SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dens Safaris: avoid at all costs!!
This is an honest and complete overview of my encounters during my trip with Dens Safaris in Zambia from Sept. 1-16, 2017, which I hope will provide a meaningful insight into the practices of this company for future clients.
My itinerary was arranged and paid for back in December 2016. Initial e-mail conversations with Denver Mbewe, the owner of the company, went smooth but further questions a couple weeks before my flight to Zambia went largely unanswered. These were critical questions related to the visa requirements, malaria pills etc. I sent a few e-mails and even a message on their Facebook, which was read but never answered. The only reply I received was that I was going to be picked up at the airport and someone would be waiting with a sign with my name on it.
My personal driver and guide in South Luangwa was an unexperienced young guy aged 24 (the youngest guide in the whole national park) who was clearly not used to dealing with customers. On the second day, I was told by him to repay my park fees for my entire stay at South Luangwa, totalling $250, which I already paid in advance 10 months ago as part of my all-inclusive package. I did not receive a satisfying answer on the phone by the office manager as to why this happened, but decided to go ahead and pay in order not to waste too much time.
I was driven around the park in an old safari vehicle which had issues with the engine radiator, which repeatedly overheated. Over the course of 4 days we used up to 3 different cars, all of mediocre at best quality. To make matters worse, my guide did not even have a radio with him on any of the days he guided me and also forgot to pack water and a cooler box during many days.
On the day of transfer from the Mfuwe to Nsefu sector of the park, my guide informed me that he was going to pick up a friend of his. I was not provided with any explanation who this person was and why he was joining me on my private safari. I assumed he just wanted to catch a ride from Mfuwe to Nsefu and we were going to drop him off once we arrived in Nsefu. Upon arrival in another bush camp, it became apparent that my guide was not at all familiar with the Nsefu sector, which is why he took this guy with us, although also he had to admit he was only partly familiar with that part of the park. During one of the game drives, he thought it to be a good idea to throw some large branches at a baby crocodile (twice) so it would move and I could get a better picture of the animal. I immediately told him that this was unacceptable.
Citing obvious safety hazards, the owner of the bush camp rightfully decided to send my guide back home. She also shared with me some stories about other Dens Safaris customers she had received in the past months who were anything but happy. She herself was only briefed about my arrival a couple days before, and thought I was self-driving to the park. She then kindly proposed me to use one of their guides who was a qualified professional South Luangwa guide. The difference in the quality of guiding was stark: the number of sightings went up and I felt much safer given his possession of a radio and plentiful water and food supplies. Because of the last minute change in plans, I had to join another photographer during most of my game drives in Nsefu, and I also had to give up on all day game drives as the other guests at the bush camp paid for morning and evening game drives. Therefore, I did not get what I paid for, which was strictly a private trip consisting entirely of full day game drives.
After my stay in South Luangwa, I flew to Lusaka for a transfer to the Lower Zambezi national park. After waiting for half an hour, Denver and his office manager picked me up and drove me towards Kiambi lodge. I repeated the issues and concerns I had been facing throughout my trip, which I also e-mailed to him a couple days before. Denver acknowledged that mistakes were made but did not come up with a proposal for compensation and left me at Kiambi without communicating how he would work this out in time before my departure back home.
In Lower Zambezi I stayed at the Munyemeshi River Lodge, a self-catering lodge were I seem to have been the only guest. The lodge was under renovation and there was hardly any staff around let alone any convenient amenities: no bar, no restaurant. My first room did not have warm water in the shower, and in fact there was hardly any water coming out of the shower head. I then had to go to another room where the shower was leaking. I stayed here during the second day with two other disgruntled Dens Safaris guests, who did the full two-day canoe tour. I dropped out after half an hour during the first day as I did not feel comfortable nor safe in the water which was infested with hippos and crocodiles. The couple mentioned to me that they had to find another guide the day after given that the first one was to drunk to wake up in the morning, which confirmed my belief once again that my safety had indeed been at risk.
