35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfectly planned and executed
Pretty is awesome with communication and planning. I asked her for a few different things and she had to work through what was open and what not and timing and details and she nailed it.
Hippo Matthew and entire team are so enjoyable to be around!
They got us to chobe the day we landed and we were so blessed to see 4 of the big 5. The next day was jam packed with Livingston island- then rafting the Zambezi above the falls (thanks pretty!) and then rope swing on the gorge and then Vic falls from the Zim side! Just how I like it- go go go!
Perfect pick ups and arrangements
I have used them multiple times with family and friends groups and each time as amazing as the last
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
NIGHTMARE, avoid at any cost!! Most stresfull trip ever
Unfortunately, everything written in the previous negative reviews turned out to be true. I was aware of this, but decided to take the risk due to the numerous other positive reviews and the low price of the services offered by Gashaw.
From the beginning, my plan included 3 days in Omo, 4 days in Simien Mountains and 3 days in Danakil. I requested to skip sightseeing in Addis/other cities because I was primarily interested in nature, so I requested to avoid the cities on the route. I was supposed to go to Omo on the very first day just couple of hours after my arrival.
After landing in Addis, it turned out my plan had been turned upside down. I began my sightseeing with a half-day city tour and a full day in the capital, something I hadn't planned. Despite everything, the day was pleasant, but the attractions were planned only for half a day. Then, instead of Omo, I was informed I will be flying to Semera (Danakil) the next day. The next day, upon my arrival to Semera it turned out that the Danakil tours hadn't been running for several days. Gashaw had several tourists stuck in the hotel waiting for a tour. Day after day, he promised them "we'll go tomorrow," but there was always either no fuel, a road problem, or not enough tourists to coplete the group. It turned out that we wouldn't be going to Danakil that day nor the next (despite Gashaw's numerous promises), and that I would be spending the next two days in the hotel doing absolutely nothing (there is literally nothing to do in Semera). Why did he even changed my plan and sent me to Semera first if he knew there was a problem for several days already??!!
I found couple of other local tour operators that had available tours and asked Gashaw to pay another tour operator to go with me, since he couldn't take me himself. Gashaw asked me to send him the phone numbers of other tour operators and that he will arrange the tour for me. Gashaw called every single tour operator I gave him, calling them scammers and liars, telling them they were ruining his business and trying to steal his tourists. At that point many tour operators advised me to report Gashaw to tourist police as he was well known scammer for them. He simply refused to organize anything for me or pay anyone else claiming everyeone else are scammers and i can not go with anyone esle. Later, Gashaw told me that if I wasn't happy with it, I should organize everything myself and he wouldn't do anything else for me (even though I'd paid him the full amount already). He left me ALONE and stopped answering my calls. It was incredibly stressful in a foreign country!! A nightmare, I felt so hopless because a person I paid 2100 usd for whole the tour just ignores me and tells to organise on my own and he is tired of me. Gashaw generally stops answering the phone everytime there's a problem and just ignores you. By evening, he agreed that I could go with another agency to Danakil, and he'd pay them a maximum of $300. If it was more expensive, I'd have to cover the difference. I agreed and found an agency that had a trip the next day for $280. Gashaw started to bargain with me, saying he could pay $230 and I would pay $50. I asked why, since he'd previously agreed to $300. He stopped answering my calls again and avoided me. A nightmare again. He also scammed some French guy who I met at hotel- the guy was waiting 3 days to get the Danakil tour, eventually quited and asked Gashaw to return his money and buy him return flight- Gashaw assured him that he will and asked him to go to the airport, then stopped answer the calls and blocked the guy...
Next days, it turned out he booked me a flight to Gondar (Simien ) for "Ethiopian Nationals," which was detected at the airport, and I had to pay an extra $70, which he never refunded me, despite many promises. When I was in Gondar, it turned out Gashaw hadn't even checked the flight schedule to Jinka (Omo) and didnt book flight for me. I was supposed to go there May 16-18, but I discovered there were no flights to Jinka on May 16 nor 18, and I was already leaving Ethiopia on May 19. I called Gashaw to see how he planned to resolve the situation, as he was the one to change the plan and its order and didnt even check the flights. He then informed me that I wouldn't be flying to Omo, that he wasn't organizing anything further for me, and that if I didn't like anything, he could cancel the Simien Mountains trip. A NIGHTMARE AND STRESS!! I have never been so stressed out while traveling in my life! He stopped answering calls and responding to messages again. Ultimately, instead of being in Simien for 4 days, I only stayed 1.5 days to return earlier and fly to Omo, where I also stayed 1 day shorter than planned. In the end, when in Omo I asked him 1000x times to book my return flight, as I had an international flight coming the next day. Of course, I checked the day before departure and found that the flights were already sold out, and Gashaw had forgotten to book my return flight again. If it weren't for my intervention and the STRESS AND NERVES again, there's a chance I would have missed my international flight and never returned home. A LOT OF STRESS, NOT WORTH IT!!!
