The team
Aanika 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 Kijjambu Dickson | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda for best adventure ever
The trip was totally amazing, it was really beyond our anticipations. it was a 7 days trip in exploring the pearl of Africa, with gorilla trekking and wildlife experience nothing can explain or describe the feeling when you see all these beautiful animals up so close. The booking process was nice and easy, Augustine was so great, he helped us and give us lots of tips and alternatives in terms of things we want to see and do. He was so helpful and he guided us, reached Entebbe international airport when well conversant with the entire country and the people. The actual tour was amazing, our guide Martine was excellent and knowledgeable, very warm and friendly. His passion and knowledge about animals was amazing and it showed though his knowledge of all the animals and birds we came across. He stopped the car when he saw something we didn't or missed, and about it, he accurately knew everything we asked and much more and he never want us to ask, he was a funny guy to be with I recommend him. Most of the accommodation our tour operator offered were so fantastic, some of the lodges were just amazing as the views were something wise. 90 out of 100 for me. Best trip I have been on. I would 100% highly indorse Mum and Dad Uganda Tours and Martine our guide the tour was organized based on our needs and wants. Don't hesitate to book with them they are genuine.
Email Lisa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Robert was responsive and staff friendly but............. NOT an overall great experience - Sadly
Robert was very responsive. In fact, I contacted a few companies and thought that I was working with Robert for a couple of weeks to find out that it was another company. A couple of days before I thought I was going on Safari, I found out from the other company that it wasn't Karibu and didn't think I would have a chance to go on a safari last minute. I called Robert and he said he needed to call me back to see if it was still possible. I was then confirmed for a 7 day safari that was to start in Masai Mara and then go to Amboseli as the last park. He also said that I could pay in Shillings since I did not have USD. (I was on a working visa and had been in the country for 3 months, so only had Shillings)
I was greeted a few days later by a driver who was picking me and taking me to the office to start my safari. I didn't think any of it. Got to the office and signed my paperwork and paid. Was brought downstairs and put in the same low rider vehicle that the driver picked me up in. I just thought the driver was taking me to the place were the Open top Vans or jeeps were going to be. After the driver started to drive out of town, I questioned him on the vehicle and he said no that it was just me and him and in the car. He then said, instead of going to Masai Mara, we were going to go to Amboseli first and go backward because the car can't be driven in Masai Mara. I told him that I was not happy and didn't think this was going to work. He said that even with a car, It wouldn't be an issue getting great pictures in Amboseli. After trying to contact the office and not getting through, I felt I had no choice and agreed. SADLY, not true.
Don't get me wrong, the driver was a GREAT guy...... and due to CoronoVirus and the country shutting the borders and airports down, I had to leave after the first full day. Karibu did give me a partial refund (only for 4 days of park fees - about 200) but I was hoping for more due to the fact that I was in a car that was so low, the undercarriage of the car came off and we couldn't go that far into the park because it would flood out or scrap. Plus trying to take pictures so low in this car with tinted windows was a nightmare. I only got one day and it really didn't give me the happy experience I was looking for. When I got home aside from the photos on the hilltop from lunch, they were not great!!!! Not from my cell phone or borrowed camera.
I took pictures of the car but it doesn't allow me to add them onto this review sadly. You will see what a disaster of a car it was for a safari.
Like I said Robert was nice and replied back quickly and Raymond the driver in the car was nice and felt bad. The staff at the tented camp was great too.....
If it wasn't for the LOW RIDER CAR, and the fact that they didn't refund me in full the money for the other 5 days, I think this company might have been fine which is the reason why I gave them 2 stars. I feel bad for rating so low but it just wasn't practical putting someone so low in a car with dirty tinted windows for a safari after they confirm via email that the vehicle was an open-top Van. I honestly would have rather not even gone and saved myself a lot of money.
Reply from Aanika Karibu Safaris In Kenya
Posted on Apr 2, 2020Hi Lisa,
Yes you were in kenya for a volunteer work in Machakos County and after that you booked a 7Days safari with us and this was ust at the begining of the corona virus out break and we had plenty cancellations so we decided to back track your safari and start with Amboseli in a smaller car and when you head to lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara you will meet up with other travelers and continue the safari with a popping up rooftop safari van as we did not want to cancel your safari beginning date.
When you were coming from Amboseli to meet the other travelers to head to lake nakuru you called the office and said you have changed your plans and your heading back to the USA the same day at 2pm and requested to be dropped at the airport and demanded for your refund, as per the hospitality policy thats last munite cancelation and No refund on that but we decided to refund you the park fees (USD80 x2 for masai mara), (USD26 x 1 for Hellsgate-lake naivasha) and (USD60 x 1 for lake nakuru) as we were going to bank it the same day you canceled and we refunded it to you.
Accommodation in all the facilities were paid in advance and we could not get a refund on that.
Park fees that we had not banked in the kenya government account for the entrance fees is what we refunded, lucky to you you canceled the safari early before the banked opened for us to do the banking.
