The team
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
US
Email Jimmy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Efficient
Pros: Overall great experience. Saw all the animals on the bucket list. Our guide was great about following any leads from other drivers to make sure we saw the big 5 and more. He was responsive to when we wanted to stop and was genuinely friendly and kind.
Cons: You are on a trip with multiple people on different itineraries, so there is some extra travel between safaris and differing accommodations, which takes up some extra travel time. Also because of this, there is some group decisions that need to be made that may compromise what you want to do. We were also never offered the boat trip the at was supposedly available on my itinerary because others had it scheduled on a different day, which was frustrating. Additionally, this trip is in a van vs jeep/Range Rover so there are limits as to speed and locations where you can drive. It did not seem to affect the total animals we saw but luck may have been on our side.
Overall the trip was awesome, but if you want full control of your itinerary, there may be better options.
US
Email Robert | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
By far one of the greatest tour operators I have ever dealt with.
Karibu Safaris In Kenya deserves to be rated at the top. I was a little concerned when I first booked the trip because of the low price. I was not disappointed. Communication was excellent. Every time I emailed I got a respond within a day. Everything was as they said. No hiccups what-so-ever. Within the first three days we saw the BIG FIVE. Our driver/guide Arony was the absolute best. I have done a lot of traveling through the years and by far I rate him as one of the best tour guides in the industry. They were there to pick us up at the airport, brought us to an apartment and sent someone to cook for us. The next day they picked us up and we started the safari. The accommodations during the Safari did not disappoint us. After the Safari was over they put us up in an apartment and sent someone to cook us supper and breakfast. I highly recommend this company without reservations.
US
Email Drew | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great value for the money
We did the mid-level accommodations (Jambo Mara Safari Lodge) for 2 days / 1 night and upgraded from a shared group tour to a private tour for $100 US, which was very worth it. On the group tour you depart Nairobi at 9am and begin your return at 9am from Masai, only getting 2-3 hours of game drive per day. For the private tour, we left Nairobi at 6am and departed Maasai at 11am, meaning we got 5-6 hours of game drive the first day and 4 hours the second day. Additionally, we were a group of two, so the vehicle was much more comfortable with the extra space and ability to move around. We were often the first people to find cheetahs and lions, so he would call other guides to let them know where to go.
Suggestions to others booking:
1) When coordinating the trip with Karibu Safaris, use whatsapp. They were quicker to respond there.
2) Ask for the driver's number upon confirming your booking so you can communicate during pickup. We were expecting a 6am pickup but the driver arrived around 6:20am.
3) Bring snacks. We did that and it was important since lunch often doesn't happen until 1-2pm.
4) Ask to stop somewhere for lunch on the return drive. We were given a pre-packaged lunch of a basic sandwich and fruit, which wasn't great. All other meals were good, but lunch during the return was below average.
5) Bring some warm clothes as it can get chilly in Maasai Mara at night/morning, as well as in the vehicle when the wind is rushing in.
