TEAM BUSHTHORNS
Bush-thorns Adventures and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Professional Safari Guide Assoication
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $70 to $400 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
US
Email Jeffrey Wang | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Considerate and provide detail introduction
My guide Gitaui Samuel is a nice and considerate guy. He notice I am interested in taking photo for animal, so he actively asked me if I take enough photo in every spot. He also share lots of animal knowledge with me. I learnt so much from a two day trip. In addition, I choose a budge plan, but the stay is clean and nice. The host is nice and I enjoy the stay.
CZ
Email Lenka | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing adventure with knowledgeable, reliable and respectful guides
Bush-thorns Adventures and Safaris was recommended to me by two different people (both very happy with their safaris) when I was searching for an affordable way to explore some of Kenya's national parks. From the very beginning, Samuel was extremely helpful and quick with his responses. He readily accommodated all our needs (low budget, vegetarian meals, early pick up at the airport etc.) and created an affordable yet packed plan for us. He and Joseph picked us at the airport early in the morning and Joseph took us to Masai Mara and later to Lake Nakuru. Samuel joined us then for the rest of the trip (Hell's Gate, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and Tsavo West). Both were very friendly, extremely knowledgeable and respectful not only to people but also to the animals, which, unfortunately cannot be said about all the tour operators. Joseph always left enough space for the animals which often somehow worked for our benefit since, on many instances, we observed them passing very close to our vehicle, on their own terms. Samuel and Joseph also enthusiastically satisfied our interest in birdwatching.
Because we had only 10 days, we were able to explore only the well-known parks in southern Kenya. However, as we learnt during our trip, Samuel's specialty are the less frequented parks in northern Kenya, so if you get the chance, do not miss this opportunity.
I cannot recommend Samuel and Joseph more. We were first reluctant to hire a guide since we have experience with self-drive safaris in Namibia and South Africa. Kenya is, however, a different story and although it is theoretically possible to drive on your own, I think that going with Samuel and Joseph was way more rewarding, less stressful and I dare to say even cheaper than a self-drive.
So, thank you, Joseph, and thank you, Samuel, for an incredible adventure and best of luck to you!
ES
Email Sander Scholte | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing and enjoyable Adventure
Were we lucky to be able to catch Samuel and Benson of Bush-Thorns Adventures on a few free days, for a last minute trip with them in Kenya.
Due to changes in our travel plans we ended up with a few unplanned days on the final stretch of our Kenya trip. We wanted to see Aberdare National Park, but we were not in Nairobi where most trips leave from; therefore it was hard to find something suitable. We contacted a few agencies, and noticed quickly that Bush-Thorns Adventures was by far the quickest, most communicative and most helpful to create an affordable plan that suited our departure location and wishes.
We spent two days visiting many beautiful Waterfalls in Aberdare National Park, and hiking Mt. Satima (4001m., often called Lesatime) together. This was a wonderful, exciting and for us doable hike suggested by Samuel, which turned out to be a great substitute for our cancelled Mt. Kenya trek.
We enjoyed it so much that we decided to extend our two day adventure with Samuel and Benson with a safari through Ol' Pejeta National Reserve; a testimony to their willingness and competency to adapt, make good suggestions and fully accommodate their clients even if they are 'spontaneous' travelers like us :)
A part from their competency, general care for our well-being and openness to 'new' itineraries, we also simply enjoyed their company; the conversations about Kenya, Wild-Life, tourism and our shared interest in birds definitely made the final part of our stay in Kenya with them one of the highlights. Our frantic search for birds often lead to funny moments with Benson flipping through his Birds of East-Africa book, while Samuel was trying to find matching bird sounds online in order to identify one of the many beautiful and for us foreign species we encountered.
If you are wondering wether to travel with Bush-Thorns Adventures, let this be a gentle but convincing nudge towards a yes.
LV
Email Barba | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best adventure.
