35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible Communication
We purchased a 2-person safari through a charity auction. In addition to our initial donation, we were later required to pay nearly $5,000 in airfare and about $3,500 in non-refundable fees (for example, “cross-country transfers”), which were not clearly disclosed up front.
Communication was extremely poor when trying to book dates and get information. Emails routinely went unanswered and phone messages were not returned for months, if ever. The lack of responsiveness made planning very stressful.
As our travel dates approached, we became increasingly concerned about traveling to Africa with a company that was this unreliable. We did further research and found that the photos on their Facebook page appeared questionable, with no clear evidence they were taken on actual Run Wild safaris.
Ultimately, we canceled the trip due to these concerns. Around the same time, we were contacted by another couple who had taken the safari, made it to Africa, but had such a stressful experience that they paid out of pocket to fly home the next day. They told us they were in the process of pursuing legal action against the company.
We certainly wish we had done our research first.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Irresponsable liar
We planned booked and paid a 7 days safari. The night before departure they cancelled the trip. They apologised and promised to refund the money. We were very desperate and angry. If you have enough money, you can book another Safari.
We reported them to Safari bookings, the TRA and many other people who said that they have influence tried to help us. Meanwhile they lied to us and to Safari bookings telling different stories of when they would refund and that they offered us a different safari. After nearly six months we have the money back because they had a lot of pressure. Hope that this company will never ever have the chance to do this again. Avoiding is the best solution. There are other companies, be careful though.
UA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Complete disrespect and horrible organization
Horribly experience. They don’t care about your time. Disrespect your time and don’t take responsibility for their mistakes.
I don’t recommend. Select another operator to go on a tour with.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Complaint Regarding Mis-sold Luxury Package
I would like to share my perspective regarding the “luxury package” that was sold to us. I have attached a few photos from a much larger collection that document several of the issues my partner raised during the trip.
We appreciate the recent message stating that the compensation policy is being reviewed. However, this does not align with the responses we have been receiving via WhatsApp from the owner, who has not once apologised and instead accused us of being malicious simply for requesting the refund we believe we are entitled to.
The attached photos show:
Me personally setting up the picnic arrangements that were promised as part of the package.
The food placed at the back of the vehicle because the driver did not provide chairs or a table.
The condition of the car, despite being promised a replacement vehicle. We only received a different car for one drive, which came from another company.
A photo of the driver drinking in the evening and during the drives. We accepted this situation at the time because we had no immediate alternative.
Eventually, we decided to cancel the trip early and check into a different lodge. We escalated the matter to Arzoni; however, they do not appear to be taking full responsibility. The offer of USD 200 is far from adequate, considering that the park passes alone should account for a USD 400 refund, without even factoring in the other undelivered services and broken promises.
I have also attached screenshots of the conversation with the owner, who, instead of apologising and offering a reasonable refund, chose to blame us for the situation. This does not reflect acceptable customer service standards.
As a result, we escalated the issue to KATO. We were informed that the company is not registered with them, but they have stated they will pass the case to other relevant entities and associations to support our claim.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not book if you are after amazing safari trip
We paid USD 4,356 for a 5-day “Luxury/VIP” safari with Arzoni Africa Safari, including two accommodations, a dedicated licensed game driver, and daily park passes (USD 200 per day). What we experienced was serious misrepresentation, safety issues, and breach of contract.
Our pickup was delayed and we missed the first game drive because park passes had not been purchased, despite being told they were included. Later, we discovered we were taken into the park without valid passes. The driver repeatedly tried to discourage us from doing scheduled drives, which we later realised was linked to the passes not being bought.
The vehicles were unsafe and in poor condition (parts falling apart, no radio communication to track wildlife sightings, and even a seat detaching during a drive). Without a radio, we were driving aimlessly while other vehicles were locating animals. Both drivers constantly watched TikTok videos while driving. There was very limited wildlife knowledge, no guiding commentary, and alcohol was consumed during picnic stops.
Promised bush picnics were poorly organised — tables and chairs were often forgotten, and my partner had to set up and pack away the picnic herself while the driver remained on his phone.
We cancelled the remainder of the trip due to safety concerns and lack of trust, arranged our own airport transfer, and were offered only USD 200 as compensation.
This was meant to be our engagement trip and it was completely ruined. I would strongly advise others to think carefully before booking.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unprofessional
We paid $1,200 for a 3-day Masai Mara safari and had a very disappointing, and at times, unsafe experience.
The guide provided little actual guiding or group management. For most of the trip, the vehicle felt like a party bus rather than a professional safari.
More concerning were the safety issues:
• the guide drank beer before driving
• frequently used his phone while driving
• failed to manage disruptive behavior
• at the end of the trip, we were dropped off at a gas station on the side of the highway and told to take an Uber instead of being transported to our accommodation as arranged.
