Reviews

Average User Rating
4.7/5

Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 32
  • 4 star 2
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 2
  • 1 star 0

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Brad   –  
China CN
Visited: October 2024 Reviewed: May 12, 2025

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

The review below is the personal opinion of Brad and not that of SafariBookings.
Jamlan's trip arrangement is disappointing
2/5

Last Oct, we booked two trips from two trip operators in Kenya. One 8 - day trip from Nairobi to Amboseli, Tsavo and Diani, which turns out to be perfect; the other from Nairobi to Nakuru to Masai Mara operated by Jamlan Holiday, which is quite disappointing.

We soon found all the hotels Jamlan booked for us are outside the park upon the start of the trip (in most cases, the hotels and lodges outside the park are cheaper than those located inside the parks). That truly cost our much time on the way and largely reduce our time inside the park. For example, when reaching Nakuru, we had to go through traffic jams of a city besides Nakuru to eventually arrive at the hotel inside the city. I then asked Jamlan to make adjustments but was refused with nice excuses like their operation cost is too high.

It seems they don't understand tourists can calculate the average price per day and compare it with that of other trips. Also they don't understand we can talk with other tourists to make comparisons.

So, I strongly suggest all guests planning to book the trips operated by Jamlan Holiday to check the locations and prices of the hotels, as that is an important part to decide the quality of your trip.

Reply from Jamlan Holiday Safaris
Reply from Jamlan Holiday Safaris
Posted on May 12, 2025

Dear Brad,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We genuinely appreciate your insights, as they help us continue improving our services.

We are glad to hear that you had a wonderful experience on your first trip and regret that the second trip did not fully meet your expectations. Our team works hard to design itineraries that balance quality and cost-effectiveness, and we always aim to provide accommodations that align with our clients' preferences and budgets. The hotels selected for your journey were chosen with these factors in mind and were shared with you before your trip, with your approval.

We apologize if the location of the hotels outside the parks impacted your experience. We understand the importance of proximity in maximizing time inside the parks, and we are always open to customizing itineraries and accommodation options when requested. We value your feedback and will use it to better communicate with future guests regarding accommodation options and their impact on travel time.

Thank you once again for your feedback. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide a more tailored experience.

Ulrich   –  
Germany DE
Visited: August 2024 Reviewed: Aug 29, 2024

Email Ulrich  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

The review below is the personal opinion of Ulrich and not that of SafariBookings.
Very good guide but lack of organisation and support by operator
2/5

First of all: Our guide was friendly and competent, so we spend a pleasant time.

Now the reason for the two star review:

- First of all, we did two gamedrives less compared to the itinerary. This was strongly recommended by the guide since the location of the lodges would not allow to complete the program as it was foreseen by the operator.

- Second, the transport to our hotel after completion of the tour was organized poorly and took several hours more than necessary. After suggesting an alternative transport I was offered transfer by car for 230 US Dollars, more than three times the price charged by our hotel.

- In the morning of the last day the operator approved our request to be dropped at Sala Gate, instead of Voi Gate. Thereafter I ordered a transfer to the hotel. Two hours later, shortly before departure and after I ordered the driver, we were told that a transfer to Sala Gate would not be approved, since the operator did not want to pay the fuel for an extra 150km (of course, the two gamedrives less were not refunded).

- Instead we should rush to Voi, where we were supposed to take a car from Voi to Malindi. So we left the lodge early and skipped the gamedrive scheduled for this day

- Arriving in Voi it turned out that there was no space for us in the car - so we had to wait two hours two hours to take the train to Mombasa.

All in all there was a total lack of organisation and support once the money was paid. The refusal of driving us 75km to Sala Gate was rediculous, considering the price of the safari and the fact, that the operator delivered two gamedrives less than promised.

Reply from Jamlan Holiday Safaris
Reply from Jamlan Holiday Safaris
Posted on Sep 3, 2024

Dear Ulrich, Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you found our guide to be friendly and competent, and that you enjoyed your time with him. However, we are deeply sorry to learn about the logistical issues you encountered during your safari. Your experience does not reflect the high standards we strive to maintain.

We apologize for the changes to your itinerary, including the missed game drives and the confusion regarding your transport arrangements. We understand how frustrating this must have been, especially given the expectations you had based on the original plan. The miscommunication regarding the drop-off at Sala Gate and the subsequent transportation delays are not acceptable, and we regret the inconvenience this caused you.

Please know that we take your feedback very seriously and will be reviewing these issues with our team to ensure that such problems do not occur in the future. We value your business and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a much-improved experience should you choose to travel with us again.

Thank you once again for your honest review.

Average User Rating
4.7/5
Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 32
  • 4 star 2
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 2
  • 1 star 0
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