The Team Behind Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris
Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris Ltd
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2003)
- Member Of:
- Eco Tourism & Kenya Wildlife Services
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $64 to $490 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Brooke | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour CANCELLED three weeks before departure
Save yourself the headache and do not book with this company. Without warning, I received an email from the company saying that due to "technical reasons" they could not provide services, our tour was cancelled,
and we would receive a refund in 90-120 working days. No replies from them when I asked for more detail. This was exactly three weeks before we were supposed to leave! As this seven day tour included all transportation, lodging and food, we now only had the plane tickets we booked ourselves.
Our trip was saved by African Breeze Tours, who rebooked everything for us in 1 day and have been incredible to work with! We're off on safari with them very soon.
DK
Email Else | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good until the last two days
KWSS' website is down and others write the phones are not answered. I guess they're out of business.
Our safari began on the 16th of July and ended the 28th. We had paid the full amount in advance.
After a visit to KWSS' office (O.T. gave a briefing) and we left for Samburu NR.
Zachary, our guide, was very, very good. Amazing wildlife spotting, service-minded, flexible and professional.
From Samburu to Nakuru, Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Tsavo West and East.
The minibus broke down the last full day. We had trouble teaching KWSS (did not pick up phone on any number, incl emergency no.), but finally, the minibus and guide were rescued and we were allowed to stay at the Man Eaters lodge where someone had brought us (rescued from the broken down bus). We did realize that there was no reservation at the promised lodge (Voi Wildlife Lodge) and even the emergency number wasn't picked up. Communication during July (before departure) wasn't that great too.
We did finally got hold of KWSS and they provided us with another guide and bus as the minibus could not be repaired. We arrived at the airport and caught our plane back home.
But after all, we were VERY lucky. I guess they closed down right after. A lot of people write SCAM, FRAUD - I think they ran into a liquidity problem. Many had paid in advance (full or 50%) and that money was used on 'something' rather than lodges and park fee etc.
The guide made our trip and I would have given 4 stars, but I don't won't to lead anyone on to believe there nothing wrong with KWSS.
IN
Email Mithil | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
any collective efforts to get the refund
Has any group/person has initiated any effort collectively to get their money back ? Can we register a complain online somewhere ? police, embassy, etc ? Pls do mention if anyone has initiated. I will get in touch and co-ordinate for sufferers from India.
US
Email Jimmy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Advise needed
I am leaving soon to go on Mr. OT's pre-paid Safari on 9/3. He has stopped respond to my email/text at the beginning of this week. I am worried about getting stranded at the Nairobi airport. Should I proceed to flight there?
HK
Email Wong | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Scam of USD4968 from the company "Kenya Walking Survivors Safari"
We are reporting the scam from the company "Kenya Walking Survivors Safari" and the owner Mr. Otieno Lysaniash.
We paid an amount of USD4968 deposits to the company "Kenya Walking Survivors Safari" to book a tour to safaris in Kenya and Tanzania for the period 17 Aug 2019 – 30 Aug 2019.
After these payments, we lost the contact from Mr. Otieno Lysaniash, the owner of the company until 7 Aug 2019 that we received an email from Julius Muchiri saying that they failed to provide the required service. He claimed that the refund would be handled between 45-90 days. We replied him immediately to request chargeback to the same credit card that paid. However, we receive no responses from any of them so far since then.
How can we get the refund? Please help!
US
Email LHL | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nightmare
Please Jimmy, do not go on your trip. You will be stranded. I was supposed to start my safari on 9/5. You were horribly scammed and should not go. Please anyone reading this do not go expecting a trip. You will be very sorry and not in a safe situation. Report this immediately to your credit card company. I do not want to see anyone else go through what I have gone through.
PS. Never went on trip...just had to input something, so I put August.
IN
Email jmindia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
This tour operator is fraud, the owner Mr. Otieno is a con man.
