Safari vehicle in Safari
Spirit of Kenya
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $300 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
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Email Barbara Grupinska | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family trip of three (with daughter and son in-law)
Words cannot describe how wonderful our trip ended up to be. From the very first moment of reaching out to the It Started in Africa crew to the last moment before our trip the relationship was simply fabulous. Mr. Helder responded to my first email. He is very very kind, polite and knowledgable. He knew I was on the budget so he made few suggestions for us. Our entire trip was 9 days. Two nights in Tsavo West Rhino Valley Lodge, two nights in Amboseli Kibo Lodge, one night in Lake Nakuru, two nights in Masai Mara and last day/night in Lake Naivasha.
The entire crew of it Started in Africa went their way above and beyond of our expectation. I need to mention my friend, Simon, who switched with Mr. Helder the handling of my trip. I cannot and I repeat, I cannot express my gratitude for Simon who absolutely outdid himself. I mentioned in our correspondence that my daughter, Maja and her husband, Jerry will be celebrating their 5th year wedding anniversary while on Safari. I also mentioned my Mom's passing last November and the loss of my very first grand child. So this trip was very very special to all three of us. When we arrived in Masai Mara and went to Masai Village we did not know what was waiting for us upon return to the lodge. We came for dinner and suddenly we see the Masai villages dressed up arriving at the lodge. They came to dance for Maja and Jerry and the chef of our lodge prepared a cake for them. All arranged by my very good friend Simon, even I did not know about it. I was so touched, I had to hold my tears even thought there were happy tears. Thank you Simon, you are now our family and a friend for life. Now... let's talk about tour guide. We chose Carlos. Awwh how great choice we made. Carlos was a treasure to have on this safari. Funny, knowledgeable, never asked for anything, always determent to show us all big 5 and he did and more. Punctual, respectful, did I mention so hilarious.... He made this trip the trip of our dream. We will be back Carlos, and you are the only guide/friend/ family member who will travel with us. Thank you It Started in Africa for everything you have done. You have put up with my insecurities as I was constantly confirming and reconfirming every detail of our trip. You are simply the only team that I will ever use in my future safaris. I left Kenya with great memories. But I did not say goodbye to Kenya. I left saying, See you later and see you soon. Thank you so so much.
Email Vicki | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful lifetime experience
"It Started in Africa" were true professionals from the first email(there were many) to the final airport drop off!
Together we put together an amazing tour starting with the gorillas in Rwanda and travelling through Kenya and Tanzania on Safari. The itinerary was our own and we chose exactly where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go and the level of accommodation that we wanted.
The office staff are very responsive to all questions and are happy to accommodate every request. The drivers are knowledgeable, competent and fun.
I found that we go so much more for our money than we would have if we'd booked though a company here in Australia. It's important to support this local business and cut out the middle man.
I fully recommend It Started in Africa. You will not be disappointed.
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Email Caitlin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience beyond expectations
I cannot fully explain how wonderful my experience was with It Started in Africa, especially with our guide Salehe. I was on a 4 day safari with 4 friends and we all agree it significantly exceeded our expectations on all fronts. The lodging was wonderful and worth the money, as well as the food. The star was definitely our guide who was knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. We encountered some rain and he not only made us feel safe, but also stopped to help others who had gotten stuck. I would highly recommend the company and Salehe to anyone looking to explore the parks.
SA
Email Chandrasekhar KP | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Amazing Safari with memories for a life time
Overall, the trip was fantastic and has left with us some good memories of the African wild life, nature as well as the people. My family and myself enjoyed every moment of our stay at Amboselli, Naivasha & Masai Mara.
Helder, your quick response on emails while planning the trip has been exemplary. Your team's support has been very good from the time we landed at Nairobi. Special mention of our tour guide and driver, David who has been of great help all the time.
The drive time between places was quite long especially the roads to Mara was quite bumpy. In retrospective, taking domestic flights would have been an option had we known it before. No regrets though.
We had a full blown safari which has left an indelible impression in our minds.
AE
Email Armando | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Masai Mara tour 3 days Safari
The tour was amazing it was a great experience and the service from the agency and our guide Joseph was oustanding, the culture of Kenya people is admirable the respect the nature and give so much importance to kids education, we felt secure all the time the tour was tailor made for us, thx for everything, we hope come back some day.
