Reservations staff
Right Choice Tours & Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- ASTA, KATO & KWS
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $345 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Jada | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing highly recommend
I’m so glad we chose this company for the safari in Kenya. Masai Mara was beautiful and our driver Ken made us feel so welcomed. Our experience would not have been the same if it wasn’t for Ken’s kindness. He picked us up from Nairobi and stayed with us for 4 days of game driving adventures. With him we were able to see the big 5 and he was super knowledgeable about all of the animals. If you see this Ken, thank you very much for your hospitality. We will definitely be returning!
FR
Email Mathieu | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful gift from my grandfather
Perfect 2-week safari in major parks of Kenya. Excellent organization by Right Choice Tours and Safaris and very good trip in an new 4X4 land cruiser with an experimented driver. Congratulations to the Organizer and to the driver-guide. We have seen all the animals we were looking for, including leopards, guepards and lot of lions. Two main events besides the game drives themself, an extraordinary balloon ride and an night safari during which we have seen 11 lions just waiting for us. The precautions to avoid the Corona virus were excellent with washing hands everywhere and temperature measurements in each lodge. Absolutely no difficulty and very few tourists from abroad. It's the right time to go for a safari in Kenya.
NL
Email Toon | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very well experienced touroperator, good program including lots of game drives
Safaris in 3 different parks, Ambosseli, Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru.
We have seen all the big 5 and lots of other game. Very good driver George and he was a good spotter. Accomodation is okay. Kind staff.
For 1 week you will have a good image of Kenia and their people and animals. Onyl remark, lots of driving and distances.
NZ
Email Enatha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The contact were amazing, immediate replies all the time and they were so lovely in every step
not the best time for a safari... we didnt get to see a lot but our driver tried his best to hunt the animals down for us. really loved and appreciated his service
IN
Email Rahul Choudhury | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Best in the Business
I started with a quote request over the email, compared the alternative service providers and I found that between the 3 that I had shortlisted, Millicent Aluku of Right Choice was communicating everything with ease and a lot of patience.. and I had many small and minute queries... she prepare the itinerary in consultation with me and the number of days i wanted to do safari and she also had part solutions for a holiday leg for which I did not end up booking a hotel with them (which I should have done as they know best). 5 stars to Millicent for all her hard work, she is the best at her job!
I had specifically asked for an experienced and patient guide as I was touring with family, (3 generations - grandad,grandmom-son- grandson) and it was our good fortune that Ken was available to take us on our safari. Just like Millicent, I would give 5 stars for Ken as he fulfilled our sighting wishlist in toto and worked hard for all of the 4+ days that we were with him.. the vehicle was clean every morning, he was always ready on time, he made the effort to find out where the animals were on the day, placing his vehicle at the best picture taking spot and was driving his landcruiser smoothly on the highway.. Ken is reliable, friendly, helpful and knows his work and his vehicle very well. You can make no mistake with Ken by your side...
A couple of tips from my perspective: one should always opt for the landcruiser vehicle during safari and if given an option definitely stay for a minimum of 2 nights at Sopa Lodge, Lake Naivasha, its a beautiful property and 1 day is just too short as you merely touch and go onroute to Nairobi.. Hells Gate may be a small park but its a slice of paradise just like all the other natural abodes that Kenya has.
with Right Choice you cant go wrong,
Thank you Ken, Millicent and George
The Safari Tour that I am looking for
We booked The right choice few months before we arrive Kenya, all the questions and information we need were answered very quickly. Then we have issue with Kenya Airways about their flight cancellation and missing luggages. But George and his staff step out of office to arrange the private charter and all nescessary things to make us catching up with our original itinerary. We can't thank them enough. The tour guide was amazing in Maasai Mara, he is very knowledged, trying his best to make our trip memorable. I wish I spend more time in Maasai Mara. Regarding to accommodation, all hotels and resorts are perfect and beautiful. Nothing to complain. Highly recommended.
