Our clients enjoying picnic lunch in Mara
Bison Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Tour Types:
- Budget tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $90 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Vicky | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, exciting, once in a lifetime experience
From organizing to execution, this trip was very smooth. My friends and I were able to arrange an amazing trip at an affordable price. We went to Amboseli and saw herd and herd of elephants, we were able to get great photos and our guide Leonard was awesome. We then went to Nakuru where our guide made sure we got to see the Rhinos. Although the roads were sometimes bumpy along the way there it was totally worth it. Finally we spent two days in Massi Mara and that was an experience that I won't soon forget. We were able to check off the big 5, and even managed to see all of the animals in The Lion King. I'm recommending Bison Safari's to all of my friends and co-workers and can't wait to take my boyfriend on a safari with them.
CA
Email Sandra W | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Misleading and sub contracts out without telling you in advance. Be advised, I was also harassed
Unless you are on a private tour and paying big bucks then don't be misled.
They will tell you anything you want to hear, and have good communication. But if you think you are joining one of their safaris, then be advised that they sub contract out to unqualified and poorly organized drivers who work for other budget companies like Bon Fire Adventures. You may be in a van with people from 5 other budget safari companies with different itinaries then you.
Because the driver was juggling different itineraries, he tried to change mine and when I didn't want to stay in a differant lodge, he pitted me against other guest whom one harassed me along with himself.
I lost out on 2 drives as a result.
At 60 years old this was not the safari experience I was hoping for.
They advertise professional driver/guide. The driver was neither. He drove 90% of the time on his cell phone both on the highway and in the park. He had a broken pair of binoculars and only relied on other drivers to tell him where the animals were. This may be ok for young travellers, but I did not feel safe and he was aware of this but continued.
Bison tours would not offer any compensation and did not care about my safety with the two men who were harassing me.
If you plan on joining a safari if you are alone or a couple do not go with Bison or Bon Fire or other operators that don't have their own van and sub contract out. Also make sure that everyone is staying in the same location and on the same itinerary.
Email Amanda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
3 Days Mara Budget Safari
Comfortable safari and really worth the amount we paid for
Clean accommodation with great food
Best driver who made sure we had an amazing game drive
The Masai Village visit is a must do thing while in Masai Mara.
MX
Email Pablo Esteban & Family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our 5 Days memorable Kenya safari
We didn't hesitate to make the booking after chatting with Maggie who is very professional. We had easy time clarifying all details and we knew after the chat that this was the company to go for and we dont regret a bit
Great service from driver to accommodation and food and they took care of our dietary needs as requested .
Overall it was an excellent safari for us and we hope to be back soon with Bison Safaris.
US
Email James Ingrid | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
5 Days Kenya Safari.
Easy communication with the booking office thus make arrangements very easy. Great Service and our expectations were exceeded.
We saw all big 5 and the flamingos in Nakuru. Hells gate was amazing and we loved every bit of the walk we had there.
We highly recommend Bison Safaris to anyone thinking of taking a safari to Kenya.
NL
Email James smart | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Flamingos in Bogoria
what a sight: Finally we got to see the flamingos in Bogoria. We thank Bison Safaris team for that wonderful safari to Bogoria, Naivasha and Masai Mara. Maggie made it possible with her articulate answers . Hells gate was also fantastic and Masai Mara was phenomenal. Thank you thank you Bison safaris for an outstanding service.
Email Tracy Milles | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing trip to Kenya with Bison Safaris
Super reponse from the office and especially Maggie.
Great service by our driver James
Our expectations were exceeded indeed
Memorable safari whereby our driver James ensured we saw all big 5 and more important we saw a Lion hunting down an antelope - amazing it was. We will never ever forget that sight.
We stayed at Fisi Camp and Marie the owner was really great . Great service and great food. Attention to details and the camp is really nice.
We will urge anyone to take up a safari with Bison Safaris as they never disappoint at all.
To Bison Safaris team-You outdid yourselves and Kudos. Continue with good work of making clients stay memorable.
CH
Email Berni | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable and exceeding all our expectations / Family safari/trip with 3 kids (12, 8, 7)
It’s difficult to express in words what we all felt during the safari.
Thank you very very much dear Maggie for the amazing organization of our journey.
Everything was just perfect!
I was asking a lot when we were preparing our trip, I wanted to be sure that everything will go well and I always prefer to assure in advance that all will go well than do a lot of critics afterwards.… and everything exceeded our expectations! Thank you for your patience!
Hereafter a resume :
The flight from Zurich to Nairobi was perfect and very quick. We were attended by Ken. Ken… we couldn’t have a better guide and driver than him. During the whole seven days, he was very punctual, friendly, always ready to help and explained us so many things. He arranged everything perfectly and we felt in confidence with him. He drove us everywhere very safe. We had funny moments together and had good laughs!
Day 1 – Giraffe Center / David Sheldrick / Karen Blixen Coffee / National Museum : we had a lot of fun at the Giraffe Center. The Elephant Orphelinat was nice to see. We enjoyed very much Karen Blixen Coffee, the place is so relaxing and the food was good (especially the Chicken Masalam).
