DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Avoid in any cost, dangerous car, changed itinerary and rude guide.
Unfortunately, we had a very bad experience in Tanzania that was dangerous, wasted our money and spoiled our holiday. They misled and mistreated us and canceled one game drive. Inappropriate way of transporting cooked chicken and food. Please send me a message to show you all the pictures, videos and emails.
Driver, so called guide:
He drove dangerously to get us out of the park. Though we were supposed to do a game drive that morning, then transfer in the afternoon. he drove almost 70km (all recorded with our app, see below) because he had no permit after 12! He took us to our lodge at 2 and left us there, no apology and nothing.He said speak to the office blankly. The office just told us that he had explained to us on arrival. Bunch of lies and shambles! We paid for the game drive, why did we get a day of just horrible transfer that wrecked our bodies. Trust me, you can’t and shouldn’t drive more than 35! All poor animals in front of us getting so scared and shocked! I felt like a burden not a valuable client.
On another day we had the game drive for all afternoon, coming to the lodge in the evening. Our driver who had lost all his interest and hope of getting tipped, wanted to go back after 2 hours! We told him it is still 14 and he is supposed to go back in the evening. He said it is too hot, and there is nothing to see, there only one road full of Tsetse flies. We said he can take another route and take us to the game drive we paid.
I asked him to stop for the toilet break, he said there is no toilet for almost two hours and he can’t stop anywhere for a bush toilet, so we have to go to the lodge which is 30 minutes away. I showed him the sign for the picnic area which was according to our map 10 minuets away. He said no, it is too far. This was unbelievably unprofessional and inhuman! As we were staying in the park, I gave him an option to take us to the lodge, then we should come back for 1 more hour game drive. That means we should be in our lodge by 17 which means evening. To our surprise he stopped in another picnic area which was less than 10 minuets away. I was shocked how he lied to us, because he had no more interest in being around us!
We saw a lion getting ready to hunt, he said no he is just going to sleep. Though, we met the other tourists in the other car was staying in our lodge and they told us why did we leave? The lion hunted the zebra after we left. He intentionally didn’t want us to see anything! Good luck with the guide/ driver. I would say ask to see their certificate, but you can’t see their attitude until you actually go with them .
We had unfortunately no luck with ours. First he came with a car that was falling into pieces. Then, he got angry when I told him that all our luggage is wet and my clothes, books and electronics are also wet, because the back door is broken.And also after we told him how dangerously he transports the lunch, he didn’t apologiz or offered help. He only stopped and eating and talking with us. Trust me, it was a very difficult time for us. He stopped eating with us, as I mentioned above. Therefore for our lunch break, he stayed in the car, asked my partner to come out and check the bush before eating in the middle of Serengeti. He said there can be lions, leopards or snakes there. Either he was not aware or he just wanted us out of his sight. My partner asked him furiously if he has actually studied wild animals! We felt quite vulnerable and I have never seen anyone with this massive lack of conscience and professionalism.
Itinerary:
They sent an itinerary first and then they said they made a minor change only to the order of the days because one lodge was fully booked which was fair enough. We paid the money as you can see in the picture for 5 game drives, they cheated and only bought the permit for four days.
Getting the money for a game drive and not delivering it, it is not a small change. We didn’t get a new itinerary or any brief that they want to save the money and wake us up at 5 am to kick us out in our lodge at 2 and call it a day! when we complained, he just follows the orders. After 3 days apart from good morning and good night, and get out for lunch, check the bush, that is what he said. Absolute disgrace!
Food:
Our fridge was not working and the door was broken and kept on flying away all the time. We can't believe that transporting food set under the sun, next to the driver, from 6 in the morning to 13, at 37 degree can be healty. How many people have touched that box, juice and banana? He had to eat it by hand, as there is no cutlery or plate! Great job, I had antibacterial gel and soap, because the place he stopped had neither toilet paper nor soap in the toilet!
We had the same story almost every day, until he gave up as well, and requested only vegetarian food. You pay as full board, you get a cooked chicken or chicken sandwich, not hot food and although I told them I am vegetarian when I booked, no one was aware, and every one looked at me with a shock on arrival . So be careful that they never communicated our special dietary requirements.
Car:
We asked them about the car, they said in a good working condition. Look at the pictures and judge yourself . Broken door, broken fridge, no window frame rubber was left, all destroyed and the window was rattling all the way. I will put the videos on YouTube soon! The luggage were stored inside the car, because it all got wet in the back. So, we had only two seats with seatbelts that were not working. Trust me it was a torture. Our driver came with this car that the back door lock was broken and he used a robber band to close it. The rain, dust and the noise drove us mental during our time there. Our luggage was stored in the car, as all our clothing, books and electronics got wet. Well, no apology, of course! Two window locks were broken, so we had only on choice, a seat with a broken window close to all the dust coming in, see the picture below, I swear it was after one hour driving 80 km in the national park, or seat with out working seat belt. Add 36 degree to the image, without window.And my partner had to get up every now and then and close the door! Everything is recorded! We got in the middle of Serengeti, where we have seen lions 10 minuets ago.Although that all other cars in front got passed, because of the rubbish tyres we got stuck more than an hour, until we got rescued. Then he drove dangerously to get us out and not pay the fine, because the permit was till 12.