CA
Email Sushant | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Did work out at the end !
The company may be a good tour company but certainly can’t carter to luxury travellers. The communication was nonexistent but most things happened as they our itinerary stipulated. Safaris’s experience was rushed for later part of the trip but that’s because of wrong flights booked and so on.
US
Email Shashank | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good operator, extremely rude drivers
Masai Mara & Nakuru: 30 July 2019; for short version, look below.
I am so conflicted giving this a 2 star rating because we (group of 9, with 7 visiting from the US) had a terrible experience largely due to one person (Julius - experienced but grumpy & rude tour guide who seems to hate his job/life), but the rest of everything else was great. However, Julius largely defined the experience for the group that he was driving, so I unfortunately cannot justify more than 2 stars. All 9 of us are avid travelers and visit 3-4 countries every year (4 of us are above the age of 60), with 2 who live and work in Kenya, and there was consensus that these were among the most disrespectful people we’ve met.
We are a large group and worked with George for a few months, during which we made multiple changes and George was absolutely fantastic, accommodating, and patient throughout, designing a customized trip for us - I had decided I would give this operator a 5 star rating even before the trip, but then, enter Julius. Right from day 1, he seemed a bit rude and on edge with his responses to any question. Since we were in a mindset of trying to have fun, and had planned this for months, we ignored it and tried to brush it off. We had 2 vehicles, and the other tour guide, Milton, seemed much friendlier until Julius turned him by day 3, so we had him acting snippy towards the end too. After a few incidents it became hard to ignore Julius’ rudeness (example - at one point when we said it was uncomfortable to have a large empty ice box in the car, as the water he brought had run out anyway, he responded with ’then you have to be uncomfortable’; not even a hint of empathy, or trying to find a solution). Oh and he also whipped out a large machete that was under the seat on at least a few occasions (pretending to clean it) possibly with the aim of intimidating everyone, and I guess it worked. Imagine being in a jungle at the mercy of someone like that (he even looks scary). Both drivers started acting very dictatorial, telling us what the new plan was (different from the itinerary), and not offering any options, or entertaining any suggestions. We finally got a different driver on day 3 (James) who was absolutely fabulous - and told us more about Mara and wildlife in one hour on the freeway, than Julius did in 2 days, but unfortunately he was there only to drive us back home, so we didn’t really get to do any Game drives with him.
TLDR: George - amazing guy, very easy to work with; tour guide Julius ruined the experience with his blunt rudeness; The other guide Milton was okay first couple of days, but also became rather rude after seeing Julius talk to the group with no respect and get away with it. James (who stood in for Julius on day 3 was absolutely fantastic, and well spoken, and the guide we all wished we had through the safari), so be super careful who you select as a tour guide/driver as it is critical in how your experience turns out.
Reply from Right Choice Tours & Safaris
Posted on Aug 8, 2019Dear Shashank ,
Thank you for posting a review and we’re sorry to hear that your experience was not of the quality you expected. We would like to take the opportunity to investigate your feedback further. Drivers are very instrumental in wrapping up the entire experience while on overland safari. It's a pity, Julius was rude.
I’m so sorry. We’re normally known for our exceptional attention to detail and we regret that we missed the mark.
We always aim to deliver a great experience. Thanks for taking the time to bring this to our attention. We will use the feedback to make us better and to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
BR
Email Ana Catarina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very reliable. It is not a big company, but they personalize your safari as you want
We got to know it by one friend who had experienced them 2 years ago. George answered my email promptly and we built all the safari days together. Sometimes even by whatsapp calls. At the end, we got a very good plan, in a reasonable price for my family of 4. George suggested us some good tips and was very helpful. Our guide JACOB was there to meet us at the hotel as arranged and he was really an excellent profissional. His knowledge about the region and the animals was very important to our visit. We had a wonderful week together and I do suggest him to anyone looking for safari adventures. More than that, at the end we realised it worked out to a good friendship.
