Leopard Orchid Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CH
Email Gregor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
a lot of promises but reality was different
We chose this company because contact with Elija was very good... The company made a good impression and had good reviews...
We had a driver and guide Zachary... he was good at finding animals but he is not good guide. he constantly ignored our requests - it was private tour! he was all the time too late. We heard excuses all the time...
I would like to report briefly the day after the day:
1. On the first day our driver fell asleep while driving. We didn't feel safe... We thought - ok. it's first day... Maybe he had something important and couldn't get enough sleep
2. We started second day in Tsavo. It was nice there... We should go at lunchtime to Amboseli and have there afternoon game drive.. He informed us - He needs to have repaired his windshield wipers... he should know mechanic and it should take us 20 minutes. We spent 4 hours there and they didn't work. He didn't explain anything to us. we didn't get anything to eat... That day we still had to weld our shock absorbers...Zachary drove really fast on the bumpy road...
3. The third day in Amboselli was great. We hoped - it will be better... It won't be...
4. We came to Naivasha - he said us - we should pay for boat ride... we showed him on the program that this was included. He called long with Elija... In the end we didn't have to pay but that was annoying again
5. We wanted to change our program and do short hike - he told us that it will cost 20 USD... We either had to walk on dusty road or rent bikes because we couldn't get to this trail by car... we learned there that at beginn of this trail were a lot of cars... ok doesnt matter... everything cost almost 60 USD... Zachary should wait for us. We came back - he wasn't there. We called him - he said he had a flat tire on the way... We went there by bikes... that wasn't true. We waited in full sun for him one hour! We lost one hour of our game drive in the afternoon.
6. It was Friday... We were supposed to spend the afternoon of this day, the next all day and half on the next day (Sunday) in Masai Mara... Its the best park and we wanted to spent there at least. 2 days...
In the morning we were informed that the rules had changed and we would not be able to enter on the last day. If we want to do that then we have to pay extra 80 USD. Zachary advised us against it because we would have a long way to Nairobi... we suggested: we are going to Masai Mara as soon as possible and we spend more time there on this day. He agreed. On the way he didnt't talk to us... We drove to the camping site and waited there 2 hours - We didn't know what we were waiting for. We think that he didnt want to pay for 2 days in Masai Mara... It was emberassing...
7. It was great day in Masai Mara.
8. We visited Masai village and went to Nairobi... We arrived there at 4 pm and we Zachary wanted to take us to the airport (we should spent evening in restaurants... - we had a flight at 4 am and that's why we wanted to spend half a day in the national park and not in the city... I asked Elija for it in many of mails... We suggested too that we visit Masai village on first day (Friday) - Visit in Village took us only one hour... It could be a option... Zachary told us - It is impossible - Elijah asked us at airport - why didn't we do it so - We were surprised that he doesn't know it... Zachary called him a lot... Elijah did us offer and he should react if something doesn't work...
In summary: we heard excuses all the time. Driver was rude and did what he wanted. We suspect - he wanted to pay for everything and wanted to be home so fast as possible.
He suggested us that we go to airport at pm. It's not allowed in Nairobi to come into the departure lounge more than 3 hours before the flight... If we had listened to our guide, we would have spent 9 hours in front of the airport... That shows what a guide is he...
If you want to go with this company, don't pay the entire amount before the end of the trip. It was our mistake. But they made a professional impression.. I'm giving two stars because we saw a lot of animals... But the guide was unprofessional.
We want to visit Africa again but definitely not with Zachary... We thought that he didn't take Elijah seriously either. Elijah made a good impression but for a long time he didn't listen to us but to Zachary... At the airport he asked us how he could compensate us... -
(just one day instead of 1.5 in Amboseli, one day and 2 hours instead of 2 days in Masai Mara...) Sorry Elijah but you should take yours guests seriously...
AT
Email Heidi & Paul | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectly organized, everything went well, you get definitely more than expected
The communication from the beginning was easy - everything went smoothly and worked out perfectly. Leoprad Orchid Safaris organized everthing to our satisfaction, even our individuell wishes have been realized. Pick up from the hotel was on time and the relation with our very good driver Patrick was great from the beginning. His knowledge of the 5 different Parks (Tsavo East and West, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara) and of the wild life was extraordinary and contributed a lot to our perfect game drives. We got definitely more than expected, including stuck in a waterhole or "fighting" with an adult male baboon for bread ;-) or a monkey for a banana :-) during a picknick close to Mara River.
Every game drive is different but we were very lucky to see more than only the "Big Fives" in a fantastic sceenery including Kilimandscharo. Be prepared for some looooong drives, but it is worth. The only recommendation from our side, stay in lodges inside the Parks. Accomodation have been extraordinary including delicious meals, but at Amboseli and Lake Nakuru to stay also inside the park would have given more time for game drives. All together, a great adventure and a perfect safari due to the perfect organisation by Leopard Orchid Safaris and our driver Patrick.
