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
IT
Email Anna Rita | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible, don't book with this company
When we asked a quote we received different photos than where he accommodated us. When we arrived we were in shock for the location, we asked to be moved immediately and Mr. Mika told us to pay for the upgrade. For 2 days in Lenchada Camp we had the electricity just for 3h per day, was from 7pm to 10 pm, in the tend wasn’t plate for recharge the cell phone. We booked for 2 persons for 1.700 dollars for 5 days, full board, includes Breakfast/ Lunch/Dinner/Drinking water. Driver/Camp/Hotel/Safari/National Park.
We had to recharge in the fake restaurant (was a small a dirty tend, and the food was terrible, the chef wearing very dirty). No electricity, no water to drink in the camp. We never meet Mr. Mika, he staid away from us.
In the our tour for 5 day were with us others 5 persons. One paid 550 dollars for Lenchada Camp where Mr Mika accomodated us, and the others 4 paid 600 dollars each for a good location in Enrock Camp.
Thanks to the driver for our safari Mr. Andrew from other company we recovered the shock of the terrible first 2 days in Lenchada Camp.
We give the good reviews for the driver Mr. Andrew, and bad reviews for Akoa Africa Tour and Mr. Mika from this company.
Reply from Okoa Africa Tours
Posted on Mar 14, 2023Dear Annarita
We are glad to see your comments but on the camp honestly you know where you were going to stay because your request was 5 days budget camping safari and we sent you detailed itinerary with the names of the accommodations including Lenchada Camp and you agreed with it and booked it on the price our price for 5 days budget joining group safari by 4x4 jeep is 850 usd pp and that is what you paid as per our cost for this safari no one asked you for extra payment for safari and you did a game drive as per the safari program we sent you also you stayed at the accommodations we sent you in the program Nothing was changed in the program. On the electricity there was electricity problem in the area because there was power cut off in that area and we apologise for that. On your comment on Mika he did not see you on your first day of the safari because Mika was not in the city but the office representative by the name Johnson came to picked you at Ibis hotel and gave you the brefing on the safari before departure and then John drove you to the group where you met the group and departure to Masai Mara with Andrew the guide whom recommend well so this shows our commitment to safari as per request. On the drinking water the guides always carry enough water in the jeep so it could be you forgot to take the water from the jeep. Thank you so much for booking your safari with us
FR
Email Maude | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible experience, stay away!
I had an unacceptable experience with Okoa tour, don’t ever book with them!! They changed last minute our reservation (2 nights in the hotel planned instead of 2 and one in a new one not chosen) notifying us only at the airport when we reached. Then, Michael drop the agency started raising his voice and was so disrespectful talking to me. He tried to scam me giving me back my change after I paid (giving me less in local money). In the end, the hotel that wasn’t planned keekorok was not satisfying at all, the room was small, dirty it really affected our trip. This agency is not reliable at all please stay away!!!
Reply from Okoa Africa Tours
Posted on Feb 17, 2023Dear Maude
Thank so much for your review. But your review is not genuine considering that you didn't have any problems with safari after confirming to me Johnson that you had a great game drive with our Masai guide called Gideon and you saw the whole big five animals including Rhino which is rare to see in Masai with few days. You booked your safari with us about 40 days before you landed in Nairobi but never send any deposit to help us reserved the rooms at Ashnil camp However we managed to secure to 2nights for you at at Ashnil camp using our own resources and for the flight to Masai Mara. Despite several requests from Michael to send deposit for rooms reservations at Ashnil camp as per your request eventually we couldn't manage to get requested 3nights without deposit payment due to demand at that time for Valentines day. While Keekorok Lodge with the same rate and location inside the park were available to accommodate us for a night without more deposit wanted. And this information was shared with you before you started the safari and you agreed to take that option. But later after finishing safari you started threatening us to give you 200 usd so you will stop writing negative review. According to your threats on WhatsApp you said if we give you 200 usd you will keep quiet and we can share them here.
