Bait & Switch Inexperienced Operator
We booked a 10-day safari for 10 people through Reimagining Travel (owner: Priyank), who outsourced our trip to Signature Safari (owner: Innoscene). What we received was a bait-and-switch scam and one of the most disappointing travel experiences we have ever had.
1. Bait & Switch on Itinerary
o We had agreed to visit Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park, but at the last minute we were told it was “too far out of the way.” When half of our group insisted on going, we were given excuses and misleading information until it was clear the plan had been changed without transparency. Though we were taken to another animal park and it was fine, we missed out on even a proper view of Kilimanjaro, which had been on the itinerary to begin with.
2. Unsafe and Substandard Transport
o The vehicles provided were not what was promised. One was an old caravan that was never disclosed to us beforehand. Only one of the two vehicles had a working radio, which is critical for coordination and safety on safari.
o On the third day, our vehicle broke down, leaving us stranded by the roadside. Despite the safety risk, neither Priyank nor the operator called to check on us. Luckily, we were near a town and eventually made it to the hotel, but we expected our travel agent to at least coordinate with us during such a failure.
3. Unqualified Guides
o Instead of a licensed, knowledgeable safari guide, they sent an office admin boy with zero guiding experience. Drivers acted as guides, but even they were poorly equipped. This is unacceptable for a safari at this price point.
4. Room & Safety Issues
o We were three families traveling together and had clearly specified our room configurations from the beginning. At every hotel and camp, nothing was booked or coordinated correctly. Rooms were either misassigned or not suitable for families with children. At one lodge, our kids were left in a separate, unsafe tent by themselves because the bed arrangements had not been communicated properly. This created unnecessary stress and safety risks.
5. Meals, Allergies & Dietary Needs Ignored
o Priyank repeatedly assured us that our dietary needs would be respected — including vegetarian requirements and nut allergies. In reality, none of the hotels or resorts received these instructions. We were served repetitive, low-quality Indian food (which we had specifically declined), and, most concerning, nuts were served despite one child having a severe allergy. Had we not been vigilant in checking every dish, this could have led to a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction in the middle of the jungle.
6. Misrepresentation of Safari Experience
o The animals appeared to have been baited or drugged to stay in certain locations, creating the illusion of a safari rather than a real wildlife experience. It felt staged and dishonest
o We were also poorly guided in terms of transport and routing between safari destinations. We were steered toward Tanzania with the assurance that it offered a better migration crossing experience than Kenya. In reality, the opposite was true — the vantage points on the Kenya side of the Mara River were far superior. The transfer process itself was long, exhausting, and poorly coordinated, with substandard vehicles that added unnecessary discomfort. Had we been properly advised, we would have chosen the Masai Mara in Kenya and had a far more rewarding safari experience.
7. Broken Promises on Meals & Service
o Meals that were supposed to be included were skipped unless we reminded them — even on the return to the airport.
o There was no service oversight or care from Priyank; after the first couple of days in Nairobi, he disappeared and never checked in again.
8. No Accountability
o After the trip, we requested a phone call to discuss our challenges. Priyank ignored us completely. We gave him 30 days to respond — nothing, so now we are posting this publicly to as to make sure no other families are scammed by this duo!
Summary:
Reimagining Travel and Signature Safari are not registered, professional operators. They lied, cut corners, ignored safety, and delivered a fraudulent experience. This was not just poor service — it was dangerous, especially for families with kids.
As seasoned travelers, we did our best to salvage the trip, but we should never have been put in this position. Please do not book with Reimagining Travel or Signature Safari. If you value honesty, safety, and real safari experiences, avoid them at all costs.
Reply from Reimagining Travel
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We take all feedback seriously and are committed to addressing any concerns and continuously improving our service. Below is a summary of the key points you raised and how we addressed them.
1) Model of partnership with service providers
We operate by partnering with reputable vehicle and accommodation providers. This is a collaborative approach, not outsourcing in the sense of removing accountability. At every step, our team is actively involved to ensure quality and alignment with your expectations. We understand there may be confusion about roles. To clarify, we oversee coordination, communication, and guest experience, while partners handle on-the-ground delivery.
2) Kilimanjaro and Serval choice
At the time we met you and gave you an option, you selected Serval for your itinerary. Subsequently, when a member of your group expressed interest in Kilimanjaro, our team made every reasonable effort to accommodate that request within the constraints of scheduling and availability. As per your communication "you loved Serval and had a great view of Kili."
3) Booking accommodations and dietary needs
We facilitate accommodations through partner hotels and have documented communications regarding rooming arrangements and dietary requests. We also advised your group to notify the chef about dietary needs so the hotels could prepare accordingly. It is unfortunate that this did not meet your expectations. If you had informed us or the guide during the trip, we would have taken immediate steps to resolve the situation. We regret any inconvenience caused and are reviewing our pre-trip hygiene of dietary confirmations to ensure clearer, more proactive follow-up.
4) Vehicle breakdown and replacements
Our on-ground team remained with you throughout the trip. In the event of a breakdown, a replacement vehicle was arranged within approximately 20 minutes, and we continued to support your group thereafter. We acknowledge breakdowns are challenging; they are, unfortunately, an occasional risk in road travel, and we strive to minimize disruption through swift action and communication.
5) Vehicle quality and comfort
Our fleet is selected and maintained to navigate local roads safely and comfortably. We continuously monitor vehicle performance and safety standards to enhance passenger comfort.
6) Guides and licensing
All of our guides are licensed professionals with extensive field experience (15+ years combined for our team). No guide operates in parks without the proper license, aligning with local regulations and safety standards.
7) Wildlife and animal welfare
We share Tanzania’s strong commitment to wildlife conservation. It is not possible for animals to be drugged, and Tanzania’s ecosystems are designed for animals to move freely and naturally and not staged.
8) Guidance on wildlife viewing and migration timing
Our team informed you that, in early July, the majority of migration activities occur in Tanzania. During our brief discussion after the trip your group mentioned animal viewing was amazing so that is a huge surprise.
9) Post-trip outreach and accountability
We attempted to connect with you in person after your safari and have consistently demonstrated accountability for the services provided. We have gone beyond the stated itinerary by providing additional meals, extra airport transfers, and train tickets at our own cost where possible, and we have always welcomed requests to improve your experience. We even upgraded your hotels and also provided extra meals not mentioned in the itinerary which is well documented.
10) Communication of issues during the trip
Our guides were your primary representatives on the ground. There is always a chain of command for communication and we have always been happy to help as all our reviews suggest but never were we once informed of displeasure during the trip so we could act upon it.
We have always valued honesty and safety