20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Would NOT recommend Savannah Explorers
We went on a private safari in Tanzania with Savannah Explorers. The wildlife was amazing, but unfortunately, our guide Felix seriously affected the experience.
1. Extremely slow driving
He drove ridiculously slowly. Other safari vehicles would constantly pass us. Once, we were trying to catch a river crossing, but by the time we arrived, it was already over and everyone else was driving back. We specifically asked him to drive faster, but he refused. A 2-hour drive would often become 3 hours.
2. Wasted our full-day permit
We paid for a full-day Serengeti permit on our last day, but Felix took us to the airstrip very early. We ended up waiting there for about 4 hours before our flight. Earlier that morning, wildebeest were already gathering near the river, so we could have potentially waited for another crossing, but he chose to leave.
3. Got lost in Serengeti at night
One evening, he got lost on the way back to camp and spent around 3 hours driving around in the dark. At first he insisted he knew the way, and only later admitted he was lost. Eventually we found out he had been going in the wrong direction from the beginning.
Based on our experience, we would not choose Savannah Explorers again.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional Wildlife Experience, but Serious Concerns About the Safari Operator
The wildlife experience in Tanzania was exceptional, and we had some genuinely memorable sightings and experiences. Unfortunately, I had serious concerns about several aspects of the safari that were within the operator’s control.
Cash/payment:
The booking intermediary, Nitin Vyas, asked me to carry a substantial amount of cash, representing a significant percentage of the total safari cost, to meet certain expenses during the safari, including park fees. We were subsequently found out that park fees were not payable in cash.
We were uncomfortable carrying such a substantial amount of cash because of the obvious security risks. We offered to make the payment by bank transfer while we were still in Kenya, several days before reaching Tanzania, but this was not accepted.
I remain concerned about why cash was requested when secure electronic payment options were available and cash was not required to pay for the expenses. For a safari of this nature, I believe customers should not be placed in the position of carrying substantial amounts of cash and exposing themselves to unnecessary security risks. I am particularly concerned that Shah Tours was aware that we had been asked to carry substantial cash, yet did not intervene or advise us or Nitin Vyas against doing so, despite the obvious security risks involved
Potential conflict of interest:
We were also not made aware at the time of booking of the commercial relationship between Shah Tours and Nitin Vyas, the booking intermediary. Shah Tours subsequently explained that the intermediary brings business to Shah Tours and receives commercial benefits through this relationship.
In my view, this commercial relationship should have been transparently disclosed to customers at the time of booking. Where an intermediary receives commercial benefits for bringing business to an operator, it is reasonable for a customer to want to understand whether this arrangement has any bearing on the price or value received. I have not been able to satisfy myself that we received the best possible value.
Driver decision-making:
The drivers were experienced and we had excellent wildlife sightings. However, there were occasions where delayed decision-making affected our positioning. At Ngorongoro, we also left before the required 6:00 pm exit time without this being discussed or agreed with all guests.
Accommodation:
Misako Mara Migration Camp had an exceptional location, but the accommodation was very ordinary for the price paid and had several maintenance issues.
Overall, the wildlife experience itself was outstanding. However, my 1/5 rating reflects my concerns about the operator-related aspects of the safari, particularly the cash/payment arrangement, the lack of transparency regarding the intermediary’s commercial relationship with Shah Tours, the driver decision-making and the accommodation.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Deceptive marketing, systemic bait & switch, and fraudulent bank reporting: A Safari Nightmare
Do not book with Mountain Warriors in a shared safari ever. We had booked a 5 days 4 nights safari for 2 people (including Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire) by contacting them through SafariBookings.com. We paid $1,840 USD + undisclosed credit card fees for a 2-person budget safari explicitly guaranteeing 7 game drives (full day Tarangire (2) + half day Manyara (1) + 2 game drives Serengeti + 2 in Ngorongoro). They failed to deliver on multiple game drives for the most expensive segments of the trip: the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. They run a calculated operation designed to promise high-end premium itineraries compared to their competitors, cut the services short once you have paid in full, and you end up with a half-baked tour.
To start with, after full payment on Day 0, we were told within 4 hours that our itinerary was changed but will cover every parks as advertised. But I insisted on Mary sending me the revised itinerary, which ofcourse came after the safari had started on Day 1. Guess what: game drives previously advertised were omitted from the "new one".
