CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The guide Benson is good, but the boss Martin is not good
The guide, Benson, was nice, but the owner, Martin, was not (typically a businessman).
The overall trip was good. However, the car was dirty, old, and broken. A two-year-old car felt like a 20-year-old, with broken seatbacks and rusty windows that wouldn't open fully. The owner, Martin, was a bit stingy and wasn't very easy to get along with.
(automatic translation from Chinese)
FR
Overtourism and disrespect for nature
I join Theo to say that as wildlife conservationist, we wanted to experience our first ever Safari and what better place than the Massai Mara ?
we decided to trust the good reviews this Tour Operator has and booked a 6 days safari through the Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli.
That was a mistake.
I don't know how is it possible that so many people are blindfold about what is going on in Mara but Jocky Tour is definitly part of the problem. I never seen so much unethical behavior to satisfy clients on a game drive. It was not just our guide, it was all of them. Jocky Tour is responsible because it pushes those kind of behavior, to satisfy their clients, to have a cool selfie and when I confronted them about it they had nothing to say anymore. We were next to a lioness with 2 cubs, hiding in bush, the car was at less than 2 METERS away, stressing them, phones ringing, two guides from two different companies talking to each other loudly. It was 50 plus cars in front of a lioness with a kill, she didn't know what to do anymore. 50 plus cars again cercling a scared leopard in a bush to get a photo. Loud engines, people talking loudly, cars trying to get in front of one another for their guests to have a better view, it was pure chaos. When I confronted our guide about it, he told me that he'll try to stay discret and keep a safe distance from the animals. But nontheless, one poor cheetah with 40 plus cars around latter during the day was the nail in the coffin for us. All those tour operators are killing the Mara, one of the last wild jewel of Africa, all that for short term profit and to satisfy clients that think it's a zoo. It changes animal behavior and causing so much damage on the land to have so much vehicules with no regulations!
Studies shows that cheetah to have less cubs in the Mara because of the stress caused by all this. Lionesses loose kills, buffalos can't escape anymore, blocked by army of people and let's not talk about the great migration... There is countless and coutless exemple of thoses abuses.
Also, the program was not followed, as we should have had a full day in the Mara but insead it was cut short ta have the optional visit of a Massai village. Which is also a big joke as it doesn't look authentic at all, it is more of a show for tourists.
PLEASE, if you read this, make sure your tour operator is not some kind of money profit, selfish organisation like Jocky Tour that doesn't think about the environnement and the damage it causes. Make sure they are ethical and that their guides are well trained and aware about animals safety. I understand that everybody doesn't have the money for the private experience which is our case at the moment. But we still left the safari at the end of the first day. Even if we're not getting our money back because we didn't finish it (and I don't mind paying the parc fees), we don't want to be involve and witness something like this EVER again. So save a little more money but make sure you go there to respect the place and enjoyed it for it's true value, to keep it as wild as possible.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Erratic driving, rude, cut safari short half a day. No compensation given
Booked a safari through them which had several issues... The driver was erratic, rude, and unsafe (he was on his phone the ENTIRE time while driving at high speeds) and then he cut our Safari short 1/2 a day because 2 of the guests needed to get back to Nairobi for a flight… No compensation was given for the loss of half a day, and when I told Safarishore about the driver’s behavior, they forwarded my message to him while we were still traveling which resulted in an uncomfortable 2 hour drive where he kept aggressively arguing with me and denying his behavior…
Safarishore is just a middle man who sells your Safari package to a driver, and then takes no responsibility for what happens during the trip... Their only offer was “to do better the next time I book with them”… Which obviously they can’t guarantee, nor anyone in their right mind would do… Go with a different operator if you can.
CO
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Indigo Safari was the worst of the companies I booked a safari with in Africa
Indigo Safari was the worst of the companies I booked a safari with. The companies in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe were very diligent. It's true that the safari itself is run by different companies, bringing together groups and different accommodations, but everywhere the company I booked with, picked me up at the hotel and took me to the departure point. Indigo Safari doesn't do this, and the excellent manager who assisted me simply made me feel like I couldn't make any demands. In the others safaris, every day, everyone was attentive to informing me about the schedule, pickup time, and what each game included. In Namibia, with Indigo Safari, I had to find out at the accommodations what time they would pick me up, and they would contact Namibia 2 Go, the operator, and then inform me of the time and program. The excellent manager only informed me, once, that I had to be at the departure point fifteen minutes before the departure time, and I didn't know which one. I asked her several times if water was included, but she didn't answer. She also didn't inform me if lunch was included. Every day I eat breakfast and one meal, either lunch or dinner, and she offered me a plan without either option. Since he never explained the scope of the meal, he forced me to pay extra for food at the lodgings.