US
Email Amelia Cindy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Memorable Safari with Castro- Thumbs up
Friends
I had no idea of how I should go about it until I was referred by a friend who had done the safari with Karibu safaris kenya. We were a group of five people and we decided to do 3 days maasai mara and 2 days Nakuru National park. Since it was a group safari Robert gave us friendly prices which was our expectation to be honest..haha. We met Robert when they came to pick us at out hotel in Nairobi with Casro being our guide. This happened really fast and within 20 min we were all packed and off to Maasai Mara with Castro. We had an opportunity to take photos at the great rift valley which was our first stop. Maasai Mara is far from nairobi so travelling as a group make it more enjoyable. also, our second stop was for luch...sorry I cant remember the place but it was nice because of the food and even the services were exemplary. Ohhh..."forgive me" for this one...The road towards maasai mara after the some point was rough considering that it is a rural area but I consider a great experience since I had not done it before. We got to maasai mara at 3 pm and we were assigned our rooms by the welcoming staffs (thanks to Samuel & Joseph) after getting coffee. we were ready by 4.30 and Castro was there to pic us again for the evening game drive. Yeeeeeey...I had been waiting for this..The process at the gate was fast since there were not many cars waiting and in a few minutes were got into the park. The first day was great and we were able to spot lions ( just one of the big five to say) and other few animals since the game drive was brief on that day. we had to go back to to the camp at 6.30 and later dinner. The following day was great since Castro stated that it was a full day game drive and we had to carry packed lunch. we had the opportunity to spot all the big five expect for the Rhino . I really appreciate how Castro and his friends communicated when they saw the animals. this helped us to see many animals unlike other groups in the park. besides, the mara river was great with crocodiles. However, by the time we were travelling there was no wildbeast migration - we felt sad and my friend Sandra thought one could maybe cross on its own. The afternoon game drive was easy as we went back to the camp. It was such a great day. Thank you Castro
The last day at mara we decided to visit the maasai village for cultural dances and learning about their culture. We later left for Nakuru and arrived at 4 pm foe evening game drive. I enjoyed the serene environment with plenty of Flamingos....wait wait...I had not seen a Rhino at Maasai mara... Now this was the home of Rhinos. I saw close to 10 rhinos at a close range. also, we decided to book Nakuru Lodge which is one of the best places you can choose to be. the following day we did an early morning game drive until 11.30 and left for Nairobi.
This was such a memorable experience. Thanks to all the staffs that facilitated and made our experience better. Robert, Castro our guide, Samuel and joseph at mara Camp and not forgetting those at nakuru, you did a commendable job.
I would recomend karibu Safaris when you 're planning yours.
IE
Email Lisa Jean | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Amazing
This safari was one for the bucket list, I had the time of my life! Raymond was our driver and he knows everything about the Mara. He made our trip so fun and surprising. I would recommend you request for Raymond for your safari experience!!!
If you are vegetarian or vegan, the lunches will be problematic. It is a bread roll, coleslaw, a boiled egg, and a chicken leg and fruit. Request a different packed lunch the night before if you are vegan/ don’t like this lunch!!
Overall 10/10 experience and I loved it
FR
Email Julie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience with Karibu
We spent 4 days with Collins our guide. We visited Masai Mara Park, Lake Nashiva, Nakuru. Collins is a super good driver, he always took us closer to the animals. He taught us a lot about animals and about Kenya. Hakuna matata.
NL
Email Stan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great and Affordable Safari Tour Operator!
What a great company! I walked into the office to see what they had on offer - the next morning I was on my way joining a 5-day budget Safari to Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha, and Hells Gate led by our amazing guide Dan Castro. His talent and experience really showed as he made sure the whole trip went smoothly - and more importantly that we spotted a wide-range of different animals (incl. The Big Five and the wildebeest migration). Dan really went out of his way to make sure we had a front-row seat to the spectacle of Kenyan safari. To give an example: we had a rare sighting of a leopard, saw two lions successfully hunt a zebra and spotted a lion high up in a tree. I feel very lucky and privileged to have seen such sights.
Dan's ability to drive in difficult circumstance also really stood out during the trip as the park provide some challenging terrain. I personally also very much appreciated the music he would play (Dan has excellent taste) during long hauls between different national parks.
Karibu safaris was also really flexible when I wanted to make a change to my booking. I initially booked a 6-day safari, but asked to switch to 5-days during the safari in order to stay with the group (as the others were staying for only 5-days). Dan contacted the office in Nairobi and ensured this was no problem.
Do make sure to bring enough extra cash during the safari, because there are some hidden costs, such as bike rentals, Masai village entry and of course lots and lots of tipping.
OM
Email Hazaa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The company very well organised
Raymond was amazing tour guide, we had the best time with him , he drives so good, his experience made our holiday the best holiday ,
Email Hunter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Karibu safaris exallent
If you come to Kenya make sure you have Raymond as a tour guide.His knowledge of the park and animals provided a great insight to what we were seeing..His driving was incredible he got us out of so many stick situations as we were in the park during the rainy season..Raymond provided us with a holliday that we will never forget.
CH
Email Katherine | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very serious and helpful. A very good experience and the people were very kindly
everything was super great we spent 4 days together with the Karibu safaris team. and all recommended booking in nairobi giraffe center and safari to masai mara.
