50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Ni Refund for Booking
I have had a really bad experience with Ambula as did a friend of mine a few years back. I booked a trip in March for a trip to Victoria Falls at the end of June. At the beginning of if April I had to cancel the booking s I will be traveling overseas in business this is virtually 3 months in advance and I was told I would get a full refund and the it would take 4 to 6 weeks and could expect the refund the first week in May. It is now end of May and I still have not been paid my refund despite repeated requests.now my emails etc are being completely ignored. I just find this completely unacceptable. So I would never chose to use them again even though the prices are more reasonable than the bigger operators at least you would not get this experience with them
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disappointed
During my tour, okavanko river is dried up and no wild animals in this region.
I was really disappointed that situation even though tour company informed in advance.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
High water levels have caused the flamingos to leave. This is not worth visiting at present.
High lake levels for the past 2 years have caused the flamingos to leave. Waterbuck, zebra, baboon, and other common wildlife remain, but don't go expecting to see the flamingo flock.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Valentine, Please pay us back the money you owed us when you deserted us half way through our trip.
Please be a man and pay up the money you took from us.
20-35 years of age
Stay away!
I signed up for a 6 day Marangu trek. When I was on the mountain the guide told me they had only planned for 5 days, because of which I had terrible altitude sickness and could not summit. I had signed up for 6 days because I knew the risks associated with a 5 day trek and I can not believe that they risked my life for their profit. Do not use this company at any cost and go for a more reputable operator.
Both George and the guide were unorganized. I never got a free stay at the hotel as the itinerary stated. There was no debrief before or after the trip and at every point they tried to get more money from me where they could. I would go as far as saying that this company is a total sham.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible!
It was terrbile experience. I missed my flight from Nairobii to Kilimanjaro. I was trying to contact anybody from AfriGalaxy on hotlines (and sms and e-mail), but nobody answered (other turist did not have any problems with their companies). There was no contact with the company, only few days later they... asked me where I am. I paid a deposit, but they did not want to return it. Do not travel with AfriGalaxy!
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We found a agency on Safaribookings and we have been scamed
WE FOUND A SAFARI ON SAFARIBOOKING BUT WE HAVE BEEN SCAMED. SAFARIBOOKING HAS DONE NOTHING TO HELP US AND DIDN'T TOOK THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. WE LOST OUR MONEY AND OUR TRIP TO KENYA. COMPLETE DISASTER!!
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fraud
I confirm what the latest reviews says, this is (or has at least lately become) a fraudulent tour operator. We paid a deposit to E Safaris a few months ago for a 20+ group safari in October. All e-mail addresses, website and phone numbers are closed, and apparently they are investigated by Kenya Tourism Board. Our money now appear to be lost, although I expect proper investigation to be done by Kenyan Tourism Authorities. I have reported/complained to KTB (Kenya Tourism Board) and KATO (The Kenya Board of Tour Operators), and I urge everyone else affected to do the same.
Fortunately E Safaris had at least reserved the rooms at Mara Serena Safari Lodge, and Serena has been very understanding and helpful and has in short time set up an new safari for us. And I would like to emphasise that the large majority of the Kenyan Tourism Industry are honest and hard working people who do their very best to give visitors a great holiday. That I can say from personal experience.
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mr Valentine Gumpo makes empty promises and I find him UNTRUSTWORTHY
Mr Valentine Gumpo had advertised for a 15 day Wildlife tour to Zambia from Lusaka from 11 to 25 Nov 2014,essentially to cover the Bat Migration at the Kasanka National Park--Lusaka--Upper Luangwa River -- South Luangwa River -- Victoria Falls from Livingstone -- end of tour at Lusaka.
He had offered a discount of 15% on payment of full tour fees ( USD 2800 ) , if paid 6 months in advance. A sum of USD 2380 was therefore remitted to him through my bankers in India , on 6 May 2014-this was duly acknowledged by him , though after my repeated persistence to do so.
My troubles started after he had received the money in his account. He has not given me, todate , the finalised itinerary together with the hotel/lodge reservations and a formal letter saying that I ( ABL Gupta ) have formally been booked for a tour with him-- this is the letter which is mandatory for me to get the visa from the Embassy of Zambia in India.
I am getting to be 79 and have travelled to various wildlife destinations in Africa 4 times in the past 10 years--my impression was that one could trust the tour Operators in Africa on their advertised word on the Net , as invariably I have dealt directly with them ( and not through a tour operator in India ).
I am of the belief that a Code of Honour exists in all such transactions -- but in the present case with Mr Valentine Gumpo, I feel , it is being belied.
I have requested him for a refund , but , on persistent prodding , he simply says that the tour is on.
I would be grateful if Safari Bookings could help me recover my money from him.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Short on Cash
We used Jesse Mfoi with Naenda Safaris for our safari. Jesse did not have enough cash to get us through some Massai road blocks and getting us checked out of a hotel. The last couple of days I loaned Jesse $450 USD so our safari could move forward with the promise of repayment. Jesse ducked out on this promise when he left us at the airport. I was left stranded in the middle of my vacation with no cash.
Addendum to original review:
Jesse did wire $500 (extra $50 for fees) 10 days later to my account after I started warning people online about my issues. I consider the issue resolved.