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Apodiformes Adventures
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority, AFRICA TOURISM ASSOCIATION & FRIENDS OF NAIROBI NATIONAL WILDILIFE CONSERVATION
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $75 to $250 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IT
Email Alessandro B. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing wildlife, country, people.
Trip Review: Incredible Kenya Adventure (August 3 - August 13)
I just returned from an unforgettable trip to Kenya, taking place from August 3 to August 13, and it was truly a dream come true! We traveled with Apodiformes Tours, and I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Our journey included visits to some of Kenya's most stunning destinations: the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli National Park, and Tsavo National Park. Each location offered its own unique beauty and a plethora of wildlife.
Kicking off our adventure in the Masai Mara, we were treated to remarkable wildlife sightings, including the Great Migration. The thrill of watching wildebeest and zebras traversing the vast plains was something I will never forget. Our driver, Kim, expertly navigated the reserve, ensuring that we had the best views of animals, including lions, cheetahs, and elephants.
Next, we visited Lake Naivasha, where we went on a delightful boat ride. The serene waters were home to a variety of birds, including pelicans and herons, and we even spotted a few hippos lounging nearby. The scenery was stunning, with lush green surroundings and a sense of peace that invigorated us for the next leg of our journey.
Our trip continued to Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is famous for its vibrant flamingos and diverse wildlife. Kim guided us through the park, where we were able to see the stunning pink hues of the lake, as well as rhinos and a variety of other wildlife. The sight of a rhino was a personal highlight for me!
Amboseli was another highlight of our tour. With Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, the views were breathtaking. We were fortunate to see large herds of elephants up close, and again, Kim's deep knowledge of the area made our experience richer. He shared fascinating facts about the ecology of the park and the conservation efforts for its wildlife.
Lastly, we explored the magnificent Tsavo National Park. Its vast landscapes and vibrant ecosystems left us in awe. We spotted plenty of wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species. The sense of adventure was palpable, and we loved every moment of our time there.
Throughout our journey, Kim was an outstanding driver and guide. His expertise and passion for wildlife and culture enriched our experience immensely. Kim was friendly, accommodating, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure we had an incredible time.
The accommodations arranged by Apodiformes Tours were excellent, providing great comfort after our daily adventures. Each lodge and camp featured warm hospitality and delicious food, making our stay even more enjoyable.
Overall, my trip to Kenya from August 3 to August 13 with Apodiformes Tours was a remarkable adventure filled with stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, and rich cultural experiences. I am grateful for the memories made and highly recommend this tour company and especially Kim as a guide to anyone looking to explore the beauty of Kenya!
IT
Email Giangi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good operator, Terrific guide!
This was my third safari, the first just me and my 12 ys old son for 12 days
I should divide my review, one for for the support on booking/ organisation of the trip and another one the trip itself.
On the one hand, dealing with Apodiformes was always very easy; since the beginning, they has tried to find the best combination to adapt my request to my budget.
During the trip there were some issues regarding booking and organisation, but Apodiformes has been able to fix always them.
On the other hand, the safari guide Francis was a nightmare and made the whole trip quite painful!
Examples?
- the land rover was almost missing shoking absorber .. and this is crucial when you spend 10 hours per day on streets full of bumps and holes; the door opened during the trip
- the guide was very Often on the phone texting with who-knows instead of been focused on the drive
- often the tend of the land cruise didnt' close completely ... and at 6 am it's very cold
- lack understanding of the trip schedule ... it was me to tell where we had to sleep every day
- he skipped almost 1/3 of the game drives ... everytime with a different excuse
In each game, he was always far from the animal (we have always been on the back of all the other land cruise), no single explenation about parks, animals, ...never asked if we were taking good pictures/spots and if he could leave or if he had to stop.
One day he asked me to pay 200 US a ranger because of some problems with park tickets .. of course I called apodiformes and they fixed it
in few words ... 1 star is even too much.
To sum up, read the review about the best guide and ask to have some of them.
IT
Email Luca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect combo between safari and dream sea
It was our first safari and that's why we were a little scared. Silas proved to be an excellent agent, he always answered all our doubts before and during the tour. all our requests were accepted, beautiful lodges and resorts. all good and scrupulous drivers, Gibson deserves a special mention. He drove perfectly during the safari and always took care of us that everything was fine in the lodge. Even with some waiting, airport transfers were very well organised.
we did the 2 day tour in the Masai Mara and 5 in Diani Beach And I would definitely recommend this agency!!!
