35-50 years of age
Paid, but got nothing…please take care!!!!
They took our money and then they disappeared ! We ended up having nothing!
Please take care…
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
ThinkScene Safaris = Future Problems
For you readers seeking to book a safari in the next few months,
do yourself a favour and stay away of ThinkScene Safaris at all costs.
My and family traveled to Kenya in March 2025 with ThinkScene Safaris, with whom we had signed a contract on January 9, 2025, and was fully paid. During our trip, the agency demanded unjustified extra payments for already contracted services, thus violating the terms of the contract.
These charges included extra costs for confirmed accommodation, an unconfirmed excursion, and other unwanted services. I disagreed with these fraudulent requests with supporting documentation.
Despite several amicable attempts and a proposed compromise from my side (the agency retaining in an overpayment, with no further fees), the agency refused and threatened to downgrade my future contracted services. After these unacceptable threats and being insulted by my former driver, out of fear for our safety, we had to cancel the last part of the trip. I had to rebook the remaining leg at the last minute with another agency at our own expense to avoid any further disasters on our spoiled holiday.
I requested a refund for the last portion of the trip that was not honored based on these multiple contractual breaches, abusive practices, and disrespectful behaviors. The refund was refused by the agency based on their cancellation terms (non-applicable in these conditions) and a shady sentence allegedly allowing them to charge extra at will. Since then, they have ceased all communications.
The matter has been reported to legal authorities and is ongoing.
Stay safe and out trouble by not doing any business with this travel agency.
I would suggest booking a stay in one big worldwide chain hotel first.
Once it’s done, book your experience through the hotel directly engaging in their responsibility in case something goes wrong.
Kenya is an incredible country worth a visit, but it’s a shame that the behavior of some very few people ruins the overall experience.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
disappointment
Our family vacation with Tropical Cats Tours was a huge disappointment, despite my high expectations. Jems, our guide, appeared ill-prepared and disjointed. Although we felt hurried during the events, we waited for a long time. We missed out on some important experiences because the itinerary was not properly followed. Furthermore, there was a lack of effective communication, making it difficult to receive prompt answers to our enquiries. They are not someone I would suggest to families who want a fun and easy experience.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life-threatening negligence & zero accountability
What began as a standard transfer from Masai Mara to Nairobi escalated into a life-threatening catastrophe due to Extra Miles Safari's unforgivable negligence. This is not a review - it's a warning.
At 9:00 AM, our driver collected us in a vehicle that immediately displayed alarming signs. Our ordeal started innocently enough.
The first breakdown occurred barely 15 minutes out of Masai Mara. At a roadside shack laughably called a "repair shop", mechanics spent 20 minutes hammering beneath the car. Our driver assured us this was "minor", but within 10 minutes of resuming the journey, the same horrific grinding returned. By 9:30 AM, we were prisoners in car for three hours.
At 2:00 PM, we foolishly believed the nightmare was ending. Then came the slope.
Our driver stopped the vehicle mid-ascent to "check something", casually exiting without engaging the handbrake. Through the rear window, we watched him walk toward the back - just as the jeep began sliding backward. My friend lunged for the handbrake, but it doesn't help. In the end, violent rollover crash occurred
The extra miles staff said countless sorry for what happened to us, but they refused to take any responsibility for it. They asked us to sign a blank insurance policy, asked us to recall the accident in detail, but refused to make any compensation.
This isn't about bad luck - it's SYSTEMIC FAILURE. Extra Miles:
• Operates decrepit vehicles unfit for safari terrain
• Employs untrained drivers
• Lacks basic crisis management protocols
To anyone considering Extra Miles Safari: Our shattered camera and torn clothes can be replaced. The image of that rolling hillside where we nearly died stays forever. Choose operators who value lives over profits.
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
too expensive
It was too expensive! I noticed that when I joined the safari tour with other poeple who booked same tour from other company! It was safe and fun, but between the tour company and the guide, they didn’t have a good communication. They also charged us additionally for the hotel near to the airport and other optional activity which we’re already booked! We’ve confirmed with the tour comapany again and again when the activity is being started… At the end of the tour, we asked for heading to the airport directly but they just sent us until the city center without any transit. Our guide is nice he asked a taxi for us and it should be paid by our tour company not the guide, so I called our tour company and the tour company just only asked us do no pay for the taxi driver and the taxi driver was in a bad mood since he needs payment. We’re lucky that we took the taxi with other 2 travellers, they paid for the taxi fee then asked their tour company with the invoice then their tour company apologize them first and did the refund quickly to them. I was so disappointed for our tour company has no apoligize and only asked us do not pay… not only this time but also the including lunch and some activities we’re already booked and had paid. Without the payment issue with our tour company, the local guide was really nice and we really enjoyed the adventure. Please select the tour company really carefully and MUST asked them for cheaper price since we paid this tour for double price then others from our group who booked from other tour company and they joined the same tour with us.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I do not recommend Silver Spark Africa
Our highly anticipated 5-day private safari, costing over $4000++, with Silver Sparks was a complete disaster. After full payment, we were subjected to:
• Substandard vehicle.
• A seemingly new and potentially unpaid driver.
• Unpaid entry fees at tour sites (despite our full payment).
• The driver's concern about not being paid, jeopardizing our return.
• Last-minute cancellation of our return airport transfer via text leaving us stranded.
• Unacknowledged overpayments for dinners.
• Zero communication or proactive updates from Silver Sparks during our trip.
• Unauthorized itinerary changes.
Silver Sparks takes your money and fails to deliver on their promises. This unprofessional and unacceptable experience ruined our first visit to Kenya. We strongly advise you to seek other reliable tour operators.
