Drive Tanzania
- Located In:
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- American Society of Travel Agents
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $2,603 to $26,027 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
absolute scam and fraudster - THEFTS
FRAUDSTERS AND THEFTS : run AWAY ! They are holding my deposit for two weeks now and they are avoiding my refund. I'll report them to the POLICE. DO NOT CONTRACT WITH THEM.
Do not engage with Yoeni Japheth
IN
Email Deepak | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible experience Drive Tanzania Ltd, safaris not as agreed on at all.
We had a very bad experience with Drive Tanzania Ltd. The safari was not as promised at all. First of all, we had agreed on 4 hour gamedrives on the both first and the third day. Both these days we only spent only 2 hours in the national park. Secondly, our guide did not interact with the clients at all and did not treat the animals with respect. He went off road very often, which is prohibited, and disturbed animals by getting extremely close. Third, our 'semi-luxury camp' had no electricity and no running water most of the time and if there was, the water had a brown color.
When we emailed Yoeni Japheth to express our disappointment after our safari, all he did was offer us to go with his company again on our next trip, which is something I would never do again. Yoeni Japheth said he mixed up the itinerary of a private and a joined safari, however, the itinerary he sent us before was named joined safari and he had confirmed about lengths of the gamedrives after I had specifically asked him. When we insisted on a partial refund for missing out on half of the safari time on two days, Drive Tanzania Ltd simply ignored this and stopped replying.
I won't recommend anyone to ever use this company for a safari.
IN
Email Sangeeta | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beware of cheaters! In particular Yoeni Japheth . Safari was terrible
Bad! Poor execution and under-delivery of what has been agreed and paid for are my two biggest pain-points with drive tanzania ltd. Even if the company had provided as advertised, I would still not recommend it due to poor overall service (last-minute arrangement and changes), lack of tour briefing (we have to ask what's going on all the time) and the tour guides are not helpful.
So the whole impression was very bad, they were trying to deceive us every time they got a chance. So thank you, Yoeni Japheth for the spoilt safari and first impression about Tanzania. You're not even think for the future, I told you that if we'd love the safari we'd definitely go with your company fot the northern curcuit. And thanks God we found another great company with honest and pleasant people working there who changed our opinion to the country and people. We went back home absolutely satisfied and pleased. Tanzania is amazing!
We have all scans, documents, photos, programs, witnesses to prove my words. So, guys, be aware of that company and Yoeni Japheth . Actually we can even bring an action for the court, because they rendered their service not loke it was claimed in the contract and forced us to pay more money cheating us with accommodation.
NO
Email Roger | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional fraudster & scam artist. Don't engage Drive Tanzania/Yoeni Japheth Mkiramweni.
We hired a Toyota Land Cruiser from the sham company Drive Tanzania Ltd for 15 days (June-July 2018), paid in advance. The company address in Arusha is a parking lot! - the office is a cell phone. Despite calling it's self one of the "biggest & best" -we found out as we our trip progressed that everything is just fraud and lies. Yoeni doesn't own a single commercial safari vehicle. The 4x4 supplied was a private vehicle in unroadworthy condition, not commercial, and as such illegal without valid insurance. The brakes and steering were faulty, also no brake fluid & the engine devoid of oil, we had to fill both, not serviced for ages.
In the Ngorongoro Crater the steering main joint broke as we parked. We were lucky it went then as at speed we would have either gone off the road, or the vehicle turned over. We were lucky we weren't killed. We were rescued by the Crater rangers who drove us out of the crater to our lodge. Three weeks later I'm told the vehicle is still in the crater, pending repairs to both steering and radiator before it can be driven out, also daily fines. We had to hire an alternative vehicle for the last 5 days, Yoeni true to form was impossible to contact.
No lodgings had been ordered in advance for the driver, Yoeni told him that we hadn't paid him yet for the safari and therefore we would be paying for all his overnighting and food, also all the vehicles safari fees and expenses which according to the contract Drive Tanzania were responsible for. The driver was shocked when we showed him the contract - a clear breach of contract.
Eventually brought in by the police, in the presence of witnesses at the Arusha Tourist police station Yoeni promised to refund all the money he owed us by a stated date, through "Malaika Tours", also to pay his driver. More lies, the date has come and gone, he still hasn't refunded us anything and the poor driver also hasn't been paid.
