Name:
Jules Simons
Activity: Tour
Company: Africa Expedition Support
Location: Africa
I
just finished my safari with Debs and Thiemo (the crew)
with Africa Expedition Support. I can only sum up my experiences
as awesome, faultless and amazing. The safari was more than
I expected – the itinerary was great, the food unbelievable,
the organization brilliant.
I booked
direct with this company and very glad I did, as all my
questions prior to the safari were answered openly and honestly;
later I discovered that Debs not only runs the office in
Nairobi but is also still a tour leader.
The
best points about this company;
1. I
arrived in Nairobi and although I had the option to have
someone meet me I decided to make it to the campsite myself
the night before my tour started. I finally arrived at 11:30pm
at the campsite – Debs and Thiemo were waiting for me –
just to check that my luggage was not lost and I was ready
for departure the next day. Very impressive!
2. I
am vegetarian and was concerned about the food quality I
would be served. Debs cooked a special meal for me every
night – and made sure I had protein everyday either eggs,
cheese, tofu, beans and/or pulses. I didn’t think anything
off it until I met another veggie off a different truck
who complained about being served veggie slop every night!
3.
Responsible tourism – I was a little concerned there was
no mention about this anywhere on their website. However,
Debs was the first person to explain to us about responsible
tourism – not only about respecting the cultures, people,
land, and animals (i.e. leave only your footprints, wear
clothing that is respectful particularly in conservative
local markets or muslim areas) but she clearly voiced that
the company would only stay at campsites which respected
and looked after their staff. Further, everyone we met along
the way (women selling fruit on the side of the road, staff
at campsites - from washing women to managers, border officials
to the 6 year old child selling bananas) showed their love/friendship/respect
for Debs and Thiemo.
It
was clear that the local people loved these two and had
become their friends. I was particularly moved when Debs
bought all the bananas a 6 year old girl was selling on
the condition that she then go home as it was Sunday (despite
the fact we already had far too many bananas for the group!)
I later found out her name was Jennifer and she sold bananas
to pay for her schooling. Now that is responsible tourism!!!
4.
The way the trip was organised was brilliant. At pre-departure
Debs explained that her and Thiemo would not do night driving
as it was far too dangerous on East African roads. It was
brilliant we arrived in camp well before nightfall, cooked
and ate at a reasonable hour. I saw countless trucks (from
much more expensive companies) arrive as late as 10pm at
night.
When
I asked Debs about this her comment was “the itineraries
are too full, but that is what sells – people will compare
company to company with what they put into the itinerary
– the more that goes in the better it must be! Of course
when you are sitting at home in the UK looking at brochures
you have no idea about distances, road conditions etc. Our
clients are on holiday ….. we refuse to sell an itinerary
where you are up at 5am every morning and not eating dinner
until 10pm at night simply because of the impossible itinerary”
I have
read several reports about other companies which have been
terrible. Africa Travel Company starred in the worst reports
I read, up there with On-the-Go and Go To Africa which I
have since learned subcontract to Africa Travel Company.
I saw and spoke to their passengers and they were not happy!
This
tour, for me, would be the only time I would probably come
to Africa. It was a once in a lifetime tour and I cannot
express how glad I am I booked with Africa Expedition Support.
It truly was a once in a lifetime, unforgettable, value
for money experience.
