35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was ok, but overpriced and kind of sketchy
The van was comfortable enough but very old and without AC, so be prepared for that. Our driver was nice, the places we stopped for food were not clean. (Bring toiler paper and hand sanitizer with you) All the restaurants are buffet style and left in serving wear that was sitting out for much longer then I feel is safe.
We were meant to go into the Masai Mara for 2 days, but the driver talked us into only going for one "extra long" day, which was only an hour longer then the day was originally meant to be. He also told us we could go into the Serengeti and instead took us to the border and told us that was it. In the end we paid for two days when we only had about 12 hours, allowing them to pocket the extra cash that would have been spent on the next days entry fee.
The place we camped was ok, not like it was pictured but it was acceptable and the people who worked there were nice. There was an overwhelming pressure from Axis to pay up front and in cash. One day included a picnic lunch, which was precooked chicken that wasn't kept in a cooler, but in cardboard box and ended up giving me food poisoning. I would recommend brining your own snacks.
After the trip we were informed that they are being looked into for questionable practices.
I wouldn't book with them again, especially since there are rumors surrounding the legitimacy of their practices.
SK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
not as expected
We expected more because price was very high, and we have to pay the money for guide extra.........
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari, poor organisation
The safari itself was great, beautiful nature and nice to see all the animals.
Unfortunately, the organisation and service of Uhuru travel was very bad and no value for money. There was no pick-up from our accommodation, the game drive started more than 2 hours too late, there was no breakfast on the first and third day, and the group size was larger than communicated. Moreover, we were placed on a campsite which we did not book for and we had to pay again to stay at the right campsite.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The guide was great but the rest was lacking
The communication was poor. We did a Maasai Mara tour with this company and the guide was excellent, the food was poor though as we had lunches that we a slice of tomato and a slice of onion between three pieces of bread. Despite this we decided to book another safari from Mombasa to Nairobi with stops in Tsavo West and Amboseli. Although we sent them a map showing where the pick up would be, the company went to our previous hotel in Nairobi. They tried to skirt blame over this putting it squarely on us, even though on several occasions we made it clear where we would be. Thankfully we were able to find another tour company which provided us with great service.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They are cheap for a reason
We book a budget 4 day safari with Bobby Tours, mainly based on the price. At the time I couldn't find much about them in the way of reviews on the internet but what I could find was ok. Anyway we turn up at the office ready for departure only to be told that we hadn't transferred enough money when we did our bank transfer. I had taken a copy of the paperwork showing we had transferred the exact amount they quoted but they wouldn't budge, so in the end we ended up pay about 100 dollars extra. Not a good start.
The car was old, had no working seatbelts, no windscreen wipers (not ideal when speeding down a motorway in torrential rain to the airport) broke down twice, the poor driver had to fix it both times. The tents were old, musty, but adequate I suppose.
The first night we stayed at a 'Bobby Tours' camp site. we were driven well away from the main strip where everyone else seemed to be staying to this deserted field, we were the only ones staying at this site, ran by a family sat there playing with machetes and looking like they wanted to kill us, not a relaxing night at all. Thankfully the next night was at a campsite where many others were staying too so we felt a lot more comfortable.
