Imani Excursions
Imani Excursions
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $3,123 to $16,484 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CN
Email Yuan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A DISAPPOINTING Safari Experience with a DISRESPECTFUL guide!
My friend and I chose Imani for a 7-day trip in July, hoping for a memorable experience. Unfortunately, we encountered a series of disorganized and disappointing events that left us questioning the agency’s professionalism.
The issues included accommodation and itinerary errors, lack of communication, a rush itinerary, and the disrespectful guide, Fred.
1. Accommodation and Itinerary Discrepancies:
(1) Downgrade of accommodation: On July 24, our driver informed us that our originally booked hotel, Mara Kati Kati Camp, was destroyed by a wildfire. We were left with no choice but to accept an alternative hotel they had arranged. However, upon checking in at the Untamed Migration Camps, we discovered that this hotel was significantly inferior, holding merely 3 reviews on Tripadvisor, compared to the initial booking's 1724 reviews. We reached out to the manager, Mike, hoping for clarification and a refund of the price difference, but his response lacked any apology. He simply stated that it wasn't his fault and that Untamed Migration Camps is better than Mara Kati Kati Camp, and then ceased further communication. Later, we met another group from the same travel agency who were upgraded to a better hotel (Baobab Lodge & Camp) due to the Mara Kati Kati being fully booked, not destroyed by fire as we were told. This discrepancy in stories left us doubting the veracity of the wildfire claim and feeling deceived.
(2) Mistaking us for the wrong accommodation: On July 26, we were mistakenly taken to the wrong hotel, Manyara Secret, and endured a half-hour wait and more unapologetic responses from management. Our eventual accommodation at Escarpment Luxury Lodge proved inadequate with issues like malodorous rooms and a leaking air conditioner, which necessitated a midnight room change. The staff then moved us to a standard room type—larger, cleaner, and more organized. Only then did we realize that, even after the hotel mix-up, the agency had initially booked us into the most remote and least desirable room in the hotel. We ended up having to pack and move rooms in the early hours of the morning.
(3) Meals not covered during the first-day trip: Contrary to our itinerary, meals were not provided on the first day. We had to cover these costs out-of-pocket, with the agency only reimbursing us for lunch after a discussion with the manager.
1. Unreasonable Itinerary Planning:
We booked a 7-day safari trip through Imani but were not informed in advance about the overly rushed schedule. In practice, we only had 5 days of actual safari, with a significant portion of our time spent in transit. Our time in the Serengeti was rushed, limiting our encounters with wildlife. On the last day, with almost no activities scheduled by Imani, we had to independently arrange a village tour and a visit to a Maasai village. The agency failed to provide a clear and flexible itinerary that would have allowed us to adjust or reduce activities to enhance our experience.
2. Communication Shortfalls:
Although Imani uses communication apps such as WeChat, they did not provide these contact details in our email exchanges, hindering effective communication. Besides, during our initial email correspondence when we expressed enthusiasm about booking their tour, they did not supply a final itinerary, leading to numerous misunderstandings and errors during our trip.
3. The driver Fred is a very unprofessional and disrespectful guide. We did not feel that he prioritized the passengers' experience, and we even sensed his disdain. His unsatisfied behaviors include but are not limited to:
(1) UNAUTHORIZED USE OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS: The driver Fred, realized his camera was malfunctioning, and I told him that if he wanted to take photos, he could borrow the camera from mine when needed. However, on July 25, he took my camera without my consent, inserted his memory card, and used it to take photos. He even posted Instagram stories of him holding my camera. This was done without any apology and is the most incomprehensible and infuriating issue I encountered.
(2) POOR COMMUNICATION and Lack of Consideration During Safari: Throughout the safari, the driver dictated all movements without any discussion—driving when he decided and only stopping when he chose to. When I requested a brief stop to capture better photos of the lion family, he declined, claiming that we were not allowed to linger in that area (why? and why cannot we get the permission?). This made every wildlife sighting incredibly tense, as I was always worried about missing the opportunity to take photos. Such an experience was profoundly unsatisfactory.
