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
DE
Email Aurelia K. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mahmoud found the lions first!
It was a great Safari adventure with Mahmoud in Tsavo East and Amboselli. Mahmoud has been very awake with a very good eye for spotting the animals. He was the one finding the lions first. Which has been a highlight. And he has the superpower to push the clouds away, so that you can see the top of Kilimandscharo even in December.^^ He taught us a lot about the wildlife and area, very very interesting facts. (Don't ask about the Dig Digs - way too sad story!)
We booked Budget Safari - and even though accommodations might not be the highest standard, I would recommend to EXPLICITLY avoid VOI SAFARI LODGE in Tsavo East. This place is a hell, except for the view! Old, dirty, not organized, loud, bugs everywhere (terrorizing you). Even the pool is full of dirt and bugs.
If you have that in mind, go with Netherken Safaris. They are so friendly in communication and you feel well guided right after your first email is sent. Thank you for everything, we won't forget!
Reply from Netherken Safaris & Tours
Posted on Jan 18, 2022Dear Aurelia,
Thank you for your comment about your experience with Voi Safari Lodge. We have discussed this with the management of Voi. They have indicated that they will improve this.
Based on your review, clients can always ask to book another lodge.
Ton Verheijke, co-Owner
Email Andrew | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari 3 days in Tsavo West and East
All excellent! Thanks to Mahmut for professionalism, courtesy, and incredible eyesight. The vehicle was very comfortable in all terrains. The national parks are extraordinary places in themselves, and lodges are very atmospheric. We saw animals many and diverse: lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, oryx, impalas, dik diks, hydrax, etc etc.
US
Email Richard | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome 3 day Masai Mara Safari followed by Spectacular Day at Wasini Island Snorkeling
From the initial email inquiry to the final drop off at the airport Netherken Safaris and Tours took care of our every need.
Communication prior to the trip was prompt and accurate. When we arrived in Nairobi our safari guide was at the hotel early to pick us up. Our baggage had missed the connection in Amsterdam and our guide took us back to the airport so we could be reunited with our bags before embarking on the 5 hour drive to Masai Mara. Once at the Masai Mara National Reserve the guide demonstrated his expertise and passion in not only finding the animals but also provided a running commentary on how the animals live and fit into the environment. The guide really made this trip special and was always willing to answer our questions but also knew when to leave us to ourselves to soak up the experience. One of the last animals the guide showed us was a leopard sitting high in a tree with what looked to be an antelope leg that he was saving for later.....an unbelievable sight and something that the guide went above and beyond to show us.
The accommodations at the Mara Sentrim Camp were perfect, the "tents" were clean and comfortable and the food was welcomed after spending a day in the van viewing the animals. The staff at the camp provided first class service.
The whole safari experience was an incredible value and although there are probably fancier lodges/hotels and we could have spent more and taken a plane into the reserve the trip we had was fantastic. Driving to the reserve was an adventure in itself and stopping to look over the Rift Valley prior to descending to the floor of the valley gave a great sense of perspective. Kenya is a fascinating country and during the drive the guide provided interesting information on the culture.
The snorkeling trip on Wasini Island was also very impressive. Our guide for the day picked us up from our Mombassa hotel and drove us 2.5 hrs to the boat landing for the trip. We snorkeled over the coral reef and was lucky enough to see dolphins and get to briefly get to swim with them. After returning to the island we had a fantastic seafood lunch. The guide then did everything possible to get us back to the airport in time for our 9:00pm flight. When we were stuck in Friday night traffic in Mombassa he knew all the strings to pull to get us to the airport in time. A truly memorable day.
Booking a trip online is always a little bit of a lottery but Netherken really came through for us and provide me and my family a vacation that we will remember forever. They provided everything they said they would and we were really looked after every step of the way. I highly recommend Netherken Safaris and Tours to anyone looking for a fantastic experience while traveling in Kenya.
FR
Email Moez | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari Tsavo
We spent an excelent trip of 3days and 2night Safari at Ngutuni.
They arranged us a pick from Taveta borders(Kenya) and dropped us in Diani beach near Mombasa
The lodge was very clean, staff very attentive the program very interesting , we saw a lot of animals even the sheeta and lion. The place was amazing!
Mahmoud our guide was very kind and professionnel .
Every thing was perfect and we really apreciate the exchange and flexibility of Ton and Janet.
We recommend Netherken and we won't hesitate to travel with them for our next trip in Kenya!
NL
Email Ilse | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable experiences with Netherken!
I have been on several 1-day tours and a 3-day Safari with Netherken. Everything has always been perfectly arranged. I am sure I will make a few more trips with this organization. The owners are very nice people and know a lot about the different parks and tours Kenya offers. I think they give reasonable prices for the tours they offer compared to other organizations. I like how they make every trip a unique one exactly as you wish for!
IT
Email Lara Alberti | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari at Tsavo East and West
We had a great time in the safari experience and everything went well.
Our driver Mahmood was really skilled, nice and helpful for the whole tour. We really enjoyed it!
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.
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!!
