We'd rather take your smile to the bank!
Lush Africa Safaris
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- Association of Uganda Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Caroline | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Avoid
I booked a great migration 3 night 4 days Masai Mara safari with Abbey of Lush African Safaris 15 months ago, paid $4700 in full 8 months ago. It is for my 50th birthday and our honeymoon.
Today, 7 days prior to travel, I’ve received an email from a lawyer in Uganda stating a 3rd party has disappeared with some of the money we have paid.
We have 4 options.
1-proceed with the original safari but pay an additional $3500
2-reschedule at no extra cost. Obviously not an option as we have international flights and a add on in Zanzibar booked
3-use an alternative tour operator at our own cost
4-request a refund but it states they are putting the company into bankruptcy so this process may involve delays
All options are unacceptable. Also as they haven’t actually filed for bankruptcy we can’t claim on our travel insurance. So we have lost £3500 and it’s ruined our honeymoon
IT
Email Rossella | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Several organizationall faiures
My experience with Lush Africa Safaris
My experience with Lush Africa Safaris was unfortunately far below what had been agreed and paid for in advance.
I booked and fully paid by early July for a tour in Uganda from 14 to 23 August 2026. Problems started from the very first night in Entebbe.
During the trip, I discovered several activities had not been booked and some services were different from those confirmed. The Batwa community experience had not been communicated to the guide, and the boat excursion had not been booked.
In Bwindi, the first accommodation was different from the one agreed and was of a lower standard. The second accommodation was also different from the one listed in the itinerary confirmed before departure.
Towards the end of the trip, I also discovered that the chimpanzee trekking had not been booked and that the hotel for the night of 22 August had not been booked either.
On several occasions, I had to show the guide my own itinerary to explain what was supposed to be included in the trip.
I want to make it clear that Steven, our driver and guide, did his best to solve organisational problems that were not his responsibility.
Another important issue concerned the Italian-speaking assistance I had paid for. I was supposed to have an Italian-speaking companion/translator, but at the last minute a replacement was sent who had no previous experience in this role and had never been to Uganda.
I want to stress that she was kind, helpful and did her very best. She was a lovely person and we are still in contact today. My criticism is therefore not directed at her personally, but at the agency’s organisation: the service provided was not the professional service I had paid for.
At the end of the trip, I was also asked to pay an additional USD 360 for the final night in Entebbe, which I disputed.
After returning home, I sent the agency a detailed complaint. On 25 August, I was told they were collecting reports before giving me a proper response.
I waited and followed up several times, including on 4 and 7 September, and again afterwards. I eventually formally requested a written response and a solution within seven days.
Despite the time that has passed and my repeated attempts to obtain clarification, to date I have received neither a substantive response nor any concrete proposal to resolve the matter.
I deliberately waited before publishing this review to give Lush Africa Safaris enough time and opportunity to explain what happened and resolve the situation.
My review is therefore not based on one isolated problem, which can of course happen during any trip, but on the number of organisational failures, the differences between what was agreed and what was actually provided, and finally the lack of proper handling of my complaint after I returned home.
Based on my experience, the repeated organisational problems during the trip and, above all, the lack of response to my complaint afterwards, I cannot recommend Lush Africa Safaris. I chose to travel with an agency precisely so that I could enjoy my trip without having to deal with organisational problems myself, but unfortunately that was not my experience.
ES
Email Helena | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely disappointing experience – Refund still outstanding
I am extremely disappointed with my experience with Lush Africa Safaris. I booked and paid for a safari, but had to cancel well in advance of the scheduled departure, in accordance with the cancellation conditions applicable to my booking.
Although the company acknowledged my cancellation, I am still waiting for my full refund. I have sent numerous emails and made repeated attempts to resolve this matter amicably, but I have received nothing but delays and explanations about problems with PayPal and third-party providers.
I have been patient and cooperative throughout this process, yet the issue remains unresolved. What concerns me most is the lack of a clear solution, reliable communication and accountability. Customers should not have to spend weeks chasing a company to recover money they are entitled to have refunded.
I have now escalated the payment dispute with my card provider and am pursuing formal complaints through the relevant channels.
Based on my experience, I would strongly advise anyone considering booking with Lush Africa Safaris to carefully review the cancellation and refund terms and consider the risks before making a payment.
A professional company should handle cancellations transparently, communicate clearly and resolve refund requests promptly. Unfortunately, this has not been my experience with Lush Africa Safaris.