Namibia 2 Go, the opearator, every day, carried not only water but also other beverages and always brought lunch for everyone, asking first if they were vegetarians or had a special diet. The top manager seems to have no idea how to operate in the field. But the worst part of all was that I asked for a quote for two safaris, one in Salousvlei and another in Etosha, and manipulated me into choosing the most expensive plans with absurdly high food charges, arguing that the other lodges, more reasonable but also mid-range, were full. At both locations, the Namibia 2 Go vehicles arrived at these lodges first, and from there they took me, usually alone, to the other lodge. At reception, they always asked me why I wasn't staying there, and when I explained, they told me they weren't full at the time. The top manager got upset because I insisted that the safaris I wanted were available; if they weren't, they would close them and wouldn't allow me to quote them. I felt manipulated and poorly treated, and I informed him. His reaction was unprofessional, and after the start date, which he had no idea what time it would start, he never contacted me about anything. The safari was over, and she never did.
ES
They never respond to requests once you pay. They do not respect the agreement
We booked an 8-day group tour. Communication was always via WhatsApp. They responded quickly and promised to honor the program's accommodations and limit the maximum number of people per vehicle. They assigned us to several other agencies that didn't honor any of this. They changed our companions and vehicles every day... the drivers didn't even know which agency we were from or our names. They took us to places we didn't want to be. Aanika Karibu never answered our messages. She contacted me every day and didn't read our complaints! She charged us and ignored us! We were packed into eight-passenger vehicles on the Game Drive... dangerous because you'd trip. A horrible experience. It made you feel unprotected.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Don't trust Big Apes, neither Peter
I've contacted Big Apes in March to book a trip for August. When I was still asking for quotes, the communication was polite and efficient. However, just after I've paid the deposit, the communication changed to rude and unreliable. After the payment, I've checked with the accommodations and they haven't received any request on my name. So then I've asked Big Apes if my hotel reservations were made and if they could send me the receipt for the trekking permit. After being ignored and asking again and again, I've received the following answer from Peter, the agency's owner : "We don't account to our guests but our auditors unless you are conducting an investigation. You paid for a service because you were convinced that we would offer you the service. We procure permits in company names and not one at a time only but sometimes in bulk, information we cannot share with you. You are free to sue us when your time comes and we don't offer the service. Should you have a change of heart, we are happy to offer you a refund under our cancellation times. The only receipt you are entitled to is the one in our company names for the money you sent. Kindly let me know if this is clear to you." At this moment I had my first shiver down my spine. Don't they account to their guests ???? Anyway, when I asked about cancellation, I've received an email with apologies (not from Peter, from someone else, never from Peter) for the harsh way of communication from their colleague and they said my tour were secured with them and that their drivers/guides were very professional (I thought the owner would be too, but I was wrong). I decided to give them another chance. After few weeks, no reservations yet. When I've asked when my reservation would be made, again they didn't want to commit and said that they couldn't tell me when (without a signature on the email this time). After asking again and again, they said my reservations would be made in July (my trip would be in August and August is high season). Then, I've requested the cancellation and, as you can guess, another headache then began. After being ignored again and I had to keep asking again and again, they said the refund would be made in September (after 5 months, but the agreement was 4 months) even they haven't done any reservation. I asked why it would be made in 5 months instead of what we agreed and I was ignored, of course. I've tried to ask few more times but no answer at all. I gave up and waited. September arrived and, of course, no refund, so I've sent a couple of emails, but no answer at all. I've contacted SafariBokkings asking for help and they said that they would contact Big Apes from their side. The next day, SafariBookings said that they received a reply from Big Apes and that they committed to process my refund by October 10th and asked me to wait longer. I did. October 10th arrived and NO REFUND AT ALL, NO CONTACT AT ALL.
Anyway, despite having lost money, I am grateful for the deliverance, it could be worse. DO NOT TRUST BIG APES NEITHER PETER, the communication completely change after making the payment, they don't keep their word and they don't refund your money, if it's the case, even promising you they will. I had USD 1,079.24 lost and my time wasted. DON'T CHOOSE BIG APES !!!
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Beware and Save yourself! Gadiel of Good One Tours/Come Africa Safaris is a CON as per our experience
If you value your money, time, and sanity, stay away from Gadiel . Our “dream” safari turned into a 9-day disaster thanks to his lies, last-minute changes, zero communication, and constant demands for more money – even after we paid in full and had a signed itinerary from him.
He skipped destinations everyday, downgraded lodges without warning, delayed payments to lodges, and destroyed the very essence of our safari experience. Tarangire? Skipped. Ngorongoro? Shortened unless we paid extra. Manyara? Never happened. Lodges we paid for? Replaced with substandard options.
