Across The Wild Tours & Safaris top Guide
Across The Wild Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Member Of:
- ASTA, KATO, AMREF, Eco Tourism & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
SA
Email Nur Abdi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not good transportation (4x4 land cruiser) very old and not safe for children
The tour operator advertised the service as VIP. We had a unpleasant experience with the transportation service. We had selected the VIP service because of the transport as we have young children. The car provided was 4x4 land cruiser but had mechanical issues. At many instances the driver had issue with the gearbox.
AE
Email Majid | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good company, nice staff but was misled about the vehicle
Prompt response to quotation request we posted in katokenya.org (which is the union of accredited tour companies in Kenya) which propagate your quotaion request to all accredited safari tour organizers in Kenya.
Always replies are prompt to further enquiries about the offer by Ms/Mrs Fina with flexibility to adjust program and cost.
Airport reception, tour punctuality and game drive experiences are excellent with driver Steve. Steve has excellent and customer-care personality. We are very thankful to him.
Hotels and all arrangements are as promised except for the vehicle, which really made a difference and was the most obvious disappointment.
I was clear to specify to Fina I wanted 4 x 4 land cruiser which turned out based on our experience there that 98%-99% of tour companies provide to their clients who asked and paid for (category 4x4 land cruiser). On top of that nearly 85% of land cruisers used by other companies are new or almost new. We received photo confirmation of the vehicle type to be 4x4 landcruiser while when we arrived there we were surprised they actually provided 4x4 very old landrover with very old non-comfortable interiors and hard seats. This reduced much the comfort of the lengthy roads (4-5 hours) between national parks that we stayed in and also the comfort during game drives.
There was absolutely no communication from acrossthewild tour company that the vehicle provided will not be land cruiser but old land rover instead. This in my opinion is misleading in that part of arrangement, they might also depended on the fact that the first trip was from Nairobi Airport to Amboseli, so there was no chance for us to ask or argue about the vehicle type otherwise we would ruin the next day in Amboseli. That's what happened actually so we just proceeded and withstood the vehicle for the rest of the 7 days. Just to give you an idea of the matter, our ancient land rover was the ONLY land rover we saw in 7 days of game drives among the tens of land cruisers provided by other companies and we came across them.
Even when we later mentioned the point lightly to them, the excuse was that we reserved the package late !!!!!! firstly, even with that excuse they should have informed us in advance by email and left the decision to us to go with that odd vehicle or not instead of sending different photo. Secondly, until the end before we selected them other companies were offering us very close or even one of them lower price with confirmed new 4x4 land cruiser option, so that was wasted opportunity for us because of their lack of transparency and misleading.
Other than the vehicle issue, we have no problems or conservations on this company. Just try to make it clear to them that if the vehicle is not as agreed, you would not pay the balance 70% upon arrival.
Email Bridget | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An incredible safari with the most helpful and personable people from Across the Wild
We did the 7 Day Top Luxury Tour. The Serena Hotel at Lake Elementaita was incredible. Beautiful location with a stunning bar / sitting area looking over the lake and the rooms furnished with colonial buffets. The service and food were excellent; I think we will return to Kenya to stay just at this hotel for a holiday. The following day we moved on to Naivasha Simba Lodge at Lake Naivasha - the hotel was a disappointment and the food was not good either. In retrospect, we should have (and I would suggest you do too) stay this night again at Lake Elementaita and Fina will arrange the safari drive at Hell's gate from here. Day 3 was a very long drive to Masai Mara but this is THE place for the safari to see all the animals, you will see everything here (except the flamingos) so if limited on time I would suggest travelling directly to Masai Mara. FINA was very personable and helpful, she arranged additional trips to the Giraffe sanctuary in Nairobi for us and booked other hotels for either end of our stay. She also had us picked up from the airport at 3.30am. She will be as flexible and helpful as possible, and we had her number so were able to call her directly throughout the safari. Our tour guide was DAVID - the nicest, friendliest gentleman and ever so knowledgeable. He was very conscientious in ensuring we had plenty of sightings of our favourite animals (hippos for me / lions for my husband) and he was fantastic with our 3 young sons. His knowledge of all the animals and birds is extensive, we learned so much from him and he kept it all very interesting.
The driving in Kenya can be erratic and dangerous, we were very thankful for David's considerate. smooth and safe driving throughout!
I would definitely recommend Across the Wild Tours and Safaris, mostly for the personal service you will receive from Fina that makes the trip hassle free and flexible. And if you're able to choose the guide, David was fantastic. He has 2 children whom haven't been on Safari with him, astounding given his experience and knowledge. If we had have known this we would have welcomed them on the safari with us, the company for our children would have been welcome also. Note that alcoholic drinks are not included in the price, nor bottled water at Masai Mara.
TH
Email Ekkaphon | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour Operator is very helpful and respond on time and professionally. We had great great fun.
The staffs work professionally. Our tour guides are super nice. The safari was one of the best travel experience we have.
Email John Reeves | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best safari company in Kenya.
From the first contact with Fina I knew we were in good hands. Every idea and change to our itinerary was immediately dealt with. Whatever day of the week, Fina came straight back with the answers.
Then when we arrived in Nairobi she was there in person to meet us - a really great welcome ! She then introduced us to David our driver guide for the week. Where do I start ? Not only was he the friendliest, nicest man with a great sense of humour ( he needed it to cope with mine) you could wish to meet, but nothing was too much trouble for him, including finding a lost bag at the airport on the first day.
I think he knows - and is friends - with everyone in Kenya ! He made our week magical, visiting Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara, before returning to Nairobi. His enthusiasm was infectious and our three grandchildren rated it their best holiday ever !