(3) Neglect in Customer Experience: After exchanging Instagram accounts, I noticed that the photos he took after spotting a group of elephants closely were from a much better angle than ours, which was taken from a rear perspective. The prioritization of viewing angles seemed skewed to benefit Fred’s own photographic interests rather than providing guests with optimal wildlife viewing experiences, as evidenced by the superior angles of his photos compared to ours.
(4) Uncommunicated Personal Errands: The driver often had his own errands, such as delivering supplies to his friends or buying personal items. We understand that these tasks might be necessary, but he never informed us in advance nor did he communicate his plans to us.
After expressing our frustrations, the agency offered a paltry $250 refund and a complimentary airport transfer. It hardly compensated for the multitude of issues we experienced. The trip culminated in an apology from the manager, but it was too late. This trip has left such a negative impact that I am disinclined to visit Tanzania again. I have traveled to more than 30 countries and have lived in several countries, but had never had such a poor travel experience.
It is crucial to share our story to help others avoid similar negative experiences. The level of service provided by Imani was not only disappointing but unacceptable, and I caution potential travelers to carefully consider their options when booking a safari in Tanzania.
Reply from Imani Excursions
Posted on Aug 23, 2024Hi Yuan,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. Your feedback is important and we rely on hearing from our guests to ensure we’re doing a great job.
As you shared in your review, this was not the case for you and for this, we do really apologize. Our customers are the heart of our business and . We understand you’re feeling disappointed about our guide and experience given .
Please know that we have worked to resolve all your concern to make sure nothing like that will ever happen again
Please know we’d like to make this right for you. We’ve sent you an email and if you’d like to chat further, we do hope you will give us another opportunity to earn your business.
Thank you, again, for taking the time to share a review with us and bring all this to our attention.”
Thanks
Imani G shoo
Email Jabari | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This is the best tour company I have ever worked with.
This was a fantastic experience from beginning to end. Mike is the front office was a pleasure to work with. He not only arranged a fantastic Safari but also made sure the accommodations we wanted were within our price point and wonderful as well as arranged flights within Tanzania and worked to secure our reservation on Zanzibar. He went above and beyond and was patient and courteous with me. He handled the questions I had from my group of 26 people effortlessly. We what’s up video called or chatted whenever it was necessary and he always responded expeditiously. The safari itself was fabulous. Imani (also company owner) came out in the field to lead our group of four vehicles over a four day tour. Our group ranged in ages from 12-77. Everyone felt well taken care of and had a wonderful time. Everyone thought their driver was the best:) This was an incredible value for the money spent. I traveled all over the world and arranged trips for large groups of friends and family and I can’t say enough about this company. You will be m excellent hands.
Email Debbi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Luxury in the Serengeti and beyond
Imani Excursions did a great job. They took care of our every need, predicting what we would need and listening to our desires. They treated us like royalty, not letting us lift a finger. They were super informative throughout the safari. I learned so much from them. Their passion for the job shined through every minute of the way. We were a large group, over 20. This meant a lot of herding cats. The guides did this with grace and were polite in their efforts to keep us on schedule. I hope they were able to enjoy themselves as well.
HK
Email Jenny | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spectacular, beyond expectations
Our Tanzania safari with Imani Excursions was absolutely incredible! From the moment we arrived, Imani and his team greeted us with such warmth and even surprised us with a thoughtful welcome gift, which set the stage for a fantastic trip.
Our guide, Muddy, was outstanding—highly professional, incredibly knowledgeable, and always attentive. His expertise helped us spot an amazing variety of animals, from elephants to cheetahs, making every game drive unforgettable. The itinerary was well-planned, blending thrilling safari drives with a memorable hike led by our guide Joshua, who was friendly, skilled, and full of great insights.
The accommodations were comfortable, and the food was delicious, with plenty of local flavors that added to the experience. To top it all off, Imani went above and beyond by treating us to a fantastic local BBQ for our farewell, completely on his own dime—a gesture that made us feel truly appreciated.
I wholeheartedly recommend Imani Excursions for anyone looking for a well-organized, memorable safari in Tanzania!
Email Angie Rodgers | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely knowledgeable and amazing!!!!
