ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A genuine fraud. He stole our money. Danger!!!
We booked a 16 day safari from Kenya and Tanzania with an end in Zanzibar with this tour operator whose manager is called Aidan Lucas. We paid for the safari more than 4000$ pp. The most incredible thing is that just a week from starting my safari in Nairobi, the manager (Aidan Lucas) tells us a story that his bank blocked the money and could not pay the hotels or anything even though we sent him the money 30 days before the start of the safari to close all the reservations and he replied at the time that everything was ok and even sent us vouchers from each lodge with all bookings (We have the vouchers of reservations). All was false!! He didn´t pay anything. We have the vouchers of reservations. He asked us for $2,500 more to pay Kenya’s expenses and once in Tanzania he would pay us back without fail. Bullshit. It was all a lie. When we arrived at the Tanzanian border in Namanga he did not have the money and we had to report him to the Arusha police and the police proceeded to arrest him. We have proof of the complaint and the name of the arresting officer. The next day we started our safari in Tanzania by visiting Serengeti and Ngorongoro and guaranteed us at the police station that everything would be ok. It’s a new lie! When we got on the road the guide told me that we had to pay for the gasoline since the manager (Aidan Lucas) did not give him a dollar to pay for it nor to pay for the entrance to the parks. We had to pay from our pocket all this and, to top it all off, we had not paid for the lodges either. Nothing. I don’t pay anything even though I sent him the money by wire a month before starting the safari. We had to pay all cost ourselves. Neither I pay the flight to Zanzibar nor the accommodation there. A scam in full rule. We knew that Tanzania is one of the most corrupt countries in Africa since it is not the first time there. You get that there and you are left helpless. We exposed our case to UNIPOL and the TATO (Tanzania Association of touroperators) in order to expose a complaint against this tour operator and this person so that he does not deceive more people.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible touroperator!!
We contacted this tour operator for a 3 day safari in Chobe and it was a real disaster. The 4x4 was in terrible condition and left us stranded several times; camping tents were awful and super old. An experience to forget.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Poor customer services and coordination of events
good marketing of their events. The problem is that they dont respect their clients. Had a poor experience with them and the management team did not live up to my expectations.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beware of Orongai Africa Safaris!!
...and beware particularly of the Sales Manager Martha and her tricky and confusing invoices. We enquired them in December for a 7-day safari in Ndutu/Serengeti Area for late February during the calving season. They answered immediately with a nice trip and a very appealing price so we finally hired them. The offer included a trip back to Arusha from Seronera by airplane. We were asked to pay a 30% in advanced and we did it. But when arrived to Arusha to start the trip we were asked to pay an extra cost of 650 USD per person (a 30% more!!!). This extra was not included in the total amount written in the invoice. Also, the flight back to Arusha had been changed to optional (the word “optional” never appeared in their offer) and had to be payed apart. They said that as this additional money was for hotel bookings it should not be included in the total cost, which is a ridiculous argument. Shocked we were by the surprise, we refused to pay that extra cost as we believed we had been cheated and then started the discussions. Arguing with Martha is like a toothache. Her head is hard as solid rock and it was impossible to make her understand that any money the client should pay to the operator MUST BE included in the Total amount of the invoice. Her explanation was that since the 650 USD PAX was for hotel bookings that money is not for Orongai!!! Fortunately, we called the Spanish Embassy and they put us in contact with a Spanish Arusha resident tour operator (Special thanks to Angel Pujol of Itaka Safaris) that helped us managing the situation. With his advice and after long and extenuating discussions we finally reached an agreement: we payed 200 USD PAX and they lowered the grade of the lodges. At the end, the Safari was performed under the new conditions although we had to visit some filthy accommodations and eat some uneatable picnic. So, my advice is to hire some other operator (there are many of them) to avoid troubles.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible
Humura tours was very disappointing. The driver abandoned the team, we were taken for less days than we had paid for, we were forced to pay for some of our meals and yet the fee we paid was supposed to cover everything, our hotel bookings were cancelled and taken to cheaper hotels. Mr. Nathan Tindyebwa apologised for this terrible experience and we agreed that he would refund part of the fee for compensation but he just keeps giving excuse after excuse to avoid this. I would like someone out there to learn from my experience and not use the Humura services
CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bad safari, not lunch, shouting rude owner,left on Maasai Mara roadside,
I was with my family in Kenya, East Africa, my husband and daughter going to Maasai Mara on 11th February until 14th February. For me and my family members, all the fees were paid. We had problems from first day, I was sick and I could not get free lunch, I’m not sure why not, I was sick and I didn’t even get some free lunch. I missed the safari anyway but it was my decision to miss it. On 14th February, our driver didn’t want going on the journey, our friends we travelling with told that driver not paid his money but we had paid in full. We asked if they can calling this owner of company, we had seen her in the first day, her name is Lilian. Our friends and the driver tried calling her but she was always shouting, and we not speak English good. We stopped many times because driver didn’t want continue with journey but we still must going to Nakuru park. Our friends told us that lady we met on first day, Lilian, from Lians Travel said we must “sort ourselves out” meaning that it was our problem and she said on phone, “I don’t care”. I have video of it and I will make it on all social media because it was very bad day, everyone frustrated, poor safari and we must pay for transport and entrance for Nakuru. Our friends after safari which we paid alone went to police station but no justice and no refund for our money. It was a terrible experience for my family and my first time in Africa. I not speak English and if I alone, I would in big big problems. Is many travel companies, please do not using Lians Travel because they make my family safari very horrible. I not recommend this company!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A few words of caution
I am reproducing below my note to the Kenya Association of Tour Operators. Please review it before making a decision as to whether you should use All Seasons for your travel planning.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I write to you regarding my recent experience with All Seasons Safaris & Tours, and it’s owner Alex Thuku. I am not sure if I am reaching the correct office to report what I think of as patently unethical behavior. If I should be contacting an entirely different office kindly direct me to the correct one.
In the interest of brevity I will summarize the charge. I contacted All Seasons for travel arrangements to Uganda, and Tanzania back in June of 2018. Of the total estimate of $ 23,940 I made a deposit of $8,692 soon after. The trip was to commence in February 2019. The quote included all lodges, air travel in east Africa, park fees and guide services. In September I was informed that all bookings had been made and were confirmed. The balance of payments were made by late November 2018.
We arrived in Entebbe on February 5, 2019 and realized immediately that very few of the arrangements that had been promised and confirmed had been made. It set the local agent in Uganda (James Kateeba of Travellust) scrambling to just get us to our first destination. For the next twelve days we had to pursue Mr. Thuku on a daily basis. I have copied below my note to him on February 13th to give you a flavor of the dilemma we faced almost every day during our journey.
“Alex, though all of this messaging back and forth, you seem to miss an essential fact. You betrayed a customer trust by misappropriating his funds, and using them for personal needs. The funds were to be used to confirm, and pay all of our travel and stay in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Instead, you used the funds elsewhere, scrambling to make our arrangements day by day, after we landed. We in turn have had ten days of constant anxiety as you were trying to stay just one day ahead of us, and finally could not even do that. To sum it up, you have ruined a long anticipated, and carefully planned vacation which cost us a significant amount of money. Your partners in Uganda and Tanzania, and I dealt with you as a man of integrity. You have proven to be anything but.”
In addition to Mr. Kateeba in Uganda, Mr. Omar Mshana of Tanzania Insideout Discovery, Patricia of Kibo Palace Hotel and Junia O’kubasu of Serena Nairobi were all similarly inconvenienced by Mr. Thuku’s almost cavalier approach to his obligation. Our trip finally reached a point where he no longer could pay for the services for which he had already received payment, months ahead of time. I ended up making duplicate payments for a number of hotels and airlines so that we could conclude the trip. I have a complete list of emails with Mr. Thuku, What’s App messages and bank transfer documents for every aspect of the charge I level here. Please advise me if I should forward them to your attention.
I am deeply disappointed in my experience with All Seasons. In addition to the substantial additional cost I incurred, and the trying days just to gain clarity on what exactly was happening around us, I was left with a sour taste in my use of a local tour operator. About three years ago (when I was conducting a workshop for senior executives for government and industry leaders in Nairobi), a senior executive strongly urged me to support and use local operators for my travel plans in east Africa. This experience certainly gives me pause. I would be much more cautious, in using or recommending that any of my family or friends do so.