Next, on Day 1 they suffered internal logistical breakdowns that left us entirely missing a scheduled 3.5-hour afternoon game drive at Serengeti (They tried to pack the vehicle with 7 people by getting people from other companies, leading to long waits to pick them up; further their sales person Mary messed up and we ended up picking the wrong person and then exchanging him for the correct person; basically long delays and waits). Thanks to all that, we missed the dusk game drive, when especially predators come out to hunt!!
Second, they explicitly advertised a dual "morning and evening crater drive" in Ngorongoro in the itinerary we paid for. We chose Mountain Warriors specifically for this reason over their competitors. Anyone familiar with Tanzanian park rules knows that NCAA permits are single-entry. Providing an evening drive requires the operator to buy a second $295 USD vehicle descent permit. They cut our morning drive short to only 4.5 hours to get 1 person out of the crater for her flight, and to avoid paying this fee twice, canceled the evening drive entirely, and probably pocketed the rest.
When confronted with all of these at the conclusion of our vacation, they admitted fault by sending a partial refund of $190 USD. However, this was way below even the amount for 2 people, we had estimated, considering the amount of government fees they had saved by not delivering the evening game drive for Ngorongoro alone.
To protect their cash, they lied to our credit card processor during the dispute process (the card company shared this evidence), claiming we "only lost one total hour of safari" because "we had to catch a flight". They falsely claimed to the bank that our tour was cut short due to a flight delay caused by my party. My official flight tickets prove we landed exactly on time, and departed Arusha days after the safari; the delay they cited belonged to a completely separate, third passenger who had no connection to our booking party. They submitted the secondary, unapproved, modified itinerary to the bank rather than the original contract we actually paid for, attempting to retroactively shrink the scope of their unfulfilled obligations. They selectively deleted the entire message thread from their representative, Mary, which explicitly documented their internal stalling and operational delays.
Upon looking at this fabrication, I was extremely appalled, disgusted, and I will leave people to make a decision for themselves.
Finally, upon confronting Gasto & Mary about this deception, they promised (around August 28) to send an official bank resolution (refund another $110, which we accepted to end the dispute) and contact us on September 24, 2026. That date has now passed with no further response.
Book elsewhere with an honest company that doesn't shortchange your vacation hours to inflate their profit margins and ensures a smoother experience. Note, we booked tours and safaris at other places as well before & after, and never experienced this kind of behavior.
However, I will be fair and give a shout out for Victor, our guide. He is a remarkable guide, very knowledgeable and knows details about animals to the letter. He ensured our drive experience was atleast smooth and our once in a life experience has bright spots to remember.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not transparent, bad guide
I want to preface this with the fact that I overall still enjoyed the safari, understand the budget price point, and had good communication with the agency via email prior to the tour.
That being said, my guide (Moses) was very unengaged, unprofessional, and did not respect or listen to multiple people in my group. He got in an argument with another woman in my group when she voiced frustrations about his lack of communication each day when plans would change. Multiple times, he had me go into another vehicle with a guide he wouldn't introduce me to or dropped me off somewhere saying he would come back soon with no clear timing and no way of contacting him. As a woman traveling alone, I find this disappointing and unacceptable.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Warning
The safari we booked for 4 people in February 2027 was supposed to cost USD 4,000 per person. Despite having made full payments or substantial advance payments, we have still not been provided with any proof that the agreed hotels and domestic flights have been paid for. Our contact person, Elias Lucas, requested further payments and has stopped responding despite numerous attempts to contact him. He is also refusing to refund our money.
Furthermore, during my father’s safari with the same agency in September 2026, it became apparent that agreed luxury hotels had been replaced with budget accommodations without his consent. Some of these accommodations had not even been paid for, and agreed domestic flights were not carried out. As a result, my father had to pay out of his own pocket for services that had already been paid for.
Based on these circumstances, we believe this agency is operating fraudulently. We have already reported the matter to the Tourism Police, the Ministry of Tourism, and SafariBookings . My father has also filed a police report. According to SafariBookings, there are already outstanding financial claims from other customers against Wivi Agency.
