YES WE ARE RELIABLE TOUR OPERATOR
Okoa Africa Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Tourism Federation, Museum of Kenya under Nature-Kenya & TRA under Ministry of Tourism in Kenya
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $559 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CZ
Email Tereza | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
7 day safari in Kenya
We had a 7 day safari trip in Kenya with Okoa Africa. Our driver was always on the right place in the right time and we saw as much as animals as possible. The accomodation was very good - both camps, hotel and guest house. We were very satisfied with all the services during our trip.
RU
Email Vladislav | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Amazing 4 Day Tour Experience
2020 deprived us of several promising trips, but we did not give up and decided to go to Africa! Africa is a very old dream. During the period of closings of many countries, we decided, why not?! I’m not going to tell you the details of the whole trip, but I will tell you about our safari trip with Okoa Africa Tours. A few months before departure, we contacted 10-15 safari companies. We settled on the most attractive one for us with the lowest offered price and the fastest and most comprehensive answer to our questions. We transferred $ 100 in advance and waited patiently. It is worth noting that we flew by Egyptian Airlines, which shortly before our trip decided to change the schedule and our connection was reduced to 45 minutes. Realizing that this time was not enough for a transfer, we contacted the airline and rescheduled the flight one day ahead with a 20-hour transfer in Cairo. Since we were supposed to go on a safari immediately upon arrival in Nairobi, we immediately contacted Okoa Africa Tours, told about the transfer of the flight, and the guys postponed our safari for several days without any penalties. At the agreed 4.45 am we were met at the airport by the driver and taken to the office, where we paid for our safari. Then we were escorted to our safari car, after about 20 minutes another couple from Spain came up and soon we set off, taking water, lunch boxes on the way and drove in for two more members of our team from the USA. 6-7 hours we got to Masai Mara Park, taking a break for lunch at a roadside cafe. By 17.00 we finally got to our camp. The camping turned out to be very cozy and comfortable. Tents are like army tents, inside there are 4 beds under mosquito nets, shower and toilet. We left our things in the tents and went to our first game drive. It was incredible! Despite the tiredness after the night flight and the long journey, we could not take our eyes off the zebras, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, buffaloes, hyenas and various birds we meet. By 19.00 we returned to the camp for a quick dinner and sleep. The morning rise was scheduled for 5.00, breakfast at 5.30 and immediately start for a full-day safari! On this day, we met a huge number of the most charming animals. Met the lions three times! First, they watched an elderly lonely lion with a huge mane, then they met a young male lion by the river and finally caught a young pair of lions, engaged in the continuation of the lion's race. We watched for a long time as the lion climbed onto his lady again and again, roaring bravely at the same time. The lions did not pay any attention to us and it was incredibly interesting to watch them. After walking a little more in the park, we met cheetahs, watched their dinner feast with a gazelle after a successful hunt. By our arrival, the gazelle was almost eaten and contented bloody cheetah's muzzles were looking at us)). And on the nearest acacia a large group of vultures was already awaiting their feast. The warthogs, moving quickly on their short legs, were very amused, and simply conquered the grace of Thomson's gazelles, amusingly waving their charming black tails.))) At the beginning of the game drive, they drove alone, by 10 am they united with two more cars and then rolled a caravan, alternately pulling each other out of the river, when they got stuck in an attempt to wade it, then they got stuck with all three cars in a flooded and soggy meadow, apparently which looked absolutely safe, but turned out to be very insidious for our cars. We dined in the park, stopping for a picnic under a spreading tree. Cars were placed in a circle for the safety of dining people, surrounded by wild African nature. After lunch we headed towards the Mara river. We saw a place where seasonal migration of animals usually takes place. Now it looked quite peaceful, only a couple of sleepy crocodiles basking in the sun on the shallows and hippos snorting and grunting in the river, showing with all their appearance that the animal that dared to cross the river would not be in good health for the first time. On the way back, overcoming another ford, we broke through the gas tank. Fuel began to flow out. And of course there are no gas stations in the savannah.))) Our driver Ali said that the leak was not big and we finished the game drive without any problems, having safely returned to the camp. In the evening, our already friendly international team gathered for dinner and sat in the bar of the campsite until the evening, sipping beer and chatting. In the morning we got up later, at about 7 we went on foot to the nearest Masai village. Everything there is according to the classical scenario - dancing, jumping, making a fire. We visited the house, got acquainted with the way of life. A traditional attempt at divorce for expensive souvenirs)). Returning to the camp, we had breakfast with pleasure, plunged into the car and set off on a long journey to Naivasha. We explored Lake Naivasha by boat. We rode for about 1.5 hours. What wonderful birds live on the shores of this lake, teeming with hippos and crocodiles. They are divinely beautiful in their diversity!!! Then there was again a rather long drive to Nakuru, where we spent the night in an inexpensive hotel. After spending the night and a quick breakfast, we went to Nakuru National Park for game drive. What a beautiful and picturesque nature here! The landscape is very different from the Masai Mara, many trees, a river with many flamingos and hippos. Monkeys are running through the forest. And it was here that we met a cheetah for the only time. Unfortunately, it was not possible to take a picture - at our approach, he jumped off a branch and disappeared into the thick, tall grass. Then a ranger with a gun got into the car, and we went to watch the rhinos graze. We watched them from 500 meters, it is dangerous to approach close. Rhinos, unlike other animals we have met, perceive the car as a danger and attack when approaching. Then there was a long road to Nairobi with a stop on the way at a local cafe, where we first tasted the national dish Ugali: cassava mass with fried beef and some greens. This dish is eaten with hands and it was soooooooooooooooo delicious !!! Nairobi met us with traffic jams. On the way, we stopped at the hospital so that part of our team could take a PCR test to continue trip to Tanzania. We were transferred to another car and taken to the station, from where the train was expected to depart to Mombasa. This adventure has given us memories of a lifetime! Many thanks to our international team, our guide Ali, Mika from Okoa Africa Tours! It was very cool with you, you are all great fellows! Thank you everybody!
