Andrew will take you to remote places
Wildebeest Safaris
- Located In:
-
China
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1997)
- Member Of:
- ETT & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NL
Email Floris van alphen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Terrible experience, safaris not as agreed on at all.
We had a very bad experience with Wildebeest safaris and Noah. The safari was not as promised at all. First of all, we had agreed on 4 hour gamedrives on the both first and the third day. Both these days we only spent only 2 hours in the national park. Secondly, our guide, Anthony, did not interact with the clients at all and did not treat the animals with respect. He went off road very often, which is prohibited, and disturbed animals by getting extremely close. Third, our 'semi-luxoury camp' had no electricity and no running water most of the time and if there was, the water had a brown colour.
When we emailed Noah to express our disappointment after our safari, all he did was offer us to go with his company again on our next trip, which is something I would never do again. Noah said he mixed up the itinerarys of a private and a joined safari, however, the itinerary he sent us before was named joined safari and he had confirmed about lengths of the gamedrives after I had specifically asked him. When we insisted on a partial refund for missing out on half of the safari time on two days, Noah simply ignored this and stopped replying.
I won't recommend anyone to ever use this company for a safari.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 28, 2023Dear Floris,
Thank you for your feedback. As for joining safaris, different tour operators usually combine guests together in order to form budget group departures. Sometimes it becomes very hard to meet each clients interests/needs given that the demands are very high. Given the eventualities we stopped operating joining safaris to only concentrate on Private departures.
Kind Regards,
Noah
IN
Email Vishal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They way they asked for the money spoiled all the positives
This review may put a new light to how this company wildebeest safari operates and i may be one of the unfortunate ones who have faced this immoral and shallow behaviour from the owner. As a background, i was in touch with Noah, the owner of wildebeest safari for a private 4 night 5 day safari package from nairobi including hotel booking etc. Good communication and the price was agreed and i paid 40% advance. His manager came to meet and greet us at the hotel and it was agreed that the balance payment will be made post completion of the trip. So no hesitation at this stage from Noah or anybody from wildebeest safari. Now on day 2 at flamingo camp in lake nakuru, i had a robbery in my room and usd 3500 worth of stuff gets stolen. Andrew was our guide and driver and was very supportive and a gem of a person. We did the police complaint etc and decided to continue the trip. Come last day and enroute masai to nairobi airport in middle of nowhere, andrew(driver) told me that i have to pay the balance before a certain town or he will drop us there and not take us to Nairobi. I was crossed like hell on this unprofessional approach and then when i talked to noah on this matter, he virtually harassed me to make the payment or the driver will take me to the police station and i will miss my flight etc. In short further misery to my already spoiled holiday. Now all this happened in a span of 2 hours on a lonely strech between masai and the nearest town. I was traveling with my wife and 7 year old son and got scared and out of fear paid the remaining balance. Now paying the money is not a problem but the way i was forced to pay the money was unreal, unprofessional and very shallow. Not sure if this is the was tourists are treated in kenya but that was my experience.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 28, 2023Dear Vishal,
Thank you for your feedback. Regarding the payment issue, we both agreed on email before your arrival that you will be paying upon landing in Nairobi. Upon been requested by your guide, you mentioned you are working on it. You proceeded with the tour. The driver/guide Andrew asked for the balance a day prior to end your Safari but your promised you will do it next morning which you never paid again. Our accountant asked the driver to make a stop for the balance to be paid before reaching Nairobi is when you settled it with him. Unfortunately this is not what we had agreed upon.
