Somak Holidays
- Located In:
-
United KingdomUnited States
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 1968)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, IATA, ATOL, TATO, KATO & ABTA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $1,040 to $8,088 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IE
Email Brona | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Non existent as never got to go!
I have travelled with many travel companies and this is by far the worst experience so far. Extremely poorly organized, no help when in need of emergency assistance and incredibly rude customer service that shouted over me on the phone at me. Due to the poor organization we were unable to go on our trip and there wasn't a cent refunded or credit noted.
Reply from Somak Holidays
Posted on Feb 3, 2023This client was booked to travel to Kenya with us on 05 Nov 22 and she and her husband turned up at the airport without a visa to travel to Kenya even though we had told her. We tell all our clients: 'It is the responsibility of all passengers to ensure that they hold the correct and valid travel documents, including visas for all countries to be visited. Failure to do so may result in your intended travel being curtailed or terminated, and we will not accept liability for your loss in such circumstances.'
In Somak's 55 year history Brona and her husband are only two passengers that have arrived at the check-in desk without a visa.
IE
Email Michael | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Terrible customer service
Our visa arrangements were mismanaged and we were offered no recourse when we weren't allowed on our flight. Terrible company and really rude people.
Reply from Somak Holidays
Posted on Feb 3, 2023This client was booked to travel to Kenya with us on 05 Nov 22 and he and his wife turned up at the airport without a visa to travel to Kenya even though we had told him. We tell all our clients: 'It is the responsibility of all passengers to ensure that they hold the correct and valid travel documents, including visas for all countries to be visited. Failure to do so may result in your intended travel being curtailed or terminated, and we will not accept liability for your loss in such circumstances.'
In Somak's 55 year history Michael and his wife are only two passengers that have arrived at the check-in desk without a visa.
Email Rebecca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Somak Driver Offroad and Endangering Lion
I've just come from the Mara where I saw a Somak branded vehicle go off road so that they could get a meter away from a sleeping lion. The driver then got angry when he saw me with my telephoto lens taking his photo. Do not support companies that employ irresponsible drivers.
QA
Email David | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disappointed a real shame and ruined honeymoon
I never want to write a negative review but on this occasion I must as we were badly let down. Despite being notified at an early stage Somak failed to register that this was our honeymoon trip. In our group of 6 there was another honeymoon couple and they received special treatment but my wife and I did not, this lasted for the 7 days of our safari. This culminated with the last stage of our trip on Zanzibar when we arrived at the hotel and I told staff it was our honeymoon. However, they told us that they had not been notified of this, so we were denied the honeymoon package. I spoke with the Somak rep and he said he would pass the complaint on to his manager, and that the manager would meet us at the hotel the following day. He never came, in fact they just avoided us for the duration of the stay and did nothing. Thankfully the hotel guest relations manager became aware of the situation and stepped in to made our last three days special.
It is a real shame that we suffered this negligent communication error as the safari driver was great and he was tireless in searching for the fauna we wanted to see. Another plus was the Serena lodges we stayed at which were fantastic. To date we still have not even had a reply from Somak to offer an apology...
CH
Email Mark | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Rather poor
Quick answer to the mails, friendly and helpful office staff. After booking and paying the contact ends, besides a voucher sent to you about 2-3 weeks before travel. At least a follow-up mail confirming flight details etc. one week before departure would be a nice move.
Pick up and transfer to ole sereni hotel worked well. However they charged me over 300 USD for that one night. On the website I found afterwards prices between 180-220 Dollars for a night. That's what I call a rip off, especially after paying a couple of thousands for a 8-day safari.
The 8-day cheetah safari: Generally confortable lodges and camps. Unfortunately the downside was our driver, he spent a lot of time on the phone taking personal calls - even during game drives!!!- very unmotivated just doing his job. Did not stop at different amazing sights like baby giraffes right next to our car. Everyone in our group was quite frustrated about this. Sometimes we had to intervene and demanded a stop. Otherwise he would have just drove by amazing photo opportunieties etc.
Take a shot while driving? Nearly impossible as our driver seamed to try escape someone - His driving was wreckless especially during the gamedrives. By far to much speed. I was lucky not to hurt myself as there where quite dangerous situations standing up in the vehicle and someone driving it like that. I almost fell a couple of times or bumped in really hard.
It certainly felt more like a formula one race rather than a game drive, and I think with this kind of driving a lot of animals heard us miles ahead.
The jeep was in quite bad conditions. One of the windows was broken, you could not open it anymore.
The windows quite dirty, never cleaned during the trip and old seats. Flat tire and breakdown aswell but not surprising.
Further our driver seemed to be really, really bored. Not many infos and a appalling attitude. Well I understand that the driver makes this safari most likely many times a year however for most of the customers it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's so sad if goes this way.
The somak lounge which you will be taken before and after the safari is just okay. Pre safari there was nothing on offer, just some drinks in the fridge which had to be payed for.
Upon arrival they gave us some fish and chips which was quite tasty with different sauces. Drinks at a surcharge as well. Wifi was not working, which would have been appreciated after 8 days offline.
