The Team Behind Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris
Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris Ltd
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2003)
- Member Of:
- Eco Tourism & Kenya Wildlife Services
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $64 to $490 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Emily | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent communication, organisation, advice and value for a bespoke 17-day safari / gorillas trip
Myself and my female friend, two professional women in our mid 30s, have booked a personalised 17-day safari trip for August this year.
We were both really impressed by the personal advice and service that Mr. Otieno gave us whilst we planned outer trip. He came up with a fantastic personalised itinerary that included all the things we wanted to do and see in the 17-days we have available - including all the best safari sites in Tanzania and Kenya, a visit to the gorillas in Uganda, and arrival and departure using the most convenient airports for us. He also advised us on the type of accommodation we might want, according to our personal preferences.
Mr Otieno was constantly available by Skype and by email to answer all my many questions! He showed excellent and patient communication and always responded immediately. He also gave us a fantastic price which met our budget requirements but still allows us to do all we had hoped for and more. He provided immediate receipts for the deposit transferred in advance.
We are very happy with the booking and organisational service that he has provided, and his communication and humour through the quite nerve-wracking decision-making process!
We can't wait to set out in August!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kind, Flexible and great communication.
I'm from Italy. I will travel to Kenya in August 2014 with 9 more people. So this is a Pre-review.
Up to today I have only positive things to say about Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris Ltd. They were really fast to answer my first enquiry and also open to changes and ready to solve all our problems.
Mr Otieno answered all my e-mails at lightning speed (some safari operators answer after months), always ready to answer questions and doubts. We also had a phone call (and will have more) which is positive to have a better "human" connection. I also found the prices very convenient compared to many other operators. Especially the ones selected by travel agencies.
We can't wait to start the adventure.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A tour operator that can provide adventures in whole East Africa and adjust them to your wishes.
Early February 2014 I made, together with a Swedish friend, a gorilla trip to Uganda combined with a Safari day in Lake Nakuru Game Park in Kenya. The arrangements as a whole were well carried out, especially the visits to Lake Nakuru and the trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where we saw the gorillas from a distance of 6-7 meters. We also spent two days in Kampala and half a day in the town of Nakuru.
We were provided a Toyota car with a good driver and a sidekick to him who took care of all administrations (hotels, food etc) along the trip. As a whole the accommodations were good, though we had some complaint about the hotel in Kabale where we one day went out of water for some time. But the hotel staff was friendly and did their best to minimize our situation when carrying buckets of hot water up to our rooms.
As a whole the tour company lived up more then well to our expectations. We got to see what we wanted to see, and a little more.
US
Email Emily | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very personal service
I arranged a tour to Lake Naivasha through Kenya Walking Survivor's Safaris. I was the only person on the tour this day and the company was very helpful in arranging it to suit my interests and needs. I highly recommend including the optional hippo boat trip on the lake. We saw dozens of hippos, as well as birds, zebras, and giraffes. Unfortunately, we weren't able to walk with the animals at the crater due to buffalo in the area, but the hike was still beautiful! Overall it was a great tour by a friendly and accommodating company!
Email Mehti A. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If I had to rate only based on our tour guide I would give it 5 stars.
This was our first visit to Africa and there were a lot of concerns ranging from safety to housing. In addition, I had my concerns regarding transferring large amounts of money (price for our safari) to a bank account in Africa, however I must admit I was very impressed with Mr Otieno's. He was kind enough to speak with me over the phone which gave me a lot of re-assurance. Overall, me and my wife were very satisfied and would like to return again, this time we are planning to visit Uganda.
I think the only reason I have given 4 stars rather than 5, is because when we booked our trip to Nakuru I specifically mentioned that I wish to see flamingos and we were not told that there are no flamingos. We only got to know about flamingos when we came to Nakuru and our guide (who was amazing btw, see below) told us that flamingos haven't been at Nakuru for past 2 years... They have moved to Kisumu and other places.
