50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Logistical Issues
We booked a 4-day, 3-night safari through the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park through this company on TripAdvisor. We paid about $1,750 per person for the mid-range lodging package.
Before the safari, John scheduled a briefing the day before departure. He was polite, but the meeting felt mostly repetitive since the information had already been covered in the materials we received. Communication was also difficult at times because he spoke very quietly. The other uncomfortable part was the discussion around tipping, which felt more expected than optional. Tipping should reflect appreciation for excellent service, not feel mandatory before the trip even starts.
There were definitely positives to the safari itself. The mid-range lodges were very nice overall — clean, comfortable, and better than expected for the price point. The food was decent overall, especially on day two, although day three’s meals were mediocre. Lunches were usually only warm at best due to the catering setup, but we genuinely appreciated that hot sauce and salt were always available because they helped a lot. Dessert was bananas all three days, which became repetitive quickly.
We were fortunate enough to see all the major animals, and some sightings were truly memorable. Our drivers, Adam and Steve, were both friendly and knowledgeable. Adam was easier to understand and drove aggressively to maximize sightings, while Steve was more cautious but equally professional.
The biggest issue — and ultimately the reason for the low rating — was the logistics.
Right from the start, our itinerary was changed. We were originally scheduled to visit Tarangire first, then the Serengeti, and finish with Ngorongoro Crater. Instead, the order was rearranged, which appeared to happen because the company combined our tour with guests on shorter three-day itineraries.
From that point forward, the trip constantly felt like a compromise between different budgets, tour levels, and schedules. Mid-range guests were mixed with budget campers, creating constant delays for campsite drop-offs, gear pickups, loading supplies, chef coordination, and other camper-related logistics. It honestly felt like the camping guests’ schedules were prioritized over the mid-range guests who paid for a different experience.
The issue was never the early mornings or long safari days — we expected that. The frustration was paying for very nice lodges and arriving so late each evening that we barely had time to enjoy them. Guests should ideally arrive at the lodges at least an hour before sunset to actually experience the accommodations they paid for.
One suggestion that could improve the experience significantly would be replacing the catered hot lunches with well-prepared box lunches. It would simplify the logistics, reduce delays, and likely improve the overall flow of the safari.
Another major issue was the constant focus on reviews. Both during and after the trip, it felt like there was a strong effort to manage and secure five-star reviews rather than simply letting the experience speak for itself. We experienced similar behavior on another East African tour as well. Multiple debriefings and repeated reminders about leaving reviews started to feel disingenuous rather than genuine hospitality.
Honestly, the aggressive push for five-star reviews became a turnoff for us and directly impacted our final rating. Companies should focus on delivering a seamless experience instead of trying to influence guest feedback afterward. If anything, the review pressure lowered our rating from what likely would have been a three-star review down to a two-star review.
Overall, we had some incredible wildlife sightings and enjoyed the lodges, but the poor logistical planning, mixing of incompatible tour types, and heavy-handed review solicitation left a disappointing final impression.
poor communication and unprofessional
Almost impossible to send funds to reserve from overseas. Wanted to charge more for the lodge reservation the next day. In experienced driver didn't know the importance of vehicle position for photos. Very frustrating and no possibility of phone conversations, only email . AVOID
Finally high pressure sales around your vehicle and Maasi village to purchase their overpriced trinkets AVOID
FR
Non-professional guide
We had booked a safari for two people with a French-speaking guide. We don't speak English. We ended up with five of us in the jeep, not with the guide from the company we had booked with, but five English speakers and the English-speaking guide who explained nothing and seemed to enjoy driving very fast. We didn't have time to admire the scenery. We left the camp at 9:00 a.m. Two stars for this beautiful country. But the guide deserves zero; he wasn't interested in us at all and preferred to drive fast. We were left out for four days.
Also, the first day of the safari was spent shopping…
(automatic translation from French)
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Accommodation did not match photos – only corrected after complaint
We joined the Sani Pass & Lesotho Stars overnight tour (19–20 February 2026). The scenery and concept are excellent, and we chose this tour based on consistently strong reviews, so our experience was particularly surprising.
On arrival around 15:00, we were given a key without the room being checked with us. The room we entered did not match the rondavel-style cottages shown on the tour webpage, while the cottage occupied by the guide did correspond to those images. The initially allocated room was also located in the same building as the kitchen, with noticeable noise during food preparation.
After this, the guide went to his cottage and was not available again until the agreed dinner time at 19:00. As a result, we could only raise the issue then. After our complaint, we were able to exchange rooms with the guide, and the new accommodation matched what was shown online.
After the tour, we contacted the operator to give them the opportunity to review the situation. Despite detailed communication, no acknowledgment or apology was provided. Instead, the matter was escalated to attorneys and their insurer, and responsibility was denied.
We waited several weeks before posting this review, but no meaningful resolution was offered. A goodwill payment was offered, but as no responsibility was acknowledged, we chose not to accept it.
For clarity, the first two photos show the building where we were initially accommodated, and the last two photos show the cottage occupied by the guide.
Based on our experience, future travellers may wish to confirm the exact accommodation arrangements in advance and check the room immediately on arrival.
Issues can happen during travel, but it is how they are handled that makes the difference.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not as advertised
The first 3 nights were at Kruger Shalati, which is the accomodation in the train carriages! This place is awesome and excellent value for money. Everything is included - 4 meals a day which is far too many, all free wine etc (you can pay for cocktails but they are cheap), 2 game drives a day, great staff, very attentive, great animal viewing right from the accomodation and one of the 3 pools. We highly, highly recommend Kruger Shalati and will be back for sure.