BE
Email Nancy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good jeeps with enough space and water
Kenia, driver Laurence.
Not very interested, except for his cell phone. Not very informative and not a careful driver. My husband suffered a head injury. Asked a couplof times to stop for a picture, but did not.
Tanzania, driver Erneste.
Very friendly, caring, protective, accurate, and helpful. Received a great deal of useful information. Trieded to stop on a good place, when asked. This is one to keep and recommend.
Negative was that de 3 jeeps always had to wait for each other, so we lost a lot of time waiting, sometimes even more than half an hour.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgable, friendly staff in uk
Staff were helpful and had travelled to Kenya so could answer questions and advise and were always good on email as I booked my trip at work. After making our payment we heard nothing more from Somak which was not a nice feeling especially as they a local UK Company it was almost as though we might change our mind if we spoke again!!! On arriving in Kenya we loved every minute
We stayed four nights at the Ashnil Mara Lodge and enjoyed every one of them. The whole experience from arriving and being driven from the airstrip to waking up in a four poster bed with a still warm hot water bottle at 6:30am for the game drive. We imagined it would be riding in terms of Somak churning people in and out of the camps however during the time we stayed we were relaxed and felt like the only ones there despit it being full for dinner one night.
Our guide/driver Edward who works for the lodge was very knowledgable of the area so made light work of the vast Mara when driving through the rivers to cross into Rhino or Cheetah territory. We saw 7 giraffe who lived just outside the gates of the camp and saw them in the mornings and evening on their way back home brilliant memories. 52 lions on the last count, a kill and many many young animals
Masai Mara is wonderful. The landscapes, the river and the wildlife. You definitely have to enjoy all these to visit and if you are lucky enough you will see wildlife as it should be. You feel bad being there wishing you could see it without intruding on their territory, seeing the animals behave naturally is amazing.
Lions fighting over territory, mating and hunting. Elephants are huge and yet graceful. There were so many babies we saw and it made us happy to know there is continuity in the great Masai Mara. We saw Zebra, Hyena, Ostrich, Giraffe and Warthogs and birds. It is a wonderful wonderful place
The food was excellent, fresh and tasty every time, with salads and veg options not repeated in the time we stayed. Authentic Kenyan food with spice just what you expect and need after the early starts
All the staff were very helpful and friendly and always interested in your day and had lots of stories to share with other guests
The tents are very spacious and the bathrooms clean and modern and still a tent!! Terrace in room 30 was great as we could see the river and baboons but not the Hippo, the best place to see these would be at reception although you can hear them all night and day, such a wonderful experience
Would have been 5 stars however they charge for wi-fi which is only on a few hours in the day and is very poor in signal. If you are going to offer a service and charge for it at least make sure it works as it should, having said this we would definitely go back as safari is not about the internet connection
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An interesting and well-organised package, with one major flaw in our arrival transfer arrangements
On the whole a fascinating insight into a country new to us. Generally well thought out and well packaged, with some excellent interactions with African staff. Knowledgeable and amenable safari guide. Transfer arrangements to the isolated Sadaani National Park need review and amendment. Accommodation location, facilities and food were excellent both in Sadaani and on Zanzibar.
Experienced and Dependable
This is the third time I have used Somak for a 'special' holiday (having been, with them, to Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar and Mauritius). Somak are experienced in their field and 'know their stuff'. They will advise as appropriate and also research and arrange any bespoke requirements their clients have - I usually have something I've read about that I'd like to do and they've never failed to disappoint. All of our holidays have been multi-centre but the experience is seamless - when we travel to a new destination, without fail there is always someone to meet us - which is invaluable when you are in unfamiliar surroundings. The only thing I would recommend to Somak is that they build in a courtesy call when their clients return from holiday - I usually have some constructive feedback where improvements could be made and I feel they are missing a trick by not doing this. But, in terms of recommending Somak as a tour operator, I wouldn't hesitate.
Email Tejinder | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing kenya safari experience
We, a group of 7, travelled with somak on a Kenyan safari, tailor-made to our requirements. We booked a year ahead as wanted to ensure we get into the lodges. Our trip included all flights, accommodation, safari, drivers and all transfers.
Everything went to plan, all communications from somak were timely and provided all the information we required. One of the best holidays in my life, will never forget the safari experience.
We were collected from Nairobi airport in our safari jeep, taken to a hotel in Nairobi to leave luggage and have breakfast before we left for lake navasha.
Lake navasha sopa lodge was the best accommodation of our entire trip, beautiful, serene with the zebras and giraffes rooming the grounds.
Next stop was Masai mara, our driver Hamisi was very knowledgeable, we went on 3 game drives and he knew where to go and was always accommodating to any changes we requested.
The Masai mara sopa lodge is good overall, walls are thin and you can hear your neighbours.
Our 3rd stop was Mombasa at diani sea resort, again driver picked us up at airport and dropped us at the resort and then collected us to fly to Nairobi.
Overall great experience with somak and would recommend and use them again. I dealt with Celeste in the office and she was there to answer any questions and provide detailed information, fantastic staff member. All drivers were reliable and arrived at the locations as booked.