Imani and the entire team was so wonderful!! The greeting we received when we first arrived was the best ever!!! With the live music, refreshments and snacks!!! I can’t say enough about our tour guides David and Julius!!! They showed us so much and could spot the animals so quickly!!! The accommodations, lunches, and dinners were so great!!!! Everyone was so friendly!!! The staff and the places we stayed were so wonderful as well!! The safari tours were so amazing!!!! We went with the entire family and all 10 of us were just so impressed with everything! We miss our tour guides David and Julius and Imani was so nice as well!! We’ve been to so many places around the world and this by far was our favorite!!! Imani tours was top notch from the day we arrived until we left!!
Email Jamie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Both David and Julius were fantastic. Extremely polite and accommodating.
Upon arrival, we were greeted with drinks and goodies. If you are planning to go there book with these guys. They have great knowledge of all the animals and take you to all the great places. It was a trip of a lifetime and this company made it even better. Book with them…. You won’t be disappointed.
Email Laura Castillo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Imani Excursions gave us the experience of a lifetime!!
Beginning with our greeting at the airport, Imani Excursions did not disappointment through the entire trip. The owner, Imani himself came out to give us a big welcoming. Our tour guides David and Julius were always cheerful, very knowledge about the areas we visited and the animals we encountered. They knew where to find the animals. I'm still in disbelief about the heart pounding encounters we had with the animals. We came away learning about the animals, the culture and were even taught a little Swahili. Thank you David and Julius!! This is definitely something my family and especially our kids will never forget because of you.
Our accommodations were beautiful staying at Manyara's Secret and the Lahia Luxury Tent Lodge. Manyara's Secret was right on the lake with your own individual private pools. The food was delicious and staff were very welcoming and attentive. The whole place was gorgeous. In Lahia, other than the zip up walls you wouldn't even think you were in a tent. The rooms were large, huge bed and overlooked the Serengeti with the two sinks and toilet inside your tent. There was a beautiful private outdoor shower attached to your room. Animals came right up to the lodge. It was incredible walking through zebras on the way to dinner.
There are many tour companies in Tanzania. You should not hesitate in booking with Imani and his staff. You can tell that they love their jobs and are in awe with us encountering the animals even after many years of giving tours. This translated to an incredible and unforgettable experience for us. Imani Excursions made us fall in love with Tanzania and if we ever get back there we will definitely book with them again.
Email Jodie letcher | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever!
Taking a trip to Africa is one of the biggest trips you will take in your life so you want it to go well. When I started the journey I researched so many different safaris and read so many reviews. I kept coming back to Imani Excursions. My only draw back was that they didn’t have a lot of reviews. The reviews they did have were good so I decided to book them. I was nervous not knowing if this is a company I could trust. I can honestly tell you that you will not go wrong booking Imani Excursions. Mike was always quick to respond to all my emails about questions I had about the trip before we arrived. When we arrived we were greeted at the airport with drinks, snacks, gift, and music. What a welcome! Our safari guides Julie’s and David were with us throughout the entire trip. We felt 100% safe and were taken care of well. Imani greeted us at the airport and followed us to our first accommodation to Make sure check it went well. The accommodations we stayed at were absolutely beautiful! At Manyaras secret we had a four bedroom villa with a private full sized swimming pool. The safaris were amazing! We saw so much wildlife and up close. We saw the big 5 and much much more. We saw a lion pack of 7 with babies and all hunting baboons. Elephants rushed in trumpets and all to rescue the baboons. It looked like something you would see at Universal Studios but it was real. We have traveled all over the world and this trip is now our favorite. Look no further and book Imani Excursions. They will give you an amazing trip and take care of you well.
Email Jack | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
David and Julius were very knowledgeable and went above and beyond to provide an excellent service
We were well fed and treated like royalty. We saw many many animals, every thing but the cheetah. We saw rhino lions hundreds of wildebeest and Zebra many antelope of different species even a leopard. We couldn't Have asked for more it was well worth the money. The overnight accommodations were amazing I would recommend to anyone thinking of going to Africa
They were very nice and kind.
This trip was a great experience. I went with my parents, grandparents, and aunts. The accommodations were beautiful. I loved seeing all the animals. The tour guides were nice.