DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not with this Company
As a solo female traveler, I took an 8-day private tour through Uganda/Rwanda. It was a wonderful few days with my driver, Mutanda, who knows the area very well. Unfortunately, I can't recommend the company Go Gorillatrekking. After accidentally debiting $1,600, Michael and Kalema were no longer reachable, either by phone or email. The office in Kampala was also closed. Dubious and unprofessional. Stay away from this company.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unacceptable
Worst safari ever – filthy camp, horrible sleep, major rip-off
We paid 3,000 USD for two people, which is 300 USD more per person than another family traveling with us.
From the outset we were placed in extremely unsanitary, mosquito-infested conditions at Nyatu Camp: cockroaches in the bed, no running water, broken doors, and zero hygiene. It was the worst night of sleep in our lives, living in a room that felt like it wasn’t intended for tourists. We couldn’t rest, were and it felt unsafe.
To make matters even more suspicious: although we booked with Flexivel Safari Kenya, everything was actually handled by Jockie Tours or perhaps another subcontractor—Flexivel seemed like just an intermediary with no real control over what we got. It was clear they passed our booking down without ensuring basic standards.
And when issues arose, Jonathan disappeared, never responding the phone calls.
This was such a betrayal: the worst night of sleep, unacceptable health conditions, and blatant overcharging. If you book through them, expect to be ripped off and treated terribly.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dishonest company, did not show up
we booked a safari in january 2024 , paid over 3000 euro for a 4-day safari for august. when we arrived in arusha airport he never showed up and never answered our calls. we reported it to the embassy and police. we wait for this swindler to give us our money back, but he refuses.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Dishonest and disreputable
I recomend you don't use Liyu! From my experience, they are dishonest and disreputable. I flew to Semera for a Denakil Depression tour and there was nobody to meet me at the airport! They did not provide the trip I had paid for. The only reason I got a tour of Denakil was that a very kind guide from Ethio Travel and Tours allowed me to tag along with them. Use them instead and avoid Liyu
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bad experience
I recently booked a safari tour with Optimum Travel, but the experience was not at all what I expected. The vehicle did not arrive on time, and the guide seemed very inexperienced. The spots were not seen properly because the guide was in a hurry. At some places, we were not allowed to stop and take pictures.
Also, the quality of the food was very average.
I thought it would be a bit professional service, but the management was very average. I will try another company in the future.
MX
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Being threatened and kidnapped! What a terrible experience! I am a victim!
My mom and I spent $10,000 on the trip, not including airfare. We booked a 12-day luxury tour in Kenya and Tanzania. They were so annoying along the way, making faces, robbing, and threatening our lives. It felt like they had no reason to rob us of our money.
Some of the hotels they booked for us were very ordinary. Silas threw us to the other two tour guides and sent messages throughout the trip. They were not two tour guides, but just two drivers. The tour guide in Kenya, Chris, changed his face from the moment he left Kenya. I didn't give him a lot of tips at first because I exchanged all my beauty coins for county magistrates. Then he made faces along the way. To be honest, I felt that I was providing him with emotional value along the way instead of the other way around.
Tanzania was even more exaggerated. They took us to the Maasai village. At first, they said it was 100 US dollars per person. Later, when we got off the car, the chief said it was 100 US dollars per person. I said we would not go there. We took some photos in the valley (no photos of people). As a result, they threatened us that this place was theirs and we could not take photos. We went to get in the car. When we got in, they stopped us and asked how much money we had. I wanted to close the door, but they said they would not let us. Is this robbery in broad daylight?
Then Silas told the tour guide Micheal that there was a 10 US dollar tip per person per day. I gave him a shilling and he said what was this? To send away beggars? I said I didn’t have that much US dollars and he said you go get it.
On the way back to Kenya, we were asked to change to another black car. We thought we were kidnapped and almost called the police because Silas said there was no such arrangement.
If you want to ruin your vacation, choose them. Robbers! 0 experience!
