Alfred Nyairo, Co-founder.
Iyana Africa Tours and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2022)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Shraddha | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Amazing Safari Experience with Iyana Africa!
We had an incredible experience with Iyana Africa on our safari to Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru! Everything was extremely well organized from start to finish, making the entire trip seamless and stress-free.
A special shoutout to our guide, Ambrose, who was absolutely fantastic! He was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and genuinely passionate about wildlife. His expertise and enthusiasm made our game drives so much more enjoyable, and he went above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing experience.
The wildlife sightings were incredible, the landscapes were breathtaking, and the entire experience was everything we had hoped for and more. We really appreciated how smoothly everything was handled, allowing us to simply enjoy every moment of the safari.
I would highly recommend Iyana Africa to anyone planning a safari in Kenya, and if you get Ambrose as your guide, you’re in great hands! Thank you for such a memorable experience!
Email Enma | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Well organised, professional and knowledgeable guides and service
We had such a wonderful time with Ambrose and excellent service from the rest of the Iyana Team (thank you, Nic!). They organised a last minute trip to Nairobi National Park, had a seamless payment system, and made us feel welcome and comfortable. Their driver Ambrose was knowledgeable and friendly, and made it a day to remember!
BR
Email Martha Leal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personalized service and attention to detail tailored to our family’s needs.
An Unforgettable Family Safari in Kenya!
We were very pleased with the service provided by Iayana. They helped us plan the perfect trip for our family, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
We had an amazing time exploring Kenya, visiting Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara. Each destination was special, and the whole experience was truly unforgettable.
Our guide, Samsam, was incredibly helpful, patient, and kind with both us and the kids. He shared so much interesting information throughout the safaris, making the experience even more enriching for the whole family.
Our stays were wonderful as well, with delicious food and very friendly, welcoming staff at all the lodges.
We are taking home beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, Iayana and Samsam, for making this trip so special for our family. We are truly grateful for everything!
Email Isaiah Perry | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The operator is knowledgeable and passion about their job.
PLEASE READ I wanted to make sure I took time to convey my high appreciation for the guides I had on this trip. I am 29 year old black American man that only speaks English.
It has been my first solo trip and it’s very far from home! About 16 hours! I found the company through safaribookings.com and I only went off of star reviews at first. I really liked the initial schedule and the chance to see certain animals. I came to a very warm welcome by Alfred!
I believe Alfred owns the company. He came with photographers to commemorate the meeting when I landed. He is very friendly and social. The few days he was included in the trip he felt like a family member I was visiting who moved away. He does an incredible job sharing his world and explaining eveything about Kenya. He made sure to come to provide some company for me since I came alone and we shared a lot of great moments in such a short time! Any question I had about the world of Kenya he could answer. He even offered the stay the duration of my trip if I wanted even though he wanted to meet the his next guest coming to visit. Also, religiously accommodating. I told him I wanted pray together before every drive and he initiated each prayer. There was even a hiccup where a hot air balloon company made mistakes so I couldn’t fly. Alfred had a new plan ready for me to fly within the next two hours. Before the trip started they were working hard to see about possible hotel upgrades for my stay. He managed to land a spot at a high end hotel that’s usually booked out and they didn’t charge me extra! He managed all of this when I started planning with them about a month before coming on the safari.
Him and my guide Samson were very accommodating. They even shifted plans depending on what my interest was in. They tailored and altered the trip to suite my wishes.
Samson is the game drive expert who has been doing this for 15 years! The man sense of direction is phenomenal. Out on such a big plain he has so much awareness of where to go and where to look for animals. The first game drive was 3 hours I saw 3 of the big 5! I remember coming back to hotel and hearing other people talk about how they didn’t see much and I felt bad they didn’t have Samson. He has a very keen eye to see animals in their natural habitat and approach them without distributing or scaring them. He also is very knowledgeable about every species in Kenya even the birds! He can answer any question you have! Samson is funny too. He is very relaxed, patient, and will make sure you get as much time in the moments you find that you desire.
