One of our experienced guide and staffs
Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1992)
- Member Of:
- American Society of Travel Agents
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $110 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
DE
Email Thomas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Changed the program. I had to stay 1 day in a not booked hotel without any program. Never again
During the Safari my program was changed by Bienvenido Tours. I had wait 1 day and night for another group from a different tour company to continue the trip. I lost 1 1/2 days with waiting in the accomodation and waiting for the other Minivan. I even had to pay the hotel that I booked after the Safari and couldnt use because of the delay. Bienvenido Tours didnt accept a money refund. I'd not book with this company again. The Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli are wonderful places to see. The accomodations in the parks are very basic, but that I knew before
MY
Email Stan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Worth the money
We booked for budget package so basic accomodations were expected. I think the company has upgraded us one night at Nakuru hotel, which was a great stay. Easy communication and fast response. Jeep condition was excellent, and our driver very experienced. Yes, I'll recommend this company.
HK
Email Annie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent customer service Kennedy
Good value for money. Solo traveler mid range 8 days Safari Tour. Saw all big five through this journey up close. It was an amazing experience. Highly recommended.
US
Email Nicolette | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bumpy start but great execution
The trip started as planned. I received help straightening out my flight and required documents for 30 dollars a person. The transfer ride was on time but cost 15 dollars coming from a few minutes outside of Nairobi (a rip off). When we arrived at the bus, it was filled completely and somewhat squished but as expected. Before leaving, the tour group notified me that I had an unpaid balance and when going to pay my 75 dollar balance (flight help for two people and a transfer fee), I was told that I owed an additional 50 dollars because they forgot to add a surcharge on the credit card I originally paid with. Arguing over this delayed the start of the trip by about an hour and left everyone frustrated. After leaving, everything was smooth again. The guide was friendly, made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. We stopped for self serve lunch at restaurants and were provided food but not drinks. When arriving at the park everyone’s passports were collected and taken out of sight for over ten minutes for check in. That was alarming, but worked out. Our tented cabin was double layered and did surprisingly very well keeping out bugs and rain. The room had a full sized bed and a twin bed, both canopy styled with netting to also keep out bugs. We had a bathroom with a flushing toilet, but the shower nozzle didn’t work. Also coming during a rainy season meant black outs and inconsistent WiFi access. Our things seemed to be left untouched when leaving for the safari run. The guide was enthusiastic and dedicated to finding all the interesting scenes. He made sure to get as close as possible and made sure we had the best angle to see everything and get good pictures. He gave brief synopses on the animals and answered all our questions. He was a fantastic driver and knew his way around the park and how to get through the muddy patches without getting stuck. I would definitely go again but I would pack tons of my own snacks and liquids, and I would pay for everything in cash and refuse any additional services.
CA
Email Megan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Chaotic and not according to plan
Would absolutely not recommend doing a shared tour with this company or its sister companies.
Whatever company you book with (there’s a large number of them under the same umbrella), it doesn’t seem to matter, they all send you off with drivers where you’ll be flip flopped to different groups and drivers every day based on where they can fit you. Everyone in the groups were given different itineraries that were never followed. Usually you picture joining a shared tour where you and the other few passengers all get on the bus doing the same itinerary, for the most part. But no. I felt bad for the drivers having to juggle so many ppl with different plans and most ppl were frustrated as they didn’t get to do the itinerary they were given, and the drivers have to deal with all the frustrations when it’s not them who planned everything so poorly. And it got annoying being moved constantly to different vehicles and groups, sometimes twice a day, or waiting so long in roadside stop places to meet with other vehicles to switch passengers.
Your itinerary will change from what they tell you, and when you inquire about it they just say too bad you’re on a shared tour, no flexibility. Also they just seem to put random things in the itinerary that they must know are untrue. Like a few times writing “you will arrive at your next hotel in time for lunch”, yet the drive is double that time and lunch is on the road and we don’t arrive till evening. Unless the driver takes much longer routes than needed due to dropping different passengers off places etc. either way, receiving accurate info in the itinerary should be made a priority. Itinerary said arriving in Nakuru hotel in time for lunch then evening game drive. We didn’t even make it in time for game drive, and arrived at hotel at 7:30pm. No possible way with the route we took would we have made it in time for lunch at hotel. We left Masai around 8am. It also says this about amboseli but we didn’t leave till late morning and arrived at 7pm. And it said game drive in amboseli in afternoon yet we got no drive. Just drop to hotel. When I asked they said we’d make up for it by doing drive on last morning, since we paid $60 park fee, yet the “drive” was just racing from gate to gate lasting an hour and barely stopping for animals we briefly saw in our speedy exit.
