CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
5-day Mount Kenya hike
I had a chance to hike on Mt. Kenya (Point Lenana) this January and it was excellent experience.
On Safaribookings I chose a Hyrax Safaris travel agency. They had a good price, free pick-up (I stayed close to the airport) and mainly they offered a 5-day hike which is better for acclimatisation to high altitude. I saw people trying to go in 4 days, some driving to Old Moses (first hut and campsite) by car and a few of them felt really bad (had to return or extended for one more night at Shipton´s hut).
Also I wanted to see both Sirimon and Chogoria routes with unique and very different amazing landscapes. Most of tours return the same Sirimon route.
All went smoothly, my experience with Hyrax Safaris could not be better. I went alone with my team - guide, chef and porter. First I was a liitle bit embarrased having so many people taking care for me (as usually hiking alone or with friends, carrying all things on my own). But this is the most common way to hike on Mt. Kenya, you give the job to locals and may learn a lot of them. And of course it is very pleasant not to carry all stuff in altitudes above 4000m (with tent, food, quite big backpack as I had to take warm clothes).
Communication with the agency was easy, Emmah always replied quickly.
A driver Samson picked me in time at my accommodation in Nairobi and very safely took me to the office (where I stored a part of my luggage) and then to start of the hike at Sirimon gate.
The hiking team was wonderful. My guide Samuel had exceptional knowledge of all summits, plants, animals that we saw. He told me very interesting facts and stories. He was very careful about my physical/health conditon, also let me hike on my own pace.
For a very cold night at 4200m in the tent (I had my own but old sleeping bag, air mattress, warm clothes) I was given a bottle with warm water - very useful as my 2 pairs of thick socks were not enough, it was freezing quite much at night). You may also take or rent equipment from the agency.
All meals (3 per day) prepared by my chef Patrick were very tasty. Portions were big - he did not want me to loose any kilo of my weight during the hke :-)
The porter - actually young portress Esta was very strong and fast even with my backpack and kitchen stuff - much faster then me.
I had a great time with all my team.
2 nights were spent at Shipton´s campsite - at 4200m. The 3rd day was used for acclimatisation hike to 4600m - a pass with a view to Naro Moru route with lakes and return down to campsite. It is highly recommended. I did it similarly on my treks in Nepal. I had some headache but only during descent from the Point Lenana summit (4985m), nothing serious.
The way down from the summit to Chogoria (last kms through the forest on the 5th day were by car) was long but full of amazing views to lakes, a waterfall and a gorge. It would be great to have one more day there. Maybe next time.
After return to Nairobi (shared matatu but fine) - first to the office, than they paid me a taxi to my accomodation - Daniel from the agency (manager and guide?) and porter Esta were very helpful to show me the way and accompany me to safe ATM, pharmacy and to a camping gear shop which I needed for my next travelling in Kenya. It all lasted maybe an hour and was for free. Highly appreciated.
Suggestions - not much, maybe to provide some map printout with routes (not available at the gate). More than just a black tea could be served (also coffee and chocolate were availale) or you can take your own different tea bags. And though it was interesting I am not a big fan of night hikes to see sunrise from the frozen summit :-) I would prefer to start later than at 2:30am though I understand that we would reach last campsite (Bandas) maybe too late.
I also don´t think it was written in the information about the hike that you will stay 2 nights at 4200m with a nice day ascent higher which was excellent for acclimatisation.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A life changing experience!
The whole experience was breathtaking and I genuinely cannot recommend this any more. Our guide was Joseph and he did an amazing job taking us through the park, getting close to the animals and also entertaining us with interesting facts and trivia. I’m really going to miss the Masai Mara and I cannot wait to come back to do a longer tour. This one was only 2 nights and it was a great starting point but I would love to explore every crevice of this park in the future! To see the videos of my experience, including lions hunting buffaloes, check out my travel instagram page: @hassanane
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rodger is extremely knowledgeable and excited to show animals, scenery, and culture!
JungleRoam was all around great- Rodger showed us cultural stops along the way and amazing game drives in the Masai Mara. We saw such an array of animals and so much of the park. Communication with the company was great- quick responses and helped us arrange transportation from the hotel. Overall, a wonderful experience I could not recommend more.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amaaazing experience!