I am displeased enough with the entire affair that I mean to do all I can to ensure that Mr. Thuku and All Seasons are held accountable for their inappropriate conduct. I would hate to see someone to have to go through the same experience. An equally disturbing aspect of our experience is that it casts a long shadow on local operators in Kenya, in general. I am not aware of which the correct regulatory (or self regulatory) agency is within which to formally lodge a complaint, and to look to recover the additional money I had to spend to duplicate what was already sent to Mr. Thuku. I would be grateful for any direction you can provide me.
Please also advise me if I should also drop a note to the Ministry of Travel and Wildlife. I am happy to do so.
Thank you for your attention to my complaint.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Everything was substandard after reading other people's reviews. We were mistreated + put in danger
We trawled reviews and websites looking at hundreds of operators, and settled on Wildebeest in the end because of pretty good reviews and also a willingness to book us in the resort that we wanted to go to. We did not use the one with 1600+ 5 star reviews.
We agreed on the price and all the inclusions beforehand, to include driver, 3 days 2 nights, all costs included for 2 adults 1 child 1 infant, for air-conditioning, pickup and drop off in Nairobi at specified times, a private 4wd tour, accommodation at our preferred resort, and also air ambulance evacuation cover. Communication was excellent.
We were picked up on time.
We never received confirmation of air insurance till we were nearly home on the last day – ensure you receive your policy numbers before you leave on safari to ensure you are covered while you are far from medical facilities!
The vehicle was fitted with a fridge, 2way radio and power points. We were unable to attach our baby seat to the car properly as it did not have the required anchor points for a baby seat- so we had to improvise and use the headrest as our anchor.
It wasn’t till we hit the dirt roads a couple of hours later where we noticed things going wrong. We had a tyre puncture in the searing midday heat. I was left in the car with a screaming 6 week old baby. There was no air-conditioning as promised AND despite their website also stating that “ALL vehicles are fitted with air-conditioning.
Driving on, our car was filled with thick dust – there was a hole in the floor allowing dust in. We resorted to wetting some baby clothes with our drinking water and blocking up the hole so we didn’t choke to death. The baby carseat I covered with a wet towel to try to trap the dust. My son was beside himself screaming with dust inhalation and heat. Then the ride got violently bumpy… in fact so bumpy I had to take him out of his car seat and hold him mid-air for suspension. I was afraid he would get brain damage with the violence of the car. My daughter was telling the driver he was going too fast, she was also being thrown around like a sack of potatos. Other Wildebeest and safari cars were flying past us without issue. So here I am holding my baby in a wet wrap over his face mid air for hours in midday heat… I started to message the company owner saying this was dangerous and I wanted the car changed. He didn’t bother to reply to me.
Outside the Masai Mara we were asked to change into another Wildebeest vehicle at the entry, and our car was taken to the mechanic. It turns out the suspension was broken.
The new 4wd was coasting along no issues with dust or bumpiness, so we knew we had been given a lemon of a 4wd.
My review of the resort is on its own post.
At the resort our driver didn’t engage with us much, sit with us or explain what the plan was, we were just left hanging. In saying that, he was polite and never rude to us, but lacked communication skills with us. I was watching Dennis, another Wildebeest guide, who ate, laughed and talked to his clients… and enroute was actively chatting, informing and having a great time himself.
The next day, the driver had lost his keys, so we were put into a van instead, having to get into our 4wd through dodgy unlocked windows to get our things out of the 4wd. Then someone told him they found his keys so we drove back to the “fixed” 4wd. We noticed more flaws with the truck – the 2way radio was never on, it didn’t even have a mouthpiece to speak through – so I guess we missed out on all the game sighting calls and were in danger should we have needed help in an emergency while out on safari. The drivers door was jammed so he had to exit through the window! The fridge and electrics just turned on and off with the bumpy roads… flickered and rarely even worked. Some of the seatbelts did not work, windows were jammed, the car was generally in very poor repair.
We did see all the park animals - except Rhino, which are too rare. The following day, we were meant to do a morning game drive, stop at NON TOURISTY souvenir shops (not the safari preferred ones where they get kickbacks and charge customers ridiculous prices). Our game drive was a hot footed exit out of the park, the driver didn’t speak, nor slow down, nor look for any animals. By this stage I was so furious with the company, I just wanted to get home. The owner never replied to my SMS or emails alerting him to the danger to my family and requesting a replacement vehicle. We had no other way to get home other than the same vehicle back. We stopped at one pathetically expensive tourist stop – you know with the special “guide waiting room” where they can chat, have drinks and wait for their customers to be ripped off blind and collect a commission. He knew we wanted to stop at either street sellers or the other numerous shacks set up on the road selling masaii wares, but he didn’t stop at those. Into Nairobi by 3pm, our driver did help us unpack and then even apologised for the terrible vehicle – again an admission from the company.
