Three members of the team on safari near Nairobi
Transtrek Safaris
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- TTA & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $220 to $380 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
FR
Email Peter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
In a word, faultless
Our safari was tailor-made to our requirements by Daniel who was always available to answer the many questions we had. Our group comprised mainly French so a French speaking guide was essential. Tony fulfilled that role perfectly. We were very happy with the itinerary and the timetable ran like clockwork. Tony’s knowledge of the wildlife and Kenya in general is excellent, and he has the eye of a lynx! Although we saw no leopards we were never disappointed, and highlights included cheetahs in Amboseli and lions crossing the River Galana. All the lodges and tented camps were well chosen with friendly staff and good food. Personal favourites were Sentrim tented camp, Amboseli and Epia Chapeyu in Tsavo East. Our final 3 nights were spent on the coast at Chale Island. This involved a journey on the hair-raising Nairobi Mombasa highway, but Tony’s driving was irreproachable throughout.
Our safari fully lived up to expectations. The organisation was faultless and I have no hesitation in recommending Transtrek to anyone considering a wildlife safari in Kenya.
US
Email Jenny | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari with kids!
We're a family of five (three boys, 15, 13 and 12) living in the US and I'd been trying to arrange a safari that encompassed the Masai Maara and finding that many of the tour operators here in the US thought our budget was just not enough to accomplish that. I came across Transtrek and had a quick email exchange with Daniel and he felt that our budget was absolutely enough for a few days there and, with kids in tow, visiting other parks would keep the kids engaged anyway. What great advice! Daniel managed to create an itinerary that allowed us to travel around Nakuru, Naivasha, the Aberdares, Laikipia, Nairobi and the Masai Maara and then finish off with a couple of days in Malindi to unwind. While the driving was long (and I wish we had followed Daniel's advice of taking more internal flights!), we saw everything that we had heard about and more besides. He really took the time to find out what we wanted to get out of the vacation and worked other excursions and parks into that list. As it turned out, our highlight was probably Ol Pejeta where all three boys (and us 'rents) loved the conservancy excursions (and we saw a leopard and her cubs!). We would not have considered that as a destination had Daniel not recommended it.
I would not hesitate to use Daniel and Transtrek again, or to recommend them highly to anyone considering a safari. He was always responsive via email or video call and obviously has a wealth of personal experience traveling in Kenya so was able to answer all of our questions, make great recommendations and create an awesome experience for all of us.
Email Ian and Beth | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Return Customers
This was our sixth safari in Kenya and our second trip with Transtrek, here visiting the Mara and Naboisho. After a telephone discussion Daniel organised our trip superbly at relatively short notice. As enthusiastic amateur photographers we much prefer the freedom of independent (v group) travel, and Transtrek admirably supplies that option. Tony guided us for the second time; he has previously worked with professional photographers and knows exactly how to position you for great shots. I have no hesitation in recommending him to other keen photographers. For this trip Naboisho comfortably edged the Mara, in part due to the heavy rains. We much look forward to our next Kenya visit.
Ian and Beth
Email Thomas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari and fantastic family holiday experience
My second safari with Transtrek Safaris and cannot wait until the next time. I am happy to recommend them for their expertise, attention to detail and making our trip so incredible.
Our thanks to Daniel for arranging a superb 10 day safari for us visiting different areas of Kenya. We enjoyed the trip from start to finish. Our time in Masai Mara stood out for us the most where we stayed in luxury camps. The proximity and abundance of wildlife as well as the landscape were altogether simply stunning with numerous lifelong memories. One very early start for a balloon ride was well worth the effort too.
Our driver Peter was tremendous and looked after us so well, helping to locate and identify everything we saw. We felt home from home when we were travelling in the vehicle and very impressed by the driving skills.
