CA
Be sure You Bring New US Currency If You Are Paying Your Balance To Shian Tours In Cash
Albert was our guide through Shian Tours and he was the consummate professional, incredibly well versed in all of the places he brought is, sharing relevant facts and personal anecdotes, all laced with humour. He was prompt and prepared for each of our days and both flexible and attentive in considering our needs and preferences. We would give him 5 stars!!
As far as the Shian Team goes we worked primarily with Jackie and only occasionally with Jane. Although they were both professional and responsive, Jackie neglected to inform us of a very significant piece of information involving the fact that any US dollars dated prior to 2017 or having any marks or tears are considered illegal tender in Kenya. She texted us this information while we were boarding in Frankfurt for our second flight on our way to Nairobi. Impossible for us to do anything about it at that point. Upon arrival in Nairobi at our meeting with her she informed us that 700 USD of payment was unusable and that we would have to come up with it again. She was unwilling to eat the cost within the company, or to share the cost of the mistake, she insisted on dumping it fully on us. As Canadians it involved yet another transaction changing our money to American, again at a cost to us. This should have been something she told us well ahead of time when we were still in Canada and could have easily been appropriately prepared. It was a debacle. We had to come up with our own solution as she handed us the “old” currency and threatened to cancel our safari. At one point she messaged and told us to use that $700 as our gate entrance fee yet she told us noone would accept it only at a great loss to us. Seemed like a 4 hour drive to find they would not take our money was a risk she wanted us to take. There were other instances of misinformation, but that being said, our hotels were booked, transportation mostly on time and communication available throughout our trip.
She came and presented us with a Shuka and wanted a photo op in front of the Shian Tour marked vehicle which we obliged her. She also upgraded us to 2 inclusive breakfasts before all the problems even started. , A big shout out to the Hilton Garden Inn near the airport in Nairobi. Again 5 star! They took fabulous care of us in all ways possible; transportation, flexible check-in and check-out, great rooms, tasty food and warm, welcoming staff. We believe we received good value for what we paid.
Can’t wrap this up without once again saying Albert is an exceptional guide. Ask for him!!!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a very enjoyable 5 day safari
It was well organised from the beginning
Reservations Sales team and then a smooth handover to the coordinator
Safari driver was good as well
It certainly was very expensive and the one thing that we didn’t like is the high expectations from your company to give the drivers a tip of more then 100 USD per day for a family of four
Nowhere else in the world does that exist
Aren’t you paying them enough when your company is already charging a lot for the actual Safari ??
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Access to Amazing Africa
This is the second time I have used Safari 365. The first was for a trip to South Africa in 2018 (fantastic trip) and this summer to the Masai Mara, another wonderful experience.
