Our safari team next to Safari jeeps
Nkollo Tours & Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2018)
- Member Of:
- TATO & Tanzania Tourist Board(TTB)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $3,470 to $13,881 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
NL
Email Celine Serry | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disappointing Experience with Nkollo Tours - Unfulfilled Promises and Poor Service
We had a deeply disappointing experience with Nkollo Tours during our private fly-in safari from Zanzibar to Selous, Tanzania. The communication was severely lacking, with multiple schedule changes not being communicated to us, resulting in significant delays and missed safari time. Our flight was rescheduled without prior notice, causing us to miss 2 hours of our first day’s safari. We only became aware of the rescheduling when we arrived at the airport, prepared to board our flight at 06:00, and were handed new tickets. Moreover, the flight we were placed on included a stopover, contrary to the direct flight that was promised to us. As a result, instead of arriving in Selous at 06:50 as initially planned, we did not reach our destination until 08:15. After contacting Nkollo Tours about this delay, we were promised compensation through extended safari hours, but this was not honoured. In subsequent correspondence regarding the flight rescheduling, they asserted that they are not responsible for the issue and advised us to contact the airline directly. However, it is standard practice that when a flight is rescheduled, passengers are rebooked on a comparable flight, not one that includes a stopover and is significantly less expensive.
The second day was equally unsatisfactory. Our safari, originally scheduled to start at 07:00, was delayed by two hours without any communication, forcing us to wake up unnecessarily early (again!). The driver then proceeded to rush through the park at high speeds (60-80 km/hour), despite being informed of my mother’s back pain. This reckless driving led to a broken phone, a broken camera lens and injuries to my back and hip. We passed the elephants twice this day, yet the driver refused to stop for them, citing the need to be on time for lunch. Because the safari tour started two hours late, and the full itinerary was still followed, the driver maintained high speeds, which made it impossible for us to capture decent photos or to enjoy the safari experience properly. Lastly, if the driver did stop for us to look at the animals, a huge cloud of sand came up because he had to brake so hard for the car to stop. In subsequent correspondence, they claim that driving at such speeds would have caused the vehicle to break down. However, as someone who frequently drives, I observed that they were indeed driving at significantly high speeds, certainly not the 30 km/hour limit that is required within the park. They also claim they are not liable for any damages suffered, but I feel this is unjust, as these damages would not have occurred had they adhered to the appropriate speed limits.
On the final day, our scheduled walking safari was also delayed, with no timely notice, leading us to cancel it altogether. We had asked the tour operator the day before if the start time could be pushed to 08:00, but were informed that if starting at this time, we would not be able to see any animals. We were therefore advised to begin at either 06:00 or 07:00. We agreed to a 07:00 start, but upon arriving in the dining room, we were informed by one of the employees of the lodge that our tour guide had notified them at 00:00 the evening before that our tour will start at 08:00. Given that we had to wake up 05:30, we were already in bed by this time, unaware of the change in schedule. Given the previous warning about the likelihood of not seeing animals, we cancelled the walking safari altogether. Although we received a $100 compensation for this, we were still extremely disappointed with the overall experience we had with Nkollo Tours. Additionally, the lodge’s pool was out of service, and we were not informed of this in advance, which diminished the value of our stay further.
In conclusion, the experience was severely impacted by poor communication, lack of professionalism, and failure to deliver the promised service. We are seeking compensation for the missed safari hours, damaged property, and the subpar experience, but Nkollo Tours insists that the cost of the tour has increased, and therefore refuses to refund any portion of our payment, despite the numerous delays and damages we endured. The second day, they even bought us two bottles of liquor, which we interpreted as acknowledgement of their mistakes. However, they are now citing this gesture as a reason for refusing to refund any portion of our payment. We strongly advise other travellers to be cautious when considering Nkollo Tours for a private safari.
