NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible experience
Worst tour organizer and company ever. This is a Kenyan company and we booked a combined Kenya-Tanzania safari in March 2025 for September with a shared tour in Kenya and private tour in Tanzania on comfort level.
While before our safari date the company replied readily to our questions, from the first day of our actual safari we experienced lack of organization and support: several accommodations didn't have reservations for us, the company changed 5 of 6 accommodations in total, cancelled 1 park in Kenya and 1 park in Tanzania, modified the length of our stay in the accommodations and our game drives, didn't arrange appropriate border crossing, changed the entire schedule in Tanzania compared to the booked itinerary, had shared tour in Tanzania as well.
From one day to another they changed something but promised that all other parts of the tour would remain unchanged, then the next day they modified something again. Never asked our permission, just informed us about the changes and expected us not to complain and forced us to do the tour the way they wanted. When we tried to get an explanation and told our concerns and the conversation turned inconvenient for them, they simply went silent, didn't reply to our messages, or hung up the phone. We couldn't relax, and spent hours every day arguing. They left us with no support at all, never apologized for any change they made and kept lying during our safari about the upcoming days.
Seemed like they just took our money but didn't organize anything in time, leaving everything for the last minute. Later on we got connected to the Tanzanian co-partner company who told us that the pre-booked trip doesn't even exist, the Kenyan company booked a tour for a day later and they didn't even pay enough for a private tour.
Complete disaster and nightmare.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Do not trust Walter, the owner of Galloping Safaris
My family and I went on a safari of a lifetime in Aug 2022. The first part of the safari was all good, apart from some last minute accommodation changes. When we got to Breezes in Zanzibar, everything was fine until we came to check out. The manager told us that we had to pay for our accommodation. We explained that we had paid Walter from Galloping Safaris. Breezes told us that they had received no payment. After many calls trying to get hold of Walter he finally told us that he had not paid and made up what the first in a series of lies. We were forced to pay £20,000 ($23,000) to be able to leave the property.
Our holiday was destroyed by this. Walter is not a honest person, he is a liar and a terrible business man. I would not trust any of my money with him. You are better booking with someone else.
Walter is know to the Tanzania Tourism Board and the Tour Operators Association and the Tourism Police in Arusha. He has lied to us constantly about paying the money back (he has paid back some) but are still owed over $14,000. He continually makes up stories and lies to us about saying he will settle and then never does.
If you want a stress free Tanzania safari - I recommend do not use this ccompany
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Left stranded in South Africa
Southern African tours left us stranded in South Africa. No Accomodations or travel arrangements made. They took our money and no contact at all from Craig and Bianca. Please avoid using this travel agency. I have no Idea how they got the other reviews, but be friends or paid people to do the reviews.. Please avoid our experience.
BG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
unreliable, payment for services that wasnt delivered, not refunded
Communication at the very beginning was good, and you had the impression that you were dealing with a reliable partner. However, after some services were not delivered to the group, only promises for a refund remained.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most shameless operator
We engaged with Qualified Tours Tanzania Limited in May 2024 and paid 20% ($4,800) of deposit to them in June 2024. At about Dec 2024, we note the adverse comment of this company. We tried to make sure all the accomodation booking was made and hence asked them to provide the evidence on 15th Dec 2024. We sent them emails and WhatsApp requesting for the proofs but was stalling by them. No matter their sales department promised to provide the proofs by 21 Dec 2024, I had never received it. I wrote them emails on 25th Dec 24, 4 Jan 25 urging them to provide but no response was received. I wrote to them on 13 Jan again. They replied on the same day, 13 Jan 25, and claim that they attached the proofs in the email. Indeed, there was no attachment. I wrote to them immediately requesting them to send the proofs again but no response was received. I kept waiting and writing to them on 19 Jan 2025 reminding them to provide the proofs but still get no response from them. On 27 Jan 25, we cannot wait any further and finally wrote to them expressing our disappointment with their attitude and request for full refund of the deposit. After that, they drag on saying they were preparing the documents but never provide it to me. I stood firm on my decision to cancel the booking and kept requesting them to refund the money to me. On 26 Feb 25, they finally agreed to refund all the deposit to me. Indeed, I provided to them the bank account information on 27 Jan 25 for them to transfer the money back to me. However the money did never transfer to my designated account. They denied they hadn't transferred the money but said the money was rebounced. I had requested them to provide the proofs and copy their bank transfer instruction to me so that I could check what was wrong. Nevertheless, nothing had been provided. on 11/5/25, they said the money was rebounced again but couldn't provide any proofs. They even proposed on 11/5/25 to pay me back in cash. It was totally ridiculous. How could I get the cash? I am not in Tanzania. I have no confidence to meet them in person even if I was in Tanzania. I rejected their proposal and insisted them to transfer the money to my designated account. Up to this moment, I have never received the money nor heard from them anymore since their last reply on 5/7/25 kept saying to pay me back in cash which had already been rejected. I have wrote to them on 21 Sept 25 as a final reminder. If I couldn't received my money on 28/9/25, I will file a formal complaint against them at all possible statutory authorities.
