Denis, our Tour Manager!
Bushtop Kenya Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Member Of:
- AMREF, Eco Tourism & Kenya Wildlife Service
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Sam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Would not hesitate to recommend to friends and family
Here’s a version that keeps all of the points you mentioned, gives James more credit, and still reads like a genuine review rather than something overly polished.
We had an amazing honeymoon safari with Bushtop Safaris and couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
We did a private 5-day safari with 2 days in the Maasai Mara, 1 day at Lake Naivasha and 1 day in Lake Nakuru, travelling in a comfortable pop-top Land Cruiser.
Denis was excellent from the start. He always replied quickly, was easy to communicate with, tailored the trip to fit our schedule perfectly, and organised our airport pick-up and drop-off. He also recommended all of our accommodation, which was a great mix of lodges and tented camps. We were really happy with every place we stayed and the food was excellent.
The real highlight of the trip was our guide, James. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and passionate, and taught us so much about the animals, plants and Kenyan culture. His experience really showed throughout the safari, and he was well connected with other guides and rangers, which helped us find some amazing wildlife. Thanks to James, we were lucky enough to see the Big Five, including a leopard and a black rhino, which were unforgettable moments on our honeymoon.
James was also very flexible and happily changed our itinerary when we asked, making sure we got the most out of every day. The Land Cruiser was clean, comfortable and perfect for game drives. He was also a very safe and competent driver. The long journeys between parks were so comfortable that my wife often fell asleep, and James always stopped regularly for breaks whenever we wanted one.
A huge thank you to James for making our honeymoon so memorable, and to Denis for organising such a fantastic trip. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Bushtop Safaris.
NO
Email Ane | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Service minded and provides a great experience
We had an amazing first time in Kenya and on safari for five days, mostly because of our guide James. He is extremely knowledgeable and friendly, he knows everyone and made us feel very well taken care of. We saw so many incredible animals up close and we did not feel rushed. If we had requests along the way he made it happen.
The communication with the company was easy and Irene or Denis replied quickly to any inquiries. The three different resorts were very nice, especially Mara Maisha camp and Lake Naivasha sopa resort (incredible!). Staff were friendly and there was a good variety of food.
We would definitely pick James again if we get the chance to come back, and we highly recommend Bushtop and James to anyone else looking for a once in a lifetime safari experience!
NO
Email Jared | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was absolutely perfect
We reached out to 3 different safari companies that charged the same for a 5 day safari but we liked the accommodations options Bushtop gave us the most so we choose them. They were able to rearrange our itinerary to suit when some resorts we chose were sold out on dates but we got there in the end and were very happy as they were incredibly nice stay at.
We were a little sceptical how everything was going to go as it was our first time to Africa but Denis was very good at communicating with us via email, with quick responses and updating us as needed. When we arrived we were taken care of and given the game plan from our driver/guide James. Over the course of our safari we had multiple people from shops we visited tell us James was the best guide in kenya and now I definitely agree. He made our first experience of Africa very special. Hes very professional, knowledgeable but most importantly for us, he made us relaxed and enjoy every second. Even the long drives between areas didn't feel like a drag as he always had something to show us. We saw everything on safari we dreamed of and most animals very close up. James has a 6th sixth sense about the animals and seems to know what they are going to do.
When our flight out was delayed he took extra time to show us a few places around Nairobi as well.
We will be forver grateful for the time we had on safari thanks to bushtop safari.
ES
Email Angel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable family safari in Kenya
Our experience with Bushtop Kenya Safaris was excellent from beginning to end.
1. Initial correspondence with Denis
From our very first contact, the organization was perfect. Denis was always quick to reply, answered all our questions clearly and helped us organize every detail of the trip. The quotation and itinerary were well prepared, making the planning process easy and giving us confidence before the trip even started.
2. Our Spanish-speaking guide – Joshua
Joshua was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our safari. His kindness, professionalism, friendliness and deep knowledge of the wildlife and the environment made every game drive special. He was always attentive to us and shared his passion for nature throughout the trip. Thanks to his experience, we were fortunate enough to see the Big Five in just 4 days and 3 nights. A big hug to Joshua – he is simply the best!