Kind Regards,
Noah
US
Email AnoopAkanksha | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Worst experience ever
DO NOT BOOK. We just visited Masai Mara and after seeing the reviews booked it with Noah. We experienced a lot of trouble as both the tour guide and Noah were just trying to fleece money out of us. They did not pre book anything and would not accept card payments. We were not informed till the day of the tour that they could not take card payments. On top of that, they did not check if we had resident status and charged us non resident prices while paying the hotel only resident rates. When we asked them to reimburse the difference, Noah started yelling at us. The guide (Youstas) seemed experienced but very disincentivized because we found out how they were cheating people. He did not have a radio like other cars and did not tie up with other drivers. We are very dissappointed overall and would not recommend them.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 29, 2023Dear Akanksha, as always we do appreciate our clients feedback after Safari. Please explain to our readers how we tried to fleece money out of you. We are really ashamed after all the negotiations we did with the hotel in order for them to extend resident rates to you. We also went ahead and upgraded your transportation from Minivan to Land Cruiser at no additional charges. We had done bookings with the hotel please do not mislead our readers again. As earlier explained to you on email, we required 100% full payment before Safari but you insisted on email on paying 50% and the balance after Safari it never works out that way. No company accepts those terms. Then again about credit card, yes we do accept payments by cards but our agreement was for you to pay by cash in the morning before departure as per the below email you had sent us.
from: Akanksha
to: Wildebeest Safaris
date: Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 1:51 AM
subject: Re: 3 Days Masai Mara Private Safari
"Thanks Noah. Could we then do either US$300 per person- since the last day we are leaving earlier than the other tours which leave after lunch at 1pm or alternatively could you arrange it for me and husband to leave after lunch, after finishing a morning drive, at US$400 per person.. we can pay advance cash at pick up".
I would like to take this opportunity to assure our future guests and those who are in the process to travel with us that we are very keen when it comes to customer service delivery and pricing without compromising on quality.
Again, thank you so much,
Kind Regards,
Noah Kuti
AE
Email JH | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The tour guide was only interested to get his job done asap. Low knowledge about animals and nature.
Booking was easy and professional. We were picked up by the wrong tour operator which had almost the same name but this was sorted out quickly. The car which we booked had technical issues so we ended up with an alternative for the first day. Our driver and guide was the worst ever. Very bad experience.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Jan 19, 2016Dear Jurgen,
Thank you on your review and on pointing out issues which have influenced your overall impression of your Travels with us. It was very bad staying at the Airport for close to 2 Hours waiting for your arrival only to find that you had been picked by a different Tour Operator. We were genuinely astonished to read of the details of your overall Safari experience with our Driver/Guide.
Our astonishment was even greater since our Guides are serious people with more than eight years of experience in guiding and travels business and for many years we have only received praise from the guests for there work and effort. What has happened, why and how on the occasion you have described we cannot say, but we can with certainty assure you that any arrogance or sarcasm you have experienced was not in any way a standard behavior we expect from our staff and that we will take actions to secure such occurrences are not possible ever in future. As you have mentioned in your review all other arrangements were handled in a professional manner and mishaps sorted out quickly.
We are all very sorry you left Kenya with such unfortunate impression on your very last day and that we were unable to discuss the matter with you in person. Thank you for booking with us and we hope to have an opportunity to show ourselves in a better light on some other future occasion.
Yours sincerely,
Noah Kuti,
Business Development Manager,
Wildebeest Safaris LTD
Email Naz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unreliable
After reading the majority of positive reviews about Wildebeest Safari's, I decided to book a three day safari to Masai Mara with them. Two years ago I went on a combined Kenya&Tanzania, and having had a very positive experience on the Tanzanian side and not a great one on the Kenyan side, decided to try again.
Warning bells sounded when noah tried to charge me extra for an airport pick up and drop off, when pointed out the ad on safari bookings stated it was included, he relented and said it would be complimentary.
