US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Was great with communication until we were in country & checked in; after that, it was crickets
Don’t book with Kennafrica - a possible SCAMMER!
When we booked, everything was supposed to be included (transport, accommodations, taxes and all activities. Once we were picked up, our driver said we had to pay park fees which aren’t cheap then upon checkout the hotel made us pay the remaining bill. Then had to go file a police report and still have yet to hear from him, Joseph Too. Luckily we still went but with all the added fees was not a fun surprise.
Don’t use him - go somewhere else to save you time and money!
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor communicators, frustrating with many changes
We felt that communication was a huge issue in dealing with Sunsets during the tour. There did not seem to be a single point of contact for the group (e.g. various contact points via Gladys, Haron, Lucy, using the Messages function in the booking app). There were times when calls were not taken, and promised return calls not received.
Changes to the itinerary prior to the tour were not specifically pointed out, and still there were more changes during the tour that were not communicated - these changes impacted some of the key highlights that we had all expected from the original itinerary we had paid for.
It was emotionally and physically exhausting having to deal with all the recurrent problems during the tour, even till late at night.
Initial itineraries indicated that a meeting would be held on Day 1 at 18:00 with the guide and that all members of the group should attend that meeting so as not to miss out on any critical information. This did not occur - we met our guide at the start of day 2. He was surprised to have 7 people on the tour in one vehicle and also at the amount of luggage - which was a problem for him to accomodate safely and securely. No ”PRE-TOUR” information was provided about luggage or clothing requirements, although this had been requested by many of the group members. This resulted in the tour truck being overcrowded with luggage.
There was confusion about where the tour ended - Arusha or Nairobi. 4 of the 7 people on the tour had confirmed that the tour was to end in Arusha and it was up to them to arrange return either to Nairobi or elsewhere. This was not consistent with the name being called a “Circuit” and as it transpired, it became clear (once on the tour) that we could have all been transported back to Nairobi by road to end the tour - but this was not known to those of us who paid additional money to fly from Arusha to Nairobi.
The drivers/tour guides in both Kenya and Tanzania were friendly and helpful, but they were not employed by Sunsets and had limited ability to fix operational issues - other than be the go -between with the company. However the safari drives were good and we saw lots of wonderful animals thankfully.
I would recommend being very careful about arranging a tour with Sunsets of Africa based on our experience.
We had booked through Tourradar who did help us with some monetary compensation on our return - as all 7 of us agreed we had not received what we had paid for.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Marginal
I have been on safaris before. This one was reconstituted,since poachers had pretty much destroyed this entire area of animals. It is nice for the government to repopulate the area but honestly it is a big waste of time Very few animals that you will see compared to other safaris. Very disappointing the country however is pretty. Accommodations terrible. The food a disaster honestly go to Disney in Orlando snd take the safari tour. A bus. In 20 minutes you see all the animals plus stay at their hotel the giraffes are right outside your window. This is a poor man’s safari with mainly bugs as the wildlife
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poorly organised & we still haven't been refunded for cancelled activity
- Before the trip even started, communication (regarding payment & our pickup arrangement) with our booking agent was so terrible to a point where we suspected the legitimacy of this company.
- We had to chase our booking agent numerous times (payment has been made at this point) before he finally sent us a pickup driver's contact details
- Before we departed, we sent the pickup driver a message to confirm. He was surprised to hear from us as he wasn't aware of this pickup arrangement and said no-one had contacted him, nevertheless he still agreed to pick us up when we arrive (thank god).
- We we arrived, the pickup driver had no idea where to drop us off as he did not know anything about our itinerary. After many phone calls, he finally found out where we were staying and managed to drop us off at out accommodation. However he did not work for this company and it was still unclear why our booking agent had given us his details.
- the next day we found out one of our activities in Arusha wasn't booked and we had no idea until we arrived (after driving aimlessly for 2 hours).
- We requested for a refund for this cancelled activity as well as our accommodation for the night (as we wouldn't have booked accommodation for that night if it wasn't for the activity mentioned above).
- Staff agreed to refund the activity and suggested they would confirm with their management team and try to refund the accommodation, and promised to sort this out for us before our trip ends. We believe their words.
- After coming back from safari, we returned to Arusha for 1 extra day, We contacted the staff regarding our refund, they said they were still working on it.