MV
Email Hawwa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Patrick is the best
Elijah picked us from the airport and introduced us to our Driver Patrick and our trip started from that time. Patrick helped us with everything and treated us like family. We had a bit of challenge because our accommodation had very limited electricity but it was solved once we requested them it is very important for us. We travelled to 4 different locations and it was long drives but Patrick made it very comfortable for us. We stayed in beautiful places. It’s called sopa lodge. Nakuru sopa was the best. For safety and comfort I Definitely recommend leopard safari and Patrick. Thank you for making our trip so memorable
Email Sophie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Small, reliable, professional, friendly and great value safari company - we saw the big 5!
We had an amazing time on our 5-day Safari to Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara (our favourite). The animals were everywhere. Elijah and George (our guide) were professional and reliable and quick to answer any questions. The food and accommodation in Amboseli Serena Lodge and Enkorok Mara Camp was excellent and it was interesting to talk with the Maasai.
Elijah (the organiser) met us at the airport transfer and before the safari itself, to explain the plans. George made sure we got to see all the animals, including a leopard, that had been spotted (the guides communicate by radio). The parks were so big that most of the time we could only see one other vehicle. The trip included a picnic lunch under a tree in the Masai Mara. The game drives were usually about 4 hours long and we definitely got our money’s worth.
The distances between the 3 parks were very long and tiring - between 5 and 7 hours every day, a lot of which were on bumpy dirt tracks - but that couldn’t be helped. The 4WD vehicle was quite shabby and not as smart as those of other companies, but maybe this is where costs were shaved off. George appeared knowledgeable but was quite quiet - this was perfect for us.
Email Leah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
professional
The trip at naivasha kinda boring, didn't see many animals. The other three national parks are fantastic! Highly recommend
DE
Email JOHANNA DE JONG | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
**TOP CLASS SERVICES
the staff at leopard orchid safaris were friendly and very cooperative.
well organized team that made our trip so special and fan
i will definitely recommend leopard orchid safaris to anyone
CA
Email Kevin Jeffs | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely positive and helpful,
Honestly we had two guys that were extremely helpful. Both Elijah and Patrick, were great. Our luggage was lost and Elijah was at the airport while we were on the safari trying to get answers for us.
And then Patrick was the driver, extremely positive guy, we got to see everything with him. No matter how we felt tired or frustrated with not having luggage Patrick was always possible and keeping us going. Over I would highly recommend these guys definitely made the trip great
ES
Email Pep | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Always going Beyond expected.
I would like to say that THANK YOU Leopard Orchid Safari for such an amazing experience Of my life.
Taking care Of us, looking for having the Best experience, the Best picture,
The Best position.
Hundreds Of times Thank you Elijah, Thank you Patrick, you are the Best.
I do recomend defenitely this company for your safari.
Email Karen Nicholls | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review of Leopard Orchid Safaris
My husband and I had a fantastic holiday/experience with our driver/guide David. It is definitely worth upgrading to a Land Cruiser as you can go more places whilst on the game drives, and get better views. All four lodges were more than adequate, with execellent food and we are vegetarian. Each day was a real adventure, David didn't mind starting the day at 6am after we had picked up our packed breakfast and lunch. David slightly changed our itinerary sometimes to maximise our quality time on the game drives and when he knew the weather was going to change, we strongly advise you to trust his knowledge and experience and you will have an amazing time. Prior to our safari Leopard Orchid's Elijah was extremely helpful, we must have exchanged dozens of emails as we designed our safari to our exact requirements, Elijah met us at Nairobi airport and personally handed us over to our driver David, he also met up with us on the last day and came to the airport with us which we thought was great customer service. Throughout our whole trip we knew exactly what was going on all of the time and David was very responsive to our requests. I am sure that if you choose Leopard Orchid Safaris you will have the time of your lives, the most amazing photographs and wonderful memories. Regards Karen and Martin.
ES
Email Carolina Ferrando | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable trip
My partner and I went on an 8-day safari in the Samburu, Nakuru, Naivasha and Masai Mara parks.
On the first day, Elijah picked us up (the one who had organized the custom trip for us), and introduced us to Patrick, who was our guide for the 8 days.
Patrick was excellent, we couldn't have had a better guide. He speaks perfect English and has great knowledge of the country, the parks and all the types of animals you can find. In addition, he is a very good person and cares about the client at all times.
At first we had doubts about the company due to the few opinions we had read about it, but without a doubt it was a great success and we would repeat with them.
