Terrain Tanzania Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $140 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
HK
Email TJ | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Way worse than we expected
I am very disappointed with the service from this company, including the director and tour guides.
Upon our arrival at Kenya International Airport in the morning after a long and exhausting flight from Asia, we were shocked to find that no one was there to pick us up. We waited for hours, anxiously looking for any sign of our transportation. During this time, we attempted to contact George multiple times, but we received no response. It was incredibly frustrating to be left in such a situation, especially after such a long journey. Ultimately, we had no choice but to call a taxi and make our own way to the first hotel. George only reached out to us after we had arrived at the hotel, explaining that his Kenyan partner had made a mistake and forgotten to send someone to pick us up. This lack of communication and organization was unacceptable.
On the following day in Kenya, we encountered further issues. The tour guide did not take us to the destination specified in our itinerary. Instead, we were pressured into participating in walking tours that required us to pay out of pocket, despite our initial refusals. The tour guide insisted that we must join at least one paid program, leaving us feeling coerced and dissatisfied with the experience we had originally signed up for.
Additionally, the lodges where we were accommodated were clearly of a much lower standard than what was promised in our itinerary. The company claimed that the accommodations listed were overbooked, yet they failed to provide us with equivalent options that matched the quality we had expected. The food served at these lodges was unsanitary, and we were suffering from diarrhea, which significantly impacted our trip.
Throughout our experience, there was a constant push to make us pay for additional services that were not part of our original package. Unplanned souvenir shopping stops were added without prior notice, which felt more like a sales tactic than a genuine part of our tour. This relentless focus on upselling not only detracted from our enjoyment but also made us feel undervalued as customers.
Overall, this trip has been far from the enjoyable experience we anticipated. I hope this feedback will be taken seriously to improve the service for future travelers.
US
Email Katherine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Vehicle Safety Concerns and George (Owner) Showed No Accountability
We had a deeply distressing experience during our safari with Terrain Tanzania Safaris, owned by George. What was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip turned into a situation where we felt genuinely unsafe — and unsupported when it mattered most.
In Kenya, we were provided with a vehicle that, in our experience, raised serious safety concerns, including:
- Seatbelts that did not function
- Exposed, rusted metal that injured my mother’s leg
- A passenger door that swung open twice while driving on the road
We were alarmed and immediately requested a replacement to George. We were told by him that it would be arranged — but then received no updates or communication for over 24 hours. During that time, we felt anxious, helpless, and abandoned. Our current driver on that day also felt confused since he didn't get a confirmation from George wheather he should go back home or continue on the next day. We insisted him to stay that night, because otherwise we could have a risk of no guide or a vehicle the next day, which turned out to be true since George made no replacement arrangements.
On the next day 1:30PM, we were informed by George that the replacement vehicle would not be provided due to additional park entrance costs. To us, this felt like our safety had been deprioritized in favor of saving money — a decision that left us both disappointed and frustrated. Furthermore, this complete lack of communication caused us immense trauma and unbearable stress.
We understand that no trip is perfect and safari conditions can be challenging. However, we believe that basic safety and responsive support should never be compromised.
This experience left us shaken and disheartened. In our personal opinion, travelers booking with this company should be aware of what we encountered, and consider whether they are comfortable with the level of risk and response we faced.
US
Email Sarat Babu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible experience
We booked this company for both Kenya and Tanzania safaris, They completely spoiled our Kenya Masai Mara experience, the guide we got name called Ole spoiled our complete experience by misguiding us and when we tried to call the tour company owner George, he was not at all responsive while we were in Kenya.
They treated us well while we were in Tanzania got a very good guide name called Omar but our Kenya and Masai Mara experience was horrible.
And when we were suppose to get AA Lodge at Ambosali National park, they gave one basic room where it was not a finished room with open nails and all, the beds were not even equipped with mosquito nets and my kids were bitten by at least 50 Mosquitos on that night.
Summary: Our experience in Tanzania is ok but definitely spoiled my Kenya experience.
I recommend you to avoid this company.
Reply from Terrain Tanzania Safaris
Posted on Aug 1, 2023Your Masai Mara experience to me was a great one - you had a full day of game drive on day two from 8:00 to around 18:00, I remember to have spoken to you at exactly 17:47hrs and your reply was , can I call you in one hour? Still in a game drive.
The following day was a transit day and not a game drive day since you were to be at the border from 9:00Am, we have a shortcut route to get to the border but you insisted to cross through the reserve and delayed at the gate for 2hrs because our guide didn’t have these informations - yes I was not available (church) but my colleague Eric whom I gave you his contacts authorized and we paid for you to cross through the Reserve. While on transit through the reserve - it was another game drive which ended up with late arrival at the border.
Masai Mara to Serengeti NP via Isebania border we recommend clients to cross this border between 10:00hrs and 12:00hrs but you crossed the border at 15:45hrs because you insisted and extended a Game Drive in Masai Mara. I had to call and inform the incharge of Serengeti Gate on your late check-in to the Park, of course you arrived relatively late at the gate and after dark at the Camp.
On your last two days in Tanzania - I left my office work and took the responsibility to drive and guide you to Mt Kilimanjaro as part of your schedule, I wanted to find out if anything was wrong - but you seemed to be very happy.
Amboseli NP, we could not find rooms at AA both nights , I explained and we agreed to a different Camp of which you did not like, efforts were done and we moved you to AA second night. The rest of the accommodations were as per itinerary. THANKS.