Our next stop was Rhino Post - don't waste your time or money! It's very dirty, has a very strange energy, feels very unorganised and none of the staff seem to know what is going on. Our booking confirmation also said that all basic wines, water and soft drinks were included but they tried to charge for it all. This then all got paid by the booking company for us as it was false advertising. I wouldn't return or recommend this place to anyone.
We then did 2 nights at Plains Camp (walking safari) the camp is wayyyyy nicer that Rhino Post, very relaxing, great food, nice staff. There is no wifi at all so be prepared to relax and unwind and watch the animals in the plains like Wildebeest, Baboons and Warthogs. You may also hear the lions roaring at night. PLEASE BEWARE, you will basically see no animals at all on the walks. Animals are frightened on humans on foot vs the safari vehicles. When we got on our first walk our guide informed us that walking safaris were not for seeing animals and that was pretty disappointing as it is certainly not advertised that way. You will track prints in the soil, learn about plants and do a hell a lot of walking through thick grass which was not good for my partner as she is terrified of snakes and there certainly are snakes.
The walks are long 2-3 hours, twice a day. So also be prepared for that.
Finally that brings us to 3 nights at Geiger's. This was by far the most expensive of all the accomodations. The chef is incredible but there is no menu, you are just served a 4 course meal as a surprise each night, drinks are included. Its hard to get food, drinks or service in the day (I think the staff take their rest then). It only hosts 5 villas, so its a very small group which is nice. You reason it's worth paying the money is because the game drives on the private reserve that connects to the Kruger are amazing. We saw Lion Mums on a fresh kill with all their cubs, A leopard in a tree eating its kill, a leaoprd walking right up to the safari truck, 5 Rhinos in a group and a baby playing with its mum in the mud, wild dogs and hyenas having a fight, huge crocs and all the usual suspects Elephants, Hippos, Giraffe, Warthogs, Antelopes etc etc.
But for off road viewing right next to the action, this place is worth the money. Our guides Josh and MJ were lovely.
IT
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Just adequate. Not up to the description on the web. Just adeguate
The company contacted us by email before departure, but then they never contacted us again. The driver/guide was very good, but he was a freelancer, not a member of the company.
The hotels were very mediocre (except in Bwindi), especially the lodge in the Queen Elizabeth, with inadequate staff and terrible food.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor
We started planning our safari in Tanzania in September 2025, and from the very beginning, communication was extremely difficult. For almost every question, we had to follow up multiple times just to receive a response.
Eventually, we received the final quotation and paid the deposit. After that, we continued to ask a few additional questions, but unfortunately, even now, one month after the trip... we still haven’t received answers.
During the trip, we also encountered several issues. Some of our accommodation requests were not respected, despite being clearly confirmed via email. Additionally, meals that were listed as included in the offer had to be paid for directly at the hotels.
This is particularly disappointing considering the significant amount of money we paid for this experience. We expected a much higher level of professionalism, communication, and service.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Tatiana
Unfortunately, I think the park is dying due to the recent floods. It's sad, but it's instructive to see how cruel and merciless nature itself can be at times.
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not good experience
Honestly, the experience with Peter was very complicated and negative from the very beginning. Before arriving in Uganda, communication with him was very difficult. He either didn’t reply or wasn’t clear when he did.
We had agreed that payment could be made by card, but the night we arrived he told us it could only be paid in dollars. Not only cash, but the bills had to be from 2015 onward (something common in Uganda), but we didn’t know that. It was our first day, we arrived at night in a new country, I was with my wife, and he took us to withdraw money in a place with armed people and made us take out cash. It was a completely uncomfortable situation.
The next day we couldn’t withdraw all the money because of ATM limits (it was a large amount), and at 6 a.m. he was already messaging us to go withdraw more. We managed to pay part by transfer, but he charged an extra fee that had never been agreed.
Then he rented us a car that he knew was in bad condition (he had told me) but said it had been properly repaired. We went to Murchison National Park and the car broke down in the middle of the park with no signal. It started smoking.
We managed to contact him and his solution was for us to stay two days at a mechanic’s house in a small town in the middle of Uganda until it was fixed, which was completely unviable. We had to take a six-hour public transport ride across the country, which felt dangerous.
In the end he never refunded the money — he said the car wasn’t his and gave all sorts of excuses.
Later we did the gorilla tour with him. That part was overall okay, although the car also got stuck and we arrived late to all the hotels.
Honestly, I don’t recommend him. The only positive thing I can highlight is our guide, Apton. Very professional and the only thing worth rescuing from the trip.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A tour operator that failed to deliver the agreed private safari experience and did not provide adeq
⭐️⭐️ Review – Tsavo Cat Tours & Safaris
We booked a private safari with Tsavo Cat Tours & Safaris which unfortunately was not delivered as agreed.
• A private 4x4 vehicle was booked, but a standard van was provided.
• The itinerary was changed without our consent.
• The agreed road transfer back to our hotel was replaced with a train journey to Mombasa.
• Basic expected amenities were not available.
These were material changes that reduced the value of the safari.
After the trip, we contacted the operator to request a fair partial refund. Although there was initial acknowledgment, no clear proposal was provided and communication eventually stopped despite reasonable deadlines.
This review is shared as a factual account of our experience so that future travellers can make informed decisions
