Team in Tarangire National Park
Gecko Adventure Tanzania
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TATONA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $195 to $950 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
SCAM- avoid at all costs!!
Rama the owner is a very smooth communicator, and it’s easy to be very impressed with his handling of your booking and answering your questions, etc. But despite trusting him a lot, he completely scammed us.
First, take a look at the reviews he has on TripAdvisor, Google, and SafariBookings. Pretty impressive review scores. But take a closer look at the reviews themselves. Do many of them appear fake? Are they written mostly by reviewers with only one review, written by other local safari operators and/or have poor grammar? Are some of them written by “Rama Mo” himself pretending to be a customer?
Our first clue that something was amiss was when we tried to find the office that Rama claims to have. He told us specially what building his office was in (it’s also marked on Google maps in this prestigious location). The office does not exist.
Once we realized this, we asked to see the car that was “being repaired” as part of his story. This was the night before we were to leave on our trip. During the trip to see the car (which was honestly bring repaired as described, but based on its condition did not appear ready for departure the next day) we talked casually to him about our trip and how excited we were (that it was our honeymoon).
One hour after he returned us to our hotel, he sent a group WhatsApp text including an unknown person saying that his “business partner” (really just one of his drivers posing as his “partner”) was unsatisfied with the price Rama has agreed to and that the trip (which was to start the next day) would be 3x more expensive!! When I protested that we had agreed to a price weeks ago (Rama had gone so far as to specify what kind of USD bills to bring and I had sent him a picture of the bills laid out on a table), they refused to even acknowledge the deal they had agreed to. It was clear that they decided to take advantage of the information we had given them — that we were on our honeymoon- to try to extort us for 3x the price. How messed up is that?! The trip is now ruined and Rama has been increasingly dishonest in trying to justify this 3x price increase (we’re talking about thousands of dollars). It’s actually been quite embarrassing as Rama has repeatedly made new claims and I just keep responding with a screenshot of previous messages he sent contradicting his new lies. Avoid at all costs!!!
CN
Email Alya | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely disappointed and will recommend not to use them
Communications:When he knows there is a problem he decided to avoid answering the phone, other than that he responds ok.
Service:Not good, we definitely didn't get a good place to stay nor the trip was done as discussed!
living up to expectations:We found ourselves in a deserted camp-not sure if it was a camp-one hut with a small dining area.No other customers were there even though it is the season.
The food(ad the waiter) was brought in the car with us-which by the way was apparently a frozen chicken and eggs and we lived off that till the next day's lunch when we finally had enough and wanted to move camp.Of course we had to pay for the new camp as well!!after we complained to Rama/Gecko and his response was it's not his fault!!!
The Safari tour:
We booked two nights and three days:
First day:
the plan was to drive us from the ferry, have lunch and head to the camp and catch the ferry.They came on time to pick us up, however the trip somehow took longer than they expected so we ended up not having lunch and running to catch the boat.
Second day:
We drove up to the game park no problems.
Third day:
We were supposed to have our walk in the game park , we ended up just walking around our camp cause Gecko-Rama-decided to not buy the entry ticket and save some money!!While it only costs about 130 dollars for two people and we paid him more than one thousand dollars for two nights and we ended up paying again for another camp because the camp he chose for us was terrible, even the waiter came with us to the camp and he was the only waitron top of that we were the only customers staying there and I couldn't sleep the whole night!
*We were looking forward for this holiday, and we paid well and discussed all the arrangements in advance, but still nothing was done according to plan.It is very unfortunate to be treated this way.I would not recommend nor wish this to happen to anyone else.
AE
Email Adele | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had to get the bus back
First I would like to point out that out driver was Brilliant the whole way through. He could not do more to help us (his 7 month pregnant wife picked us up from DAS bus station to take us back to our hotel.
Booking was very easy and effective, the booking agent came to our hotel on the morning of pick up to collect the money from us (I think it is expensive, especially with the quality of car we were provided with).
The car was ancient (it never made it back from the trip) we got a flat tyre 2 hours into the journey (fine, it happens) then another few hours in, the car breaks down and take 2+ hours to fix (meaning the journey ended up taking 10 hours to reach the safari).
Lunch on the way to the Safari (not the modern looking stop) was lovely. It was a traditional buffet lunch.
The hotel at the safari was basic but clean and quite close to the Mikumi National park.
The safari was a great experience, our guide was knowledgeable and made the safari a lot of fun. The guys could not explain things enough and went out of their way to make sure we saw as much as possible.
