Beacon Safaris Team in Masai Mara
Beacon Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email James | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent 6-day safari - we recommend
We booked a six day, two person (couple) private safari to Masai mara (2 nights), lake Nakuru (1 night) and Amboselli (2 night) in safari van. Charles was our guide and he could not be more experienced, interesting and knowledgeable, he knows every bit of the parks and works to track down the best sights - we saw a lion kill a buffalo!! The tour was very reliable and well organised, for example the car had a problem with the petrol filter but Charles got it fixed over a lunch break, and Kenyan run which is a plus for us. The only thing I personally would change about our trip is I would skip Lake Nakuru and probably add an extra day in Masai mara, as there was a lot of driving and although the lake was interesting it was the least of the three. We strongly recommend staying in the mara park itself as the unfenced lodges have animals that come in overnight! Having the van to ourselves was also great as you can move around to either side/back/front to see the animals best. We would certainly use Beacon Safaris again if we are able to come back to safari in Kenya.
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Email Jeff Yeager | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We highly recommend Beacon Safaris for an affordable, well-planned, excellently-guided safari.
My wife and I were delighted with our Beacon Safari experience (Five Day - Masai Mara/Lake Naivasha/Amboseli) and highly recommend Beacon if you're looking for a safari out of Nairobi.
The diverse wildlife we encountered far exceeded our expectations, often leaving us speechless. The itinerary was well-planned and varied in terms of seeing wildlife in several different parks/preserves, and - although it was too cloudy to see much of Mount Kilimanjaro when we were there - we appreciated the fact that the itinerary gave us a chance to see a broader span of the Kenyan hinterlands than five day safaris offered by some other operators. The vehicle was comfortable and well maintained, and everything happened when and how it was supposed to, including the pickup at a private apartment we were renting in Nairobi and the drop off at the airport at the end of the safari.
For a private safari experience, we were surprised at the reasonable cost of our five day safari. We selected "mid-range" accommodations, which included two nights of "glamping" and two nights of mid-range lodges, but all of the accommodations far exceeded our expectations as well. We are an older, retired couple, and we travel a great deal - always independently and at the budget end of the travel cost spectrum - and the "mid-range" accommodations booked by Beacon for the safari were among the nicest places we stayed during our five week trip in sub-Saharan Africa. The meals were also ample and delightful, with something to appeal to everyone's taste.
But without a doubt, the absolutely best thing about our Beacon Safari experience was our intrepid guide, Anthony. A patient man, with any easy laugh, good sense of humor, and unlimited knowledge of not just the flora and fauna we were seeing, but also the the geology, history, and culture of the places we visited. How he was able to safely drive over the roughest terrain we've ever encountered - all while spotting hidden wildlife and providing a running commentary about everything we saw and experienced - I'll never know. Although this was our first safari, I got the distinct impression from other guides we encountered that Anthony was not only highly respected, but a leader among them. Anthony was often the first safari guide to spot hidden wildlife - alerting other safaris in the area as to their location - and many times he would have us patiently wait so that he could move our vehicle into the perfect viewing/photo location, while most other guides drove off with their clients, missing those special opportunities.
The only suggested improvement I would pass along to Beacon Safari is the need to update some of the pricing information in their literature about the costs of some of the "optional activities" during the safari (e.g. visit to Masai village, boat trip on Lake Naivasha, etc.). We found those costs to be about double the amount indicated Beacon's literature, but they were still very informative and enjoyable, and we were glad that we included them in our safari.
We highly recommend Beacon Safaris for an affordable, well-planned, excellently-guided safari experience.
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Email Greg | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 Day Masai Mara Safari. Most incredible experience of my life
I visited Kenya on a solo trip with the sole intent of doing safari. I booked my safari in Masai Mara with Beacon after seeing other people have good experiences with them. I dealt with Robert through email and text to set the trip up. Robert was excellent about getting back to me despite the 8 hour difference in time. Once I was there I didn’t have to worry about a single thing as Robert and Beacon Safaris had everything arranged for me. I was picked up by a guide by the name of Ken who I highly recommend. I spent basically 3 full days with him and he was nothing but great. He made the entire experience that much more enjoyable. He was very knowledgeable about the everything from the Kenyan culture to details about all the animals we came across. I would 100% recommend booking a safari through Beacon Safaris!
