Ton, one of the owners of Netherken Safaris&Tours
Netherken Safaris & Tours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
PL
Email Marek | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, helpful, trustful
Everything was perfectly organized. Communication with operator was easy and all questions were answered very quickly. Our driver was always on time and very helpful willing to show us as many animals as possible suggesting best spots for pictures doing his best for us to have an amazing experience. The lodges were wonderful and food was excellent. I definately recommend safari with Netherken.
Email Richard Hemingway | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Well worth it
This was a great trip well worth doing.
Experience:
I have been on many safaris before, but this is my first time on a guided one, it also my girlfriends first time in Africa and on a safari. The experience is different and definitely worth doing, we had a better view from the open top van and also had knowledge and quick reaction from the driver. Also worth noting that we did the private safari with an open top vehicle, which was genuinely nice as it was just me and my girlfriend.
Booking was easy and we were able to communicate through email with the team beforehand. They were nice enough to alter my pickup and drop off points which made the whole experience easier for me and the whole holiday easier. We even asked about different lodges to stay in and they were able to accommodate.
It had previously rained, which is a good thing, albeit more challenging to see animals through the plants, however, we still got to see a particularly good amount of animals. We drove around East and West Tsavo and the highlights were seeing the big cats and walking around Mzima springs to see some hippos and crocodiles.
Animals we got to see:
- Lions (male)
- Cheetah
- Leopard (baited)
- Jackal
- Giraffe
- Elephant
- Rhino
- Hippo
- Crocodile
- Mongoose
- Zebra
- Waterbuck
- Hartebeest
- Impala
- Gazelle
- Dik Dik
- Diker
- And probably more I cannot remember!
Driver:
We had Mahmood driving us around each day, he was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He also reacted fast when calls came in of animals on the radio. He was also a great driver, we saw other vans and 4x4s getting stuck while Mahmood knew how to get around issues. At the end of the safari he also drove us 5 hours to our next destination. I would 100% recommend Mahmood if you can get him!
Lodges:
On our first day we stayed at Voi Safari Lodge, we got there at lunch time and got to put our bags down. The table was prebooked and we felt like we had some of the best seats in the house overlooking a magnificent view. The swimming pool was also nice and had the same incredible view, we ventured down to the hide, but were not lucky enough to view too much.
On our second day we stayed at Ngulia Safari Lodge, we got there are lunch to put our bags down. The lodge is situated up in the mountains and overlooks the rhino reserve, they had a viewpoint with planted binoculars that were not great, so I would advise bring your own. We were lucky enough to use our binoculars and managed to find a rhino! After the afternoon safari we went back to the lodge and before we knew it that had set up the bait and managed to entice a leopard out. It is not my ideal way to see a leopard, but I have been on roughly 10 safaris and never managed to see one any other way! Slight issue here was the amount of light they had one so everyone could get a clear view attracted an extreme number of bugs, which made dining not a pleasant experience. It rained that night we cleared a lot of them but made the drive slightly treacherous the next day!
Overall, we were both incredibly happy with the experience and would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
CH
Email Irina Tomovic | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional tour experience with knowledgeable guides and seamless organisation-highly recommended!
We had an incredible experience with Netherken Safaris and Tours! From start to finish, every detail was expertly handled. Our guide was knowledgeable and personable, making the tour both informative and enjoyable. The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to see all the highlights while still having time to explore on our own. Thank you for providing such a memorable adventure!
The only thing I personally did not like id that the guide asked for 20 dollars tip from each of us. That should be up to people how much are they willing to give. Ut was a bit uncomfortable.
Reply from Netherken Safaris & Tours
Posted on Feb 18, 2024Dear Irina,
Thank you for your nice review.
We contacted the driver and he said that you had asked him how much the tip should be. He then mentioned the amount of USD 20, which you paid to him.
It is best if you never ask the person how much they want as a tip, so you will get this as an answer. Decide for yourself, possibly with others in your group, or ask in advance where you booked the trip.
Regards, Ton Verheijke co-Owner.
Email Mark Unsworth | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Netherken are an Outstanding tour operator and everything about the safari was brilliant.