Traveling across Africa, Asia, and South America for wildlife, we’ve never encountered such blatant disregard for a customer and theft disguised as “tour operating”. Gadiel gives Tanzanian tourism a bad name and should be banned from the industry. We have all proof of his devilry and are pursuing this with relevant Tanzanian authorities.
Spread the word – don’t let others fall into this trap. The company’s name should have been “WORST ONE TOURS”
CO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Logistically and financially disorganised
While the safari experience itself was good, I unfortunately had a very negative experience with Roju Safaris regarding a refund. Due to a payment error on my side, I overpaid them. I immediately reported the mistake, and they acknowledged it, but it took them more than three months to process the refund claiming they were having financial difficulties.
When the refund was finally made, they deducted 9% without any clear explanation, far beyond what a bank fee would reasonably be. After holding my money for months, this lack of transparency and fairness left me with a very disappointing impression.
What’s worse, I had to involve the Kenyan Tourism Regulatory Authority in order to get the refund processed, something that should never have been necessary if the company had acted responsibly from the beginning.
Travelers should be aware that while their tours may run smoothly, they may not follow the schedule you were given. The way Roju Safaris handled my case showed a lack of professionalism and honesty in financial matters.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AVOID AT ANY COST
Absolutely shameful experience… Do not use those scammers. Obviously most of the time things goes well so you can’t see the reality of who you dealing with. We left with my girlfriend and 8 other people including the captain and the guide. Once gone, we hit a very wavy part of the sea, the captain couldn’t handle it and litterally stood us in the middle of the waves hoping for the boat the get through it. The waves were hitting on side of the boat.. Any experienced captain would have taken the waves differently and wouldn’t leave the boat parallel to the waves… They didnt even think of giving us lifesaving jackets when things got rocky. After 2 waves the boat was full of water, after the 3rd it literally went upside down with all of us in the water… bags, phones, cameras, shoes.. everything in the ocean … 3 of us had to swim back to the shore, 1hour of struggle in the waves. Do never take a young kid, or any person that is not able to swim properly. Not only this was a scary and traumatic experience, they have been playing with us for 9 months now to refund the items lost during the excursion. Once its an insurance problem, then its financial problems then its not the high season … always finding excuses… The ice on the cake ?… we didnt even get to see the dolphins….
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unprofessional, unreliable, and repeatedly failed to deliver what was promised.
We booked a safari with this company, and it was a total disappointment from start to finish. If you want your trip to be safe, organized, and enjoyable, read our experience carefully before booking.
1️⃣ €1,077 scam using the company’s name.
We were scammed by someone impersonating the agency while we were communicating with them. We provided the police report, and almost a month later, when speaking with Alfred, we discovered that the company never filed a complaint, which is extremely serious and irresponsible.
2️⃣ Last-minute price increase.
Only four days before the safari, we were informed of a price increase. Other groups we met on the same route did not have any increase, making us feel we were treated unfairly.
3️⃣ Attempted overcharge of almost €250.
Mercy told us we could pay in euros at the official exchange rate, but the person collecting the payment tried to apply the dollar rate instead. Only after intervention from other tourists was the error acknowledged.
4️⃣ Vehicle breakdown and shortened game drives.
In Masai Mara, the vehicle broke down inside the park, and we were stopped for over an hour. Afterward, the guide picked up a Masai man, turned off the radio, and spent the trip talking to him, ignoring the animals.
Only at Lake Nakuru were the hours of the itinerary respected.
At 5 p.m., when we asked if we were heading back, he replied rudely: “What do you want to see? There are no animals.”
5️⃣ Problems with park entry and tickets.
The next day, the guide said that “we didn’t have a safari the first day,” even though it was clearly in the itinerary. He also mentioned the police and the park tickets, which should not concern the client; if the itinerary exceeds the allowed hours, it is the agency’s responsibility, not ours.
6️⃣ Two days without included water.
The package included 3 liters per day, but the guide did not provide water for two full days.
7️⃣ Hotel changes without respecting location or promised standards.
Before the trip, I asked Mercy specifically whether alternative accommodations would be similar and within the parks, and she confirmed they would.
The reality was different: we were placed in urban hotels far from nature, including in Naivasha, which completely altered the experience we had paid for.
8️⃣ Poor customer service and lack of solutions.
Mercy started copying and pasting the same response without addressing our concerns. Contacting Alfred did not help either: he just listed park fees and mentioned “compensation for the boat ride and Masai village,” without offering a real solution. We were not asking for money — we just wanted the services we paid for to be delivered.
💬 Summary:
A trip that was supposed to be once-in-a-lifetime turned into stress, frustration, and total disorganization. We are not asking for money, only that they deliver what was promised: schedules, accommodations, and professionalism.
⚠️ If you are considering booking with them, look for a more reliable agency. Once you pay, attention disappears and promises vanish.
We learned the hard way — hopefully, this review will help others avoid the same experience.