One more issue, I learn there is another safari trips agent in Tanzania operating the similar tricks as Qualified Tours Tanzania Limited to cheat the tourists. When the tourist paid them all the tourist fee, they didn't pay the accommodation and parks fee. They lied that due to network issues or other reason that was out of thier control, the money could not be transferred to the parks or hotels, and requested the tourist to pay on their behalf. Usually they would promised to pay back the tourist in order to sooth the tourist's emotion and intention to file the complaint locally.
Wish it will help the other tourist!
PH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We felt scammed
If you’re considering this operator, think twice. Since July 2025, I’ve been chasing them to get back my $6,700, but all I’ve received are empty promises that never materialize. I even hired someone to investigate the company, and it turns out their office in Arusha doesn’t exist. They’ve also refused to cooperate with the court case. If you don’t want your trip ruined, look for another operator.
It’s a traumatic experience to hire an operator here in safari booking.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great wildlife, but the operator is unreliable, disorganized, and unprofessional.
We booked the 3-day gorilla trekking and golden monkey tour with high expectations, especially considering the significant cost. Unfortunately, the experience was marred by poor organization and lack of professionalism.
1. Hotel choices not respected: we were told we could select our preferred accommodations from the proposed list and communicated our choices well in advance. Upon arrival, however, we were placed in different lodges without any explanation.
2. Chaotic start: our guide was supposed to pick us up at 9 a.m. in Kigali. At 9, he texted saying his car had broken down and he would arrive at 10. At 10, there was no sign of him, and he stopped answering both calls and messages. We contacted the tour operator, who promised to check and call us back… but never did. Only around 11:30 did the guide get in touch again, saying he would send someone else at 12. That person showed up at 12:30, and after multiple unnecessary stops finally brought us to the guide. As a result, instead of arriving in Uganda by 2:30 p.m. as planned, we arrived at 9:30 p.m., completely missing the Batwa community visit. There was no refund, no alternative arrangement, and not even a formal apology from the tour operator.
3. Payment under pressure: on the very morning of the gorilla trek, the guide insisted we pay the full remaining balance immediately, implying that otherwise we would not be allowed to join the activity. It was not an outright threat, but the timing left us with no real choice.
I understand that car breakdowns can happen, but the complete lack of communication and accountability from both the guide and the operator is unacceptable, especially for a tour at this price point. The gorilla encounter itself was, of course, an unforgettable experience, but that is thanks to nature, not the operator.
In summary: breathtaking landscapes and wildlife, but the service from this operator was disappointing. I would not recommend them to anyone looking for reliability, respect for agreements, and professional conduct.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Many things can't follow the schedule.
Although this tour is cheap when compared to another group. The operator schedule will not be followed. It changed day 4 to day 3. After we pay, the operator tries to downgrade our accommodation after deposit paid from lodge to budget hotel, which is 1/3 of the price without any refund. Also, we need to pay extra money for that hotel. And the pick up from our deep to car for transfer to another hotel. It let us wait 2 hrs in another hotel lobby and changed 2 cars. Although it is cheap, but not recommend. It will make your journey having many trouble.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Destiny Explorers Issa is a Trickster.
We booked a 4- Night Serengeti Safari which included Mid luxury Lodge booking. He confirmed 4- nights in 4 different lodges. He showed us good Lodges when we booked but then he changed the lodges to low catgory & CHEAP lodges rather small with minimal facilities. We really suffered with him. We checked with the 2 of the Lodges (Ikumbi & a Farmhouse) & these were booked only about 3/4 days before our arrival while he collected the Advance payment almost 30- days before our arrival. And both these lodges were small & even had more 50% vacant rooms. Initially he showed Kankari Lodge & Eileen Tree House.
Even the Guide was too slow & I dont know if he had knowledge about Serengeti. He asked to guide him where we wanted to go.
My advice NEVER book a full Safari with Destiny Explorers.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Conned out of £20,000
I was part of a family group that went on holiday to Tanzania, organised by Walter Tenga from Galloping Safaris. When were leaving our final location, Breezes Lodge in Zanzibar, we were told that the bill had not been paid. Walter had taken full payment for all the accommodation dn activities and had failed to pay Breezes. We had to organise £20,000 before Breezes would let us leave for the airport. You cannot image the stress of having to find £20,000!!
DO NOT BOOK WITH GALLOPING SAFARIS. We have been told that he has done this before to other clients and we know that the police have brought him in various times for questioning. We still do not have all out money back from Walter always says he will pay and doesn't. That makes him a liar.