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Ruth
AU
Visited:
February 2024
Reviewed: Feb 27, 2024
Email Ruth | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience, memories that will last a lifetime. Kenya is amazing!
We chose a fairly budget safari with Daylight Adventures and
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Safaris who did a great job helping us plan and taking care of us while we were with them. Many of the costs are fixed such as park entry fees, fuel, etc, so much of the difference in price comes down to standard/style of accommodation and the vehicle, and whether extras such as alcoholic and other drinks are included. So think about what you want and need, and talk with your safari operator about your options and preferences. We had no need for the 'sundowners' I read about so often, so it didn't bother us that they were not included. The camps and lodges we stayed at had everything we needed, and a couple were even fancier than expected for the price. Meals were plentiful and good, coffee in sachets left a fair bit to be desired, but the ubiquitous African tea is a winner. Everywhere we stayed had hot water for showers, but it seems like many toilets don't always flush particularly well. Be prepared for very rough roads once you leave the main highways - they really give you a good shaking up. We're surprised none of us sustained minor head injuries in the vehicle. Seriously, if you suffer from osteoporosis or have a bad back, think twice about going on a driving safari - the roads can be that bad. But the views and the wildlife are magnificent. The massed pelicans and flamingoes at Lake Nakuru are breathtaking.I am a birder, and this was my first (probably only) time in Africa, so the sheer quantity and variety of new birds was almost overwhelming. Before this trip to Kenya, all my birding experience was in southeast Asia and Australasia. The homework I did beforehand to become somewhat familiar with what to expect really paid off. We decided on a 9yo-friendly general safari rather than a specific birding tour, so I was pretty much on my own for IDing the birds, but I still logged over 130 lifers with the help of photos taken by my husband. Would easily have been well over 200 with an experienced birding guide and a clear birding focus.
In Nairobi we also went to the National Museum of Kenya and the adjoining Snake Park. These were worth the visit and quite interesting and informative. Everybody we came across in Nairobi and on safari was friendly and kind, except for one guy who accused us of taking photos of him and other people without consent when we went for a walk outside our accommodation. The visit to the Maasai village was interesting and informative, with a stange and slightly uncomfortable mix of feeling both staged and overly personal and intrusive. The men danced for each small group of visitors in their full traditional costumes, showed us their village and fire-making skills, and took us into one of their own homes. We felt kind of obliged to buy some of their jewellery. The local school serves 1000 students from kindergarten to Grade 8, many of whom stay in dormitories on site for weeks at a time since their homes are far distant. The oldest students were learning about subatomic particles that day going from what was written on the blackboard, and the walls of the school had diagrams of the structure of the heart and circulatory system painted on them. Again, we felt a bit pressured to make a donation at the end of the tour. No-one gives you any idea of what an appropriate amount is, but they did write everything down in a ledger in the interests of transparency.
In Mombasa we spent the morning on Nyali beach and our daughter enjoyed playing in the sand and exploring the rock pools as the tide went out. There was the option of camel rides on the beach, and we could have taken a guide to show us around the rock pools and mud flats and find some of the creatures that live there. In the afternoon we visited Fort Jesus as we wanted to understand and appreciate some of the long trading history of Africa. I'm not sure the guide we had there was worth the $20 - a bit rushed and spoke very fast so hard to understand. But some of the other guides seemed to be doing a good job. He also 'offered' to take us around the old city. It was a Sunday and all the traders were closed, but he still asked for an extra $20 which we declined since we had not realised that was not part of the original deal with him. Overall our impression was that people in Mombasa were not as friendly as most of the people we met in the other parts of the country that we visited, but we were still glad we went, and it would have been nice to have time to try a trip on a dhow or visit the marine parks.
Overall I would heartily recommend Kenya as a travel destination, and I would love to go back one day. My dream holiday in Kenya would be a camel-assisted walking safari in Laikipia, but it would put more of a hole in our bank account than we could justify. It was a great experience just to drive through the towns, villages and countryside, watching herds of both domestic and wild animals roaming across the savannahs, catching a glimpse of the red-draped Maasai herdsmen in the distance as they watched their flocks, and gaining the beginnings of an understanding of how they live side by side with large and dangerous wild animals. The Great Rift Valley is spectacular, and its well worth seeing and experiencing this major continental-scale geographical feature. We met some wonderful and fascinating people, and overall had an adventure we will never forget.
