HOW SAY YOU? The average client rating is:
Review by: Dominic Coutts, London
(Rental: May 2011)
I have just returned from SA having rented a Toyota Hilux from Buffalo Campers 4x4 for a two week self drive safari through Botswana and would NOT wish anyone to have the same experience we did. Our group had three vehicles in total supplied by Buffalo Campers and its hard to say which was worse - the condition of the vehicles or the attitude of Vaughan Corlett the business owner. He ranks amongst the surliest, most rude and unhelpful individuals i've ever met, and his vehicles are without doubt the most hotch botch, poorly maintained, bodged i've ever driven. In the UK they would, without exception, all fail any MOT or road test. Perhaps a blowing exhaust, bald and irregularly worn tyres, broken lights and whining bearings are relatively unimportant when driving off road in Africa, but running on three cylinders, seized differentials, burnt out alternators, molten and bare wiring earthing on the body work and fridges that simply weren't wired in are surely major failings when venturing into the middle of the Kalahari. Not to mention missing equipment, a lack of tools, empty gas cylinders and very smelly tents. When questioned on the state of the vehicles (not to mention that we had booked and paid for three and he presents us with only two when we arrive), his complete lack of preparation for our arrival and only a fraction of the equipment we had specifically been promised, his attitude was 'like it or lump it'! In fact what he actually said on a Sunday morning when we arrived after a 12 hour flight from the UK was "if you don't like it, f**k off". Clearly we were a captive audience with very few options or alternatives. We managed to return to collect an additional vehicle from him the following day, at which point we also had to replace one of the vehicles that we had only just collected the previous day as the diff seized up - thankfully better then, than when we were hundreds of kms from civilisation! We also managed to nurse the vehicles along for the two weeks, but only as we had a couple of very handy guys with us that are quite mechanically minded and with the assistance of the Toyota dealership in Maun, who dropped everything to help us repair two alternators within a two hour window. However, unless you are a qualified mechanic, with plenty of spares, tools and wish to spend more time in the engine bay, than watching game, then take my advice, and steer very clear of Buffalo Campers - spend the extra money and get a decent vehicle!
(Rental: May 2011)
I have just returned from SA having rented a Toyota Hilux from Buffalo Campers 4x4 for a two week self drive safari through Botswana and would NOT wish anyone to have the same experience we did. Our group had three vehicles in total supplied by Buffalo Campers and its hard to say which was worse - the condition of the vehicles or the attitude of Vaughan Corlett the business owner. He ranks amongst the surliest, most rude and unhelpful individuals i've ever met, and his vehicles are without doubt the most hotch botch, poorly maintained, bodged i've ever driven. In the UK they would, without exception, all fail any MOT or road test. Perhaps a blowing exhaust, bald and irregularly worn tyres, broken lights and whining bearings are relatively unimportant when driving off road in Africa, but running on three cylinders, seized differentials, burnt out alternators, molten and bare wiring earthing on the body work and fridges that simply weren't wired in are surely major failings when venturing into the middle of the Kalahari. Not to mention missing equipment, a lack of tools, empty gas cylinders and very smelly tents. When questioned on the state of the vehicles (not to mention that we had booked and paid for three and he presents us with only two when we arrive), his complete lack of preparation for our arrival and only a fraction of the equipment we had specifically been promised, his attitude was 'like it or lump it'! In fact what he actually said on a Sunday morning when we arrived after a 12 hour flight from the UK was "if you don't like it, f**k off". Clearly we were a captive audience with very few options or alternatives. We managed to return to collect an additional vehicle from him the following day, at which point we also had to replace one of the vehicles that we had only just collected the previous day as the diff seized up - thankfully better then, than when we were hundreds of kms from civilisation! We also managed to nurse the vehicles along for the two weeks, but only as we had a couple of very handy guys with us that are quite mechanically minded and with the assistance of the Toyota dealership in Maun, who dropped everything to help us repair two alternators within a two hour window. However, unless you are a qualified mechanic, with plenty of spares, tools and wish to spend more time in the engine bay, than watching game, then take my advice, and steer very clear of Buffalo Campers - spend the extra money and get a decent vehicle!
Review by: Susan Underwood, Dolores CO
(Rental: April 2011)
Although less expensive than competitors, the 2 vehicles rented by our party from Buffalo Campers were neither well maintained nor safely equipped. Safety concerns: The tool kit consisted of one spanner to share between both vehicles; 2 tow straps, one of which was cut and useless; and incorrect amperage fuses. One vehicle's transmission was failing, rendering it very difficult to shift into first; 5th gear became inoperable during our hire, and had to be held in place manually during our return trip from Botswana to Northriding . Even when stopped in gear with the emergency brake applied, the truck could be manually pushed, and did upon 2 occasions roll forward without any force applied. One of the locking hubs was increasingly noisy, leading us to believe that it was close to failure. The engine failed to hold a prime, and consistently required 2 starts before it would catch. By the end of our hire, the starter became increasingly less reliable. One of the fridge/freezers did not function, which resulted in spoilage of our provisions - an expense as well as a safety concern. A jerry can designated for water had, at some point, been used for gasoline, rendering it useless for water storage.
These concerns were brought to Vaughn's attention upon our return of the vehicles. It is unknown whether any of the concerns were addressed, but we were made to understand that the vehicles were booked for hire for the following day.
In the interests of full disclosure: we damaged one of the vehicles, and paid Vaughn the required repair fees. The damaged vehicle was NOT the vehicle with the transmission, 4WD, starter, breaking or fridge problems cited above.
(Rental: April 2011)
Although less expensive than competitors, the 2 vehicles rented by our party from Buffalo Campers were neither well maintained nor safely equipped. Safety concerns: The tool kit consisted of one spanner to share between both vehicles; 2 tow straps, one of which was cut and useless; and incorrect amperage fuses. One vehicle's transmission was failing, rendering it very difficult to shift into first; 5th gear became inoperable during our hire, and had to be held in place manually during our return trip from Botswana to Northriding . Even when stopped in gear with the emergency brake applied, the truck could be manually pushed, and did upon 2 occasions roll forward without any force applied. One of the locking hubs was increasingly noisy, leading us to believe that it was close to failure. The engine failed to hold a prime, and consistently required 2 starts before it would catch. By the end of our hire, the starter became increasingly less reliable. One of the fridge/freezers did not function, which resulted in spoilage of our provisions - an expense as well as a safety concern. A jerry can designated for water had, at some point, been used for gasoline, rendering it useless for water storage.
These concerns were brought to Vaughn's attention upon our return of the vehicles. It is unknown whether any of the concerns were addressed, but we were made to understand that the vehicles were booked for hire for the following day.
In the interests of full disclosure: we damaged one of the vehicles, and paid Vaughn the required repair fees. The damaged vehicle was NOT the vehicle with the transmission, 4WD, starter, breaking or fridge problems cited above.
