Our Kenya and Tanzania guides smiling to a photo
Oakland Tours and Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) & Kenya Tourism Board (KTB)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $320 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Shannon | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We did not get what we paid for
On the 5, 6, 7 May, my two colleagues and I went on a “classic” three-day, two-night Maasai Mara safari with Oakland Tours Kenya.
It was critical that we booked a private safari as the three of us rarely, if ever, have the chance to meet in person.
Felistus from Oakland confirmed that this would be the case.
We were also told that we would be staying at Fisi Camp, as per the information on the website. However, on Friday we were driven to Manyatta Camp. (Felistus told me after I telephoned her that this was an “upgrade”, but I had made the booking purely on the fact that we were to stay at Fisi.)
On the Friday evening, as we were heading back to the camp after a game drive, our driver, Patrick (who is the saving grace in this whole debacle, because of his exemplary attitude) ran into some troubles with our vehicle, and we had to abandon the vehicle and catch a lift with another group back to camp. We were told that the vehicle would be fixed and ready for our game drive the next morning.
However, the next morning, the van was not fixed. Patrick told us that a part was being delivered from Nairobi which would be used to fix the car. He arranged that we joined another group (of 4 other people – not a private safari). We did not even have the chance to sit together.
At the end of the day (4pm), the part had not yet arrived from Nairobi, though by 7pm it had, and we were absolutely assured that we would have our private game drive the following morning,
Again, we were disappointed: the car was not fixed and we joined another group (5 people) for the morning game drive. We were also told that we would be driven back to Nairobi that morning in a rather beaten-up saloon car.
When we arrived back in Nairobi, Felistus and her business partner were there to greet us and offer their apologies. We had told them that we sought financial compensation because we had paid for a service (in full) that was not delivered. The best they could offer us was local currency for a trip back to the airport. (Which we did not need, but took.)
We found Felistus' attitude to be not at all what we had read about online: she brazenly told us that she would not take responsibility for what had happened, and she proceeded to blame poor Patrick for any wrongdoings/bad decisions made on her part. She didn’t seem in the least bit interested in the fact that we had paid for a private safari, but had not received one, telling us that they “got us to the Masaai Mara and back” and that was the only responsibility that they had.
What’s more, on our itinerary, it was listed that we would enjoy a trip to a local Masaai village on Sunday. This did not happen, and when we questioned Felistus on this point, she said it was “optional” (but, clearly, not our option, as we were never given the choice)!
I had spent some time investigating the wealth of companies that run safaris in the Mara and budget camps. It’s frustrating that nothing that I thought I had chosen was eventually delivered.
I understand that a safari is a complex product, and that things go wrong. But it's how you deal with it, Felistus and Oakland, that is of the utmost importance for continued business.
Reply from Oakland Tours and Safaris
Posted on May 15, 2025Sincere Apologies & Commitment to Improvement
Dear Shannon
Sincere Apologies & Commitment to Improvement
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We deeply regret that your safari experience did not meet your expectations, and we sincerely apologize for the inconveniences you faced.
We understand how important it was for you to have a private safari and stay at Fisi Camp as originally planned, and we apologize for the unexpected changes that disrupted your experience. While we always aim to provide seamless service, we recognize that things did not go as intended, and we regret the frustration this caused.
Regarding the vehicle issue, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we worked to resolve the situation. We are also grateful for your kind words about Patrick, who remained dedicated to ensuring you had the best possible experience under the circumstances.
Please know that we take your concerns seriously and are committed to improving our services. Your feedback will be instrumental in helping us enhance communication, planning, and overall guest satisfaction. If there is anything further we can do to make amends, please feel free to reach out.
Once again, we truly regret any disappointment you experienced, and we appreciate the opportunity to learn from your feedback. We hope to regain your trust in the future and provide you with the exceptional safari experience you deserve.
