Bonfire Adventures
- Located In:
- Size:
- 100-250 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $2,255 to $9,540 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Rich | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible from the very beginning.
This company was recommended to me by some friends, so even with the terrible communication and rude service from Johnston, I decided to stick with them. Firstly, Johnston’s is extremely rude, and barely understands English so don’t bother talking to him on the phone, he literally hung up on us after getting angry that he couldn’t understand us. Prices were listed as 240$ for the particular camp we wanted to go to but he was quoting us 640 each for a week. We had to seek out someone else to deal with. Just go with another tour operator, very very unprofessional company.
The trip was more than what we expected. All thanks to Bonfire Adventures.
The services were excellent. Dennis was our travel agent.He made sure everything went just as we wanted. Johnson Munyiri our guide was the best. He really did spice up things and made the trip more than enjoyable. He made sure that everything we needed was delivered. Thank you Bonfire for the wonderful moment and great memories.
CA
Email Dave | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unprofessional
Johnston was absolutely terrible in communicating while trying to set up this safari. He tripled The listed price of our safari and was very obtuse and vague about why. Extremely unprofessional and rude. Communication in English with this man is exceedingly difficult, he became rude on the phone and hung up on me. Very unprofessional, look elsewhere to book your safari.
Email Judy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible and misleading communication with details left hanging until last minute poor job!
We paid months in advance, yet even the day before each stay we did not have lodging confirmations. They tried to get an extra $200 from us saying the bank transfer we sent was short. They did not advise we would need cash for entrance fees until we were already in Kenya. Left some fees unpaid at lodging which we were forced to pay in order to check out. Did not respond to inquiries in a timely manner. Bonfire does not provide a carefree vacation, as you need to fight for information and details constantly. In the end we got what we needed but only because we actively worked for it. I would not recommend this company. It seems other reviewers have had similar experiences so it is likely a company problem.
Reply from Bonfire Adventures
Posted on Jul 31, 2018We paid months in advance, yet even the day before each stay we did not have lodging confirmations. ANS- that is normal for proper pre booking of services like hotel
They tried to get an extra $200 from us saying the bank transfer we sent was short. ANS - their are standard charges that bank charges all transaction and kindly note our package are nett.
They did not advise we would need cash for entrance fees until we were already in Kenya. ANS - this is well mentioned in the terms and condition where by it shows what is included in the package and what is excluded.
Left some fees unpaid at lodging which we were forced to pay in order to check out. ANS - the package doesn't include extras like drinks and laundry in hotels and its clearly indicated at the EXCLUDED column.
Did not respond to inquiries in a timely manner. ANS - this might be human error which will be rectified immediately.
Bonfire does not provide a carefree vacation, as you need to fight for information and details constantly. In the end we got what we needed but only because we actively worked for it. ANS - Our tour consultant are interactive and we have competent labor force which is complimented with a whole guest relation office to assist in clients satisfaction
I would not recommend this company. It seems other reviewers have had similar experiences so it is likely a company problem. ANS - this is very regrettably and we promise to be more responsive and every mentioned mistake will be looked into.
Email KIKI | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dishonest,Disorganized,Ripoff,Old Worn Out Tour Van .
Avoid SILVESTER at all costs . He is supposedly the SENIOR TOUR CONSULTANT at one of their Nairobi branches .He does not reply emails ,texts and when i confronted him he said he didn't receive any emails . Luckily we got a different Consultant Terry who booked us our safari to MasaiMara and Mombasa .Bonfire didn't honor the price quotes they had stated earlier and their reason was the prices have changed .The price quotes on their website are wrong . Hotel transfers from train station in Mombasa was a disaster .Anyway Terry did her best and she was warm and welcoming . Martin was our driver and tour guide . He was excellent in everyway . Its sad he works for such a disorganized company.Avoid this tour company if you want to enjoy your vacation .May be pay a little more elsewhere for your own comfort and peace of mind. SHAME ON YOU BONFIRE!
