Ricardo GulerVisited:
July 2007
Reviewed: Aug 22, 2011
Amazing and magic experience. Best place visited ever...
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
4 / 5
5 / 5
4 / 5
The most incredible trip to a very special part of this world. It is an encounter with the basics of humanity and the magical beauty of nature...
We have learned that people can be happy with very little material things and that definitily we have too much of everything and most of the time it is hard to reach peace of mind and joy.
Also realised that animals in their habitat behave better than human beings....
The most frightening experience is driving in Kenya roads...
Bobonacus
GB
Visited:
August 2010
Reviewed: Aug 9, 2011
I was amazed at the quantity and variation in Wildlife
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
What an amazing place, the volume of wildlife far exceeded all expectation. We flew to Nairobi, picked and and driven to near Lake Nakuru, 2 nights here before heading to Masai Mara for 4 nights. Then drive back to Nairobi and a night there before flying home in the morning.
Lake Nakuru was exceptional for the flamingoes (among many other birds and animals) and is well worth a days visit. The noise of the birds has to be experienced.
Then to Masai Mara which was just amazing, the volume of wildlife was incredible. I could not believe how many animals there were. We did a sunrise balloon ride which was expensive but so worth it. Breakfast on the plains when we landed was just surreal with all the wildlife around. Lions, Cheetah, Elephant, Zebra, Wilder beast, Impala, Gazelle, Buffalo, Giraffe, Hyena, Crocodiles, Ostrich, Vulture, Hippo, Jackal and many more seen :) Camp site was amazing, private site with just 12 travelers + guides ... very luxurious with en suite!
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Picnic a few hundred feet from the crocodiles ... another next to the Hippos.
Local guides were used in fairly small vehicles who were very knowledgeable and patient when we wanted to stop for photography. If you are interested my photos are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobonacus/sets/72157625299783106/
Daniele Fabio
IT
Visited:
December 2023
Reviewed: Jan 8, 2024
The review below is the personal opinion of Daniele Fabio and not that of SafariBookings.
Not safe
2 / 5
2
/5
2 / 5
2 / 5
4 / 5
4 / 5
Amboseli was good with a lot of Animals, but tswo East e west are not good. 2 days driving and we saw few or not Animals.
On the beach, beachboys are so boring and you can't live your Sea experience in peace. I cant suggest Kenya Just for this reason. Sea and beach are Maldive level for me
Kyle Sivadon
US
Visited:
March 2020
Reviewed: Apr 20, 2020
Email Kyle Sivadon
| 35-50 years of age
| Experience level: first safari
Great experience with one exception
4 / 5
4
/5
5 / 5
3 / 5
4 / 5
4 / 5
I had a great time on my trip to Kenya. I will start with the negative and then go with the positive. I became dehydrated on the trip. The first day we travelled over 8 hours and were not given any water, nor were we allowed to buy any. We made several stops, one over 30 minutes, and our driver just talked to people. Nothing, just chilling with his friends. Then we ask to get out and he refused to get out. Then would not give us any water. Being someone how has leg cramps and an athlete, water is VERY important. It was told on our trip that all water would be given to is. It was not. Also on the last two days we were not given any water either. So three dya we went without any water in the hot place. We had to buy the water, after we were told it would be free.
That part aside, it was one of the best vacations of my life. I enjoy seeing the animals and I was able to see all of the big five except for the leopard. The animals were very fun and it was good to experience life
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in Africa. I never knew there were that many animals out there. We also, one day, saw the elusive and highly endangered black rhino. Our guide told us that he usually only sees them about every 100 days. So that was super exciting. Being a teacher, I have to travel cheap and this was a great value for the trip. The food was the same every meal, but there was plenty of it. The places you stay are good, if you remember it is a budget experience. I did not mind it at all and met some really cool people. I used Safari Line Defender and Rose was the one who set it up for me. It was all very professional.....with the exception of the water.
I would highly suggest using this safari Line Defender and work with Rose. It was a GREAT time!!
Colin V Desouza
US
Visited:
February 2020
Reviewed: Mar 14, 2020
The review below is the personal opinion of Colin V Desouza and not that of SafariBookings.
Masaai Mara Safari
2 / 5
2
/5
3 / 5
3 / 5
4 / 5
0 / 5
Let’s start with the Mara Lodge 5***** lodge service and 3*** food
The pickup was seamless
The drive took 8.5 hours as we got stuck in Mud after entering very rough Terrain in the Mara and it’s a single lane hi way with numerous stops for random construction
Every tour driver stops to help the stranded driver
Nice when we got stuck but after three others got stuck it wasted 2-3 hours of day1
Unfortunately the roads were so bad that in no time my back was out of sync
The rest of the two days was at the wonderful lodge getting pampered by the staff as the only guest on the premises.