The company later acknowledged the problem and suspended the guide, but refused any refund or compensation.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that fell far below professional standards. I would not book with them again.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Worst Experience Ever
I believe this ccompany could be fraudulent and running illegally with a revoked tourist license. Please I recommend do not book here under any circumstance I cannot express how much I regret doing so as at the time I had booked they had a valid tourism license that was revoked for using unlicensed guides/vehicles which is exactly what had happened to me. I did not receive the itinerary, vehicle, or driver I had paid for. I was told that my original driver and vehicle was in an accident the day before which I was initially very accommodating of but did not realize that the company had lost their license for this exact bait and switch. This company also runs under the name Thinkscene Services LTD which is how I learned about the revoked tourist license as naturally this was not disclosed to me. I personally did not receive the itinerary planned and initially the company offered me a refund of $250 which was not at all adequate for what I had paid. I had to fight tooth and nail for this refund for over 2 months and the company still shorted me $72 on this $250 due to 'wire transfer fees' and issues with accounting. 4 months later I'm still so mad about the complete disregard shown by Philip that I'm choosing now to write this review.
After posting the review the operator has offered and paid the rest of my refund owed to me. I would like to note that despite multiple requests and asks to get this prior to posting the review he refused to credit what he had originally promised repeatedly and blamed his internal team even though he is the owner of the company. I do not feel this refund adequately reflects the amount of things that went wrong on the tour either.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredibly unprofessional tour operator ruined my entire day
Daudi was incredibly unprofessional - he did not arrive on time for my agreed upon scheduled pickup nor responded to any of my subsequent texts or phone calls over the next hour. Eventually, I gave up on my dream safari and missed the scheduled 6 am train.
Only then did Daudi respond, eventually showing up at my hotel 3 hours late, after I was resigned to frantically finding a new tour operator last minute for my last free day available of my business trip.
I believe I may have been scammed - Daudi asked for all of the cash upfront the week prior (thankfully I declined), sent me WhatsApp photos of his supposed IDs promising that I could keep them as insurance (the birth dates did not match), and did not offer or return my deposit.
I would strongly encourage other travelers to select a more reliable tour operator to ensure that your dream safari comes true as scheduled!
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible experience
We paid a total of $1,440 for a four-day trip. On January 5th, when we arrived at the entrance of Serengeti National Park in the afternoon, we were informed at 5 PM that we could not enter because the tour company had not paid the entrance fees. Even by the payment deadline that day, the fees remained unpaid. After extensive negotiations and communication, and upon receiving a guarantee, the national park allowed us to enter first. The fees were later paid.
On the afternoon of January 7th, when we were scheduled to leave the Serengeti and proceed to Ngorongoro National Park, we were stopped again at the Serengeti park entrance at 3 PM because the tour company had not paid the fees for Ngorongoro National Park. We waited at the Serengeti park entrance until 8 PM, but the tour company still did not make the payment. As overnight stays are not permitted at the Serengeti park entrance, we were allowed to enter the Simba Camp in Ngorongoro National Park at around 8:20 PM, finally arriving at approximately 1:30 AM on January 8th.
Throughout this period, the tour company repeatedly assured us they would pay the fees but kept delaying until noon. After that, they became completely unreachable.
After we got to the the tourism police station.We spent the whole days there to try to get our money back.A guys showed up at the end he gave us 100 dollars back each and promised to send us the rest of the money by transfer . But until today I still have not get it .
RO
50-65 years of age
Very poor and careless service
We have booked with this agency a tour of Johannesburg in January. It was on our way back home from Kruger Park that we had a whole day and booked a cultural city tour with this agency for our family of 3. They asked for a down payment of 35% when booking some weeks in advance and for the full payment of the balance before the tour start. We did so - they were supposed to send us a payment link for the balance one week before the tour but they forgot, we noticed them and we paid. In the morning of our tour, the weather at Nelspruit Airport was bad and our flight was cancelled so we could not make it to arrive to Johannesburg at the previewed hour. We even had to rent a car and drive for more than 4 hours so as to be sure we get in time for our flight back home in Europe. I wrote them a message right after the cancellation of the flight was announced, let them know that we could not make it and kindly asked them whether we could be reimbursed all of part of the Euro 250 cost of the tour. They did not answer for a week or so. After few kind follow ups, they replied, they said they will inquire again internally, I waited for another 2 weeks, made follow ups again. Long story short, they not even bothered to answer something. Not to say that they did not announced us that in case of cancellation due to a non-attributable reason they will not reimburse anything. Anyhow, a very poor service, a clear careless agency related to its clients and absolutely no sympathy or courtesy for its clients. I am even more surprised they have such high ratings. My recommendation - be careful if you book with them and never pay the balance before the tour (as they request).