We had a great experience in Kenya. From majestic peaks, moorlands and intriguing falls of Aberdare National park to Chalbi desert and Lake Turkana. Samuel, Paul, Joseph and Maina did everything to make our adventure unforgettable. Thank you!
BR
Email Thammy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Couldn’t be better!
Careful doesn’t even capture the care you receive from them. Samuel and Joseph made us feel at home, visiting distant relatives. The country on itself is incredible, but they made it special.
We learned about the country, the people and about ourselves.
At the end: Wageni, Wakaribishwa, Kenya yetu Hakuna Matata.
LV
Email Ilze & Kaspars & Ilga & Karlis & Inese & Gatis | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best adventures experience Kenya in all its glory!
We had great trip in Kenya with Bush-thorns Adventures, best care from arriving minute Nairobi until going home, every day new adventure in safari trips, visiting different tribes, deserts, volcanoes, cities, mountains, much more, there were so many unexpected activities, the emotions did not stop for a moment during two weeks. We became great friends with Samuel, our drivers, the cook, it was a real pleasure to get to know these people, you are great!
Email Mark | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable, enjoyable to spend time with
We went on a tour with Sam to Amboseli and it was fantastic. He is extremely knowledgeable about the whole landscape, history and culture of the area. Sam and Matthias gave us a wonderful experience and even sent us their professional photos of our trip after! I'd strongly recommend him for any safaris not only in Amboseli but all over Kenya.
Email AMOS | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above and beyond
I travelled with Bush-thorn Adventures for a five days and four nights trip covering Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Naivasha (Hell's Gate, Lake Naivasha and Cresent Island) and Aberdare National Park led by Ole (Gitau) and Joseph as our trip aficionados. The trip was very well planned and executed and both guides went above and beyond to accommodate our needs to ensure that the trip lived up to our expectations. It came down to little things such as prioritising which animals we chased through the Mara to seeking out specific foods for lunch breaks on the road. The attention to detail and communication was very professional and friendly throughout the trip. We paid for an inclusive trip and they not only delivered but went above and beyond. I would highly recommend Bush-thorn Adventures for anyone looking for a hassle free trip and looking to make memories of a life time.
Email Veronica | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very passionate and knowledgeable
We had an absolutely great experience with Bushthorn Adventures on our trip covering Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha and Aberdare. From the onset, communication was efficient and clear. The trip was well planned and every detail to enhance our experience considered. Thank you so much for organising the trip Gitau (Ole) and our fantastic driver Joseph Mwangi. You both showed us new parts of our beautiful country and so kindly imparted your wide knowledge.
We look forward to future trips with you and highly recommend this tour company to all considering travels in Kenya.
PL
Email Dariusz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Experienced travel agency with good knowledge, advise and flexibility in organizing tailor-made trip
Samuel and Bush-thorns Adventures and Safaris helped us to organize a customized, difficult trip to remote northern territories of Kenya – eastern shores of Lake Turkana and land inhabited by northern tribes – Turkana, Rendille, El Molo, Gabra, Daasanach and Samburu.
It was logistic challenge that Samuel and Josef – our wonderful driver – met 100%. The trip was organized with in-depth knowledge of local habits, hidden roads and good cooperation with local guides who rather rarely welcome foreign travelers especially during Covid times.
Samuel and Josef worked professionally with local people to push our journey forward as planned. Despite the very basic conditions in this part of Kenya, we always experienced hospitality and good accommodation.
We have also continued with Bush-thorns to Kenyan touristic stars – Masai Mara and Amboseli, where especially Josef’s experience and excellent driving skills on bumpy roads made our trip so pleasant and full of memorable views of animals.
Whenever you want to travel to main parks in Kenya and expand your journey beyond traditional destinations, we would recommend Bush-thorns Adventures and Safaris as experienced travel agency with good knowledge, advise and flexibility in supporting tailor-made trips.
Anna and Dariusz (Poland)