Professionalism. With them I felt famous with them holding my car doors, helping me barter at gift shops, and leading me where I need to go. They were very hands on every step of the way and helped with whatever I needed. The truck I used was very modern and spacious! 6-7 seats with a lift up roof to stand. They waters, provided every meal, and even had portable 5G WiFi. I learned they’ve been international for year but there professionalism is beyond years! This is my first trip solo and it has easily been my best one. I am thankful to have met Alfred and Samson and wouldn’t choose any other people to do this trip again with. They made me feel welcome, they cared about me, and I left feeling like family. If you’re considering them the answer should be yes. They do it well!
Communication was seamless, consistent, and open. Alfred was ready to support with anything at a moments notice. They truly care about your experience with them. They aren’t just doing a job.
Be sure to have cash on hand to support the local businesses and people here! The locals will apply pressure to buy things and be ready to barter!
Local shops were inexpensive for me using USD. A bottle of soda here is 200 shilling which in USD is about 1.25. In the states the same soda is like $3.
In closing, Alfred and Samson are a great people. They are a great duo and am extremely thankful to share the experiences I did with them. I think of them as good friends and family are connecting with them on this trip. Who knew a short notice and not thought out trip would turn into my favorite guided trip where I had to worry about nothing! I juts had to show up! I was fed good food, lived in nice places and saw wonderful things! All I had to do was give them the money!
Thank you Samson!
Thank you Alfred!!
Best wishes and yes go with them!
SG
Email Mark | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream safari
This year, my wife and I decided to go for a safari in Kenya, and after some research booked out trip with Iyara Safari.
We believe that we made the right choice as Iyara Safari lived up, and indeed even exceeded our expectations on some areas.
The 6 day trip was carefully orchestrated by the team. We were assigned a very experienced guide/driver -Samson- and a private 4 wheeler land cruiser, who thoroughly looked after us throughout the trip,, was able to excellently answer our questions related to both the safari as well as general ones about Kenya. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the animals we can across, their names, habits, and even where they were likely to be found!
We stayed in 3 different lodges (hotel resorts) picked by Iyara, and all met again our expectations.
We were fortunate to come across many beautiful creatures like lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, buffalo crocodiles, elephants, many species of antelopes, hippos, and various species of birds
We definitely will recommend Iyara to our family and friends should they plan a safari to this beautiful country and thanks again to The Iyara team for having us get a great experience
Email Pauline | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Iyana Tour was very professional and kind to me and my kids. Would highly recommend!
Communication was top notch.. the guides were knowledgeable and considerate- allowed a good mix of adventure and rest. Reliable and affordable. I’ll definitely be using them again next time.
Email Matthew | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional Safari, great guide, and wonderful accomodation, all perfectly planned and communicated
We had an amazing safari experience in Kenya with Iyanaa, visiting Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru. Our guide Jackson was amazing and always made us feel safe and worked exceptionally hard to find all the animals we wanted to see. We saw all the big 5, cheetahs, rare monkeys, hippos and a whole host of other animals.
The accommodations provided, Zebra Plains at Masai Mara, and the cliff at lake Nakuru were wonderful, and it was amazing everything was booked and paid for, including the park passes in advance, so we had nothing to worry about.
We also did the early morning hot air balloon add on and this was an unforgettable experience, seeing the Masai Mara from above at sunrise. We were able to see lions, giraffes, hyenas and even the great migration from the sky!! While there were some issues with communication and a last minute pick up from the hot air balloon company, our guide Jackson and Alfred from Iyana woke up early to help us resolve it and make sure we were on our way in time.
All throughout our trip, Iyana communicated clearly, and helped us resolve any issues we had that came up. We had an unforgettable stay and hope to take more trips with Iyana in the future - thank you!
