US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible experience! Abandoned in South Africa after full payment
Horrible Experience – Abandoned in South Africa by Southern African Tours
We had a devastating experience with Southern African Tours, run by Craig and Bianca. We began planning our trip with them over a year in advance, starting in September 2024, for our visit in September 2025. Our payment schedule was as follows:
• First deposit: September 2024
• Second payment (local flights): November 2024
• Final payment: June 2025
Initially, communication with Bianca was good — she was responsive and professional until just after our second payment. After that, she became increasingly difficult to reach. Messages and emails often went unanswered for days or even weeks, and she frequently claimed to be “too busy” to talk.
The worst began right before our departure:
• 5 days before the trip, we asked for a group call to finalize the itinerary. She said “Monday,” then ghosted us.
• The day before departure, we urgently requested our pickup and flight information for our trip to Kruger National Park. No response.
• Upon arriving in Johannesburg, we discovered no local flight reservation was made — we had to book and pay out of pocket, on the spot.
• When we got to our first lodge, we were told our reservation had just been made the day before, and they wouldn’t let us stay unless we paid again for the first two nights.
• The next part of our stay was also a disaster — no transportation or accommodations were arranged, and again, we had to make and pay for our own arrangements.
• Later, we flew from Kruger to Cape Town, only to find out no flights had been booked there either. Once again, we covered everything ourselves.
Essentially, they took our full payment and provided none of the agreed-upon services. We were left stranded multiple times and had to rebook everything ourselves.
We read other reviews that mentioned similar issues but were reassured when we saw Southern African Tours respond defensively, blaming customers or claiming miscommunication. Now we know the truth — do not trust the reviews or their responses.
👉 Based on our experience, we strongly advise against using Southern African Tours.
👉 We felt let down by Craig and Bianca and would not recommend dealing with them.
👉 After paying, we felt abandoned and unsupported during our trip.”
MY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely Disappointed – Poor Communication, Unprofessional Conduct, and Lack of Accountability
The overall experience was overshadowed by some issues that should never happen on a trip of this nature.
Unprofessional and Rude Driver: One of the most disturbing incidents happened during our transfer from Nakuru to Amboseli. The driver(Peter) didn't make any stops after 4hour of driving during a 6~8-hour journey. I finally requested to have a stop or toilet break because I personally needed to use the toilet due to a sensitive stomach condition, and instead of understanding, the driver mocked me, saying I wasn’t in "as good condition" as him. This kind of behavior is not only unprofessional but also deeply insensitive. People may have medical conditions that require regular restroom breaks – this is not something to joke about. (Attached is the transport that this driver driving.)
That said, I want to give full credit to one of the drivers, WeekCliff (or a name similar to that), who took us from Nairobi to Maasai Mara and then to Nakuru. He was incredibly professional, friendly, and helpful throughout. His effort and attitude truly stood out and made part of the journey enjoyable.
Irresponsibility Toward Other Travelers: A fellow traveler on our tour had arranged a follow-up trip to Tanzania through this same company. Not only did they stop responding to him after taking payment, but when he arrived in Tanzania, there was no driver waiting, no coordination, and worse – the hotel informed him that the company hadn't paid them or possibly even owed them money. This left him extremely stressed and stranded in a foreign country.
These are not minor oversights – they reflect a lack of professionalism, accountability, and basic respect for customers. I strongly advise others to think twice before booking with this company. A safari is meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but in our case, it was filled with stress and disappointment because of how poorly things were managed.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very disappointed and dissatisfied after reading so many positive reviews - not my experience at all
I was so disappointed and dissatisfied with my recent safari with Zambezi Expedition. I had previously been on three other safaris with different companies and hence had a good idea of what to expect since those previous three were all brilliant and extremely enjoyable. Unfortunately, however this was not my experience with Zambezi Expedition, and I felt very let down. The safari I went on was advertised as 3 Days / 2 Nights Victoria Falls and Hwange Camping Tour with all meals provided. The 1st day was essentially spent with them collecting me from Victoria Falls at 10am and being driven to a Lodge for Lunch arriving at approx 1.30pm. Despite the fact that the advertisement claimed, "all meals provided", after Lunch I was told that I was expected to pay for my own Meal which was contrary to the advertisement. The remainder of the 1st day was then spent travelling to a sanctuary nearby where I saw 2 wild dogs, then onto the Lodge where I slept for 2 nights. So there was no Game driving or safari type activity on the 1st day.
On the 2nd day, at approx 7am after Breakfast, I was taken in the vehicle to the entrance of the park to pick up another couple, then we went for a short drive around in the park but then had to return again to the entrance to collect another couple and then finally embarked on the Game drive. I felt that the morning had been wasted with going to and fro collecting people. The 2nd day concluded with Dinner at the lodge.
