AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya Family Safari with Super Eagles Travel & Tours – Detailed & Honest & detailed Review
Kenya Family Safari with Super Eagles Travel & Tours – Detailed & Honest Review
We have just returned from a family trip to Kenya, and after reflecting on the entire journey, I wanted to share a detailed and honest review of our experience with Super Eagles Travel & Tours.
Overall, I would rate the trip 4 out of 5.
The most important thing is that the trip was absolutely worth it. We saw the Big Five multiple times, had some fantastic wildlife sightings and photography opportunities, stayed at several excellent properties, and came back with wonderful memories as a family.
At the same time, there were some avoidable operational issues, particularly around accommodation confirmations, vehicle quality and the overall guide experience. I believe it is important to mention both sides so that future travellers can make an informed decision.
1. Super Eagles Travel & Tours / Derrick – 3 to 3.5 out of 5
I initially contacted several Kenya-based tour operators after researching reviews, itineraries and pricing. Super Eagles was one of the operators that stood out, and I eventually proceeded with them after being connected with Derrick.
Derrick's biggest strength was his responsiveness. From the initial enquiry right through to the end of the trip, he was consistently reachable and usually responded very quickly. He was polite, calm and willing to listen to our requirements, and he never stopped communicating with us.
However, I found that responsiveness did not always translate into proactive problem-solving or reliable execution.
I am quite particular about travel arrangements and repeatedly asked for confirmation of accommodation availability before proceeding with the booking and advance payment. Despite receiving confirmation several times, I was later informed that Mara Sopa was fully booked. We then had to restructure our Mara accommodation.
We eventually ended up staying at three different Mara properties. Later, we were also assured that our Mara Simba reservation was secured while they continued trying to obtain additional nights at Mara Sopa. Unfortunately, only two days before departure, we were informed that one of the Mara Simba nights had been released.
The result was unnecessary packing and unpacking and moving between three properties during our Mara stay. To Derrick's credit, he did arrange separate luggage transfers between the properties, which meant we did not have to move all the luggage ourselves.
The other major issue was the vehicle.
I had repeatedly requested a well-maintained vehicle before the trip. The first vehicle provided did not meet my expectations, and although it was changed, the replacement was still only average. On the first day, the vehicle's radiator eventually failed while we were travelling towards Amboseli, leaving us stranded for approximately an hour.
A replacement vehicle was arranged, but the vehicle provided for the Amboseli safari was in poor condition, and the driving was also quite aggressive. This significantly affected our enjoyment of the Amboseli experience.
To be fair, the core itinerary itself was followed, flights and transfers were handled, and meals were provided as expected.
My overall assessment is that Super Eagles is not a bad operator, but based on my experience I would hesitate to recommend them without reservations. If you book with them, I strongly recommend confirming accommodation availability, room categories and vehicle arrangements in writing and reconfirming everything before paying the advance.
2. Denis – Main Safari Guide – 3.5 out of 5
Denis was probably the most technically capable person we had on the safari, but also the most difficult from an interpersonal perspective.
From a wildlife point of view, he was excellent.
His ability to spot animals was exceptional. He communicated with other vehicles through the radio, knew where animals were likely to be and was extremely motivated to get us to the best sightings.
He was particularly good at positioning the vehicle for photography. He repeatedly repositioned the vehicle to give us better views of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos and other wildlife. We were able to see the Big Five multiple times and came away with some fantastic photographs.
His understanding of animal behaviour was also very good. He did not always volunteer a lot of information, but whenever we asked questions, it was clear that he had strong knowledge and experience.
For wildlife spotting, I would give him 5 out of 5.
However, the interpersonal experience was very different.
Denis was extremely quiet and there was very little general conversation during the almost six days we spent together. Most of the interaction was limited to the safari itself. There was very little humour or casual family interaction, and at times his communication felt quite cold and authoritative.
There also appeared to be some disagreement between Denis and Derrick about how parts of the itinerary should be handled. At times this created confusion for us as customers.
His driving during some game drives was also quite fast, particularly over rough terrain. We had specifically asked him to give us some warning before moving the vehicle when we were standing through the roof for viewing and photography. Despite apologising on a couple of occasions, there were still sudden movements that caused us to lose balance, and some members of the family were uncomfortable.
To his credit, Denis became more relaxed towards the end of the trip. He interacted more with the children, and on the final safari he invited my younger daughter to sit in front during sunset and took some photographs with her.