Day 2 – Transfer to Amboseli – KiboCamp – 1st game drive : The transfer was good and the place where we made a stop also. The welcome at the KiboCamp was very friendly. We had a family tent in the first line, next to the pool and this was perfect! The food is okay. All the people working there were extremely friendly and very professional. Our first game drive was impressive and we were very excited.
Day 3 – Game Drive Morning/afternoon – end of the morning visit at the school : The game drives were perfect. National Geographic-like. One of the highlights – a big elephant family crossing the road – stopping in front of Acacia Trees and in the back the Kilimanjaro which was without any cloud!!! The visit at the school is one of the moments which touched our hard very deep. It was a fabulous moment and they welcomed us very friendly. We went from class to class distributing hundreds of pencils. It was an affecting moment.
Day 4 – Amboseli – Naivasha – ChuiLodge : Well, the transfer is long, that’s true, so we arrived quiet late. The lodge is a haven of peace and the food is absolutely delicious. They brought us to their private access to the lake, we made a boat tour to the hippos (ca. 30min) and went then for a game drive in the private reserve. They prepared chairs, drinks, some food and we could enjoy a sun-downer in front of the fire listening to the Gnus and the hyenas. A memorable moment.
Day 5 – Transfer to Masai Mara / Mara Sarova Camp : Transfer was not too long and the tent we got was nice. The only negative point is, that this tent (11&12) is quiet far away from the reception, if they have a nearer one, you should ask for this for the next family. But we were anyway just to sleep in the room so it was okay. The first game drive was breath-robbing. We saw a simba-family with 18 members, 5 cheetahs and a lot more!
Day 6 – Whole day game drive & visit to Masai village : It was Antoines birthday. Ken was very nice with him! Ken brought us to the Masai river. We couldn’t get enough… the landscape is so beautiful. We loved the place where we stopped to have pic-nic, in the middle of nowhere under a tree, breathtaking! On the river we could assist like zebras (first 3 of them then about 10) crossed the river. The second group was attacked by a crocodile! We saw hundreds and hundreds of Gnus, male simbas… even a male and female having fun;-)… So the day was perfect. We finished it by a visit of the Masai Village . We weren't very hot to visit a tourist village, but we trusted Ken, and he took us to a "real" Masai village. The saddest and most thoughtful moment… But it was important to do it.
Day 7 – Transfer back to Wilson Airport : Good drive, perfect in time. Ken brought us even at the check-in desk and assured himself that everything is fine.
We never made vacation which were emotionally so strong as these once. The animals, the people, the landscape…
We will still need a few days/weeks to realize all we experienced.
We will recommend Bison Safari on 100% to everybody!
PS : Zanzibar was perfect too. We stayed one night in Stone Town in the Park Hyatt. Very beautiful hotel and the food is very good. Next day we visited the city (the market visit was very exciting!) and went to Nungwi to the Hideaway. Very very beautyful rooms. But there are too many peoples, the food is not very good and it’s like “everywhere” (very nice beach, not free view (there is an island not too far from the coast)). On the way to Paje, we stopped at a spice farm and made a tour. Very interesting. The last two nights we spent in Paje in the White Sands Luxury Beach Resort…. Absolutely perfect! The beach, the sea, the ambiance, the villas (with privat pool), the food, the director, the staff… a no fault!!! We do recommend this hotel and the place. We should have had one more night there.
If anybody would like to ask me more details or advises, don't hesitate!
The only place we saw mosquitos was in Nairobi...
IN
Email Jyoti Prakash | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience the wild with Bison Safaris
From the outset, Bison Safaris (Maggie - person in contact) has been very quick and pro in responding to all my queries and we got a great budget package for a 5 day trip to Masai mara, Amboseli and Nakuru. Maggie helped throughout the process and we got the best places of stay.
The experience in the national parks and Masai mara with Bison safaris was very good. Patrick, our driver and guide was also very knowledgeable about the animals, birds etc. Had a good stay and experience. Go for Bison safaris.
Would love to visit again.
TR
Email Nilhan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 day Masai Mara Nakuru Safari
We chose Bison Safaris because of the great communication. Maggie answered all of our questions, she provided lots of information and made all the arrangements we needed. They arranged us an airport pick-up even though we landed at 4am. They took us to their office where we rested until the beginning of the tour around 8am.
One thing to always keep in mind is that this is a budget safari. So unless you ugrade your accomodation don't except something fancy. However most of the safari companies share the same tented accomodation camp, so even with any other company you will probably stay in the same place.
The best thing about Bison Safaris is their drivers. We had the most amazing driver. Thanks to James, we had amazing game drives.
The only problem is that on the afternoon of the 3rd day while changing parks (Masai Mara to Nakuru) there are no activies. However we used that afternoon to experience the local culture and to visit Nakuru city. But I think most of the people just stay in the hotel which is a bit waste.