Tembea East Africa Safaris

When requiring information and quotations, Evangelina ( reservations staff ) was very helpful and accurate. She always replied almost immediately. She gave me a quotation of an " all-in formula " where all drinks ( non alcoholic and alcoholic ) were included in all the lodges. I did some study and gave her the names of the lodges I would like to stay in.
When finally I made the reservation, a deposit of 60 % was required and I did this by bank transfer. Then afterwards, Damian ( accounting staff ) sent an email to Evangelina ( with a copy to me ) asking her if she gave me a discount. Seemed, that when paying the balance upfront 6 months in advance ( instead of cash upon arrival ) I could get a discount of 3 %.
This was a trap of course !

A few days before the trip, I started to get a little worried and contacted myself all the lodges to verify if they had a reservation for our party of 4. The same day, I got an email from Evangelina and even a telephone from Mr Issa ( manager ) to tell me that all was OK. Their policy however was to make the reservations anonymous ???!!

Upon arrival, Mr Issa was at the hotel in order to receive the balance in cash. He wanted also to switch the lodges I had chosen into camping. But of course I refused.

Next day, we went on a day trip from Arusha to Arusha National Park. Our driver was very competent with an excellent comfortable jeep. At the end of the day, we made a departure appointment for the next day, when our safari tour would start.

But next day, no driver. Only more than two hours later, a wreck of a jeep arrived with a new driver. This person's English was very difficult to understand. He also had binoculars, which did not work at all.

Upon entering the wreck, we noticed that a red light on the dashboard was illuminated, informing about the low level of brake oil !
Twice we had mechanical problems and had to stay for a while at local garages. The worst case was the last day: we had NO brakes at all descending from the Ngorongoro Rim towards Karatu. Horrifying !!

During our whole trip the " all-in formula " was not accepted by the lodges. Mr Issa told us to keep the receipts, and at the end of the trip, he would meet us in Arusha and give us a reimbursement. Guess who didn't come ?? Mr Issa ! He phoned us that he was stopped at the Kenyan border !! ??
Afterwards I emailed the receipts to Tembea and Damian wrote me every 2 weeks that the refund will be done. Guess what ? No refund of course !

As smooth the emails were responded by Tembea before our trip, as bad they were responded once they had our money. Actually, no reply on all my emails concerning the problems we had during our safari, and why they changed the initial good jeep and driver into a wreck ! Our trip was very uncomfortable !

So, please do not make the same mistake I did. Choose a good, reliable safari company and enjoy the beautiful parks of Tanzania !

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I booked with this company in December 2015 for a safari in March 2016. I was required to wire over $4,000USD to reserve my safari. After doing so, I noticed a few bad reviews so I contacted them about a partial refund if I changed my mind. The refund policy was provided at the time of deposit allowing for cancellations on a tiered level. I then booked with another well-known company and proceeded to request my deposit money from Tembea. They stalled for many months consistently telling me that they would send a refund April 2016. With lies and excuses it was then promised at the latest November 2016. I went on my other safari in March, as planned, and could see evidence of disreputable companies waiting at the reserve gates or being denied entry and realized I had made a better choice on my second try. I have to date received nothing from Tembea but excuses and promises never kept. At this point I have realized I have lost my deposit completely. Choose another company. Very unscrupulous vendor.

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Please, attention to Tembea East Africa Safaris.

They stole my money. I booked in November 2016 for a trip in august 2017 in Uganda.
They ask immediately the money because is better to book the best rooms and the permit gorilla trekking...
After the receive the money they send to me many lies when I asked about voucher of the lodges and permit
In February they send to me a photo of permit of gorilla trekking....but they sent to me a false permit...
Why I know?..because I wrote to authority Uganda wildlife and they wrote to me that there was not a permit with my name booked from Tembea...and also I wrote to lodges...and any lodges booked...
Now Tembea take time...send to me lies....and now they said to me if I want the money I must to delete the reviews....
Please don't use Tembea is dishonest.....with me and others guests...read in other database.

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