We saw every animal - including of course the big five - many times. We only had to say to him what we wanted to see and miraculously they appeared a few minutes later !
I cannot speak highly enough of Across The Wild Tours, Fina and David. We could not have had a better trip, and I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone booking a trip to Kenya. We can’t wait to repeat the experience with our next lot of grandchildren.
US
Email Melissa IntVeldt | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, friendly & flexible service from start to finish!
My safari experience was absolutely incredible! From our arrival to Nairobi to our last day in Masai Mara as well as the pre-planning before our departure, everything was fantastic.
Our guide, Dedan, was phenomenal. He took a true leadership role and explained to us about the animals, safari etiquette, etc. Plus, he is impeccable at spotting animals.
It was such a life changing experience and I thank Across the Wild for being a part of it.
CY
Email Lloyd Keenan & Sarah Keenan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extremely professional, prompt and accurate communication, superb service from start to finish.
Outstanding service from start to finish. Organising the trip and arranging the itinerary was seamless and communication via email was extremely prompt. The suggestions and advice were well received and turned out to be spot on. The trip and safari experience was every bit good. The driver and guide (David) was extremely professional and experienced, he provided a first class service. There were no hidden extra's everything as detailed in the itinerary was included and the Safari was good value for money. One particular highlight amongst many was the balloon experience and one extra excursion that we would highly recommend. I would have no hesitation in recommending this team to anyone who wants to Safari in Kenya
US
Email Penny & Bob Gellatly | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Love it all! Can't wait to return.
In all the years of travel, I've never continue to think and most of dream about the vacation like I do now. This safari has given me an everlasting WOW. Fina has always been extremely responsive with emails in great detail.
The drivers & guides were fun, knowledgeable and experienced. We ALWAYS felt safe regardless of the locations. Our game drives, sundown and everything in between were awesome. I will tell you that our land cruiser was spacious and comfortable. We had driven through it all and never doubted it.
I can't wait to return to this exquisite country. I will continue to use Across the Wild as they are hands down best of the best. They will customize your adventure from add-on experiences to extending into other locations.
We are extremely pleased! Thank you team!!!
We had the best time!
We had the best time on our Safari. We chose the suggested package which presented a great cross section of experiences and lodgings. Every single day was full of adventure! The gem in the Safari crown; our guides. I feel like we have two new wonderful friends. It wasn’t just that they couldn’t have been kinder but daily the wealth of knowledge they shared was jaw dropping. We learned so much. And, talk about eagle eyes! Wow! They could see what we could not. It was amazing. Now that our time in Kenya has come to an end, we all now have a severe case of game drive safari withdrawal. No doubt, the bug has bitten. We are already planning our return in 2024! Well done across the Wild!
US
Email Alan Levy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My wife and I had the absolute best possible experience with "Across the Wild"!!
Where to start?? Fina, the owner of Across the Wild, personally greeted us when we arrived in Nairobi to prepare us for the week. The next morning, we met our guide for the week, David, who told us we were now family. It wasn't just words, he totally meant it. After our week on safari with him, David is now a life-long friend, and we consider him part of our family as well!
Thus started our 6-hour journey to Amboseli National Park and experiencing the incredible differences between our cultures. For the next week, David, my wife and I enjoyed talking and learning about life in Kenya, seeing what was similar and different, and educating each other about all of it. It wasn't a one-way street either, David enjoyed learning about it as much as we did.
After making it to Amboseli, we ended up arriving at the lodge a bit late because we had one amazing animal experience and another. Little did we know this would be our theme for the week, because David was so skilled at finding animals that other guides did not. I was sharing pictures with our travel agent all week (who booked us with Across the Wild after her own great experience), and she just got more and more jealous!! :)
For instance, the first night we found a pride of lionesses and their cubs at a significant distance by seeing some other jeeps. David noticed that the adults walked away to hunt, so he moved us to a road where he thought they'd come out of the brush. Nobody else did this. We ended up with an unforgettable experience watching and photographing two hungry lionesses about 20 feet (6 meters) away from us for at least 10 minutes before anybody else showed up.
The next morning, David was the only one who thought to go back out to where we initially saw the lions, and we found their cubs walking down the road. Again, we ended up with an unforgettable experience, watching and photographing the cubs playing in the grass 20-30 feet away from us for 15 minutes...and getting tormented by Guinea fowl of all things!! By the time anybody else showed up, the cubs had already wandered away.
These situations happened over and over all week!!
1. A massive 45-year old elephant with tusks almost to the ground named Michael was so close we looked each other in the eye.
2. Sitting in the middle of a large herd of ~30 giraffes watching their babies play and nurse.
3. An even better solo experience with a beautiful lioness in Maasai Mara National Park.
4. Sightings of Jackals that nobody else saw.
5. Chasing away a baboon during lunch one day.
6. Watching baby baboons learn about physics the hard way when they climbed a little tree.
7. Up-close-and-personal experiences with any number of zebra, wart hogs, gazelle, impala, and even many types of birds.
David was also incredibly knowledgeable about all the animals and birds. I don't think there was a single question the entire week that he couldn't answer. Plus, he was correctly identifying small birds at 50 meters without binoculars when they just looked like flying shadows! That was just nuts!!
I'm not sure how much more I can say about our experience. I think we had literally two negatives all week, and they were very minor. One was a lodge that turned off their generators at night which killed the fan and made the room get hot. That lodge also did not provide mosquito nets unless you asked for them...so we asked for them. The other was the food selection at the lodges. The selection itself was fine, I just wished they served more actual Kenyan dishes for us to try!
Purely based on our experience, we'd recommend Across the Wild over other safari companies every time. They were also an amazing value for the money considering everything that was included.