We had an amazing tour thanks to Rodger! Big shout out to you Rodger! He took the time to answer all of our questions and also took the time for us to see and photograph the animals, putting the jeep at the perfect spot. Also the visit to the Masaai villages is a big recommendation, it’s short but you learn quite a lot about their culture which was super interesting! Overall an experience of a lifetime <3
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Rodger was an excellent guide and made sure we had great views of so many animals!
I would highly recommend a tour with Rodger. He was kind and knowledgeable and answered every question thoughtfully: great communication. He made every effort for our group to see every animal we possibly could, spending as much time observing animals as we asked. Rodger also had a great sense of humor and made the tour fun! The tour with Rodger was worth every penny and I would greatly enjoy another with him when returning to the Masai Mara.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Go the extra mile of excellence!!
Porcupine Expeditions exceeded all of my expectations. From the multiple airport pickups to the airport dropoff. Me and my family was treated as if we were their family. Even prior to our arrival the communication was top teir. Mama Ann and her family made us feel so comfortable with all of our concerns. If you are looking to travel to Tanzania, Porcupine Expeditions is the company for you and yours for all your safari and local tours. We were able to squeeze in our trip the coffee tour, waterfall, and hot springs.
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible experience
Our experience with Karibu Safari Kenya was terrible. The accomodations were very different than the ones that were promised by the company, we discussed the issue with the company and they didn't even know that our driver was taking us to different hotels, much cheaper and with much worse conditions than the ones that we actually paid for. We demanded a refund and it's been weeks and they don't even reply to us. The driver was very rude, the itinerary was constantly changing and it was very different than the one settled for us by the company. We only enjoyed a full day of safari in Masai Mara and there was a day where we just spend the entire morning driving from Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru and spent the entire afternoon in the hotel room as the driver refused to take us in a morning game drive in Masai Mara claiming that there was "no time".
The company doesn't deliever what is promised and they don't even try to compensate us or to do service recovery. The company nor the driver were not professional AT ALL being very rude to us. I felt that I paid for a 3 day safari and only enjoyed 1 day, not worth at all.
If I could go back I would book it with another company
AT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Thank you for the help. It was amazing and very good service.
everyone were great and helpful, we had a private tour and our driver was really a good one
I wish you a future all the best
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wild Reality Safari can answer your safari cravings!!
Denise and Allan from Iowa experienced a trip unlike any before! First time to Africa & 1st safari. We spent 7 days in Tanzania and experienced the expertise of our guide Yusuph from arrival to departure. His knowledge of the parks and animals was great. Wild Reality Safari offered accommodations that provided great food and facilities that were the best in lodges as well as tented camps. Yusuph made a special effort to show us all the animals and attractions safari has to offer. In our book Wild Reality Safari was a week filled with fun-adventure-and bonding with nature!! On a scale of 1-5 we give it a 10. !!
PL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Successful safari adventure owed to perfect professionalism of the Team!
My wife, two daughters (10 and 16 y.o.) experienced an 8-day long safari organised by Leisure Adventures during early February 2025 in Kenya. I had several safari experiences throughout Africa (Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia) 10+ years before from my long professional career in Africa. Thus, I knew upfront what to expect "on average" from "safaris".
I can now just say that the Leisureway Team greatly exceeded my "average" till date!
The trip was perfectly organized (prior to it I customized it with them to the absolute detail by way of 2-3 iterations over emails and whatsap). Jared and Sylus provided very good advice, and I recommend hearing them well while you are in the "design" stage (starting from the most detailed elements of the safari, hotels, transfers, through to medicine, clothes, change money, etc)!
After arrival, Leisureway Team was guiding us from A to Z since the show up at Nairobi airport, through to the Safari in Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru, through to Mombasa hotel (and fought back to back on-site, my way, with the hotel management!), through to the departure. We were meet by the Leisureway Management on-hand on occassion of each major portion of the trip.
As a result of that, the safari proved to be an absolute life-time experience for my family! Fast forward: I should have decided for at least couple of more days (one more in the Parks, and at least one, or two more in Diani near Mombasa). I recommend your experiencing also the first class train going from Mombasa to Nairobi through the park (elephants visiblee!).
Overall, I expect repeating this experience in a year+ time and recommend organization of your trip with the Leisureway Adventures Team, too.
