On Safari in the Mara
The Safari Partners
- Located In:
-
Canada
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- IATA, ACTA & TOPAC
- 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
CA
Email Peter & Brian - Peterborough, Canada | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Kenya Cheetah Safari - Guide Victor was excellent in knowledge and concern for our comfort.
We (father/son) searched about six safari companies and came away with The Safari Partners (Chris in Vancouver) as the most impressive for safaris offered, pricing and presentation of information. Chris was very prompt in his replies to our numerous queries and answered all concerns in a manner that felt very personable. Prior to leaving on our trip we received a good information prep kit as to packing, expectations, etc. along with some items we used on safari.
The safari was my 4th and my son's first and it was truly perfect. Our driver was Victor of African Horizons who, it felt like, became a good friend soon after our pickup. He was quite friendly, knowledgeable and told us many interesting things about Kenya. The safari itself was well laid out as to experiencing the wildlife of Africa from basic to great excitement. The first park had the most common animals one would expect to see, such as the various herds, to the next two parks, where we saw rhinos and hippos up close and eventually to the Masai Mara as the final game reserve and seeing the Big Five we had yet to see.....lion and leopard. It was like a build up through the trip, so the planning for this safari was certainly well done. My son wasn't happy about tents since we had just climbed Kilimanjaro, but the "tents" on this safari were luxury.
Our family loves safaris and we will certainly look to The Safari Partners again.
CA
Email Cathy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience of a lifetime!
This was indeed the trip of a lifetime! I travelled with my daughters to Tanzania after booking with the Safari Partners and Chris took care of every detail. Every part of our trip went smoothly so we were able to fully enjoy our experience without a worry.
The accommodations were stunning, with gorgeous backdrops of the African landscape. All the staff were friendly, helpful and we were well taken care of. Our guide on safari was very knowledgable, personable and an excellent driver! We were able to see the " big five " , as well as so many other animal and bird species.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Safari Partners and very much hope to be able to return to Africa some day.
CA
Email Erin Robitaille | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Epic!
What a trip!!! This was truly a dream come true for me! My husband and I went to both Kenya and Tanzania on our honeymoon and booked with Safari partners. It surpassed all our expectations. Chris was beyond helpful making suggestions and answering our million questions. This trip was a breeze from the moment we landed in Africa to when we arrived home. Every detail was planned, we showed up and were treated so well by everyone that we met along the way. I know one day we will be going back to Africa and we will for sure be booking with Chris again! Thank you Safari Partners for all the dreams you made come true on this trip of a life time!
US
Email Rolf | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a Lifetime - Thank You Chris and Safari Partners!!!
It was my father's dream to take a trip to Africa. At 83 years old, the opportunities were getting more difficult to come by, and I needed to make sure we were going to be taken care of. I worked with Chris at Safari Partners to set up an itinerary that included Victoria Falls, 3 safaris in Botswana, 6 days in Cape Town, and 3 days in Stellenbosch. To start with, Chris worked with us to customize our itinerary, answering our (OK, my dad's) myriad of questions (I'm not exaggerating!), assuaging concerns, etc. Then, from the time we landed to the time we left Africa, everything went perfectly. The boutique hotels and their staffs were great, the safari camps incredible, transfers seamless, and the private tour guides extremely knowledgeable and helpful. My dad, being the good German he is, always has high expectations for whatever he gets involved in, and will criticize anything that doesn't meet them. He couldn't have been happier with his experience, and I have to agree. You will not go wrong working with Safari Partners for your trip of a lifetime!
CA
Email Ashley and Cliff Proceviat | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memorable Rwandan Expertly Planned
Chris arranged a trip filled with superlatives for us.
I give Chris full credit for the quality of the people in Rwanda who looked after us: Benson's warm welcome at the Kigali airport; driver /guide Afrika's friendship and local knowledge; and gorilla guide extraordinaire Francois' gorilla encounters and language lessons.
We had the BEST driver/guide Afrika who shared his information about the resilience of the country after the genocide, safely drove us to and from Volcano National Park to see the gorillas happily looked after our every need. We had the BEST accommodation at our "Gorilla Villa" complete with singers and dancers on the lawn as we arrived. We had the BEST gorilla guide Francois whose antics teaching us how to speak gorilla and whose expertise allowed us an amazing close encounter with these endangered animals.
Chris - you are the BEST for arranging such an outstanding trip. We will definitely use your travel services again and recommend you to others. Many Thanks
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Email Colleen Slavinski | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The greatest trip!