The ride back was equally long but after complaining a lot I was given the front seat
Also asked for a refund for the 2 Nd day entry which was given unwillingly
Take the LandRover or Jeeps DO NOT take the MINI VANS
They are uncomfortable unreliable and the drivers are a clique
Ensure you enter the park all 3 days as the charge is
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for 24 hr entry from first entry
This tour Co only entered the park in the first 24 hours and pocketed $80 USD for 7 passengers
Would not use them again
badblue
JP
Visited:
January 2020
Reviewed: Feb 27, 2020
Email badblue
| 20-35 years of age
| Experience level: first safari
The review below is the personal opinion of badblue and not that of SafariBookings.
tour is good,but food and companyis bad
2 / 5
2
/5
4 / 5
4 / 5
2 / 5
3 / 5
Amboseli is not so good.
It has many elephants ,but others are not so many.
And my tour company is really really the worth.
They told me that I could pay all of price by cresit card,but actually it could do for only deposit.
And they did not tell me the fee of cresit.
And they said water was included,but actually not.
And food was bad, There were always flies around the dishes.
The guide of the lake Nakuru and Amboseli was also the worst.
He was often late ,and could not find the wild animals.
And,when he took me the next place,he dropped off many times because he wanted to buy goods.
So, I have less time to see the wild animals.
I appreciate my tour mates because they could find more animals than his.
fangzhao
CN
Visited:
August 2019
Reviewed: Aug 24, 2019
Email fangzhao
| 35-50 years of age
| Experience level: first safari
The review below is the personal opinion of fangzhao and not that of SafariBookings.
The scene is beautiful,but the guide and the travel agency (Kenya walking)is cheater。
1 / 5
1
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
Just remember this name “kenya walking”,the travel agency has taken 8307 dollars from me ,but the driver said he has no money ,so he can't go to the park unless we pay another 3000dollars. we turn back to the travel office and the door is closed。we have go the policestation,but till now no response for it。It is a very bad experience。
Richard Benjamin
US
Visited:
September 2018
Reviewed: Sep 25, 2018
The review below is the personal opinion of Richard Benjamin and not that of SafariBookings.
Awesome National Parks and Wildlife
2 / 5
2
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
0 / 5
I spent one day in Nairobi, and that was enough. The city was crowed and overrun with litter. You couldn’t step out of your hotel without being set upon by several pushy men wanting to be your “ guide”. Traveling through the villages to the various parks and lake areas you saw the trash and liter everywhere. I realize it’s a poor country but picking up your trash doesn’t cost anything.
The parks and wildlife were completely different. Clean and it seemed, well guarded, the wildlife and scenery were amazing. We have always wanted to see the animals in their natural habitat and we weren’t disappointed. They were abundant and it was amazing to see them wander freely in their natural environment. The safari experience was everything we hoped it would be.
Kaushik Mitra
IN
Visited:
July 2018
Reviewed: Aug 8, 2018
The review below is the personal opinion of Kaushik Mitra and not that of SafariBookings.
Wildlife is a great host for the human guests.
2 / 5
2
/5
4 / 5
4 / 5
4 / 5
4 / 5
Masai Mara, the name itself holds its own identity around the globe. It's a paradise for wildlife lovers. This was the very sentences which used to ring in my head before entering beautiful Kenya. And if I was to rate Kenya after my visit, on a scale of 5 then I would have given 6, leaving besides the bitter experience with our tour operator #tourkenyasafariheights, just because of them my rating would go down to 2.
Before travelling to Kenya, I and my friend searched on internet several times about tour operators conducting safaris. From them we shortlisted a few and ultimately finalized #tourkenyasafariheights. The agreed with the price us on all the criteria demanded by us without any terms and conditions.
It was a 6N7D tour which included as promised by #tourkenyasafariheights :
Day 1: Nairobi - Maasai Mara National Reserve
At 07:30 to 08:00, you will be picked up from your hotel and depart for the Maasai Mara National Reserve
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via the viewpoint of the Great Rift Valley and Narok Town for refueling and lunch. Afterward, you will proceed to the game reserve, arriving at the camp at 14:00. You will then have a little siesta and proceed on the first introduction game viewing at Maasai Mara National Reserve. You will return back to Masai ole moran
Day 2: Maasai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, you will proceed on a full day game viewing within the reserve. The landscape is scenic savannah grassland on rolling hills. Maasai Mara National Reserve is the best park for game viewing in Kenya as it has an extensive road and track network which allows for close range viewing and photography. After the game viewing, you can have a break for your picnic lunch at the hippo pool, looking out for hippos and crocodiles. The dinner will be served and you will stay overnight at the Masai ole moran
Day 3: Maasai Mara National Reserve - Nakuru
Early in the morning, you will have a pre-breakfast game drive. After breakfast, you will depart the Mara Region for Nakuru and have lunch en-route with scenic views of Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha from afar on the main highway. The dinner and overnight stay will at Flamingo Hill Camp
Day 4: Lake Nakuru National Park - Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, you will proceed on a game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its prolific birdlife including flamingoes. The park contains a sanctuary for the conservation of white rhinos while species like Cape buffalos and waterbucks can be seen near the shoreline. Afterward, you will drive to Amboseli National Park arriving late in the evening with game viewing en route to the camp. The dinner and overnight stay will be at Kibo Safari Camp
Day 5: Amboseli National Park
You will have a full day of game drives in this park which contains swampy grounds in which elephants and hippos bathe in abundance. A variety of plains game, antelopes, and birds can also be seen. You can also see Mount Kilimanjaro’s peak if weather conditions permit. Tour Kenya Safari Heights will cater for your picnic lunch before returning to Kibo Safari Camp
Day 6: Amboseli National Park - Nairobi
In the early morning, you will have a game viewing activity and then return to the LODGE for a full breakfast. Later on, you will be transferred back to Nairobi.
