The team
Aanika Karibu Safaris In Kenya
- Located 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
Email Alina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super safari trip and a great team
It was amazing safari journey! We had Patrick as a guide and he is so wonderful teller with a great humor! It was clear that he's experienced cause we often were the first on the place with animals. The safari trip was really good organized and very nice! We've met the great 5 and so many others! Me and my husband really enjoyed it.
I would like to share 2 short stories that show this team.
First, Karibu Safaris company organized a birthday cake during our stay in Naivashi. It was so nice and warm evening, thank you guys! Cake was very tasty! And we didn't expect that it will be free for us, thanks!
And another one. When safari was ended Patrick and the company proposed us to leave our bags in the office cause we had a bus to Malindi at 8 p.m. After we took our luggage at the evening we suddenly met the company boss (so sorry that we don't know his name!); he recognized us and was very surprised that we didn't have any accompanying person with us to go to bus station. He said it's not saved for us and called and paid 2 guys from company. He was so kind I can't express my feelings about that situation! The way was really crowd, dark and dangerous. This man said that he feel responsibility about their client every time! Thanks a lot you, Karibu Safaris!!
I recommend this company as very good and kind team with excellent organized safari and Patrick as the best guide!
MX
Email Alejandro | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great adventure and good price
We contact Karibu Safaris via email, Robert answered pretty fast the same day. We chose Karibu cause they had the cheaper price for a 4 day Safari to Masai Mara and Nakuru. They picked us up at 6:30 am as they told us cause our camp was a bit far. If this is your case be sure to be on time cause the traffic is terrible. We spent two hours to get to the city center. The van for the safari was ok, it's conditions wasn't the best though. And be prepared for 4 days of bumpy roads. Our driver was Isaac, he was friendly and helpful. The camp where we stayed was just outside Masai Mara Reserve and it was a beautiful and confortable place with big tents and beds, and the bathroom was ok too with hot water. Note that you would have power just a few hours during the day. The Masai Mara Reserve experience was awesome. We were able to see a cheetah hunting, lions, elephants, and many more. The hotel where we stayed in Nakuru was of very good quality too. And in the Nakuru park we were able to see rhinos and baboons. If you are on a budget I definitely recommend Karibu Safaris in Kenya.
Great time in Masaai Mara with a few flaws
Overall, Our visit to Masaai Mara has been incredibly enjoyable. But a few things just got a bit annoying after a while:
- Robert told us there would be 7 people in the van, however there were 8. It was a VERY crowded van and during game drives, it got quite hectic
- We were told by the operators that seeing the great migration was a guarantee. We almost cancelled because we saw online that great migration already passed, but he assured us that great migration was happening. Sure enough, there were no wilder beasts... We could've saved it for Tanzania. I highly encourage everyone to do their own independent research... because at the end of the day, its a business for these tour operators.
- The Masaai village tour is NOT free. Its 1000 shillings to enter, which was not clearly communicated by the tour operators. There were a few shocked faces in our group when this was communicated.
However, overall, the people in our group made it worth while. We've met some great friends during the trip and don't regret the decision to visit masaai mara :)
Reply from Aanika Karibu Safaris In Kenya
Posted on Sep 29, 2016
Hi Jay,
On the emails we listed to you well what was included and not included, kindly recheck well and you will see that the Masai village entrance fee was not included and was on the extra activities paid direct to the masai chief elder.
About the group number, you were 7 clients with one kenyan (a guide in training) making it 8 and he was seated in front with the driver but we apologize for that and it will not happen again, the company offers/sponsors free field training for the less fortunate wannabe guides who have the passion for safari guiding.
We apologize about that and we will find an alternative way to train them on the field.
Regards
Msafiri
PT
Email Ana Maria | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Far away from my last safari
I would never choose Karibu again. Their priority is to fill all the seats and make money. They are not worried about our experience. Tree cars left the agency on the same day with 5, 6 and 7 persons. People in the cars with 6 and 7 persons said they could barely move inside, travel was very uncomfortable and take pictures was possible just for the ones at the windows. The cars are very old. The roads in the parks are very bumpy and for this reason you just think how important is to have a good car when you are there. One of my lens released 3 small screws with the vibration and at the end of the trip my back was like crap. It is essential to have a good Jeep.
I shared the car with 3 young girls that spent 6 days taking selfies, delaying all trips and looking for ostrich. I was deeply interested in photography (the big 5 obviously). I love meeting people but in this situation... no match. If possible, avoid shared safaris and look for companies that personalise the safari. Freedom inside the car is essential. Our driver Zak was very good: good character, good person, good sense of humour and a good driver (very aggressive driving though). The food was very good and the camping facilities was good. The 6th day of safari was in reality just 2 hours inside the park. After lunch we were back to Nairobi. They avoid paying another entrance in the park (valid for 24hs).