A friend and I visited South Africa in September and to say that we had an incredible time would be an understatement--thanks to Chris at The Safari Partners! We stayed at the Peermont Mondior Hotel at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg and took a half day tour of the city. Next we flew to Hoedspruit and took the beautiful Panorama route to Garonga Safari Camp for four nights where we saw the Big 5 within two days and had excellent game viewing! After, we stayed at the stunning Blackheath Lodge in Cape Town for five nights where we had the absolutely gorgeous loft suite and took numerous day trips. On our last night we stayed at the Coopmanhuijs Hotel in Stellenbosch and visited several wineries.
Chris' responses were quick, he had a vast knowledge of the location and provided recommendations/guidance to meet our parameters. Chris ensured everything was taken care of from booking all accommodations, shuttles, day trips, and international/domestic flights. I highly recommend using The Safari Partners if you're looking for a seamless vacation!
travel designers of your dreams!
It is hard to add to all of the great reviews here. All I can say is that every word is truly spoken by immensely happy customers, my family included. Chris customized a safari for our family of 4 very much like their "Cheetah" safari. The Boma, Nairobi, flight to Elephant Bedroom at Samburu, drive to Sweetwaters at Ol Pejeta, drive to Sopa Lodge at Lake Naivasha, drive to Encounter Mara at Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara, and finally a flight to Leopard Beach at Diani Beach. We had two guides and both were amazingly talented. We visited both a Samburu village and a Masai village, which was very educational and REAL. My husband and I had traveled to Kenya and Tanzania 18 years ago, and I was honestly worried that with population growth and modernization that there wouldn't be any "wild" Kenya left. We were happy to find that there is still "wild" and that the Kenyans have prioritized the preservation of wild spaces. Yes there is still poverty, but there is also much good progress- free public education, a push by the government to increase the average age of marriage, an understanding that tourism is worth more than the deforestation of land and decimation of wild animals. etc. So let Chris and Jen at the Safari Partners create your dream African safari, spend your tourist dollars and bring a little extra to donate to the people who are changing their way of life to preserve an amazing natural environment.
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Email David G. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
There and back again.
If you are looking for the most amazing African safari experience, Chris and the Safari Partners is your best friend. I've booked with Chris my Safari adventure in 2015 and 2016, traveling to East and South Africa. Both times Chris was super helpful, patient, accommodating, and just a pleasure to work with. Chris specializes in African adventures and nearby islands, and really knows his stuff.
On my 2016 trip to SA and Seychelles , Chris put us in Machaton Private Camp. We thought Safari will be rough, but we have Mahe Island to relax.....but we were in on real treat. Every single person at Machaton went above and beyond to ensure that guests are taken care of and treated like royalty. It is truly a bar set so high, that I am no longer sure how to top that without spending exorbitant amounts of money, and even then....
If you are looking for a worry free VIP African experience, Chris is the best bet. He will make it happen, and I am really puzzled on how he does that with the prices he charges. Best deal out there and the best treatment.
CA
Email Lauren and Kevin Williams | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream Trip Fulfilled!!!!!
After Christmas we went in to meet with Chris about planning our trip to Africa. We gave Chris our list of things that were a must do...walking with lions, elephant ride, microlight flight over Victoria Falls, walking through Victoria Falls, BOMA dinner as well as, of course, lots and lots of animals. 2 days later we received our flight itinerary and 1 day after that our amazing safari adventure information. What Chris returned to us with was an itinerary that met all those points and more: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Our accommodations were incredible, and we smile every time we think of the amazingly pleasant and kind people that hosted us at each destination. The itinerary filled every day with something new, and every day was literally it's own adventure. We would and, in fact, already have recommended Chris and the Safari Partners to anyone who expresses even the slightest interest in making a trip to Africa. The only thing that will ever have a chance of topping this trip, is going back, which is now being saved for. Thank you Chris, talk to you soon!
CA
Email Liz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Even better than I expected!
While considering a trip to Africa I came across The Safari Partners. I contacted Chris and the rest is history. My trip was customized to include some time in Cape Town & Stellenbosch before heading to Victoria Falls then to Botswana for safari. Everything far exceeded my expectations, from communications with Chris to the actual flights, tours and accommodations. Everything happened exactly as it was supposed to. I highly recommend Safari Partners and will definitely use them when booking my next adventure in Africa!