NAIROBI KENYA
Balu Travel
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2022)
- Member Of:
- KWS & TRA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $400 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
DE
Email Alexander | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Mara is incredibly wonderful!
We had a wonderful two-night safari to the Masai Mara. Communication with Morris from Balu Travel was smooth, and after some adjustments due to availability, we stayed at Emayian Luxury Camp — an excellent choice with great food, all-inclusive cocktails, and outstanding staff.
Our driver, Kasaine, a local Maasai, is exceptionally well-connected with other drivers and rangers, and knows the Mara inside out. Thanks to his expertise, we experienced incredible sightings. Just half an hour after entering the park, we were five meters from a pride of lions. By the end of our first afternoon, we had seen all of the Big Five and quite a bit more.
The next morning, we left before sunrise for a full-day game drive. Kasaine timed everything perfectly, allowing us to enjoy remarkable locations and wildlife with little or no other vehicles around.
TR
Email Gökhan Ünal | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator quickly assessed our application and perfectly accommodated our request for a phot
Our driver James was smart, attentive and friendly. He took us to all the photographic spots in Amboseli. Our 4x4 vehicle was spotless on every new game drive in this dusty region. I thank him and Balu Tours.
CZ
Email Filip Hrdlicka | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic 3 day trip to Meru NP
We were picked up at our accomodation early morning by our driver - Carlos. And we proceeded straight to our accomodation near Meru NP - iKWETA safari camp. Scenic drive by Mt Kenya.
Accomodation was beautiful tent with everything needed, pool in camp and delicious food. We went for few hour long game drive in the afternoon/evening. We sadly didnt see many animals but the sunset was beautiful.
Early morning next day was a start of full day safari again in Meru. We saw a lot of animals - hippos, a lot of different types of antelopes, hippos, elephants, rhino, lions... etc. We also saw a lot of baby elephants, baby giraffe and baby lions.
Third day after breakfast was the start of our way back to airport. Stopping for a quick break at the equator line. Our driver was very professional and knowledgeable.
JP
Email Mai Kushida | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A professional Maasai guide with a complete mastery of the Maasai Mara land
We joined the group tour as a couple, and he was truly an outstanding tour guide. We could really feel how much effort he put into making the experience enjoyable for us. In this kind of work, where you deal with nature, I believe that information and experience can greatly influence the outcome. Our guide, being Maasai, had not only deep knowledge and insight but also a personality that allowed him to build many friendships and gather valuable information. As a result, he managed to help us achieve the Big Five! (Of course, since this is nature, there is no guarantee you will always see them. But I am sure he has worked very hard, and will continue to work hard, to make such discoveries possible.)
There is one thing I especially want to say to future tour participants: please follow the rules he gives you, so that he can do his best in the best environment possible. It was difficult to watch when he had to gently, but firmly, remind members who broke the rules.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful tour experience.
CN
Email Effy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
familiar with local routes
They are very familiar with local routes, and the service is excellent.
DE
Email Hicham | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience! Thanks to our guide Paul
Unforgettable safari tour. Everything was absolutely fantastic from start to finish.
Most importantly, I want to give the highest praise to our guide, Paul. He was the friendliest and most helpful guide we have ever had. He did everything to make us feel comfortable and was always eager to explain everything about the wildlife and the environment. He is, without a doubt, the best guide ever!
Thank you again for this incredible experience.
Email Julita | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best week of our lives!!!
From the moment we were picked up from Nairobi to the time we got dropped off 7 days later, we honestly had the best time. Our driver, Africa was brilliant. He made us feel welcome, he took well care of us and answered all my questions (and there was many). Africa was very knowledgeable and you could see he enjoys his job and cares about all the animals, big or small. We were never rushed and he was very patient with us and the animals. He was happy to just let us stare at lions for nearly 3 hours and we loved that! Without our driver there is no way we would have been the big 5!
If you are a animal lover, I highly recommend Africa as your driver.
I would also like to thank Morris. This trip of a lifetime could not have happened without Morris. He answered all my questions - super quickly, changed the schedule and did adjustments to fit our budget.
Again, thank you!!! 5 star experience!
US
Email Wayne and Sarah | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Experience and Service
We would highly recommend Balu Travel Ltd for safari in Masai Mara. Morris with Balu Travel arranged for our safari tour and gave recommendations on hotels to suit our needs and budget. He answered all questions promptly starting months ahead to the day of travel.
Carlos was our driver and guide for the three day tour and was exceptional! He provided for our safety throughout the tour and was adept at finding animals in Masai Mara. We engaged him almost constantly with questions and enjoyed our discussions along with humorous moments. We highly recommend Balu Travel and Carlos as driver and guide
US
Email Dorsel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Balu Travel exceeded my expectations - and they are very high - 10 stars
This summer, my family visited the Masai Mara Reserve for a safari with Balu Travel Limited, so our 8-year-old son could experience wild animals in their natural habitat, and we had such an incredible experience.
