50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Be aware of Tony Kopolondo, a professional liar and cheater.
After good reviews on Internet, I contacted Tony Kopolondo in July 2015 and booked the 15-day Kenya and Tanzania safari tour. I transferred 50% of the tour cost to his bank account in Tanzania on July 11, 2015. The original tour departure date was June 22, 2016.
I sent my flight details in May 2016, one month before the tour schedule date and asked Tony to send me the link for paying the balance money by credit card. He informed me that the tour was postponed to August 14, 2016 as other members of the tour postponed it. I reluctantly agreed to the new date after getting assurance from Tony that the tour would be 100% guaranteed, I paid the balance money on July 19, 2016 by credit card.
On August 10, 2016 I sent an email to Tony asking about the tour arrangements including who would be coming to the airport to pick me up. Immediately, he responded saying that the tour was cancelled as one of the members of the other team passed away. I was very disappointed and lost faith in Tony and asked him to refund the money.
Tony Kopolondo has not given the refund even after 7 weeks of the trip cancellation. After repeated follow up, Tony informed me that the money was electronically transferred to my account on September 16, 2016. Even after repeated requests for a copy of the bank transfer receipt, Tony did not provide it and stopped responding to my emails. Tony lied to me about the money transfer without actually transferring it. He cheated me and I lost US$5000. I want everyone to know the true colour of Tony. Please don’t do the same mistake and book any safari tour with Kopolondo Expeditions.
Baburao, Perth, Australia – October 11, 2016
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Third time lucky on Kilimanjaro climb
We joined a group of 6 to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and we had been twice before with different companies but we never reached the top because altitude sickness. The safari was well organised and our friends had been recommended Daniel as a guide so we had requested for him and little did we know that he was going to be our Hero. We did Machame route and my wife and I knew that we will not make it to the the top but Daniel kept us occupied with stories that he has not taken anyone to Kilimanjaro and not made it to the top. Last day of trek was difficult we were both struggling and didn't know how far we had left and Daniel carried my wife first to the peak he came down running and to my surprise I am embarrassed to say that I also got a piggy back to the top we took a photo and quickly he took us back on the same order. We were so thrilled at his effort, he is so energetic and we cannot thank him enough. He made our dream come true.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda
Thanks Sander! Thanks George!
You brought us into a land that is not yet known to the general public and where you can enjoy very beautiful nature parks with many mammals, primates and birds .. We enjoyed the big five and also got chimpanzee and gorilla trekking there, which were quite fascinating. The North was very special to us with visits to the Ik people and the Karamoja tribe who live in a sublime landscape where you needed some good walking shoes to get to the Ik ... :-) No travel company in the Netherlands or Belgium goes to this area ... George, our driver, did everything for us .. well, he also functioned as a super guy, guide, mechanic, negotiator, tour leader, psychologist, talker, historian ..a MUST for anyone who wants to make this journey .. at a very interesting price that Sander made for us :-) ..
Sander and George - two in one for the ultimate African adventure !!! I'm giving you a 10/10 !!!
NL
Still waiting for my refund because they messed up my 3 days Tsavo East and West
I booked 3 days Tsavo East and West. With the briefing I was asked to go to Amboseli instead of West. I didn't want that, that was not what I had booked. The night before I get a call that my tour was cancelled (did they already knew that in the afternoon...?)
I could go to East only and for 1,5 day. I didn't agree. I booked and planned my holiday around it for 3 days and wanted to see West as well. Then they said I would get a car for myself for West after I went to East with another group. That was okay by me.
East was beautiful but the second day there was no car to get me to West. I had to find out myself. No messages, no missed calls to me or the guide. The reason was that it was too expensive to get a car there for me alone... They could have known that in forehand...
I got a little of my money back. But still waiting for the other part because my trip for 1,5 days is now really overprized!!!
A lot(!) of emails with promisses, but overall a lot of frustration, a spoiled holiday and now 4 weeks later i'm still waiting for my refund for the part that I missed...!!
But now I get no reaction on my last e-mails anymore from Sheeqs Safari...
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip with even more than we could imagine
It was a dream and totally relaxing because everything was taken care of by African Sunset Safaris! Communicating with Haron, the owner, only via email (be aware that sometimes text is short because written from a game drive), we adapted the 12 day trip to Kenya and Tanzania according to our wishes: We enjoy more active parts, so we included biking in Hell's Gate as well as a 4 day hiking trip to Mt. Meru and cancelled Lake Nakuku, where Haron informed us that there are no Flamingos due to high water.
