7-Day Highlights of 3 of Kenya’S Premier Game Parks

Traveler Reviews

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  Eric

  November 16th, 2022
  I have a big problem that the tour did not come close to following the itinerary that I signed up for. To start,...
  I have a big problem that the tour did not come close to following the itinerary that I signed up for. To start, let me explain why I chose this tour. I have 7 days to do a safari and I wanted to (i) maximize my time animal viewing or relaxing at the lodges (all are 3 or 4 star properties) and (ii) minimize the amount of driving between destinations. This tour itinerary generally provides a half day of driving from destination to destination, and provides that I will have my lunches at the lodges with time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. The problem with my tour started immediately, because I believe Gracepatt subcontracted my safari to another company, Lenchada Safaris. As soon as I was picked up from my hotel, I was told that Samburu National Reserve is unsafe because tourists have been robbed there. It was suggested that I go to Amboseli National Park instead. I reluctantly agreed even though I was not provided a new itinerary or information about the new lodge. In addition, I would now go to Masai Mara as my first stop. I was dropped off in downtown Nairobi to catch my first safari truck, driven by Alex. Some other passengers met at the truck and then we went to pick up other passengers, and when the truck was full with 7 passengers, we started to go to Masai Mara. Just before we arrived at Masai Mara, it started to rain. Alex dropped two passengers off at their lodge and then asked if I was okay to stay at Lenchada Tourist Camp, where the other 4 passengers and he were staying. Alex said it is a long drive from Lenchada Tourist Camp to Jambo Mara Safari Lodge and if I wanted to go to Jambo Mara Safari Lodge, it would delay that afternoon’s game drive. What Alex did not say is the distance between Lenchada Tourist Camp and Jambo Mara is 1 km (and the drive is 5 minutes) and that Lenchada Tourist Camp is a “budget” camp. So I had to eat the unappetizing food served at Lenchada Tourist Camp for lunch. And when everyone else went to check in and relax in their tents, I had to wait by myself in the dining hall with no electricity or wifi. Luckily I have cell reception and I immediately sent messages (through your website) to Gracepatt to express my displeasure. Grace called Alex and he apologized to me but he made it clear that I had agreed to stay at Lenchada Tourist Camp. However, I pointed out that when I agreed, I had no idea the drive is only 5 minutes and that Lenchada Tourist Camp is not comparable to Jambo Mara. I also asked Grace for a new itinerary but she did not provide a new detailed itinerary other than I would go to Amboseli instead of Samburu. On day 2 Alex took us on a full day game drive even though my itinerary provided for a morning drive and an afternoon drive. Everyone ate boxed lunches at a spot where hippos can be viewed. There were lots of monkeys there looking to steal food from tourists. On day 3, Alex and the other 6 passengers left Masai Mara. I was picked up by my second truck, with Tony as its driver. Again I was taken on a full day game drive even though my itinerary called for a morning drive and an afternoon drive. I ate the same box lunch as the day before at the same spot and had to wait an hour while the other passengers took a hiking tour that I already took yesterday. On day 4, Tony picked me up at Jambo Mara around 8:15 a.m. I was asked whether I wanted to do a morning game drive. I declined because I preferred going to Lake Nakuru. From Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru should have been a 4 hour drive and according to my original itinerary, I should arrive in time for lunch at the Lake Nakuru Lodge. However, Tony stopped at a Masai village so the other passengers can take a tour which took about 45 minutes. This was not on my itinerary so I waited in the truck. Around noon, we stopped at a curio shop to drop off two passengers. We waited at the curio shop until those two passengers were picked up by another truck. By 1 p.m., we were not even at the half way point (which is Narok) and I messaged Grace to ask her what is going on. Grace made some excuse about another passenger being sick (but everyone was on the truck on time). She stated that I would be late for lunch at Mai Mahiu. Nowhere on my itinerary states that I would be eating lunch at a roadside restaurant in Mai Mahiu. At Mai Mahiu, I was transferred to my third truck, with Francis as its driver. I was offered lunch but I declined, thinking that would get us to Lake Nakuru faster. What I did not know is that Francis was taking everyone to Lake Naivasha first. There’s a boat tour offered at Lake Naivasha but that also was not on my itinerary. While other people chose to pay for the boat ride, I waited on the truck and messaged Grace to demand an answer on why my itinerary was ignored and I was dragged to places that I did not want to go. I also complained to Francis, asking why they are ignoring my itinerary. Francis became condescending. He said if I wanted to follow my itinerary, I should have booked a private tour. He insists that all group tours are “joiner” tours. He further threatened to throw me off his truck if I kept complaining. I did not book a “joiner” tour. One of the reasons I booked with Gracepatt is because of the detailed itinerary. Gracepatt highlights on its website its “Detailed safari tour packages and itineraries, complete with timings, prices and customizable options.” See https://gracepattecotourskenya.org/about-us/ We finally arrived at Lake Nakuru Lodge at 6:30 p.m. when it was already dark. According to their schedule, we would get up early the next day, do a morning game drive and then drive all day to Amboseli. So I would have absolutely no time to enjoy the amenities at Lake Nakuru Lodge. Neither Grace nor Francis provided an adequate explanation nor compensation for wasting my entire day. I messaged Grace and said I would file a complaint with Tour Radar and my Visa card company because they have basically ruined this vacation. I told Francis that I was not going to take his truck the next day because he threatened to throw me off. On day 5, I stayed at Lake Nakuru Lodge and waited for a response from Grace. When Grace finally called me, she said I cannot stay at Lake Nakuru. She said she’s sending another truck to pick me up and that I could do a game drive at Lake Nakuru but I would have to spend the night in Nairobi (no other option). She did not state where I would spend the night in Nairobi. I found out much later and without my consent that I would spend the night at a very shabby hotel by the airport called 67 Airport Hotel.Show more
  Traveled in October 2022