Email Thomas and Elaine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded expectations
Okay from the start, we booked our honeymoon with it started in Africa after a fair bit of research. Felt this company offered the best deal for us. They were great at responding to emails and answering our questions. before we went. All our pick ups and drop offs were punctual and friendly. The safari itself was fantastic. Our guide Martin was great, really friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We stayed in tented camps which were all really nice, different and friendly. Hearing lions roaring as we lay in bed in the middle of the Serengeti is something We will never forget. The camps are not five star luxury but a safari is for seeing animals and landscapes, not fluffy towels and slippers. Be prepared for a fair bit of driving. We did the 6 day safari on the northern circuit. All the parks are a bit different but with animals a plenty. It started in Africa are a great little company who will go out of their way to look after you.
RO
Email Roxana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We loved it!
Although we had some communication problems just before arriving in Kenya, all our requirements and needs were satisfied in the end. The car broke down on the first day, but it was repaired by our driver and guide, Charles. The airport transfer was also troubled, but resolved eventually. If you are traveling in Africa, you need to get used to the "pole pole" style :))
Special thanks to Helder for arrangements and suggestions, he was really helpful. Also, our driver and guide, Charles, was very professional and friendly too. Thank you, Charles!
Overall, the safari was a memorable experience that we want to repeat. Kenya is an amazing country with warm and welcoming people. They are always smiling and transmit the joy of living, even if they are poor.
Wildlife was far beyond expectations, I'll attach here the album with pictures taken in Kenya (in safari and on the coast).
I hope to see you again very soon :)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1191001804279292.1073741919.100001084500830&type=1&l=a2eeb5f58d
CA
Email Hilary | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It Started in Africa Exceeded Our Expectations Once Again!!
A friend and I were on safari last year with It Started in Africa and we were so lucky to see The Big 5.
So this year when my sister said she would like to go on safari we went back to It Started in Africa.
They answered all my emails quickly, answered any questions I had and made our booking seem
quite effortless. Our guide, Deo, was perfect for us. He sure is knowledgeable, answered any and all
questions. We almost saw the Big 5 but the Rhino was a ways in the distance and was laying under a tree
in the shade with its back to us. It was still pretty cool. We saw so many cats this year and watched a
cheetah take down a Thompson Gazelle. The first night we stayed at Burunge Tented Camp, staff
were great, food was excellent and we loved the accommodations, second night at Serena Serengeti, cute
little gnome like rooms, felt like we were in The Shire'. Everything was great here as well and the third
night at Rhino Lodge was a great place to stay on our last night. There were zebra right out our front door
and elephants foraging in the mist while we were eating breakfast. We loved every minute of it and can't thank our guide Deo enough. He even played our silly travel games with us. We did have problems with
the truck but it was switched out for a new one early on second day on the way to the Serengeti gate.
Thumbs up It Started in Africa!! Thanks Deo!! 6 out of 5!
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Email Carl Rider | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best vacation ever. We saw everything.
We had a great time on our safari. Our guide, Anthony Sillo, was the best. He was very helpful to get us into the best position for great pictures, and we got plenty of them. One night when lions came into our camp, he and the men working at the camp guarded our tent the remainder of the night. We were so thankful. We will recommend It Started In Africa to everyone who asks about a safari. Again, we had the best vacation ever!!!
Carl and Pam Rider
AE
Email Krystal Fernandes | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding.... Give these guys a try and you won't regret it.
We decided to gift our parents a surprise anniversary gift of 4 nights/5 days in Kenya. Helder the Customer Happiness Manager was more than helpful to assist me in preparing the itinerary and advising on options and solutions. The trip was to Nakuru, Naivasha and Maasai Mara.
My parents had a fabulous time there and Helder ensured everything was covered right from their pickup from the airport and arranging all their meals/ hotel stay and safari rides upto their return back to the hotel. Their driver/guide, Steve was very punctual, friendly and informative. He knew the area well and he had sharp eyes wherein he could spot the animals from a distant. They fortunately saw all the Big 5. We heard stories from people that it’s difficult to find a leopard but they saw twice on the same day and all credit goes to Steve. The first time they couldn’t see the leopard clearly as it was hidden in the bushes so in the evening Steve drove a long distance just to show them another one and this one was resting on a tree. His sincerity is admired as he could have just taken them home and they wouldn’t know. They also had a lioness walking in front and side of their vehicle. It is all due to his patience.
The organisation accepts bank transfer payment or balance payment of cash in USD on arrival.
They are prompt in their email responses and very accurate in their information.
Moreover, they provided a good itinierary with a reasonable cost.