- It's been a month since we are back from the trip, we have been contacting the company regarding this matter, and we have been ignored.
- It's been a really dodgy experience overall. Do yourself a favour and avoid this company.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Hugely disappointing
We were constantly down-graded with accommodation, itinerary changed.
Sunsets refused our calls or just didn't respond.
It was a physically & emotionally exhausting safari, projected hours of travel on corrugated tracks vastly underestimated.
Sub-contracted by TourRadar, they cut & pasted our paid for itinerary, under-delivered and caused huge stress to all 7 on our tour.
Don't travel with this company.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mufasa did not reach our expectations of an enjoable and rewarding safari.
In general we felt that Mufasa ones we did the booking, and paid, forgot about us. We had to ask the person in charge of our trip ( Caroline) to send us the name and details of our guide-driver because she hadn't done it and it was friday afternoon and our flight was departing Europe on Sunday. At that moment she told us the rules for Masai Mara had changed and even if we had paid extra to sleep inside the park the last night so as to do an early game drive, that wasn't possible unless we paid one extra entrance ticket. It was too late to cancel the lodge for another outside the park and cheaper. It was very anoying.
On the other hand the guide-driver: Nafthali, was speaking on his mobile very often, even when he was driving uphill and the road was wet!. And when we were watching animals he rarely explained anything, unless we asked heim for information, because he was chatting on the phone or with the whatsapp.
Of course, ones the trip ended, Mufasa did not request a feedback. They were aware of their poor service!!
As a conclussion, Mufasa did not reach our expectations and was not a good value for money.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They do not feel responsible for the satisfaction of their clients
I was doing the 1day Chobe trip. We were 7 tourists leaving victoria falls for the Zim-Botswana border. We were early and arrived at the border before the crowds, so the checks at the Zim border were straight forward. Then they split our group, 4 could continue immediately, 3 of us had to stay and wait for others customers. Busloads of tourists arrived and after about 1 hour also our customers, we were waiting for, arrived. Now at the Botswana border it took ages to pass the checks. We started our game drive at 10.30 with a long delay. At that time you hardly see any animals anymore. Lunch was good and the river cruise as well. Then we went back and after the Zim border we had to wait again for another 45 minutes for 1 tourist we originally started with. On the way back to Victoria Falls I complained to the organisator, why on earth they splitted our group, since we were 7, could stay together and wouln't have to spend about 2.5 hours at the border. The answer was that it happened on the Botswana side and they would not be responsible. That might be partly true, but the organiser who takes the money, should try to make things better and can't just say, that it's none of their business.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Beware of rip-offs
I booked a seven day safari with Kennafrica Adventures, which included the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli. The exposé was excellent, and the tour was slightly more expensive than comparable tours, which would have been absolutely fine considering the services promised.
Unfortunately, the stated inclusive services were not provided.
For example, a walking safari at night, a visit to a Masai village, a photography workshop, a visit to an elephant sanctuary, or cheetah tracking on foot, to name but a few.
The tour was ultimately carried out by a third-party provider (I would give this provider at least four stars).
What is particularly annoying here, however, is that this provider was (initially) not paid. Kennafrica Safaris was then suddenly no longer available by phone or otherwise, so I first had to advance money to the subcontractor in order to continue with the safari. Only after many (unanswered) phone calls and threats with lawyers, the police and the Ministry of Tourism was the corresponding fee finally paid, 770 dollars. I myself had paid 1200 dollars. The considerable difference might in my view be explained by the omission of services that were promised but not provided. All in all, a very disappointing experience and so different from all the hospitality that one usually experience throughout Kenya.
Finally, I can absolutely recommend the route itself, especially the Masai Mara, and also our driver Evans did a great job.
To be fair, they have apologized for all the inconvenience, but I personally would not book with them again.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kruger National Park by Julie Hamlin
Again no rhinos , one lion sleeping, lots of elephants Giraffes and Hippos. Guide was very unsociable and drove around too fast.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unprofessional travel agency
The travel agent I had did not pay attention to details, she got me mixed up with another client which caused delays in payment. Bonfire does not accept credit card payment from foreign travelers, agent also gave me wrong information about Safari itinerary over a phone call, may be that’s the reason why she did not send me an itinerary. I would not recommend Bonfire Adventures to foreigners who live outside of Kenya.