Classic Journeys Africa
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $4,857 to $10,407 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Harry and Hannah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unacceptable.
We have recently returned from your classic wonders of Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar safari, our honeymoon. We in fact left for home before the end of the booking due to the poor quality of the holiday. Up to this point we have reframed from leaving any reviews about Classic Journeys on your website or on any other platform as I feel it only fair to give you an opportunity to explain why the service was so poor first.
We originally had to delay our safari due to covid (no fault of yours). However, once we had changed the dates to ensure we would be able to go, your communication was terrible, waiting days for confirmation of payment and to get questions answered.
We were informed in an email that as we arrived in Nairobi our transfer to our hotel would be waiting for us at the airport with a sign with our name on it. This was the not the case and our driver was not there. I was unable to reach the driver on the number given to me for him via email. Thankfully a local taxi driver offered to use his phone to call and when we did get though our driver was in bed. We spoke to the office of the company as well and they said that they would get a driver to us in an hour, meaning we would have been left stranded at the airport for over two hours. This is extremely poor service! Our first impression of your company and the start of our holiday ruined, and our first time in Kenya an already stressful situation made extensively worse by Classic Journeys’ awful organisation.
Eventually we arrived at Longview Suites hotel. The hotel was not up to standard in the slightest and did not look like the photo on your website. Our room was metres from a building site (which was the view from our window) and the shower did not work. We were also only provided breakfast in our package on the day of arrival bearing in mind we stayed there for 24 hours and needed four meals during this time. We therefore had to pay more for this. We paid nearly 7000 euro for this holiday and it had become outrageously disappointing at this stage. I appreciate that building work and so on needs to happen but you as a company need to be aware of where you are sending people to stay and change locations accordingly as this was not acceptable. I can send photos as proof of this.
Day one in the bush, again let down. After a long drive we arranged with out guide to go on a nature walk once we had settled in. We arrived at the meeting point but our guide did not, Classic Journeys making a habit of not showing up to where they should be. Nearly half an hour after the time agreed, our guide arrived, and then told us there was no point going for a walk because of the weather even though other walks were going out. This information could have been sent to us and saved us the trouble of getting ready to go out. At this point plans for the next day were sorted as we had become increasingly stressed about meeting drivers at agreed times (note that we had to ask the timings of the next day instead of being told in advance). This as well was very difficult to sort despite being face to face. Again, not good enough and let down.
After one game drive in Kenya with a very mediocre guide who often gave us the wrong information (this information was confirmed incorrect by our second driver), we moved onto Tanzania. Once we arrived at the border, we needed to obtain visas. The link you sent us to obtain visas before arrival did not work and no guidance on this was given. When we were applying for our visas, we were told we had to pay a fee in cash which we didn’t have (again causing more unwanted stress). We were not informed at any point that we needed to take a lot of cash to cover the time away. Cash was needed for almost everything as well as tipping every member of staff we encountered (we were not prepared for this). We were told credit cards were excessively used and they were not and that included some of the camps we were staying on.
After crossing the border and changing cars we settled in for the long drive. We were aware it was a long drive and we needed to get to our lodge for the night, however on a holiday that as previously stated cost nearly 7000 euro, the last place I thought I would be eating lunch was in a petrol station. Completely unacceptable.
When we completed the safari part of our trip. We were given tickets for our flight to Zanzibar only to find that Hannah’s ticket still had her maiden name and did not match her passport. We made it clear that this was our honeymoon a name change cannot have come as a surprise. Furthermore, you confirmed receipt of Hannah’s updated passport information on the 16th of March 2023 which gave plenty of time to change the tickets, however this never occurred. This again caused undue stress on a holiday that should have been simple and stress free.
As we arrived in Zanzibar, Classic Journeys doing their usual and not being at the airport to pick us up. Two transfers and two transfers not there. When we eventually did meet our driver, the Classic Journeys office felt the need to message me and explain how it wasn’t their fault and that the plane had arrived early which it did by a few minutes. However, this is irrelevant and it is up to you and your drivers to be tracking the flight to ensure this does not happen. If the flight was cancelled would the driver be aware of it or would he wait outside the airport for hours on end? This is yet again unacceptable and poor service. Ensuring you are at the airport on time for a transfer is one of the most basic tasks and yet Classic Journeys repeatedly failed at it.