The driver was fine, as was the chef. Management and equipment not fine.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Lack of separation of business and private
While I cannot complain about the organization of the safari in terms of equipment and game drives what spilled the experience for me after was the unprofessional behavior of the company owner. The lack of separation of business and private matters ruined the experience completely and prompted me to give the bad rating.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
tour was nice but costed more, and was shorter then agreed, promised shirts were not deleivered
We arived from the airport in our hotel at 8.00 a.m. We asked at the hotel reception if we could do a safari Nairobe NP. They advised us not to do because it was too hot and to late when we would arive. They called Tour Kenya Safari Heights and they offered a citty tour vissiting 1) Elephant Orphanage 2) Giraffe Centre 3) Nairobe Animal
Orphanage 4)Kenyatta International Congress Centre 5) Nairobe National Museum and a lunch somewhere during the day. The man at the reception called in my presence, saying that it would be $60 each. I agreed on the $120 for the both of us and that we would be picked up at 9.30 a.m. We unpacked our stuff and I stick $120 and a few thousend Ksh in my pocked and went down to the reception to wait. Meshack and Diana arived at 10.40 A.m. because of traffic jam. We got in the car and got on our way. Then she said that it was 120 dollar each. The elephant orphanage is opened only between 11.00-12.00 and we got there at 11.10. After that we went to the Giraffe Centre which was nice and we got a lunch in a beautiful garden. Then we went unasked to a souvenir shop. The animal orphanage was next which we had to pay with our credit card because they didn't have money on their M-Pesa system. Then going to the KICC was a beautiful vieuw on top. it was 4 p.m and no use to go to the national museum any more because it closed at 5 p.m. They brought us back to the hotel and they promised us T-shirt with the big 5 on it when we would get back to Nairobi. They would deliver it to our hotel 14 days later. I fetched the extra $ 120 and Meshack gave me his card for contact. Back in our room we had a double feeling. We had a fun day but payed far to much for what we got. 14 days later we traveled back to Nairobe. I called him at 8.a.m.to ask if he would deliver the shirts to the Hotel. He confirmed that he would. When we arived at the hotel at 6 p.m. there were no T-shirts. The hotel made the phone call another 3 times but it was not answered.
if they would have brought the T shirts then we would still have felt overcharged. But now they didn't keep their promise we really feel screwed and overcharged. We had a beautiful 2 weeks aranged with sombody else in Nakuru with Masai Mara; Lake Nakuru; Hell's Gate; boat on Lake Naivasha and more. we did not get overcharged anymore. We would not go with Tour Kenya Safari Heights again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Trad Hatton
Flamingos are mostly gone.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari experience until we discovered we were robbed.
Great safari experience, we saw the Big 5. Accommodations and food were as you would expect for the price point. We stayed one night in Tremesana and two nights at Marc's Treehouse. Ivy and Pretty were fantastic hosts. The only reason I am giving this two stars is because we discovered after leaving Marc's Treehouse that almost $600 (yes, I know we shouldn't have had that much on us) was missing from our wallets. We were not informed that cleaning people would be entering our rooms to make the bed and that is likely when it happened. So make sure to keep your money or valuables on you at all times.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lack of flexibility , poor quality vehicles, sub-standard accommodation
We chose Encompass Africa to assist us with our African safari as they espoused flexibility, ensuring they were up to date with migratory patterns and were able to change their plans, itineraries and accommodation locations to cater for the unexpected and unpredictable nature of the environment. This was not the case. We spent three full days searching for the elusive big 5. Only a few wildebeest could be found. The great migration was delayed due to unseasonal weather patterns. There were very few animals. We were told this prior to traveling to the Serengeti by other travelers who had already experienced this. When we relayed this information to Encompass Africa, they refused to change the itinerary and relocate us to where the action was - central Serengeti. After the third day and only after we strongly insisted, did they move us from one camp to the other. Both of which, by the way, were well under capacity. We finally saw what we came for - animals in abundance - lions, leopards, hippos, many buffalo and of course wildebeest and antelope.
The vehicle we had was very old and run down. Roofs either did not open, or closed unexpectedly - luckily escaping serious injury. The seats were bereft of cushioning and the air conditioning did not work. Very disappointing.
Part of our trip was to visit a Maasai school at a local Maasai village. When we arrived, there were no children. They claimed it was school holidays, however, after seeing the empty classroom, it appeared the school had not been in operation for many months. Rat droppings covered all the children’s desks and the teaching materials looked ‘staged’ leading us to question the purpose of this visit.
We were told that tipping at the village was not expected, however, we were lead to their ‘jewelry’ market, where the Maasai women made and sold bracelets , earrings etc. We felt obligated to purchase many of their items, as we were lead around the area several times. The Maasai women continually appealed to us to buy their beads. We felt very uncomfortable, almost believing we may have been rude or offensive if we refused their products, leaving us in a very awkward position. It appeared we visited the village under the ruse of seeing the children in the school, when really it appeared to be all about selling Maasai beads for exorbitant prices.
I would not recommend this tour operator. We need to be honest with our reviews so that others are not left disappointed as we were.