IE
Email John G | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Right Choice was the Perfect Choice for us time strapped travellers - only 2 days to see Maasi Mara
My work colleague and I were hesitant that with only two days available that our Maasi Mara tour would be a compromise.
However, Right Choice assured us via email that they could provide a tailored safari to ensure that we got the most out of it.
We were working in Kisumu, Kenya for a few days up until Thursday evening so we wanted to see Maasi Mara on the Friday and Saturday before our return flight home to Europe on the Saturday evening. We were on a very tight schedule. I looked at options for driving to Narok and joining a tour, and other ways of going direct from Kisumu. But in the end, it made more sense to just fly back to Nairobi on Thursday night, and start out early on Friday morning.
Right Choice picked us up from arrivals at Nairobi Airport on Thursday night. It was great to have this personnel guide (Jacob, I think) and he brought us direct to the hotel that I had selected - which was cheap @ $30 p/n pp. The rooms in The Decasa Hotel are very basic. You can sit on the loo while you shower - or vice versa! The bedroom was barely big enough for the single bed, wardrobe, desk and chair. The door couldn't open fully. You get the idea. Small cramped - but clean and cheap. This was fine for two guys and the 7 hours we would be there. They have an onsite restaurant so we ate there and didn't venture out into Nairobi as it was after 10pm.
(I would not recommend Decasa Hotel for families...Best Western @ $80 pp would be a better choice for comfort).
Next morning our Right Choice Guide (Lowie) arrived to the hotel in a seven-seater 4x4 Jeep at 5:30am, as per our request for an early departure from Nairobi . In fairness to Hotel Decasa, they especially prepared two take-away breakfasts for us as breakfast wasn't being served until 06:30am.
Getting out of Nairobi this early meant that we reached the Maasi Mara Ololaimutiek Gate by 11:00am, having taken time to stop for coffee and another breakfast en-route at Narok. The route from Narok to Maasi Mara Ololaimutiek Gate has been documented elsewhere as being bumpy, rough and bone-shaking. This is all true. But a spacious 4x4 jeep does make a big difference to the comfort of the journey.
Once through the gates, our first safari adventure game drive began! Within the first 15 minutes, we had seen the following:
Wildebeests (the few that forgot to re-migrate back to Tanzania), Zebras, Thompson Gazelles, Impalas, Water Buffalos and wild boars.
Lowie then drove us down a lesser use track where we spotted a cheetah and her two cubs. As it was close to noon and the sun was beating down, he said not to expect much action from them. Seeing them up close (from our spacious jeep) was wonderful. The cubs drank from nearby puddles on the road, the mother slouched around - ignoring us. And then she ventured off. We drove around to another vantage point, just in time to see her spring into action, sprinting after a young Impala. The chase was on! And then just as quick it was over. For the Impala. A successful kill. Wow!
In the next 2 hours, we saw elephants, lions (up very close) and a brief glimpse of a rhino and her calf. What a first game drive!
We could have finished and gone home very happy after such an eventful and absorbing 3 hour game drive. But it was only lunchtime!
We have selected to stay in the excellent Keekorok Lodge which is within the Maasi Mara Conservation, so we drove on there for a sumptuous lunch. There is nothing basic about the Keekorok. It has all the modern comforts (and service) that you would expect from a 5-star hotel.
We arranged with Lowie to go on another game drive at 4pm, so this gave us a two-hour break to chill-out. Within the grounds of the Keekorok Lodge they have a viewing platform at the end of their garden where you can safely observe Hippos wallowing in the adjacent river. So even when not on a safari drive, the wildlife is there to be observed.
Our evening game drive took us up to the border with Tanzania and then onto the Mara river, the site of the annual Wildebeest migration.
