The measure of a good tour operator is…
The measure of a good tour operator is not the locations, the views or the local people, these are there no matter what. Its the itinerary, the hotels, the value for money and dealing with issues, promptly and efficiently.
We booked a week safari tour in Kenya then a visit to Zanzibar with 2 nights in Stonetown.
The safari week was not well put together. This is why;
Amboseli is about 125 miles South East of Nairobi, along increasingly rough roads, pot holed and becoming dirt tracks in many places, about 4 1/2 hours of travelling in an old and tired LandCruiser, without the advertised Wi-Fi. When we left, it was the same but in reverse. Reaching Nairobi for our overnight stay. Then in morning, the opposite direction to Lake Naivasha 2 1/2 hours arriving at sunset due to a late departure from a Hotel that has nothing to offer but a pool and a gym. A whole day gone getting there. Overnight, before a few hours at Naivasha then onto Masai Mara 4 hours to the South West. 2 nights later, all the way back to Nairobi, nearly 5 hours.
Of the week safari we spent less than 3 days actually on safari. The rest of the time was getting there and getting back along terrible roads and horrific traffic .
TC- Amboseli and Tsavo, yes. Masai Mara and Naivasha, yes. Amboseli and Masai Mara, no. Too far apart, too much travelling, too much lost time.
PS. The pack lunches were awful better to return to the hotel or go to another one for lunch.
Dealing with issues - We were aware of issues with our flight from Nairobi to Zanzibar. Kenya Air cancelled their evening flight, the next best was Precision Air, who changed their flight time several times until they eventually cancelled the flight. The next "best" was Kenya Air at 01:30 insisting we check in 4 hours before!! All this time we had repeated assurances that all tour partners were aware of all changes. However, on arrival at Zanzibar we were left stranded with no transfer. After some very frustrating negotiations and several calls by a very generous travel rep (not TC) we eventually woke up our driver, who arrived 20 minutes later and drove us to the hotel. A whole nights sleep and accommodation lost. It took most of our stay at Sultan Sands to recover.
Off to Stonetown to find the hotel (Tembo House) under major construction, noise, filth and dangers everywhere.
We have since discussed this with TC, along with other concerns and I struggle to believe that neither they nor their local partners knew about these works and when they did, they did nothing about it. The hotel was also sub standard, poor food, tiny room and shabby.
TC - Be sure you are absolutely certain of your facts before assuring the customer and advise your in-country partners, this is not an opportunity to make more money. $400 for half a day fishing is not VFM.
And why, why, why, after all we'd been through, did we have to go to Zanzibar Airport at 18:30 for a 01:30 flight to Doha when the operator only requires us to check in 2 hours before.
We have accepted compensation and the matter is closed but I cannot recommend this company. The cost against enjoyment was very poor. Much more expensive than our trip to Cambodia and Vietnam less than a year previously but much less enjoyable, even stressful. Never again.
25 April 2025
Unprompted review
