CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life-threatening negligence & zero accountability
What began as a standard transfer from Masai Mara to Nairobi escalated into a life-threatening catastrophe due to Extra Miles Safari's unforgivable negligence. This is not a review - it's a warning.
At 9:00 AM, our driver collected us in a vehicle that immediately displayed alarming signs. Our ordeal started innocently enough.
The first breakdown occurred barely 15 minutes out of Masai Mara. At a roadside shack laughably called a "repair shop", mechanics spent 20 minutes hammering beneath the car. Our driver assured us this was "minor", but within 10 minutes of resuming the journey, the same horrific grinding returned. By 9:30 AM, we were prisoners in car for three hours.
At 2:00 PM, we foolishly believed the nightmare was ending. Then came the slope.
Our driver stopped the vehicle mid-ascent to "check something", casually exiting without engaging the handbrake. Through the rear window, we watched him walk toward the back - just as the jeep began sliding backward. My friend lunged for the handbrake, but it doesn't help. In the end, violent rollover crash occurred
The extra miles staff said countless sorry for what happened to us, but they refused to take any responsibility for it. They asked us to sign a blank insurance policy, asked us to recall the accident in detail, but refused to make any compensation.
This isn't about bad luck - it's SYSTEMIC FAILURE. Extra Miles:
• Operates decrepit vehicles unfit for safari terrain
• Employs untrained drivers
• Lacks basic crisis management protocols
To anyone considering Extra Miles Safari: Our shattered camera and torn clothes can be replaced. The image of that rolling hillside where we nearly died stays forever. Choose operators who value lives over profits.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
disappointment
Our family vacation with Tropical Cats Tours was a huge disappointment, despite my high expectations. Jems, our guide, appeared ill-prepared and disjointed. Although we felt hurried during the events, we waited for a long time. We missed out on some important experiences because the itinerary was not properly followed. Furthermore, there was a lack of effective communication, making it difficult to receive prompt answers to our enquiries. They are not someone I would suggest to families who want a fun and easy experience.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
ThinkScene Safaris = Future Problems
For you readers seeking to book a safari in the next few months,
do yourself a favour and stay away of ThinkScene Safaris at all costs.
My and family traveled to Kenya in March 2025 with ThinkScene Safaris, with whom we had signed a contract on January 9, 2025, and was fully paid. During our trip, the agency demanded unjustified extra payments for already contracted services, thus violating the terms of the contract.
These charges included extra costs for confirmed accommodation, an unconfirmed excursion, and other unwanted services. I disagreed with these fraudulent requests with supporting documentation.
Despite several amicable attempts and a proposed compromise from my side (the agency retaining in an overpayment, with no further fees), the agency refused and threatened to downgrade my future contracted services. After these unacceptable threats and being insulted by my former driver, out of fear for our safety, we had to cancel the last part of the trip. I had to rebook the remaining leg at the last minute with another agency at our own expense to avoid any further disasters on our spoiled holiday.
I requested a refund for the last portion of the trip that was not honored based on these multiple contractual breaches, abusive practices, and disrespectful behaviors. The refund was refused by the agency based on their cancellation terms (non-applicable in these conditions) and a shady sentence allegedly allowing them to charge extra at will. Since then, they have ceased all communications.
The matter has been reported to legal authorities and is ongoing.
Stay safe and out trouble by not doing any business with this travel agency.
I would suggest booking a stay in one big worldwide chain hotel first.
Once it’s done, book your experience through the hotel directly engaging in their responsibility in case something goes wrong.
Kenya is an incredible country worth a visit, but it’s a shame that the behavior of some very few people ruins the overall experience.
35-50 years of age
Paid, but got nothing…please take care!!!!
They took our money and then they disappeared ! We ended up having nothing!
Please take care…
HU
Paid for a 21 day high quality safari through Kenya, Tanzania and zanzibar
We paid $17317 usd for a 21 day exclusive safari holiday staryifrom Niarobi, when we landed their was noone, I mean noone their for us.
The guide that scb tours supplied had not turned up, no help from solomon bwanga, we had to pay another $8000 usd to get a holiday and was promised refund by end of January 2025.