CA
Email Jane | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a lifetime - Alfred and Jackson treated us like family
I cannot recommend this safari company highly enough! From the very first morning to the final goodbye, Alfred and Jackson provided an experience that far exceeded our wildest expectations.
Jackson: The Best Guide in Kenya
If you are lucky enough to get Jackson as your driver/guide, you are in for a treat. His experience and skill are unmatched. He worked incredibly hard to ensure we saw everything on our list—we actually spotted all of the animals we wanted to see on the very first day! He never gave up on finding the action, especially when he knew how much we wanted to see a crossing. His connections with the other drivers meant we always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
But beyond the animal spotting, Jackson’s character is what made the trip special:
· Patience & Care: I was dealing with back pain, and Jackson navigated the terrain with incredible skill and patience.
· Joy & Enthusiasm: Even though he has likely seen a lion a hundred times, he celebrated spotting one with us as if it was his first. He took genuine joy in our happiness, greeting us every morning with a smile that set a positive tone for the day.
· Knowledge & Experience: He is an encyclopedia of animal knowledge, but we equally enjoyed learning about Kenyan culture, language, and even how to sing "Hakuna Matata" properly during our drives.
· Professionalism: He was always at least 30 minutes early, always helped in any way he can to make the trip smooth, kept us safe, and made sure we followed park rules. He was also incredibly thoughtful, checking our seats for us for any forgotten items before we moved on.
Alfred: The Master Organizer and Communicator
A huge thank you to Alfred, the co-owner, for putting together such a seamless trip. He was a fantastic communicator throughout the trip, checking in, and answering all my questions promptly. He went out of his way to ensure every detail was perfect and that the logistics were smooth. It is rare to find this level of personalized hospitality.
Overall, the hospitality and care we received were unlike anything I have ever experienced. They didn't just treat us as clients; they treated us as family. If you are considering a safari in Kenya, book with this team. You will not regret it!
Asante Sana, Jackson and Alfred!
CA
Email Tatiana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Experience with the Highest Level of Care
We had an incredible experience with Iyana from start to finish. What really made them stand out from the very beginning was their excellent communication and their attention to detail. We contacted a few companies to explore custom safari options, and Nicholas immediately impressed us with how responsive, thoughtful, and helpful he was in putting together exactly what we were looking for. Their pricing was very reasonable as well considering a few quotes I received from various companies, and they helped ensure we were able to get our priorities and stay within budget. We went through a few variations and changes and they continued to patiently put everything together until we had the final perfect plan. Thank you, Nicholas!
Once we were on the ground, the excellence continued. Alfred took great care of us throughout the trip, with the same exceptional attention to detail, care, and communication we had experienced from the start.
And then there was Jackson, who was the best driver and guide we could have imagined. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, kind, professional, and his passion and expertise made the experience truly special. Thanks to him, we were able to see all of the Big Five up close right away! Some of our favorite moments were getting so close to the elephants that we could actually smell them, and watching a lioness with her two playful cubs. But there were really too many unforgettable experiences to count. Jackson's stories were also a highlight of our trip and I'm sure we will be remembering and recounting them for years to come.
We highly recommend this company to anyone planning a safari in Kenya. From the initial planning to the experience on the ground, we could not have asked for better. Our expectations were high coming in, and were far far surpassed. An absolutely unforgettable trip!
CA
Email Ernesto | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One in a lifetime experience
Iyana was outstanding from the beginning. Nicholas was very responsive and had a great attention to detail to make sure our itinerary matched what we were looking for. We booked late and they managed to find us accomodations that met what we were looking for. Our driver, Jackson, was incredibly knowledgeable and did an outstanding job showing us around, making sure we got great views of the wildlife while also being respectful and considerate towards the animals. He truly cares about wildlife and the environment and that's something I really valued. He also was very welcoming and made us feel at home. During our trip, Alfred was also constantly checking on us to make sure everything was smooth.
Iyana is a company that really cares and it shows. I would definitely recommend them for your Safari trip.
