AE
The best tour operator
If you want luxury and comfort. You must work with this tour operator. It can't be better than this! Amazing experience. Adelle was amazing, we had an easy booking and planning experience.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The worst customer service and tour planers !!!
I have traveled more than 70 countries and I can confirm that this is one of the worst tour companies. We were in touch with someone named Rose and I believe she’s the MD of the company, she just doesn’t know how to plan the itinerary neither has the basic manners and work ethics.
I would still say our whole trip was good because of the drivers(guides), friendly people in Kenya and we felt safe in this country.
I traveled with my wife and 2 kids(5yrs and 3yrs old) and I had chosen 5-6days private safari in Kenya.
Everyday we had to ask for our lunch(except the two days when we had whole day game drive- the lunch was packed and taken from the camp) and was served after 3.30pm, due to the poor plan of the itinerary.
The first day they were supposed to pick us up by 9am and we had to wait an hour and finally they arrived by 10am to pick us up. Of course I didn’t say anything as these things happen. There were 3 ladies with the driver cum guide and they sounded really nice however the safari jeep was an old one and not so clean. I still didn’t say anything as I believe the condition of the jeep is what matters and I was also in a mindset that the safari jeeps in Kenya are like this! I paid them 4310USD for two adults and they had already told us that the kids won’t be charged in the private safari. The trip started off really well however we had to wait for more than an hour to enter Amboseli National Park. There was some serious confusion going on with the entrance ticket(first the driver asked me to pay as his card doesn’t work and then he said the ticket is with another driver etc). And the worst part is there’s no air conditioner in the jeep and we can’t leave the windows open due to the local vendors surrounding the jeep. Finally around an hour later we entered the park. By now we realised the jeep windows are mostly jammed with no clear vision(due to them being old), the roof top which is kept open for the game drive kept collapsing every now and then(I was fixing the collapsing bar so that it doesn’t fall on anyone’s head) and I could see on the road that the other safari jeeps were all new except ours. We came to know that Safariline defender is a small company with just 3-4 vehicles and they mostly hire 3rd party drivers who come with the rental vehicles. Well this has nothing to do with us as long as we get a good service. On the third day when this rooftop collapsed on my hand(no injuries or swelling as me and my wife quickly supported it) I decided to message Rose to do something about the vehicle. She agreed to send another jeep on the 4th day evening, before entering Masaimara, by then most of our long drives were finished. By the way in this 4 days the jeep had been to the workshop twice, once with us on board near a town in Amboseli and second time luckily after we were dropped in the hotel in Nakuru. The driver himself told us that after us he has another 2days trip and then this jeep has to go for a complete revamp.
We were still happy that we got a new jeep on the 4th day evening and another great driver cum guide.
On the way from Amboseli to Nakuru we were stuck in traffic for more than 30 minutes and the driver said he’s not allowed to use the expressway. It was just over 30 minutes so I didn’t say anything moreover I was tired of complaining!
Now with the new jeep and driver our trip was going well. On the last day on the way from Masaimara to Nairobi we were stuck in city traffic for more than an hour and this driver said the same thing that he’s not allowed to use the express way. When I saw other safari jeeps going through the express way I messaged Rose again and her reply was “yes I’ve not authorised the driver to use the express way“. The fact is they can’t take the monthly/yearly express entry pass as most of their vehicles are from 3rd party however even the one way pass is just a few dollars and they don’t even want to spend it. There was never any apology from her which was fine but now she was being rude in her messages. She even mentioned that she gave free for our 5yr old child and the fact is none of the private safari charges for kids of this age. By the way I have never asked her to give anything for free. These things were clear from the beginning. When my wife called her and was trying to explain she just hung up the phone!
I think they are afraid if we ask for monetary compensation so they are not open to feedback. But that was never my intention, there are many European tour companies however I specifically booked with a local company so the whole money goes to Kenya.
Extremely unprofessional behaviour, no respect for customer’s time and money.
I have all the proof such as photos and invoices of the facts I have mentioned above including the rude messages on WhatsApp. I’ll definitely raise a complaint in Kenya tourism website. Probably when they get a few complaints they will cancel the licence or at least a warning will be given.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional
Where do I begin, just WOW … from the initial contact to book our safari the team at Meaktrails was consistent and responsive which reassured us we had made the right choice going with them. Victor couldn’t have planned our itinerary any better, all the locations we stayed at were fabulous.
It gets even better when we get their best tour guide Philip who drove many hours picking us up from our Hotel in Nairobi & dropping us off at our requested locations (Kuria, Nairobi) We got to see all the Big Five thanks to his quick thinking and driving skills which ensured we were in the best spots to see all the animals. Asante sana from is all Philip.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best safari
We had the best time with suricata safari! Our guide Freddy and our chef James gave us a comfortable journey and told us everything about the animals and had answers to all other questions. The food was delicious as well!!
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful
It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, see the gorilas close to me is unforgivable!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding!!! Truly Recommend
From start to Finish, Bamboo Ecotours was very professional.
Edison answered all my questions in a very timely manner and made me feel comfortable, with no pressure at any time.
I took my parents and my kids to see the Gorillas, and the experience went smoothly. Herbert (our driver) was amazing!
We met a group that arrived to see the Gorillas but did not have their permits (the company they used did not buy them and vanished).
YOU CAN TRUST Bamboo Ecotours, and on top of that, they were amazing to deal with.
Edison is the owner who communicates with you and request Herbert as your tour guide.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
best tour operator in Zanzibar
We contracted 2 days private safari from Zanzibar to Mikumi park with Imara for a family of 5 persons and we had an amazing experience. Reservation was easy and Feisal provided clearly all necessary information in advance. He timely arranged pick up from hotel , ferry to Dar es Salam, comfortable van transportation to the park and a clean and spacious accommodation at Chamboo Village near the park. they even provided additional separated room for our daughter. At the safari Godfrey, the guide, show us in an open jeep all common zebras, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes,...and then he tried hard for lions until he spotted a lioness in the middle of the Savannah that we could see at very close distance and by ourselves. Thanks Godfrey !!!
If you are planning to do a either a tour in Zanzibar or a Safari my strong recommendation you do it with Imara. it is a local tour operator led by Feisal who was always very kind, helpful, responsible and well organised. Feisal, Many thanks for this !! Value for money is guaranteed. I doubt you can get more than this elsewhere.
IT
Everything was perfect from the moment we land to the moment we left.
We spent 6 days with our guide Wilson.
He took us at the airport and we visited:
Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Myniara.
The car war well equipped, the guide was perfect.
Accomodations were great and also food was extremely good and safety during all our tour.
Thank you can’t wait to be back
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They are professional and will always care about your safety.
Inspiredfeet Safaris is a very professional tour operator. Fiona is a brilliant woman who handles all her business in tourism. She is always out there for the clients, and she thinks in my way and gives me a lot of advice to either protect myself well or have as much fun as I can. David is also a kind person in this company, he ensures my safety all the time. All the accommodations are actually out of my expectations at such a price. They gave me unforgettable memory watching wildlife and to see this beautiful African land, especially the experience in Amboseli. I would recommend everybody to go to Amboseli once in life. Thank you a lot.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible
My mikumi safari with Mwangaza Safari was amazing! The whole day was well organised and comfortable and the safari itself was once in a lifetime! Our tour guide Mohammed was amazing throughout