Our Clients and our Director before the safari
Wanyama African Safari
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Member Of:
- TATO, TTB & TALA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $210 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IL
Email Ahron | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Shabani's scam
We booked 4 days safari with Shabani's company. It was a disaster!!
1. The cars were completely full. 9 people including the chef instead of 7 as promised. When we asked Abdul (our guide) to solve this issue he gave us unacceptable solutions (leave the chefs and that we will cock for our self). Also the cars were fulled with equipment so there was no place for the legs.
2. Abdul the guide was unprofessional. After we talked to him about some of the problems he decided not to talk to us and didn't explain anything during the game drives, even not the names of the animals. He was just a taxi driver that took us from one location to another.
3. Time in the Safari weren't as promised. In the first day of the Sarangeti we had only two hours of game drive.
4. A lot of small annoying issues: there were not enough tents in the first night for everyone, in the second day the chefs refused to wake up early in the morning to make us breakfast because it was too "early" for them.
When we came to Abdul ,asking for solutions for our problems he didn't show any intention to figure out them out and he even blamed us one time that the reason we got late to the Sarangeti (16:30) is because we asked him to stop to photograph giraffes on the way.
When we got back to Arusha we went to Shabanis office to talk with him about everything. During the talk he blamed us for being "hard customers" and didn't even say he was sorry about anything. Eventually he started to talk in aggressivly when we said we will write a bad recommendations. When we got out from his office (without any compensation) he even tried to hit one of the girls and we had to stop him. When we walked out to the street he keep followed us, this was really scary and unpleasant.
I think Sahabani is a dangerous man and even that his prices is low it doesn't worth the bad feeling.
Shaban the scam artist
Within the first 10 minute Mr Shaban had broken his own contract. The itinerary had changed, and indeed the accommodation and the company as well. I chose this company as the reviews appeared to be good. I was put with another cheaper company with poor reviews but had to pay the higher price. Mr shaban would not answer his phone to discuss the situation and refund the difference. Eventually he replied to my texts and was very rude and aggressive in his responses. He told me i should go to the police about him breaking the contract. Terrible man. No one should book with this company
RO
Email Andreea | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
African Scams
Well it seems that my experience with them was not that great, in fact it's still horrible. We booked with them the Kilimanjaro Trekking and Short Safari after that. Everything went just well until my boyfriend got diagnosed suddenly with pectoral angina and we were advised by the doctor to cancel the trip. So we did and more than one month in advance we contacted them to tell them the problem and if there is a way to get a refund of the money we already have paid. They said sure and no problem but they invoked the bank fees. So I suggested to pay the bank fees from our money and just send us the difference. After this they just stopped responding to phone calls, messages or e-mails. We can't reach them anymore even if we gave them an alternative and we agreed that we will pay the fees. They are just some african scams not trustable.
And Episode No #2:
They told me to post the medical documents on fb and safarbookings which of course I didn't do it because it's stupid and the documents are private. But I sent the documents to them by e-mail to prove that I'm not the one who lies in this story . The owner told me he will refund the money only if I erase the reviews on facebook and safaribookings which I did but more of curiosity to see how far can he go. Well what was already expected: since that (2 weeks ago) no sign from them again. So predictable I would say. It's not a big amount of money, maybe he feeds his family a week with that amount, honestly I don't even care. What I care about are the lies and the deep lack of respect. In conclusion I consider them scams not being able to assume a risk or facts not to mention to keep their word. I didn't go anywhere and neither I booked with someone else but how can you make understand someone who in fact has other interests?
FR
Email Da | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had a great time!
I've seen "the big five", thanks to Steve our nice driver. Steve is really a humor guy. Our cook, Samwel is also a good guy and his service is acceptable. You cannot expect fancy foods in a safari trip I think. The only thing that I don't like is that sometimes we had to eat like vegetarians. I don't know if it's due to the tight of the balance for a cheaper safari.
The worst thing is the policy of the company. The price of your safari depends on how well you can bargain with the tour operator but not depends on the quality of the service and not depend fairly on how many people sharing the cars. Since I went alone, I had to join others. I had to pay 750 $ for 4 days of safari and others people in my group had to pay 750$ for 5 days. Shabani, the tour operator even wanted to charge me for 800$ if I didn't try to bargain. This is really a short-term benefit policy! One more thing even worse is that after a long trip of safari, we were brought to the company office and forced to give comments about the company. They didn't ask us if we want to go there to give comment or not! What kind of comment you will give in front of them? This is just ridiculous. I hope they'll read this comment and then improve their quality of service.