We have recently been on the 3 day highlights of Tsavo with Netherken and everything about the tour was superb. The communication with Ton by email before we arrived was so reassuring and took away alot of my concerns. The service and help we received once we arrived in Kenya was amazing. We missed our connecting flight in Nairobi and Mahmood was still there to greet us in Mombasa 2 hours later. He was helpful and friendly right from the off. He even helped us to get a lift to the local shopping mall from the apartment manager. Another friendly person. As for the safari, the two lodges ,Ngulia and Voi were perfect. Brilliant views and food and drinks. The game drives, 6 in total took in the magnificent beauty of Tsavo west and Tsavo east. We saw 4 of the big five. Sadly, due to poaching in the Rhino sanctuary, we couldn't go into the sanctuary. But the views of all the other animals, plenty of Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe the rare lion sighting and the view of the two leopards at Ngulia feeding will live long in the memory. Also the sightings of the smaller animals and birds, helped by the keen eye and expertise of Mahmood, were amazing. At times you didn't know were to look. The scenery is magnificent, rolling plains, scrub, the classic Acacia trees and stunning hills and mountains.
The vehicle was very comfortable with great views and not too hot, sheltered from the sun. The value for money was excellent. I compared many safaris and this one , for us ,was a great combination of seeing plenty at the right price. Highly recommended.
SE
Email Mia | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy going and always smiling tourguide
We were a group of five, it was me and my three young adult children and my sons girlfriend. The driver was fantastic, always smiling, always drivning very safely and continiously looking to do the extra mile for his guests. I had trouble in doing the payment, from Sweden to Kenya, but after several e-Mails back and fourth with my bank and Netherken we finally solved it. Thanks for one of the most memorable holidays we have ever experienced!!
DE
Email Torsten Steinke | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect Trips
We did a 2 day Tsavo East Safari and a day trip to Hell’s Kitchen. Both were just perfect, reliable, safe guides. We would definitely recommend Netherken!
Amazing trip to Tsavo East and West
We had the best 2 night 3 day safari with Abdalla and Netherken Safaris & Tours to Tsavo east and west.
Abdalla was very attentive throughout our trip and he worked over and above to ensure we saw as many animals as possible. He was fantastic at locating all the animals especially the big 5, and always seemed to know what they were going to do next, giving us an incredible moment with lions and their cubs. Abdalla was very knowledgeable about the local area and was always giving us interesting facts about different places. He was always very punctual and worked super hard to give us the best experience.
Both the hotels we stayed at had amazing views and we saw elephants from our room windows. We would definitely recommend Netherken Safaris & Tours and Abdalla as a Safari guide.
IT
Email Dario | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience ! Hakuna matata
My girlfriend Sofia and I spent 4 days and 3 nights on a Safari in Tsavo/Amboseli National Park with Netherken agency and it was the most exciting experience of our lives! All details or doubts were managed properly!
We strongly wish to thank our guide Mamhood for making our tour magical, thanks to his amazing sight in looking for animals in the savana and his will to share his culture and experiences with us. He introduced us to the Kenyan traditions, beauty and nature, communicating also the contradictions and problems of his land. African sunsets in the savana will remain impressed in our memories and we will leave a part of our hearts in Africa.
FI
Email Mr. Jukka Raja-Aho | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service
I send a message to several operator, but Netherken was only one who really read and answer my question and gave personalized answer. It was easy choice for me. Our co-operation worked very well but unfortunately there was 2 quite big things what I'm not pleased.
1. I choose traveling to the Fig Tree camp by airplane. When I was returning back to Nairobi, plane didn't come at all and there was nobody on the airstrip who knows anything what to do. Mombasa air didn't inform us anyhow to the hotel or there was not anybody answering for us what we should do. Netherken's number didn't answer. I still don't know how, but we got 2 pilot's who bring we back to Nairobi just 1,5 hours late.
It's not so big thing, but somehow they should inform customers if there is technical problems and delays.
2. Don't by any extras beforehand!
I bought also Hot balloon safari many months before. It was mistake.
I get ill there (stomach ailment from the first lunch). Cause I couldn't leave bathroom at all, I couldn't go to the flight.
I was not happy when I heard that they will not return my money even they were selling those hot balloon flights there in Fig Tree Camp all the time for next morning every day. I mean, they didn't have to say anybody that all flights are sold out, and that way they didn't loose any new customer because of my illness. I feel it was not fair.
I didn't get it even from travel insurance cause I didn't understand that I should get doctor. Reception said that it's in Nairobi so I didn't think it's necessary after 1,5 days yet.
So don't buy any extras beforehand, you can get them later on the camp as well!
The Fifth Tree Camp is beautiful and very nice place and 1 game drive I had possible to join was amazing!
I can recommend that even my 2 deplorable experiences.
As well I can recommend Netherken as well. I'm sure they will develop communication between Mosambik air, The Fig Tree Camp and Netherken itself.
BE
Email Natascha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic with Netherken Safaris !! Recommend it to everybody, we have the big 5 and more.
We had a fantastic time doing the 3-Day The Hot Spots of Tsavo West and East with Netherken Safaris. We did see the big 5 and up so close!