Ps: very comfortable jeeps, and that's important when you spend 5 hours on dirt roads!!
CN
Email Ethan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
decent operator, provide excellent Safari.
we were traveling with Sebastian during the Safari who gave us magnificent experience, he's thoughtful and patient, put in all the affort he has to track all the beautiful animals, and tried his best to buy us as much time as he can daring the trip from lake nakuru to amboseli park so that we can have more time doing the game drive. Sebastian is definitely a responsible guide and a good friend.
IT
Email Andrea | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enjoy Safari with Seb!
Dear all,
My wife and I really enjoyed 1 full week around Kenya (Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo) with the best guide Sebastian!
In each game, he tried to catch information around and spot animals and get closer enough for the best pictures.
He has been very kind and professional.
I must mention his VAN, the best (I’m not joking) VAN compared to others. Very powerful/ comfortable both on highways and in off roading (as regular jeep).
He knows shortcuts between destinations so he always choose the best and shortest way.
In case you decide to proceed with a Safari, you should ask for having Sebastian as your guide!
Go Seb! Thanks a lot!
Best
Andrea and Alice
IT
Email Alice | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hakuna Matata Roadtrip Safari
This was our first safari and our first time to Kenya.
I am an extremely exigent client as I have worked for a while in tourism and my husband and I (since we are young adult, we have travel a lot around the world).
Since the beginning, Fredrick (our Apodiform’s account) has tried to find the best combination to adapt our request to our budget.
The travel went smoothly and we really enjoyed Kenya.
However, I should divide my commentary, one for for the support on booking/organisation of the trip and another one the trip itself.
On the one hand, dealing with Apodiformes was not always easy, there were many issues regarding booking and organisation, this could be due to a lack of communication or to the fact they were not fully transparent.
Examples?
- our itinerary pdf reported a lot of mistakes and was not corrected even after having highlighted the discrepancies (wrong arrival time/departure day/activities).
- we had to chase them for pick up time from the airport (they did not reached proactively to give us all the information)
- they told us they could take care of our rigid suitcase when only soft ones were allowed onboard local airplane, but when we arrived at the airport they drop us off and we had to deal with the problem ourselves (the driver has disappeared)
- We were supposed to travel by train from Tsavo to Watamu, but the afternoon before we were informed that plans were changed (they did not book the tickets in advance so the day before the 1st class tickets were sold out! While our trip was prebooked in December)
- They did not include our luggages for another Jambojet Flight so when we arrived at the check in desk they asked us to pay (luckily at the end Frederick sort it out with a live online Payment).
Hence, the tour has been done successfully with very competitive budget (1 full week of safari around Kenya), however we kindly suggest to improve communication/organisation set up to prevent unpleasant situation for the guests.
In addition, I would suggest to share with guests a small guide of extra activities they can do during safaris such as bush breakfast/Bush sunset or dinner or even night safaris. We were interested in that but when we discovered these kind of activities it was too late!!!
On the other hand, our safari guide Sebastian made sure our safari was unbelievable, he was always concerned that we were enjoying every day.
In each game, he tried to catch the information around to get the animals close enough. He was always asking if we were taking good pictures/spots.
Thanks to him, our trip was great!
To sum up, they are really good to adapt to your request and limited budget however they should pay more attention to details and to communication with guests.
US
Email Presley | Experience level: first safari
Excellent choice, treated us very well and gave us the best tour driver Kevin.
Our safari trip to Kenya was nothing short of extraordinary, and much of its success can be attributed to our exceptional driver, Kevin Odeny. From the moment we met Janette at our hotel to finalize our payments and arrange the pickup time for the following morning, we were excited for the adventure ahead. The anticipation only heightened when Kevin arrived the next day, ready to guide us through Kenya's breathtaking landscapes and wildlife.