Reply from Nkollo Tours & Safaris
Posted on Aug 26, 2024Dear Miss Celine Serry,
Thank you for sharing your review about us not only in Safari booking but through all our business platforms. We understand you are frustrated and as tour operators, we face challenges sometimes during our operations and we apologise for that. However, we are sad that you provided a lot of misinformation regarding our operations that downgraded our reputation. We believe that our team efforts will keep us going forward and positive responses appreciated by other clients regarding our service standards. The refund requested after all the services were completed is $1050 which is sincerely unfair since We received your quote request and sent the quote at the cost of $1800($900 per person) through Safari booking, flight rates and other costs went higher but we opted to get the lowest commission instead of charging you more with the same standard of service. For Selous(Nyerere), we have flight agencies working with airlines and only small planes can fly in park airstrips. The park has 2 airstrips. Our guides in Selous arrived at the airstrip at around 6 am ready for the safari. We arranged a transfer from your hotel in Zanzibar to the Airport. After arriving at the airport, it was at that moment we were informed of the 1hr delay and we had no choice but to accept their policies. unfortunately, our beloved clients insisted that we refund you some amount due to the delayed flight. We responded that it was beyond our control that the airline was responsible in case of the compensation and that we could help contact them. The other claim was that their flight changed from Unity Air to Auric Air which you thought was a cheaper flight, which happened that it was $100 higher. You agreed to proceed with the flight but insisted on us refunding.
Day 1, the safari started at around 9 am, the game drive went on until 4 pm and get ready for the night game drive at 6 pm. You didn’t like the dinner from the lodge so we had to prepare an extra meal for them.
Day 2, We planned to start at 7 am however upon getting permits at the main gate, all tour operators were told to wait by authority officials due to network issues and finally, we began at 9 am after getting the permits. We extended the day until evening and had a boat sunset safari. Luckily we have beautiful pictures of all the activities. We are saddened that our beloved clients claimed not to see animals close while we had pictures during their safari. The roads are not in good condition if you drive at high speed eventually it will break down in the middle of the park, The speed limit maximum is 50km/hr. We informed you on how to handle personal stuff with care due to the bumpy roads. Our terms and conditions are also clear that personal items at hand should be handled with care due to road conditions. Furthermore, we advise our clients to have travel insurance in case of damage or loss associated with the safari. Her phone fell off her hands and the screen went broken. Later on, our clients also claimed the camera wasn’t well and had back problems due to the speed. After the sunset boat drive, you asked for liquors and it was okay with us and it wasn't part of any negotiation or compromise. You eventually insisted we should pay for the phone screen, camera and medications.
Day 3, There was a miscommunication since only our guides and staff are allowed to brief clients in case of any changes but unfortunately, we failed to understand how the hotel staff gave you information that pick up time was 8 am instead of 7 am. The guides were there at 7 am but you were disappointed and didn’t want to proceed with bushman walking safari despite having enough time for that. Due to this, we made some $100 refunds only to find that our beloved clients wanted $1050 more as a refund (out of $1800 received)just after we accomplished the safari. More claims came including the pool damage at the lodge that we are answerable and we should also pay a 20% refund for that. We kept explaining that it wasn’t our fault that we didn't get quick updates about facilities from the lodges we should talk to the management but you gave us 14 days to pay them $1050 otherwise you would take things legally. We agreed with you that you follow the laws and talk to your lawyer regarding this. A month later, you sent another email insisting on paying the same amount and we replied to you with an official email that it wasn't our full fault and explained in deep. We are truly hurt after we received a bad review on our safari booking, google and here as well. We sincerely don’t deserve such feedback.
Furthermore, we value and welcome feedback from our clients, we have thoroughly reviewed the complaints raised in the review and found several discrepancies and inaccuracies:
Flight Rescheduling: The review claims that the flight was rescheduled without notice, leading to missed safari time. However, as per our records and communication with the airline, all flight changes were beyond our control, and clients were promptly informed of these changes. Furthermore, as part of our standard procedure, alternative arrangements were made to ensure that the clients' safari experience was not adversely affected, including offering compensation for any inconveniences.
