CH
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rich in landscapes, wildlife, cultures, hospitality, but suffers poverty, drought, and corruption.
As a four-member family we booked 2 weeks safari and one week Diani Beach south of Mombasa. Both my wife and I had been in Kenya before, decades ago. Kenya has changed, but not as much as we had expected. True, Nairobi is much bigger and more dangerous, but the countryside, the towns don't seem so different. The tour operators, Best Memory, were very friendly and professional, met us at the airport to take us to the hotel.
It was surprisingly cool throughout our safari, it being technically 'winter' there, but quite a bit warmer near Mombasa.
The safari, conducted by the very sympathetic and knowledgeable driver Patrick, went through the most notable parks and a stimulating change of scenery and lodges/camps. Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru were great, Amboseli and Tsavo East a bit disappointing because there were few animals due to the bad drought there. On the whole there seemed to be fewer animals, which is not surprising. Still, we saw almost everything there was to see, except for a leopard. And we were exposed particularly to the fascinating Masai culture. We did learn to check the exchange rates carefully and haggle at the souvenir shops along the way.
The final week at the Baobab resort at Diani Beach was all-inclusive, very nice, we were spoiled. The monkeys were a constant interest for the children but they could quickly grab a sandwich out of your hand. Water and pools were a nice temperature and the food good. There was nightly live entertainment in an amphitheatre by a well-trained troupe called the Jambo Team.
We left on election day. Campaigns were obviously well-funded. Everyone was hoping there would be no violence but they didn't believe a change in leadership would bring about any meaningful change to widespread poverty and corruption. It is a fascinating country with great but yet unrealised potential. well worth a visit.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organized, great staff and lovely trip
A lovely trip from Chirundu to Mana Pools. The staff and service was excellent and the camps were comfortable.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They value their clients
On our tour to sipi falls, they made sure we enjoyment every bit of the tour at affordable price fulfilling all we agreed on
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bespoke, tailored and fabulous !!!
I booked with Kennedy in 2018 with a view to visiting in 2020. Of course, covid hit and i was able to travel till June 2022.
I wanted a completely bespoke experience and was happy to pay a premium for this. As a single traveller i wanted to feel accompanied and safe.
Was it worth the wait ?????
Oh my life - YES !!!!
Kennedy planned my entire visit - suggesting venues, in line with my wish list, that maximised my game drive time whilst providing exceptional lodges for rest and relaxation.
My Guide, and now lifelong friend, Dan is the most beautiful soul. He looked after me like no other … like i was the only person on the planet that mattered. We talked constantly (i talk alot and had a million questions) about everything from kids to tax.
Dan ensured that i got the positions, when seeing the wildlife, and always shared facts about the animals - most of which i would never have known without him.
I was sad to leave Dan for my onward trip to Tanzania and the Zanzibar (not as good as Kenya for wildlife or guides).
Please book and ENJOY !!!!
SA
Legit tour! Affordable budget option
As a first timer, reading so many reviews and feedbacks from all agencies, this agency is really good and legit. Overall, i felt secured since then with Mika. He gives information a lot and answer promptly to my queries. I paid cash on their office at Nairobi.
Before the tour, he explained everything what shall we expect. And we feel happy about his service. Since day, the driver, Boniface, pick us up from our apartment and drop to his office. Then collecting all the passengers for the 1 van from different company. In the 1st 3 days, we were 8 but these 2 guys extended their Masai Mara for a day, so on the 4th day we are only 6 like the other van.
The food was ok, mostly was beef stew, lentil, egg(packed lunch), spinach, fried chx(packed lunc)h,etc. I had diarrhea and i dont know whats the reason. Just better bring ibuprofen with you. The food is bland and repeated for 7 days. Nothing much to be excited about it. Expect this food also in other budget tour even with other companies.
Always bring bug repellant with you even you stay in a hotel as there’s still mosquito.
Boniface is fine for me but other people with us cant understand him much when he was explaining and discussing about the animals and more.
Summary, the tour is worth the money you paid comparing to the other tours. It has cheaper price but you will get the same quality with other agencies.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very organized 5 days safary by Perminus!!!
Perminus made me an offer with many different options and gave me a lot of details about the safari!
He recieved me in his office in Nairobi an took a lot of time to planify these 5 days!
I would have given 4 1/2 stars but I could only give 4 or 5 so it was 4!
If I rate my experience with ‘only’ 4 stars it’s because of my driver! He was always on time and just nice but that was it! He has not given me the impression that he was really passionate about his job! I have done several other safaris (Tanzania,..) so that I could compare! I spoke during my stay in the lodges to other guides who impressed me much more an he was so much on his phone (while driving, lunch, when I offered him a drink) that it was a bit annoying!
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Carlos Manuel Rodrigues Teixeira
We rate 4 just because Serengeti and Ngonrogoro are other level but it was the first park we visited and all was new!
We even saw climbing tree lions.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Your money worth
Reliable organization. Mahmud, our driver is a very pleasant person and very punctual. He knows the different animals and even many birds by name. We were in Kenia not only for the big game but also for the birds, large and small. Mahmud was also interested in all the wildlife. He respects nature and acts accordingly. Price-quality ratio is good and we were very positively surprised about the locations of the lodges in the parks. We have been to Tsavo East, Amboseli and Tsavo West with Netherken. We are very satisfied and definitely recommend this organization.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good quality for the price
The driver was pretty kind and dedicated, he did his best to show us as many animals as possible.
The car, although was quite big, was not actually very confortable, and it is something to keep in mind since you are spending lots of hours in there. Even if there are plug-ins to charge your phones, none of them worked at any time, so you'd better bring your bankpower.
When arrived to the tents, it is good enough, don't have big expectations, the hot water can take up tp 15 minutes to come and there is just one plug-in in the tent. But also, keep in mind where you are, good thing: internet connection available.
The restaurant is actually poor, not much choice and not good quality, so you'd better bring some snacks with you just in case.
The visit to the massaai village can be tricky, you find out, only when you arrive, that you have to pay 1000 KCH entrance fee, they show you how locals live and they ask you for more money, then they take you to the community school and again they ask you for more money and so on... be careful.
In general view, it is worthy as long as you don't have great expectations.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great communicator, good organisation and nice experience!
I booked Grayton in advance from Germany and from the beginning, the communication was very fast, clear and supportive. Even when I arrived in Kenya and to the beginning of the safari, Grayton Expeditions always answered all my questions.
The safari itself was not done by Graytons itself. I was with another group, but this was totally okay and normal in Kenya. In the end I had a really nice time in Amboseli and would always book again with Graytons.
One star less is, because one game drive could not be realised (but I got a cash back) and my booked camp was overbooked, so Graytons had to change it on location. But thats just little thins and as I mentioned, I would always book again.