Yoeni is now the subject of a police investigation for this case and complaints from other customers, also investigation on suspecion of mis-appropriating WMA fees and Tanzanian VAT. He also offered to pay in the park fees for us in advance, his quote for 14 days was $4.000 which he didn't seem to be able to document. Needless to say the amount we ended up paying by Visa Card at the park gates was just $1.570 !!
An incredible story - yes, and 100% true.
IN
Email Eke Smith | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Vacation very stressful
I had a very stressful and disappointed experience with this tour and Yoeni Japheth as organizer of this mess. Tour was for 10 nights and after 3 nights many things went wrong. My itirinary was changed had to spend senseless long hours on a bus going back and forth.
itself Yoeni Japheth spoke very bad English and communication with him was exhausting.He was very responsive when he wanted my money but then when trouble arises he went silent. Yoeni Japheth mixed up a lot of things and made my vacation very stressful.
Tour itself is not worth the money. Accommodation in fact is very cheap if you book them directly. Food was very bad.
First night after transatlantic flight I was put in a really horrible hotel and spent sleepless night listening to all night music from next door night club.
I specifically asked how many people will be in a safari car and was told by Yoeni Japheth no more than 7.
In fact there was 9 of us which made the whole trip very uncomfortable.
I do not recommend this Drive Tanzania Ltd company to anyone. Lots of things went wrong and there were lots of misrepresentations of what company is offering. Not worth even remotely the money spent
FR
Email Eric | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Danger: big problem with "Drive Tanzania" car rental
We had a terrible and quite incredible experience with Yoeni Japheth of "Drive Tanzania Ltd". We booked in january 2017, a 4WD for 20 days, 200 USD/day for our trip in Northern Tanzania in july. We paid in advance 4.000 USD for that to an account in Norway (first strange thing for a supposed tanzanian company).
I accepted this fare more expensive that others companies offered because Yoeni Japheth promised us a car "not older than 3 years", sending a picture of a very new safari 4WD. I had insisted (that is important for the rest of the story) on the possibility for the driver of passing easily in the back of the car to be able to photograph animals from the pop-up roof.
On july 15, a car arrived at our lodge one your late with to representatives of "Drive Tanzania". But they brought a big landcruiser for 8 people (we were only two) with a barrier preventing the driver from going in the back without going out of the vehicle (what is prohibited in national parks). As I am the driver and the photograph of this trip, this this characteristic would make my safari impossible. Yoeni Japheth did know that perfectly as our mails exchanges attested.
So I said to these representatives that I can't accept this car and wanted the 4WD type we rent. "Ok, no problem, I will come back soon this the good car, take a coffee, I will pay it", was the answer in front of several witnesses of our lodge.
But they never came back ! I tried to phone to "Drive Tanzania" but their tanzanian number was a fake number. One hour and half later, we received a mail from Yoeni Japheth saying that we "choose to cancel our trip" and "no any other cars are available so we cant help" ! He didn't even offer any refund.
I immediatly asked Yoeni Japheth to call me to discuss the problem but he refused to do it, repeating in email his false allegations.
He refused later any refund so we loosed 4.000 USD and had to try to find an another 4WD in peak season. Our journey has been deeply disturbed by what I call swindle because Yoeni Japheth, who seems to live in Norway, knew that we need and rent a precise type of car.
Of course, I lodged a complaint against "Drive Tanzania" at the Arusha police on July 19. They take this affair seriously.
Eric
SG
Email Charles | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional scam artist, avoid Yoeni Japeth Mbonea at all costs. No stars!
My wife and I engaged Drive Tanzania for a 21 day safari covering Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. With the benefit of hindsight, we should have not gone ahead with this when Yoeni, the director of Drive Tanzania was either very hard to connect with or he would hang the phone up on you mid conversation, as what occurred in the lead up to us engaging Drive Tanzania. There was a lot of miscommunication due to poor communication by Drive Tanzania around flights and commitments. I thought it is just a bad phone connection but really, that has nothing to do with it. All of these tour operators have multiple phone numbers and whatsapp. Tourists do not get the number they use most for all their communications with locals and to do their business.
