Paul with clients at Ngorongoro Crater enjoying
Kenya Expresso Tours and Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- KATO & KCTA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $140 to $980 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email ruthnlarry | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phenomenal Safari with KETS
We became acquainted with Kenya Expresso Tours and Safaris (KETS) 1 ½ years ago when we began looking for a 1 day safari in Kenya. Originally, we were only going to spend 1 day in Kenya before flying to Rwanda to trek after the mountain gorillas.
As we researched KETS 1 day safaris, we became captivated with them. They offered a variety of 1 day safaris, their price was unbelievably great, and they had phenomenal reviews on TripAdvisor. Also, we would be the only people on their 1 day safaris with our own private driver/guide. It soon became apparent to us, that we wanted to spend more than 1 day on the traditional safari offered by KETS. We wanted to see so much more since we were flying all the way to Kenya from Chicago. We wanted to have the best possible chance to see the Big 5, and to see the Great Migration of the wildebeast, and their river crossing. So, we emailed Paul, the tour consultant of KETS, and asked his advice. Paul answered all of our emails within 24 hours, and was very helpful in helping us customize an itinerary.
Paul recommended visiting Kenya in September. This would give us the best chance of observing the Big 5 and the migration. He also recommended visiting Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara. Paul must be a phenomenal prognostigator!!! We followed his recommendations and were able to see the Big 5 and the wildebeasts crossing the Mara River during their migration.
We were awed, astounded, amazed, and just overwhelmed with the beauty and wildness of Amboseli, Masai Mara, and Lake Nakura. Our accomodations were spacious and restful, with satisfying meals, mostly served buffet style. Dishes included familiar foods as well as a few native dishes. All these appetizing dishes were offered in delicious large quantities.
Due to the expertise planning of Kenya Expresso Tours and Safaris, we experienced the unparalleled wilderness of this fascinating country and had the privilege of being escorted by Philip, a very able driver and knowledgeable guide. My husband and I were the only visitors in the roomy Toyota Land Cruiser, and we found Philip to be a reliable driver and a bold, intelligent guide who often surprised us with unexpected sightings. He found the big 5 for us to observe and photograph during the first 26 hours of our visit, including both the black and white rhinos! Philip would position the vehicle as close as possible to the animals so that we had the best possible views and locations for our photos. He took us to an excellent vantage point overlooking the Mara River to watch the wildebeasts cross. After one hour of waiting unsuccessfully for the wildebeasts to cross, we left to explore other areas. Shortly, we came across a pride of lions, and stopped to observe and photograph them. After several minutes, the male started to court one of the females, and then started to mate with her right in front of us!! While watching the lions mate, Philip heard on his radio that the wildebeasts started to cross the river. So, he told us to buckle-up, turned the Land Cruiser around, and put the pedal to the metal. He got us to the river safely in time to watch the wildebeasts!!! All of our wishes for our Kenya safari had come to fruition. Unbelievable!!! We could not have wished for a better experience than the one we had with KETS, Paul, and Philip.
Paul was assisted us when the airlines lost our luggage, and he was instrumental in tracking down our bags when we had no luck in finding them.
So, book a wonderful never-to-be-forgotten journey with Kenya Express Tours and Safaris. You will find that for the money spent, this trip will be a significant value. Paul and Philip will be waiting for you.
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Email Greg & Lani ~ California | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thanks, KETS, For An Incomparable Adventure
It was 5 am when we heard a gentle knock on the door of our Nairobi bungalow. It was Lucky, our safari driver/guide with KETS (Kenya Expresso Tours and Safari), and our 11-day, epic adventure was about to begin.
It was a 5-hour drive from Nairobi to Voi, the entrance to our first park: Tsavo East. At the entrance gate, Lucky lifted the pop-top and we assumed the standing position in the van, clutching our cameras, and having absolutely no idea what to expect. First impression of Tsavo: the desert-like terrain appeared too barren to support dense populations of wildlife. On the contrary, just 30-minutes later, a parade of 40-elephants trotted passed the van. Jaws dropped and eyes bugged as we entered a world of wonderment that touched us like no other life experience.
Our guide, Lucky, was a perfect fit for our style of safari-ing. A perfect gentleman and professional with an easy laugh, he handled every detail of the trip so all we had to do for 11-days was to maintain our balance in the van as the best of wild Africa unfolded beyond our pop-top. Our safety and comfort were top priorities for Lucky, as was his commitment to fill each game drive with rarefied experiences. His laser-sharp vision perfectly complemented his psychic-powers and instinct in choosing the right road at the right moment to locate wildlife. At Masai Mara, he stopped the van and said, “Watch this.” We had a ring-side seat to observe 4 male lions surround buffaloes, which resulted in a tense stand-off. Suddenly, the buffaloes charged and the lions scattered like terrified kitties. Later on the same drive, he located a pair of mating lions.
We couldn’t have been more pleased with the lodges at Tsavo East/West, Amboseli, Naivasha, Lake Nakuro, and Masai Mara. And the lodges’ buffet meals…vegetarians, prepare to eat the best, most varied meals of your life. Lucky used his charm and persuasion to get us the best rooms overlooking the waterholes. At Naivasha’s Sopa Lodge, who needs a waterhole when hippos are grazing in the garden right outside your room?