Safari Experience: The review mentions that the safari was conducted at high speeds, causing discomfort and damage to personal property. Our drivers are trained to adhere to park regulations and maintain speeds that ensure both safety and optimal wildlife viewing experiences. After reviewing GPS logs and consulting with our park rangers and officers, we found no evidence of unsafe driving speeds or practices. Additionally, we have never received any direct complaints about damaged property or personal injuries from any other clients using the same guides.
Communication Issues: The review suggests a lack of communication regarding schedule changes. Our company prides itself on clear and timely communication with our clients. We have documented evidence of all communications sent to the guests, including updates about itinerary changes, which were acknowledged by them.
Pool Availability: The review mentions that the lodge’s pool was out of service. Unfortunately, maintenance issues can arise unexpectedly, and we strive to inform our guests as soon as we are aware of any such occurrences.
Compensation Offered: The guests were compensated for any perceived inconveniences, including receiving a $100 refund and additional amenities during their stay. We regret that they still felt dissatisfied, but we believe these gestures demonstrate our commitment to addressing concerns and ensuring client satisfaction.
Please be assured that we are taking your feedback seriously and will use it to improve our services. We are dedicated to providing exceptional safari experiences, and we work tirelessly to meet and exceed our clients' expectations. While we understand that unforeseen challenges may arise, we believe this review does not fairly represent the quality of our services or the experiences we provide. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you better in the future.
Should you have any further concerns or wish to discuss this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Thank you for choosing Nkollo Tours.
NZ
Email Emma | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised and good communication
Our safari with Nkollo tours was really good. We were picked up on time and followed the itinerary we were given. Simon our guide did well to help us spot lots of animals and the food was really good the whole time. We were joined by other people on our tour which we didn’t know about but there was space in the car so that was fine. The campsites were also a little cold with thin sleeping bags. Apart from that, the 4 day safari was really good and Allan was also available to communicate with and checked in with us during the safari.
NL
Email Aylin & Brian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable safari experience with Emmanuel and Nkollo Tours
We had the most incredible safari experience thanks to Annie and our amazing guide, Emmanuel, from Nkollo Tours & Safaris. They took excellent care of us throughout the entire trip.
We highly recommend booking a 5-day safari with this company and requesting Emmanuel as your guide.
He was an outstanding guide: calm, relaxed, fun, and great to talk and laugh with. He has extensive knowledge of the animals and always does everything in his power to give you the best experience possible.
The lodges were beautiful, comfortable, and served excellent food. The packed lunches were also very good and included rice, vegetables, and either meat or fish. Before the trip, they ask whether you have any allergies or special dietary requirements.
Communication with Annie was excellent. She always replied quickly, made us feel welcome, and ensured that the itinerary and quotation could be adjusted to our wishes.
Email Sheetal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service from start to finish
We booked 4-Day Tarangire,Serengeti 2 Nights,
Ngorongoro & Masai Visit tour with Nkollo tours almost 4 months ago and since that day, Mercy, our tour operator had been there to answer every question, working through the concerns( food allergies).
He was transparent when it came to payments etc. no hidden fee or anything.
Absolutely hassle free booking.
Our safari experience was awesome. We had no challenges and no concerns. Both accommodations (lodge and tent) were really good except one minor thing - water pressure in the shower at the lodger was really low. Other than that our experience - bush dinner and breakfast at the lodge was awesome. Food was delicious. Everyone was so nice. Chefs at both places (lodge and tent) were able to accommodate restrictions for my daughter's allergies.
Now as for Richard, our tour guide, if we can say in one sentence, we would say that if we do safari again, we will only do with Richard as our guide. He is funny, nice, knowledgeable and accommodating. And most of all, he is such a nice human being. We really created a bond with him.
Last but not least, we would also like to thank you. You took care of all our queries and concerns during the planning and afterward. So, thank you! We wish you and Richard all the best.
VN
Email Ian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding service, expert guides, and a seamless, unforgettable Tanzania adventure.
We thoroughly enjoyed working with Nkollo Tours to make this dream trip a reality. Allan was incredibly helpful during the planning stages, allowing us to personalize our itinerary with ease. Not having to build a trip from scratch and simply needing to show up on the first morning made for a stress-free and unforgettable safari experience.