Reply from Aanika Karibu Safaris In Kenya
Posted on Mar 27, 2016Hi Ana,
It all started by bad lack on the eve of the safari your husband, who had booked for the safari for 3people(for you,him and your sister), your husband (RICARDO) called the office to say that his mum had called him to tell him that his ailing father had passed away there for he wanted to cancel the safari and travel back home and he wanted 100% and since we had booked the accommodations we had to look for other last minute clients to cover up for the 3pax who had canceled and after getting the people to fill the space Ricardo called again and said that he will travel back home but you and your sister will proceed for the safari thats how the number reached 7pax.
The other clients that you saw in the other safari vans were not individual but from missionary organizations and were on a mission trip so they booked the safari together to be 7people each in the safari van.
The safari van was not old its the roads in the Masai Mara were bad last year but they have been made now well my the Mara county government, the roads were bumpy so when you drive your camera is not stable but now all those are past as the road are good.
If you can notice from our usual adverts we stopped selling packages to Amboseli National park as the K.W.S had stopped re entry to the Amboseli park with out giving the notice to tour operators and saying that you pay per entry that's why you only entered the park twice and not thrice like re entry would allow.
We acknowledge all your feedback and we will work on them accordingly.
Sorry once again,
Regards
Msafiri
CHAIRMAN
IT
Email Giulia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magical End of Year Safari
I can only suggest this Safari because from the arrival at the airport to the end everything has been perfectly managed. A huge thank you goes to our fantastic guide, Aruni, without him the experience would have not been the same. He drove us around the stunning National Parks of Kenya for 7 days and gave us informations about all the species of animals we saw during our Safari (Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Cheetahs, Wildebeest, Leopard, Hippos, Rinhos, Gazelles, many birds and so many others). He showed up every morning with a smile ready to make sure we enjoyed every minute of our Safari, something we really appreciated. The accommodations were very comfortable and unique. It has truly been a magical experience I will never forget!
IT
Email Valentina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Maasai Mara Safari
Three-day safari in the Masai Mara. An incredible experience. Our guide, Steven, was knowledgeable, friendly, and kind. Sebastian was also very helpful and accompanied us throughout the safari. We stayed in a tent at the camp. The food was excellent, and in the evening, after dinner, we warmed ourselves by the bonfire, talking with the Masai about their customs.
NZ
Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great start to our safari, disappointing final day
My wife and I organized a 6-day safari from Nairobi to Mombasa with Aanika Karibu Safaris in July. 5 out of the 6 days were great, no complaints at all. We were able to see a lot of wildlife each day (no rhinos or leopards, but that’s fine).
Unfortunately there was a breakdown in communication regarding the final day. Initially, the company was supposed to organize train tickets for us from Voi to Mombasa, but this didn’t happen, and we weren’t told why. A different driver was then assigned to us to take us to Mombasa, but this was a complete disaster. Firstly, he was not a confident driver, and he drove at snail’s pace, meaning we arrived into the city hours later than what we were told. When we got to the outskirts of Mombasa, he didn’t know where he was going, and we had to try and navigate him through the chaotic streets with the use of Google Maps, which was very stressful. To make matters worse, we were stopped by police. The driver told us it was because he saw us foreigners in the car, and wanted some money. However, I don’t think this was true because the police asked for his driver’s license and eventually took him away somewhere. The police never asked us directly for money. After about 10 minutes, the driver returned and we were able to finally arrive at our destination. It was a really frustrating and stressful end to our safari.
Aanika Karibu should have communicated with us as to why they weren’t able to obtain the train tickets, and they should have been more responsible for our wellbeing on the final day.
Aanika Karibu, if you’re reading this, please work on your communication skills and make sure your customers get to their final destination safely. You are still responsible for them up until the final day.
NL
Email Rogier | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good in all ways
Sinds we had a cancelling of an other operator we experienced a very short timeframe to find an alternative. The communication was fast, clear and everything was arranged the day before we left. We are very happy to have this experience. Very good tour, better value for money rate than the canceled tour. We had a wonderful time, have seen a lot. Thanks to Peter and Kevin! Accomodation, foods and everything was also good.
CA
Email Enrique Waizel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
In general good service - communication can be better
In general there were no major problems. The driver was knowledgeable. Accommodation was very good. It was a good value tour.
My only recommendation for this operator is to improve its communication. As a traveler it is always good what to expect in terms of date, times and payments. In this area they partially met my expectations.
Email Justin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a great experience with Karibu Safaris and Steve was a great tour guide!
We had a great experience with Karibu Safaris.
Everything went smoothly and there were not any unexpected charges. Be prepared to pay the balance in cash as written. Furthermore, the trip was as described in the trip description.
Our tour guide Steve was very knowledgeable and helped us see all of the animals that we hoped to see.