Africa Vacation Safaris - Hellsgate National Park
Africa Vacation Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
MY
Email GOH CHUN HWEE | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Legitimate trustworthy company. Peter is an extraordinary guide, a walking dictionary!
First of all, this is a legitimate company with TRA license (tourism regulatory Authority). If you are traveling from other country, you have my confidence that you are not scammed.
Pre trip booking (1 year prior to my trip)
- Came across this company via safari booking. Their review was 5/5 perfect. The person in charge Denis was very responsive. He was very patient and attentive. He offered very good opinion on the places that I plan to go considering that I am bringing my young kids. We also did almost 40min of video call. As a traveller from another part of the world, that really gave me a good confidence in their company.
- I made the booking and paid $2000 as booking fees.
Within 6 months prior to trip
- I intermittently communicate with him to ensure everything went well. Denis even updated me that the government had increased park fees. Minor changes made to the accommodation given prior to that. No big issues for me.
1month prior to trip. (This is where conflict arose)
- I constantly messaging him and asking him for confirmation. Despite completed the deposit, I was not given a proper invoice. I asked him whether things had been confirmed and demanded a complete finalized itinerary, however, Denis was not as responsive as before. He would ask me to calm down and relax as everything is going well. However, he doesn’t understand that as traveller, we want black and white confirmation, not verbal confirmation.
- At one point, I couldn’t get Denis to reply me even though he had read my message for more than 24hours. I thought I was scammed. I googled everything about the company, (TripAdvisor, google, safari booking), nothing seems to be wrong except that the last review was in 2023. I tried calling him and couldn’t get through. I was so agitated and angry. I even engaged other company for new qoutation and to help contact Denis with local phone. However, they couldn’t get him as well.
- After about a day, (around 3days prior to my trip), he replied and apologized for his mistake that he didn’t prioritize my request. However, I lost trust in him. I requested him to show me all invoice of accommodation and personally called to the hotel to confirm it. After confirming that the bookings are made and payment done, then only I could relax and trust the process.
During the trip.
- I was personally welcomed by him at Paul’s cafe beside the airport. He introduce me his driver Guide Peter. Everything went extremely well after that.
- Denis promised me that he will make my trip memorable with Peter as my guide. And he did! Peter was the best we could ever had!
- Denis even helped me to convert some of my USD to KSH. He tried to get me a bean bag (photography) and ensuring every goes well.
- Denis even suggested to change one of our mara accommodation to Julia’s river camp (cheaper, more authentic Safari tent) to reduce cost as he thinks we will spend most of the time in safari rather than camp. I totally agree!
About Peter, our beloved guide.
- I call him the walking dictionary of Kenya wildlife and history. I’ve never met such a knowledgeable guide. He practically knows so much about kenya birds, facts about animals and he always confirmed with his book.
- He has an eye of the eagle. He spots small animal from far. He relentlessly try to find new species of animals especially birds to show us as he knew I was a photographer.
- He would always find a good spot to park so that I could get a good shot of the animal. Most importantly, he could anticipate where the animal will move.
- Even though we were almost late to get out of the park, he would purposely drive to another site to show us leopard (although rush) as he knew leopard was difficult to be found.
- By day 5 of trip, we already completed our big 5, special 5 and many other animals. However, still he would try his best to show us other species or try to find the other big cats.
- He is very humble, kind to my kids (whom they love him so much). He shares a lot of his past experience and many facts about Kenya.
- Whoever gets Peter as a guide is really fortunate!
Final thoughts: (at the point of writing)
- African vacation Safaris is a legitimate company. Definitely not a scam. They are registered under TRA.
- Peter is an extraordinary guide. He is a gem.
- Denis is a reliable person in charge. However, there are many things he could improve to gain the confidence from consumer.
- 1. He needs to be more responsive with his message no matter how busy he is. Don’t ever blue tick your costumer and go MIA for 24hours especially 72hours prior to trip. It’s very stressful. Pick up your calls, even Peter couldn’t contact you during the trip. LOL
- 2. Provide your company licensing, proper detail invoice, confirmation letter from the accommodation booked. If you could do that, I am sure you can gain much confidence from your costumers.
