Somak Holidays
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
United States
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 1968)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, IATA, ATOL, TATO, KATO & ABTA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $56 to $435 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
QA
Email David | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disappointed a real shame and ruined honeymoon
I never want to write a negative review but on this occasion I must as we were badly let down. Despite being notified at an early stage Somak failed to register that this was our honeymoon trip. In our group of 6 there was another honeymoon couple and they received special treatment but my wife and I did not, this lasted for the 7 days of our safari. This culminated with the last stage of our trip on Zanzibar when we arrived at the hotel and I told staff it was our honeymoon. However, they told us that they had not been notified of this, so we were denied the honeymoon package. I spoke with the Somak rep and he said he would pass the complaint on to his manager, and that the manager would meet us at the hotel the following day. He never came, in fact they just avoided us for the duration of the stay and did nothing. Thankfully the hotel guest relations manager became aware of the situation and stepped in to made our last three days special.
It is a real shame that we suffered this negligent communication error as the safari driver was great and he was tireless in searching for the fauna we wanted to see. Another plus was the Serena lodges we stayed at which were fantastic. To date we still have not even had a reply from Somak to offer an apology...
CH
Email Mark | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Rather poor
Quick answer to the mails, friendly and helpful office staff. After booking and paying the contact ends, besides a voucher sent to you about 2-3 weeks before travel. At least a follow-up mail confirming flight details etc. one week before departure would be a nice move.
Pick up and transfer to ole sereni hotel worked well. However they charged me over 300 USD for that one night. On the website I found afterwards prices between 180-220 Dollars for a night. That's what I call a rip off, especially after paying a couple of thousands for a 8-day safari.
The 8-day cheetah safari: Generally confortable lodges and camps. Unfortunately the downside was our driver, he spent a lot of time on the phone taking personal calls - even during game drives!!!- very unmotivated just doing his job. Did not stop at different amazing sights like baby giraffes right next to our car. Everyone in our group was quite frustrated about this. Sometimes we had to intervene and demanded a stop. Otherwise he would have just drove by amazing photo opportunieties etc.
Take a shot while driving? Nearly impossible as our driver seamed to try escape someone - His driving was wreckless especially during the gamedrives. By far to much speed. I was lucky not to hurt myself as there where quite dangerous situations standing up in the vehicle and someone driving it like that. I almost fell a couple of times or bumped in really hard.
It certainly felt more like a formula one race rather than a game drive, and I think with this kind of driving a lot of animals heard us miles ahead.
The jeep was in quite bad conditions. One of the windows was broken, you could not open it anymore.
The windows quite dirty, never cleaned during the trip and old seats. Flat tire and breakdown aswell but not surprising.
Further our driver seemed to be really, really bored. Not many infos and a appalling attitude. Well I understand that the driver makes this safari most likely many times a year however for most of the customers it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's so sad if goes this way.
The somak lounge which you will be taken before and after the safari is just okay. Pre safari there was nothing on offer, just some drinks in the fridge which had to be payed for.
Upon arrival they gave us some fish and chips which was quite tasty with different sauces. Drinks at a surcharge as well. Wifi was not working, which would have been appreciated after 8 days offline.