Silver Sparks never acknowledged returning the monies we paid twice due to their negligence. Seems to be their standard way of operating.
A formal complaint has been filed with the Nairobi tourist board.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
a terrifying trip
It was a terrifying trip, and I still can't help trembling when I think about it. On the last day of the return journey, the driver parked the vehicle on a slope but failed to apply the handbrake after getting out. The car quickly rolled backward, crossed the entire road, and eventually overturned. The four of us in the car were injured to varying degrees. The travel agency refused any compensation, including for our personal items crushed under the car in the accident. When we requested to see our insurance documents, they refused to provide them, making it highly likely that they had not purchased insurance for us. The accident caused the fuel tank to burst, and diesel spilled all over the ground while we were trapped in the car. Fortunately, it was the rainy season, and a sudden downpour prevented the vehicle from catching fire. I still feel terrified now, and the travel agency's ability to handle emergencies is extremely poor.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrendous experience- update from previous review
I wrote a review previously about my horrendous experience with this company and wanted to provide an update. I prepaid for my safari well in advance only to find that nothing was paid for upon arrival and I was forced to pay out of pocket. Our accommodation was also changed last minute- even after the company CONFIRMED that everything was booked and paid for in advance. All lies. Our safari was in February 2025 and I have been asking for a refund since. I have been provided with generic emails promising refunds with no follow-through. Now I've been ghosted by the company and they won't respond to my texts and email. I am writing this secondary review so others are aware. I DO NOT recommend rolling the dice with this company. You will likely lose out on money and be stranded.
CW
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disappointment
Hi Monika,
I have put off answering for several reasons ... this way I could let my disappointment sink in a bit ... I have decided to be brief.
Let me start by stating that I am personally responsible for the decision I made to accept your proposals and those of Wild Times Safaris (WTS). I paid dearly for professional advice and I could have assumed, for example, that WTS would really think along and not just want to "book", ....
Two people who are turning 60 and have traveled for 48 hours and come from the other side of the world (with Jet Lag), two night flights with four different aircraft, you advise them to take it easy and not immediately take a helicopter flight to the Victoria Falls on the day of arrival in Zambia. This is just an example.
The lodges in Zambia and Botswana were certainly very nice, the people fantastic, the food delicious etc. Gomoti was the most pleasant and that is where we saw the most animals. Duba was dark and a bit depressing. All 4 lodges were almost empty and that is perhaps the reason why we got all, read: TOO MUCH, attention. You don't get a moment to stare into space and enjoy, except from your own room where we often escape to, or there is someone next to you asking "how was your game drive" ... When the cook has been, the chambermaid comes and then the guide follows who prefers to sit at your table to talk about everything again. You didn't get a moment's rest or privacy. 4 lodges in 12 days means 5 days of traveling to and from ... packing and unpacking and you can't enjoy the lodges themselves in this way at all. WTS should have warned you about that. Followed your "money tip" advice and left 500 US$ per lodge, US$ 2,000 is excessive. The flights and all transport coordination went fine by the way.
But now Cape Town: This was a real letdown and certainly for my organizational quality feeling towards WTS. Euro 10,000 for 6 nights and your invoice confusingly states 7 days (and an earlier invoice/quote even stated 8 days instead of 7), ... Of these 7 days you travel/fly 2, so you only have 5 whole days!!! This amount NB EXCLUDING flight costs food and drinks ..... Cadogan is in a nice neighborhood but is highly overrated. Small room that didn't even have a chair in it. Delaire Graff more than beautiful but unfortunately we couldn't enjoy it much. I think WTS couldn't imagine what I consider adventurous and unique. We were driven to the fishing port of Hout Bay, a stinking dump, bare, uninviting and dumped in a canoe. No idea what you wanted to show us ... See our holiday photo attached, and yes that may be on your website. I protested to you Monika! WTS even made me take my swimming trunks, so there I was.... This can't have been serious! A lost afternoon for us, but it gets even better because WTS takes us back to Houtsbaai the next day, where we waited for I don't know how long for a boat that took us out for a quarter of an hour in dangerous weather ..... Here again, no idea why? Then, and now I'm even sadder, we go to the penguins ... Horrible and nothing that resembles natural beauty or adventure. What a waste of time and money! We go to the wine fields: Wonderful, and arrive in Delaire in the evening, ... we could hardly enjoy that the next day because we had to pack again because we were picked up at 0430 AM for transport to the airport. I mentioned this to you via app and was actually sent away with a "root in the reeds" (see attached). Not worth Euro 10,000 I think? Do I get something back?
Greetings,
Justus van der Lubbe
Curaçao
(automatic translation from Dutch)
NL
I recommend you do not book!
We believe we got scammed. They said on their site they would reschedule if the weather was bad. They didn’t wanted to do that but they picked us up 3 hours later.. We waked up at 6 in the morning because this was the best time to spot the Dolphins. I heard at 06:51 so 9 minutes before they would pick us up they wanted to reschedule to later that day.. I asked ‘is it still a good time to spot the dolphins?’ Yes don’t worry about the time. When we finally went in the sea the driver already told us , today is not a good day because the waves are way to heavy so it was indeed a bad day ! Like I already asked before. After 2,5 hours searching for Dolphins there were none, the driver also explained that around 10am the Dolphins are most likely to look for food and that is was indeed a bad timing . So I asked 2 things and I was indeed right about it. The day & the time. Yes I already knew it’s wildlife so the chances to not see them are there, but to let us go on the worst time and day of the week? Was just rude. I explained before that is was our Honeymoon and this is was the thing were the most exciting about.. We still needed to pay everything and they didn’t want to give us a refund..I recommend you just don't book.