human", and he "learned the lesson". This meeting is a pointless loss of time for our holiday.
7. I felt offended during this whole meeting. Allan was adressing only to my boyfriend and never looked at me, even when saying goodbye.
I would definately recommend Kenya and loved the breath taking scenaries and amazing animals.
Our driver and guide George is quiet and doesn't really smile, but has adequate knowlege and did his job.
These moments of frustration were not expected especially given the price we paid, we need to at least have the service we booked.
If I have any advice to give, do check every detail with him before you pay, and do not trust.
Reply from Back of Africa Adventure
Posted on Aug 2, 2019Hi Yuan,
I am sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with myself as an organizer. That was really not my intention I had at the back of my mind more so on our mail conversations as our valued customer. As a company and as a person in charge, I really appreciate your feedback as it is very indispensable.
I would also like to take this chance to comment on your points.
Yuan: Allan asked me to pay the balance in cash but we don't have any USD, so he added 40 dollars (I can't remember how much exactly) bank fee in order to pay by card.
Allan: with due respect, kindly refer to our mail conversation dated April 11, 2019, 12:02 PM, the tour booking form outlines well our company payments policies that were sent to you in good time before you make any down payments to our company via bank to bank transfer. You filled in well and mailed us back two weeks later, I’m pleased to say that I never pushed for a cash payments neither did I asked for more money than what was agreed upon during our mail conversations.
At times as a good customer and as a concerned tourist you need to be honest and not to keep some cards under the table. You had all the options on how to make payments to us including online payments through our company secured link beforehand and you opted and informed us that you shall pay the last bit in cash upon arrival…
regrettably last minute when i dropped you at your Nairobi hotel on sunday July 7th/2019 you told us that you want to settle the balance via card and NOT cash as was earlier communicated via mail and agreed upon.
Little did i know you did this intentionally....same way you gave us a wrong date for airport pickup....of which you have not include in your well versed report. i honestly believe it slipped your mind too....?!
CHANGE ON THE ITINERARY:
I must admit that this was my mistake as it completely slipped my mind and I never informed you in good time that the program was to start from the bottom to the top. I’m so sorry about this please. The main reason why I did reverse the program to start with maasai mara instead of Amboseli national park was to ensure that I get the availability for the lodges that we agreed upon in the package that you both opted for and not that we did reservations last minute.
I could have missed the facilities that were agreed upon if in any case the trip commenced with Amboseli and end it with maasai mara game reserve as per the original plan.
The below was the sketch revised itinerary:
Day 1. July 8th/2019. Nairobi to maasai mara sopa lodge
Day 2. July 9th/2019. Maasai mara – acc. Mara sopa lodge.
Day 3. July 10th/2019. Maasai mara to Naivasha sopa lodge.
Day 4. July 11th/2019. Naivasha / hell’s gate NP. To Amboseli Kibo safari luxury tented lodge.
Day 5. July 12th/2019. Amboseli NP. Acc was at Amboseli kibo safari luxury tented lodge.
Day 6. July 13th/2019. Amboseli Np. To Nairobi ----END OF TRIP.
I opted for the above due to the availability of the rooms since the month of July is a beehive activity with various lodges. though NO NATIONAL PARK or GAME RESERVE was compromised.
MEAL PLAN:
The meal plan was full board in every lodges and I believe “Tom, Dick and Harry” who has done similar trip in the past do understand the logistics involve. I’m astounded to read that you got greasy lunch boxes from outlined facilities. If it is not a matter of “adding salt to the open wound”, then as an operator I shall follow up with the outlined facilities.
COMPENSATION:
I honestly did outline to you why compensation was not possible since it was just a twist of the program to start to maasai mara instead of commencing with amboseli National park. It was not intentionally reversed but just to ensure I get the rooms in good time, all other logistics were as was communicated and agreed upon in our mail conversations and even the park entries, accommodations were paid in good time for the flow of the program and there were no transportation problems since we only have a new cars for our programs.
Once again do accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience you may have experienced in respect to starting your trip with maasai mara game reserve instead of Amboseli National park.
We take this opportunity to thank you for your feedback which allows us to serve you and other customers better today and tomorrow.
We deeply value your trust, relationship / business with Back Of Africa Adventure and I’m committed to providing you with the highest level of service simply because our customers deserve the very best. If you have any further questions or comments regarding this matter, please feel free to discuss it with us via e mail or phone call.