Email Colin & Jayne | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Superb 11 day honeymoon safari
We looked at several safari operators, but decided on Transtrek very soon after Dan contacted us and tailor made our trip to suit both time and budget. David was a fantastic and very knowledgeable guide and we would like to use this platform to thank him again for an unforgettable safari on our honeymoon. Some of the highlights: Elephants and views of Kilimanjaro from Amboseli; Kilanguni lodge in Tsavo West, with view of waterhole from our room; Sheldrick elephant orphanage in Nairobi, where we met our fostered baby elephants; bird life at lake Naivasha; lions, cheetah and leopards at Masia Mara. There was much, much more including the comfortable accommodation, swimming pools and exceptional food at every camp.
Highly recommended.
US
Email Dan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded Our Expectations - Seven Day Tour, Rift Valley Lakes and the Masai Mara
My wife and I took a seven day private tour which included Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley, the Masai Mara, and the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Our trip spanned the end of June into July. From the outset, Daniel’s (with Transtrek) communications were prompt and helpful. He addressed all our questions and concerns, while offering suggestions without pushing to up-sell. Once in Kenya, we met our main guide, Peter, when he picked us up from the Nairobi airport Hilton. The tour was conducted in a seven seat Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop up canopy for 360 degree viewing. Peter was friendly and professional throughout the trip. He was always more than willing to talk about the country, people, and wildlife, make arrangements, and keep us well stocked with bottled water. Daniel made planning and booking our first trip to Africa as painless as possible and Peter saw to it that the tour went smoothly. We hope to return to Kenya in the future and fully intend to book with Transtrek again.
Parks:
The tour began with a roughly four hour drive from Nairobi hotel to Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru National Park is a pretty park consisting mainly of wetlands and forested areas. In contrast to the tan savannah of the Mara, Lake Nakuru was vibrantly green. In addition to many other species, we saw both black and white rhinos. After two nights, we traveled a bit over two hours to Lake Naivasha National Park. At Lake Naivasha, we took a private boat tour to an island which allows bush walks due to its lack of large predators. The lake is home to an impressive array of bird species. For the final three nights of the itinerary, we drove the five plus hours the Masai Mara region. While we enjoyed the Rift lakes, the Mara region was the highlight. The national reserve, with its grand sweeping grasslands and wild abundance of life, is rightly iconic. It can get crowded (particularly around big cats) but it was not nearly as bad as I feared. In early July, it was still possible to find areas with no one else in sight. The Mara Naboisho Conservancy, lacking the vast open spaces of the national reserve, is mainly covered in groups of shrubs and smallish trees. The conservancy offers a different experience in several respects because it is privately operated and visitor numbers are controlled: night game drives and bush walks (with armed guides) are permitted and it does not get crowded. In addition, it has one of highest concentrations of lions in East Africa. The cost to stay in the conservancy is higher than the nearby national reserve; however, once we saw what was offered, we did not regret the expense for a moment.
Accommodation:
We stayed at five properties while in Kenya: Hilton Garden Inn Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Basecamp Explorer Masai Mara, and Basecamp Explorer Eagle View. The Hilton was our airport lodging before and after the tour, which we arranged separately. Daniel did offer to book on our behalf but my wife had Hilton points to burn. The hotel is new, clean, comfortable, operated by friendly and efficient staff, and has a very good restaurant. The two Sopa properties were similar. Both consisted of a restaurant/reception area and chalets with two to four rooms. The rooms were spacious and well appointed. The bathrooms were clean but hot water is limited by design. The food, mainly served buffet style, ranged from fine to good and there was variety. The Nakuru Sopa Lodge is situated on a ridge and has a lovely view over Lake Nakuru. The Naivasha resort has zebra, giraffe, impala, waterbuck, several species of monkeys, and (at night) hippopotamus on the property. The Basecamp Explorer properties are both tented camps, though with electricity and showers in every room. Basecamp Explorer Masai Mara sits in a wooded area just over the Talek River from the Mara, within sight of the national reserve. The tents are a bit spartan but contain what one expects in a hotel room, with two odd exceptions: there are no mirrors or trash cans. Basecamp Explorer Eagle View is arrayed along a ridge with the Naboisho Conservancy. The dining/reception area has a fantastic view over a lightly wooded valley, regularly populated by herds of zebra, wildebeest, water buffalo, and impala. In contrast with Basecamp Explorer Masai Mara, the tents at Eagle View are certainly not spartan. This is a luxury camp. Both Basecamp properties serve excellent food, usually in 3-4 courses. Lunch and dinner typically consisted of soup, bread, entrée, and dessert. There are no options, you receive what they prepare for a given meal but we were never disappointed. I bought head chef’s cookbook.
