Reviews

Average User Rating
4.8/5

Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 19
  • 4 star 0
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 1

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 1-10 of 20 Reviews
Payal   –  
India IN
Visited: September 2026 Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026

Email Payal  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Had an amazing and truly memorable Kenya trip with Lutea Safaris! Everything was well organised best
5/5

Best service and very good guide provided and very much cost effective and best service

DR. SHREYASH DHARPAWAR   –  
India IN
Visited: September 2026 Reviewed: Sep 26, 2026

Email DR. SHREYASH DHARPAWAR  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

An Extraordinary Kenyan Safari with Lutea Africa Safari
5/5

An Extraordinary Kenyan Safari with Lutea Africa Safari

We had been planning our Kenyan safari since last year and were eagerly looking forward to the festive season of Ganesh Chaturthi, which fell from 14th to 18th September 2026. By combining the festival holidays with the preceding and following weekends, we were able to plan a relaxed holiday rather than one that felt rushed.

From July 2026 onwards, we explored several travel companies based in Kenya. After carefully considering our options, we shortlisted two, and finally went ahead with what turned out to be our obvious choice — Lutea Africa Safaris.

Our journey was a 5-night, 6-day safari from 13th to 18th September 2026. We were in constant communication with Mr. Chris Ouma, CEO of Lutea Africa Safaris on his number ‪right from 6th July. We explained what we were looking for, and Chris thoughtfully designed a tailor-made itinerary that perfectly suited our interests.

Our journey covered three nights in the Maasai Mara, one night at Lake Nakuru and one night at Lake Naivasha. Each destination had its own character, landscape and wildlife experience. But every great safari needs a narrator — and ours came in the form of our wonderful guide, Mr. Johnstone.

*Maasai Mara — The Heart of Our Safari*

We spent three unforgettable days in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, staying at Matira Bush Camp from 13th to 15th September.

The Maasai Mara is difficult to describe in words. The endless golden plains, dramatic African skies and extraordinary abundance of wildlife make you feel as though you have stepped straight into a wildlife documentary.

We were incredibly fortunate with our sightings. During our stay, we encountered five different lion prides — Blackrock Pride, Marsh Pride (including one of the famous Topi boys), Keekorok Pride, Fig Tree Pride and Sand River Pride.

The Mara also gifted us sightings of two leopards, with Loluka being the undisputed star, and three cheetahs. We encountered large herds of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and buffaloes, along with hippos, crocodiles and warthogs.

And every time we saw a warthog, it was impossible not to think of Pumbaa from The Lion King!

The September landscape, combined with the spectacular movement of wildebeest and zebras across the Mara, made the experience even more magical. Every game drive seemed to bring with it the possibility of witnessing something completely unexpected.

*Matira Bush Camp — An Authentic African Bush Experience*

Our stay at Matira Bush Camp complemented our Mara experience beautifully.

From the moment we arrived, Stella briefed us about the camp and ensured that we were comfortable. Steve greeted us with a smile every time and was particularly enthusiastic about learning to speak Hindi — something that made our interactions even more enjoyable.

Ben and Tante deserve a special mention as well. Every night, when the camp became pitch dark and there was no electricity between 11 pm and 4 am, they were there to guard and escort us around the camp, ensuring our safety. At times each night, we could hear the roars of the R5 lion pride which had its territory a few miles away from our camp.

Joseph, the camp manager, was genuinely interested in our feedback and enthusiastic about making improvements to ensure guests had a comfortable stay.

What made Matira special was its authenticity. Being surrounded by the African bush, hearing the sounds of the wilderness and returning to camp after a long game drive created a feeling that was very different from a conventional hotel stay.

And, of course, the food deserves a special mention. The chef at the camp made sure that meals were prepared keeping our Indian taste buds in mind, which was particularly appreciated after long days in the bush.

*Lake Nakuru — A Completely Different Kenya*

Our next destination was Lake Nakuru, where we stayed at Sarova Woodlands.

The landscape was completely different from the Maasai Mara, and that contrast was fascinating. We enjoyed sightings of rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and other wildlife, while also taking in the beautiful scenery around the lake.

One of the wonderful things about travelling through Kenya is witnessing how dramatically the landscape and wildlife change from one region to another. Within a relatively short journey, the experience can feel completely different.

*Lake Naivasha — A Peaceful Finale*

Our final destination was Lake Naivasha, where we stayed at MGM Muthu Country Side.

After the excitement and intensity of the Mara and Nakuru, Naivasha provided the perfect opportunity to slow down and relax.

