US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was well planned.
Our guide, Humphrey, not only knew all the mammals and birds, but seemed to know at least half of the other company guides, as he talked to all of them. We saw an amazing number of animals, both mammals and birds (I'm a birder). Accommodations where all clean, staffs friendly and helpful, food was plentiful and good. Except for the horrible dirt roads, all else was worth it.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya Tour Budget Safari: Customer Service under construction!!
Cannot recommend this company at all.
I was booking at an early stage and reconfirmed to be accommodated in the 4-star Sopa Lodge. At time of pick-up in the Nairobi Hotel we are being told that the Sopa Lodge is overbooked and we have to be moved to another lodge nearby; Jamba Mara Lodge.
We protested and got at least the last of the 3 nights in the Sopa Lodge.
But the first 2 nights were in the Jamba Lodge which is a place still under construction (mid Sept-18). Containers, building material on the ground, and of course construction noise when we wanted to take a midday sleep between safaris.
Also this place has no pool, no proper view into the park like from the Sopa pool, mediocre quality buffet with little choice, and no comfortable lobby with fire place as in Sopa. Room was much smaller.
Sopa, 1 night; very good experience, relaxing atmosphere, properly maintained facilities, seasoned customer service and Value for Money!
Even once construction is done, Jamba Mara Lodge will not live up to the standards of the Sopa Lodge. The price difference between the 2 lodges are USD 165 per night which indicates the quality difference obviously.
Kenya Tour Budget Safari must take more ownership for their customer service. If their service provider shifts customers from A to B with quality loss, the travel agent has to provide the customer satisfaction which, in this case, would be a refund at least of the price difference between the 2 lodges. Customers left disappointed and service feedback is slow and quiet.
Refund of USD 100 was offered by the travel agent arguing with their bottom line and different flat rates they pay for the accommodation. The quality difference was USD 330 for 2 nights though which requires to be refunded to make up for a disappointing trip to Africa.
Kenya Tour Budget Safari: Customer Service still under construction!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Shoebills tried and succeeded to ensure that our requirements for our Safari were always met.
Our Safari was custom made to fit around our particular needs in Uganda. This Shoebills carried extremely well, changing times and places during the development stage easily and competently, resulting in the trip we wanted and that completely lived upto our expectations. Richard, our guide was extremely knowledgable about the animals and birds we encountered and went out of his way to ensure we saw them in their best light. His phenominal eyesight and knowledge of animal behaviour ensured we saw rare and interesting sights
The trip worked like clockwork and we can only recommend Shoebills for the work they did. We will certainly use them in the future.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
safari went perfect as planned and I would do it again with E-Trip Africa
I planned my safari with E-trip Africa 15 months in advance. Upon arrival in Tanzania, all the elements came together perfectly. Ben Jennings, the planner, worked with me and answered all questions from start to finish. Ben listened to what I wanted to do, what level of accommodations I wanted, and arranged for what I wanted not what earned him the biggest commission. Our driver David Mushi was a friendly, educated, knowledgeable and delightful man. His wildlife spotting skills were amazing. There was a last minute change to our arrival time due to flight changes and ben handled them perfectly.
I enjoyed all of the 5 different lodges/tented camps we stayed at, some my suggestion some E-Trip's suggestion. Overall the food was just average to mediocre, but Idid not go on a safari for the food. I got enough to eat.
I will go back to Tanzania i the future for another safari and I will hire E-trip Africa to plan and conduct it.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
ACZ tried to change agreed conditions several times
After agreeing on conditions and contracting tour for Amboseli 3 days in lodges, and paying in advance 50%, they contacted to say that it wasn't a lodge but a luxury tent and that a suplement was needed for a lodge. We refused and referred to agreed terms, finally they admitted it would be lodge without suplement.
One or two days before the tour, they called us to let us know that they had problems with the vans, and that they were changing our open-roofed van for a jeep... we refused, and finally got the van as agreed (which is more spacious and permits a full experience).
