The team
Karibu Safaris In Kenya
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1986)
- Member Of:
- KATO, Tourism Regulatory Authority & Eco Toursm Kenya
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $80 to $280 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
AE
Email kenz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best agency for the best trip in Maasai Mara!
We found the agency on internet and we dont regret to have done the trip with them.
Our trip in Maasai Mara was just perfect! From our arrival to Kenya the agency took charge of everything.
In Maasai Mara, we were welcomed by David, who was our driver for 3 days. He was very nice and he knows very well the reserve so we could see all the animals. We saw more than 30 lions (sleeping, eating, and even a female feeding her babies). David knows the best spots to find all the animals. We could even see leopards, which is very rare since these animals hide in the trees. The lodge was nice in the best part of Maasai Mara!
We definitely recommend Karibu Safaris In Kenya and we are planing to go for with them for another trip.
Many thanks to Roberts and David!
US
Email Anonymous | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent budget safari, knowing before going is important
Overview:
Karibu Safari is well reviewed by many people. Competitive price for 5-day budget safari. Had a great overall experience. 5-day safari was good but could be condensed into 4-day safari (see below under "Cons"). Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Hell's Gate were all worth going to. If we could have done only one, we'd do Hell's Gate since you can rent a bike and bicycle next to the animals and then hike in slot canyons (see below in "Details"). Unique and very nice after so much driving. Lake Nakuru is similar to Maasai Mara in that you game driver looking for animals. Lake Naivasha you see hippos and water birds. Robert (trip coordinator) was prompt in his responses. Peter (driver) was great at finding and pointing out animals. He really cared about providing the best and most well-rounded safari experience. Note: It appeared the budget safaris were more aggressive at finding animals then the more luxury safaris.
Pros:
- We got what we paid for. We had to have our driver call our trip advisor to send him more money to buy more water since we ran out by day 5.
- Accommodations were fine with running water and electricity. The "tents" are large canvas tents with a ceiling over them and not like backpacking tents.
- Meals were fine for budget safari.
- Peter (driver) was excellent at finding and viewing animals. He provided enough time to view and take pictures, not rushing us. He really emphasized the safari experience. He was a safe driver amidst the more crazy drivers and matatu's.
- The season was excellent which was mid- to late-November. Not crowded. Although this was claimed as the rainy season, it did not rain on safari, but only when driving and near Lake Naivasha and Nairobi. Also, all the animals just had babies so we got to see baby animals of almost all animals seen!
Cons:
- The itinerary should include estimated drive times.
- The itinerary should include more details. For example, on our 4th day, we were dropped off at a hotel after our game drive at Lake Nakuru en route to Lake Naivasha. We spent the whole afternoon there (from ~12noon and on). We were disappointed because we didn't fly half way across the world to sit in a garden. It would be nice to have known this. This is where the trip could be condensed to 4-days instead of 5-days.
- Peter could have provided more information to us. When we began we didn't know exactly where we were headed, how long it would take, etc. It would have been nice to review the day's events with us each morning.
- Peter could have offered us more information on the animals, landscape, plants, etc. He did if you asked, but it would be nice for him to just tell us.
Good to know:
- All 5-day safaris are pretty much identical in what they offer and pay for. So email to find best price when you go.
- There is a lot of (bumpy) driving. Not all in our van was prepared for this.
- You may get shuffled around since they mix people with different safari lengths. We started with a van that included people who booked 5-day, 4-day, and 3-day safaris.
- You may not get a window seat (right next to window). This was not a big issue though. They pop the van top and you can stand during the safari. But if this is a concern, have the van agree to rotate seats throughout the safari.
- The meals are pretty much the same for lunch and dinner, local food (rice, lentils, veggies, usually meat, etc.). So if you don't like the food, you will need to bring your own or purchase.
- The driver is contracted by the safari company. This is important should issues arise based on itinerary or pricing of certain things.
- There can be lots of traffic leaving and coming back from Nairobi, so plan for this when booking other trips or flights.
- Sunday has less traffic so leaving on this day was great.
- We tipped the driver ~$20 USD per day for the whole vehicle. So with 7-8 people in the van, this was ~$2-3 USD per day per person. Other than that we did not tip anyone else. (Our native Kenyan hosts said that tipping is not expected most places and even if it is, it is not as much as the USA.)
Details:
- Maasai Mara Village Tour: This may or may not have been worth the $10 USD. This is quite touristy. You can get some good pictures and see them dance and sing. But you need to ask them to show you everything. For example, we asked to taste the Maasai beer as our driver said we would. If we didn't ask, they wouldn't have done this. We also asked to see the school. If we hadn't asked, they would not have done this. When they take you into the traditional home, they will try and sell you stuff then and afterward. The Maasai markets in Nairobi have more selection and you can bargain more.
- Boat Ride at Lake Naivasha: This is expensive at $20 USD per person but we thought this was more worth it than the Maasai village tour. You see hippos and many birds and it was fun to be in a boat. You can get great pictures of the African fish eagle diving for fish that the boat driver throws in to the water.