ES
Email Octavian Nedea | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience. Extremely efficient. Always went that extra mile and beyond all my requests
After comparing dozens of safaris operators, I have chosen Beacon and had a wonderfully amazing experience with them. Robert was very efficient in organizing my solo, private 11 days safaris, very attentive and extremely responsive to my requests, questions and demands. Eric the guide and my travel fellow during the safari was extremely helpful and efficient, never tired, always willing to go further. Ask for an animal and he'll find it...We saw leopards 4 times in 6 days of our stay in Maasai Mara. Lions ...every single day, with our best record of 25 lions in one single day: two prides of 13 and 8 and two hunting pairs of lions. Witnessed twice the, never to be missed, Mara River zebra and wildebeest crossing, including 3 crocs preying on wildebeest. Saw even 4 white rhinos at the same time grazing together...Just to name few of the many sightings experienced with Beacon safaris. While sighting wildlife can never be guaranteed, if there are chances to spot it in an area, Eric will find them. Perhaps I'll hardly be able to improve these records and the amazing pictures took there, soon to be available on IG, but I know which is my favourite safari company in Kenya for the years to come. Left Kenya leaving many friends for life there in all the lodges and campsites I stayed and places we visited. Asante sana to all of you !
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Email Josh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Adventure Of A Lifetime
On the drive down to the Masai Mara, my guide, Johnny told me Leopard were some of the hardest animals to track and hardest to spot. Even when you find them, they can disappear in an instant into the bush.
With this in mind, our sturdy little van rumbled down the dirt road that cut through the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Forget what you’ve seen in pictures, read in books, and saw on TV. The Mara is impossibly big. You can’t quite comprehend the size of it until you’re there watching it all stretch out before you.
We got into the Mara ten minutes before one, driving through the reserve to get to camp when a radio call came in that I didn’t understand until Johnny brought our vehicle a halt. He looked at me and smiled before asking if I wanted to go see a leopard. I nodded and we flipped around, racing to reach the sighting with another pair vehicles. I experienced my first leopard sighting around 1:30 and would see two more leopards before we left the Mara.
That was just a piece of my first day with Beacon and trust me it only got better from there! Johnny was an amazing guide and driver that any solo traveler would be lucky to have for six days.
Before departure, I looked around a lot and talked with a lot of different companies before finally deciding to go with Beacon. Robert played a huge part in that decision. He was always quick to answer my questions no matter how big or small they were and when I used Whatsapp to contact him and inform him of an urgent last-minute change to my itinerary, he took it in stride.
On the morning of our departure from Nairobi, he had the staff at the Wildebeest Eco Camp to tell me to take my time and have breakfast. I had originally planning to skip breakfast to make sure we got on the road in time, so being able to push back our departure so I could take time to eat was hugely appreciated.
Once we were on the road, Johnny was very friendly and was always ready to answer my questions about the places we were going to and the animals we would see. Rest stops were frequent and I never felt like I was trapped in the car, praying we would find a bathroom and there was never a time I felt unsafe during our 4 to 5-hour drives when traveling between parks.
Although going by air can save you time, especially if you're on a tight schedule, Seeing the country and its varying climates and terrain, paired with the cities and towns that you pass through on your route is an adventure all on its own. 80% of the roads we traveled were paved. The stories of the road to the Masai Mara, specifically it's final third, being an unpaved and teeth-rattling mess are very outdated. A large section of that road has now been paved and is a smooth ride. When you do find those few dirt roads, you know that its official, you're really on safari! So don’t let the possibility of having to travel by land intimidate you! You'll wind up learning a lot about the country you've traveled so far to visit.
Johnny and I traveled almost 700 miles during our time. From the Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru and finally to Amboseli. Despite the long days, his enthusiasm never faded. He always kept me informed on what our plans were and explained why we needed to make changes when changes needed to be made. Like when he recommended we do our evening game drive in Amboseli earlier in the afternoon when we arrived rather than enter the park and go through it only to leave and drive to the lodge (which took 20-30 minutes) for a short time only to turn right back around and go back into the park.
Johnny and I saw so much during our time together, from a surprise elephant crossing in the Mara that left me speechless to a three hyena standoff over a dead hippo in Amboseli that left me scratching my head for days after. The one thing I wasn’t expecting was how Johnny influenced me as we traveled together. I'm a pretty quiet person, and as a solo traveler that can make connecting with your destination and the people who live there, as well as the other travelers you come across pretty difficult. As the trip went on, seeing Johnny interact with the people we came across from Kenya Wildlife Service Rangers to other guides we drove past on the open road made me appreciate the massive community of people who make going on safari possible. In response I found myself belting out a hearty 'Jambo!' more and more and struggle through bouts of small talk as our journey progressed.