DE
Email José Alexandre | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical
My partner and I spent two weeks in Kenya where we visited Nairobi, Masai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo West. In Nairobi we spent most time in David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and in the Giraffe Manor, whereas in the other locations we were located inside the parks and doing morning and afternoon Safaris or full day Safaris.
While we were preparing our trip Daniel was incredible helpful, giving us all the insights and tips he had from all his experience organizing Safaris, and was super patient and great to communicate with.
When we got to Kenya, Peter, our driver, was waiting for us and he was for the remaining of the two weeks our guide. Peter is a super interesting person, very good communicator and very well informed, and it was a delight to share these two weeks with him and talking over about the Kenyan wildlife and several other topics around Kenyan culture.
We are definitely going to go back (hopefully soon!) and definitely booking again with Transtrek, as the experience could not have been better, totally recommend.
Email Susan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
2nd trip with Transtrek, ready to book the 3rd!
After an amazing trip in 2017 with my partner, I had told my friends about the best holiday I had ever had, this led to our safari in March.
Daniel is amazing, after months of emailing back and forth to get all the details in place and choosing an itinerary that matched everyone's ideas, we had everything in place for our trip.
We were taken care of from the minute we left the airport, being met by a representive from our hotel and then being met by Peter in the morning to start the adventure. This is the second time Peter has been my guide, he is incredible! Very patient and goes out his way to find the best sightings and ensure we were never rushed, giving us options of staying with the viewing we were with or moving on. Peter took care of everything, ensuring we were ready for all our activities and had plenty of water during the days.
We stayed in a mixture of accommodation, but the tents were my favourite - although calling them tents does not give a true reflection of the comfort and space we had, including fully function bathrooms. All the places we stayed we very welcoming , the staff were so helpful ensuring every need was met and checking that we were happy at all times.
Transtrek provides a personal, dedicated and flexible service that ensures you get what you want from your trip, I have enjoyed both trips with Transtrek and have already requested my next itinerary from Daniel.
US
Email Jeanne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour company
Daniel customized a trip for my husband and friend. They started out in Nairobi and then traveled to Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Naivasha and the Maasai Mara. From the first contact, to making plans and payment was spot on. The activities, the vehicle and the lodging were excellent. Tony was a friendly and knowledgeable driver/ guide. Daniel was easy to get a hold of, answered all questions and made some really good suggestions that made the trip even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend Daniel and Transtrek.
Email Susan and Andy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Kenya at its best - friendly, welcoming, awe-inspiring
From our first enquiry through to arriving home, the service provided by Daniel and his team was truly outstanding. Daniel took the time to understand what we wanted from our safari, tailoring one of the packages to provide the accommodation and itinerary that matched what we wanted, including booking our hotel before the start or the safari. Peter (our guide) was fantastic and always ready to go from the first morning. His skill and perserverance meant that we were treated to some incredible sites. Due to unforeseen circumstances we changed guides, but this was handled so seamlessly that it had no impact to us. Peter made sure Tony was introduced to us and had everything before traveling on. Tony had some big shoes to fill as Peter had made my holiday by finding cheetahs in Tsvao and some incredible viewings of lions. Tony made a promise that he would find me a leopard, not only did he do this, but he did it twice. Both Peter and Tony are amazing guides, with outstanding knowledge of Kenya, the parks and the wildlife. They were fun and helpful, willing to sit for ages so that we could try for the perfect photo. The accommodation was incredible, varying from tented camps to luxury lodges, the service at all was amazing with all staff being welcoming and friendly. We loved everything about our time in Kenya and will definitely be using Transtrek Safaris again.