Yours sincerely
Allan.
HK
Email Tang Alice | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Back of Africa have did a great job in organizing and guiding during our whole trip in Kenya
This is my first time visit Kenya and thank you so much that Back of Africa have provided to me a great experience throughout my safari. Allan is really helpful and pleased to answer any of our questions during our planning stage especially arranging the pick up and drop off from and to airport no matter how early is the flight....pick up at very early morning 4am with no worries.
Our guide, George, an extremely experienced and really nice guy. He can spot the animals so quick that we even need to search for some time from where they are. George will try his best effort to search for the hiding animals and explained to us in details their character and behaviour with best of his knowledge. We indeed can understand more about the wild. Overall the safari is wonderful. The lodge we are staying with very good standard, the price is reasonable, the safari is smooth and well planned and the service is excellent.
I will highly recommend my friends to join Back of Africa or maybe me again in the coming future.
JP
Email Kayoko | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful safari tour
I joined 4 days Massai Mara tour and Nairobi National Park safari.
In Massai Mara, I saw a lot of lions, a leopard, two cheetahs, three black rhinos and many other animals.
Allan is very kind and sends me email so quickly.
Driver guides know about animals very well.
I'd like to visit Kenya again!
QA
Email Meritxell | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Journey
Allan arranged a complete 7-days safari. Even the timings were too tight, the overall experience was fantastic thanks to Simon our guide/driver and best friend for a week!! The program was not realistic with the driving distances considering Kenya's traffic and roads’ quality. Simon was the superhero who was driving from Tsavo to Naivasha for 6h and still have energy to find the rhinos and make us laugh!
Our choice combined luxury and budget palaces which all of them were as expected. We only missed to have a cooler box to store water in the van and some guide books to get more info of the fauna and flora. We will certainly repeat the trip with Simon, but I strongly suggest spending at least 2 night in each place to have time to rest and enjoy the Loges facilities which are amazing.
IE
Email Damian | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya Safari
Alan was excellent and provided a very professional service. He is an honorable person, we found him to be trustworthy and honest. He stood by what he promised. Airport pickup and drop off (and hotel transfer) included as part of the package. We opted for 5 day safari covering 3 parks ( Massai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboselli), but in hindsight this is too much for 5 days as it requires a lot of driving every day (6 hours a day). If we were going again, we would recommend 2 parks would suffice (skip Nakuru - long drive for limited wildlife viewing). Driver was very knowledgeable on wildlife/animals, and handled the 4WD very well (had to switch to 4WD on one bad mountain road). Massai village visit included as part of package, but in the village we visited in Amboselli, the village chief's son who guided us around the village, was on a serious sales pitch - far too much. Significant pressure to buy items at extremely inflated prices and to donate money to the local school. This was uncomfortable and took away from the village visit.
BA
Email Amer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Strong recommendation for excellent service!
I wish to thank Allan for his excellent service and great safari experience. His more than friendly approach and timely communication exceeded my expectations. He is top class professional in safari tours branch of business. In addition, he provided me a necessary support and help in Nairobi where I experienced some difficult moments. He is truly a great guy who I strongly recommend to anyone interested in safari experience in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
US
Email Brett | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall very good, some logistical issues.
Pros: 1. Allan from Back of Africa was great and delivered on everything he promised within his power.
2. the parks and animals in both Kenya and Tanzania were amazing.
3. the camps for the most part were as or better than expected in almost every instance.
4. the employees of Back of Africa were all very friendly and helpful.
Cons: 1. because Back of Africa can't operate in Tanzania they subcontract out a tour company in Tanzania to complete the trip there. That company (SouthSand Tours) was also perfectly fine. The only issue was the communication between the two companies. Our itinerary in Tanzania was changed multiple times because the tanzanian company informed us the way that Allan and I agreed to it was not possible based on park rules. Also, when we were dropped off back in Nairobi on the last night we were told by SouthSand Tours that someone from Back of Africa would be waiting for us at the bus stop to take us to the hotel, however, when we got dropped off in the middle of the night on the street no one was waiting for us (luckily a hotel was nice enough to let us borrow their wifi to uber to our hotel).
Recommendation: My overall recommendation would be to use Back of Africa for your Kenyan trip and another company individually if you leave the country, I think it would result in a smoother and less frustrating process. If not for this I would have given Back of Africa 5 stars and westerners should feel completely safe using them in the future.