DE
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was a pleasant hike up the Kili, they all worked very hard that you can make it up.
I booked the 5 days Kilimanjaro hike via Marangu Route.
The overall experience was great. They were all working hard for you to make it up to the summit. Especially without my guide (Patrick) I wouldn’t have made it to the top. He did an outstanding job.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing safari tour into the park of North TANZANIA
Lodge eccellente.
Tour very good
Guide/driver Hemed very very good .
Safari avventura Is a very professional tuor operatori.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stolen Money
Though the actual experience of the safari was great, the company stole our money. They led us to believe that due to a switch in lodges (due to a flood), the money that we paid several months in advanced had not been able to transfer from one lodge to the next. They then told us that they we would have to pay for the fees again and they would refund us. Our driver's name was Dennis. He gave us the name and number of his "boss", Noah who was suppose to drop of the money in USD at the hotel we were staying at. Of course he never showed up and promised that he would transfer the money into our accounts when we arrived in the us. Of course, he lied again. Till this day, we have no received our refund. This company will steal your money. Do not book with them. The driver smiled in our face the entire time and then ripped us off and refused to drive us into Nairobi unless we paid the fees. BE AWARE. My friends and I are posting this review on every website we possibly can to warn others.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our group was scammed out of $700 USD at the end of our 3 day stay at Masai Mara -AVOID THIS COMPANY
While I would have loved to leave a positive review after my 3 day stay at Masai Mara, I cannot and will not support or endorse a booking with this company after my experience being scammed at the end of the stay. The group of young women (a total of 5 of us) booked our 3 day tour with Masai Mara since Oct 2019, paying nearly $600 USD that included all lodging accommodations, game adventures, meals and travel to and from our hotel. Not included was the gracious tip we provided to our server, driver and individuals who aided with our luggage during the course of our stay. On the first evening of our stay (Wednesday 2/2/2020)we were told by our driver Dennis (not the owner of the company)t that there was an "issue" with processing our tickets that served as entrance to and from the safari. This issue in no way had anything to do with us of course because we had paid all fees months in advance but clearly this company operates at a deficit and did not have enough revenue to pay for entrance fees that should have been taken care of months before. The issue would now require that each of us pay $140 USD (a total of $700) that would be refunded back to us. Given that none of us had $140 USD in cash, we asked if it would be possible to pay by card to which they responded yes. From this moment it was clear that none of us had enough cash to pay for the park entrance fees that should have already been handled so I would assume if this was a priority they would be diligent about making sure they recieved the payment as soon as possible. The following day (Thursday 2/13/2020), which apparently so happened to be the last day we could pay by card, we never heard anything from Dennis or who we now know as the business owner, Noah Kuti, about this matter. Now we get to our final day (Friday 2/14/2020)...after breakfast we did a brief tour through the safari and began making our way to Naroibi since it was a 6 hour drive away. Roughly an hour later at our first stop (for souvenirs - this is included in the cost), Dennis brings up the payment matter to one of us who had remained in the vehicle during the stop. At this time he stresses that it cannot be paid by card anymore and that we would have to take out cash at an atm or else we would not be able to get back to Nairobi. This was absolutely unacceptable, disgusting, unprofessional and rude. To assume that because we were american we had $700 amongst the 5 us easily laying around to make up for the companys mistake still to this day completely irritates my core. To make a long story short, Dennis ends up bringing us to an atm where one of us is successfully able to withdraw the money after a handful of attempts. Dennis then wires the money to Noah who is able to process the entrance fees. During this time Dennis passes Noah the phones who tells us that he will meet us our hotel at 6:30pm that evening to give us back that full amount in addition to the bank fees we accrued (an additional 40 USD). Please note: We are scheduled to leave nairobi on a 7am flight the following morning and we would make it to our hotel a little before 5pm on that Friday. Now that the payment is made, Dennis drives us to our hotel and provides us with both his and Noahs contact information before leaving. 6:30pm arrives and nothing. At 7:10pm we decide to give Noah a call who tells us that he is at the bank and will be there by 8pm. A little after 8pm while we are eating dinner Noah calls and gives us an excuse about not being able to retrieve money from the bank location he was in. He asks for the account number that we withdrew the money from which we quickly denied as we are told by our banks here in the states to never provide that information. We have since tried to follow up with him (Noah) via email to which the two emails he have responded back have been short and to the effect of "we are working on your issue", despite us providing multiple options for him to send the money to us (cashapp, paypal, venmo etc.). It has now been over two weeks and we are still short over $740 as a group for a 3 day safari trip that we paid nearly $3,200 for (including tips). We have now taken this to our banks to report this company as spam and intend to take every single measure to ensure this never happens to anyone again! While we enjoyed seeing the animals this experience was absolutely despicable and a disgrace - my goal is to see that Wildebeest Safaris goes out of business so that company's with integrity can thrive.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dealt with Mwaka she was amazing in her customer care. She was quick to respond to any inquiry.
It was nice I recommend it to person. Have no any regrets. Will use it on my next destinations.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a great safari and Bradley was a perfect guide. Everything was perfect.
The safari was perfectly organized and we saw the Big 5. Bradley was a knowledgeable and friendly guide. We had an unforgettable time.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gorilla trekking!!
Best ever trekking experience. My son and my daughter really enjoyed alot. They saw gorilla with just 5 steps behind from that. The location was Fantastic!! I saw environment best Flora and fauna. In summarised way me and my family really enjoyed. Just because of Safari booking. Great you guyss are!!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good experience with this local tour operator
While other companies just sent in their standard quotes, Zilla adjusted their program according to the wishes of my request.
This convinced me to choose Zilla Expeditions in stead of some bigger international companies. I can really recommend to choose for a local Tanzanian tour operator.
I booked a 4-day 2 person private safari. Communications were easy. Very enthusiastic, experienced and good English speaking driver.
We are easy-going people, not expecting to see all the highlights, the big five or specific animals. Driver Christopher was the perfect match for us. He really helped to get the most out of our safari by proposing good day schedule and routes to escape the mass, not rushing through the parks and taking lots of time at special wildlife.
We had a wonderful time. Many thanks to Albert & Christopher
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible experience
I have already visited a lot of country all around the world but this safari was probably the most horrible experience of my life : bad quality of service, horrible driver.
One night, the car with our tents and mattress never arrived at the camp: we stayed at the camp in the middle of nowhere with no food and no place to rest. The ranger of the camp (who was trying to do his best) suggested me to sleep in a place with the garbages. I couldn’t believe it!
And, of course, after making a complaint, I never got back a compensation. Horrible!
OM
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hakuna Matata - you will have no worries with AfricanChallenge
From first contact with Kennedy our experience was excellent. He customized our safari for us and organized everything perfectly. Our guide Anderson was out of this world. Professional, Knowledgeable about the animals, birds, trees, and Kenyan culture. We learned so much. He is also alot of fun to be with. My husband and I had a spectacular time. Thank you Kennedy and Anderson. Next time - we bring the kids.