Budget
This is advertised as a budget tour, and I completely understood that meant basic accommodations, shared transportation, long driving days, and fewer luxuries. Unfortunately, my issue was not that this was a budget safari it was the poor organization, inconsistent communication, and the difference between what we were told and what actually happened.
The itinerary states that transportation is by 4x4 safari vehicle, but this was not consistently what we received. On Day 5, we were given multiple different explanations about what vehicle we would be using and when we would transfer to another jeep. We were initially told we would switch to a new jeep at our lunch stop. Instead, we were abruptly put into two small cars.
Day 5 is essentially a full transfer day, so I completely understand that a significant amount of driving is involved. We were told the day prior that our jeep would be picking us up from the hotel. That then changed to a van picking us up and taking us to the next city to meet our jeep. Ultimately, seven of us were crammed into a small van for approximately two hours, which was extremely uncomfortable. We then ended up sitting at a gas station waiting for a jeep to arrive without a clear ETA. When I contacted the company, I was told that they had a jeep waiting for us, which did not reflect what was actually happening.
A long transfer day is completely understandable on a budget safari. Being given conflicting information, spending two hours in an extremely uncomfortable vehicle, and then sitting at a gas station indefinitely waiting for another vehicle is not. That is not simply a normal compromise of joining a budget group tour.
The company also explained that regular cars are used for Hell’s Gate because it is not primarily an animal-viewing destination. That makes sense operationally, but this was not explained in the itinerary, which led us to expect the transportation described there. If different vehicles are routinely used on certain days, that should simply be disclosed before booking.
There was also an uncomfortable issue regarding seating in the safari vehicle. Because this is a group joining safari with guests booking through different companies, I expected seating—particularly the preferred front seats—to be handled fairly among the group. Instead, two guests apparently made a private request through their booking company to sit in the front. This was never communicated to the rest of the group. When we selected seats ourselves, the guide instructed those guests to move our belongings so they could take the front seats, rather than explaining the situation to us directly beforehand.
This created a completely unnecessary conflict between guests that could have been avoided with basic communication and clearer management from the guide. On a shared joining safari, one company’s guests should not unexpectedly receive priority seating simply because they made a private request that the rest of the vehicle was never informed about. If specific seats are guaranteed or reserved, that should be disclosed to everyone. Otherwise, the guide should ensure that desirable seats are rotated fairly throughout the safari so that all paying guests have an opportunity to use them. Guests should not be left to negotiate or argue over seating arrangements themselves.
The disorganization went beyond transportation and seating. On one occasion, we did not receive a start time until well after 9 a.m. We also had a late start for the approximately six-hour drive to Amboseli because a guide was apparently not available. Optional activities also ended up costing more once we arrived than the prices we had been given beforehand. When I asked about this, Peter explained that the local communities set the prices. Travelers should therefore be aware that an activity advertised at one price may cost substantially more upon arrival—for example, a bike ride listed at $15 ended up costing $30, and the bicycle itself was in very poor condition.
Overall, the wildlife and destinations themselves were incredible, but Pavilion Safaris was consistently disorganized and communication was poor. Plans changed repeatedly, we were told different things by different people, and at times it felt as though arrangements were being figured out as we went rather than there being a clear plan. When I address this issue to Peter, he made multiple attempts to flip it back onto me. Our first safari vehicle was in poor condition and missing seat belts which he in return blamed on me for not telling him.
I understand that this is a budget safari, and I did not expect luxury. My complaints are not about the normal compromises that come with budget travel. They are about organization, transparency, communication, and fair management of a shared group experience. A budget tour can still provide guests with accurate information, clear expectations, and an organized experience.