Our journey began with a drive overlooking and then driving through the stunning Rift Valley. Although the hot chocolate at the break stop was a bit overpriced, the views were worth every penny. Entering Hells Gate National Park within the Rift Valley which, stretches from Mozambique to the Red Sea is a distance of 9600 km, a residue of past volcanic eruptions offered us our first glimpses of Kenya’s wildlife, including baboons, various bird species, giraffes, and hyenas. Kevin expertly maneuvered the vehicle, ensuring we had the best vantage points for photography while sharing his extensive knowledge about the area. We also visited Hells Gate Gorge, with a guide who grew up there as a child and still lives in the area. Navigating the gorge can be tricky at times. Just be careful looking where you are placing your feet, can be slippery at times. The gorge itself is very beautiful with colorful volcanic rock, hot water close to 100degree, and cold water close by. Our gorge guide said as child this where he and other children would fetch hot water pouring from the rocks to make tea which was quicker than making a fire to boil water.
The day's drive took us to Lake Naivasha, where we embarked on a boat ride that was another highlight of our trip for that day. The lake was teeming with life—hippos emerged from the water, a multitude of bird species flitted about, and monkeys even joined us on the boat, adding a delightful touch to our experience. The hotel we stayed at that night offered a fantastic buffet with a variety of local dishes, further enhancing our immersion into the Kenyan experience.
The next leg of our safari was a journey to the Masai Mara, a drive that, while long, and dusty, was full of anticipation and excitement. Kevin provided a thorough briefing on what to expect until we reached the Masai Mara National Reserve. This vast expanse of 1,500 square kilometers is mostly open for game drives, with only 1,000 square kilometers accessible to tourists. The remaining 500 square kilometers are leased for private game drives, adding to the exclusivity of the experience.
At the Masai Mara, we witnessed the awe-inspiring Great Migration of wildebeests, stretching as far as the eye could see. Our safari also included sightings of warthogs, leopards, cheetahs, lions (both male and
female), hyenas, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and a myriad of bird species. Cheetahs we understand is very hard to find, however Kevin seems to know where to find these animals. Kevin’s deep understanding of the park’s layout and his driving skills were crucial to these encounters. Taking us right on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. The terrain was bumpy and dusty, but Kevin's expertise ensured a smooth ride whenever possible choosing optimal positioning for photos.
Kevin’s ability to navigate the competitive environment of safari vehicles was impressive. During encounters with elusive animals like leopards, cheetahs, and lions, Kevin consistently secured the best spots for us to capture incredible photographs. He deftly maneuvered through a sea of vehicles, showcasing a level of skill and familiarity that set him apart. His ability to work the angles and timing allowed us to get up close and personal with the wildlife, far surpassing what many other drivers I observed could offer. Our day ended with us visiting the Masai Mara Community. Meeting with this group of people listening to their folklore, cultural way of life, and taking part in their communal festivities only enriched our experience to another level.
Our adventure continued at Lake Nakuru, another remarkable destination on our itinerary. Here, Kevin’s expertise shone once again. Although all vehicles were required to keep a distance from the rhinos, Kevin skillfully took us closer than most other guides, bringing us within 150 meters of these magnificent creatures. His knack for getting us closer to the action, while still adhering to park regulations, was nothing short of impressive. As other vehicles gathered around us to get a similar view, Kevin’s approach ensured we had a unique and memorable experience.
What truly set Kevin apart was not just his driving skill but also his deep knowledge of the parks and the wildlife. He was always ready to answer questions, offer historical insights, and share fascinating facts about the flora and fauna. As I listened in on conversation after conversation I hear about his reputation among other safari drivers, hotel staff, game wardens, and fellow guides was a testament to his professionalism and respect in the field.
In summary, our safari experience was enhanced immensely by Kevin's exceptional guiding. His blend of skill, knowledge, and passion made our trip unforgettable. From navigating the rugged terrains to securing the best photographic opportunities, Kevin’s expertise was invaluable. We saw and learned more than we had hoped for, all thanks to his outstanding guidance. There is so much more to write, however time and space will not allow. This safari has been a dream come true, and Kevin has set a high standard for future adventures. We will cherish these memories and hope to embark on another safari soon, ideally with Kevin at the helm.
SG
Email JJ | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Guide Big Tom was great, but we were temporarily switched to Ol Tukai as the operator
Guide Big Tom was great, but we were temporarily switched to Ol Tukai as the operator.