This tour operator is fraud, the owner Mr. Otieno is a con man. We lost 3300 US dollars. Our tour was booked with them from 9th Aug to 17th aug. On 7th they wrote they are cancelling our entire trip due to some technical issues, since then they are not replying our mails, neither their phone numbers are working.
We made a police complaint after reaching nairobi, but they didnt seem serious, their expressions were like "so what!, it happens here often.
Email Theresa | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disaster see Insolvency Act dated 10th August 2019
GAZETTE NaticE No. 7968
THE INSOLVENCY ACT
(No. 18 of 2015)
IN THE HIGH COURT AT NAIROBI
COMMERCIAL AND ADMIRALTY DIVISION
AND
IN THE MATTER OF KENYA WALKING SURVIVORS SAFARIS
LIMITED
INSOLVENCY PETITION No. E 158 OF 2019 '
NOTICE is given that a petition for the winding up of the abovenamed company by the High Court of Kenya, Commercial and
Admiralty Division, Milimani Commercial Courts, Nairobi was on the
10th day of August, 2019 presented to this court by Otieno Lysaniash
Onjwayo, of P.O.-Box 7184, Viwandani.
And the said petition is directed to be heard before the Court
sitting at 9.00 a.m. on the 28th November, 2Q19 and any creditor or
contributory of the said Company desirous to support or oppose the
making of an order on the said petition may appear at the time of the
hearing, in person, or by his advocate, for that purpose; and a copy of
the petition will be furnished by the undersigned to any creditor or
contributory of the said Company requiring such copy on payment of
the regulated charge for the same.
Dated the 2nd August, 2010.
MERITAD LAW AFRICA LLP ADVOCATES,
Pitman House, Ground F7oor, Wing "B"
Jakaya Kikwete Road,
P.O. Box 2368-00100, Nairobi.
NOTE
Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said
petition must serve on or send by post to the above-named address in
writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and
address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm,
and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their advocate, if
any, and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient
time to reach the above named address not later than, four o'clock in
the afternoon of the 27th November, 2019.
MPJ6722312
Email Liam and Jasmine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fraudulent company stole our money and ruined our holiday.
In March my partner and I paid for and booked a safari with KWSS for 21 days, over July and August.
Things started okay, as we met an amazing driver named Sam, however things didn’t run smoothly.
Upon arrival we went to the KWSS office and a slight change was made. To save on driving times the owner (Otieno Lysaniash) recommended we would spend an extra night in the Masai Mara and not spend any time in Amboselli. It’s also important to know that the accommodation that was being changed was a 4.5star camp to a 2 star camp.
As we set off, Sam was keeping all his receipts and paying with his own money, and always on the phone away from us. When we questioned him he said ‘You shouldn’t have to worry about this’. After our 4 days with the driver, we exchanged numbers and were told a new driver would pick us, Sam was not sure what time, but said be ready at 6am.
We have not heard anything from the KWSS office since meeting them in the office. We tried calling Otieno or his team over 100 times and sent emails to no avail. We were very lucky to have met Sam, as he was in contact with us from 9am, letting us know any updates as he found them. At approximately 7pm Sam was in Nairobi and confirmed with us the Mr Otieno had run away with our money, and the police were at the office.
I feel horrible as it’s very hard to get my money back whilst living in a different country. We are also aware that Sam paid for the first 5 days of our safari out of pocket, and he hasn’t received any money back. We are in contact with Sam, trying to get updates, however he is a very busy man who has a family to feed.
If you were looking for a different company we can recommend Bateluer Eagle Safari’s, as they saved our holiday. Sam sent his brother to come and pick us up, who drove us around for 2 days to the police in Nairobi. The owners also went above and beyond, spending over 7 hours as we tried to get a payment sorted for a new safari, on last minute notice. Everything with them ran very smoothly and the upfront communication was very much needed, at a time where we had zero trust in anything.
KWSS was run by a thief who stole our money and many others. I just hope he doesn’t use that money to bribe the officials and get off without paying. We need our money back!
Email Philip | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Scam and terrible experience
This is a scam, terrible experience and the Kenya authorities should take action against this man called Otieno