Elida Tours & Safaris team. Stretch a leg with us.
Elida Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- KATO & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $215 to $315 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Mick | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our group had a terrific experience seeing more than 35 types of wildlife living in the Masai Mara.
I have been very happily using Elida Tours for groups from my church for 15 years. I have never been disappointed. I have always experienced excellent service provided to us by the managers, the drivers and the guides. Everyone has been very professional, very friendly, very personable and very knowledgeable. We constantly feel well-cared for and as if we were special to Elida. Making the booking and payment arrangements has been easy and smooth. The drivers are careful and very skillful. The safari guides know a lot about the wildlife and the parks. The safari vans are great for both off-road and on-road driving. Everyone in the organization is helpful, accommodating, serves above and beyond the call of duty and are of great personal character. You cannot go wrong with Elida. Each of my many trips with them has been wonderful. I am already looking forward to my next time with them.
Email Bruce | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safe, Within Budget, Knowledgable
We asked David at Elida to organise our climb of Kilimanjaro and a subsequent tour of Amboseli National Park.
Logistics: airport pickup and drop off as smooth and well organised. Baggage handling for 15 was never a problem.
Handling of monies: no deposits up front (no deposit cons) and payment made only when a service was provided. We paid for accomodation only once we had spent time there. Everything is receipted as you need it.
Accommodation: always safe, hygienic, secure, and always within our budget. David is well connected to a wide range of accomodation options and we enjoyed being able to 'upgrade' at Moshi. The Amboseli accomodation was spectacular, especially given many students were on a budget.
Budget: never over budget on anything. In fact if anything, these folk tend to undercook their prices.
Contact: always contactable by phone at any time. Email too, though given he is on the road a lot, phone is best once in country. Email and Skype were used in the pre-planning/planning stages and it proved very effective.
Vehicles: safe, well maintained, modern.
Drivers: not the usual mad, overtake at any speed or location East Africa drivers.
Guides: always unobtrusive and very knowledgeable. One gremlin in Tanzania with guides who wanted to be paid a tip at the end of the trip. We had already paid them at the beginning. Not the fault of Elida but something to watch out for if there is a 'package deal' done.
Package deal: Elida are very happy to work out a single price package. Very handy for those in your group who are watching their budget closely.
Government/border: our crossings were always smooth, assisted in each case by a local 'fixer' who was happy to guide us through the process.
Watch out for: David will always have things under control but operates in the usual relaxed African way, and does not always inform you of every detail, which can be disconcerting for the Western mind. But simply ask and he will show you what has been done.
Email Bruce | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Well Customised and Personalised
This is my second review of Elida - I held off writing it until we were back in Australia since I noticed there was a 'credibility deficit' to a review if it came from Kenya. So a quick note first to note that the earlier review about Kilimanjaro and Amboseli is also from Australia even if posted from Kenya.
We used Elida Tours and Safaris again, this time for a customised self drive trip across Kenya and Uganda. David organised all the vehicle particulars/paperwork for us to allow us to cross the border, secure insurance and so on. It was well priced, but its the local knowledge and management which pays off. His firm advice about where to buy insurance for example meant we paid what was required, not what people asked. His provision of a 'fixer' to help us through the madness which is the Malaba border crossing (thousands of trucks, no signage, no guidance) made that experience (to and from) as pain free as anyone could hope.
Once again David was easily contactable, got us what we needed, gave us good advice and was helpful in every way.
I am very happy to be emailed about any of the reviews I have posted about Elida Tours and Safaris.
Email Martin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely helpful and reliable
We used Elida for many of our trips around the Nairobi area. David the owner, was a really decent person, always helpful and accommodating to our needs. Ben was our driver; he was lovely, friendly, kind and informative. Highly recommend them.
Email Tony | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Elida Experience
I have worked with Elida Tours for about two years and they have been reliable. They have assisted whenever I have guests coming over, especially from out of Kenya, all the way from airport transfers, accommodation and tours. We have also had work-related events and used their services as well.
Always have a great team ready to have us on the trips and enjoy a good time.
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Email Greg L | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Trustworthy, Reliable, Friendly
I have known David and his family at Elida Tours & Safaris since 2002, at least, and have used them consistently over the past 16+ years.
When I travel internationally, the most important thing for me and my family is trust. When it comes to travel arrangements and accommodations in Kenya, Elida Tours & Safaris is simply the best. I know that whatever I need, David can get it done quickly and at a reasonable price.
Whether it is picking up our missions team at the airport at all hours of the day or night, choosing the right accommodations for us in Nairobi or elsewhere, exchanging currency and having it ready for our arrival, arranging for cell phones or SIM cards while in country, or simply arranging for a drive through the Nairobi Game Preserve, Elida Tours & Safaris is the only company you'll ever need.
I am confident that David and his family will make Kenya feel like your home away from home!
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Email Sigve | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience
Great experience being on tour with Elida Tours. Excellent drivers with much experience. I will surely use them again in another occasion. Thanks!
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Email Sunflower JJ | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari!
Two times I took a safari to Nairobi National Park with their drivers and vehicles. I had a wonderful time! The drivers were professional and the vehicles were well-maintained. The drivers knew where we were likely to see animals at that time of day and took us to those areas. They also explained what we were seeing, and pointed out animals in the distance that we would have missed. I have also stayed with Elida Tours' bed and breakfast three times. They provided airport transportation (to and from) in well-maintained vehicles with excellent drivers. The hotel rooms are very comfortable. The food was so excellent that I would love to go back for just that reason. The entire property was lovely and very safe. The business owner is an ethical man who will treat you well and make sure you have a great stay. I give Elida Tours my highest rating, and would encourage anyone traveling to Nairobi to stay with them.
Professional, reliable, and honest tour operator.
Elida Tours has been my choice of tour companies in Kenya for the past six years. They are completely trustworthy; very important to me as I often bring travelers with me. They meet me at the airport and take me to the right hotel. Even though I use Elida mainly for business purposes, I have also done four different safaris with them. My wife and I had the best of times visiting Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru (2x) and Nairobi National Park. Elida Tours arranged it all, gave us a personal driver for the whole trip who was very friendly & safe. Their prices are reasonable and a great value. I’ll be back with Elida Tours on my next visit to Kenya.
Email John Clarke | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Company! THANK YOU!
On our Safari with Elida Tours I had the best time of my life! On our arrival the staff were all so welcoming and friendly, we immediately felt safe and in good hands. We stayed at The Mara Sopa Lodge in the Masai Mara National Game Reserve, the hotel was amazing! Every thing you could wish for; the food was spectacular and the staff were always happy to help. Our Safari driver was amazing, he was great fun, knowledgeable and was very patient when we stopped to take hundreds of photographs of the wonderful wildlife that we saw. I have such great memories that I will treasure forever from our safari in Kenya with Elida Tours. Thanks you to the team!