Our driver, Gadi, was friendly, professional, and extremely knowledgeable about the parks. Thanks to his expertise, we were able to see the Big Five and many other amazing animals throughout our safari. We greatly appreciated both his service and the quality and comfort of our vehicle.
We also thoroughly enjoyed our transfers with Martin on the Hakuna Matata Express as we traveled from the safari portion of our trip to the Mt. Kilimanjaro area. His friendly service made the journey enjoyable and seamless.
Thank you to the entire team for an incredible experience. We highly recommend Nkollo Tours to anyone planning a trip to Tanzania.
IT
Email Gabriele | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great 4-day safari
We booked a 4-day, 3-night safari with Nkollo Tours & Safaris covering Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater, and had a very positive experience throughout.
Tarangire was particularly impressive, with its beautiful green and hilly landscapes and an incredible number of elephants. We also had the chance to see two magnificent lions. The Serengeti was equally rewarding, with numerous lion sightings, including females with cubs, as well as cheetahs and leopards.
The accommodation was excellent throughout the trip. All the hotels were very clean, in great locations, with friendly staff and excellent breakfasts.
A special mention goes to our guide and driver, Emanuel. He was very pleasant to travel with, and we enjoyed many interesting conversations during the journey. He has a remarkable ability to spot animals, often finding wildlife long before we could see it ourselves, which made the safari even more enjoyable.
The entire trip was well organised from start to finish, and communication with Nkollo Tours & Safaris was smooth and reliable. Overall, it was a memorable safari experience and a great way to explore some of Tanzania's most iconic parks.
DE
Email Dalia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
100% recommend
We waited six years for this safari trip, so when it came to choosing a tour operator, we wanted to make sure we picked people who would help us have the best experience possible. We wanted people who would respond quickly, offer flexibility in choosing accommodations, and connect with us on a deeper level than just tour operator—just another random client. We wanted someone who was ethical when it came to animals, who could provide us with information about what we were seeing, and with whom we could feel completely at ease—someone we could trust completely for five days, knowing they would do everything possible to ensure we had the best experience. We found all of these things with the team at Nkollo. From the planning stage right through to the moment we returned to Arusha, they took care of absolutely everything. Our only job was to let ourselves be spoiled and experience the magic of being around those wonderful animals.
Allan was very patient with us, providing us with the most superb accommodations, and Vincent was a very knowledgeable guide and someone we enjoyed spending five days with in the same car. There are so many tour operators, and sometimes it’s hard to know from home what they’re really like, but I can say hand on heart that the team at Nkollo are extraordinary.
Thank you, Allan & Vincent!
Email Hannah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari experience
Nkollo was a very easy company to work with. They were responsive, easy to communicate with, flexible with the itinerary, and reliable. Emmanuel was our guide and he was absolutely great. He was a good driver, was knowledgeable about the animals and the parks, always on time, and easy to get along with. We highly recommend him as a safari guide.
Email Darlene | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING!!
Our safari in Tanzania was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! From the moment we arrived, everything was well organized and our guide Richard was amazing, incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Seeing wildlife up close in places like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater was absolutely breathtaking.
We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and even a cheetah amen here new born cubs in the wild. Richard was amazing at spotting animals and explaining their behavior, which made the experience even more special.
The lodges and camps were comfortable, the food was great, and waking up to the sounds of nature every morning was unforgettable. The landscapes were stunning, and every day felt like a new adventure.
If you’re considering a safari in Tanzania, I highly recommend it. It’s an incredible way to experience nature and wildlife in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Email Ivan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great experience
We booked a fly in, overnight stay and departure for the following day. The safari took in a different park each day and an overnight stay at a luxury hotel.
All aspects of were covered from flights to accommodation and meals. We were delighted either the service and communication with Mercy the organiser.
Our tour guide, Ringo was knowledgeable and worked tirelessly to ensure that we got the maximum out of our safari.
This was a fabulous life experience.