Email Alice | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
3 days safari in the Masai Mara
The communication before the tour was great and efficient, and the pick up from our hotel in Nairobi was smooth. The vehicle (we chose the 4x4 jeep for our 3 day safari) was comfortable for the long ride to Masai Mara and there were regular wash room breaks.
The Safari itself was wonderful, seeing 4 of the big 5 plus many other animals. Our guide, Richard, was very well educated on all the animals and birds we saw. My only criticism was how much time he spent on his mobile phone during the safari tours when I felt he could have been focusing on engaging with us/ spotting animals.
The accommodation (Lenchada Camp) wasn’t that great for us - the tent door zip kept breaking, our tent was swarming with mosquitos when we arrived and the bathroom light was broken, however others on our tour didn’t seem to have the same problems. The food at the camp was really delicious - kudos to the chef.
Overall I would recommend the safari as an affordable option.
DE
Email Johannes | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All good.
The tour was good. We got answers quickly. The guide managed to show us all the animals expected in the Masai mara. I would book again
IN
Email Deepak | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
well managed
I (single traveler with request to join a group) booked 4 days, 3 nights, Masai Mara + Lake Nakuru safari with 4x4
Kakitu our driver and guide for Masai Mara was energetic with keen eye for locating animals
The stay was fine.
For Lake Nakuru due to non-availability of fellow travelers had to go with private Van (costed additional) but the arrangement and transfers were well managed.
Thank you Mika (tour manager) for arranging the entire tour.
SE
Email Daphne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good communication, tour guide is very knowledgeable
Excellent value for money! Great six day tour with our driver Stanley. He is very knowledgeable about all the animals and area, and spent a lot of time trying to find all the animals for us.
DE
Email Rebekka | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized
We did a 3-day-safari Masai Mara NP. Ken was an extremely good driver. He managed the roads very good.
We saw a lot of animals there like zebras, elephants, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, shakals,...
Mika gave us a nice service (pick up at hotel, organize taxi for driving home, money transfer). We felt comfortable with that. We stepped easily from one step to the other the whole trip. Meals were good.
We would have wished more explanations about what we saw in the park, some informations about the animals.
So, you have to ask if you want to know something :)
DE
Email Olivia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The tour itself is very nice but be careful with the payment
Basically, the tour is quite well organised and planned and everything worked out. We saw a lot of the country and even more animals. It was really nice.
But be careful with the payment. The organisation tries to take money out of your pockets wherever possible. It starts with a very bad exchange rate and allegedly high bank fees that you have to pay additionally to the tour operator and then again afterwards to the bank. In addition, you often have to pay for two days' admission to the park, even though you only spent one day in the park. However, you do not get the money back.
In addition, they are very uncooperative and unfriendly when you ask them questions about this, put you under a lot of pressure and immediately threaten you with the police if you try to defend yourself.
The tour itself is highly recommended, as long as you pay attention to the payment.
Reply from Okoa Africa Tours
Posted on Jun 14, 2022Dear Olivia,
Thank you so much for your review and we as Okoa Africa Tours glad to heard you had a great Safari and you saw a lot of animals due to your luck during game drive. But what you mentioned on payment is NOT true because we explained to you before you pay that when you pay via card the local bank will convert the payment because the account is in Kenya shillings and meaning we received the payment in Kenya shillings then again we buy dollars for operations and what we gave you was bank rates which is in the control of bank not us and your friend who paid for safari and you were OK with it because you had option to pay in cash to avoid local bank exchange rate.
CH
Email Daniela | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Tour with excellent guide
Masai Mara is a great park to visit, to see the big herds of wilderbeest was a mindblowing experience. Our guide Patrick was very knowledgeable with a good sense of humour.
BE
Email Norbert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good communication, you Will get what you have booked for.
We appreciated the good communication. Immediate and clear response to all questions. Very helpful. Upon booking you Will receive a clear documentation file with details. So you Know what you can expect (what is in, what is out).
The travel agency collaborates with other small agencies, so in practice (for a budget safari), People of different agencies van be joined in one minivan. But in principle that should not be a problem as they all offer the same program... However, it may be the case that other travel agencies do not provide clear info on the details... And in case that these travellers are quite demanding, this may cause some problem. In that case, it is up to the driver to solve the problem...
Our driver/guide, Ken, did An excellent job trying to fullfill the demands of the persons from different agencies (which was not that easy...), But he managed!
We had a wonderful safari and we were Lucky to see the big five (quite some Lions!), the river crossing,.... The whole package! He did all the efforts to give us the best experience! Thank you Ken! Me and my family enjoyed it very much!
One last word on the program. We booked the 3-day safari, meaning one evening drive, one full day drive, morning drive before return to Nairobi.
Forget about the morning drive... Opt for the extended full day drive (6am-6pm), so you Will have more chance to get to the Mara river to see the crossing and all the other things. The morning drive is less of interest as you can not drive far into the park (that part you have been already, and the best you Will only see further away). The 3th day you can visit the Masai village instead. In principle you need to discuss/agree with your fellow travellers, And it costs extra... It is advisable to negotiate upfront.
In short: we recommend this Company, we recommend Our guide Ken!