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
Email Nikhila | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
#JoelTheGenius
Right. On with the improvements so I can get to how perfect our experience was thanks to Joel. The company, It Started in Africa, was communicative and offered options at reasonable prices (we wrote to 15 companies and had two weeks to plan this). They helped us secure some great accommodation within our budget and were quick to respond. Overall, really easy doing business with them. That said, there are a few areas of improvement:
1. Although we confirmed our arrival time multiple times via email, there was some mix up with the operations teams and the person meant to pick us up didn't have our names or details. Getting into an unmarked car with an unknown driver who's identity we could not confirm at 10PM was nothing something my friend I were okay doing, which added an hour to our transit time. However, once we started our journey to our hotel in Arusha and got to know the driver, we shared some laughs with him and he shared lots of interesting snippets of what to expect from our first safari. We also received an email from the company apologizing and explaining the cause of the mix up.
2. The safari vehicle seemed like it needed to be serviced properly. Although Joel cleaned it everyday and did his best to maintain it, there were a number of mechanical issues we encountered during the course of our trip, including a couple of stops at mechanic shops for repairs. The company really ought to ensure that the vehicle tourists are being sent out in are road worthy and not in need of constant repairs.
3. The interiors could do with a face lift - the cold box needs repair and it would be great if the company could arrange for dry ice to keep the drinks cold. The dusty and sunny climes of the national parks meant we ended up with luke warm water every afternoon. Just some small suggestions to improve the overall quality of the experience.
On to Joel. He is an incredibly gifted guide and was truly invested in ensuring that we had the best safari, given our time constraints. Not only did he make every effort to show us the Big 5, which we managed (hurrah!), he was genuinely excited every time we saw a big cat or a herd of elephants or even zebras. He was patient with all our picture taking and just wanting to stand and stare endlessly at the animals; even took some great shots of his own with our camera. So we didn't miss a big sighting, he listened to the "ranger" radio station intently and passed all exciting discoveries we made on to other groups as well.
In three and a half days, we witnessed a cheetah hunt an antelope, several prides of lions, a pregnant lioness going off to give birth, several herds of tusked elephants (some raising their trunks to smell, to grab leaves off of trees, which is relatively uncommon), schools of hippos, a rhino, hyenas, two leopards in trees and a countless number of gazelles, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hartebeest, dik-diks, mongoose and flamingos. He even knew birds' names just by our (rather inaccurate) descriptions and showed us the differences between them in his trusty book.
As this was our first safari, we had a number of questions (sometimes inane), all of which he answered enthusiastically. Honestly, this safari would not have been half as interesting without Joel. He made it a trip of a lifetime for us, going so far as to wake up at 3AM so he could collect a park entry card from a colleague (there was some mix up owing to the last minute increases the government made to park fees) to make sure we didn't miss our early morning drive in the crater. Joel went above and beyond all expectations and I recommend him unequivocally to anyone looking for a trusty guide with a fantastic sense of direction and humor.
Finally, thank you to all the people who recommended Joel in their reviews - we got really lucky and are trying to pay it forward!
US
Email Donna | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous experience from start to finish
We had an absolutely fabulous time on safari and would highly recommend It Started in Africa, especially having Anthony for a guide. We could not have asked for a better trip; our experience far exceeded our expectations. Anthony was extremely knowledgeable and it was very interesting to learn more about Africa and about the animals as we were traveling. Not only was Anthony excellent at been able to find the animals, but would also get us in a position to take fabulous photos. His English was very good and he was a fun person to be around.
Also, it was a great experience dealing with it started in Africa. You were very attentive to my needs, and very prompt in answering all my questions. I was very pleased with all the arrangements that were made. I also, appreciated being given choices to accommodate our budget. And, the overall expense for the trip was much less than what I have heard others have paid, and in comparison to others online.
I highly recommend It started in Africa
Email Sam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Brilliant
It Started in Africa are second to none. I have done quite a few safaris all over Africa and my experience with ISIA was by far and away the best. Whilst I did not do my actual tour with them, they did all the bookings with hotels and agencies for me. The customer service is fantastic: they are really helpful, seek to understand what you need and are prompt and professional. The team are very responsive over email and are really focussed on the client having a great experience. We had a couple of issues to resolve before the trip and ISIA were really helpful and diligent in solving them for me. They booked some great places, organised every step flawlessly and the aftercare was great. Booking a safari can be a daunting experience, but ISIA offer a service unlike any other. Really happy with them – thanks guys!
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g297913-d4997591-r387999961-It_Started_in_Africa_Day_Tours-Arusha_Arusha_Region.html#
PT
Email margarida | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
our dream honeymoon
Fabulous experience.
The crew was amazing, always available. They took care of everything for us, even when our luggage was lost by the airline company they fixed the problem.
We had the honeymoon of our dreams.
PT
Email Jorge Mendes | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
perfect by all means
excellent communication during the sales process. Super fast and helpful. Transfers and safari experience were handled smoothly and professionally. Everyone was professional and very kind. Will come again
CA
Email Ruth Thomson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memorable experience!
It was the experience of a life time! Everything about the safari was excellent and memorable. The staff were all very kind and helpful. The meals were simple but good. I loved the rustic cabins. The guide/driver was very knowledgeable and told us all about the wild life. Even the wild life co-operated and showed themselves to us unstintingly. Of course, that was also because the drivers talked to each other and if one driver saw a certain animal he informed the others, and that was very helpful. The visit to the Masai village was the icing on the cake.
The whole safari experience was something that I will treasure all my life, and I know my son felt the same.
Thank you one and all for making the whole experience so unforgettable, a memory I will treasure for the rest of my life.
ES
Email Francis | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful experience
Climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro, did safari in Tanzania and Kenya and finished with a stay in Hideaway Nungwi in Zanzibar. This and the nice guide of ISIA, and the professionalism of their sales reps made this the best vacation we ever had. Definitely recommended. Cheers from Madrid
AE
Email Majed | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
“Great tour of Tanzania”
We took safari tour for about 7 nights with this comapny and it was a journey to remember. Seeing the animals in wild is just breath taking. Our tour guide Anthony was very helpful and since I had just my phone camera I needed to be very close to animals to take pictures. Anthony was very helpful and understanding
We came back toniur country with memorable memories. Thank you!
IN
Email Dr Anitha Satheesh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Kenya safari with it started in Africa
We went for safari in Kenya with It started in Africa last week . My husband , kids and I enjoyed our time in Kenya very much . It was a dream coming true for us facilitated by it started in Africa . From day one all the communications were quick and transparent . The tour was well organized . We visited Masai Mara , Amboseli , Aberdere and Naivasha . Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable . We thank it started in africa for this fantastic trip .
ES
Email Jaume i Albert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect
once finalized the adventure in Kenya we would like to thank you for organization,development and
commitment you have showed along the experience we have had, exceding our expectations about the agency
itself , the scheduling and the professionalism of our tour guide Simot
Many thanks for everything