- 3. Prioritize your costumer especially the trip is near. Don’t confirm things at last minute. Do it a month before.
Overall, I still strongly recommend African Vacation Safaris as your trusted company for Kenya Safaris. 5/5 despite some minor unnecessary miscommunication.
US
Email Celeste | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!!!!!
Amazing service!! Highly knowledgeable and they know exactly where to go. They are all so friendly, accompanying, patient and I miss them so much! I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to experience AFRICA!!
RU
Email Rosisky Daniels | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spectacular 2 Day Nairobi-Amboseli Safari
First Time on safari, and on the African Continent! Our guide Josephis/was an outstanding professional and an expert driver who provided plenty of opportunity for us to appreciate the landscape, wildlife as well as the social culture of Masai people in Amboseli ecosystem. We saw the lions, many elephants and cheetah among other wildlife here during our safari and had an enjoyable stay at Zebra plains . Our trip concluded with a Maasai village visit! Beautiful people, priceless memories!
KW
Email Fareed Hazim | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Thrill of a Lifetime
If you are planning a safari, look no further than Africa vacation Safaris. Four of us wanted to visit Salt Lick lodge with associated game drives, and from our very first contact Denis could not have been more helpful. He accommodated our every wish and gave us a very good price. John, our driver and guide, proved himself to be extremely knowledgeable, friendly and professional. More importantly, he showed he was a very careful driver on the very busy roads. The Land Cruiser, for just the four us, was just what we wanted. We had never met these amazing people previously but we have no hesitation in recommending his company.
Email Fellista Amanda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Holiday by Team Africa Vacation Safaris
I had never heard of Africa Vacation Safaris before I started to research the holiday, and selected them purely due to the positive Tripadvisor reviews. I am so glad that I did.
Denis was so helpful in the booking process, always quick to respond to emails and available on the whatsapp when needed.
The itinerary that he guided us towards selecting was perfect. Joseph our guide was outstanding. Everything that you want from a guide - friendly, knowledgeable, and probably most important of all - he was a very calm and safe driver.
Try them for your Kenya or Tannzania safari and you will not be disapointed.
Regards,
Fellista
Email Federica Fontana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect family Safari to celebrate our 25th Anniversary
Our family Kenyan safari trip to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary was perfectly planned by Denis from the moment we landed in Nairobi, to our last day. We traveled to Ol Tukai in the Amboseli Park before setting for Serena Kilaguni in the West and our safari ended in Salt Lick Lodg a beautiful lodge in Taita wildlife conservancy.The variety of animals we saw was breathtaking. Our 25th wedding anniversary was celebrated at Kilaguni Serena with an amazing day watching the elephants and other animals come to the watrhole to take water and beautiful intimate dinner party and dancing with the entire staff during the evening.
Our guide Joseph was amazin all through the journey. Made us feel very safe and always gave us options and a lot of information about Kenya and her wildlife
Email Wakio Kanyi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great customer service, friendly staff & value for money
I used Africa Vacation Safaris for my first trip to Ojogi Ranch in May and I would like to recognize the organizers for their excellent work in making my first wild experience worth every minute of the day, the tour was more of a birthday gift to myself and it surpassed my expectations. The high point for me was the smooth run of everything, friendly people they are.
I’d highly recommend this tour company especially to the people that value customer service over anything.
Thank you so much Dennis & co. for the wonderful experience. Will use again, always.
Email Ireene | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
the experience was out of this world. simply amazing.
i can without a doubt recommend Africa Vacation Safaris for all your African bush safaris.
kudos Dennis
Email Denis Eliss | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It was an awesome and fun filled journey
Kudos to you guys for the good job. I really loved your commitment to customer satisfaction and was impressed by your tour guides explanations to details. Unbelievable!!!
Email Horace Maingi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
simpply amazing
Our travel planner with this tour company is AMAZING! he is 100% invested in delivering a great experience for his client and takes the time to listen to what you are looking for in your trip.The cooperation of the Staff, prompt responses to my queries and in resolving issues, giving clear and up to date information on the tour package, etc. is definitely commendable. Comparatively, their rates too are reasonable. I would recommend their services without hesitation. Good job