Regardless, we commenced our tour. Things continued to go badly. In Uganda, when we arrived, our tour guide was more than an hour late, which is quite scary late at night in a foreign country with taxi drivers yelling at you at airports. There is a minimal standard of care and for a safari of this price, it was not being met. Eventually our driver came. We found out he didn't know who Yoeni was as all of the Uganda tour was outsourced and not provided by Drive Tanzania.
That said, Uganda is amazing. Seeing mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and getting so close to them is a life long memory. Further, the Maasai Mara in Kenya (our second country, guided by another outsourced tour guide) was also excellent. Seeing lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, hippos etc in the dry season was actually very worth while as we could get close to the animals as there are less tourists around.
Here is where the disaster with the fraudster Yoeni and Drive Tanzania really began. As we crossed into the border from Kenya to Tanzania our Kenyan tour guide told us he was unable to reach Yoeni and left us there, to drive back to Nairobi. I was able to contact Yoeni and he said the car had broken down and they were several hours away. We waited for them in a roadside hotel at the border as we had next to no money, afterall on safari all expenses are paid and in advance. Also, this is Africa… do you think they accept credit cards or know what an ATM is? The hours passed. We got worried and tried calling Yoeni...repeatedly… 110 times! He had turned his phone off. We got worried and started scrambling. Eventually we found out the name of our hotel in Tanzania in the Serengeti and when we called, we discovered there was no booking for us and we could not get into the Park.
Yoeni Japeth Mbonea and Drive Tanzania left us stranded and took $10,000s from us. We are still chasing him for an equitable refund for more than half of an unfulfilled trip. Be careful, he has done this before. He has many different tourism companies that have come and gone. He also has interests in mining companies and gem traders. His fees are also very expensive, particularly as he outsources everything, but really he makes money by scamming foreign tourists and making a couple of phone calls to other tourist providers. His company is actually really small and he uses the money he steals from others to support an affluent lifestyle in Norway. Avoid this person [remember his address in case he starts a new company!] for your own piece of mind. Use safaribookings.com to find another tour guide as there are 2000 more out there and you will save yourself from this horrible, potentially life threatening experience.
IN
Email Rahul | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great attention to detail to ensure an amazing experience
Drive Tanzania Ltd is super organization. The staff is wonderful, helpful and great with communication. The trip planning was very good, although a few really long hard drives it is a big country, we had a super time and did SO much during our 10-day road trip. We saw Gorillas a MUST DO experience, saw the amazing game in the Safari parks, saw the wondrous Murchison, had adventurous boat trips, and did a walking safari at a Rhino sanctuary. Uganda is in much need of better global disclosure and marketing as it is such a unique and beautiful place to visit. We all highly recommend Uganda as a destination and would certainly recommend Drive Tanzania Ltd. The trip was planned with stays at great lodges, delicious food, super service. Mr. Yoeni was amazing. We felt very much taken care of in his care and we had the mainly interesting discussions with him and learned so much from him.
When did you go
We arrived at Drive Tanzania Ltd. Uganda Safari Pickup stops and from there our guide took us on a tour of nature. We booked Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Safari 5 days for our family. The safari started with a professional guide taking us to different spots of importance and telling us about them in full details. Let me tell you that our entire family has a great interest in adventure and nature and with Drive Tanzania Ltd. Uganda Safari, it was like getting what we have ever desired. We saw many gorillas in their natural habitats and must admit what an amazing creature they are. The services of Drive Tanzania Ltd. were commendable as we had a professional guide, comfortable travel car and well planned and scheduled tour to explore the jungle. We surely recommend their services to all nature enthusiasts. They are the best, thanks, Drive Tanzania Ltd.
IN
Email Vedant | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
surely plan another safari expedition with you guys
It was last summer me and my family booked a safari tour of South Africa with Drive Tanzania Ltd. We have explored Kenya before and were aware of the services and charges of these safari companies; the thumb rule is negotiation and you will get the price. But, surprisingly, with Drive Tanzania Ltd. the prices were already great. We had a great time exploring the secrets of South Africa and the services offered by the company throughout were awesome. My young daughter loved the safari the most as she is a curious bird watcher. Thanks to our guide, he offered her curiosity enough information to feed upon. Our guide was professional and has much mannerism to treat his guests. It was the best one week out with my family and you guys made it perfect. The trip was both fun and educational and we will surely plan another safari expedition with you guys.