We decided go with KETS based on internet postings as well as the competitive price. But even with all the glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, there always remains the nagging possibility that high expectations may collide with disarming realities. But our expectations were met and then blown off the charts with each park we toured. Paul, the owner, knows what customers want and is eager to oblige. The money exchange was effortless. I sent a $1,000 deposit via Western Union, and paid the balance (also via Western Union) the evening before our safari began.
This may sound nuts, but 4-days after we returned home and still wobbly from travel, we tallied our British Air miles and bought 2 tickets San Francisco-Nairobi for next August. The expression “we’re hooked” applies here.
Thanks, Lucky and KETS, for countless, priceless memories.
Our Tsavo East experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxGOLZgIYx0
Our Tsavo East experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTcYTpqtu8w
A word about our stay in Nairobi: we wanted a rural place to stay away from the bustle of the big city that was also within walking distance of Dame Daphne’s elephant orphanage (we had adopted an orphan, Mbegu, and wanted to visit as often as possible.) We also wanted a place that bordered Nairobi National Park, so we could continue our safari independently on foot. Our criteria for the ideal rental did indeed exist: Nyati Hills Cottages on Masai Lodge Rd. Who knew we’d see more rhinos looking out the kitchen window than we would see on an 11-day safari? We loved the proximity to wildlife, from the hyraxes at Rolf’s Place to the baboons in our backyard. And we thoroughly enjoyed the trek to visit the elephant orphans. Nyati Hills was THE place to stay both before and after touring the national parks.
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Email Monica | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful experience
We had a wonderful experience with KET around the main parks in Kenya and our guide, Jackson, a very practical and quite reserved man, has been fantastic, we managed to see the big five very close. Beautiful lodges with just a little lower vote for the Masai Mara lodge, the Sopa Lodge, which was very nice, but not at the same level as the other ones.
Also, but this has nothing to do with KET, we found the visit to the Masai village was too commercial, though expensive.
I would definitely recopmmend KET.
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Email Andrea Omiccioli | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
KET SAFARIS THE BEST
Ket Safari is very professional and helpfull . Have organized a very good game drive in Kenya. Our driver was qualified and funny . Paul the Boss has answered quickly at each our requests. Thank you for all!!
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Very unpleasant!
It has been a terrible experience with KetSafari Tour.
The only thing they seemed to want is your money and for the rest they didn't care. And the option we had chosen was not even so cheap.
We paid to spend more than a week sitting on a van everyday and travelling for more than 9 hours per day which was a boring and tiring experience and didn't worth the money paid. Once at the lodges what we were doing was sitting in the van (again!) for 2/3 hours to go out on safari with the most silent and speechless driver. On top of this it was even more irritating that we haven't seen much. I know that the safari experience is not like being in a zoo and you cannot predict wether you will see some animals or not but every time once back to the lodges there were bunches of people excited as they have seen many of the big five (especially the most difficult ones). And it was clear that it wasn't only luck but definitely they had a professional driver.
This made us upset all the time. The only 2 sentences our driver was able to say were that we had plenty of time and places to visit so we would have seen something and also he was begging us to invest money on him so we could buy him a new van and he could start his own business!
On the last day, on the way back we refused to stop for lunch despite it was already paid as we were looking forward to end that pain that was making us feeling SO sick!
Reply from Kenya Expresso Tours and Safaris
Posted on Nov 17, 2014We send our apologies as the management board for the incident that happened on your safari.Am very grateful,for you made us review our itinerary.It has been long before such complains were received henceforth we changed the itinerary in order to suit you and other future clients despite it being few days visiting the best reserves in our country which are miles away from each other.Secondly about the driver guide we are amused with his action,because this is our first scene to hear about such actions since our drivers are highly educated and passionate with there work but misconduct wont be allowed thus i promise serious actions will be taken on him after preparation of misconduct report ,for you and other clients as our work is to make you feel at home far away from home by serving clients with amazing safaris ever,impacting knowledge and historical backgrounds for our country.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari
My wife and I had a fantastic tour for eight Days. We started in Tsavo and Went on to Amboseli and Masai Mara and a bit more. Our guide was great and we had the luxury to have the car for ourselves, which I believe made a big difference. All the lodgings were fine! I can only recommend KET to others.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing tour and safari.
I went to Kenya with my 2 kids last June. We picked the 9 days 8 nights safari.
Everything was organised perfectly and the tour itself was Amazing. Lucky, our driver, was very helpful in spotting animals and Always available to accomodate our requests.
The lodges selected by Kenya Expresso were all high level in terms of facilities and location.
I definitely reccommend Kenya Expresso!
Well done
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our trip was outstanding. Very friendly drivers, excellent accomodations and perfect organisation
We had great expectations about our safari. Our Safari with Kenya Expresso Tours and Safari however exceeded those expecations. It was fantastic. Good communication, nice and friendly drivers and excellent service. I can´t name an item whatsoever to complain about.
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Email farnush davarpanah | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ketsafaries is very good operator and serious
We have been in Kenya for 10 days and with kenya Expresso about 4 days.
We traveled with them to Amboseli park, tzavo Est and Ovest. we have seen more animals also Lion.
Driver was very gentelman and always available.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect
It was our second trip to Kenia, and the organization and Lodges were much better, than the first time travelling by Meisers Weltreisen.
Very nice Loges, nice Driver and we felt very comfortable. Thanks a lot