Best regards, Oakland Tours and Safaris
QA
Email Gabriel Olushola | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was awesome
They rendered a very good service and communication was excellent, they lived to my expectation. am looking forward to visit Kenya again during my next vacation because of the service rendered to me by them Please keep it up.
perfect trip ever with Oakland Tours anf Safaris
The communication was good, they had the best services and I would like to complement them for that,amazingly their standards are up and classic , everything about them is excellent.Good work Oakland Tours and Safaris I enjoyed every moment.Good joblL
AT
Email Luis | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, helpfull, excellent service
What can I tell about Oakland Tour...
They were allways helpfull, excellent service, beyond my expectations.
I made a safari with a group of friends and it worked really good, it is something I´ll never forget.
I send my congratulations to the team for such a professional work.
PT
Email Paula Pinto | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Visit Kenya with the best!
Lovely Kenya was a wonderful surprise and and exceeded all my expectations!
I travelled to Kenya with a group of friends and everybody agreed Oakland tours staff made it possible for us to have the time of our lives.
Everything went perfectly, from the emails exchange prior to our arrival, to the day we arrived late and sweet Felistus was patiently waiting for us in the hotel and to Safari guides, tought on the outside but soft and caring inside their lovely Kenyan heart, with their endless knowledge about the animals and the nature.
We learnt a lot daily, saw most of the animals and we felt safe throughout our trip, which is one of the most important aspect when one is on holiday and just want to relax and enjoy the moment.
I strongly recommend this company and will definitely travel with them next time I go to Kenya or Tanzania as I am certain I will be in good hands.
The expression Hakuna matata is perfect to describe the holidays when in hands of Oakland tours and the only bumps will be the ones on the safari roads :=) ( still recovering from my kenyan massage ;) )
Asanti Sana!!
PT
Email Carlos Melo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very professsional and great attention to detail and customer satisfaction
All in All I was very satisfied with Oakland Tours and their staff members. Felistus was very professional in the way she dealt with all the comunication prior to our trip, and she met us uppon our arrival at a very late 11.30 p.m at our hotel in order to close the last details.
We organized 2 safaris with them, with the second one being tailor made, with a long trip down to Malindi. All went flawless and Kenya largely exceeded our expectations.
On our last day in Nairobi, we booked for the third time, a day with Oakland Tours again, and had a visit to the Sheldrick orphanage, Girrafe center, Karen Blixemn and Nairobi National park, with dropoff at the airport.
So, i will definitly be using their services again, and will strongly recommend them to my friends, or anyone looking for a tour operator in Kenya.
PT
Email Frederico | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great service
All in all it was a great experience. I was recommend to Oakland Tours by a friend of a friend and can only say everything exceeded my expectations. Great service and communication, our guides were wonderful, all our requests were met and pricing was more than fair ( taking to account other offers from similar safari agencies). Highly recommended. A special thank you to the agency's head, she treated us like friends and made us most welcome and eager to return and use her services once again.
PT
Email Zita | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best experience and best professionals
Our experience with Oakland Tours and Safaris couldn't be beter. Budget prices for great places to stay, wonderful team and professionals.
Fantastic, stress free holiday thanks to Oakland Tours!
I have used Oakland Tours a few times now and they have always made sure that my trips are relaxing and enjoyable. I never had to deal with anyone else because they had already done it for me. They were quick to provide all the information we needed to make a decision on the trip (and very patient with us :-)). The prices were definitely the best we'd found and they basically checked in when they needed to, to make sure that everything was as expected. The one time it was not, we received a complementary bottle of wine as an apology from the hotel without having to make the complaint ourselves! As for the safaris, well, perhaps it was largely luck that we got to see a leopard out in the open for a whooping 30 minutes but I can't help thinking that our fantastic Oakland driver who knew his stuff had a little something to do with it? All in all we managed to see everything we wanted to. Oakland tours did not just organise a trip for us (anybody can do that), they played a part in the experience. They made sure we enjoyed ourselves and got everything we needed!
Email Eve Sharon | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent.l, timely, professional stuff and works with integrity. . This is a company like no other.
This is a company with a great vision. It's definitely going places and if asked to use them over and over as my trip advisor or travel agent ? YES.. I will do this a million times.. You can never go wrong with integrity and good after service.