But, what was delivered to us was very different. Not a single pre-breakfast game drive was given to us and all the accommodations as promised by the #tourkenyasafariheights were changed. We used to stay @ about 45-30 mins distance from the main park entrance,because of which I felt time was wasted and I could have enjoyed more. Whereas the accommodations which were promised are very near to the entrance of the parks/inside the parks.
Everyday inbetween 2 parks the car driver of #tourkenyasafariheights would float new names of hotel in which they would provide accommodations for us. Which was really depressing and disturbing at the same time. Because of such uncertainties we failed to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountains and the lakes on our way.
Furthermore, I would like to mention that #tourkenyasafariheights had promised through messages on on our personal number. That #tourkenyasafariheights would provide lodging at a proper place for us at @Nairobi on the day we arrived and on the day we would depart. Which would be included in the package. It was very disappointing that on the day we arrived they provided accommodations for us @ hotel sunrise which is a pathetic hotel, location is not good. And on the day we arrived @Nairobi after completion of the tour , #tourkenyasafariheights refused to provide any accommodations which was further more disappointing in a foreign land.
Finally, I would suggest to tourists/travellers arriving 1st time. It is just because of the nature's own gift to the land that inspite of such irregularities I would suggest you to visit the place again and again. But be careful with such tour operators and ensure your bookings personally with the hotels which are promised initially by such tour operators.
Alan Mirviss
US
Visited:
May 2018
Reviewed: Jun 11, 2018
Email Alan Mirviss
| 50-65 years of age
| Experience level: first safari
Kenya and our 3-day mini-safari lived up to my hopes of what Africa and the game preserves should be
5 / 5
5
/5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
0 / 5
So VERY pleased with our tour service - Skywide Tours. My wife got approval to present at a conference in Nairobi on Tuesday. I emailed Skywide asking for a 3-day package to Masai Mara and David responded within 12 hours. After looking at our travel arrangements, I emailed back on Wednesday night asking to move it forward by 1 day - to Sunday. Again, David responded in short turnaround to confirm this was manageable. We met David at our hotel at 7 AM Sunday, along with our guide, Wachanga. During the next 3 days my wife and I were continuously impressed with Wachanga's engaging personality, his vast knowledge of large animals, birds, plants and geology of the Rift Valley, which he imparted while we BOUNCED along along the dirt roads which snake throughout the Masai Mara National Park. We found out that after being a school teacher for many years, he now is one of the longest-running guides in Kenya. As a result, in addition to his commitment to ensuring we saw as much wildlife
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as possible, his ease in the mechanics of a multi-day safari - as well as being on a first-name basis with many of the other guides and wardens in the preserve - made the whole experience extremely smooth. We stayed in OL Moran tented camp, where we were pleased to discover that our tent had a shower/toilet attached. The food was simple, but filling. Overall just what we expected for safari accommodations.
As we were coming back into Nairobi we decided to engage Wachanga for the day on Saturday, 4 days from then, to go through the Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick elephant orphanage and the giraffe center. Again, David and Wachanga were quite accommodating. We finished with a tour of the Kazuri Bead Factory, which employs several hundred single women producing incredibly beautify necklaces and bracelets. We had wanted to try an authentic yama choma meat meal, so we had a late lunch at a restaurant Wachanga arranged.
During the day on Saturday we realized that our flight out the next day wasn't until 11:30 PM, so we asked if Wachanga could take us to see Hell's Gate National Park. Again, this was arranged without difficulty at literally a moment's notice. Hell's Gate offers multiple activities for a 1-day excursion, including the only park where you can leave the vehicle; a close-up view of the escarpments of the Valley wall; a walk up a narrow gorge with 'escape routes' up the side walls in case of a flash flood; and a close-up look at the geothermal plants that provide 10%+ of Kenya's electricity. On our way back we stopped at Lake Naivasha and took a 1-hour ride to see water fowl and hippos.
As you can tell from this long review, we are enchanted with Kenya, and enthusiastic about Wachanga and David from Skywide Tours - their flexibility and local knowledge made this the perfect week trip! We encourage you to use Skywide, request Wachanga, and tell them that Alan and Diane sent you!