They pack the vans to the max, despite website saying max 7 pax. It’s so cramped and sweaty, there’s not enough room for everyone to see out at the same time to see the animal sightings. So some will sit while others sweaty armpits are pushing into your face. One will sit in front with driver so not even having the option of standing to see out the pop up roof. The only way I’d do a shared tour again would be if the company guaranteed max 6 passengers.
The 12 hour days in the van are not ideal. Most lodges and everywhere I went in SA was sunrise, and sundowner drives. Leaving you some nice time at the lodge to rest and enjoy lunch. Even if your itinerary says different (like mine did), you will be doing 12 hour drive and not returning to lodge mid day. Mid day is so hot so it’s sweaty in that van with 8 ppl and the animals are often not out in the open when it’s that hot mid day.
There were a small amount of ppl I talked to on the trips that were happy with the way they organized. Well maybe not happy but they just were chill and didn’t mind. So if you’re very easy going and don’t really care about sticking to the itinerary provided, and don’t mind the constant change ups, and aren’t picky about personal space in the van and better viewings, then it would be fine for you! I know some backpackers and travellers who aren’t fussy and it would work out great for. I’m just not one of those people, as were many ppl on the trips. In one of the instances where we had to leave our vehicle to join another group as ours had to drive half the group elsewhere, we got into a Jeep. That was a much more comfortable vehicle, so I’d definitely recommend spending the extra to go in one of those.
US
Email LizS | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour operator and guides with all arrangements carried out smoothly and efficiently.
We took the eleven-day Kenyan/Tanzanian Safari, and it was indeed the most wonderful experience of my life. I went with my 11-year old grandson. Bienvenido Kenya Tour and Safaris took care of us throughout the trip. Transport showed up when expected, our guides were excellent - particularly Patrick in Kenya - and the arrangements were exactly as planned.
We saw an enormous number of animals - all the big five - as well as many other species. We also got very close to numerous lions, elephants and other creatures. It was an extremely thrilling experience.
Accommodation ranged from good to very basic. Be prepared to rough it occasionally! There was also quite a bit more driving involved that I had anticipated.
For those considering this safari, the more research you do up front the better! I would have liked a bit more information about accommodation options, as well as a bit more guidance on what to bring, what not to bring, etc. In the end we just took very small bags, with only three changes of clothes, binoculars (a must!), guide book, cellphone and a warm jacket as nights can get chilly. This all proved to be more than adequate, and having small, light bags was a bonus, as we were constantly moving from one place to another. We were advised to bring "safari style" clothes, but that was not necessary! Also, take a small towel - some of the camps do NOT provide towels and cold showers with no way of drying off is not all that pleasant.
I would highly recommend Bienvenido Tours. Good value, no hidden extras and Purity is very responsive and helpful.
FR
Email Remi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great expérience !
Great guide and intense expérience !
It definitly worth it.
CH
Email Joshua | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Just Great!
We booked a 6-day trip from Nairobi. All our questions we had in advanced were answered very quickly. On the day our Safari started the pick up at the hotel was great, and we were informed of the whole trip in their office.
The whole 6 days we were treated amazingly, the tourguide (Mansoor) was just great. He knew everything and tried his best the whole trip to show us as many places and as many animals as possible.
I cannot recommend Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris more!
Email Shah Haneefa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top Notch Tour Operator
We booked a 3-day trip with pick up in Nairobi and drop-off at Mombasa. We went to Amboseli and Tsavo. We had a great experience from the first communication to the drop off at our final destination. Our driver did his best to find as many animals as possible and was very knowledgeable about both parks we visited. Would definitely book through Bienvenido again
PL
Email Natalia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very well organised
We had a great driver and guide Patrick!!! It was a great 6 days - we saw a lot of animals.
Everything was organised well but the greatest job was done by Patrick.
We've visited 3 National Parks during 6 days safari in comfortable van.
The lodges were comfortable and the food was varied (also an option for vegans).
The trip is totally worth its price!