So my overall assessment is:
Wildlife knowledge and spotting: 5/5
Vehicle positioning: 5/5
Safari driving: 4/5
Safety and passenger comfort: 3.5–4/5
Communication: 2.5–3/5
Friendliness and family interaction: 3/5
Professionalism: 4/5
Overall: 3.5/5
If your primary requirement is an excellent wildlife spotter who knows how to position a vehicle, Denis is very capable. However, if you are looking for a warm, engaging and conversational guide for a family safari, I would personally choose another guide.
3. Jacob – Nairobi Local Guide – 5 out of 5
Jacob was the complete opposite experience.
We met Jacob towards the end of our trip for our Nairobi sightseeing and airport arrangements, and he was fantastic from the beginning.
He was extremely friendly, warm, interactive and flexible with the entire family, including the children. Communication was clear, and he explained the plans openly.
We visited the Giraffe Centre with him and subsequently requested a temple visit. Although this was not part of the original plan and he was initially hesitant, he made it possible.
The following day, he was punctual and flexible when we requested a slightly later pickup. We agreed to skip the museum and visit KICC followed by shopping, and he adapted to our preferences without any problem.
What impressed us most was how much attention he paid to the family.
He tried to get as close as possible to the attractions because my mother could not walk long distances. He helped the children on stairs, took photographs for us, helped us throughout the sightseeing and was genuinely involved rather than simply being a driver.
He also arranged another vehicle to collect our luggage when everything could not fit into the sightseeing vehicle. At the airport, he helped us with the trolleys and made the final transfer very smooth.
In the relatively short time we spent with Jacob, we had more general conversation and interaction than we had during the entire safari.
Jacob gets 5 out of 5 from us, and I would definitely recommend him for Nairobi sightseeing, transfers and family travel.
Accommodation Reviews
4. Amboseli Sopa Lodge – 3.5 to 4 out of 5
This is probably the property I found hardest to assess fairly because our Amboseli experience was heavily affected by the vehicle breakdown and multiple vehicle changes.
We arrived around 8:00–8:30 pm, had dinner, slept and left the following morning, so we did not really have enough time to experience the property properly.
The property itself was serene and pleasant. The room was clean and in generally good condition. The bathroom was good, hot water worked well and the food was reasonably good.
The main inconvenience was that the rooms were quite far from the main areas, which was not ideal for our family, particularly with older members.
Overall, I would rate it around 3.5 to 4 out of 5, but I would not consider this a definitive assessment because our stay was so short.
5. Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort – 5 out of 5
This was one of the standout properties of our entire trip.
The property is beautiful, with excellent gardens, landscaping, lake surroundings and overall ambience. The rooms were spacious, comfortable and clean, and the property was very well maintained.
The food was excellent, and the service was equally impressive.
What really made this property special was the family experience. We saw zebras, waterbucks and giraffes around the property, and even managed to see hippos at night after the gates were closed and the electric fence was activated.
The children loved the experience, and we also managed to spend some time at the pool.
The staff went out of their way to assist my mother. They used a buggy to help us explore the property because she could not walk long distances.
We also requested a room closer to the main facilities, and the hotel accommodated us with a room very close to reception and the restaurant.
A special mention to Leshan, the Customer Relations Manager, who genuinely went out of his way to make our stay more comfortable and enjoyable.
This was a genuine 5 out of 5 experience.
6. Mara Simba Lodge – 4 out of 5
Mara Simba is a well-known property, but it is clearly an aging hotel. The signs are visible in the interiors, rooms and general setup.
That said, the room was a good size and reasonably clean, and the property had a pleasant ambience and location.
The strongest part for us was the food. There were plenty of Indian food options, which was particularly useful for our family, and several members of the restaurant team made an effort to ensure we were comfortable.
The staff were friendly and accommodating.
The only family-related inconvenience was that the room was still a bit of a walk from the main areas, although we had been given a relatively closer room.
Overall, it was a decent experience and I would rate it 4 out of 5.
7. Sentrim Mara Lodge – 4 out of 5
We arrived at Sentrim with relatively low expectations because it was not our preferred first choice.
Interestingly, the property turned out to be better than expected.
The property was cozy and pleasant, with a nice pool area, pool bar and children's play area. The rooms were small but neat and clean.