I was aware of the group joining tour strategy, ie various tour operators book guests that get put in a pool and divided on the morning of travel to various vehicles. I was allocated to a vehicle driven by josh.Josh, although new at the job( 2 months ) was lovely, professional and very helpful in what was a difficult situation regarding accommodation. I had previously stayed at a budget camp and requested an upgrade to a mid range lodge ( Simba and Oryx) with an amount agreed on. At lunch, it was apparent this wasn't communicated. Josh called Noah, who I believed confirmed the booking.The first evening,I was dropped off there .Sadly it became apparent no booking arrangement was made. They could not make a last minute booking either as they had full occupancy. Josh had to drive back and pick me up at 8pm. He managed to make a last minute arrangement at a camp that hadn't even been discussed as a budget option.Josh attempted calling Noah repeatedly with no response(he later stated he was in Tanzania). Sadly a night without hot water after a long drive was not fun
The following night , the manager of Simba and Oryx, James, also got involved. He contacted Noah to pay the fee for the one remaining night( this was more than Noah had quoted and i believe why the booking hadn't been procured- i paid the amount quoted).
The vehicle unfortunately developed problem with the steering wheel ( rotated 180 degrees) which necessitated being transferred to a taxi in the CBD to take me to the airport.
This review is about Wildebeest safaris. Josh, James, Simba & Oryx and the Masai Mara were all wonderful.
US
Email Abby | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stolen Money
Though the actual experience of the safari was great, the company stole our money. They led us to believe that due to a switch in lodges (due to a flood), the money that we paid several months in advanced had not been able to transfer from one lodge to the next. They then told us that they we would have to pay for the fees again and they would refund us. Our driver's name was Dennis. He gave us the name and number of his "boss", Noah who was suppose to drop of the money in USD at the hotel we were staying at. Of course he never showed up and promised that he would transfer the money into our accounts when we arrived in the us. Of course, he lied again. Till this day, we have no received our refund. This company will steal your money. Do not book with them. The driver smiled in our face the entire time and then ripped us off and refused to drive us into Nairobi unless we paid the fees. BE AWARE. My friends and I are posting this review on every website we possibly can to warn others.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Aug 13, 2020Dear Abby/Clevanne,
Please confirm you have received the refund.
Kind Regards,
Noah
CZ
Email Jan Hocek | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Not recommended by travel professional
I honestly wouldnt recomment this company. We booked the Kilimanjaro climb and the safari with them for family of 3 people. We requested german speaking guides, which was promised, but in reality they didnt provide german speking guide, so communication was not possible.. The worst thing was, that during the kili climb the guide decided to shorten the climb by 1 day withou asking - reason was that the climbing team wanted be at their homes for Christmas.. So instead of planned hike last 3 days was rush and run on the mountain.. Ongoing safari was OK, instead of vehicle in very poor condition, even for african standards. Apparently this company doesnt have many own cars or guides - they subcontract from other suppliers, so they dont have much controll over quality. After journey was finished, they refused to compensate us for the missing german guide and the 1 lost day in Kilimanjaro. Jan
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 28, 2023Dear Jan,
Thank you for your review and as always we look forward to clients feedback after every Safari to ensure service improvement. Our contact person specializing with Mountain Climbing didn't go with what we had agreed on pen and paper. My colleague had sent an email requesting for your bank details for the refund of one day together with Translator fees but it wasn't provided. We will be happy to revisit this issue.
Ever since, we already have our Company fully registered in Tanzania with full operations unlike before we were using a third party.
Kind Regards,
Noah
NL
Email Martin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Driver had no safari, wildlife experience
In general it was ok. Good safari car, efficient communication, the lodges including the right tents where booked however - for us the most important - the driver had no safari experience. So, he was NOT able to tell us anything about the wild life and he did not once showed wildlife based on his observation. As those organizations work with independent drivers, with a different driver experience can be completely different. Advice: ask for cv of driver.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 28, 2023Dear Martin,
Thank you for your feedback. We replaced this particular driver/guide with a more experienced one.
Kind Regards,
Noah
Email Steve | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We didn't get what we paid for or what was outlined in the itinerary
Day 1 - Collection from hotel was fine, on time. No problems with long drive or communication. Itinerary outlined a game drive from 2pm - 6pm, but we only did a game drive for approx 90mins. Lodge was excellent, however that has nothing to do with the tour company.
