Savuka, not an option for Safari

Sorry to hear about that. But if you had googled this company, you would have found lots of negative comments about it. They are like a rash on the internet!

This is a good occasion to remind travelers once again: always research your tour company. And Google is a good place to start.

Blueagle - Great to see that you have reposted this issue. I wonder who deleted the first one?? I did post a response but it too was deleted. About your only option is to report Savuka to KATO (Kenyan Tourist Authority). But I think your money is gone - stolen no less. Maybe posting here will shame Joyce and her team to refund your money. Hopefully anyone else considering a safari will steer well clear of this company.

Hi
Thanks for the feedback on this company - there are so many dodgy safari companies in East Africa its always hard to keep up with who is doing what so this is good to know.

However, and I may have misunderstood your meaning, but I'm pretty sure that we don't actually include this safari company in the Kenya guidebook at all.

Thanks and i really hope you get your money back.
Stuart

The Ministry of Tourism seems to really care about quality:

Contact Us
Ministry of Tourism

Utalii House, Off Uhuru Highway
P.O. Box 30027, Nairobi, KENYA
Tel: 254-313011, +254-020-313010, +254-020-316849, 254-020-340148

Cellphone: 0710-601103,0735-600444
Fax:
Email:info@tourism.go.ke
Tweeter: @utaliikenya

I'm guessing you wired them the advance, rather than put it on a credit card from which you might have a second refund opportunity?

Just curious, lumberjill, if you were serious when you said they care, or just being tongue in cheek?

I must agree that wiring money is the worst option for the reason you stated - you give up any chance of ever getting the money back. People who offer tours costing thousands of euros should be able to afford to set up for credit card payments. I'd avoid anyone who doesn't offer this, at least when it comes to expensive purchases.

They may add 5% as a transaction fee, true, but that is to cover the fee they pay to the card company, and it is a small price to pay for the extra security.

And contrary to what some people will tell you, Africa has all the technology to enable anyone to accept credit cards. People operating camps in remote areas may tell you that there is no reliable data connection out there - true enough - but they have offices in the city that can be connected.

Savuka, just like the so called Planet Safaris who are now trading as Connect Tours, are a shame to Kenyan travel agents. Avoid then and share the shame with others.

ss.

This is a good update:

I reported this case to the Ministry of Tourism in Kenya, and they provided professional and efficient support.

I received the refund from Savuka in early June.

Wow! This is great news, but it should serve as a warning to others. Cheers