Team Hyrax Safaris
Hyrax Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2018)
- Member Of:
- KATO & TOSK
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $11,160 to $13,735 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
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Reviews
Email Max | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hyrax Safari functions as a middle man in Tanzania
Hyrax is not a real tour operator for Tanzania.
Roselyne, who runs Hyrax, was recommended to me by a safari guide my friend used. I booked a 4 day safari and a Kilimanjaro trek with her.
She quoted me $1000 for a safari. I paid her a deposit of $300 and, upon arrival to Arusha, I paid another $700 in person to a tour operator of a different name (strange right?).
During my safari of the past 4 days, I learned that everyone else on the trip paid $650 to a different company (instead of the $1000 I paid to Hyrax). I pointed this out to Hyrax and explained that I wished to be paid the $350 I was up charged. Roselyne said that we should no longer conduct business if I feel I was cheated and cancelled my Kilimanjaro trek that was supposed to start tomorrow.
The Kilimanjaro trek was quoted at $1700 ($200 as a deposit and $1500 once I arrived here in Tanzania). She kept my $200 Kilimanjaro deposit and would have kept the $1500 I had en route (had I not deactivated my visa).
Moral of the story:
-Hyrax is not a real tour operator in Tanzania (they are in Nairobi I believe). They place you on trips with existing operators out of Arusha and then charge you hundreds of dollars more than local companies you could have just booked directly with.
-If you notify Hyrax of the upcharge and complain about them secretly acting as a middle man, then you could get the rest of your trip cancelled and your security deposit stolen like I did.
-Tanzania is a wonderful place to visit and my safari over the past 4 days was incredible; just book with a real company in the area for a cheaper rate.
Disclaimer: Roselyne did un-cancel my trip hours after doing so (and likely after realizing I cancelled that $1500 bank transfer she could have stolen). By that time I had already found another company to go with.
Reply from Hyrax Safaris
Posted on Aug 17, 2022Hi Max,
Thank you for your feedback.
It is important to note that prices vary from company to company.
We are glad that you mentioned you had a wonderful safari. Asking for a refund after doing a safari successfully as outlined in the itinerary is contrary to our terms and conditions; it is also malicious.
With regards to the Kilimanjaro trek, you canceled the tour 24 hours prior to the day of the departure hence attracting 100% cancellation fees. This is stipulated in our terms and conditions which align with universal cancellation policies in the hospitality industry.
We would wish to state that we are a reputable company that has no intentions of stealing from clients.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Regards,
Roselyne.
SI
Email Janez | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Guide Ben provided with virtually everything. Nice accomodations, great service for a super price!
We were able to see all the featured animals of Maasai Mara… Great and amusing guidance by Ben, cozy accomodation at the camp and the masai ladies cooked very well.
PL
Email Dominik | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Memorable experience, 4 day safari Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru
Fully recommended safari tour operator. Roselyn provided all information and support before booking that trip on short notice. She was very responsive and patient. No problems with fitting safari plan to our needs and budget. We had private trip with experience guide Peter.
FR
Email Carine | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very serious safari compagny
I booked a 2 day private safari to ambolesi before leaving kenya because i didn t want to spend my 2 last days in Nairobi...and i don t regret it...my 2 days was amazing...the lodge was very good, i saw many animals and peter my driver stopped when i wanted to take pictures...he was very patient, very friendly...very good driver and he does his best to satisfied me...Roselyne was also very helpful to organize my 2 last days...it was difficult because i had to do a pcr test and she helped me, she called for me the hospital, i appreciated it, she always answered very fast to my emails ...also what i liked was the programm didn t change , it was the plan no changing at the last time...and peter was always on time...it is important to notice this because sometimes it is not the case in Kenya...i recommend this safari compagny
IR
Email Siamak | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Amazing 7 days Safari
We had a six-night, seven-day trip that included Masai Mara, Naivasha, Amboseli and Tsavo.
We chose the lodges from some of the suggestions that Rosalyn gave us, and we are very grateful for Rosalyn's suggestions.
We were given good cars with great drivers Peter and Martin who showed us everywhere quite patiently.
