Email Sharon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All our expectations were met, and then some!
We booked a six-day safari with Features Africa Journeys, Nairobi. We chose the six-day safari (Amboseli - Nakuru - Maasai Mara) over the usual 4-day safaris because this one included Amboseli and we really wanted to see Mount Kilimanjaro. Who doesn't?! The tour was on the luxury scale (c. $1500 per person, all accommodation, meals and transport included) and it was worth every single cent.
Our guide, Anthony, had the most extraordinary knowledge about the wildlife and local culture; he knew every answer to every question. Not only that, he had the magic touch. Somehow, no matter what we asked for he found it; this included an end-of-season wildebeest crossing. A tall order, but he found a group of wildebeest along the river. It didn't look as though they were going to move but Anthony said, 'Wait 10 minutes'. We did ... and they did. Magical.
Although it would add to the cost, I think two nights at Nakuru would be a better experience. We arrived just before dinner and left very early the next morning, so we didn't get to experience the best that the camp had to offer. Maybe make an extra day an option for travellers booking this safari?
The accommodation in the three camps we stayed at was 5-star in the literal sense. To top it all, we opted for the hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara. An absolute 'must-do' if your budget allows it.
I would recommend this tour company and the 6-day safari without any hesitation. We also did the one-day tour to Lake Naivasha and Hells Gate. Again, our expectation were exceeded.
Our thanks to Anthony and Karanja of Features Africa Journeys. Top notch. I have a feeling we will see you again.
Email Ffyonna Scott | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a Lifetime
We all absolutely loved our trip to Kenya in October! Our tour company, Wildlife Sun Safaris ere fantastic! From the moment the met us at Jomo Kenyatta Airport the we’re a joy to be with. We had drivers for a couple of days in Nairobi, visiting DSWT, Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum. Then our wonderful driver and safari guide, Japheth. Thanks to him, we saw 4/5 of the big 5 in Masai Mara, and more elephants than I could count in Amboseli, much to my absolute delight! We saw leopards (and a live kill), cheetahs and lions. I would go back to Kenya in a heartbeat and would ask James at Wildlife Sun Safaris to organise my trip before considering anyone else. James, Japheth, thank you so much for such a special trip, for looking after Penny and for helping us create such beautiful and everlasting memories.
MX
Email Andre Breton | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Westernized Africa
You can't beat the wildlife and scenery of a safari, that's for sure and it's worth every buck. However, it did feel heavily commercialized and not very authentic in terms of the people and the vibe. It's the first safari I ever take and my views could be exclusive to Kenya, Amboseli NP or the company I chose (which was very good by the way), but to me it felt artificial in a Disney-like manner. Please don't get me wrong: I stayed perhaps in the best hotels I've ever stayed and got some of the best customer service; the guide and all the staff were always trying to please us and make us happy. Maybe this was the problem ... it felt like Cancun, Miami or anything else but Africa, a standardized and westernized vision and feel of tourism. If what you are looking for is to get to know Africa's epic wildlife with international comfort then a safari is your best choice, but if you want to discover a new culture, then make a change of plans or balance your trip with something else. We also went to Ethiopia and while the comfort standard was light years away from Kenya, the social-cultural component of that part of the trip was much more genuine and memorable. In terms of wildlife, orangutan trekking in Borneo or walking among gellada baboons in Ethiopia feel much more authentic, although not as impressive as what a safari reserve can offer. I think it's a matter of what your profile is and the expectations you have. Again, my only safari experience is in one reserve in Kenya and things could be very different in other places, I don't know but I doubt it. Personally I would take a safari again (tampering my expectations) if I was traveling to Africa on a longer trip. I would never plan a trip exclusively for a safari.
SE
Email Torsten | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible wildlife and amazing life-time experience!
Fantastic wildlife! We got to see all of the "big five" except the rhino. Very skilled and professional guide. The accommodation was very cozy: a tent close to the national park. Out in the wilderness, yet with electricity (via generator) and proper bathroom and shower. Surprisingly good food. An experience for a lifetime!
CA
Email Moly | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience. wildlife. food and scenery
We really enjoyed and the experience we cannot express in words. Watching the wild animals in their natural habitat was an experience. Weather was nice, food was great, all the accommodations exceeded our expectations especially Tsavo west. The water hole behind our lodge,in Kiluguani lodge, was busy whole night and we did not feel like to go to bed. In Masai Mara, Osero Camp, was inside the park and during night we could hear the killing and the struggle and the fights. Our tour guide Paul, Tukio safaris, was awesome. He took all the troubles to show us all "big five". we were very fortunate to see all only because of Paul. Only regrets is we couldn't see the river crossing.
IN
Email Chandan Gurukar | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fabulous is what I can say, Maasai Mara is.
One of the best countries for wildlife viewing. The sheer expanse of Maasai Mara is breathtaking. The number of animals is simply mind numbing
TR
Email Didem Barutcu | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
i am very pleased and it was exciting
the weather was warm, the national parks were great and the tour guides are very kind.
IE
Email James Moran | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful Kenya.....disgraceful Tukio!
We travelled to Kenya for a safari trip of a life time. We absolutely loved Kenya, it’s wildlife and it’s people.
Kenya is a fabulous country to visit for Safari and seeing the Big Five.
However, just be advised that it is expensive, for example we paid €60 fora bottle of wine in a restaurant and we got the feeling that it was not just the wilder beast that are easy prey but tourists are very much so too.
Our tour company Tukio were good at the planning stage but we were let down very badly by them regarding accommodation. We tried to book a five star lodge which was only available for one night though we wanted two nights, and we offered for the same price, a completely different far inferior lodge in which we felt unsafe and could not even eat the deplorable food which was presented to us. When we wanted to change lodge we got very poor service from Tukio, who did very little to help our situation. We would definitely advise not using this company.
AE
Email Maikko Ibale | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The place is very cool
The beauty between the animals inside the cage and the free ones are way different. You will feel them alive and happy. It was very beautiful place to be!
However, there are part of the tour that we didnt do and did not advise us earlier why we are not doing it so. And im talking about the spring or thermal bath. We could have spend more time cycling than bringing us back to Nairobi, there are still plenty of time.
Email Peggy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible!
We had a wonderful time and Jonathan was a very knowledgeable guide - making sure we saw all of the Big 5 and loads more. The highlight was seeing 6 lion cubs walking past your truck!
Ashnil was great, lovely staff and no shortage of good food! The tents were brilliant with a great pool and view of Hippos and crocs in the river.