Flore
NL
Visited:
February 2024
Reviewed: Feb 25, 2024
Email Flore | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful wildlife in an amazing environment
We loved doing the Safari tour, everything was arranged so good so you didn’t have to think about anything. It was nice to do the early tours so you had the late afternoon and evening off. The Amboseli national park was very big with a lot of different views, as in there were some dry parts, but also a small lake with flamingo’s and more green parts with high grass. The variety of small birds and the big animals was nice.
Turid Trevland Rye-Johnson
NO
Visited:
January 2024
Reviewed: Feb 16, 2024
Email Turid Trevland Rye-Johnson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Poor
Safari is really Nice.
Afrika is a disaster.
It is no good wibes going on holiday to su h a poorness. Its so Nice in its beaty
Cruel to se all the poor people
Kal
GB
Visited:
December 2023
Reviewed: Feb 5, 2024
Email Kal | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nature on your door step.
Very good experience oveall. Karibu operator was very good and the guide (Mark) was superb.
Herman
NL
Visited:
December 2023
Reviewed: Feb 5, 2024
Email Herman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nice, but too touristic.
I do not like it as drivers call each other during the safari. Whem one of them spots something, other drivers drive like crazy through the park ending with ten of cars at the animals the one driver spotted. This does not give me a safari feeling.
Agnese Semjonova
LV
Visited:
January 2024
Reviewed: Jan 31, 2024
Email Agnese Semjonova | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great nature
Really great nature, a lot of animals and birds was seen during our safari! We really enjoyed!
Sandra
SK
Visited:
December 2023
Reviewed: Jan 30, 2024
Email Sandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Totaly different from Europe.
This was great experience. Totaly diffrent from Europe. Nairobi was interesting… not for walking on the streets as white person but great as experience. Overal semi-safe. Too much of a poverty. The best was Maasai ostrich farm and riding the ostrich - dream came true.
Safari in Masai Mara excceded our expetations. We saw the whole Big five and many different animals. It was great. We would do it all again anytime.
M. Bröcker
DE
Visited:
January 2024
Reviewed: Jan 28, 2024
Email M. Bröcker | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya's wildlife and nature are unforgettable
We had an amazing time in Kenia and saw a lot of different animals.
We almost saw all big five, with only the lepard missing. Which is quite difficult to catch.
Every park has it's own charme and are really welcoming.
We visited Lake Nakuru, Ambosseli and Masai mara.
Our higlight was all the elefants in Ambosseli.
A big let down was the change of the price politic.
At Masai Mara f.e. the few was increased from 70 to 100$ and the entrance wasn't for 24 hours anymore.
They are also planning on increasing it to 200$ by june. Wa of milking the tourist.
Another problem was the opening hours from 06:30-18:30, which meant that it wasn't possible to see the night life of the big cats.
But it's understandable because the park is beeing protected by night against the poarchers.
We would recommend it to everyone, but you have to plan to go as early in the morning as possible and stay the whole day in the park with lunch inside.
Clément
GF
Visited:
January 2024
Reviewed: Jan 25, 2024
Email Clément | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Travelling in Kenya can be tiring because of the long road trips, but it definitely worth it !
Second time in Kenya. My impression is that the country developed in fifteen years and it's definitely moving forward. I think the overall level of services, welcoming and staff professionalism is good compare to some other countries I've been. We generally found our trip enjoyable because we didn't suffer any unexpected issue or lack of organisation, etc.
However, keep in mind that the road trips between the parks can be long and exhausting. Plus it is sometime necessary to depart early in the morning. But it totally worth it ! The scenery is exceptional and the wildlife we could observe was so numerous ! Yet, keep in mind that Kenya is a touristic destination, so in the parks we sometimes felt hard to find ourselves in the middle of nowhere enjoying the moment : so many Land Cruisers and vans around the Lions !
Regarding the security, we felt safe everywhere, in particular in Nairobi where the hotels are equipped with high end security equipment...
Belinda
GB
Visited:
November 2023
Reviewed: Dec 13, 2023
Email Belinda | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The African skies were amazing a contrast to Malawi
I spent 3 nights in the Masa Mara between volunteering in Malawi and Kenya. It was an amazing interlude between the 2 countries and we had 2 excellent guides and drivers. It's possible to see some fantastic game without spending a fortune by staying outside the park boundary. This is not luxury but more than adequate with ample food and some timed internet. The scenery was amazing.