Unfortunately, our luggage remained at the previous airport and we received it two days later, Rosalyn worked very hard and followed up on sending our luggage.
Definitely, if any of my friends decide to travel to Kenya, I will introduce this company
Email Leroy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very clear plan, caring to customer needs and always ensuring fun is part of the package
Hyrax Safaris is always on constant communication with their client. The service is fully satisfactory and the trips go beyond expectations.
DE
Email vertical integrator | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tom the tour guide was a legend! - amazing experience, good value for money!
Communications:
The communication was very good! Our agent responded very quickly and answered all of our questions. Also, the agent was very flexible about the payment and met us at an agreed-upon destination to collect a deposit, which saved us a lot of effort. We paid the remaining amount upon arrival. Great!
Service:
The service was satisfying. We got picked up at our hotel (even though they were a bit late). We arrived in time at the Masai Mara and had a very nice chat with our fellow travelers on the bus. Another big benefit was that not all seats on the safari van were taken which was splendid if you are a dutch boi with long legs (or any other national with long legs). At our arrival at the camp, we were served lunch, which was really tasty and then rested for an hour after. Then we headed out for an evening safari, which was an amazing experience. However, it was much shorter than described in the description and we spent a long time waiting to be granted entrance to the park. Dinner was also very nice, however, there were not many veggy options.
The second day was a full day game drive. It was amazing! We saw long bois, bouncy bois, bity bois, sleepy bois, many stripy bois and emo bois. We also saw parts of the great migration! It was great and was a dream come true. We also went to Tanzania for a photo stop, so I can cross that country off my bucket list ;-).
On the third and last day, we headed out very early (6 am) to meet with a Masai. We went to an amazing place to watch the sunrise. Then we headed to their village and they gave us a tour. They were very welcoming, they even allowed us to wear the Lion Head hat, which is a traditional thing in their culture. Afterwards, they tried to sell some souvenirs to us, but there was nothing special so we didn't buy anything. After that, he brought us back to the camp and we drove back to Nairobi.
Point for improvement:
First, I think that more time in the park on the first day is a must. We only spent 1-2 hours, which was not what we were promised. Also, we had to explicitly ask for the tour to the Masai village, and our driver initially planned that we sleep in on the last day to take us back to Nairobi. That was not the plan!
Second, we had to go with a different van back to Nairobi. Not only were the people not amused to host us in their van, but the driver was also mad at us to have to drop us off and initially insisted to drop us off somewhere in Nairobi and that "we can take an Uber back to your location". In the end, he dropped us off at our place, but you could feel that there was a hostile atmosphere in the van. Not our problem...
Lastly, more time in the park (as described) would be great. At least living up to promises.
All in all, it was an amazing experience for good value! I suggest this safari to everyone who doesn't have much money but would like to do a big safari!
KR
Email Eunyeong | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A safari company run by professional and highly efficient staff.
Thank you! We had an amazing time in Masai Mara. Communication was fast and accurate, and the guides were very professional, which made the experience even better. The stay at the accommodation will be an unforgettable memory for a lifetime.
Email Deb | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustworthy and knowledgeable tour operator
We booked in a friends refference 5 night 6 days tour with hyrax . We were booking remotely , from other side of the world , unsure on what would be good, We did compared few other travel agency , but felt hyrax very responsive and reasonable. They were transparent and suggestive in planning the tour.
After the initial wire transfer , they were responsive in sending the hotel booking receipt and we're in constant communication through the trip .
In safari the most important part is the guide and out guide Ben was very nice . He is knowledge, respectful and most important, trustworthy in this unknown country . We highly recommend Ben and hyrax travel .
Experienced guides
First of all the job at the office was great, always answering all my questions and doubts, ready to fulfill my requests. Than the adventure begins and let me tell you, Daniel was our main guide and he was amazing, like all the troupe, second guide, porters and chef. There are no words to describe their love for the mountain, their knowledge of the filed and animals, their patience and support with us, always ready to help us in every way possible.. it’s not easy but they made easier for sure!