This review will remain online until we receive a full refund of our advance payment of USD 10,800.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour Operator did not disclose the details of a group tour correctly or in detail
I booked group tour with Porcupine and while the Safari itself was AMAZING, Porcupine did not disclose that other guests on the trip would all be staying at different accommodation. The result of this was that we spent easily 4 - 5 hours per day travelling to collect and drop off other guests. One evening, they expected the guide to drive an additional 2 hours in the dark in the Serengeti to drop me at an alternative location. It was already after 8pm. Effectively the result was tat I paid for a 6 day safari and in essence only got a 3 day safari if we remove all the unnecessary and undisclosed travelling. Furthermore, the operator made an error on my return flight to South Africa resulting in a 6 hour trip to the airport and back again unnecessarily. In the interim, the accommodation that I had paid for was cancelled and I was left at the Arusha Tourist Inn which was horrific. It was filthy dirty, I could not even use the bathroom due to the amount of mould and scum build up on the taps - this place has not been cleaned in YEARS. As a single female traveler, this location was not only unsafe but a health hazard. I have communicated respectfully and openly with Porcupine about my concerns however they are taking no accountability. I am so disappointed as this was a once in a lifetime bucket list trip
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Complete Communication Failure
I booked a 4-day safari for 2 people ($2,000) with Park Adventure. After just 4 hours of jeep, I experienced a severe medical crisis that left me unable to move or continue. I had to stop at a lodge – the safari was over.
While the agency covered my accommodation during those days, I requested a partial refund for unused costs (meals, guides, activities). They simply ignored me. Complete ghosting. No response. No attempt to address a serious medical situation.
I don't expect refunds per their policy, but professional agencies communicate and show basic respect when something goes wrong. Park Adventure chose silence instead.
They received $2,000 and provided nothing. Don't expect support if problems arise.
Not recommended.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We felt that this tour operator is unreliable and probably not honest.
We believe that everyone should avoid this company. We recently booked a Ugandan safari with them (including seeing the gorillas). Nicholas agreed to a price and then asked for more money later on multiple times, which is not typical of a reputable tour company. We ultimately had to cancel due to the Ebola outbreak and my mother’s cancer. We understood that we would lose at least the money for the gorilla permits. They have since returned none of the money and have ghosted us online. We believe that Devine African Safaris Ltd is unreliable and possibly not even a legitimate business anymore.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No customer care and support in major health Emergency
I booked a 4-day safari with Park Adventure for two people, paying $2,000 in total. Unfortunately, after only about 4 hours in the jeep, my girlfriend had a serious medical emergency and was unable to continue. We had to stop immediately and end the trip before we had even had the chance to visit a single park.
To their credit, Park Adventure covered our accommodation while we dealt with the situation and helped arrange for my girlfriend to return home safely. However, we ultimately did not spend a single minute inside a national park or actually experience the safari we had paid for.
Once things were more under control, we contacted the agency to ask whether a partial refund for the unused, non-prepaid services could be considered. Their response was extremely disappointing. They completely ignored us for several days, then eventually told us they were looking into the matter. After that, we waited several more days and were simply ghosted again. No update, no explanation, no follow-up, nothing.
This was particularly frustrating because we were still dealing with a serious medical situation in Tanzania. I understand that they have a refund policy and that they may not be able to refund every unused service. That is not even the main issue. What I expected was basic communication, professionalism and some consideration for what had happened.
Instead, once they had received the $2,000 payment, we were essentially left on our own. Being ignored throughout such a difficult situation was extremely disappointing and made an already stressful experience even worse.
Unfortunately, based on our experience, I would not recommend Park Adventure. A good travel agency should not only be there when everything goes according to plan — how they communicate when something goes wrong matters just as much.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Please don’t book with them.
I booked 13day trip for Kenya and Tanzania with this company. From the beginning, it seemed unorganized. There were few hiccups not only during Kenya tour but Tanzania was not at all organized by them. I was left on my own and had to contact other tour operators for continuing Tanzania part. It has been 10 days and I still haven’t received refund of my money despite them making promises. I paid a lot to carry on Tanzania portion as it was last minute plus the anxiety and frustration was always there. They don’t pickup calls either, text when they want to respond back and their sincerity in action is totally missing. I will be filing complaint with Kenya tourism authorities as well to have their license revoked. Totally unprofessional behaviour and unethical conduct on their part.