Lucky Kenya trip: We saw the wildebeest migration, the "Heaven's River Crossing," the Black Rock family, the Big Five of Africa, and more. Special thanks to guide Big Tom for his strong social network and for letting us experience the wild Africa in its entirety. The "Heaven's River Crossing" was particularly rare and unforgettable. We drove 4 hours through a private park to catch this rare sight. Tom was also very meticulous about the lunch view locations, always taking us to enjoy different views. Highly recommended!
Hotel Reviews:
Kibo Lounge: A standard 4-5 star hotel, with some wind, and the water was quite cold on the first day but better on the second day. Not sure if it’s related to solar heating. The second day had more sunlight (Originally Ol Tukai switched us to this hotel; we had visited Ol Tukai and felt it was better).
SOPA Lounge: Located by Lake Naivasha, focusing on close animal encounters. We really liked it. At night, hippos and zebras come into the park to graze. The hotel facilities are the most refined among those we stayed in, and the rooms have WiFi coverage.
Sarova Lounge: Near Lake Nakuru, it has the simplest decor among the hotels we visited but is located within the park, which may justify its price.
Mara Engai: Luxurious, with a "Lion King" view overlooking the savannah. The wooden furniture and large tents are impressive. Located within the park, it is said that elephants may migrate through the hotel in August.
IN
Email Metikurke | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best experience with knowledge
Embarking on a Masai Mara and Kenya safari is an unforgettable adventure that immerses you in the heart of Africa’s natural splendor. The Masai Mara, with its expansive savannahs and rolling hills, offers an unparalleled wildlife experience. Witnessing the Great Migration is a spectacle like no other, where thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains in a breathtaking display of nature’s grand design. Our guide Nick was the best!
Kenya's diverse landscapes, from the lush highlands to the arid deserts, provide a stunning backdrop for this journey. The safari experience is enriched by encounters with the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—each sighting a thrilling testament to the region's rich biodiversity.
The Masai people, with their vibrant culture and warm hospitality, add a unique cultural dimension to the trip. Their traditional dances, crafts, and stories provide a deeper understanding of the region’s heritage.
Accommodations range from luxurious lodges to intimate tented camps, ensuring comfort while maintaining a close connection to the natural world. Guided by knowledgeable and passionate rangers, every game drive is a new discovery, filled with insightful observations and thrilling moments.
Overall, a Masai Mara and Kenya safari is a mesmerizing journey through some of the world’s most iconic landscapes, offering a profound appreciation for wildlife, culture, and the wild beauty of Africa.
NZ
Email Sally | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fabulous Attention to Detail
Our family of 4 siblings arranged a 21 day holiday in Kenya and Tanzania, through Silas of Apodiformes adventures. It was many months in the planning, and Silas was helpful, always available, ready to discuss and advise. We stayed in Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara in Kenya, then a land border crossing into Tanzania and Northern Serengeti, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro, then back to Kenya for Amboseli and Tsavo. So we packed a lot into our 3 weeks, but all the parks are so diverse, we're glad we did it this way.
This is my 3rd time to East Africa but my first time with Apodiformes. As advised, I got 5 quotes, but Apodiformes were significantly cheaper, for much the same accommodation, parks, etc. We paid the deposit through the banking system, but Silas then mentioned the remaining amount should be paid in US$ cash - I was a bit wary. I rang Silas, and he explained it is because of credit fees, we could pay that way, but would incur significantly higher costs. We brought the cash! 😊 It was fine.
Our accommodation was of a lovely standard, a mixture of Serena and Simba Lodges. Food was buffet style, something to suit everyone, and tasty and nutritious. Our guides were friendly, and knowledgeable, Michael (Kenya); Hosea (Tanzania); Daniel (Kenya). Fortunately not the sort to spend all the driving time talking on their cellphones. They were great, especially Michael and Daniel - Hosea was lovely, but drove very fast at times, without explaining we were heading to see something!
On that score - we were so lucky with what we saw; we saw everything! The big 5 (several times); the Samburu 5; so many of the cat family - right down tothe elusive serval, and the Caracal!
We absolutely loved our time in Kenya and Tanzania, and owe many thanks to Silas for his experience and planning.