During the tour, they disturbed us during dinner and argued that they had problems again with vans and proposed to change the safari drive of next day for a visit to a Masaai village. Again we had to refuse, really upset of being bothered by their logistic problems that we are not responsible of.
Last day in the return trip which had lunch included, the driver stopped and told us that the company had given him some money for us to buy food. The amount was ridiculous, so we had to refuse again and as in other tours asked to go to a proper place where the meals are arranged for tourists and we don't need to care about prices.
None of these things happened with other safari tours that we contracted.
Not directly related to ACZ, but to the AA Lodge, we found several cockroaches in the lodge, not only in the bathroom but also inside the sheets. We had to move to a tent that night.
Apart from all of that, we enjoyed Amboseli a lot, and the driver was really nice (in these tours, drivers generally do the hard work in an excellent way and get the less of the money; managers just arrange conditions and pickup the money).
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE WITH AN AMAZING TRAVEL COMPANY!!!
I spent almost 1.5 years planning my Kenyan trip with Jenieen and Razaan. It was the most incredible experience and the trip of a lifetime!!! The planning phase was SO easy - they took care of EVERYTHING POSSIBLE!!! There were no glitches, no moments of wondering if things would go as planned! Everything went smoothly. We were placed in amazing camps with incredible tour guides! The flights to and from each camp were easy. No detail went untouched by this team!!! Thanks Razaan and Jenieen!!! You made our trip of a lifetime a literal TRIP OF A LIFETIME!!!
Prescott and Alissa Hope
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
10 days MAGICAL Kenya !!!!
Second safari with Beacon!
As expected from Robert, he was extremely fast in his communication and the organisation of the whole trip was superb again.
This time, we had Ken as our driver/guide. Extremely nice friendly guide who was always smiling. So each day started perfectly with a smile. He can handle the most difficult traffic situations in the "jungle" of Nairobi, on the dangerous Nairobi-Mombasa road and in the reservation parks. You always feel safe when he's driving.
During the game drives, he brings you to the spot where the action is. Sometimes, he drives away where the rest of the Jeeps try to get in. It doesn't make sense at that moment, but a few moments later, you are at the front seat. It is like he can predict the animal's behaviour. This happened on several occassions with a leopard and 5 cheeta's. A really amazing guide.
I believe that the standard of guide/drivers is high for Beacon Safaris, but you really got the best! Our previous guide/driver was John. He' was also amazing.
So Beacon Safaris is certainly a five star company which I can only recommend.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great trip.
Communications were good although we did feel a little uneasy paying by cash in a room several floors up. Picked up on time .
Our driver Arony was excellent. Camp although different from one expected (Daisy Eco camp) was good.
FR
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Once again, a great trip thanks to Sun safaris and Natasha
This year we planned our trip in South Africa quite lately (July for September) but, thanks to her efficiency Natasha was able to respond to our questions and requests and organize the trip fitting our budget. We stayed in 3 lodges, all different, very comfortable with excellent locations and very nice staffs. However we have a preference for Honeyguide due to its authenticity (to see many animals, including elephants, a few steps away from our tent was quite unusual…). Except at Bushwa game reserve which have very few animals, game drives in Klaserie Private Reserve and in Manyaleti Game Reserve, were quite exciting. In these 2 reserves, we enjoyed competent and very professional guides who gave us the chance to see all animals that we were expecting (except wild dogs). Furthermore, at Honeyguide Khoka Moya to cross animals, including elephants, by going to our tent or to the restaurant is an experience which we shall remember. Once again we are back home with very good memories thanks to Sun Safaris.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank You Legend Safaris!
Thank you so much to Legend Safaris for a wonderful day in Kruger Park! It was so convenient for us to be picked up on time at our Lodge for a day of game viewing! Although we cannot control the animals, Our driver made effort to hear from other rangers in order to try show us the Big 5. We did see the big 5 before lunch as well as other animals, big and small! For my British friend, it was a very special day to remember! I will recommend Legend safaris any day!
