QA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Poor communication and questionable integrity of owner/director. Avoid this travel agency.
Did poor job and did not pay for services that had been paid for by us. Would not recommend.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible experience! Stay Away
The guide Humphreys was disrespectful to stay the least. Our trip to Amboseli was the worse trip we have taken so far. It started with Humphreys coming late to pick us up at Nairobi and taking us via dirt road to Nairobi National park to "pay" some fees where he was turned down. We reached Amboseli late and the car broke down in the middle of the park! We were on a custom itinerary and we decided to meet at7:30 am and were having breakfast in the hotel. Humphrey claims that he came and was waiting but did not bother calling us. When we came out to the parking lot he was not there and his phone was not reachable. No-one in the hotel knew where he was either. He finally came and from the minute he came he started yelling at all of us (my husband, parents and in-laws) in front of the hotel staff for being late. He called us unprofessional several times in public and threw our luggage in the car. He cancelled our safari on his own without telling us and we came to know that only after we realized we were on our way to Nairobi. So much money paid for what?
When we came back to Nairobi and called the Bornfire office, initially they were sympathetic and agreed to look into the matter, and later sent us an email justifying each and every action of Humphrey and proved us wrong. Even the CEO was cc'ed in the email and we addressed an email to him and have not received a response. We have taken many trips to different part of the world, but this has been the absolute worse! Please please stay away unless you want to be humiliated.
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Totally let down, simply heartbroken
Consider very carefully before booking with Mushra Travel, NOT a trustworthy company.
My husband and I travelled to Uganda in October , our itinerary was changed, we weren’t told. We booked as a group, Michael told us 4 other couples were aLready booked on our tour, but we were on our own, not bad you say, but we like to meet people. The tour went reasonably well, although our guide wasnt really interested in us and only did what he really needed to do.
Our last day was to see the gorillas, they messed up our permits even though we booked and paid 10 months in advance. We had to change our flights and extend the holiday by 2 days for them to sort new permits. Our driver repeatedly tried to get cash from us to pay for petrol as he said Michael was not sending him money. Then to end the holiday on a high at 8.30pm on our last night, travelling back to Kampala we were pulled over by armed police who told us they were repossessing the vehicle (and our suitcases) as Michael hadn’t paid the lease. The repossession company turned up and we were faced with 3 men and the police telling us we would not be let go until Michael paid up. Michael would not answer our calls or theirs, what a nightmare!
It’s hard to believe this feedback, especially as most people seem to have nothing but praise for Michael. Micheal promised us a refund of our additional expenses incurred due to their cock ups but we have been home for 2 months and no refund has been received, despite numerous messages being sent. I’m not surprised!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely negative - driver was dishonest (took luggage and didn’t show up), bad car condition
I used Faustin’s driver and car because I joined another company - Gamily Tour to Selous Safari and their vehicle was not available one day before due to an accident. Faustin sent a driver John to cover for the transportation from Dar to Selous and driving within the game reserve.
First thing to state is that the drivers in this company are driving their own cars (instead of company provided vehicles) so the conditions of the vehicles are understandably more variable than other tour operators.
Several things which happened showed that John is dishonest and owns a car at very poor car condition (and other things eg drives aggressively)
1. Dishonest - he took my tour guide’s luggages and never show up!! On the last day of my tour, when John was driving me and my tour guide back to Dar, I discussed with my tour guide and decided that I would try to experience the “local public transport” thus he and I would get on the local bus for 2 hours. The plan was that John would drive and follow the bus to the station and continue driving me to the hotel. When we arrived at the bus station, John was still at the starting point where we got on the bus (not sure what he was doing for all those times!!). Luckily I got most of my luggages with me, and I didn’t want to wait for him another 2 hours so I took an Uber back to my hotel. My tour guide waited him for another 4 hours and John never showed up, until the next day after we contacted his company (I would have missed my Kilimanjaro hike if I put my luggage in his vehicle)
2. Bad car condition - across the 5 seats in the car, only 1 seat wasn’t suffering from water leakage. Some windows could never be closed. It also could not drive through the roads which other SUV were able to drive through - I was unable to see lions as his car could not drive through one of the flooded main roads leading to the “lion area”.
My experience with the driver and vehicle was extremely negative. While I wish that this is only an issue with an individual, seeing from other reviews, seems like there is a company-wide problem. Anyways, even if you happen to use Faustin services, you should request to avoid using John (and his vehicle) at all cost.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don't do your Safari with Ibrahim, he screwed with us!!!
I was looking to do a 4 Day safari with a group. During my search I met a girl who was looking for the same thing. We both decided to do the safari with Angose Travel limited, because a friend referred her to this company with the Guide Jojo. We agreed with Ibrahim that Jojo will be our guide. When I met Ibrahim in the office, he seemed very friendly and answered all my questions. I asked about the camping situation and if people would share a tent. He told me that nobody has to share a tent with someone they don't know.
On the day of the safari I was supposed to be picked up in town, I texted Jojo where I am waiting. Jojo responded that he is not coming, someone else is. Apparently he and Ibrahim had an argument, so Ibrahim decided to change the guide even though we specifically asked for Jojo. When I asked why, Ibrahim told me that Jojo is at a funeral. Jojo texted me at the same time that he is in town and told me to tell Ibrahim that we want him as a guide. The other girl also told me that Jojo was at the office in the morning, so clearly Ibrahim was lying to me.
