US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Buyer beware - you might not get what you paid for from Africa Kenya Safaris
We booked a 7-day private safari for two people with Africa Kenya Safaris, Nairobi. It covered Masai Mara (2 days), Lake nakuru/Lake Naivasha (2 days) and Samburu (2 days). It cost more than 4,000 USD and included all accommodations, food, transportation, Game drives, and park fees.
When we got to Masai Mara we were refused entry because the Park fees had not been paid. We were made to wait at the gate for more than 2 hours. When the park fees finally came through we were still not allowed in because the company had not paid the full fees. I had to pay the shortfall out of my own pocket. I have still not been reimbursed for this added cost. All attempts to contact the company went unanswered.
On the second day our guide was able to convince the Park Warden that the fees would be paid by 11 am that day. On this assurance we were admitted to the park. During our Game drive (around lunch time) our guide told us that we had been ordered back to the Park gate by the Warden because the fees had still not been paid. We returned to the gate and were made to wait more than two hours. The warden threatened to confiscate our vehicle and detain our driver. This would have left us stranded at the Park gate with no means to get back to the hotel. I desperately tried to contact Africa Kenya Safaris but got know response. Finally the park fees came through after 4 pm but again the company did not pay the full amount and our driver paid the shortfall this time so that we could continue our game drive. During this episode over two days multiple attempts were made to contact company management by phone, email and text messaging but all went unanswered. Our driver was also unable to contact his bosses. Bottom line was that lost about half our game drive time over the twp days at Maasai Mara- the most prominent park in Kenya.
Unbelievably, the same thing happened again when we got to Lake Nakuru - the Park fees were not paid. We again had to wait at the park gate till well after 2 pm - about 3 hours. We could not even access our lodge to eat lunch because the lodge was located inside the Park. We were finally able to do a severely shortened game drive that afternoon. At Lake Naivasha our activities were also shortened because the fees had not been paid on time.
Multiple attempts were made to contact the company management daily for four days but there was no response. In all we lost more than half the game viewing time over the FOUR days due to the their incompetence. No explanation for their acts of negligence has been provided by the Africa Kenya Safaris.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
DRC
Hi!
I’m Sakari Hassan, (Sheikkihassan) instagram and I make videos for YouTube. I paid $5,000 to Obedi, also known as Kumbutumbu Tours, and they promised to take care of the flight tickets and hotel payments for a two-week stay. However, when we arrived in Kinshasa, the hotel had only been paid for one night, as that's required when making a reservation. Now, the person who made the booking—an associate of Obedi—has also disappeared. Do not pay them anything in advance, as written receipts won’t be of any help.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Ruthless and ignorant behaviour
We didn't go with this company (and never would!) as we unfortunately had several very upsetting encounters with 2 of their jeeps (2 days in a row) while on Safari in Amboseli Nationalpark.
The driving was reckless (or is speeding in a Nationalpark and risky overtaking manouveres standard procedere?!).
The tourists impressed with arrogant behaviour but the drivers and spotters acted surprisingly similar (snapping at other drivers for example when they wouldn't make room for them although they were there waaaaay longer).
The worst thing was them being 'late' to a massive elephant crossing. There were at least 6 or 7 vehicles already waiting on the road (leaving a wide and save corridor to let the herds pass) and you could easily see the most probably path where they'd cross and both vehicles drove off-road, turned, and blocked the road.
Not only the view for us, BUT THE CORRIDOR FOR THE WILDLIFE.
The elephants stopped, got spooked, and diverted so both vehicles of 'game watcher's safaris' not only ruined this magnifiscent moment for all of us (8-10 vehicles, so roughly 20-40 other tourists; as there would have been easily 80-100 elephants that would have crossed here and we were quietly waiting for over 40 min already..) but they ignorantly and arrogantly disturbed the wildlife and forced them to split up.
The company advertises with " (..) Exploring travel wonders while protecting the natural world. (...)" and "(...) We prioritize conservation offers (...)" - both vehicles on dec 3rd and 4th definately did not!!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They almost got us killed
We went to five safaris between Kenya and Tanzania. We flew in small planes from one safari to the other. They booked us in old planes with only one pilot. During our last journey they substituted the aircraft operator with a chartered one. They plane did not take off, went off the the landing strip into the bushes. We did not got killed by miracle. Still waiting for an explanation of what happened. In general, an extremely expensive trip with very poor safety conditions. Glamping and hotel accommodations as well as food was extremely good.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Not honest from my experience
Booked with them in October for Christmas festivities from 23rd to 28th December. Cleared everything before starting the journey.
The first red flag was delay in confirming driver details for the transfers and sharing the hotel voucher under their name.
Checked in well but on check out, we were not cleared by the hotel since they had not settled their bills with the hotel. We were detained at the hotel and surprisingly their agent (Sylvia) who was handling our account stopped picking my calls and eventually blocked me.
Later in the evening, the "Accountant" Nick (wasn't behaving like one) who was drunk called me and apologised for what had happened only to realise he was being used to distract me and buy time.
