ready to serve
Apodiformes Adventures
- Office 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)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
ES
Email Jaime F | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Can't trust Silas
Sadly I have to agree with some of the reviews about Apodiformes Adventures.
During the hiring process, Silas, the owner of Apodiformes replied to my messages right away, adapting to our needs and promising an exceptional quality of service.
Being our honeymoon, we hired a safari considered luxury (over 4000 EUR for 5 nights), requesting booking at very specific accommodations.
Until we formalized the reservation (transfer of 40% of the total) evething was fine. Once the payment was done the problems started to show up. The most wanted accomodation, Enkewa in Masai Mara, did not accept the reservation for not complying with their conditions (minimum 3 nights stay and take care of safaris in Masai Mara). Silas lied that they knew the accommodation and had previously worked.
The alternative was Olengoti Eco Camp, this accommodation has two types of room, tent and bungalow. The bungalow was requested (and paid for). Upon arrival at the Camp, the staff informed that our booking was at the inferior category and that they had no availability to manage the changeo of room. Silas lied again saying that the fault came from the camp (they showed me the booking made from Apodiformes) and that all rooms had the same price.
The third day of safari we had an incident with the car, we were standing 6h waiting for the repair. The guide asked us to take it easy and ask us to eat/drink in the cafeteria that the agency would cover. This never happened, not only that, Silas knowing the issue never got in touch with us in the whole week to check how things were going. We lost one day of safari and he didn't even care.
In the agreed itinerary, later that day we had a stop at Tompson Falls for lunch. We had to argue with the guide because Silas had not informed him and did not want to stop or pay the tickets.
With all the above being said, the overall experience was very good, thanks to John (our great guide) and the staff of the camps/lodges, but I would never hire them again for the lack of honesty and service provided by Silas.
It may be slightly cheaper than other companies but the price difference does not justify having to be constantly alert, feeling cheated and with the sensation that if there had been any problem the agency would not have helped or solved anything.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Oct 2, 2023Halo Jaime,
We feel sorry and remorseful about the unfortunate experience . We value all our clients and always do our best to ensure they have Wonderful Holidays with us. Your case regarding the few incidents during the trip is an indication that there was miscommunication from both Parties. We promise to IMPROVE and work on the points noted above.
APODIFORMES TEAM
CY
Email William | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Silas arranged our safari over five national parks in Kenya to match our requirements and route.
This was a private safari, just my wife and I, taking in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and Tsavo West over 12 days. All parks had different terrain/landscape and we saw the big five plus so much more! Comparing with safari in Kruger RSA we saw more different animals and in greater numbers in Kenya. Our driver / ranger (Nelson) was very knowledgeable and helpful but not intrusive and this made for an excellent safari overall. Camp accommodation, food and service were excellent, all staff were friendly and helpful.
A caring , competent,personal local tour operator
We hired Apodiformes for a 6 day safari tour and 3 day stay at Diani Beach. It was phenominal! Silas made sure we were taken care of in every aspect of our trips. He also arranged beaufiful superior accommodations everyhere we went,each with a beautiful swimming pool to enjoy at the end of each day. The food at each of these places was incredible,smorgasborg style with incredible choices. Our safari guide,Maxwell was an absolute gem. He was honest ,hard working and diligent in making sure we saw everything. He stopped whenever we needed and made sure we had lots of time to see animals and birds closely. He was kind ,personable and fun to be with and most importantly an excellent and careful driver over some pretty challenging roads. We highly recommend this tour agency not only because they are local but because they give superior personal and much cheaper tours over the many international companies like Go etc
Do not book a tour through an agency in your own country. You end up paying up to 300 percent more. Book on line a great local tour group like Apodiformes . You will not be disappointed and you are directly helpng the locals. Thanks Silas and Maxwell for such the wonderful and memorable experience you gave us. We will recommend you to all our friends
HU
Email Katalin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very reliable tour operator giving the best possible experience
We had a beautiful holiday - including a 6-day safari and a beach holiday - in Kenya thanks to the team of Apodiformes Adventures. We chose them to organize our trip because Silas was the first to answer for our quote request and we found both the description of the tour and the price very reasonable. Silas was always quick and helpful to respond our questions/requests while we were preparing for the tour. Everything was just perfect during our stay in Kenya. We enjoyed the safari very much and we are so grateful to our guide, Jackton who is one of the best guides, I am sure :-). Thanks to him we could always watch the animals "in the first row". Jackton did all his best to take us as close to the animals as we could get. Not only did he give us a lot of information about everything and answered all our questions, but he also took a very good care of us: we always had drinking water in our car, we never had to use bush toilet, because he always found better solutions, etc. We are extremely satisfied with the organization of the tour, with all kind of accommodation we used (safari camps, lodge, beach hotel) and with the service we received. So, thank you Silas, Jackton and Joseph for making our trip so memorable. You deserve 5+ for your service :-).
