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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
HU
Paid for a 21 day high quality safari through Kenya, Tanzania and zanzibar
We paid $17317 usd for a 21 day exclusive safari holiday staryifrom Niarobi, when we landed their was noone, I mean noone their for us.
The guide that scb tours supplied had not turned up, no help from solomon bwanga, we had to pay another $8000 usd to get a holiday and was promised refund by end of January 2025.
We have been fighting for this refund ever since and as today April 22nd 2025 we have had nothing.
They have stopped communicating not even the owners of the company have contacted us, ever.
They will come here with all sorts of excuses, but we are out of pocket.
Check their Facebook page that has been hacked.
Their ticktok page is blocked from comments.
Their Instagram is hacked.
Their web page is blocked.
And solomon business whatsapp is supposedly not working only in the office.
Check the terms and conditions as they will say they are not responsible for anything that goes wrong.
The hotels and safari are not what is ordered but upto the guide you get.
If we get our money back we will of course change this comment.
I have no problem if you contact us for the full truth. We have nothing to hide.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Extremely unreliable
I have used Kenya Bush Expeditions 3 times and have been let down twice.
My last Safari a week ago, somehow the email between them and me was hacked. I’m not sure if it was an outsider or someone within their organisation but I was told to pay for the tour upfront and when I arrived in Kenya I was told of the scam and advised they had not received payment for the tour.
They were kind enough to arrange something last minute but it was not the same as the original itinerary requested.
The driver arrived late to collect me on the first morning. When we approached our destination, over an hour and a half late, the driver stopped for a 20 minute breakfast. As a wildlife photographer this meant I had lost the whole mornings photo opportunity as the light was too harsh to take any photos in the park.
The driver just chased around the park for the day, he did not spot anything as he was driving too fast. Every time I asked him to stop he would respond, “you see something?” Or “must I stop?” Every time I had to repeat 3 or 4 times. Stop stop stop because he couldn’t follow a simple instruction.
On the second morning I wanted to take advantage of the good light for my photography as I had missed out on day 1. I arranged with him to meet at exactly 06:00 for a quick breakfast and leave at 06:15. Once again he was late. After being late the day before he didn’t have the decency to make sure he woke up on time for the arranged departure time.
Very disappointing, will not use them again.