- Hell's Gate bike and hike: The bike rental was $5 USD. You don''t need a guide for this. You stay on the main road to get to the gorge. Go in the early morning to see more animals. When we rode back, there were hardly any animals. At the gorge, more people will offer to guide you. We did not take a guide, but a Maasai man ended up going with us anyway. It ended up being a necessity as the trail is not well marked. Our group of 4 tipped him 700 Kenyan shillings and shared some nuts and instant coffee.
RU
Email Julia and Aleksandr | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in Masai Mara 3 days
The first time we went on a safari, we had 3 days and 2 nights in the Masai Mara. Thank you to Robert for organizing safaris. He always responded quickly to emails, met us at the airport, drove up to the hotel. Everything was organized very well. Thanks to Richard, he knows Russian, very helpful to us. Our guide on the safari was Joshua. I thank him very much. We saw all the big five and many other animals. Yet we have seen the lion hunt. It was an unforgettable trip. I recommend this company to my friends.
US
Email David | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A well-priced, all-inclusive trip
This was a great experience. John was very knowledgeable about all of the different animals. The price was phenomenal for everything that it included. When I saw that it was a tented camp, I thought that meant sleeping bags, but we were actually all in comfortable beds. I could not recommend this option more highly for the budget safari seeker.
AE
Email Olivier and Olivia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good experience!
My wife and I went on a safari to Lake Nakuru (1 day) and Masai Mara (2 nights) in September 2016 during the Eid break in Dubai and it was simply amazing.
We were welcomed in Nairobi by Aruni, our guide/driver, who stayed with us the whole time. Aruni was very helpful in all situations, and we got to know the region, its people and its fauna quite well thanks to his explanations, stories and jokes. Ask for him if you were to book with Karibu.
Few points we were actually a bit disappointed about Karibu:
- Robert told us before the trip that we would be able to do a late game drive on the 1st evening we went to Masai Mara as well as 2 full days game drive the next days and finally a last early morning game drive on our last day before returning to Nairobi. However, this was not achievable and we only did the two full days game drive. Not that we wanted to do more, but I feel like the guys based in Nairobi overestimate their capacities and what they can deliver.
- Robert also gave us the names of the hotels where we were supposed to sleep but once in Kenya, we slept in different ones.
- Finally, Robert had confirmed to us before our trip that we would be provided with binoculars but it was not the case, which you can imagine is very disappointing especially when you can see rhinos about 500m from your car (and you can't get closer because the road stops) and you don't have binoculars to observe them.
Apart from those three points above, the trip went very well and Aruni was an amazing guide/driver.
Email Dotty | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Karibu safaris know how to safari and have their roots firmly in Africa. They provide quality safari
My husband and I went on a 3 night safari with Karibu safaris and we couldn't have asked for anything better. From collection and drop off at the airport everything was taken care of and we felt very safe and looked after. The accommodation at masai mara sopa lodge was of high standard. Our driver Martin went beyond and above to show us as much as we could only see during the safari, his knowledge of the area and the animals was amazing!
NL
Email Laura and Frazer | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent value for money, great experience
We booked a 6-day safari with Karibu Safaris in Kenya and had a wonderful time. Given that this is really a budget tour, the accomodation we had was really good, and Always very close to the gate. Food was OK too. The van we were in was standard- I think that 80% of the safari vehicles driving around the Maasai Mara looked exactly like ours. If you have the time, I would greatly recommend going for the 6-day option since the variety between the parks was astonishing and each park has a certain 'specialty' of wildlife.
Robert was a great organiser, whenever we had a question or issue he would respond right away and help us to the best of his ability.
All in all, highly recommended!
US
Email Ruben Kahvedjian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Had a great safari experience with Karibu. The driver, Isaac, was amazing!
Robert was a great communicator, addressed Avery questions and concerns immediately. We were picked up sharp at the time he said we would, and brought to our safari driver, Isaac. I highly recommend Isaac. He is so knowledgeable and friendly, that made our safari experience great. Being a safari driver is more than a job for Isaac, it's his passion.
IL
Email Liran | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience. Very good value for money. Great guide
The service was excellent. Very responsive and helpful staff (Robert). John the guide was great.
The Lenchda tented camp wasn't amazing, but considering the cost it was OK. The accommodation during the rest of the trip was good. But most importantly- the safari itself was amazing. I would join them again.
Email Noel Thompson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent arrangements, excellent connections, excellent experience.
First thing to say is how impressed I have been with the speed of communication with Karibu. This was my second trip this year with the company, and from the earliest inquiry through to the end of the trips, Robert has answered all my queries at lightening speed. Once on the ground the airport pick ups have been punctual and comfortable. The safari drivers have been safe, knowledgeable and eager to make the extra effort to make your trip a success. The accommodation has been perfectly up to expectation. The food in the lodges is OK, a little more variety would be good, but the staff are happy to work with you. For example on this trip the chef agreed to put fresh fruit salad on the breakfast menu. In general staff in the lodges are extremely friendly and helpful. I have no hesitation recommending Karibu to anyone planning a Kenya safari holiday.