On the 3rd day, after breakfast, I expected like with the other 3 safaris I had previously been on, that I would be taken again for a final Game drive however that did not happen. I literally waited at the Lodge until approx 9.30am and was simply picked up and driven back to the starting point at Victoria Falls. I would hardly consider this a "3 day safari" when essentially the only time actually spent on a Game drive per se was Day 2. There was too much idle time siting around the Lodge which could have been better utilized for animal viewing, like I had done on the previous 3 safaris. There was inadequate activity provided for the cost so I felt that this was very poor value for money.
None of this Review should come as a surprise to the Owner since he did approach me afterwards at Victoria Falls because my dismay had been communicated back to him and I re-iterated exactly what I have written here.
On a positive note, the food which was provided was excellent, as well as the staff and the accommodation. The Driver was an excellent safe driver but the whole trip was let down by the complete lack of activity. I would not recommend this particular safari tour unless they make considerable changes to their Itinerary.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Avoid Lush Africa Safaris – Poor Management, Broken Promises, and Unsafe Vehicles
I do not recommend Lush Africa Safaris. Abbey, the owner, was terrible about communication unless it involved asking for more money. He would outright lie, claiming things were booked when they weren’t, and failed to follow through on commitments and providing pertinent information. I had to repeatedly remind him about details, and his last-minute scrambling caused us significant stress and lost sleep.
The vehicle we were given in Uganda was awful—not a “luxury” vehicle at all. The seatbelts, AC, cooler, and even the armrest didn’t work. On our very first day, before we had even started the safari, we got a flat tire on the highway. Then, two days in a row, we had a dead battery, which nearly caused us to miss our chimp trekking. We lost hours dealing with these issues and waiting for a replacement vehicle. When I raised these concerns with Abbey, he dismissed them with a simple “sorry to hear about your situation with the vehicle.” This is HIS company, and according to one of our guides, he owns the vehicles. He knew—or should have known—that what he provided was neither the luxury safari vehicle he promised nor even a safe vehicle for such a trip.
He also didn’t book our flight from Kigali to Nairobi until just 36 hours before departure, despite assuring me it had been booked more than two months earlier. This caused us to have to change our itinerary at the last minute as he didn’t put us on the flight he told me we would be on. On top of that, he forgot to book our hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti—even though it had been paid for nearly a year in advance.
The one positive: the tour guides themselves were excellent, especially Derrick in Uganda. He was outstanding, and I truly hope he finds another company to work for—he’s far too good to be tied to someone who caused as much stress and disappointment as Abbey did.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A stressful, unsafe and unprofessional safari experience
We booked a safari with Milana Tours, paying USD 17,000 in advance for a complete package (5 people). Unfortunately, what should have been a dream trip became one of the most stressful and unsafe travel experiences of our lives.
For two full days we were pressured continuously for money. On one side, the driver was in tears, telling us he had not been paid by the agency. On the other side, the agency itself was contacting us, demanding USD 2,000 and later 2,500 in order for the trip to continue.
We were caught in the middle of these disputes, treated like bargaining chips instead of clients who had already paid in full.
The pressure was intense and frightening. While driving through remote parks, the agency made us feel unsafe in different ways, leaving us far from home with no alternative support.
Several activities also did not match the agreed itinerary, and we were faced with unexpected additional costs.
At one point, we were even asked to sign documents stating that the company would eventually pay the driver, which was absurd and unacceptable.
This ruined the last part of our safari. Instead of enjoying nature and feeling protected, we lived through fear, stress, and insecurity.
For the price we paid, we expected professionalism, safety, and reliability. Instead, we experienced extortion attempts, broken promises, and unethical practices.
I strongly recommend to avoid this company!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I recommend you do not book!
I booked a 3-day safari with Msangai Safaris with my spouse, and unfortunately our experience fell far short of what was promised.
• Missed game drives: The first day had no proper game drive or lunch, and the second day was largely lost due to delays and the guide being absent for over 2.5 hours at Kogatende airstrip. The only meaningful game drive happened on the final morning, and only after concerns were raised directly with the company.
• Unsafe, unfit vehicle: The guide’s car was an old open model that repeatedly broke down, including a muffler failure that left us stuck on the road. At one point, we were taken to a garage during game drive hours.
• Professional concerns: The guide admitted he could not reliably manage the vehicle and attempted to borrow a relative’s car. There was minimal concern for safety or the quality of the safari experience.
• Broken promises: Binoculars that were confirmed in writing were never provided.
While lodges, flights, and the hot air balloon were delivered, the core safari experience — the main reason for booking — was significantly disrupted. The company issued a partial refund of USD 1,250, but this only covered a small portion of the losses.
Update: After posting the review, the owner asked us to remove it, claiming one bad experience shouldn’t reflect their company. This was our one and only experience — and it was severely disrupted. It’s important to leave this review so future travelers can make informed decisions.
Additionally, while the wildebeest migration was impressive, our car arrived last, we were stuck in the back, and the driver could not get us closer. The company’s marketing implies an “unforgettable safari experience,” but in reality, this was not delivered
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari canceled 7 days prior to start by Natural World and after paying in full.