Upon our arrival at Nairobi International, the Balu team met us at the airport and transported us to our hotel. This was a no-hassle experience which started the trip on a wonderful note. After a long flight and landing in a strange international airport for the first time, it was awesome to walk outside and have someone meet you right where you were. We stayed overnight at Hotel Boulevard. This hotel was one of about 5 recommended by Balu and it was a great choice. The hotel had all the toiletries and a very attentive front desk staff. There is a restaurant on site.
I was in constant communication with Mr. Morris, who always answered my many many questions – thoroughly. He told me exactly what time our guide would pick us up the next morning.
The next day, our tour guide, Mr. Isaac, picked us up from the hotel at about 6AM and transported us via our private tour bus to the Masai Mara.
When we got to our luxury hotel, ‘Jambo Mara Lodge,’ we were welcomed with watermelon juice and a wet warm rag to wipe and refresh ourselves. The staff provided exceptional service, and we were escorted to the restaurant because we were on time for lunch. We were then escorted to our personal glass cottage. The meals we ate there for the duration of our time were wonderful as we enjoyed African dining at its finest. The water/juices were safe to drink. The spreads and varieties of food – for every meal – was awesome. It was all displayed so elegantly, and tastefully. The staff was so wonderful, pleasant and helpful – attending to our every need.
Later that afternoon, we embarked on our first ever -Game Drive (safari) where we saw a wide array of animals in their natural habitat including gazelles, impalas, zebras, wilde beasts, vultures, elephants, baboons, and lions. That was a taste of great things to come.
On day 2, we started our game drive at 7:30AM, and we shared our anticipated animal encounter list with Isaac, and he said he will take us to the various animals. First up, we saw a lion and lioness up close, along with other tour trucks, as they gave us a dating and mating show. The experience was amazing, and Isaac told us that this can happen many, many times a day. From there, Isaac took us where we saw a giraffe tower (many giraffes together-tallest animal in the world). We also saw cheetahs, cranes, ostriches, warthogs, meercats, water buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, and many more lions, gazelles, impalas, zebras, wilde beasts, giraffes, and many others. Many of the animals walked alongside our vehicle on the tour trail, and this was very exciting to behold. We always felt safe with Isaac and focused on enjoying the experience.
Around midday, we found a balanitis tree in an open area where we had our first bush lunch with many wild animals in the background. This was in the Serengeti Park in an area were Kenya borders Tanzania. The feeling we experienced during this moment was phenomenal. We were able to call family back home as far as the Caribbean (via what’s app - video) and share the experience with them.
After lunch, we continued our game drive where we saw many more animals. We were taken to see Crocodiles and hippos, where a special ranger took us along the bank of a river to see them. This was one of the animals my son wanted to see. This is an experience we will never forget.
We enjoyed every bit of our game drives.
Now I will talk about our tour guide – Isaac. I do not have enough positive words to describe Isaac. This man was exactly what we needed. On the way to the Maasi Mara, he introduced us to the local music and had us dancing and learning Swahili very early on the trip. Isaac is down to earth, warm, friendly, caring and just downright awesome. He bonded with my 8-year-old in a way that makes this mother’s heart so happy. Isaac is now part of our extended family. We gave him a list of the animals we wanted to see and (I still don’t know how) but he knew how to maneuver that great span of Safari and find the animals we wanted to see. There are no road or directional signs on the safari. It is amazing to see how he knew where to go.
We had so many questions, he answered them all, he went above and beyond each time. He was always on time to start our days. He left no stone unturned for us. He was obviously known and respected by his peers (he seemed to know everybody, and everybody knew and respected him). Our tour guide- Isaac was very knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. I could not ask for a better experience than we had with him. We were sad when the safari ended, and my son cried.
As a reference point, we are a family of 3 - 2 parents and an 8-year-old boy. We travelled from Tampa Fl, went through London, to get to Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi – Kenya. I was anxious leading up to the travel date. This was a whole new world for us and the media can be cruel. The places we stayed at were top class. I remember contacting one of the hotels and asking if they provide towels and toiletries. I needed to know how to pack. They provided everything – from shower caps to bedroom slippers, toothbrushes and Jambo Mara even had robes. The experience we had was better than most top-class hotels in the US.
If you are reading this and are apprehensive in choosing a company, choose Balu Travel. Morris took care of all the details, and it was a seamless transaction. I had no issues – NO ISSUES. From the time we exited the airport, until Isaac dropped off at our hotel in Nairobi, we were taken care of to the utmost degree. We have no reservations with recommending Balu Travel – there is nothing they could have done better – it was the best.
We will never forget his experience and will be forever grateful to Balu Travel and by extension – Isaac.
IT
Email Andrea | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect organization
Amazing Safari experience, Balu organized a perfect tour at a low price. Recommended
