This Tour Is Offered By
Our director Caroline.
Gatelinks Kenya
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- Magical Kenya, AMREF FLYING DOCTORS, Kenya Wildlife Services & Tourism Reguratory Authority
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
KE
Welcome to Gatelinks Safaris and Car Hire! Our mission is to make the beauty and adventure of the wild accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget. Under the guidance of our amazing director, Mrs. Caroline, we have been providing budget-friendly safaris without compromising safety for nearly five years. We specialize in offering short and personalized safari experiences that exceed expectations. Our services include customized private budget safaris and car hire in Kenya.
Reviews8
Highly recommended
What a great experience! This review relates to a trip we have just completed as a family- mum and dad (me) with son (19) and daughter (17). I’ve travelled in Africa a fair bit over the years in different countries including Kenya but first time in Africa for the “kids”.
We were picked up promptly from our airport hotel in Nairobi by John (driver) and Kevin (a trainee with the company) and set off for two days in Masai Mara. From the start we were in good hands. John has been doing this for many years and clearly knows the job, the reserve and the people inside out. Even driving through unassuming parts of Nairobi he was pointing out things of interest from where the President got married to where his own Mum lives! But there was still plenty of opportunity to sit back and watch Kenya trundle past the window; I never felt “talked at”.
We stopped a couple of times en route for a restroom and a coffee, with the obligatory soft sell of local crafts which was friendly and fun, even when we chose not to buy. The last hour or so was on unmade tracks (a free “African Massage” according to John!). We were in a minibus rather than a Land Cruiser which most people seemed to use, but I don’t feel we were at any disadvantage in doing so, and John clearly knew what he was doing behind the wheel.
The trip to Zebra Plains lodge took about 6 hours total but passed pretty quickly.
On arrival we were met with broad smiles, a cool damp towel (lovely) and a welcome drink, before sitting down to be served a late lunch by the ever-accommodating Victor. Elias was the man in charge and he looked after us all brilliantly.
Once we had caught our breath we set off for a game drive. ZP is about 25 mins outside the Talek gate by road, though it is situated right on the edge of the Mara- the Talek river separates it from the reserve hence the drive. The other side of the river about 100 yards from my glass of beer in the evening we saw giraffes, hippos and a jackal. There is a subtle electric fence between the lodge and the river though so no danger of getting eaten ourselves.
The evening game drive gave us a pride of 8 lions around the carcass of a Cape buffalo they had brought down, and various herbivores from impala to topi.
You have to be out of the park by 6.30 unless staying inside the boundary but it was getting dark at that point. So home for a delicious dinner and bed in a sumptuous tented home on stilts. Barely a mosquito to be seem and good mosquito nets.
Up early the next day (5.45) to get into the reserve ax the sun rose. Good breakfast and coffee helped fortify. I would have taken a few snacks along as it was a while until lunch, but mainly to feed the teenagers. So now lots more lions, a leopard literally 400m across the border in Tanzania (asleep in a tree but clearly visible), a herd of a dozen or so elephant walked straight past us, lots of zebra, giraffe, Cape buffalo, numerous birds and lots of other creatures I have failed to mention. We did not see rhino or cheetah on this trip but only just missed the latter.
Lunch was provided with table and chairs in the middle of nowhere with distant views and good food.
On return to the lodge about 4.30 we had plenty of time to wander about and look at the hippos in the river before showering and sitting out for a drink. In case you were wondering, you can get both an Aperol Spritz and a Moscow Mule in Zebra Plains. Or a beer (Tusker).
Good food once again and a chat with John about the next day; we were flying on to Zanzibar but our flight with Precision Air (don’t) was delayed a few hours; John arranged a trip back to Nairobi via Lake Naivasha and a boat trip and walking tour ($200 for us four) which I would highly recommend. Then picked up a packed dinner on the way to the airport- very tasty.
I have already mentioned John who I can’t praise highly enough- great guide, great driver, knows everyone and seems to have a sixth sense of where to find animals.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Kevin; although a trainee with limited experience in the reserve, he was a media wizard and filmed almost constantly. He is unfailingly enthusiastic and engaging, doing TikTok dances with my daughter and providing all round good companionship. He had since sent some great videos and pictures as a record of the trip and I am assured that we have been tagged on his Insta, though I don’t fully understand what that means.
In terms of tips, I don’t have many; probably worth having a few snack bars knocking around for teenagers, plenty of bottled water was provided, take some hand gel, and wear your seat belt- we came across a fairly significant road accident on the road back to Nairobi.
In summary: great trip, great company, great people, great wildlife and great memories. Would do it again tomorrow.
TR
Excellent
We had a wonderful safari experience thanks to the gatelink safari team. They took all my requests into consideration and helped me from the moment I was planning the tour, especially Rose worked very hard to make sure that every request was fulfilled. From the moment we met to the end of the safari, I would like to thank Rose and Eric for their friendship and help. It was a wonderful safari experience, thanks to Eric's master skills, we saw the Big Five. I recommend everyone to experience this safari excitement. Kenya was a wonderful place with its nature, it exceeded our expectations. You can choose Gatelink for this lifetime experience with peace of mind.
Friendly, professional & knowledgeable
Communications with Gatelinks was easy and their focus was on what we required.
Everything was on time and our comfort was our driver John’s priority, stopping for as long as we needed for photos and ensuring we were complete before moving on. John was very knowledgeable around the park and gave great insight into the animals behaviours. Would certainly recommend Gatelinks to everyone.
DE
The best you can squeeze in 36 hours
I was on a business trip in Nairobi and had less than 48 hours free time.
I am a passionate photographer and did not want to join a group that may have different interests, thus looking for a program that suited mine and gave me the flexibility to stop whenever I wanted.
Nakuru Lake is just 4 hours drive from Nairobi and allows game lovers to observe the big five except elephants in a short period of time, at least I did.
Flamingo Hill is located within the park and offers tented sleeping without losing the comfort and service you would expect from a decent hotel while enjoying safari experience and excellent dining after a day full of experiences.
I had John, a seasoned experienced driver-guide that made my 36 hours a worthwhile and trusted experience, wanting to come again.
Not cheap for one person but definitely worth its money, would always do it again!
ES
Invaluable experience!!
I had only not one but two Safaris hired with Gatelinks and I have nothing to say rather than I am very glad to have chosen them as our providor.
Both drivers (Last and Phillip) were very diligent, funny and guided us into the parks providing useful insights which made us enjoying more our experience.
This, with all the comfort of the jeeps and the treatment and support by Rose and company made us to have two amazing journeys that we will never forget.
I highly recommend Gatelinks to any ride you are planning to do.
