Rose the consultant.
Safari Line Defender
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $300 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
ES
Email Miguel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I have felt cheated with this service
I do not recommend SAFARILINE DEFENDER to anyone. We did a safari with them and they cheated us with the contract terms. My recommendation is that if you do not pay attention to this comment CLEARLY LEAVE EVERYTHING IN WRITING WITH THESE PEOPLE, or they will deceive you as they did us.
When we decided to call her to clarify what had happened, she pestered us all the time saying that she was very busy and couldn't. She only called us back when we said we would speak to the police, and it was to yell at us and speak to us in a very rude and obscene tone.
In addition, our driver throughout the SAFARI, did not stop doing a reckless driving with the phone in his hand all the time and in the other driving talking on whatsapp, calling on the phone and playing mobile apps or games while he had to drive and be attentive To the road.
(automatic translation from Spanish)
Reply from Safari Line Defender
Posted on Sep 6, 2022We do apologize for the misunderstanding. The issue here was the hours you were supposed to spend in the park. We explained to you before you started the Safari that 1ticket is valid for 24hrs. The 1st day you entered the park at 4:40pm. The second day you were supposed to leave the park exactly at 4:40pm but you insisted to stay until 6pm. We tried to explain to you about the National park rules but you could not listen until we told you to engage the national park police.
Email Naheed | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Disappointing....waste of money... major let down!!!
Having come close to the end of my tour in East africa, and having had an amazing time, i couldn't leave without visiting the masai mara. So I enquired about the 1 night 2 day tour with safari line defenders, Rose was helpful at that time and gave me lots of details about the tour regarding timings and what I should expect. Pleased with the information I had received I booked the tour...only to find out everything she had told me was a lie. She had basically falsified the details just to make a sale. She claimed the game drive would be 12hours over the 2 days, which I thought was a bit of a stretch for 2 days but it's her job she knows best, right?. No, We drove for a maximum of 3 over the 2 days, so much time was wasted waiting around. We arrived at the campsite on the 1st day at 3pm ( although Rose said we'd be there for 1pm) and we waited around wasting time for the driver to take us on the drive at 4.30pm. Inside the masai mara, the driver didn't make an effort to point out any animals or provide information about any of them. After 2hours of driving we returned to the camp...disappointed is an understatement of what I was feeling at this point, but I had the following day to look forward to. Come the second day we were ready to leave as requested at 6.30am. We made our way to the mara, drove around the same area again with not much of interest. The driver had told me the night before I would have to change groups, as the group I was with was not return today so I had to join a different group to return back. So he rang another driver to find out if I could get into their vehicle... in the middle of the masai mara I had to get out of my vehicle an into another. So the tour/ nightmare continued so we drove around spotting some lions n cheeters on the way. At 8am the driver said we will now drive back. I was shocked I had paid a grate deal of money for this?? So we returned. The driver was to drop each of the group members back to our hotels, I said I wanted to go to the office as I wasn't happy with the tour. He decided to make a phone call to let the office know. Personally I think it was to forewarn Rose about how i felt. On arrival at the office, surprise surprise Rose was nowhere to been seen. The guy at the office said it was Rose's sale so he couldn't do anything and said Rose would call me that evening ( I was flying out of Kenya 5am the following morning). The evening came and went and I received no form of communication from Rose. I wasn't going to miss my flight so I packed my bags and returned to the UK. Rose did message and her resolution was to offer me a free tour the next time I came, I wouldn't be returning to Kenya any time soon to a couldn't take the offer, I told her. I requested a refund, but she refused and said I had to email the director of the company about my complaint, which I did. Did I get a response? No, no surprise there.
All in all a very disappointing experience and waste of money. I wouldn't recommend this tour company to anyone. If you want to experience a real game drive don't use this company.
Reply from Safari Line Defender
Posted on Feb 28, 2020We are sorry for the misunderstanding. you booked 2Days 1night joined safari.. As usual, The safari starts at 8:30AM. and get to the Masai mara at from 3pm. depending on the the road and weather. If you arrive late in the Masai Mara then there will be no time to drive to the Mara river which is quite a distance and that is schedule for the following day and evening game drive is done. According to the national park rules, The check out time is 9am otherwise you will have to pay the park fee for another day.
