US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
4 days/ 3 nights safari
My mom and me went in a 4 days/ 3 nights safari to celebrate her 60th birthday. We went to lake Nakuru and stayed a night there, and then two nights in Maasai Mara.
The agenda for our trip was exactly what we wanted and our guide was outstanding. However, we had paid for a “comfort” room in Maasai Mara ($420 per person each night) and when we got to our hotel (Azure Mara Haven) they told us Spirit of Kenya had only reserved a budget tent for us. I talked with employees of Spirit of Kenya but they only solved the problem until the next day when we had already gone over a hard and cold night in the tent. Second day fortunately we were upgraded to a room like the one we had paid for. Despite asking them for a refund or a compensation for their mistake on the first night, I did not get a positive reply and was just ignored by their employees.
Hope this doesn’t happen to other people traveling with Spirit of Kenya and that you stress out that they should make the hotel reservations for what you are asking and the value you are paying.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lucy our wonderful friendly tour operator took lot of care personally
Lucy took up our trip at the last moment when we had a problem with another operator who fled and we are very happy that we got such a loving lady who personally came with us and saw to all the arrangements.
The roads to Masaimara and Amboselli were really disappointing and hope that government does something about it so that more tourists are welcome.
We did not get accommodation as we would have liked to mainly because of our old operator.
All our drivers were very well behaved and would specially mention James who was with us for 7 days. He has a very good knowledge of animals and birds and made it very entertaining. We managed to see the big five and many animals and birds and captured them with our camera.
I would reccomend Splendor Holidays for all tourists as their personal touch makes them special.
OM
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable, Well-Planned, Good Service
We travelled to Kenya with family (4 Adults & 2 Children). Thanking Martha for making the experience a good one. She was quick with her responses, provided all the necessary information we required and quite helpful. It was a great trip and within budget. I would highly recommend this company and Martha as a point of contact. The only minor issue we had was with our guide in Masai, he wasn't very interactive but he did a good job on the safari, took us to the right places, made sure we had the best view possible and we saw the Big 4 (we just missed the Rhino).
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
safari 5 days : Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Natron, Mont Oldonyo Lengai
As my friends and i (3 in total) were short in term of budget, i asked many companies for having a good price. Godfrey was the cheapest option, but the quality was very good. I really appreciate his time to answer all of my questions and he his a trustful guy. He will do his best to make your experience a very good one.
All the people were very nice : the drivers, the cook (good food)...
i recommend to everyone to ask Godfrey to organize the trip, he will help you a lot. the landscapes, the wildlife really worth it !
Thanks again,
Damien
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience!
Kevin from Petrichor Safaris was very helpful and open to suggestions. He tailored the entire trip as per our requirements and got us the lodges we had asked for in Masai Mara. It was a good experience and we will surely be reaching out to him in for planning our future kenyan adventures.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Timely service
We did a day safari from Dar Es Salaam. The driver was on time and drove us to Mikumi National Park and back to Dar Es Salaam. The Safari tour was great and the services and payment was easy and hassle free
YT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience!
It was a very good safari. We took the option at $ 800 (4 days safari + 2 days hotel in Arusha).
It was in English. We knew it.
Humphreys coordinates the whole thing with Ali. They are very friendly and accommodating. Humphreys found us a free driver for our return to the Kilimanjaro airport in the middle of the night for example :)
To talk about the safari, the first day we did tarangire. Then we went to sleep in a nice camp with "beds" on the heights of Lake Manyara. The program planned to sleep in Tarangire but I think what we did was better because that way we drive less the next day to the Serengeti. Camps correct at Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
The cook was excellent. The guide was good even though we punctured 4 times. Fortunately there is a lot of car to help so we have never waited long. The tents are spacious and my bedding comfortable and clean. As a bonus we had 2 bottles of wine offered by the team :)
The negatives that prevent me from putting five stars are:
1 the first day at the hotel dinner is not included and we are made to understand very directly that the tip of 80 (40 guide, 40 cook) dollars per couple is mandatory. It could be interesting for you to simply pay the employees better by letting the customer freer as we were on a safari in Selous
2 Even if it were good, it would be necessary to better train the guides to the knowledge of parks and animals (going further than: "the lion sleeps almost all the time" or "the elephant is a dangerous animal"
3 The program announces 5 game drives but there are only 4 (which is more than enough and I do not know how we could do one more)
In summary I highly recommend because for this price it was still almost perfect! Very good performance compared to the competition.
Thank you !
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Serengeti magic
We chose the 8 day tour to the Serengeti. It was an unforgettable experience. The local guides through Predators were excellent, the balloon safari over the northern Serengeti astounding and the Leonard's team at the tented camp awesome. A few hiccups here and there which the management of explore Plus handled with aplomb after the tour. The tour assistant was inexperienced. Overall a bucket list experience.
DK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great safari country
Fantastic. But more restrictions should be applied for the benefit of the animals.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Polite staff and great value
Communications were initially very good and provided an excellent break down of a proposed itinerary. Subsequent communications were not so good and took some time for a response.
The service was great. We got picked up from Nairobi and then driven out to Maasia Mara in a mini-van. We had the van to ourselves and our driver was very polite and knowledgeable. The tented camp that we stayed in was perfect for our needs.
The tour itself was great too. Our driver was polite and knowledgeable and made the trip far better.
In all, a fantastic experience and one that my family will remember for years.