Dextrip Safaris

Dextrip Safaris – Mixed Experience

I found Dextrip Safaris through SafariBookings.com. Although they had only a few reviews at the time, they were all rated highly, so I decided to give them a chance.

I booked a 7-day safari covering Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli National Park, with luxury accommodations. Dextrip provided a quote that included two nights at Emayian Luxury Camp and similar high-end lodges. As requested, I paid 50% upfront to confirm the booking.

However, two days before the trip, I received a WhatsApp message from their contact, Antony Agayi, stating that only one night was available at Emayian and they would move me to Jambo Mara Safari Lodge (Superior Deluxe Cottage) for the second night. After several calls and emails, they confirmed one night at Emayian and one night at Jambo Mara. This last-minute change also happened to another traveler on the same itinerary, both bookings were made through Dextrip Safaris.

It was very concerning that Dextrip accepted payment and quoted a package without securing confirmed bookings, then made changes without offering any price adjustment. The only compensation offered was a $20 boat ride on Lake Naivasha, even though a free Masai Village visit had already been negotiated earlier. A visit to Hell’s Gate, which was not mentioned in my itinerary, was included for everyone else in the group. Fortunately, our guide included me as well.

Additionally, I had confirmed complimentary airport pickup with Antony two weeks prior to travel. I even reminded him again two days before my flight. However, no one showed up at Nairobi airport after my 25+ hour journey. I had to call both Antony and their director, Wycliffe, that night. A taxi was eventually arranged, but when asked, Antony simply said he “forgot”, an unacceptable and unprofessional response.

On the positive side, the actual safaris in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli were excellent. Our guide, Sadam, was outstanding, dedicated, knowledgeable, and determined to help us see the Big Five and many other animals and birds.

However, main tour operator Sunnycreek Safaris (Jocky Tours) had placed budget, mid-range, and luxury clients in the same vehicle, with each group staying at different hotels kilometers apart. This made coordination and timely departures very difficult, especially given road conditions. Sadam worked extremely hard to manage the mixed group and did his best to ensure a good experience for everyone.

Because of these logistical issues and late starts, we missed out on included hotel lunches, having to settle for wayside lunches instead, even though we had paid for full-board accommodations.

Summary:
While the safari experience itself was great, thanks entirely to our driver-guide Sadam, my overall experience with Dextrip Safaris was disappointing. They seem to be a small, overpriced, and unreliable operator. You may not get what you were quoted or promised, and customer service is lacking. There are other more reliable safari operators who offer better pricing and better service for the same itinerary.

I’m removing two stars from my rating due to the last-minute changes, lack of transparency, and unprofessional handling of logistics.