Zimbabwe Budget Safari Tours & Packages Tours & Trips

What travelers are saying

"This trip is very nice with people and good accommodation good host dinner nice in town and we also prepare our own food transport is nice Johan"

What travelers are saying

"This letter is effectively what was communicated no less than 8 times in writing and conversation to OAT representatives up the chain, beginning 19 days before the trip. OAT was IMMOVABLE on allowing us to find an alternative travel companion and it was 100% due to rigid policy, not real barriers. We never expected a refund and wouldn't have blamed them if we could not fill my spot. They refused to even give us the opportunity. Appalling and sadly representative of their customer service. Congratulations, you lost two customers and one long time referral source. I only think it is fair that folks know the nature of the company at this point. An absolute shame. As a dedicated Edmund Hillary member of OAT with a history of introducing countless friends to your service including 4 who booked trips, I am writing to express my deep concern over the handling of our Galapagos trip booking in light of a recent medical emergency. This situation not only highlights significant gaps in customer communication and care but also underscores the need for immediate, effective action. Timeline of Events and Communication Issues: Initial Contact on 11/22: We contacted OAT 19 days before the trip, scheduled for 12/11, as soon as it became clear that extended surgical complications would prevent my travel. Policy of No Refunds or Changes Under 30 Days: We were informed that the trip is non-refundable under 30 days, which is understood. However, OAT also refused to allow a replacement traveler, posing zero risk to the company. Both of us called, met with the same response. Response from Exceptions Department on 11/22: The no-change policy was reiterated by the Exceptions Department on the same day. Written Escalation on 11/22: Both parties sent written letters to escalate the matter. Delayed Response Until 11/29: We did not receive any response until 11/29, with OAT mentioning the inability to make changes 12 days before the trip. Policy vs. Practical Reasons: The response seemed more policy-based than practical. We offered to cover the cost for a replacement traveler for the internal Galapagos flight, which was declined. The rep always returned to the policy prohibiting it. She further added we do not sell trips within 30 days. Upon looking the next day, I found no less than 7 different itineraries with no less than 13 different trips that I could have booked within 30 days. Further Escalation Request and Conversation on 11/30: A further request for escalation resulted in a 23-minute conversation on 11/30 without any change. Given these circumstances, I propose the following practical solution: Future Travel Credit in Exchange for Re-Selling My Space: If finding a substitute traveler is unfeasible, I suggest OAT resell my space to another interested party, crediting me for a future trip. This solution aligns with my preference and ongoing loyalty to OAT. The lack of a constructive response and rigid adherence to policy without considering exceptional circumstances is alarming. It not only affects this immediate trip but also impacts my ability to continue advocating for OAT in good conscience. An amicable and prompt resolution to this issue would speak volumes about OAT's commitment to customer satisfaction and flexibility. Unless there is a prompt and constructive resolution to this matter, we will be forced to escalate our concerns further. This includes reaching out to higher management within OAT, engaging with consumer protection agencies, sharing our experience through travel forums, and social media for breach of service. Our preference is to resolve this amicably, yet the current trajectory leaves us little choice but to pursue these avenues. I implore you to seriously consider these options and respond in a manner that reflects OAT's values of empathy and customer support. Your immediate attention to this matter is not only appreciated but necessary for a resolution that respects both parties' interests. Thank you for your understanding and prompt attention to this critical issue."

What travelers are saying

"I took the most amazing tour across Portugal and Spain through Bestway Tours last year. It was a 10 day tour visiting historic cities across the countries and was blown away by level of service and convenience the team provided. I've learned so much through the knowledgeable tour guides and enjoyed lots of delicious local food. I cannot wait to take another Bestway Tour in the future!"

What travelers are saying

"Travelling in a really complicated moment, Jumbari always beside us. All was perfect and clear, before and during the trip, no problem during the safari. The team on the place also great and Botswana is a natural paradise"

What travelers are saying

"Lora-Leigh Huskisson was our travel agent representing Siyabona Africa out of Cape Town. I started communicating with Lora-Leigh in Aug 2022. I wanted a comprehensive tour for around 4 weeks in April 2023 that had 6 adults and 2 children under 6. I had done a lot of internet research and almost knew what I wanted. Lora-Leigh augmented that by suggesting the best places to stay and recommended a great safari camp. We started our tour with Siyabona in Sun City but just prior to that we stayed at Ekuthuleni Lodge in the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve which friends of ours had already organized. Great private Safari Lodge, excellent day drives, wonderful food and fabulous staff. We had our grandchildren with us and thought before going to Victoria Falls we would break up the trip with a kids weekend at Sun City. They had a wonderful time with the pools/waterpark and the adults played golf. They also did a self-drive in the nearby game reserve. If you want to see the wildlife in SA with young children you need to break up the various safaris that you sign up for. We then went to Victoria falls via air organized by Lora-Leigh as were all the remaining tour flights. I should mention that all flights (and there were a few) went off without any difficulties other than the Tambo airport baggage handlers who seem to access your luggage without any recriminations. Victoria Falls was nice to see and the children enjoyed the mist, getting wet and the sound of the falls. Lora-Leigh booked the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. It was a great choice. Its location is in viewing distance of a watering hole and everyday there were animals there. They also have a vulture feeding station. Once again the children enjoyed the staff, the food (especially the Dinner and Drum show at the Boma) the swimming pool and watching the animals. A good choice by Lora-Leigh. This was about enough for the young ones and that family of four left to return home but four of us continued on with the itinerary. Our next stop was on the Chobe Princess Safariboat in Namibia. I can't give Lora-Leigh all the credit for this choice as it was really my suggestion. However, the transportation to get to the boat was all down to her organization. The boat is literally across and upstream from the falls but you need to go through three border crossings to get there. Normally, this would appear to be difficult, and I think it generally is, but we had drivers who got us through it all, waiting on each side, waiting at the small boat to get us across the river, the walk up a long dirt road to Namibia immigration and eventually to the Safariboat. Was it worth it? You bet. The Safariboat doesn't really go that far up the river but it doesn't matter. This is a fabulous way to see wildlife in the morning, in the evening, and in most cases all day via the tenders that the Safariboat provides. The food was good, the refreshments were good, the staff and guides were great. The Chobe river is pretty pristine and provides a water related habitat to everyone - human and animal. It was hard to leave the Safariboat but we did, went to yet another airport for our flight to Kadizora Camp in the Okavango Delta. This should be easy, right. Not all planes in Botswana go to where they say they are going. Our flight stopped at another camp and we got off and got on another plane to Kadizora airstrip. Did we have to wait - no - the second plane was there waiting for us, ready to go. Walk 30 meters from one plane to the next. Luggage just walked to the next plane by the pilot. How good is that service? Kadizora Camp was exactly like Lora-Leigh said it would be like. We went out every day looking for animals and TwoBoy our guide found them every day. Not just the easy ones to find but lions, hyenas, crocodiles, hippos, wild dogs, etc. but no leopard although we kept trying but to no avail. Kadizora camp is in a great location on the delta and the delta is a must see in Botswana. So our group would like to say thank you to Lora-Leigh and Siyabona Africa for their service and their guidance. It was a great adventure."

What travelers are saying

"Awesome service, outstanding guides, detail to attention, nothing is too much trouble"