DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Charges 200 Dollar more when you are on the way to the safari
Not a serious company. The Guide wanted you to pay 200 Dollar more per person when you enter the bus. Changes in safari program.
We saw all but the big game--Lions--up close and it was amazing.
We had won this safari trip at a fundraiser for Room to Read and when we got there we learned that all of the other guests had also come through winning a charity auction from a soccer league to a Providencetown gay support group. while this game reserve was on a much smaller scale than the ones you hear about at Kreuger, Tanzania or Kenya, it was spectacular nonetheless.
Our guides were great in taking us out and finding all sorts of wildlife up close including the buffalos, elephants, wildebeest, zebra herds, giraffes, rhinos, nyalas and other type of antelopes. The waterholes were teeming with all types of animals and birds. We were glad to be in the big safari trucks as a herd of elephants with their babies brushed against the vehicle.
We did a bit of a walkabout behind our guide with a loaded gun as we rousted out several rhinos who were hiding in the bush. Good thing they ran away from us rather than charging.
The lodge was in a beautiful setting with vistas over the entire jungle area. One of the help at the lodge removed a green snake from one of our deck chairs. He didn't say whether it was poisonous or not.
On one evening we had a group of Zulu performers provide dance and singing while we had dinner. The same group plus other were in a made up village like you would find in Disneyworld who showed us some of the activities of daily living including a visit to the shaman, crafts, and cooking, and a bone throwing fortune teller. they also had samples of typical huts you would find in the bush.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari, terrible management
Our safari with "It Started in Africa" could not have started in a worst way... We had booked a 5-day safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro (plus 2 nights in Arusha, one before the safari, and one after it). When we arrived at Tanzania we had to pay the remaining 60% of the safari. A driver took us from the airport to our hotel in the outskirts of Arusha and told us that a representative of the company would visit us at the hotel for giving us a briefing and for telling us at what time would the guide pick us the next morning.
At dinner time no one had appeared, so we sent an email to the company using the WiFi of the hotel. They apologized and told us that there was a problem with the person that had to visit us, but that the next morning at 8 a.m. the guide and a representative of the campany would appear at the hotel so we could pay the remaining amount directly to him/her and start our safari right at that moment.
The next morning only the guide appeared. No apology and no explanation given. He took us to the office in the center of Arusha and we payed the remaining amount. While we were at the office, I saw by chance that the accommodation that we had chosen for the Serengeti was not the same that was written on the paper that was given to our guide. We had chosen Serengeti Heritage Migration Camp (not the Serengeti Heritage Seronera Camp), but they had changed it for Ndutu Savannah Camp. When we asked why, the office employee just told us that "it was better". As Ndutu Savannah Camp was not even an option for accommodation when we booked the safari, we had no idea if this was true, so we had to accept it and continue the trip.
Based on our stay and the internet reviews, now I can say that Ndutu Savannah Camp was of similar category that the one we had chosen, and that the location was probably better. But we spent the whole first day thinking that we were being scammed, because no one had tolds us that our accommodation had been changed, and we only learned it by chance.
Our guide (Elia) was good but maybe not great. He is a polite and nice person, a careful driver and a very experienced guide. He always found the perfect spots for wildlife watching and he was probably more experienced than most of the other guides. Also, one day, while we were returning to our accommodation, he saw some lions and we stopped to watch them. After some waiting, we watched a hunting scene while he patiently waited. Finally, we arrived at our accommodation almost 2 hours later than the agreed time, and he never complained.
On the negative side, he is not the most talkative person. When he sees an animal, he usually just points at it and says one or two phrases. If you want to know some details, you always has to ask. Not a big deal for us, but may be for others. Also, on the Ngorongoro day, when we asked him about the lunch inside the crater (as was clearly written in the contract). He said that it was not possible because of the 6-hour permit (we have passed the entrance gate at 7:15 a.m. approximately, so we had to leave before 1:15 p.m.). We asked him to have our lunch in the viewpoint outside the crater instead, but he said that it was not possible either, because we had to leave earlier. After finishing watching the wildlife of the crater, we passed the exit gates at 11:50 a.m., with more than hour left before the permit expired, and we had lunch on our way back to Arusha. Again, not a big deal, but then, why does the company write it in the contract if there is no easy way for the guide to comply with it?
Before returning to the hotel in Arusha, we were taken to the office to fill a customer survey about the guide and the jeep, while the guide and one office employee looked over our shoulders. Not the most comfortable moment of our safari. Also, as we were in the office, we asked at what time would the driver pick us the next morning to take us to the airport. No one knew that we had already booked the transfer, even as it was written in the contract, so they arranged the transfer at that moment.
While we were accommodated at Ngorongoro, a manager (Silvia) called me by phone to tell us that he wanted to meet us in Arusha. We thought that maybe she wanted to explain to us the problems previously described. After arriving at the hotel in Arusha, our guide told us that she would visit us at the hotel. Again, at dinner time no one had appeared, so we sent an email to the company. They apologized again but no explanation was given. We left Tanzania the next morning but she did not appear.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good
Would like to thank Betty at the booking office. Our Driver Philip was one of a kind conversant with the Nairobi National Park, friendly and knows most of the animals characteristics as id working with the Park. Pick up w as on point. Thanks Philip and Betty. Thanks Bonfire adventures
DK
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Quick answers, fine contact, sympathic and good driver and guide
Fine safari to Mikumi National Park over the weekend. The communication with Isaya was easy and quick and our driver and guide, Mr Peter, brought us safe from Dar to Mikumi and back again. Many useful informations.