Sheila, a local armed border guard, showed us around the river banks - pointing out the hippos submerged in the river. At this time of evening the alligators were underwater, so we didn't see them. The river was also quite low, and obviously nothing was migrating! That happens July - Sept. On our drive back to the lodge, we saw lots of the same animals again including giraffes. And we caught a beautiful blood-red African sunset at 7pm just before we got home for hot showers, change of clothes and another sumptuous buffet meal (with some brief Maasi Mara entertainment thrown in).
Saturday was a 6am start for an early morning game drive. First Lowie drove us to a spot to spy on a family of hippos meandering around a small waterhole. Then onto a a location to catch the African sunrise silhouetting the Acacia trees. And then cheetahs, lions, elephants, giraffes and zebras - all at close quarters. While the previous day we hadn't seen any other Safari tours at all - it felt like we were the only ones in the Massi Mara - the Saturday morning drive was quite different. There were quite a few minivan safaris at the early morning spots so at times it was a bit of a caravan of vehicles. The vehicles all have CB radio so the guides can notify each other as to what they have spotted and where...
We felt quite privileged in our spacious 4x4, looking at these cramped minivans, each of which had 4 - 6 people in them. On two occasions this particular morning, we had to tow minivans out of the deep mud tracks that they had gotten stuck in. Get a 4x4 jeep would be my advice.
We continued our morning drive away from the caravan of minivans, and ventured out into the plains. A small herd of elephants feeding on shrubs close to the dirt track enthralled us. Just driving through this landscape, standing in the jeep looking out through the pop-up roof and feeling the warm African wind on your face is an experience to cherish and remember.
Back to the lodge for 9am breakfast and then out of the room for 10am departure. We still had another hour of a drive from the Keekorok lodge to get to the Maasi Mara gate for our return to Nairobi, so this felt like yet another game drive. Our excellent guide Lowie had offered us the opportunity to visit the local Maasi Mara tribe/village so we thought, why not. What a great decision this was. As there were just the two of us, the local chief gave us a really personal tour of his village, their culture and customs. He showed us how to make fire. He took us into his family hut to meet his children and wife - amazing. We danced and jumped with them. Well worth experiencing. And then we left for more bumpy driving.
And on our return to Narok, our guide Lowie helped us complete part of our work project (a filming project) - we filmed a short scene in a local bar with a cohort of eager Kenyans. More bumpy driving. Later a brief stop for lunch and the opportunity to purchase souvenirs. More bumpy driving. And then a stop at a high vantage point to view the Rift Valley spread out below and beyond us...
Then on to Nairobi Airport in plenty of time for an evening departure flight to Europe.
So, would I recommend Right Choice Tours and Safaris?
Absolutely, and without any hesitation whatsoever.
Our two day safari filled us with a lifetime of experiences and memories. We felt we had properly experienced the Maasi Mara within the meagre time available to us. And it gave us the incentive to return with our families for a longer trip in the future.
Right Choice Tours and Safaris did everything that they had promised to do.
From the outset, they made it clear that this Safari was for us - and that our enjoyment and satisfaction was their objective.
Our guide at the airport, Jacob was reassuring and friendly.
Our guide for the safari, Lowie was a gentleman, knowledgable, accommodating and very good company too!
On our return back to the airport, the company owner George rang to personally ensure that we had had the experience we signed up for.
So I can 100% vouch for the integrity, professionalism and service that Right Choice Tours and Safaris provided to me and my colleague.
The cost for each of us on this Safari tour was really great value at $ 480.
This included (costs below are per person):
Airport pick-up
1 night Hotel in Nairobi ($30)
Upgrade to 4x4 Jeep ($90)
Breakfast enroute
Maasi Mara Entrance fee ($80)
1 night Keerorok Lodge (sharing room, two single beds - $125)
- including Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast
Lunch enroute to Nairobi
Airport drop-off
The only additional costs for us were drinks with our meals and the Maasi Mara Village tour ($20 each).
For the level of service, the luxury of the trip (Jeep and Lodge) and the personal attention that we received - this was exceptional value.
I highly recommend this company.
John,
March 2019