The CEO Nancy blocked us, refused to pick up our WhatsApp calls that were going through and refused to read our many messages...that's the Tone at the Top.
We ended up missing the flight we had been booked.....via a funny local airline yet my confirmation had indicated Jambo. They even send a driver to pick us up from the hotel to confuse us more.
From there your guess is right.....we were left to attend to ourselves.
Soooo, if you want drama, inconvenience, lies, dishonesty, lack of communication, being blocked....engage them at your own risk.
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We felt cheated by this operator
We reached Quest safaris after an internet search without any prior reference by friends or family to organise our one week long trip to Sossusvelie and Walvis Bay,Namibia.
We were booked to take a baloon ride in Sossusvelie on August 29th but due to strong winds the baloon company cancelled the flight. We chose to take a refund rather than a baloon ride in Walvis Bay two days later. The refund has not been given to us even after four months have elapsed.
I have been in touch with Fillemon who booked us, met us at the Windhoek Airport and arranged all our bookings. He has been replying my WhatsApp messages most reluctantly and very infrequently.
In my phone conversation a couple of months back he assured a payment in a week. Nothing has happened in the interim.
The amount for two is said to be USD 1040 as per the baloon ride booking agents at the Sossusvelie Lodge where we stayed.
The One star is for the good service rendered by our driver and generally satisfactory hotel bookings.
This review has been written most reluctantly as Namibia is a beautiful country with beautiful people whom the rest of the world must help out of its poverty.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Left me in Tanzania without booked hotel on 12/31/2024.
Be very careful to book through this company. Took our money advanced for a 7 day 6 nights safari for a Kenya/Tanzania package including everything: transportation, accommodation, park fees…etc. After they change the hotels on us for the first 2 nights in Kenya (since the original hotel didn’t know about us at all) soon as we entered Tanzania and changed driver at the border we had to find out that the haven’t even booked 1 hotel for the rest of the trip, no park entry and tickets either. They advised us on the phone that we should pay for the first night and they will reimburse us for it later in Nairobi and also take care of the rest of the trip. Did not happen at all, we had to pay for everything through the entire trip in Tanzania. Our driver was demanding us to pay for transportation also because his company did not get pay either at least until he dropped us off at the border. After a nasty email and and a call to the American Embassy in Tanzania at least we did not have to pay for the transportation.
In my opinion this a fraud in our case.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dishonest company
This company and this guy, Calvin is a dishonest person.
He will take your money and partially book the stuff or not book it at all only to leave you stranded last minute ripping you off your money.
I have reported him to the Tanzanian police.
There are numerous reports of similar experiences from other clients available on Safari bookings.
Please save yourself the hassle and money by not going ahead with him.
He is a disgrace to his country.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My advice: Avoid Windsong Safaris
I booked a women’s safari with Windsong Safaris, expecting a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Unfortunately, aspects of the trip did not meet my expectations, and I feel it’s important to share my experience so others can make an informed decision.
The trip was marketed as a premium, life-changing safari. However, I was surprised to learn that the owner Trish did not personally lead the trip, as I initially believed. I was informed two weeks before departure that the original group was no longer going, and as a result, Trish would not be attending due to economic reasons. This change left me feeling uncertain, as we were given limited local contacts and minimal details regarding transportation and accommodations. Communication was primarily through Facebook or calls to California, which was not always practical.
There were several logistical challenges that made parts of the trip stressful. Transportation between locations was long and difficult, and I was unsure who would be picking us up at times. The camps seemed unprepared for our arrival, and we were required to sign a liability waiver that had all our names on a single form. I later discovered that my signature had been added without my knowledge, which concerned me.
The itinerary did not align with what I had anticipated. The "women’s safari" was promoted as an experience centered around connection, culture, and personal growth. However, I felt that there was minimal cultural engagement or structured activities beyond the game drives. While the wildlife was incredible, I had hoped for more meaningful experiences, such as the opportunity to visit local villages to donate hygiene products—something I was initially told would be included but only happened because I repeatedly requested it.
Some group dynamics also posed challenges. Certain participants had medical conditions that led to difficult situations during the trip. One individual had a medical emergency related to a pre-existing condition, and another declined to take malaria medication due to personal beliefs. These situations, while beyond anyone’s control, created additional concerns about safety and preparedness.
There were also some discrepancies between what was promised and what was delivered. For example, I was told there would be WiFi at all camps, but in reality, it was only available in central areas that were not always accessible. I was also under the impression that four nights at a beach resort were included, but plans appeared to change. When I inquired about these issues, I felt the response was defensive rather than solution-oriented, which left me disappointed.
Overall, while I appreciated the opportunity to see Africa’s incredible wildlife, I personally would never book with this company again.
CH
Do not trust.
My girlfriend and I booked a 4-day-tour up Mount Kenia from the 27th until the 30th of December 2024. We made it to the top and safely back home again. So all in all the tour was a success. Unfortunately, I have to agree with most other reviewers here. I will spare you all the details of the multitude of times we were misinformed, ignored and lied to before and during this trip. Do not book any tour with this company. They are plenty of other companies that will make sure you enjoy your trip way more.