Sale manager in the office
Josana Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2021)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $861 to $8,606 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IE
Email Sarah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mixed costumer service and drivers
An honest review - We had a mixed experience with Josana Tours. They are a good company when things are going smoothly but their costumer service is poor when there are issues or things go wrong. We booked the 7 day 6 night safari. The communication before the trip with Joseph was great. 5 out of the 7 days were a positive enjoyable experience unfortunately our last two days were not. We had 4 drivers overall - 2 were very good and 2 were not. Jason was an excellent driver/guide - we had an amazing safari in
Massai Mara. Overall the food was okay-some places better than others - we got sick from one of the lunches. Our last two days, we had a very negative experience with aggressive and hostile drivers. Our full game drive in Ambolsi finished 2 and 1/2 hours earlier than others which led to us missing out on seeing lions and other animals. We spent over 1 hour 10minute sitting in a lodge and then an hour lunch break. We had very little time game driving. The driver was also very rude and uninterested. I contacted Joseph and unfortunately there wasn't much done to rectify the situation or a solution provided. He did apologise for the situation the following day but a client in another company received compensation. If I was booking again I feel I would use a different company as there are many in the same price range and they do the same route. We had a mix of companies in our vans. We thought we were unlucky with the situation that took place however in our taxi to the airport we met others who also experienced bad drivers and bad game drives with the same company. I feel the how a company responds to unexpected changes or incidents shows their strenght and unfortunately Josana Tours were very weak in this area, which isn't what you want when booking a trip.
CA
Email Emiliano | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Management good, drivers not
We went on a seven day safari in Kenya with Josana tours.
The positive side was Joseph (the manager). Very kind, flexible, responsive and professional before and during the safari. If the review was only about him, it would definitely be a five stars!
The downside were the two drivers we got (Sam and Joseph).
Just a few examples below:
- On the first day in Nairobi, they were one hour late to pick us up and bring us to the agency for the payment of the balance. As a result we arrived late at Masai Mara (in the program it said we were supposed to get there for lunch, we arrived at 4pm) with a very short safari.
- After that, they have been late (20,30,40 minutes) to pick us up in the morning every day except for one. Twice we faced the bizarre situation of having all tourists in the group waiting outside the hotel with the bags and the driver not being there.
- You get a driver, not a guide. Zero explanations on animals, parks, etc. the driver wasn't saying anything. In other jeeps we could hear drivers providing explanations and even having guide books on animals.
- For the full day safari, instead of leaving early in the morning (prime time to see predators) like you do with other agencies, they would make you leave the accommodation at 8:30. At Amboseli we were literally the last tourists left in the entire lodge waiting for the guide to go to the park and start the safari. Of course, no predators seen that morning. Same for the way back, instead of leaving the park in the late afternoon to see animals (predators in particular) before sunset they would make you leave at 4:30.
- One of the two drivers driving on the highway incredibly slow (being passed by all other jeeps and minivans) to save gas ( and complaining once about how much gas he had used).
- Broken seat belts on both jeeps. Not an issue inside the park but dangerous on the highway.
- One day, no water provided until mid-day (one liter per person was included). We had to write to the manager to finally get the driver to buy it.
- One day the driver brought us to a restaurant at 11am (lunch was included) and wanted us to wait in the parking lot for an hour for the restaurant to open rather than driving ahead and then stopping later (we still had 200 km to go) saying that all other restaurants on the way were too expensive.
- One of the drivers often texting and speaking on the phone while driving.
- Generally speaking, and more importantly, the feeling was that they would constantly try to reduce the time dedicated to safari, rushing you through. A couple of times we had to write to the manager essentially in order to ensure that the program was respected. As an example, at Nakuru they tried to have only a 2-hour game drive. Whilst for the drivers having a shorter safari is good (time, energy and gas savings), this is really bad for you as a tourist, as game driving and animals sighting is exactly the reason why tourists go to Kenya... You should just relax and enjoy the safari, not having to discuss with the agency about the program being followed when it comes to game drive time slots.
IR
Email Mohamed Ghasemim | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
is responsible
I enjoyed this tour, and will choose them if I come to Kenya again
CA
Email Betty | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable
I was hesitated when booking this safari, but it came out as I expected, in general. The price is fair for budget tour, and we saw all the animals. The company took care of all the transportations. We had several drivers and vehicles during the 12 days tour, most of them were good except one, whom the company replaced for us with another driver upon our request. We had buffets in Kenya, and freshly cooked food by our private cooker in Tanzania, which was luxurious. Bring soap and towel and maybe bathroom tissue if you are camping in Tanzania. Don’t pay the safari with credit card. I was charged more than 10% extra in total. Cash or bank transfer is better.
DE
Email PJ | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fast responses
Value for money excellent! Reliability should be improved
CN
Email Yuan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
highly efficient
money for value and always supportive. I had a good saffair with Josana tour.
Very flexible and dedicated organisation
I would very much recommend this organisation for your safari. It is very flexible to get the safari to your liking, I did a 10 day safari and everything was nice, the food, the hotels, the drivers, everything was taken care of. The communication is very good and they are flexible to help you in any other way. The guide was very good and did his best for us so we could see the big 5 and more.
Experience of a life time!
CN
Email Echo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good safari with Josana Tours
I booked budget tour with Johana Tours, it was value for money, we had good communications, I asked very details about my itinerary and they tried their best to fit my schedule, they cared our safety, gave very good service, even if it was group joining tour, I was very happy with other clients.
CA
Email Jesse | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible! - 10 Day Kenya/Tanzania Safari
Everyone dreams of going on a safari but I was worried the whole experience would be overwhelming and complicated, especially as a solo traveller, but I honestly didn't have to do a thing. Joseph and James from Josana Tours take care of everything with excellent communication and organization. They were both extremely friendly and accommodating, going above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. Their customer service is top notch.
The actual safari was incredible. I miss it already. I had a few different drivers/guides during my 10days and they were all amazing. They all communicate via radio and work with each other to find animals for us. Lions walking right up to the car, hiking beside zebras, giraffes wandering into camp, thousands of wildebeast as far as you can see; What an experience. Accomodations were great, the food was good and I felt extremely safe the whole time.
Email TRISTON MATTICE | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a great time!
Good lodging and friendly tour operators. The food was good as well.