When joining a group,not everybody is doing the same days. so interchanging car is normal. and this is made clear before the safari starts.
The driver explained to you that going to The Mara river would not be possible due to the time limit. An overnight safaris is quiet limiting. Sometimes understanding is the key to happiness....
The experience was good but could be more knowledgeable
Going to the Masai Mara at the end of March was a great idea, the landscape is green, beautiful and few tourists are there.
The tour I booked with Safari Line was worth the price. Food was good, the place where we sleep was okay, otherwise I thought the guide could have told us more about the wildlife and also stop a bit more on the way to see other animals than the big five. This probably depends also on the group you are with.
In general, I think we should be careful not going too close to the wildlife so that we do not disturb them, but it was clearly not the case in Masai Mara, that's also why tourists are happy at the end of the day...
US
Email Jason | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
bumpy road
On the whole, this was a decent experience.
We weren't aware the road into Masai Mara was so incredibly bumpy, and with two small children and a pensioner on board, this was information that should have been passed on to us from the start as a matter of courtesy. The car itself was very loud and the windows were quite shaky, which of course was magnified during the bumpier parts of the journey.
There was a question about money and residency status that was problematic, but eventually resolved after a few talks on the phone.
Our stay at the eco-center was pleasant, the people were friendly, and the food was lovely.
Our driver was kind and knowledgable.
Because we had two young children with us, the morning outing on the 3rd day was scrapped.
Unless a different van was available, I don't think we would ride with Safariline again.
Email Peter R | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Massi Mara to Nakuru to Amboseli
The tour was well organised with the transport vehicle and drivers being excellent. We did the ballon ride in Ambesolie which is a must. Champagne breakfast to go with it in the bush was a real treat.
Remember if you are travelling around, these distances can result in long hours being spent in the land cruiser.
If you can afford an upgrade in accommodation go for it, as the food in the budget camps can be disappointing. Otherwise this is great value for money.
DZ
Email Samir | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thanks Rose for the support flexibility and availability that you gave me
Jimmy was our driver and guide during this safari to massai mara with his amazing land cruiser. Jimmy was calm funny and we had a lot of informations on places plantes and animals we saw. He was also always available for other needs we asked for. Thx Jimmy
CA
Email Frank | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The complete Safari experience
Great Safari
My guide Patrick was very knowledgeable and his elle eyes spotted all the animals around
NP
Email Jaya | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall is good.
Alls are OK as per the expectations except Food is the cause of concern being Hindu.
Email Rob Young | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Basic but great!
The communication with Rose our contact was very efficient, everything ran very smoothly, for the price the tour was amazing and the wildlife viewing was incredible. If your priority is to see amazing wildlife at a reasonable price, this tour is definitely for you. Our tour took in the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli over 6 days. I have traveled all over the world viewing wildlife and this was definitely one of my all time best experiences. Accommodation, food and transport were highly functional, but I do not go wildlife viewing to be pampered I wish to feel the experience in the flesh not from inside some luxury cocoon. Our guide James made great efforts to ensure we saw all the amazing wildlife that Kenya has to offer and overall I was very happy with the experience. After the 6 day safari, Rose organised a 2 day trip for me to Mount Kenya, which was also incredible, got to see a genet but you do not a reasonable level of fitness for this trip. My guide on this trip was Jimmy and I had a great two days discussing life in Kenya with him as we climbed the mountain, admired the scenery and observed the wildlife.
Email Marina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great budget company!
The experience of doing a safari in Kenya was incredible! I did a five nights safari: 2 in Masai Mara, 1 in Lake Nakuru, and 2 in Amboseli.
Rose is very nice and answered all our questions. I just think that the communication could be better, specially right before and on the first day of the trip. I was a bit lost.
Our guide/driver, James, is very experienced. He knows where to spot the animals. We saw the big 5 in one day!
Really loved the experience!