On my final day in Kenya, I was pretty sad to say goodbye to Johnny, take my sunhat off my head and strap it to my bag before moving my winter clothes from the bottom of my suitcase to my overnight bag in preparation for the transition back to a much colder climate. I have made memories that will last a lifetime, and I have some new friends that I cannot wait to see again the next time I am in the country.
When we left Nairobi Johnny told me that Kenya was a place with unlimited possibility, I can now say that he's absolutely right. I have traveled so far and it amazes me that there's still more to see and do. So if you take anything away from this review, it should be that a Kenyan safari will leave you with a mountain of good memories, hours of stories to share with your friends and family, and a sense of adventure that will only be satisfied by once again striking out into the wilderness in a pop top van, following a dirt road that runs past the horizon.
Robert and Johnny, asante sana.
I hope to travel with you again soon!
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Email Brian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
You can trust this company!
Working with Robert was great! He was excellent in helping us prepare our trip and Beacon Safari's offered a fair and reasonable rate. The driver, Ken, was very professional and did his best to take us around the game park to see everything we could see.
As residents, we learned later that we could enter the game park at a discounted rate. Robert was happy to refund our initial overpayment since we received the reduced gate entrance rate. His willingness to work with us and provide the refund even though we had agreed to the initial non-resident rate is another reason you know you can trust this company. I would highly recommend using this company for any safari or other booking they offer.
--Brian & family (American with children 8-14)
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Email Hilde and Filip | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Safari !
The safari was just perfect ! We saw the big five and all the other amazing wildlife and stayed in beautiful tented camps.
Our driver Victor is an exceptionally good guide and very pleasant to be around with.
Air France managed to leave our luggage in Paris, but thanks to Robert and Victor's efforts and some challenging logistics, the luggage was handed over to us 2 days later. Thanks a million !
We hope to travel again with Beacon Safaris and we will definitely ask for Victor again.
Victor, this one's for you: Asante kwa kila kitu. We consider ourselves not only as happy customers but also as good friends.
See you soon !
HU
Email Henriett | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
When the dream come true...
I don't know how to thank you for these wonderful days in Kenya! There are no words for this. Unforgettable, perfect, professional... We will forever be grateful to Beacon Safaris for this safari. We saw the big five. Incredible, amazing, eternal memories! Thank you Robert for making our dream come true! We recommend Beacon Safaris to everyone!
Asante Sana! :)
Henriett & Tamas
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Email Farah Kassem | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience with amazing operator!
I’m pretty overwhelmed with this experience. It’s one of a kind experience that one wouldn’t want to miss out on.
I’ve dealt with beacon safaris and they were able to get back to all my requests and made sure they did their best. I had Robert (the guy managing the safaris) on WhatsApp and I would bombard him with questions and he would get back to me so quickly regardless of the time.
What made this experience even more amazing was our guide: Anthony. Anthony is amazing on so many levels. He’s extremely friendly, patient, knowledgeable and has a really good eye to spot animals. He made sure we got to see the big 5 and every single animal that is mentioned in the description. He took us to amazing spots to get amazing pictures. He was in touch with all the other guides to make sure we don’t miss out on anything and would drive quickly whenever any of his colleagues spotted something to make sure we don’t miss it out. It was a four day safari and it was pretty hectic, Anthony drove for Long hours but this did not affect his level of enthusiasm and friendliness. He has been continuously smiling and passing out information for four consecutive days. He made sure he gave us all the information and knowledge he had regarding all the animals we saw. I would definitely recommend beacon safaris and Anthony for anyone going to Kenya for a Safari.
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Email Laura F | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic 3 Day tour of Amboseli National Park
My husband and I went with Beacon Safaris to Amboseli National Park on a 2 night/3 day tour. We stayed at Kibo Safari Camp just outside the park and Beacon accommodated our request to start in Nairobi and drop us at the Namanga border crossing so that we could go on to Tanzania.
Kevin was our guide. He was knowledgable, thoughtful and a great driver. We went on 4 games drives through the park and each one was unique. He knows the area well and has great relationships with the other guides which seems essential for a great experience.
We used a van and not a jeep to save on cost. We found the van experience to be perfect for a short safari. We spent more time standing for the view as the windows are shorter than a safari jeep, but the comfort level was comparable.