Email Andy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Bonfire Adventures support scammers
Visit Masai Mara, but NOT with Bonfire Adventures.
DRIVER/GUIDE TOOK THE TICKET MONEY FOR HIMSELF.
I ordered 3 days safari in the private car during my few days stay in Kenya with pickup from Nairobi. On the 1st day driver/guide stopped the car at a certain distance before the park entry gate and informed me that the entry fee can only be paid in cash. He mentioned that card terminal is broken and Bonfire should inform me about it. When I proposed we can go together and buy tickets he said someone should stay with the car. When he was back, I asked for the ticket and… surprise another failure, ticked machine is broken and that I will get the ticked on the exit two days later. When I messaged bonfire office asking if this is normal, I only get the info that they will check this and that was the end of communication. Two days later at exit I asked to stop at the gate to ‘take some photos’. I asked at the counter about card payment and the clerk told me ‘it’s working all the time, every day’. When I confronted back the driver he said that clerk is lying and he promised me the ticked when we will arrive back to my hotel. At the end he was trying to give me a ticked with someone else’s name on it and with the date from previous month. Clear scam were driver keeps entry fee for himself and no ticked is issued.
3 DAY RIDE IS ACTUALLY ONE DAY RIDE. POOR CAR CONDITION
Itinerary is more or less like this. First and last day is ¬6h drive from and to Nairobi. Rest of the time should be the game ride.
What I get in reality was 2h ride on day 1 and full day ride on day 2. Day 3 was just rush ride to the gate without even opening the roof. I can say only day 2 was game drive however the driver didn’t even know how to use 4x4 (other guides were trying to explain this to him) and therefore we lost some time rolling in the mud and taking d-tours. Car also had several issues, engine was going out frequently, wipers were not working, driver had to stop and use bottled water to clean window, overall problem with electric, no radio and antena. On top of that Day 3 was real failure, driver proposed we will first take breakfast in the lodge and then do the game ride. What really happen after breakfast we rushed to the exit without even opening the roof, it took 25 min maximum. There was no game ride on that day. On the way to Nairobi, driver almost killed a pedestrian because he was overtaking other cars using roadside!
BONFIRE OFFICE COVERING THE SCAM
After my return I escalated all above concerns to the bonfire office, only after several emails I got response that they will reimburse half of the entry ticket price, less than 5% of total price. Till today after 4 months I didn’t get any refund, all I was getting for the first month were excuses that I have to have local bank account or that driver can bring cash to the hotel (they know I’m a tourist and not leaving in KE). When I told bonfire they can reimburse the same way as I paid, this is credit card, I got well known response, reimbursement to cred card is broken :D:D:D
Apparently scam with no issuing entry ticket is common, however bonfire supporting this and trying to cover this up is way below any standard. I have all pictures of fake tickets or email exchange with excuses.
Email Eng. Patrick Namu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The tour to Mara was a fantastic one. Our driver Stephen took us round and he is an experienced
The hotel services at Keekorok was excellent. We enjoyed their services and fresh air. The tour guide Mr. Steve was always there to give us morning briefs on the day. My expectations were met as I saw most of the animals especially the big five.
Email IAN | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
simply spectacular
Everything was well arranged, coordinated n communicated with no hustles whatsoever...EDAH thank for your effort again with the whole Bonfire team much appreciated n would recommend everyone to book Safaris with you guys amazing n would rate you guyz more than 5stars...
Email Jonathan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Masai Mara 3 day (but only 2)
Simba Oryx lodge and Mara itself are superb. Bonfire are either dishonest or incompetent. We paid for three days safari but, on the third day, the driver just took us home. We also gave the driver park fees to cover the third day. We are following this up with the company so will update this site if we get a refund, apology etc.
Email Floh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
MARA 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS,
Our agent Robi was amazing, great communication and we were thoroughly impressed with all her recommendations. Robert our driver gave us the best game drive anyone could hope for.