Bliss Tours & Travels Kenya

I originally booked to go to on a 3 day mini-tour to Amboseli last Thursday (2nd April 2012) as part of a tour with a couple and 3 kids( not known to me). Then I got an email from Bliss, to say the "kids" were big teenagers, so there wasn't room for me on that tour, so would I mind going on Friday instead? I agreed and the next email asked for a deposit, with the balance payable to the driver. As I had to go to Nakuru ( where Bliss are based)the same day, I replied saying I'd come in to their office and pay them the full amount in cash, so that's what I did.

However, when I got there, they said the other people booked on Friday's tour had canceled, but that I could still go on my own, at a cost of KES 50,000, ie. 2 weeks' wages for a 3 day trip - forget it! I was ready to walk out when they asked if I was also on holiday next week and when I said that I was, they said they had another tour leaving Tuesday 10th (today!), that would DEFINITELY run as the other person - a Spanish tourist - had booked and paid and everything was confirmed, so it was a cert! As there were only 2 of us going, the price was KES 25,000, which was reasonable, as they'd collect me from my home, take me to Amboseli (400km away), include meals, accommodation, game drives and everything else, except drinks. Fair enough. I paid in full, in cash, there and then and they sent me a further email on Saturday, with a full schedule, stating I'd be picked up from the school gate at 8.30am.

I was there at 8.20am, but when no-one had arrived by 8.45, I sent them a text. At 5 to 9 my phone rang. The Spanish chap wasn't at his hotel and they'd been waiting for him. They'd since discovered that he had not turned up and checked in at his hotel at all, so they were trying to find him. His phone was unanswered. That, in my book, is called a "no-show" and the trip goes without them, but they lose their money. I told the Bliss chap that I'd paid for my trip, we had a contract, and that he should come and pick me up as agreed - this trip was "definitely" going, he'd said when I booked it. I gave him 10 mins to sort something out. He assured me that the hotel, game drives and everything else was booked and paid for, so why not take me as agreed?

A quarter of an hour later, he phoned me back to say the Spaniard wasn't to be found so the trip was canceled. Just like that.

I could go next week (I'm back at work) or get my money back. I was even offered a "free" holiday later in the year.

I wonder how many times THAT trip would be postponed...

I will NEVER be using - or trying to use - this firm again!