The lake, greenery and abundant birdlife created a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. But what made our stay particularly memorable was the wildlife roaming freely around the resort campus.

Seeing zebras, waterbucks and monkeys moving around the property as though it belonged to them was a wonderful experience. It was a fittingly tranquil conclusion to an adventure-filled safari.

*A Special Mention for Our Guide — Johnstone*

Our sincere thanks go to Lutea Africa Safaris and Chris Ouma for putting together such a wonderful journey.

The planning, coordination, transfers, safari arrangements and accommodation were handled smoothly, allowing us to concentrate on what really mattered — enjoying Kenya.

But a very special and heartfelt mention must go to our guide, Johnstone.

A safari can be memorable because of the wildlife, but a great guide can transform it into an extraordinary experience — and Johnstone did exactly that.

His knowledge of the Mara, understanding of animal behaviour, exceptionally sharp eyes and incredible patience were remarkable.

Whether tracking lions, locating wildlife hidden deep in the grass or patiently waiting for the perfect photographic opportunity, Johnstone remained calm, attentive and genuinely passionate about what he was doing.

What we appreciated most was that he never made the safari feel rushed. He gave us the time to simply sit, watch, listen and absorb the moment.

He also made sure that we learnt some basic Swahili, which helped us connect with the local people and staff throughout our journey.

Every morning, we would greet people with:

“Habari za asubuhi!” — Good morning.

The response would invariably be:

“Karibu!” — Welcome.

And of course, we quickly learnt our most important word:

“Asante!” — Thank you.

These simple exchanges, always accompanied by broad smiles, became some of the little moments we will remember fondly.

There is, however, one confession we have to make.

Throughout almost the entire trip, I kept calling our guide “Johnson” instead of “Johnstone”!

It was only while signing off at the end of our tour that I finally realised his actual name was Johnstone. Feel free to connect with him on +254 713 326352

Sorry, Johnstone!

Thank you for your patience — not just with the wildlife, but with me as well!

🇰🇪 Leaving Kenya With Memories, Not Just Photographs

When we finally left Kenya, we realised that we weren’t simply taking photographs home with us.

We were taking home moments.

The roar of lions across the Mara.
The sight of a leopard disappearing into the grass.
The endless movement of wildebeest and zebras.
The quiet patience of waiting for an animal to emerge.
The warmth of the people we met.
The smiles and Karibu greetings.
The sounds of the African bush at night.
And the unforgettable experience of being completely immersed in nature.

Our six days may have come to an end, but the memories certainly haven’t.

A heartfelt thank you to Lutea Africa Safaris, Chris Ouma, Johnstone and every member of the wonderful teams at Matira Bush Camp, Sarova Woodlands and MGM Muthu Country Side for making our Kenyan adventure so special.

This was more than just a holiday.

It was an experience, an adventure and a collection of memories that will stay with us for a very long time.

🇰🇪❤️ ASANTE SANA, KENYA!

Until we meet again… Hakuna Matata!

Anindra Kumar Biswas   –  
India IN
Visited: September 2026 Reviewed: Sep 9, 2026

Email Anindra Kumar Biswas  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

🌍 An Unforgettable Kenya–Tanzania Safari Experience
5/5

I had a wonderful and truly superlative experience travelling through Kenya and Tanzania over 12 unforgettable days, covering Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Arusha, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro.

The entire journey was beautifully arranged by Kenya Chris-Lutea Safaris, whose professionalism, hospitality, planning, and excellent service made the trip truly memorable.

I wholeheartedly recommend Kenya Chris-Lutea Safaris to anyone planning a Kenya–Tanzania safari. If you are looking for a well-organised, comfortable, and unforgettable African adventure, I would strongly suggest choosing them. 🇰🇪🇹🇿🦁🌍

Lakshmi das   –  
India IN
Visited: August 2026 Reviewed: Aug 27, 2026

Email Lakshmi das  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Good budget friendly
5/5

My budget friendly trip was good and nice. Accommodation and breakfast and dinner was nice.
On negative side , any additional bookings like balloon safari, make sure u take receipt else last minute hurryburry. Also bush lunch for game drive was not good, as packaged morning.

Sreejith   –  
United Arab Emirates AE
Visited: August 2026 Reviewed: Aug 25, 2026

Email Sreejith  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Thank you, Mr. Chris, for giving us such a wonderful experience
5/5

We booked a 5-day, 4-night tour package, and Mr. Chris really helped and guided us throughout the trip. He explained the main places to visit and how to plan each day. His coordination and tour management were highly appreciated. We never faced any delays or issues during the entire trip.