AE
Email Carlos | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Chased by Armed Park Rangers with kids inside the Jeep
Be very careful, Silas’ tour driver, lied to my an my family about the Jeep being broke down. He stole the money I payed to entered the Masai Mara Park & left us stranded at the hotel instead of taking us to the National Reserve. Silas made excuses not to refund the money stolen and never payed back. The day before, this driver Peter didn’t stop at a Ranger security checkpoint, and the rangers chased our Jeep with guns while I had 3 small kids & 1 baby inside the car. After raising a formal complaint to Silas about his driver, He never reimbursed the money stolen and the time we lost. Be very careful with this company, don’t be fooled. Awful experience in a Africa with kids, being robbed and chased with family when we just wanted to have fun at the Masai Mara Park. I will never come back to that place and never would consider using this thieves’ company.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Feb 24, 2020Halo Carlos,
We are surprised that you have extended your threats to this end!
I want to state as follows;
1. You did not book this safari through safaribookings.
You were referred by a client who had booked a succesful safari with us through Tourist Link. His good experience with us made you book this safari!
2. We organized for you a 2 night safari to Mara Mara of which I personally picked you from the airport and handed you to our driver who was to be your tour guide.
3. You went for safari and came back a happy man with your family and Upon being dropped to the airport to take your flight home, you gave the tour guide some good tip , an indication that you were so much satisfied by our services. You did not express any dissatisfaction
4. Two days later I got a whatsapp message from you complaining that the same tour guide you tipped some good money did not deliver to you . You have come up with so much allegations that the driver did not take you to all the game drives as required .
For this reason, you have kept demanding and threatening the Company to refund you half of the money you paid ( that is half of 1500USD which 750USD).
When we saw this review on safribookings this morning , we realized that indeed you are not genuine and consider you as someone who is out to destroy and bring down our Company as you have severally indicated in your past whatsapp messages . You have repeatedly made it clear to us that you will bring down this Company by all means.
5. You have gone ahead to say in your allegations that you were chased around by game rangers at the park and that you missed game drives . Now brings me back to my question : Before departing to Masai Mara I briefed you about the tour and made it clear that your tour guide who was your driver had all the money for your park fees. I gave the guide all the money in broad day light with you sitted and watching.
Masai Mara Game Reserve has specific entries where all vehicles use. You cannot get into the park with tourists without paying. I find it hard to belive that you entered the park and the rangers kept chasing you around.
6. Finally despite having two nights in Masai Mara, you never bothered to call me informing me about the problems you were facing. Why did you tip the guide after all this bad experience? Why did you wait to reach home and start threatening me while you had my phone number and email during safari ? If indeed you were genuine you could have called or even informed the lodge to call me following all these problems you were experiencing . You have severally threatened and insisted that you will make sure our Company is bankrupt or closed! Is this the right way to solve issues?
We are a professional Tour Company in Kenya which operates on strict ethical guidlines .
kind regards
Email Laura | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari holiday
The service Silas provides is second to none. Both he and our safari driver James took care of us with the highest professionalism and made our Nairobi city tour and safari (Masai Mara, lake Naivasha, lake Nakuru and Amboseli) a great experience we will never forget. Thanks a lot to both, we wish you all the best for the future and hope to use your services again soon.
DE
Email Franz | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
The organization was top from beginning to end! Pick up in Naivasha and bring back to Nairobi no problem. our driver was really great and made a real effort. We had one of those little busses where you can stand and look out of the open roof. Room and board were convenient ... you may not ask for too much for a price of $ 300 ... had to send $ 100 via PayPal and then pay the rest locally. Currency is not a problem. have seen everything except rhinos. We recommend.
LU
Email Melanie | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A pleasant adventure in the wild with balloon flight
The communications, services were on the top. The safari tour was something unforgettable. Very many emotions and very nice experience.
The organizer Stephen of the tour is a very kindly person and very helpful. He also helped us to get the tickets for the train (not included in safari).
The drivers are professional, they know all about their job, the cars were always clean.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Oct 24, 2019Halo Melanie...It was nice serving you. Unfortunately you forgot my name too fast....Am SILAS not STEPHEN! Looking forward to have you back in Kenya again!
MY
Email Kai | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable and Trustworthy
It was my first safari and I was looking forward to it. As I was travelling solo into foreign territory, Silas’s helpfulness and commitment to customer service helped me navigate the choices in customising an adventure I’ll never forget. I was expecting a guide but got a guardian brother in Michael, who had taken great care of me , attending to my needs and most importantly, managed to deliver the Big 5 sightings in my first safari. Truly remarkable and reliable. Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime. Couldn’t recommend highly enough.
IN
Email Shalini | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Experience, Fantastic and Smooth Service, Amazing Tour Guide
I was travelling from India with my sister and we were concerned about our safety. They assured us that it is going to be very safe and very reliable. They gave us the best rates and also helped us customize our tour as per our requirements. The communication was crystal clear and Silas was patient as we were asking questions. The service was fantastic. Our tour guide was Sebastian and he took care of us very well. This gentleman made sure that we did everything on our itinerary and also made sure that we got enough time to relax. We got so much local information about the tribes, local customs and the birds/animals in the safari. He took care of our dietary restrictions and made sure that we are always happy. I also noticed other operators as I was there and I believe none of the others got the kind of service that we got. This was truly my best trip and I would totally encourage you to go with them.