Before, we have never been to Africa and of cause you have some doubts regarding spending so much money beforehand to an operator you don't know. But as soon as we met Haron all doubts disappeared. He is a perfectionist, very trustworthy and his slogan to make it your dream holiday is not only a slogan but his real concern!
Of cause in Tanzania due to legislation we had to change to our new guide Gideon. But no worries, Haron chooses his partner very well! So we had a lot of fun and a good time with Gideon, too. Both really have a deep knowledge of the animals and their habits! So just sit back and relax and trust that either of them will "achieve" (we liked this phrase ;-) ) for you what you never imagined!
Mt Meru was definitely worth the effort as well (especially the last 500 high meters are really tough): to see Mt Kilimanjaro in sunrise having reached a peak of 4.565 m is a great adventure. Be aware that here for safety reasons (wild animals in the park) single groups are combined for the trip until Saddle hut with one ranger to protect you. We were 17 in total (and every fitness level made it to the top!), but our ranger Baraka was perfect in making everybody happy!
Thanks to Haron, Gideon and Baraka for this great trip! Whenever you come to Germany please visit us!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dreaming of Tanzania
We just got back to Frankfurt after an amazing trip organized by Soul o Tanzania. Our guide Maximilian was extremely knowledgeable. He had specific training on bird species (which is a big bonus for me) and every day we learnt about amazing species. Of course, we did saw the big 5( lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) and much more. It was Maximilian who had the idea of taking us near the river to see thousands of gnus and zebras migrating. It was a dream come true. I still have those visions at night, fantastic.
We had a great car, in great shape and with chargers and fridge.
We finished the trip in Zanzibar which, of course, was very convenient to relax. We would like to thank Soul o Tanzania and our main contact there, ms. Kim Wexler, for making our trip such a big success. We loved every bit of it. They are all amazing people. Asante Sana!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
canopy tour and low river rafting
i know chris from longback and nostalgic return to zim, land of my birth. Booking and comms very good and could pay in UK with UK credit card which excludes the chaos of zim money . . . Vouchers per e mail and good comms in the falls and friendly efficient staff doing the tours. I am 56 now and rafting was great but a hike out of the gorge. Canopy tour was fantastic.
only hiccough was getting rafting and canopy video but chris helped to push this along from his side once i was back in zim and all arrived eventually - 4w later but no fault of zambezi.
service excellent and would recommend them, prompt courteous and efficient
CN
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Big thank you
My first tour in africa was amazing. i will always remember it in my life. i thank for the kind and helpful services from arkman manager, tour guide and the driver.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable holiday
We went to Africa for my 25 years old birthday celebration. It was a superb experience. Tanzania is so great: animals, stunning landscape, generous people and SOUL helped to make this holiday even more remarkable. The organization was spotless since the designing process of the tour. We worked a lot with the team, who were super supportive and sympathetic. They even organized some surprises for my birthday. I have to send a special thanks to our guide, Mika. He is an exceptional and easy-going guide, with a infinite knowledge about animal’s life and behavior. Guys, I have no more words to thank you. It was absolutely one of the best holiday I have ever had. Thank you!!!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Birthday in Botswana
Mark with Gondwana was extremely helpful. I emailed him to suggest an itinerary that fit my budget. Within a few minutes I had several options to choose from. I picked one that looked good and emailed Mark. There was some confusion on my end with whether my daughter could join us. At one point she was gong then she couldn't and finally she ended up joining us. Needless to say Mark handled all of our going back and forth with no problem. We did alter his suggested itinerary a bit and stayed a little longer in the bush camp so we could do an elephant activity. Again Mark handled this no problem. We ended up staying 2 nights in Vic Falls, I booked my own Devil's Pool and an incredible dinner cruise with Zambezi Explorer. We then transferred to Kasane, Botswana and stayed at the Bakwena Lodge for 2 nights and 3 days and then flew to Stanley's Camp in the Delta. Mark arranged all of the lodging and ground transfers. Everything went smoothly, including special requests for vegetarian meals for my daughter and he also informed the staff at Bakwena about my wife's birthday and they sang a nice song. Overall it was a painless experience and fit our budget with no surprises.