We have been fighting for this refund ever since and as today April 22nd 2025 we have had nothing.
They have stopped communicating not even the owners of the company have contacted us, ever.
They will come here with all sorts of excuses, but we are out of pocket.
Check their Facebook page that has been hacked.
Their ticktok page is blocked from comments.
Their Instagram is hacked.
Their web page is blocked.
And solomon business whatsapp is supposedly not working only in the office.
Check the terms and conditions as they will say they are not responsible for anything that goes wrong.
The hotels and safari are not what is ordered but upto the guide you get.
If we get our money back we will of course change this comment.
I have no problem if you contact us for the full truth. We have nothing to hide.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Extremely unreliable
I have used Kenya Bush Expeditions 3 times and have been let down twice.
My last Safari a week ago, somehow the email between them and me was hacked. I’m not sure if it was an outsider or someone within their organisation but I was told to pay for the tour upfront and when I arrived in Kenya I was told of the scam and advised they had not received payment for the tour.
They were kind enough to arrange something last minute but it was not the same as the original itinerary requested.
The driver arrived late to collect me on the first morning. When we approached our destination, over an hour and a half late, the driver stopped for a 20 minute breakfast. As a wildlife photographer this meant I had lost the whole mornings photo opportunity as the light was too harsh to take any photos in the park.
The driver just chased around the park for the day, he did not spot anything as he was driving too fast. Every time I asked him to stop he would respond, “you see something?” Or “must I stop?” Every time I had to repeat 3 or 4 times. Stop stop stop because he couldn’t follow a simple instruction.
On the second morning I wanted to take advantage of the good light for my photography as I had missed out on day 1. I arranged with him to meet at exactly 06:00 for a quick breakfast and leave at 06:15. Once again he was late. After being late the day before he didn’t have the decency to make sure he woke up on time for the arranged departure time.
Very disappointing, will not use them again.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I recommend not too book-- Promised refund not provided – despite written confirmation from Collins,poor service
The circumstances of our trip and the internal rebooking to a different and significantly cheaper safari hotel in the Okavango Delta were not only not discussed with us, but in retrospect, the fraudulent practice of the provider has become apparent. After we contacted Southern Dynasty Safaris several times and they promised a refund of USD 2,000, nothing has happened yet. Collins, our contact at Southern Dynasty Safaris, is obviously highly dubious and collects the full travel price for high-quality travel services and is not willing to pay reasonable refunds that have already been promised. We had to involve the Zambian Tourism Organization, which wanted to mediate in this case. Unfortunately, they could not persuade ZATO Southern Dynasty Safaris to make a payment either. All tourists are warned at this point not to book a trip with Southern Dynasty Safaris and especially not with Collins Kolonga.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely Disappointing Experience – Unfulfilled Promises and Unresponsive Service
In November 2024, my friend and I booked a safari experience in South Africa through this agency, including a specific hotel which we carefully selected and paid for. However, once the safari began, we were informed that our chosen hotel was overbooked and we were being relocated to a significantly cheaper and low-budget alternative, far below the standard of what we had paid for.
After discussing the situation with the agency, we mutually agreed to end the safari experience early and receive a refund for the remaining costs. Despite this agreement and repeated follow-ups (at least 20 times), we have yet to receive the refund – it is now April 2025.
We were repeatedly told the refund would be issued "within the next days," but this never happened. The lack of transparency, accountability, and responsiveness is unacceptable, especially given the initial mishandling of our accommodation.
I strongly advise other travelers not to book with this agency. Our experience was not only disappointing but also deeply frustrating, and the ongoing lack of resolution shows a serious lack of professionalism and reliability. Be careful!
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dishonest company
We had a very disappointing experience with this company. We ended up being charged twice for the same trip, and despite our efforts, the issue was not resolved. We feel that our money was taken unfairly. Based on our experience, we strongly advise others to be cautious when dealing with this company.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We felt taken advantage of during our experience.
It's a disgrace. They took our $5,000 while traveling with my family. Watch out, they're thieves!
(automatic translation from Spanish)