Communication:
Unfortunately, we are left disappointed and the company hasn't even replied to us after we sent them the pictures and videos of our holiday, plus the emails providing the facts that we paid for one day game drive and got only a horrible transfer.
Before sending the videos and pictures we got this sarcastic reply from Froukje:
She wrote (I’ve spoken to both Emma and Andrew about this situation. I'm very sorry to hear you're unhappy about a few things. I hope to clear a few things. We are in Africa, where the roads are rough and the nature is dusty. We are sorry you were not aware of this. These rough roads also cause the car to to be a bit noisy.)
* This way of sarcastic customer service doesn’t work in this day and age. She added salt to the injury with making us feel stupid and peaky. Of course we know where you are, but we’re not aware of the broken door and the fact that a driver is allowed to drive 80km/h in the national parks. I have got all of it recorded and I have tons of pictures to prove it from the app I used to record the whole way speed and location.
We got an email after Emma saw our pictures on Facebook and our reviews. She admitted, I quote her here, email is available on request:
(I've had a look at the car and after a very busy high season this car should have been in the garage for big mantaintance. It is at the garage at the moment. Issues like the seatbelts should have been solved earlier.What I understood the door needs to be closed in two places which the driver didn't know (normally he drives another car) and because of this it seemed broken and there was extra dust in the car. )
About food transport this was the reply: We are sorry to hear you felt sick. I understand you think it might have been the chicken. We will contact The lodge and let them know what happend and see if they received more complaints about it. We hope you're feeling better now. )
* Lets not point fingers. See the picture of how the cooked chicken was transported in 7 hours in 36 degree, next to the motor, underneath the sun. Yes, the company is there, but you have been brought up and educated in Europe. I don’t want to lecture you for health , safety and hygiene. This is not the lodge fault, let me ask you a simple question, would you feed your children with that chicken?
DK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a perfect tour with the best guide/driver
Everything was good. The driver, the food, accomodation, the safari drive.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari
We went on a three day safari which Abraham organised to fit exactly what we wanted. We went to both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and had a good amount of time in each place. The driver was amazing and made sure we saw as many animals as possible. We were even lucky enough to see 2 leopards! The food was great and the tents, sleeping bags and mattresses provided were very comfy. I would definitely recommend this company for your safari.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply amazing!
Hi Lennox,
Safari was great! A very nice experience. We got to see the Big Five and we were actually surprised how many animals we got to see, like all the time we had animals in sight. The entire programme was very nice and the places we stayed was awesome. Very good stuff you put together!
Of cause I have to mention our driver Evans Ngigi. He was simply awesome. First of all he was very good at spotting animals. Second of all he drove very well. And third of all he was the nicest guy on earth taking his time to be social. A very big applause to him!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Seeing the wonders of Uganda with Ugandans
Our group of eight really enjoyed our 2 night 3 day safari to Murchison Falls National Park. Moses and Israel looked after us so well and are so knowledgeable. When planning the trip, via email, all our questions were answered and the competitive price delivered just what we wanted. What finally clinched it for Love Uganda was the fact that some of our money was going to support an orphanage. So many good things done by Ugandans !
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded my expectations
I had a fantastic time with Joseph and his team, Joesph ensured our experience was a pleasure from the start to the end and nothing was too much trouble.
I would book again without a second thought.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
7-days individual safari
Perfect organization! The tour was prepared according to our wishes and Eric's advices for the season: Masai Mara, Nakuru, Bogoria, Amboseli.
Awesome driver/guide. Very good choice for lodges. The driver took care about us since he picked up us at the airport and till our next destination in Mombasa.
Clear price. After payment during safari we didn't need any extra dollar to pay for something. It was also pleasant surprise to get breakfast before the tour and lunch on the way to Mombasa.
On safari we saw all animals we wanted. Big five and flamingoes were the target) Saw them all very close except leopards.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great value and excellent experience !
The tour was amazing, specially if you are an animal lover.
Great value for the price. Food is good, accommodation is reasonable , both hotel and camping. You will enjoy camping with the lions and hyenas in Serengeti !
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything Amazing.
Expect a warmly honourable pleasure in your visit with Travel Partner, my family and I had a great time visiting the parks and other natural places accompanied by their professional tour guide Mbonea who could give us historical narratives and some stories of the Maasai. Excellence service to suite your desires if travelling with these guys.
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a wonderful safari, highly recommended.
The vehicle was comfortable and high up for good viewing. The guide picked us up on time and did his best to find the animals. The guide answered all of our questions, although he was very quiet and didn't interact with us much. Overall it was a great experience.