TLDR: Gashaw doesn't check flights or schedules, books everything blindly and without thinking it through. And when your plans fall apart, he tells you that if you're unhappy, make your own arrangements and he won't be doing anything more for you. He stops answering his phone and responding to messages. I've honestly never been so stressed in my life while traveling, wondering every day what was going to happen today. It's a nightmare.
If anyone of you is wondering about going with Gashaw PLEASE DON'T. For your own good. If you have any hesitancies please contact me by email [email protected] and I will be glad to share you more info, screenshots etc. about this scammer. Just don't ruin your vacations and health.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flawless Tanzania Safari with African Big Cats Safaris - Highly Recommended!
We just finished an unforgettable family safari organized by African Big Cats Safaris, and couldn't be happier with our experience! From our very first inquiry, their communication was professional, flexible, and attentive to all our detailed requests as a family travelling with 4.5-year-old daughter.
Our tour guide, Venance, was absolutely outstanding, he has an incredible eye for wildlife, we saw almost all the iconic animals. He was also extremely patient, kind, and amazing with our daughter, making the long game drives completely stress free and joyful for her.
If you want a perfectly tailored, safe, and magical safari experience in Tanzania, look no further than African Big Cats Safaris!
Incredible 3 day Safari with Serengeti Silence
We booked with Serengeti Silence because I knew straight away from the communication with Diana in the booking team that we going to be treated so well. They arranged everything for us and everything was planned very well. The safari itself was amazing, truly one of the best things we have ever done. The serengeti has a special place in our hearts. We saw all of the big five plus everything other animal you can imagine in abundance. That was thanks to our very special driver and guide Champion, he knew everything about the parks, he was our Champion for sure! I would recommend this company and driver to anyone. They kept us safe and helped us fulfil our dreams of seeing these amazing animals in the wild. Thank you!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tman is a legend
Tman was funny and helped us to see Al the animals we wanted too.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible! - 10 Day Kenya/Tanzania Safari
Everyone dreams of going on a safari but I was worried the whole experience would be overwhelming and complicated, especially as a solo traveller, but I honestly didn't have to do a thing. Joseph and James from Josana Tours take care of everything with excellent communication and organization. They were both extremely friendly and accommodating, going above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. Their customer service is top notch.
The actual safari was incredible. I miss it already. I had a few different drivers/guides during my 10days and they were all amazing. They all communicate via radio and work with each other to find animals for us. Lions walking right up to the car, hiking beside zebras, giraffes wandering into camp, thousands of wildebeast as far as you can see; What an experience. Accomodations were great, the food was good and I felt extremely safe the whole time.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Martin is amazing! 🤩
The tour was wonderful, We really enjoyed everything, my parents also loved! Martin was so nice and friendly!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Serengeti Silence!
From booking I knew we were in safe hands, the communication of the booking team was excellent and nothing was too much trouble. The safari itself was truly unbelievable. The accommodation much was booked for us was lovely, the jeep was equipped with everything needed. We saw all big 5 and more animals than we imagined and that was thanks to our driver and guide Champion. He really was the best, he knew the answer to every question we had, his knowledge of the national parks as great and he is a really nice guy. I recommend Serengeti Silence to anyone and ask for Champion! We would use this company again. Asante from the bottom of our hearts!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and unforgettable
This was an absolutely unforgettable trip. Our guide Didas took great care of us throughout the journey. He was always patient and an excellent driver. What’s more, he has sharp eyes and can spot animals from a great distance. I will definitely look for him again on my next visit!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
wonderful
Our guide Didas was incredibly professional, sharp-eyed and warm-hearted. He could effortlessly spot hidden leopards resting on acacia trees, lion prides and wandering rhinos long before anyone else, sharing vivid knowledge about wildlife habits, local ecology and Maasai culture patiently all the way. We successfully checked off the full Big Five, witnessed endless herds of zebras and wildebeest roaming the grassland, and captured countless precious wildlife moments up close.