Uroa Bay hotel. We were sold a relaxing few days on ivory sands and clear waters in a lovely hotel. What we received was an extremely bad day (only one day as we were far to annoyed at this point and we flew home early) on a filthy beach in a hotel where everything was at an extra charge including water a basic human necessity. You as a company need to go to the hotels where you send people to stay and ensure that what you are advertising matches what you are delivering as this did not. The photo of the Zanzibar beach on your web site is clearly not at Uroa Bay. Nowhere in your emails or website did it say we would have to pay extra tax on arrival to the hotel, this was not listed in the ‘not included’ section. Photos again can be sent as proof. I cannot believe how this hotel was selected for this holiday an unacceptable choice. Also, on the so-called ‘private’ beach which had a security guard, locals approached to try to sell us drugs. That is not the kind of thing I expect on a holiday resort that has cost me so much. We felt that after the safari part of the holiday, Classic Journeys no longer were responsible and we were left at a bad hotel to fend for ourselves – this is different to the expectation of a relaxing few days in a luxury hotel.
This information on your website and that which was sent to us was not good enough and in some cases just plain incorrect. A standard day on safari as described by your company was, ‘up before dawn for coffee and a drive before returning for breakfast and then to take part in other activities. All this before another game drive in the afternoon evening time.’ This was not the case, early mornings but not in time for sunrise, leave the lodge do not return till around 1600 with no time to take part in other activities. What you are advertising is not what we received.
The itinerary that was sent to us was the only information we received before the trip and this was before we even booked it (which was two years ago due to postponing). There were no updates to the itinerary to fit to the actual timetable of the week and we were not even sent any information to prepare for our trip, for example, a kit list would have been useful. This, bearing in mind, being our first time to Africa and not knowing what to expect. When we asked via email what was needed for the trip, Classic Journeys replied with ‘just luggage’. I’m sure we are not the only customers you have that haven’t been to Africa before either.
This was our honeymoon, it cost us nearly 7000 euros for your package, excluding flights.
Communication was poor.
We were left at the airport twice.
Stayed in a hotel with a not working shower and was practically on a building site.
Were left waiting for our guide only to be told our walk would not go ahead.
Were treated to a lunch in a petrol station.
Were provided tickets for a flight with an incorrect name.
Stayed in an awful hotel that was not anything like the description or photos you sent.
Paid taxes we were not informed of and that were not listed in the excluded cost list.
Were offered drugs in our resort by locals.This is awful on your part and something needs to be done. The price you charge for the standard to deliver is unacceptable.
Thankfully the one time your driver showed up on time was to get us to the air port so we could leave the horrendous holiday earlier than planned.
Also apon return to the UK I have repeatedly tried to contact you about these issues through email, WhatsApp and phone call only to have all of them ignored.
CA
Email Marie-Pier Brunet | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING !
Above our expectations! Our guide, Amir, was able to direct us well regardless of our questions. It is a real Wildlife GPS! He has several contacts in different cities who facilitate reservations for additional activities (night safari, hot air balloon, etc.). Amir is interested in wildlife so he learns about animals which makes learning easier during our safaris. He speaks French very well and loves to tease his customers. I strongly suggest you ask to be with him if you speak French! A big plus to our dream trip!
The rooms were A+ and even the tents! We didn't see any cockroaches, spiders, etc. VERY CLEAN !
(automatic translation from French)
Email Mariah | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Classic Journeys provided once in a lifetime moments and memories
We started planning a year out and Elvis went above and beyond to answer questions and accommodate all of our requests- from children, to extra beds (odd number in group), to vegetarian food, we felt comfortable that our needs would be met. After a delayed flight, we were met by the most amazing guide Dennis for our journey. We visited so many places, had a few bumps in the road and enjoyed every minute! One of our travelers bumped their leg that ended up needing medical attention that had us stopping for ice, hospitals, and pharamacies. Dennis was so patient and helped navigate the facilities. We always felt safe and comfortable with his help. The safari stops were beyond imagination, we went from Ol Pejeta to Lake Nikita, the Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli. We saw the big 5 in two days, witnessed three river crossings in the Mara, a giraffe memorial and a rare cheetah kill in Amboseli- again, Dennis was patient, kind, and always at the right place at the right time. We enjoyed every camp and stop. The only piece of advice would be to prepare for long drives between stops. Coming from the US, we noted the mileage but not the drive time. If and when we ever go back, we would definitely extend the one night stays each stop by a night or two to help mitigate the long drives from place to place. Again, this was a once in a lifetime trip topped off by excellent service from Classic Journey’s. Shout out to Dennis for being the best guide! Asante sana!
Email Sharyn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very accommodating and available for a fantastic safari.
I arranged this safari for myself and four family members...three adults, one teenager, and one child. Classic Journeys helped with the itinerary and it was perfect. We missed the first day of our tour due to airline delays and they were right there to reorganize our trip. The cost of the safari was quite reasonable and good value for the money. I hurt my leg rather badly the first day and had to go the a hospital that night. Our tour guide arranged it all and was right there with me the whole time. I've travelled all my life and he was the best in every way. We all felt like we were new friends right away. We saw the big 5 and everything we wanted to see. It was the trip of a lifetime! I can't recommend Classic
Journeys Africa enough.