The pandemic has caused of cancellation making group joining safari not possible at the moment.
We are sorry about your experience and we will take your feedback and work on it for other futures safaris.
Regards
LEON
CHAIRMAN
Email David and marina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exellent safari with Karibu and thanks to Castro ....
Very reliable. It is not a big company, but they personalize your safari as you want with profedonal Guide Castro
We got to know it by one friend who had experienced them 2 years ago. Robert answered my email promptly and we built all the safari days together. Sometimes even by whatsapp calls. At the end, we got a very good plan, in a reasonable price for my family of 4. Robert suggested us some good tips and was very helpful. Our guide Castro was there to meet us at the hotel as arranged and he was really an excellent profissional. His knowledge about the region and the animals was very important to our visit. We had a wonderful week together and I do suggest him to anyone looking for safari adventures. More than that, at the end we realised it worked out to a good friendship Castro is the man
ES
Email Mila Barranco | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The experience was fantàstic and your drivers (Edward and James) were excel·lent in all.
The organisation was good, we didn't have any problem. We (all the group, 13 members) are very satisfied and we would repeat the experience with you. Congratulations.
CA
Email Connie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything is very organized，carefully look after us, very patient to us .co
Everything is good.if they can provide water on the safari is better.
CA
Email Lionel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour guide with good knowledge and experience.
Excellent. Saw lots of Animals. Very nice scenery.
CA
Email Clare | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Arony is one of the guide we ever had. He is knowledgeable, very patient with us. personal touch.
Our guide Arony pick us up and drop us off the airport. He was with us the whole trip. We have Very good communication. We never had problem with him. Our guide Arony makes me feel comfortable and safe during the whole trip. We started early every morning and saw a lot of animals. Hotels are good, food are good. I highly recommended Kalibu Safari, and Arony our guide.
Email Allen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
JAMES WAS THE BEST!!!
We did a 6 day budget safari, James was our tour guide. He was patient and went above and beyond to accommodate and help us find animals. The entire experience was memorable. Only thing I would add is...give the drivers better vehicles. James was able to get us out of the mud and help others but a better vehicle would make the tour more efficient. Besides that...perfect.
AT
Email Elsa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
FIVE DAYS SAFARI IN KENYA REVIEW
We had a very nice Safari experience courtesy of Karibu Safaris. It was our wedding anniversary and we decided to celebrate it in Kenya. Everything was well planned and the tour guide gave us a good safari experience in both Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru national parks.
I would definitely recommend Karibu Safaris.
Thankyou for the unforgettable experience.
Email Stephen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari at a Great Price!
We only had a short week in Kenya, so we wanted to make the most of our time! Thankfully I found Karibu recommended on another website, so I looked into their safaris. We ended up choosing their 6 day Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli private safari instead of the shared/group safari since we would have our own van and accommodations. And let me tell you - this was the BEST decision! We could stretch out in our van, put our bags on the seats, ask for washroom breaks whenever, ask to stop for photos, etc.
Our driver was Edward/Cobra and he was great! When we were in Masai Mara, he used his radio and seemed to know everyone. This helped a lot because they told him where to go to find which animal and/or if there was something interesting going on in a certain area. We got some truly memorable and rare photos because of this! We also felt safe with him at all times which is great when you're in a foreign country and don't feel 100% safe on your own. If you travel a lot, you know what I'm talking about! Edward was also great with communication and planning. He always told us the schedule for the next day, and he even helped us maximize our time in Masai Mara when we got stuck in traffic the first day. If there's one suggestion that I have, it's this: We really enjoyed the facts/information about the city, parks, animals, etc, but please tell us more! You're a smart guy and a true Kenyan, so share your knowledge!
Regarding the accommodations: They're not glamorous or luxurious, but you're paying for a BUDGET SAFARI! You're getting a great deal at a great price! It's more like upgraded camping, so here are the must haves: bug spray, flashlight, book to read, game to play (deck of cards maybe), and snacks. The power also went out at all 3 of our hotels/camps at some point, so remember this - if the power is on, charge your phone, charge your camera, and take a hot shower NOW. Don't wait until later, because the power could be off for any amount of time. Could be 5 minutes or 5 hours.
The food: rice, lentils, beef, chicken, lamb, fish, potatoes, fruit, spinach, and chapati (tortilla/bread). That's what's for lunch and dinner everyday. Not great, not horrible, but it does get a little boring after a few days. Breakfast is typically eggs, toast, pancakes/crepes, and sausage. Usually pretty good!
Remember that since this is a budget safari, you won't be flying at all. Only driving and for hours at a time. Our drive from Nairobi Airport to Masai Mara was about 10 hours, so we were very thankful that we had the whole van to ourselves! The van isn't brand new and it isn't a Land Cruiser, but during our trip we saw several vans AND Land Cruisers stuck in the mud/water. I think your driver is more important than your vehicle! Thanks Edward!
We would definitely use Karibu next time we're in Kenya! Very professional and affordable!