GR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good combination of safari with a really good guide
I would have given 5 stars, but the coordination and organisation of the first two days was a bit confusing. Too much different people in different hotels. So I got late to my dinner at the first night. The tour itself was perfect. I have seen all big 5 and lots of cats. The parcs are amazing and the lodges great. I booked the luxury tour and it was. The guide tried to reach all of our needs. Thanks for that.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 day budget safari
We booked a private tour as a group of 7 students for five days with the following itinerary:
Day 1: Nairobi -> Masai Mara Stay at Goshen Camp
+ Great Rift Valley overlook
+ Best accommodation, though rustic
Day 2: Full day game drive Masai Mara
+ 10/10 game drive
+ Picnic lunch at Mara river (expect to tip park ranger who gives tour)
Day 3: Lake Nakuru stay at Metfam resort
+ Fanciest accommodation with pool
- Masai Mara Village is a tourist trap where you pay admittance. Not our idea of a safari experience
+Completed our big 5
Day 4: Lake Naivasha
+ Boat ride to see hippos is very exciting, but negotiate the rate.
- Crescent Island is a total rip off. No animals to be seen on the island. Had to fight for a refund.
- Both the boat ride and walk on the island are operated by two separate tour companies NOT Hyrax tours. Be warned! Hyrax will not hold any responsibility for these third-party operators.
Day 5: Hell's Gate stay at Taphe Guest Resort
+ Excellent biking experience, though don't expect to see more than Zebras, Gazelles and Wildebeests.
- Gorge hike will cost you an additional fee (starting at 3000 KSH) tours are guided by local crooks who try to scam tourists by saying the gorge is closed unless you pay entrance. There is even a stop at their local market on your hike.
+ That being said, the hike is exceptional and impossible to complete without a guide.
- Worst accommodation, half built hotel and food was questionable.
Our guide Ben was an outstanding driver and always working to make sure we saw all of the animals we wanted to see up close. He had over 19 years of experience. He was a pro driver on the backroads and we always felt safe with him watching our belongings. Most of all Ben was charismatic and loved to have fun and interact with the group! Although, don't expect to have in depth conversation or extra info about the animals or Kenya.
The food on the trip was average by Kenyan standards and always a buffet style. Accommodations were definitely budget, but you get what you pay for. In all we got to see the same exact animals and have a more unique and adventurous experience, we wouldn't change a thing!
Many thanks to Emmah for helping organize the tour and aiding us with our visa paperwork. Hyrax safari was very communicative and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to a friend or budget conscious traveler.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very committed and always available if there are any problems. Motivated team of tour guides!
We were a group of three and booked an overnight safari at short notice. MoAfrica was recommended to us by airline crews. Booking, transport and lodge were very well organized. Only the payment was a bit complicated and only possible via payfast. This payment method was new to me! Already upon arrival in Pilanesberg we could see many elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and even cheetahs. The Ivory Tree Lodge is very luxurious and we were well looked after. On the second day, the program had to be shortened due to strikes by the park employees. We all agreed - next time we'll stay a little longer! Thank you MoAfrica for the beautiful safari!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First safari wxceeded expectations
Overall the trip was amazing. We ended up having a much more luxury experience than anticipated or requested, but now I have learned and will not need that for my next safari. My tour operator was available with any questions and was a great support before we left.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Queen Elizabeth National Park by Audrey Kinter
Land game runs disappointing but boat ride amazing. I’ve never seen so many hippos and elephant families. You can get quite close as you are on the water.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Lake Mburo National Park by Audrey Kinter
Only park where we were able to do a game WALK and best place to see leopards and zebra.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly and fast responding operator
We (2 people) booked a 7-Days private Lodge Safari containing Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha (Hells Gate Park) and Amboseli. Josef Muneeni from Parrot Safaris organized all well, and answered immediately if questions arose. Special requests were also taken into account. Overall communication was good. In the design of the course of the safari, the communication could have been improved at some points. For example, we were not aware that we could have switched the Morning Drive of Day 7 to Day 6 and then taken the early train to Mombasa from Emali on Day 7 saving us 5 hours of driving.
Joseph kept contact with us via WhatsApp all the time during the safari and checked whether everything is going well and I am feeling comfortable. Accommodation in Kenya was in very comfortable lodges with good facilities. Especially the lodge in Naivasha was amazing. All lodges hat nice pools and served a varity of good food.
Our guide and driver Martin was a great game spotter and explained all about the animals. He was supportive, funny, punctual and always organized our meals and schedules for best chances to see as much animals as possible. Additionally, he was a very good driver and knows bis car by heart. We can definitely recommend Martin.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Maasai Mara safari
Had a three days Maasai Mara safari , everything went on well from the planning, prompt email responses, choices of the accommodation was all what we had requested. The guide was so knowledgeable.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well worth the cost.
I did the over night trip to Pilanesburg. The pick up and drop off went well, the hotel was beautiful, meals were amazing (lunch, dinner and breakfast), and the safaris were fun. What we didn’t see in animals (no lions, leopards, or buffalo, but saw many others) was made up in beautiful scenery. Each day we saw plenty of elephants and some playing in the water which was pretty interesting.
I would do it again and would bring my family too.