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely Disappointing Experience – Refund Confirmed but Never Received
Extremely Disappointing Experience – Refund Confirmed but Never Received
I’m very sorry to write this review, but I feel obliged to warn other travelers.
I booked a trip with East African Jungle Safaris, which I had to cancel on April 17, 2025 – well in accordance with their official cancellation policy that promises a 90% refund if cancelled at least 28 days before the trip. The company confirmed in writing that a refund would be issued. However, as of today — three months later — I have received nothing.
Despite repeated follow-ups — including from my lawyer — the company has either not responded at all or given empty promises. To make matters worse, part of my deposit included national park permits, which were issued on April 25, more than a week after I had cancelled. When asked about this, the company shifted responsibility to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who in turn claimed they were not responsible either.
At this point, I feel deeply disappointed and financially taken advantage of. What makes this situation particularly frustrating is that I placed full trust in a company operating under the Ugandan tourism system. Unfortunately, I have to conclude that this trust was misplaced.
I sincerely hope that no one else has to go through the same experience, and I encourage others to be cautious when booking — especially regarding refund and cancellation processes.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible experience - Avoid at all costs
Avoid this operator at all costs.
After booking 6 months in advance, nothing was booked - we had to wait for hours to know the plan on every step of the trip.
Last minute changes on the original planning, inexistent organisation, and we had to ask constantly for the next steps since we didn't know what was next. Boat trip wasn't book in Moremi nor in Chobe, so we had to wait and solve it there with the local people.
Sometimes we didn't have lunch nor dinner and we had to ask for it - nobody was even asking. We had to organise ourselves because if not, you skip what you agreed.
Avoid this company if you want a happy trip.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Do Not Book through this company
A very dishonest company from our experience. You see all the high rated reviews here & on TripAdvisor, pay your money, then if you are lucky the 'game' starts 2 days before your safari. Having now delved into many bad reviews the script is exactly the same. Issues with account department, not my fault, I'm trying my best for you. Multiple apologies. Your midway lodge/camp won't be booked, park entrances won't be paid for, nor transport/driver fees or fuel, oh and if you manage to actually get all that sorted by them, who will 'gently' hint that you will need to pay more, or in the worse cases leave you stranded at a park entrance or in a park until you pay more (with empty fake promises of refunds for the additional costs due to their account department errors) the time in the parks is rushed, your transport won't be the luxury comfortable, air conditioned, WiFi enabled (despite stickers on the windows) charging point enabled, cold water providing vehicle you are promised. We enjoyed our safari that we actually managed to go on, but the stress prior and during as this company tries to con you ruined much of what our holiday was for. We believe we only got what we did because I made them aware I had contacted my bank and the fraud department asked me to keep them informed of what was happening. I strong recommend you do not use this company or their sister company Africa Kenya Safaris.
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Just don't
Warning: “Opulent Africa Tours and Safaris” is just a rebranded name for “Opulent Tours and Travel.” Please read before booking.
My wife and I had carefully planned a once-in-a-lifetime 31-day safari with Opulent Tours and Travel. The staff were polite and helpful—until the moment we needed our money back.
When COVID hit and our country banned travel to South Africa, we canceled well within their official refund period and filled out all the required paperwork. Then the excuses began. “Be patient,” they said. Weeks turned into months. We later realized their terms of service say nothing about when refunds are due. We had paid months in advance, but now they felt no urgency to return what was ours.
After nearly two years of waiting, we offered them a chance to redeem themselves: let us take the original trip. Instead, they demanded an additional $3,000 for a shorter 25-day tour. Why? Because of our negative review. Yes, really. We were told we owed them for being honest. Since then, they’ve gone silent. We even tried to sue them, but Evans, the owner and CEO keeps moving from address to address to avoid the judicial process.
Planning a tour like this is about trust, and Opulent Africa Tours broke it. Please don’t make the same mistake we did. Do yourselves a favor and choose a company with basic decency.