IT
Email Francesco | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
good tour, but poor communication from the tour operator
5 stars to the experience, amazing landscapes and lots of animals
5 stars to Boniface who went to great lengths to show us the best
5 stars to the group, very nice and friendly people, it was a pleasure to stay with them
4 stars to the accomodations, considering the budget it was good
3 stars to the food, it was good, but always the same, and as vegetarian for lunch bag always boiled eggs
2 stars to Okoa, we had to pay 7% more because we paid by card, and no one had warned us that there were additional charges with the card, otherwise we would have paid in cash. The tour is the same with other tour operators, we were staying in the same van, same hotels, all the same, with people who had booked with other tour operators, but maybe with other tour operators we would have saved money.
Reply from Okoa Africa Tours
Posted on Aug 29, 2022Dear Francesco,
Thank you so much for your comment, we are glad to hearing back from you and is great you enjoyed your safari. The card charges its not ours but by bank and the charges is less than 5% NOT 7% YOU MENTIONED we believe maybe that was error you wrote
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.
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.
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.
AR
Email Teresa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
We booked a 6 days budget safari to Masai Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli for two. Great price, did all as promised. Food, water, accomodation were very good. The driver, Stanley, was very nice except for the first day in Masai Mara when he was late, half asleep, didn't talk much..but he made it up later in the tour. Mark organised our tickets to continue to Mombasa from Emali, and gave as a free ticket.
We also booked a two days to Hell's gate and mt. Longonot, it was very nice and more than I expected. Good trekking and cicling, a bit of exercise. Mt longonot is not that easy. We had a private driver, Peter, he was really nice.
I had an extra week on my own, so I decided to do a 5 days trekking to mt Kenya. I wanted a group but it ended up to be just me with the guide and cook. It was a great experience! I wasn't very prepared but everything went fine. This last tour wasn't as organised as I wanted. Poor communication between Mark and the guide. Not sure how many days it was going to take, if food was included, if I had a sleeping bag, guiere.. everything at last minute. But everything went smoothly in the end. Charly and Jhon were very nice, great food, great experience!
We also decided to go with them because it's a Kenyan company. Totally recommended !
US
Email Whitney Simmons | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 5-Day Budget Safari in Kenya
The company was very fast in responding to my emails. They were prompt in picking me up from the airport on the day of arrival and dropping me off at my accommodations for the night. The next morning, they were on time in picking me up for the start of my 5-Day Safari to Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha/Hell's Gate Park.
The safari itself was the most incredible experience I have ever had. You really see the beauty of the country, its wildlife, and its people. It is a budget safari, so do not expect luxurious accommodations unless you're willing to pay extra for them. In Masai Mara, I stayed at an eco camp that had the basics, but at the lakes, we stayed in very nice hotels. I traveled solo and joined a group that consisted of 5 other people the whole time, with people rotating in and out depending on their own itineraries. My driver for 4 days, Patrick, was great. He was very helpful and knew everything about everything in our destinations and was very good at spotting animals that were hiding. We saw ALL of the big 5, including a rare sighting of a lioness in Lake Nakuru.
I would 100% recommend Okoa Africa Tours and would use them again myself for my next safari adventure in East Africa. Feel free to contact me for further details!
FR
Email Eloise | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice safari but dishonest company
We had a very nice 3 days 2 nights safari in the Masai mara. Our guide Richard was the best driver and we managed to see a lot of animals. But Okoa asked me to pay enormous Bank fees and when I arrived they still asked for more money even though I paid more than what I was supposed to. I wanted to go so I paid but I really feel cheated.
CA
Email Julian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience
We had an amazing time on our 4-day 3-night camping safari to Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. Our guide, Steven, was excellent; he took the time to explain things to us, went out of his way to take requests, and ensured that we got to see the Big 5 and much more! The chef, Gadi, also threw together some delicious meals. Both guys really made the safari special.
There was however one hiccup on our trip - the banks were closed for a holiday, so Richard was unable to transfer our park fees for Ngorongoro when we arrived. Unfortunately, we each had to pay out of pocket to get into the park and campsite. However, Richard assured us we would be reimbursed in cash upon our return to Arusha, and he made good on his promise and gave us the money as soon as we got back. Although this was inconvenient, it didn't ruin our experience - this just to say that sometimes things can go wrong, but they will make up for it!
Overall we had an incredible experience, we would recommend Okoa!