In ADDITION and the worst of it all – there is a pop top on the roof of the 4wd. One support strut had rusted through and I had noticed it was cable-tied down to stop it rattling – rather than being fixed. While driving home the 2nd strut failed and the roof crashed down. Had my daughter been standing at the time she would undoubtedly been killed. For an adult we would have suffered severe injury to the head.
I followed up with Noah the owner – he told me that the vehicle had come down from the north of Kenya and he had noticed that it was in very poor repair. Rather than talk to us and reschedule/give us the option, he just allocated it to us knowing we had a newborn and a toddler with us and required safety and air conditioning. I had even mentioned a reviewer before me mentioned an old vehicle and in poor repair, and had asked for assurance that this was not going to happen to us! At the end I requested a rebate of $250usd which was roughly the cost of a proper vehicle, which we FINALLY got after harassing them for months. Despite having kids, the owner doesn’t seem to have any insight into the grave situation they placed us in, nor care about his company reputation. I have read all the reviews, and know someone who has used them multiple times and likes them. From what I saw of other vehicles and Dennis, the company does have the potential to stand up to what other reviewers say, but we just drew the short straw and were really mistreated and put in danger.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bad organization and very old uncomfortable vehicles!
We booked our 5 day safari with "Hello Tanzania", and were very disappointed!
For starters, we actually only had 3 parks on the 5 days, since we only went for an hour in a boat on Lake Manyara which is not of great interest. There are certainly more interesting things to see and do in this park. The 3 parks "Serengetti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire" were superb ... alas, although our guide is very friendly, we were transported in a very old 4x4 (over 300 000 km on the counter), which was small, noisy and very uncomfortable, and whose air conditioning no longer worked, such as radio (necessary for the guide) ... which made safaris much less enjoyable as well. We met many other companies, and we had the most rotten vehicles of all the parks !!
"Hello Tanzania" does not have a vehicle, and in fact does not even know in which 4x4 you will be transported ... So look good before booking your safari, and choose a tour operator who owns his own vehicles; you will spend many hours !!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It is a scam company, Eric took $400 deposit from us and disappeared!! Don’t book with them!!
Don’t book with them at all, it is a SCAM company!!! We lost $400 and two days time! The guy called Eric Muchai took our money and disappeared!!
Here is our story:
We contacted this guy Eric who is the owner of Tracks Berg Travel couples of weeks ago before our trip to Kenya on the 21st Feb 2019. He replied to all my emails with a price of $580 which including pick up service on the 21st Feb, girafe center visit, and 25-26th trip to Nakuru with game drive and one night hotel, as we need to leave Nairobi on the 26th noon time back to airport.
He came and picked us at the airport on the 21st with a driver in a silver old car, and we paid him $400 cash as I said I would pay him the remaining amount by 25th when we meet again to Nakuru.
He was still reachable by 24th evening through the phone and promised he would pick us in our hotel Nairobi and drive us to Nakuru on the 25th morning 7:30am. We waited for about 2 hours in the morning and nobody came...we called him and emailed him, his phone was off all the time and never reply to our emails...we have to take taxi to his office which claimed to be at Vision Plaza, Mombasa on his website and the attached receipt, which it turned out to be a fake company, there’s no such office at all there, we wasted another 3 hours to search around and have to report this to the police!
It is such a nightmare for us as we planed our two last days in Nakuru to enjoy our last moment here, but we have to stay in Nairobi from 25-26th calling and visiting police and searching for him. Eric Muchai is a cheater, liar and scammer! Everything he said is fake, there’s no office, no driver, no booking to hotel (as we called the hotel in Nakuru that he said he booked, the hotel told us there’s no booking under us or him...). We are very disappointed and surprised to see there’s such company / people would scam tourists in Kenya. Hope the police can find him very soon as what we saw, this is not the first time he is scamming tourists.
The trip ended up unpleasant wasting our time and money, and we want to make sure NOBODY ELSE WOULD EVER BOOK WITH HIM ANYMORE! It is a SCAM and avoid this company and Eric forever!!!