Day 2 - Full day game drive. Lodge told us to leave as early as possible 7am at latest, driver arranged to start at 8am. We saw everything we wanted to on this day. Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, Giraffe, Elephant, Hippo. However this was more due to the abundance on wildlife and luck than the drivers skill or anything like that. I can't really complain too much about this day, as we saw everything we wanted to.
Day 3 - We were supposed to have a game drive in the morning (leaving the lodge at 8am) before heading straight from the game drive back to Nairobi. However our driver slept in and missed his alarm and we were waiting for him to wake up and were late leaving. Upon arriving at the park entrance our driver welcomed a "park ranger" on board who he said we were "giving him a lift" we then proceeded into the park, where we just drove on the main road until we happened to chance upon a cheetah, who was starting a hunt. The driver stopped the van and we asked him to put up the roof of the van so we could get a better look, he refused saying it would interfere with the hunt, however he was talking and laughing with other guides in other vans and his phone was ringing loudly, so I didn't buy that excuse! We asked him again and he still refused, so we had to take pictures through the window. After a few minutes he drove off, and we left the hunt/stalk while it was still in progress/just about to start. We were so annoyed, especially as countless other vans and 4x4s were heading towards the cheetah, while we were driving away from it. We felt like we couldn't complain too much to the driver as we still needed him to take us back to Nairobi and didn't want him to get angry and leave us in the middle of nowhere! He continued driving on the main road through the park and didn't once go on a different road, he then exited the park. Meaning we did not have our morning game drive, he just drove straight through the park from once entrance to another, without lifting the roof - we just happened to stumble across a cheetah. If we hadn't seen that he would not have stopped once! This is not a game drive. We were basically being a taxi service for his friend/ranger. When we got to Narok, the "park ranger" exited the van and he continued to take us back to Nairobi, which was fine.
Overall absolutely disgusted with the final day and lack of game drive! The fact that he drove away from a Cheetah hunt that was in progress is absolutely indefensible - and also twice refusing to open the roof so we could look at the Cheetah while we were there.
I don't know if this was just our driver or it is the company (as our driver said he was fairly new to Wildebeest) But I wouldn't use them again!!
I will formally complain to Wildebeest about this....
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Mar 28, 2023Dear Steve,
Thank you for your feedback. We noticed of the mishap you encountered on the last day of your Safari with your driver/guide. We addressed the issue with him regarding following the itinerary as agreed with clients.
Kind Regards,
Noah
NZ
Email Kate | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Difficult driver changed the plan
The pre-tour booking was very efficient. The tour was simple to book, we were provided great options for accommodation and we were given clear level of detail. However, unfortunately our experience with the driver was far from positive. We had booked a full game drive, plus two game drives, but in reality, we were given a full day + 2 hours. The driver was then disagreeing with us on the second half day, and said that we had to get back to Nairobi. We are not usually confrontational people, but we felt that it was really unfair to not finish the agreed itinerary. This made us feel really uncomfortable as we didn't want to be disagreeing on the plan, however, we had flown such a long way for these three days and we really wanted to spend our agreed time in the park. The driver begrudgingly agreed to take us back into the park, but we only spent 2 hours there, rather than the half day. What really polished it off was on our way home, we stopped to fill up the tyres and one of our passengers got out to use the rest room. Before the passenger even got back into the car, the driver started driving out of the petrol station! He was very rude, didn't make an effort to learn our names and made it apparent that he didn't want to be hosting the trip. He was also making multiple personal phone calls throughout the trip. It was really very disappointing.
Reply from Wildebeest Safaris
Posted on Oct 1, 2018Dear Kate,
Thank you for your email feedback which we really appreciate.
I would first like to take this opportunity to advise you this particular driver is no longer with us and hence been replaced by a more experienced driver/guide. We clearly give briefing to Driver/guides before each Safari so that they are aware. Talking on mobile phones unless it's work related is usually unacceptable.
We will continue improving on our services in the coming future.
Best Regards,
Noah Kuti,
Business Development Manager,
Wildebeest Safaris LTD