Bonfire Adventures
- Located In:
- Size:
- 100-250 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $550 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Judy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible and misleading communication with details left hanging until last minute poor job!
We paid months in advance, yet even the day before each stay we did not have lodging confirmations. They tried to get an extra $200 from us saying the bank transfer we sent was short. They did not advise we would need cash for entrance fees until we were already in Kenya. Left some fees unpaid at lodging which we were forced to pay in order to check out. Did not respond to inquiries in a timely manner. Bonfire does not provide a carefree vacation, as you need to fight for information and details constantly. In the end we got what we needed but only because we actively worked for it. I would not recommend this company. It seems other reviewers have had similar experiences so it is likely a company problem.
Reply from Bonfire Adventures
Posted on Jul 31, 2018We paid months in advance, yet even the day before each stay we did not have lodging confirmations. ANS- that is normal for proper pre booking of services like hotel
They tried to get an extra $200 from us saying the bank transfer we sent was short. ANS - their are standard charges that bank charges all transaction and kindly note our package are nett.
They did not advise we would need cash for entrance fees until we were already in Kenya. ANS - this is well mentioned in the terms and condition where by it shows what is included in the package and what is excluded.
Left some fees unpaid at lodging which we were forced to pay in order to check out. ANS - the package doesn't include extras like drinks and laundry in hotels and its clearly indicated at the EXCLUDED column.
Did not respond to inquiries in a timely manner. ANS - this might be human error which will be rectified immediately.
Bonfire does not provide a carefree vacation, as you need to fight for information and details constantly. In the end we got what we needed but only because we actively worked for it. ANS - Our tour consultant are interactive and we have competent labor force which is complimented with a whole guest relation office to assist in clients satisfaction
I would not recommend this company. It seems other reviewers have had similar experiences so it is likely a company problem. ANS - this is very regrettably and we promise to be more responsive and every mentioned mistake will be looked into.
Email Donna Demir | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing fantastic would go with Jack anywhere love them
Bonfire/ Jack far exceeded my expectations. He took care of our group like we were family. We were comfortable at our lodging of choice. Food was good. Tour was fantastic because Jack is very knowledgeable and yet personable.
NL
Email Caro and Ym | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience never to forget, thanks to our excellent guide Ken
We booked a 3 days trip to Masai Mara. The communication before was very good. Thank you Esther. Reply on questions was fast and before leaving it was clear what we needed to take with us (US dollars for entrance, some extra money,...).
We got a very good guide,(thank you Ken) who had a lot of experience. It really was an adventure. It was also very nice to see how all the guides work as a team, younger less experienced guides were advised so all the groups got a nice safari.
Also the lounge was a nice place (Olmaran) with friendly personal.
Email Chique | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very disorganized
We booked a short trip to Mombasa using the SGR. When we got to the Miritini station all the people who had booked with Bonfire we're herded to one corner. Most of us had no transportation to the hotels. Where a bus finally showed up, 2 hours late, it broke down at the parking lot! They eventually put us in 3 separate taxis after much complaining. We wasted about 4 hours that counted as part of the first day of the trip.
Email David Godfrey Newman | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good
Would like to thank Betty at the booking office. Our Driver Philip was one of a kind conversant with the Nairobi National Park, friendly and knows most of the animals characteristics as id working with the Park. Pick up w as on point. Thanks Philip and Betty. Thanks Bonfire adventures
Email KIKI | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dishonest,Disorganized,Ripoff,Old Worn Out Tour Van .
Avoid SILVESTER at all costs . He is supposedly the SENIOR TOUR CONSULTANT at one of their Nairobi branches .He does not reply emails ,texts and when i confronted him he said he didn't receive any emails . Luckily we got a different Consultant Terry who booked us our safari to MasaiMara and Mombasa .Bonfire didn't honor the price quotes they had stated earlier and their reason was the prices have changed .The price quotes on their website are wrong . Hotel transfers from train station in Mombasa was a disaster .Anyway Terry did her best and she was warm and welcoming . Martin was our driver and tour guide . He was excellent in everyway . Its sad he works for such a disorganized company.Avoid this tour company if you want to enjoy your vacation .May be pay a little more elsewhere for your own comfort and peace of mind. SHAME ON YOU BONFIRE!
Email Jonathan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Masai Mara 3 day (but only 2)
Simba Oryx lodge and Mara itself are superb. Bonfire are either dishonest or incompetent. We paid for three days safari but, on the third day, the driver just took us home. We also gave the driver park fees to cover the third day. We are following this up with the company so will update this site if we get a refund, apology etc.
Email Julian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Zanzibar trip
Please do not book with bonfire adventures.
We did not get our confirmation till the night before, having paid 3 days in advance.
The packages offered on-line did not correspond with the actual package I.e. sunset cruise dinner was a watermelon, cocktail never materialised.
They sent us a text message the night before departure, advising us that we were booked on a .m. flight with no flight details.
There are other your company operators who are more reliable out there.
Do not waste your time with bonfire adventures.
Excellent, exceeded my expectations
Well coordinated. I would like to comment tour consultant by the name Real Munyiva. she made my bookings easier with all required information i did not have difficulties. the transfers were made on time with no delay. will use again
Awful Customer Experience
While the tour to the Masai Mara and the lodge where we stayed was very nice, my experience with Bonfire Adventures as a customer has been quite a disaster from the beginning till the end.
Here is why:
- First the company forced us to pay the entire amount of the safari upfront while no other safari company has ever asked for that and leaving us with absolutely no guarantee and no leverage
- Secondly our driver was unresponsive at the time of the meeting and ended up showing more than hour late without even apologising. This led us to be stuck in traffic for hours when our drive could have been much shorter if we had departed on time.
- Thirdly when we showed up for the first time at the gate of the Masai Mara park the network did not work and we could not pay by credit card. Our driver almost blamed us not to have cash for the entrance fees while the company had told us we would have to pay the entrance fees by card and we had to negotiate to be able to get in.
- Fourthly, we were charged for our lunch on our way back to Nairobi on the third day while the safari package indicates a Full Board for the three days (the itinerary even mention that you will only go back at 4pm to Nairobi - way after lunch time) and never mentions any extra cost for this last lunch.
- Lastly and the most annoying, my luggage was lost on the way back to Nairobi and the company did not provide with any type of compensation while the luggage was under their responsibility. The only excuse they could come up with was "this has never happened before" which of course does not help solving the issue at all.
Therefore I would strongly advise against using them for any type of safari of excursion.