Photography tour in Masai Mara on March 2021
Simba Paka Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2000)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $110 to $230 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NL
Email Joao and Ausrine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
6 days Kenya safari and 4 days Tanzania group joining safari
First of all we would like to thank Paul Kariuki, manager of Simpa Paka Safaris agency, for amazing organizing of our Safari. Even when things weren’t going smoothly he always had will to help and showed availability in all situations.
My partner and I decided to do our Safari in Kenia and Tanzania, and since our experience with it was practically none, we started looking on the internet and we came across with Simba Paka Safaris. I contacted, first time, Paul by email in order to find the suitable safari within our demanding (duration, locations and budget).
After a few emails we decided to take a 6 days Kenya safari and 4 days Tanzania group joining safari and in order to book it we needed to send 20% of the total amount. Here was a trick one. After trying to make an unsuccessful bank transfer between Europe and Kenyan banks, we came with the idea of sending the money by Western Union agencies (to be honest, we were a bit afraid of a fraud).
Anyways, that was the only option we had, since we lost a lot of time with failed transfers and receiving the money back, so after a bit more of searching for Simba Paka Safaris name as an organization and veracity, we crossed our fingers and sent the money through Western Union directly to Paul Kariuki (manager of the Simpa Paka Safaris agency). After 2 days we received the invoice that safari was booked. Perfect.
Paul was always really friendly, e.g. asking if we already have stay before and after safari, pick up from the airport, etc. Since we already have booked the first night in Manyatta Backpackers by ourselves (btw I don’t recommend this hostel at all, big mistake. Believe me, if you don’t have any experience in Africa staying, it’s much better to have someone known (e.g. Paul Kariuki) booking the hotels/hostels, at least on the first days, for you.), we decided to agree with Paul to pick us up form Nairobi Airport until there. It felt nice to have someone waiting for you in such different place.
So the real safari started and we joined a group of 4 people, we were 6 people in a Toyota van driven by Laurence the driver and guide. So we stayed with the same group in Masai Mara on the game drive and in a really nice camp near to the natural preserve park, followed by Lake Nakuro where we were only 3 persons, and finishing Kenya safari in Naivasha, where we were only the two of us.
Finishing the Kenya part, we headed to Tanzania. Where we joined more 2 couples to do Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, followed by Lake Manyara, where again it was only the two of us, with a 4X4.
We noticed that management of tourists in Tanzania differe from ones in Kenya. We had some personal issues with the manager in Tanzania side, but to make things clear this had nothing to do with Simba Paka Safaris. As I understood, Tanzania Safari was requested by Simba Paka but handled by a different company, related to Arusha Center Inn Tourist, which is led by rather disrespectful director in a lot of ways.
I don’t want to be so detailed with this because is part of the personal experience, being in some place completely different, you will encounter many things that you might consider problems if you are not used to, but it’s all part of the package.
All I want to say is that Simba Paka Safaris did a really great job organizing this Kenya/Tanzania Safari for us, it was really good conditions on logistics and supplies, organizing groups and places visiting. We were also able to do some special enjoyable activities, e.g. bicycling game drive, ranger game walks.
In resume, if you are looking for really nice safaris, no matter how many are you, how much budget you have and which places you want to visit, I totally recommend Simba Paka Safaris, Paul Kariuki will be there to help you with your demands and even if you don’t know where you are heading to, you will not regret it.
Email Sarah Difnah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional safari planners
Choosing this agency as my travel company was the best decision I made for a vacation with my mother and my brother. I reached out to them via email. Shortly after contacting them I received the information of what my trip would entail and they advised me on the Masaai Mara trip since it was during the great migration at the destination during my conversation with Paul our agent he asked many questions, very interested in finding out about my family and what we would prefer to see and do, he truly took the time to get to know us so that he could help plan a memorable experience.
I couldn't have been happier with the itinerary that Paul presented to us. It made the trip real and incredibly exciting, during the trip the driver was so much helpful nothing phased him and he seemed completely happy to help and guide us on the wildlife and every aspect we encountered. It is terribly hard to pick out the good things of our trip because everything was so stress free and amazing. This company was a blessing to us and I would use them and recommend them everywhere and they will be forever in our hearts because of the hard work they did to ensure our time and travel was perfect. My friends and I are planning another safari at the end of the year in Amboseli and Serengeti Tanzania and we will definitely book with Simba Paka safaris.
IN
Email Nagarajan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An excellent operater
Excellent organisation with nice people, conducted the tour to Masai Mara with great expertise. Driver Charles, ever smiling person, willing to be pro active at all times managed our trip to Masai Mara efficiently and left hardly anything to complain.
Service in Mara was a little to be desired. There was no proper water supply in Toilets.
Communication was excellent.
Strongly recommend this operater .
Lt / Col Nagarajan
Email James Cole | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 days masai mara wild best migration safari
Safari in Kenya feels authentic, unlike many other safari destinations such as South Africa, India or Thailand. Animals are not tagged, so the search for them feels exciting and real. The parks are designed to protect the animals from overexposure to tourist cars and an effort to preserve the natural feel for their habitat is evident. I did a 3 days masai mara national park with simba paka safaris they offered me a fantastic safari and I will hihgly recommend them . Thanks very much simba paka
US
Email Scott | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Had a blast, it was so much fun! The guides are great, very friendly! Paul and Mary are amazing!
Paul and Mary are amazing people, very friendly. The sites were outstanding and can't wait to go again!
DK
Email Flemming | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good safari and a good driver..
No complain at all, everything was 100% value for the Money.
DK
Email Mary | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It was very rewarding and actually one of the most enjoyable vacation we've ever had,....
Simba Paka Safaris is the best and i can recommend to anyone ❤️❤️❤️
CZ
Email Marco Rossi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice experience
I was on a business trip in Nairobi and contacted them after deciding that I would try to stay over for the weekend for a short Safari. The good reviews I could find here were key to pic “simba paka safaris” as a choice and it was a very good choice indeed.
I got all the information I requested and arranged the trip based on my needs. They offered me what was more suitable for the time I had in Kenya and my interests. Very personal and friendly contact at all times.
The experience was really good. Driver/guide was very nice and professional. He tried his best to make the experience enjoyable and although a couple of times we were already back to the lodge he turned back to spot more animals (a rhino which is actually difficult to spot).
The lodge included in the package for the overnight stay was great and people there very nice and friendly.
I can only have good feedback for this experience. The only downside is that it is a bit short, if you have the time I recommend you to go for a longer trip. But if you're limited in time as I was and want to enjoy Masai Mara as much as possible this trip is perfect and will fulfill your expectations.
Thanks simba paka safaris for everything
This was my fist time in Africa and in Kenya, and I did a six day safari by myself.
There are no better words to explain my experience with everyone or everythin more than excellent. My expectation were all filled n taken to some extra mile. Thanks for everything.
It was amazing and i loved the diversity of the land of kenya andthe cost of the trip was reasonable
The guide was professional n networked with other guides in the park.they were very helpful and friendly and thanks to simbapakasafari for your personal attention for the time we started to explore