Reviews
US
Email Doug | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Successful summit on Kili and a fun safari
Coordinating our trip was relatively easy- our communication was done via email, responses were usually quick and good coordination and suggestions. Emmanuel was very accommodating and helpful in arranging our hotel stay pre and post climb as well as post safari. He also did an excellent job of booking our lodges on safari.
We did have some issues with our last payment- which apparently never arrived at his bank (the previous bank wires arrived without issue). This required that I pay my own Kili park fees ($1500). He told me he would reimburse this park fee once he received the final bank wire. I have traced the wire twice and had confirmed by all banks involved that the payment was indeed made to his account but I haven't heard anything back regarding this confirmation nor have I heard anything about my refund- which I have given up on at this point.
Pros-
we have the memory of a lifetime from our climb and safari
our team of guides, porters and cook on the climb were all top notch- friendly and great at their jobs
our safari driver was knowledgeable and fun
Cons-
the whole money thing was a disaster- because of the language issues I'm still not sure of who I can trust or what is accurate- this problem was amplified by the fact that our email communications were intercepted and then hacked by cyber thieves who have tried multiple times to acquire funds from me directly and have even contacted my bank directly suggesting money be wired to accounts in Tanzania. Total mess! Probably not our tour operators issue. I hope anyway. (** I'll edit this part of the review should something change but it's been over a month without seeing my refund and a month since the money transfer was confirmed).
our equipment on the mountain was less than stellar- broken tent zippers, sleeping mats that had air leaks, broken portable toilet, etc. Not surprising given the fact they get used on a mountain but would have liked to have better equipment for what we paid.
Felt pressured to tip heavy after the climb and while I exceeded the suggested tip amounts the lead guide asked for even more. Felt a little weird to be on the receiving end of such a request.