I would like to add that if you do decide to chose Walking Survivors Safari, I cannot stress enough, you must ask for Sylus Bala. I think if it wasn't for him we would not have enjoyed our tour as much. He loves what he is doing and as a result the whole experience is just much more pleasant. Also, he knows some gems like an island in Naivasha where you get to walk with the animals (unlike safari where you are always in the car)... If I knew him before our trip, I would have let him to plan it all...
Either way do visit Kenya it is beautiful country!
CA
Email ~Tzonoqua~ | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Booking with Kenya Walking Survivors Safari
I booked a safari with KWSS on May 21/2014, after much searching online for a safari that would be able to take me to the places I wanted to see. It had been proving very difficult as a solo traveler to find a 14 day safari (I did not want to have to do two or more safari's with different outfits), most T/O's wanted you to do 5-7 days, then go on a another safari. I contacted Mr OT and sent him the list of places I wanted to hopefully see in my 14 day visit, he sent me back a safari that was 13 days and more of the places than I had planned. Two places I had not thought I could get to, he had tagged onto my safari (not knowing I wanted to see them). And, I had one day left at the end in Nairobi to fill up with the Nairobi area sights. Mr OT answered all of my emails at lightening speed, even when I know it was the middle of the night for him. My safari is not until October, so a safari review is pending. I am looking forward to sleeping alone in a tent with the great outdoors of Africa, and all of it's wildlife on the other side of the zipper!
VN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very high price quality ratio operation
I have booked two daytrips with this company. For both trips I inquired only one day in advance, because they replied almost immediately this was not a problem and I could book without any problem. Both trips did not require a deposit and were very affordable, it seems like there was no extra charge for the fact that I was traveling by myself, both times I had a private tour.
Before I left I was slightly suspicious as the prices (especially for a private tour) were very low compared to the competition. This was not necessary as both trips were excellent!
The first trip was the 1 day nairobi green crater lake. The park was really nice, giraffe's, zebra's and antilopes all gathered in one place, we also saw buffalo's, eland's and warthogs. The director wanted a day out of the office so he did the trip himself, Otieno is a really nice guy and seems to have a long term vision in which he values customer experience over short term gain as he would like to build up a good reputation.
The second trip was to nairobi national park. This one was more expensive (150 dollars), but again I had a private tour and we took a van with a pop top roof. I saw zebra's, rhino's, hippo's, giraffe's, antilopes gazelles and even a lion (even though he was pretty far away). The driver, Ben, was extremely friendly and explained a lot about the different animals.
I would recommend this company to my own friends.
MT
Email Carmen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya walking survivors made my unforgetable experience at an affordable price
Kenya Walking Survivors were there waiting for us at the airport. They are reliable and whom I can trust to guide you . They are always behind you to show you what the real Africa is all about. Game drives are thrilling taking you on the spot of the beautiful wildlife. The campsites chosen gave us a pleasurable stay and literally forget the long drive behind you. I wish to thank them for making this holiday a truly unforgetable one.
exciting and a different experience
I think Kenya walking tours are good and trustworthy. What I liked best are the game drives in Samburu national reserve and MasaiMara. The tent were equipped with beds and showers, but there was no connectivity and couldn't send messages nor an wi fi. I admit the distances between one park and the other are too far and we spent alotof time on the roads, some of them really rough and bumpy which left me exhausted at times butin the end you'll find it was worth it.
MT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
satisfactory and interesting ,and a full time occupying programme
I found the managing operator as a reliable and trustful person.He adapted a full programme at an affordable price. He always answered my queries, re-assured me and satisfied my stay. The trips from one place to another are endless ,considering the distances from one place to another are far from each other. We always found people ready to welcome us with savoury delicious food which was able to make me forget the endless drive. A couple of times we found guest house which wasn't up to decent standard like no hot water and a broken bathroom mirror, no connectivity. One thing bothered us a little,is that you are imposed to leave tips to everyone who delivers a service which is quite impossible considering the many hotels.lodges and campsites, including the excursions, you visit. That is up to us to decide who deserves tips and how much you give. They frown at you or show you a cold shoulder if you don't satisfy their expectation. Otherwise I thank Walking safaris for taking care of us and made our saty in Kenya and Uganda a pleasurable one