Kenya and Tanzania Overland Safari - 14 Days

Customer Reviews

• GQ

  Guo

  · August 20th, 2024
  In March 2024, through Tourradar’s website, we booked a tour of 14 days of Kenya and Tanzania safari with an African company Africa Venture Safari (AFS), starting on 26 July 2024. At the start of this tour, we found out that we were sub-contracted to some cheap local operators. For the seven days Kenya tour, we were sub-contracted to a local operator Super Eagles. For the Tanzania tour, we were sub-contracted to Seven Wonders Safari. Below is the price comparison for per person: Africa Venture Safari (AFS)– 14 days Kenya and Tanzania tour: 3800USD (5700AUD, and we actually paid more than 5870AUD). It is around 280USD per day. Super Eagles – from 981USD to1181USD. It is 140USD - 169USD per day. Seven Wonders – 1504USD. It is 229USD per day. As a result of the price difference, especially for the huge difference between the price that we paid and that of Super Eagles, our tour quality and the accommodation were not as we had expected. In the whole 14 days tour, we saw many safari vehicles with the logos of the operators listed in tourradar’s website, but not a single one with the logo of AFS. The driver in Kenya always never revealed which operator he worked for. Sometimes said that he worked for a company but not AFS and sometimes said that he worked for himself. AFS initially also denied the fact of sub-contracting when I queried them during the tour, until I gave the evidence to the contrary. When I made complaints to AFS during the tour, their response was that my tour was deemed as a budget one, and we were further reminded that by looking at the accommodation list, I should have known it was a budget one when we made the booking. However, the truth is that the accommodation list in the itinerary was left blank when we made the booking in March 2024 (we still keep the original downloaded copy) and the word “budget” was nowhere to be seen on the website. We did not check the accommodation list again after the booking, as like the many tours we did in Europe and North America, most of the tours do not specify the accommodations. We just trust the travel agents in the belief that we would get what we pay and we have never failed. In fact, we have browsed all the 12-14 days Kenya and Tanzania tours listed in Tourradar website before making our booking. By looking at the prices of different operators, one can easily tell that our tour is not a “budget” but a “upper mid-range” one. We did not like to deal directly with the local operators there because we have heard stories. We do not like to be cheated or scammed. We trust in Tourradar as we have booked two European tours before and we fully enjoyed them. We had more detailed examples to substantiate our claims. We can provide those examples if required. I am sure that Africa Venture Safari is just a secondary online platform. We have been deceived and misled by the advertisement
  Show more
  

  Africa Venture Safaris commented on this review

  Hello Mr Guo, In the itenerary as indicated in the program, each day of the safari is mentioned where you will be staying, either budget hotel or camp. There is no single lie, these is a budget tour and not lodge or luxury. we are sorry if you were... Show more
  Trip date: July 2024
• AS

  Alexis

  · August 9th, 2024
  Our recent African Safari was okay but not fabulous. Having been on four previous safaris, we had high expectations, but unfortunately, this trip did not measure up. **Wildlife Sightings:** We did not see as many animals as we had on our previous safaris. This was particularly disappointing since the trip was a high school graduation present for our grandson, who was looking forward to experiencing the rich wildlife we had described from our past adventures. **Logistics:** The truck rides were very long, which made the journey more exhausting than anticipated. Plans were changed from what we were initially told. On our last night in Tanzania, we had to overnight outside of the national park because the lodge was full. This was surprising and frustrating since we had been working with the tour company for six months and expected better arrangements. **Guides:** Our first guide, Charles, was very knowledgeable and incredibly helpful with my husband’s walker and my own slower pace. His assistance made a significant difference. Our second guide, Harrison, was also helpful and seemed just as knowledgeable. However, he was more reserved, and I felt like I had to draw information out of him. **Overall Experience:** While there were positive aspects, like the helpfulness of our guides, the overall experience was not what we had hoped for. Better communication and planning from the tour company would have made a significant difference. We were left feeling disappointed, especially for our grandson, who did not get to see as many animals as we had on previous safaris.
  Show more
  Trip date: June 2024
• 