Email Christian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible! Good Luck, our guide made the trip.
The trip was amazing. Going into the Ngorongoro creator felt like seeing the garden of Eden.
I was so impressed with all of the places we stayed. The camp site in the centre of the Serengeti was breath taking, being that close to nature was perfect.
Good Luck, our guide, was just wonderful. He knew all of the parks inside out, and seemed to be able know where the animals would be instinct. We saw the big five easily, including a cheater in a tree when we were totally alone. He also managed to find us some really specific birds! Can not recommend him enough, definitely a high point of the trip.
Email Jacquelyn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Classic Journeys was professional, reliable and knowledgeable, with wonderful guides.
In a pandemic, so many things could go wrong—but nothing did! If Classic Journeys said we’d get a PCR test result in four hours, Classic Journeys did just that. Our guides consistently showed up on time, even when rendezvousing at the Kenyan border. Lots of work was obviously going on in the background to make the trip feel this seamless. Our two guides (Good Luck in Tanzania and Moses in Kenya) made our safari feel (in a good way) like a college-credit course. Every question was answered with a depth of knowledge that can only come from vast experience and dedication to the environments these guides work in and serve. They patiently answered our questions about the parks, animals, politics and even about their own lives. They are expert in the art of spotting a leopard or a rhino (among the rarer examples of wildlife) in the landscape. The choice of lodging was perfect. Kati Kati in the Serengeti was the most down-to-earth setting but the service was fantastic and it was a privilege to be housed in the park itself, where one night we heard a lion exploring outside our fortified tent. The manager, Job, worked so hard to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. At night, travelers gathered around his “African TV” (a bonfire) to talk about the highlights of their day. We met folks from Portugal, the US, and Spain. The group of young men who live at the camp during the tourist season worked non-stop to walk us to our tent, get our showers ready with solar-heated water, turn down our beds, and simply to entertain us with stories and information (I’m talking to you, Honest!). In the Zebra Plains lodge at Amboseli Park in Kenya, a staff member named Moses offered to walk us around the brush surrounding the lodge, which abuts his village. He showed up in his traditional Maasai clothing and for the next hour identified animal footprints, skat, and plants, while watching carefully for wildlife. We were well fed by all lodges and camps, including with robust packed lunches when we were out for the entire day. The Lake Manyara Safari Lodge quickly adjusted its dinner option when I made a special request. The staff at all lodges and camps is exceedingly professional (many of whom we learned are earning college degrees in hospitality).
Email Adam N | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect trip!
Classic Journeys put together an absolutely amazing experience for us. Elvis was just terrific to work with. He promptly responded to all questions and helped us navigate through all the confusing travel requirements (visas, Covid tests, etc). He customized our tour to give us exactly what we wanted.
Every detail was perfectly executed. Our driver Chris was waiting for us as soon as we landed in a clean vehicle. He took us straight to a great hotel and picked us up again the next morning promptly. All our accommodations were terrific, the food was great, the sites were amazing.
Our safari guide Sameer was perfect! Super knowledgeable about every plant and animal, history, geography, geology, etc. Every game drive was fun, informative and unforgettable.
I can’t recommend this company highly enough. They will nail every detail in creating the perfect trip for you. Thank you Classic Journeys!
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Email Robin Chester | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly and trained personell
Ok, but 7 hours drive in a car with no AC and uncomfortable seats should be mentioned when booking. The safari was great, but when the car limits our trip around the park (crossing of river not possible), it's a pity, and we didn't get to go all over the park. The stay at Loyk was awesome, and the food great!
Email Kathryn | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had the most amazing safari experience with one the most knowledgable guides!
My husband and I went on a Classic Journeys Africa safari in August for our honeymoon. We worked with Elvis during the booking process and he was very responsive and helped answer all of my questions from day 1 to when we arrived in Nairobi from the US. Before booking our safari my husband and I had decided we wanted to go to Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara. Classic Journeys had that exact safari and after reading through the amazing 5 star reviews I knew we wanted to book with them. Dixon was our guide and he was so knowledgeable and personable, it was a joy getting to know him during our 6 day safari and we couldn't have asked for a better guide, Dixon is the absolute BEST! Dixon has years of experience and we learned so much about the animals from him. He also was great in spotting out animals and making sure we got to see everything. We were lucky enough to spot all Big 5! Classic Journeys did a great job in all of our accomendations, we loved all the lodges we stayed in and thought the staff was so friendly and hospitable. We had a wonderful trip and recommend booking with Classic Journeys.
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Email Ida and Guro | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip
We had an absolutely amazing trip with our guide Moses. We went to Lake Naivasha, Mt. Longonot and then to Masai Mara. Moses was very pleasant, kind and a good driver. We got to see so many beautiful sceneries and also so many more animals than expected. We feel very lucky to have had this experience!