PL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
complete disaster
Dear safari lovers and all who are planning holidays in East Africa with the assistance of Gorillas Homeland Safaris. It is pretty likely you will pick this tour company as they have a very nice website, perfect ratings, its manager Mr. Davis Tukamushaba has several FB profiles all packed with only positive comments, and he is very quick in replying to potential customers’ inquiries. All this creates a great first impression.
A month ago we returned from our 8-day safari in Rwanda and Uganda organized by Davis and his team. Wherein the word „organized” is a big exaggeration, as in terms of organizing our trip was a complete disaster.
It all started on the first night. After having landed at the Kigali airport around midnight we found that no one was waiting for us. When we, at last, reached the hotel we learned that Mr. Tukamushaba “had forgotten” to book our stay. In the following days it was only worse. Our personal guide who was to accompany us during the whole trip was late for the first meeting by 6 hours. Despite Mr. Tukamushaba’s claim that all our accommodations and entrances to the national parks had been already paid (in fact we had paid 70 percent of the whole trip in advance ) - ever and again it turned out that something was not paid or even booked. Eventually Davis would always pay – on short notice - only when we started the alarm on Messenger. A critical moment was on the day when we were driving 10 hours to the Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south of Rwanda for chimpanzee tracking only to learn that our names are not on the list. This time nothing could be done since all had already been booked. We missed the chimpanzee tracking, which was supposed to be one of the highlights. In the long run Davis returned us the money for the chimpanzees but it didn’t really comfort us. For eight days Davis Tukamushaba - who was in touch with us on the phone - kept on making up extraordinary stories about exceptional misunderstandings and unbelievable coincidences which resulted in this series of fuckups. Instead of relaxing we were stressed every night.
We decided not to keep this story for ourselves. We feel obliged to share it because of the tourists’ solidarity. My friend Izabela is a PR Manager at an American company, I am a journalist and a non-fiction writer. You’ll find us on Facebook, feel free to contact us if you want to learn more details.
Our unpleasant experience does not change the fact that Rwanda and Uganda are beautiful and fascinating countries. You will meet there many professional and kind people. Simply you’d better think twice before you go there with Gorillas Homeland Safaris.
Katarzyna Surmiak-Domańska and Izabela Szumielewicz
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Had a good safari
I received an email from a guy called Glen who had said Edward had stolen all his money, as I was Edwards uk contract for his safaris in Kenya, I obviously asked about these allegations as I wasn’t happy Edward has blocked me so it looks as if the guys allegations were correct, stay clear people
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This company is a fraud!
Wilson kibirir and Mumo travel are a fraud! My family paid for a 3 week vacation in Kenya only for Wilson to disappear and cut all communication leaving us stranded in Nairobi with 3 small children! Don’t book with this company and please pay attention to the name Wilson Kibirir as he may appear under another company name.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Warning: don’t book with Gatatu!
For our honeymoon we booked a Gorilla tour 5 months in advance. We also transferred 1.300 USD to Gatatu. Gatatu confirmed the booking by e-mail and we even drove to Bwindi NP to start the Gorilla trek. After the introduction the driver (no connection with Gatatu) told us something is wrong. No booking was made by Gatutu with the Uganda wildlife authority and also no permits left. Meaning we couldn’t do the Gorilla trek, the main reason we booked a flight to Uganda! On our return to the lodge we met with someone from Gatatu (interim manager) and he apologised and we asked for a full refund which we received. We understood from him and someone from our lodge that Richard, owner of Gatatu, is in jail for fraud! We are very disappointed with Gatatu. From everything during our trip this was the only thing that had to go right because the permits are very limited. Gatatu, NEVER AGAIN.
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A worst travel experience ever !!!