During the first day game drive I was driven around by a guy who was clearly not a professional guide. His command of English was poor, he hardly spotted anything and was unable to answer my questions about the wildlife. What was worse is that he stepped on the gas and increased the speed of the safari vehicle when there were elephants blocking the road. The elephants were clearly in distress and some of them initiated mock charges at us. This happened at least three or four times and I told the driver this was unacceptable and unprofessional but he didn’t care to listen. When animals associate humans with danger, this will lead to fatalities and the end of the tourism industry in Zambia.
I decided that I could not tolerate any further risk and stayed at the lodge during my last day, although another full day game drive was on the itinerary. By then I was sick and tired of the unprofessional and dangerous treatment I had received and thus had to end my trip disillusioned and disheartened.
In summary, Dens Safaris makes you pay premium prices for subpar guidance using the cheapest people they can find, which has severe implications for your wellbeing and general safety. Therefore, DO NOT book with this company and spread this message as much as possible to prevent future malpractices.
Sammy Six
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service.
Very satisfactory. Can recommend them and will use them again for future bookings.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Cumplen y exceden las expectativas de los huéspedes
If you are looking for a number one tour service provider, they are perfect for you because they meet and exceed guests expectations
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime, incredible adventure!
The Timbuktu team are friendly, responsive and highly-knowledgeable. I love the look and feel of the online platform and enjoyed having control over the planning of our trip, safe in the knowledge that I had the experts for support. The trip itself was sensational, an absolutely unparalleled experience during which we were well looked after at every step. It will be hard to ever do a trip that incredible again!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A wonderful time in Uganda and Rwanda with Katona
We were with Katona for a 2 weeks trip across Uganda and Rwanda (for gorilla watching). We took part of their suggestions and added in some other things we'd like to do. Ceaser, our guide and driver, drove safely, took very good care of us and listened and tried his best to answer our questions about the countries and our various small requests (e.g., getting medicines, going to places that was not really in the schedule or negotiate with local vendors). He also gave us very clear picture of what's going on in the countries, how the societies work, the local food, and the cultures. Our trip would be different without him! Jacque the owner, she called from time to time to make sure the trip was smooth and that we were happy with the arrangements - we had encountered some problem with a third party activity organizer and Jacque and Ceaser helped to solve the problem professionally and speedy. The selection of hotels and restaurants are top notch in Uganda and Rwanda. This is a company you could trust to bring you an unforgettable holiday in the area!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip!!!! A must!!!!
Uzuri Uganda safaris took great care of us, our driver Joachim did his best throughout to please our needs!! We really were taken great care of! Such friendly people with amazing wildlife!!! Best trip of my life so far!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Dreadful experience in Victoria Falls and dreadful customer service
In honesty, I would not touch this company with a barge pole. All they had to do was book three nights for us in Victoria Falls and they could not do that. We booked 6 months in advance, paid in advance, had the booking confirmed in advance and when I checked just before we left, the booking was confirmed... once we had left and were away from phones and home internet, we were contacted to say they apparently could not find a record of payment. In order to keep the booking for a bank holiday weekend, we had to pay again. After three months of trying to get our money back via formal routes, we are getting no response from Falcon Safaris. We had such a lovely time in Zimbabawe with other people and companies, until the final phase which should have been well managed by Falcon Safaris but it was not. Would never use them again and strongly say the same to any friends or family. Dreadful
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Superb service, new and good car - Perfect
Everything was great. Booking was easy, accommodating our exact needs and flexible for changes if we need (which we actually had). The car was new, clean just what you would expect. Exactly the model that we had agreed. We didn't have any car issues along the way. Originally was asked for a driver only for the first day. When we realized that in Uganda they drive like UK, we asked to have the driver (Ken) for the full vacation. We really enjoyed Ken's driving, explanation and knowledge and good spirit.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amaizing Safari
It was such an epic experience.Thank you African Wildbreaks safaris for great rates.
KW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastics Tours and Adventure.
They were very helpful and service minded. The driver and safari guide were outstanding. We got to see all kind of animals. We visited Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate. This four day trip was just perfect. I would like to recommend to book your safari trip through Jossec Tours and Safaris.They never disappoints!.