In December of 2024, I filled out the contact form on this company's website inquiring about a Safari. After much research I placed my trust in this company and put down a deposit of around $2,400 for a 7 day private Safari for 2 adults for 08/14/25-/08/21/25. All lodging, meals, game drives, and park entrance fee were allegedly included. We were to visit Amboseli, Lake Manayara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti parks in both Kenya and Tanzania. All my communication was with an Ester via email. At the end of June 2025 Ester requested I make the final payment for my Safari. Since we had been emailing back and forth for several months I didn't think anything of it so I paid the remaining balance. The total was $8,124. This safari was part of a larger trip for me to Africa, so on 08/07/25 seven days prior to the beginning of my Safari and while I was already in Africa I received an email from the "Finance Department" stating that Natural World had been the victims of a cyberattack, since I had paid with a credit card (thank god) they requested I initiate a dispute with my credit card for "services not rendered". They apologized and that was basically it. I immediately replied and requested a call back from someone. I don't think that was too much to ask. No one at this company had the decency to get in contact with me and be transparent about the situation. After a lot of insisting via WhatsApp messages, Instagram direct messages, and replying to the emails I finally was able to speak to a Moke in the Finance Department. The conversation just reiterated everything in the email, Moke told me I could reschedule the Safari or they would cooperate with communication with my credit card company. Moke also mentioned the cyberattack was by someone within the company who had access to the pool of funds. Moke stated all payments from customers go into one account and from that account they pay for lodges, drivers, etc. I filed the dispute with my Bank of America credit card and the dispute seems to be in the final stages of the investigation. It's looking like I'll get my money back, but let's be clear if I get my money back that will be thanks to BofA not by Natural World attempting to make right by this awful situation. I was left without the safari I had been planning for half a year 7 days before it was to begin and I was already in Africa.
If this is a legitimate company...
When did this cyberattack happen?
Why was money requested from me given I had up to 7 days prior to beginning of the safari to pay in full?
Why were they not transparent from the beginning?
Why was my safari canceled only 7 days prior?
How did they know I can very easily dispute credit card transactions?
Why was it so difficult for someone (anyone) to speak to me?
If anyone would like further information on what occurred please feel free to reach out.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
this tourist agent is not to be trusted
i booked a 14days tour with Dosasha, this cost me nearly 5000USD, and the tour start very badly, as i and other 2 family can not have our land cruiser to kick off the tour from the first day, just because of Dosasha fail to pay the driver. they indeed manage to find car to take us to Masai Mara, but we have been told by the hotel that Dosasha have not paid them also. when we transport from Masai Mara to Nakuru, Dosasha send us a driver who is not qualified to drive us with a car which has a damaged car brake. and the driver can not drive safely with damage windscreen wiper. he also has not been paid by Dosasha, so he can not have enough diesel, we have to pay the fuel for him. he also do not know the road to Nakuru, and nearly have accident on the road because of the terrible road condition. when we finally finish the terrify journey to Nakuru, Dosasha also fail to pay the national park fee, so we can not enter and go to our hotel, we have been stranded in front of the national park gate for 3hours. when we finally have the agreement with the entrance staff we will pay the national park fee tomorrow when the POS machine can be used, and go to check in the hotel, we have been told Dosasha fail to pay them, and we have to pay by ourself to check out. after all of these drama, we give up with Dosasha, and ask for refund. they also promise to refund. but again, they fail to follow the promise to refund for 4times up to now, and no refund recieved.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not with them - as others have said - they will take your money and not book anything
They will have you pay via Pesapal and then claim it isn't "working" for them and they cannot get the money. They will ask you to pay cash the day of. As others have said, nothing is booked or paid for, Stay far, far away.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Dishonest company
My husband and I purchased a 10-day, personalized package including accommodations, safari car, park entrances and driver guide. Paid everything in advance. Already upon our arrival in Nairobi, Mr. Humphrey, the owner, communicated to us difficulties in finding the promised car. He then sent us a car to the airport which took us to the first park and which would be replaced the following day. However, we had difficulty both entering Samburu park and having a room at the lodge, as we were not booked. After a few phone calls, everything was resolved for the entrance and the lodge. Instead, for the car, an odyssey began: in short, for the rest of the journey we had to repay the car to continue and complete the itinerary, as the agency, with a thousand excuses, refused to pay the drivers. It was very challenging for us, as the drivers wanted to be paid exclusively in cash...For hotels, they were only paid for the first week. we had to pay for the last 4 nights again, as did the entrances to the parks. Once we arrived in Nairobi we went to the agency offices and the owner, as soon as he saw us, tried to escape through the back door... however, despite the threats to report him to the police and his umpteenth promises to reimburse us for the expenses incurred on the credit card, we got nothing. He proved to be an unscrupulous serial scammer. BE CAREFUL, AVOID IT