We were a group of 14 people (5 families) from Dubai who planned to visit Kenya from August 12 to 17 ,2019 ,through' Lians travel Africa ' . This tour operator was selected because she showed the lowest quote and best itinerary. We started communicating with Ms.Lilian, operation manager concerning parks, places, accommodations,vehicle.....about 6 months before the safari started and made an agreed contract for touring in Kenyya for 5 nights and 6 days for 14 people. We were made to pay 25% the initial booking amount as advance. As soon as we landed Kenya we paid the rest of the amount leaving a small balance to be paid at the end of the trip.We could sense some trouble in the beginning itself. We got the message fromMs.Lilian,4 days before our date of travel,saying our hotel bookings are cancelled. But later on she confirmed that every thing is done as per the agreed contract. During the first 3 days of our trip, our valuable safari time was wasted due to the issues between the drivers and agency, on 3rd day they changed the vehicles and drivers. But it took a very bad shape when we reached Masaai mara on 4th day. We were made to pay accommodation charges. What was more shocking was on 5th day we were left stranded without food and accommodation. Finally we had to find out a camp on our own, had to pay the park fees.etc.... we would not recommend to use Lian Travel agency services as they focus more on trying to cheat and get the most money from clients than increasing customer satisfaction/experience.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
scammed by kenya walking
Hello my name is Javier from Spain, my safari was 13 days for Kenya hired in Kenya walking survivors. Mr. Otieno Lysaniash I don't know anything about him but he has canceled the safari, after reading the comments I can not say more that I have been scammed, my steps have been denounced in the police in Spain to be able to claim the credit card in my case mastercard I have contacted the Kenyan embassy in Spain. Any help from others affected will be helpful.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible Company !!! Cheaters !!! Left our group of 14 Tourists stranded in between the tour.
Complaint against Lians Travel Africa and the Operations Manager Lilian Maina.
We a group of 14 Indian Tourists including women and children from Dubai, United Arab Emirates had booked a tour package with Lilian's travel company and have been communicating with her from March, 2019 for this trip. We agreed for an all inclusive full board package for 5 Nights (12th Aug till 17th Aug 2019) excluding Flight tickets to visit Amboseli, Nakuru and Masai Mara. We paid a 25% advance before coming to Nairobi. As soon as we landed on 12th we could sense trouble as we were put up at a different hotel than agreed. Hence we only paid the rest of the amount leaving a small balance to be paid at the end of the trip.
However as the days passed, more trouble started and after the Amboseli and Nakuru hotel stay was over and when we reached Masai Mara, the company and Lilian could not be contacted anymore.
The Masai Mara hotel was just booked for one Night instead of two, this even after we agreeing on a contract with Lilian that was for the full travel stay of 5 Nights. After the first night stay at the hotel in Masai Mara is when we realised that we and our families and kids were left stranded without any money and accommodation. We had to arrange additional money with great difficulty and had to pay all our expenses for the last two days including the Masai Mara Hotel stay for two nights, Park entry and Masai Village fees ourselves.
The whole group feel cheated and we would like to officially log a complaint against Lilian Maina and her Travel company Lians Travel Africa.
Antony Kurian and Group (14 Tourists)
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Con Artist Otieno left a brother who will help
Many of you who have suffered the consequences of Otieno, the owner of Kenya Walking, has a real chance to get their money back!
Mr. Jeremy, his brother was aware of Otieno's plan to cheat his clients, and now he is willing to give back!!
You can chose if yoiu want to call him at +254706892837, or to his Mother at +254725140666
They will gladly pay back.
Or, you can report them to the police, as they knew Otieno's plan to run away with money
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The worst experience in my life.
1- The driver tried to cheat us with the help of Massai Mara rangers selling us that we get a ticket due to we left the park 40 minutes later.
2- We booked and pay a private tour and the driver finally made business picking up more people and modifying our travel.
3- The driver left us in Maasai Mara village and we had to come back at lodge by foot with Massai’s help.
4- After to inform the central office about point number 3 the driver scream my boyfriend asking why we informed to liger safari.
5- After we finish the safari and inform to the manager about all the problems she told us that the drivers had a new safari the next day. They do not take care about their clients.
Today John (the driver) still work in this company.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
"African Beast No Show"
We only had one day in Nairobi which is why we booked this tour in advance. We waited in our hotel lobby for over an hour but African Beast Tours never arrived for a 9:30am pick up time. Fortunately we were able to arrange a last minute tour with another company. If that wasn't bad enough, I have been trying to get my deposit back since I returned from Kenya over 3 weeks ago. I have been emailing Kipawa, the owner, who says he's still working on it. I wanted to give him a chance, hoping he would do the right thing. I have since given up on him and had to file a claim with PayPal instead.
You might want to avoid African Beast Tours.
There are many other dependable and reputable tour companies to choose from.