The cottages in the park were rather basic, but ok. The food was not ok.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge and Safari was amazing; Kanyezi not so much.
The Sabi Sabi staff and accommodations were absolutely amazing and first class. The ranger and tracker made our trip! We saw so much more than we expected - up close and personal! The food, service, and villas were 5 star. However, I would book direct rather than use Kanyezi in the future. Chris and Michael were with us only in Capetown. In Sabi Sabi, they had their "friend" act as our guide. We really didn't need a guide in Sabi Sabi because the lodge takes care of everything. In Victoria Falls, we were all basically on our own with a local guide who we had difficulty understanding. The accommodations in Vic Falls were far less than the 4 Star advertised.
Air travel was arranged very late despite emailing and calling on several occasions. We only received our international flight arrangements/tickets 2 weeks prior to our departure day! Given we were required to wire transfer the full payment months before the actual trip, this made us very nervous. Most all guests in our group had similar issues. Some did not get airline tickets until days before departure.
Lastly, Kanyezi threatened with legal action a guest in our group who posted a question online about their lack of responsiveness. They upset one couple on our trip and told them they should have booked the trip themselves! While generally nice people, they are highly unprofessional at times. This is marketed as a luxury trip of a lifetime ....
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4-day safari was wonderful, 6-day safari not so much
Foot Slopes was wonderful about communication right from when I first submitted a request for a quote. They were very responsive and answered all of my questions fully. The first four days of the tour were wonderful--I was with a great group of people, and our guide Freddy was amazing and passionate about showing us Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater, and all the places in between. He was personable, knowledgeable, and seemed to really enjoy what he was doing. After the fourth day, the group I had been with finished their safari and I continued on for two more days to Lake Manyara and to hike in Kilimanjaro National Park. I was matched up with two different groups and communication between the tour guides and Foot Slopes seemed to be lacking. On the fifth day, we waited for the guide to arrive for many hours, and when we finally got started, the car broke down, the guide reeked of alcohol, and it took over an hour to fix the situation. The new guide was not friendly, barely commented on the animals and natural scenery, and rushed us through the park. On the final day of the tour, I was matched up with another group and we hiked in Kilimanjaro National Park. The hike was beautiful, but a lot more difficult than it had been marketed. I hadn't realized that I'd need hiking apparel and wasn't prepared for the terrain, so the hike wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been. If you're thinking about taking Foot Slopes four-day safari, you'll probably have a great experience as it seems like this is what the majority of travelers choose. However, if you're taking a longer safari, the experience might be more hit or miss.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A good safari, but planning and driver could be better.
Very good coverage by the agency at the airport. Good communication with the agency. Good service in the hotel before and after the safari.
The guide was more interested by the girls of the group than in his work of guide
We lost too much time to go shopping (1/2 day on the first day and 1/2 day on the last day)
Bad planning of the day. We had to build up tents in the night and have the diner around 10 PM
The driver did not respect the rules in the park (driving out of ways)
Overspeed on the road is not safe (the driver toke a overspeed bill)
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We canceled and never got our refund
** UPDATE JULY 2015
I have changed my rating for EASTCO company because they have refunded our money after 6 month. According to the EASTCO agent it was because of some financial problems that happened with the ebola fright.
I am not sure if its a sufficient excuse but at the end of the day they have refunded our money so i am satisfied.
** ORIGINAL REVIEW
I would like to share the reason why my wife and I rate EASTCO poorly. My Wife and I planed a safari tour for February which is something that we dreamed of doing for some time. We choose booking the safari with EASTCO because we read that they are a small family company and believed that they cared about there customers. We where in contact with Simon that seemed friendly in the mails. In the middle of December we found out that we couldn't take the vacation and asked Simon to cancel the Safari. He was very understanding and told us that we will get the refund according to the contract. After a week he replied to our refund request with that he will refund us after new year. And again after new year we did not get the refund and each time we asked him he came up with a different excuse (he was in the bushes, the internet crashed .. and more). Today i came to an understanding that we probably will never get refunded. I am sharing this experience so people will know that we do not recommend EASTCO and I personally do not trust them to take care of my family and me on a safari. And if you do choose to go with them to a safari then do not pay in advance.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Left stranded in Capetown when Owner Chris No-Showed-Terrifying Experience
I will get straight to the important points.
1) I booked this tour as a single, middle aged women traveling alone. I booked and paid nine months ahead. Twenty one days prior to depature I called about my flight and tour arrangements. Chris stated "I am sorry but your tour has been cancelled. You will have to leave five days earlier or you can't go with us. We can still make it happen, but not with us." I made arrangements, at great inconvenience, to leave 5 days earlier.
2) Hotel for Capetown is TWENTY FIVE MILES FROM CAPETOWN.
3) Chris dropped me off at V&A for a shopping trip, at my request. I confirmed, three times, that he would pick me
up at the designated stop at 5 p.m. HE NO SHOWED. PERIOD. LEFT ME TOTALLY ALONE AFTER DARK. TOOK A TAXI BACK TO HOTEL WITH THE HELP OF V&A security. I was terrified, but made it back to the hotel.
4) I was dumped so Chris could assist a dentist who had booked his family of ten. There were numerous adults supervising all children at this time, on that night. There were no children left alone. I was left alone.
5) Chris called me the morning we were to depart for Sabi Sabi, and asked me to meet him alone in a hotel conference room, prior to our group departure that morning. I WAS MET WITH THIS THREAT:
"If you say anything negative about our company, I will take legal action against you."
Great trip otherwise.