  Cathie

  · July 23rd, 2024
  The tour was excellent in regard to seeing animals. . We were very lucky to see such a variety of animals very close to the roads. That was because we had very good guides who were skilled at knowing animals habits. The guides tried their best to provide excellent service. There were a few issues that could improve like having to catch the local bus from the Kenyan border to Arusha with little knowledge of what was going on. Also the return trip from Arusha to Nairobi by public bus. At a cost of $20US each we caught a private transfer. The itinerary has it as a private transfer anyway. Only one accommodation was a little bit sub standard but it is Africa and you don’t expect 5 star. Fortunately it was our first 2 nights so life improved from there. No internet, no power in your rooms and lights out at Ten PM. To be fair power is available in Mess hall between certain hours so you can recharge your devices. It does give you an appreciation of the life we live.
  Show more
  

  Africa Venture Safaris commented on this review

  Hello Cathy, you ladies were the best, very jovial and outgoing group. Am happy you enjoyed your trip for the 14 days Kenya and Tanzania overland safari.
  Trip date: June 2024
• DH

  Deborah

  · July 31st, 2023
  Witnessing the wildebeest migration 2 days in a row in Masai mara was the climax for these tour. All the chosen parks in these trip had totally and almost the same to offer. We are happy we chose these safari. Masai mara was very full with tourists each corner compared to the other parks.
  Show more
  Trip date: July 2023
• 

  deborah

  · June 20th, 2023
  Our group of 5 just finished the first 7 days in Kenya of this tour and thanks to our WONDERFUL guide KaKa it has been UNBELIEVABLE!! We saw so much wildlife from the Masai Mara to Amboseli National Park. KaKa was very responsive to our needs and always got us great spots for photo ops. He was friendly, gracious, and kind. We really enjoyed our week with him❤️ The accommodations were great including the 2 camp sites and the food was plentiful and delicious. We look forward to the next week in Tanzania 🇹🇿.
  Show more
  Trip date: June 2023
• 

  Meredith

  · June 20th, 2023
  What a beautiful country and people. Our guide Kaka was very informative and charming. He was like a beloved uncle to us all. It’s amazing the information and kindness he has. He made the experience go from great to excellent! Thank you all❤️🙏
  
  Trip date: June 2023
• CW

  Caitlin

  · June 19th, 2023
  This was my first time traveling to Africa and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Our Safari driver, KaKa, made sure he went above and beyond everyday for us to get the best experience which will soon be the most best memories. I traveled with a group of five woman and KaKa made us feel safe the whole trip. He informed us about not only the animals of Africa but the culture too, and always had answers to any question we had for him. We are so thankful for KaKa and East Africa Safari bookers for this never forgettable experience!
  Show more
  
  Trip date: June 2023
• Z

  Zeraya

  · June 16th, 2022
  Wonderful! the two guides in Kenya and Tanzania did a tremendous superb job to make our dream trip come true. Thank you guys.
  

  Africa Venture Safaris commented on this review

  Thank you very much zeraya, it was a pleasure hosting you
  Trip date: May 2022
• DP

  Douglas

  · August 7th, 2021
  This was our first trip since the pandemic started, and we wanted to be surrounded by fresh air in a remote location. This tour was perfect for us. The drivers/guides in both countries were outstanding animal trackers, driving the vehicles to where we could photograph wild animals up close. This tour covers the most outstanding national parks of Kenya and Tanzania, and gives you the opportunity to see and photograph lions, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, giraffes, and thousands of wildebeests and zebras, as well as many other animals in their natural habitats. It was an extraordinary adventure!
  Show more
  

  Africa Venture Safaris commented on this review

  Thank you very much Douglas for trusting us with your booking, both you and your son.
  Trip date: July 2021
• 

  Ashish

  · February 25th, 2019
  This is not the first time, I have been travelling to East Africa. I travel at least once in a year with my family to explore the wildlife safaris, as we are very fond of African Safaris. But whenever, we plan a tour to East Africa, Nancy Yogo of East Point Safari Bookers is our first & last choice. She is like a family. She takes very good care of us & with her perfect guidance, we have been able to explore & discover the real east african safaris. We had a lifetime experience with Nancy with the host of safari packages which she offered - Maasai mara safaris, Nairobi Day tours, Tanzania camping safari, Uganda gorilla safaris, Mombasa beach holidays, Kenya wildlife Safaris, Masai Mara balloon safaris What a marvellous tour operators & guide. I would recommend all to book a safari tour with Nancy Yogo of East Point Safari Bookers.
  Show more
  

  Africa Venture Safaris commented on this review

  Yes, Ashish, you are one of our best regular guests, thank you very much for supporting us through these all time. Kenya is surely your second home
  Trip date: January 2019