3. The hotels
Both lodges exceeded our expectations. Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge at Lake Nakuru and Sarova Mara Game Camp in the Masai Mara were wonderful. The staff at both properties were incredibly friendly, welcoming and attentive to every detail, making us feel at home throughout our stay.
4. Overall recommendation
The safari itself was incredible. Experiencing first the wildlife around Lake Nakuru and then the vast plains of the Masai Mara provided two very different and complementary safari experiences. The contrast between the lake ecosystem and the savannah made the journey even more memorable.
Finally, we believe the price was fair. A safari is not an inexpensive experience, but we truly feel that we received everything we paid for.
Thank you very much to Bushtop Kenya Safaris for making this such a wonderful family experience.
AE
Email Sheetal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very reliable and excellent service
We honestly had such a wonderful experience with Bushtop travel agency! From the very beginning, communication was so easy and everything felt effortless with Denis our main man. Our group was travelling from different parts of the world, so coordinating dates and plans wasn’t always simple, but Dennis was incredibly patient and flexible with us. They accommodated our preferred dates, hotel choices, and all the little changes along the way without any hassle. They even surprised us with a complimentary hotel upgrade, which we really appreciated! Everything throughout the trip was organized beautifully and ran very smoothly. Our guides James and Joseph were fantastic—friendly, reliable, knowledgeable, and made the entire journey even more enjoyable. We came home with the best memories and would happily recommend them to anyone! ❤️
HU
Email Zoltan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional and reliable company.
My 15-day safari went very well. The organization was professional, the communication during the preparation was great. I wrote to several companies in letters about what I wanted. In the end, I liked theirs the best. During the safari, I got pretty much what I originally asked for. Ken was a very good driver and guide. He had an incredible sense of spotting animals and mostly helped me take good photos. He did a lot to make the safari a success.
Among the accommodations, there were some that I thought were not even at the lower end of the mid-range (Taphe Guest Resort, Little Amanya Camp). But that wasn't really important to me.
I highly recommend this company to anyone who wants to go on a safari in Kenya.
CA
Email Mojdeh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional Masai Mara Safari with Bushtop Kenya Safaris!
We had an incredible experience on our Masai Mara safari with Bushtop and highly recommend them to anyone planning a trip!
Denis, who coordinated and offered us the tour, was fantastic—always available, super responsive, and extremely knowledgeable, making the planning seamless.
A huge special thanks to our guide, who made the trip truly unforgettable. He is a skilled driver, punctual, and has such a warm and pleasant personality. His passion and deep knowledge of the Masai Mara were evident every step of the way. Even though we were in a van, he provided us with the exact same high-quality service as a 4x4 Jeep—and at times, he was even quicker at positioning us in the best spots to view the animals!
If you want a top-tier safari experience in the Masai Mara, book with Bushtop!
JP
Email Makoto | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly Recommended! An Unforgettable and Safe Safari Experience
First and foremost, this safari tour operator is of the highest quality. My wife initially had some anxieties about visiting Kenya, but thanks to Bushtop, she felt completely safe throughout the trip and says it has become the memory of a lifetime.
Denis, who managed our quotes, itinerary adjustments, and payments, was incredibly prompt and helpful. Almost every time I sent a message, I received a reply within minutes. Even when our arrival schedule in Nairobi was uncertain, he handled our booking with great flexibility.
Our guide, James, was friendly, exceptionally hospitable, and highly knowledgeable. He always put safety first and drove very carefully. During the game drives, he made sure we were holding onto the car securely before moving, and he frequently provided us with drinking water. Every time we spotted animals, he would ask if we wanted to stop and patiently waited until we were completely satisfied before driving off. He even suggested stopping by a local supermarket and let us try some local fast food along the way. Even though our English isn't perfect, he explained things clearly and politely, teaching us not only about the animals but also about Kenya's geography and culture.
Regarding the accommodation, our original plan was to stay at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge and Sarova Mara Game Camp. Since Sarova Mara Game Camp was fully booked, we followed Denis's advice and decided to stay at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge and Mara Maisha Camp. Both hotels were extremely clean, all the meals were delicious, and we were highly satisfied.
Overall, Bushtop is a fantastic tour operator. We are Japanese, not very accustomed to speaking English, and this was our very first trip to Africa. The fact that we could complete our journey without a single complaint is entirely thanks to Bushtop.
Thank you very much, Bushtop!