We shared our budget with him, and accordingly, he suggested the accommodation and other arrangements. When we reached our accommodations, we were really surprised. The ambiance, location, and overall arrangements were excellent. From my experience, I am truly happy with the service.

A special thanks to our guide, Mr. Johnson. We never felt that he was just our guide—he felt like one of us. He explained every detail about the animals, places, land, and history in such a clear and interesting way. Whenever we had any doubts, he explained everything so well that we could almost explain it to others ourselves!

He was very friendly, approachable, and pleasant to talk to throughout the trip.

Overall, it was a wonderful and memorable experience

Jitin   –  
India IN
Visited: August 2026 Reviewed: Aug 19, 2026

Email Jitin  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Seamless, Perfectly Curated Experience – 5 Stars!
5/5

Perfectly curated itinerary by Chris and his team

Shilpa Karkera   –  
United Arab Emirates AE
Visited: August 2026 Reviewed: Aug 16, 2026

Email Shilpa Karkera  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

AMAZING AND ORGANISED
5/5

Amazing Experience!!!!!

We had an incredible experience with LUTEA AFRICA SAFARIS!!! From the planning stage to the end of the trip, everything was handled professionally and smoothly. The communication was excellent, the itinerary was well organized, and every detail was carefully taken care of including the best accommodation arrangements, which were comfortable, well-located, and truly enhanced our overall experience.

What stood out most was how flexible and accommodating Mr. Chris was with any changes in the plan. He adjusted quickly and without any hassle, making the whole experience stress-free and enjoyable.

The safari experience was unforgettable, and the team Ms. Jackline and Mr. Johnson were super friendly, knowledgeable, reliable, and genuinely committed to making the trip special. We felt comfortable and well looked after throughout the entire journey.

I highly recommend LUTEA AFRICA SAFARIS to anyone planning a trip to Kenya. Excellent service, unforgettable experiences, and wonderful people! 🇰🇪🦁🌍

Subha   –  
United Arab Emirates AE
Visited: February 2026 Reviewed: Jul 15, 2026

Email Subha  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

The review below is the personal opinion of Subha and not that of SafariBookings.
Bad experience
1/5

Our experience with this safari operator was extremely disappointing.
We booked and paid for a private safari, including private accommodation, transport, park visits, and related arrangements. However, shortly before our trip started, we were informed that the safari vehicle had been involved in an accident, and we were told a private tour could not be arranged. Instead, we were placed in a group tour, which was not what we had booked or paid for.
We were repeatedly assured that the private vehicle would be available the next day, but this never happened. The promised arrangements were not fulfilled.
The biggest disappointment was that our Amboseli National Park visit was cancelled due to the operator's inability to arrange a vehicle. This was one of the main reasons we chose this itinerary, and missing it significantly affected our trip.
We had already paid for accommodation, food, transport, and the full safari package. As a result, our holiday did not match what had been promised, and we incurred considerable inconvenience and disappointment.
Fortunately, we had paid by credit card. When we were unable to resolve the issue directly, we initiated a credit card chargeback, and after reviewing the evidence, the dispute was resolved in our favour. Without that protection, I do not believe we would have recovered our money.
My advice to anyone considering this operator:
Get every promise in writing.
Confirm that the tour will actually be private if that is what you are paying for.
Verify hotel bookings and transport arrangements before your trip.
If possible, pay by credit card so you have consumer protection if things go wrong.
If any traveller would like to know more about our experience before booking, they are welcome to contact me through this platf

Hasmeet Parmar   –  
India IN
Visited: November 2025 Reviewed: Dec 26, 2025

Email Hasmeet Parmar  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Perfect, Comfortable , Knowledgeable and flexible
5/5

One of the best call to go with them and making our tour memorable. The properties were comfy and great which we recommended. Tour was planned customized to our needs. The game drivers are well knowledgeable about the drives. Special thanks to Chris and Johnson who took extra efforts to make sure we get best time to spend in the tour.

Arshdeep   –  
India IN
Visited: June 2025 Reviewed: Jun 3, 2025

Email Arshdeep  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Amazing Safari Experience
5/5

Amazing Safari Experience with Lutea Safaris. Chris, our booking host was very helpful and our safari guide Kevin was super amazing!!

Average User Rating
4.8/5
Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 19
  • 4 star 0
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 1
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