Unfortunately, our trip back was a disaster!!
Our car broke down again in pretty much the same spot it had been fixed the day before. Except this time we were taken to the local mechanics place (off the main road) and were left in the car for 3 hours only to be told it would be $90 USD to have someone else drive us back or we could get the bus or wait another 4 hours for another car to pass on its way back to DAS.
We were not offered any refund from the company and I suspect that much of the cost of getting us back fell onto our driver (not the company we had paid $400USD EACH to). Both these point I find unprofessional and unacceptable. Only when we demanded did the company offer us a 'free' taxi back to the airport the next day'.
So all in all our experience was tainted (but not completely ruined) by poor quality transport provided by an expensive safari provider!
I hope the driver was not punished for the mishap (I suspect he was).
US
Email John O. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
bad food, and not enough of it
We stayed at two safari places in Selous Game Reserve, Sable Lodge and Rufiji River Lodge, selected by Gecko. Sable had OK food, but small portions that left you hungry. Rufiji River Lodge had food that was not at all pleasant or appetizing -- you just ate a bare minimum to stave off hunger. At $300/pp/day, I expected better.
Also, the train trip to Selous was not pleasant. 3rd Class or whatever it was is a real surprise for Westerners. Nothing bad happened, but it felt on edge.
Other than these, Gecko did a fine job. I wouldn't use them again, though, I don't think.
FR
Email Jessica | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
GREAT TOUR WITH A GREAT GUIDE
The communication with Rama was excellent. He advised us in a great way and listened to our needs so that we could have the best experience.
The car was great, we were just 2 people, my friend and I.
The accomodation was clean and greatly located. The staff was super friendly and helfpul.
The only thing that we were a bit disappointed about was not being able to do a walking safari in the morning because we had to leave around 10am to catch our ferry in Dar and it was duting the weekdn so the driver was concerned we would miss the ferry. We went to visit the village instead but it was not the same.
Thank you however, Rama, it was a great and beautiful experience!!!!
Jessica
IL
Email Jaye | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good safari experience, but a few minor issues
We were very happy with Selous River Camp which Gecko booked for us and with our Selous safari guide Magire, who although young was excellent at spotting animals, knowledgeable and patient.
Gecko's booking and payment process was smooth and efficient and we received vouchers for the flights, safari and accommodation quickly.
However, there were a few minor issues, and while they didn't impinge on our overall experience they are worth pointing out.
- Although Gecko booked us on a flight landing at Mtemere at 12.30, Selous River Camp was informed by the company that we would only be arriving at 14.00. So when we turned up more than an hour earlier they had unexpectedly to prepare us an earlier lunch (which they managed with customary efficiency and courtesy).
- While all the other companies' open-sided safari vehicles we encountered in the reserve had individual high-backed padded seats, the vehicle provide by Gecko came with harder bench seats with little in the way of padding or back-rest. We managed the eight hour drive along often rough "roads" just fine, but for anyone with back problems this could be an issue.
- Other companies served the picnic lunch provided on safari on a foldable table and chairs carried in the jeep and set up for the occasion, while we ate ours standing up, plates balanced on the bonnet of the jeep. Again, no big deal for us, but indicative of a slightly lower level of service than the competition.
To be fair, we booked our safari with Gecko at the last minute, less than a week before departure, and it could be that at this stage no other vehicles were available; however we would advise anyone booking with the company to inquire closely into just what sort of vehicle and service to expect.
NL
Email Jorg | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very good safari experience would book again with gecko
very good experience with gecko. the communication was very good (and quick). all our questions were answered. Everything was arranged without flaws from being picked up at the airport, to lodges, games drives to support by checking in for the return flight. The guide was good knowledgeable and very good for the kids (7 + 10 years). I would have absolutely no hesitation to recommend gecko and would happily book again myself.
FR
Email Agnes Oslej | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful trip
Gecko Organization of gecko has been perfect during our stay,
The guide was a great help in the discovery of our game drive
Thank you for every think in your kindness
BE
Email Ariadne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice tour with a very good guide
It was a very good experience, even if I started the safari already a bit sick our guide Said was very helpful, nice and all in all it was a unique experience.
Email Rhys | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Solid experience, knowledgeable guide
No complaints could be made. Rama was very good answering all initial queries. Otto was very knowledgeable and good company.
Saw 3 of the big 5. no rhino, no leopard.
Driving from Dar Es Salaam to Mikumi took 7 hours which is okay as you see the country, but if you cant handle the heat, it can be a long old ride!