I decided not to get upset about it and we started with the safari. After the first day in Tarangire we arrived in our camp and we all have been told that we have to share a tent with another person even though we did not know each other before the trip. We called Ibrahim and he only responded that it would be to much to bring a tent for everyone. Remind you, I specifically asked about this.
The safari goes on we saw many animals in the Serengeti and were about to cross over to Ngorongoro. Arriving in the Transit area we had to wait, because Ibrahim had not yet paid the entrance fee. After half an hour our guide came to us and told us that Ibrahim can't pay the fee as the banks are closed (it was Christmas) and asked us to pay 400$ so we could continue the tour. We were all shocked, as we have all paid for everything in advance and it should have been clear that banks are closed on Christmas. We were afraid that we would not get our money back and did not want to pay. We told Ibrahim that we need him to find a solution, as we could not use our credit cards. After almost 2 hours we called him as he still hasn't found a solution. We offered him that he could wire the money over via mobile money(these shops are always open) and we would use the credit card but he only had a bunch of excuses why he could not send over the money. We were even more convinced at this point that using our own cards would mean we would lose the money. After 3 hours Ibrahim told us that we just need to camp at the gate. Camping at the gate is not allowed and as we were stuck between serengeti and ngorongoro we had no where to go. So we had no chance than calling the police. We went inside the office of the gate and asked for the number. Luckily these guys wanted to see if they can help us. The park ranger from the office came to an agreement with our guide that we could go in and do our activities and before we leave ngorongoro crater conservation we have to come to head quarters to see if the fee has been paid by Ibrahim otherwise they would keep the safari car. The ranger also told us that we should not pay the fee, if we had already paid everything in advance, because the chance is high that we would not get the money back. Because of this we lost our whole afternoon and as it was about to get dark we had to rush to our camp which was 3 hours away. We drove so fast that we almost killed the animals on the road. We needed to set up our tents in the dark, were the last to eat dinner and got only very little sleep.
The next day we went to head quarters after our activities and there we still had to wait a lil while as Ibrahim had still not paid. Ibrahim had at this point no other option than paying the fees so he finally did and we could move on.
After my experience with the company I can only tell you do yourself a favor and go with a different company. We were not the only ones at this trip that got screwed over as another group we talked to had also a lot of trouble with Ibrahim.
PH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Hell's Gate National Park by Ray
Unless you are into rock climbing, just something to see, no need to spend too long.
US
Experience level: first safari
Only a booking agent
"Moafrika Tours is just booking agent I cant comment on (Company name redacted) staff and what they did." - MoAfrika. If you have any problems with your tour, they will not address it as they are only a "Booking Agent". Book directly with the tour company you want, so if a problem arises you can actually resolve it.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was like pulling teeth to get our agent to be responsive! Will never use again.
Two way communications between the agent and us were largely non existent unless we pressed. Even then we got partial or no answers. We booked early and were told travel insurance was required (Not so!!!) but we paid for insurance then were told they could not get it for us and would refund the money. We charged everything to American Express but were told we would be refunded in cash when we arrived in Kenya. After days of messages back and forth and resistance to paying we finally received cash but it was less than was owed. There was a mix-up upon arrival at the safari largely due to the utter lack of communication and follow through by the agent. Thank goodness the lodge manager was effective.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
THey are thieves and liars!!
We’ve wanted to go to Botswana/ Namibia / Zimbabwe and because of their lies, we couldn’t even leave the airport!!! It’s been a month and they’ve never refunded our money back!!!
We’ve trusted that they will handle our visa:
:For Turkish citizens I’ve asked they’ve said no need, I’ve doublechecked by sending a link and they’ve assured me that I would get the visa on arrival still, which was misleading.
:For my friend they’ve started the visa applications.
:We’ve purchased the flight tickets after their confirmation on her visa on Nov 27th Tue, which they’ve said they would send the file either on the same day eve or the next day morning.
: They’ve never sent the visa!!!! We’ve received an image of a so called ‘visa’ only 12 hrs before our flight. And at the airport we were told that it was not a visa but a ‘Acknowledgment of Receipt’. It turned out we were fooled/lied by Enrico’s Safaris. And still no refund!!!
They’ve ruined our holiday plans and we’ve missed an opportunity. On top I’ve received an email from them saying: ‘If you guys could have emphasised strictly that you are not allowed without a Visa I would have done my atmost best to make sure, thats why for you I did not even bother to apply for a Visa’ Imagine a travel agency that saying this!!!!
Of course we’ve asked for refund of our downpayment & flight ticket costs. They’ve said they can only return the downpayment and instead of the flight ticket they’ve offered free of charge tour in March 2019, which we’ve declined and asked for a refund. Since then no refund, no answer to our emails and phones.
I’ve been to more than 55 countries and this is the first time in my life such a thing has happened. So if you are even considering them do not! They are incompetent & unreliable.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Feel lucky to have gotten a refund..
At the end of April, 2018 I booked, what I hoped would be, my trip of a lifetime. In May I had a serious medical event and on the advice of my doctor, in June, I cancelled the trip. Mr. OT advised the refund would take 3-4 months to process. After many frustrating emails, excuses and problems, I finally did receive my refund this month, December, 2018. Six months, almost to the day of booking.
I did read about Mr. OT’s accident in September and am happy to hear he is doing well. That unfortunately made the refund process even more doubtful and I feel grateful that after a stressful 6 months I did receive a refund.
Perhaps in a year or so I may be able to book another safari. It will certainly be with a different tour operator.