Overall, nothing is perfect. I had a great time in Tanzania. I will come back here in the future if I can afford.
BR
Email Thierry Pontes | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Many animals, great views, good food e nice accommodation for a good price
Shabani helped me a lot with so many things in Arusha Town he has a great price for the service offered during the Safari. The meals was very good and also the accommodation.
The only problem was the guide, he wanted to take us to the Massai Viallage around 3pm and on the scheduled was around 6pm. Shabani also helped me to get a hostel to stay because the one I booked was closed.
The playing area was very nice with so many animals e great views.
The guide and cooker ask for tips.
Great experience, very dedicated stuff, we will never forget this adventure
Shabani was very nice and helpful all along, even before we came to Tanzania, and gave us very good advice about other things in our trip that didnt have to do with the Safari.
Abdul the guide was funny, interesting and has a lot of knowledge. He is the reason the experience was so good.
Everything was planned to the last detail, if there were problems it was mainly because of the infrastracture in the locations - for example the long time waiting before the entrance to the parks, but it has nothing to do with African travel tours
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good organisation
From the start, mister Shabani was very honest and puntcual. We were looking for the cheapest safari possible and found that with him. He picked us up at the airport the day before our trip and dropped us at our hotel, the guide picked us up again the next morning and in the end we were dropped back home. Very good service!
When the guide had some troubles paying the entrance fee, we payed it for him and mister Shabani refunded the money the next day, without further problems.
We are very enthusiastic about this company. The only complain we have, is about our guide. He was a very good driver and a good card player, but as a guide he wasn't very talkative. We had to ask everything, and the answers were always very short. Of course, he is not the only guide in the company. We talked to two others, and they seemed to have more knowledge on the topic.
We had a very nice trip, enjoyed the overnight in a great private iglo (even tough we payed only for camping) and were stunned by the national parks.
AT
Email Marianne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
fantastic fantastic fantastic !!!
The safari was the best decision ever!!! Adventure, joy, happiness and lots of animals to see. Special thanks to our driver and guide Richard and our cook Peter! An unforgettable time and memories that will always remain in our hearts!!! Thank you so much for all !!!
RU
Email Sergei | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent combination of price, quality and great emotions
It was amazing journey! For 5 days we saw: tarangire national park, ngorongoro national park, lake Manyara national park, and was on culture tour near Kilimanjaro (Chagga museum, coffee plantations, waterfall, base climbing camp). Everything was just in time. Food was great. Special thanks to: Shabani for perfect organization and no extra payments, chief Khabib for good and tasty food, Tony for interesting culture tour. We has only one bad moment: when we was on safari the driver drove the car so fast that my friend lost his pants. We tried searched - could not find the pants. Overall the journey was wonderful! Thank you!
US
Email Chris Wellington | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly recommended company
On my to do list : A Safari in Africa. This is what I always dream on since my young age. We decided my girlfriend and I to take a trip to Tanzania to do a Safari. The Price in Canada are so expensive, so we decide to go with a local company and we found Wanyama African safari . I exchanged many email with Shabani (40 emails to be honest). The reply was always fast and seems to be a good company. But since we arrived at Kili (JRO) airport, I had somes doubts. Our drive and Guide Francis was there with a little sign with my name on it. From this moment my doubt was gone. He was there. Francis is a really good guide and a good men! A big talker and a big fan of wildlife. He picked up at the airport to dropped us at our first hotel. Shabani met us in the evening at our hotel to explain to us how it gonna work. He gaves us 3 phones numbers to join him 24h/7. WoW we are in confidence now in Wanyama African safari . You can trust them. We chose to go with Mixing safari with Lodge and Camping. If you ever choose camping, choose the place you want to stay because Shabani told me we can hear the roar of lions and the laughter of the hyenas while we camp, but the reality is we camp at the hotel camp site, which was outside of the parks site. So we slept in the yard of the hotel, it was like camp in my backyard with the sound of an angry women crying at her husband probably to drunk. The good part of the Camping is Anthon (our Cook) a real nice guy who prepare nice, simple but really good meal during camping. Back in Canada we tried to find a soup greater than Anthon's one, but for now we are unable!!! For the Lodge part, we stayed at Ikoma Camp Site. A really nice place where we met Pepe, the owner of the hotel. A funny and good men! But we ate the same things for 3 days! Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner! Ikoma is a good place go (beautiful and relaxing) but don't go there for the food. Tanzania remains on my do to list. I hope in the next few years! And I will take Wanyama African safari again for my trip! I hope the best for this company and you can trust them for your dream to make a Safari