Initially, we were given a tent even though we had specifically requested a stone-walled room. When we raised the issue, the staff allowed us to view both options, and eventually accommodated us in a stone room.
The staff were excellent. They were friendly, flexible and willing to provide additional pillows, towels and other requirements.
The main weakness was the food. Variety was limited and the preparation was only average.
Overall, it was a pleasant surprise given our initial expectations, and I would rate it 4 out of 5.
8. Mara Sopa Lodge – 4.5 out of 5
Of the three Mara properties we stayed at, Mara Sopa was clearly the best.
The rooms were excellent, and the overall property had a very good ambience and well-maintained grounds.
Food quality and variety were very good, and the staff were attentive and genuinely interested in making sure guests were comfortable.
For families, it was particularly enjoyable because there was a Maasai cultural performance and some engaging presentation about Maasai history, the Maasai people, the Big Five and the region.
The dining area was excellent, and the overall service level was noticeably stronger than the other Mara properties we experienced.
Again, the rooms were quite a walk from the main areas, but after requesting something closer, the staff accommodated us.
Overall, 4.5 out of 5.
9. Sarova Stanley, Nairobi – 5 out of 5
Sarova Stanley was without question the best hotel of our entire trip.
The standard of the property, room quality, luxury feel, carpets, spaciousness and overall presentation were excellent. Even with an extra bed for triple occupancy, there was still plenty of room to move around comfortably.
The staff were exceptional across reception, concierge, restaurants and room service.
The hotel has tremendous history and character and is located right in the heart of Nairobi.
The dining experience was outstanding. Under our full-board arrangement, we had access to multiple restaurants, and lunch and dinner were à la carte, allowing us to order from the menu. The restaurants themselves were elegant, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
They even accommodated our request for Indian food for our final lunch.
The only issue at check-in was that our two rooms were initially allocated on different floors. We had specifically requested rooms together or at least next to each other. After some waiting, the hotel managed to provide interconnecting rooms on the same floor, which resolved the issue completely.
This was a truly excellent city hotel and a fantastic way to end the trip.
Overall, 5 out of 5.
Final Verdict
Despite the operational challenges, the Kenya trip was absolutely worth it.
The wildlife experience alone made the journey memorable. Seeing the Big Five multiple times, getting repeated excellent sightings of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and rhinos, and coming home with fantastic photographs made us feel that the trip had delivered on its most important objective.
There were definitely areas that could have been handled better, particularly the repeated accommodation changes, vehicle quality and some aspects of guide interaction.
At the same time, there were some genuinely outstanding experiences: Lake Naivasha Sopa, Sarova Stanley, Mara Sopa, the wildlife sightings, Jacob's Nairobi service, and Denis's exceptional ability to find and position us for wildlife.
So my overall rating is 4 out of 5.
Super Eagles is not a bad operator, but based on our experience, I would recommend travellers confirm every accommodation, room category, vehicle specification and important itinerary detail in writing before paying the advance.
For anyone planning a similar family safari, I would also strongly recommend paying attention to the specific guide assigned to you. A technically excellent safari guide can make the wildlife experience fantastic, but a warm, communicative and family-oriented guide can make the entire journey much more enjoyable.
Overall, we came back happy, with wonderful memories and photographs that we will keep for a long time.
It was not a perfect trip, but it was definitely a trip worth taking.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Jocky's strength is in their Safari and Guides!
Our overall Kenya Safari experience was a huge treat. The wildlife, the stories, the history, the people, culture all a hit.
A big shoutout to our Safari Guide Andrew/ Kamao! What a storyteller! While the safaris were rewarding intself the stories brought to life scientific facts, local lores, histories and myths. Kamao clearly loves the Safari and is not dropping a chance to keep the adventure at an all time high for his guests. A total fun person with a natural gift to connect to people.
Some areas which we felt could use improvements are accomodation, variety in local food, a better sense of organisation and transperancy.
Accomodation in Mara was very basic, could definitely be better in terms of food and hygiene. Naivasha too,they could consider options as there are many stays with better facilities.
Also as a tour company keeping guests posted on what to expect in terms of weather, what to pack, providing stay options,better communication and organisation can help Jocky up their services.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The itinerary was well organised, and the driver-guide was conscientious and responsible.
Our guide, Raheem Mwema, is humorous guy and very serious and responsible about his work. He also an excellent driver, always punctual, and works very hard to meet all of our requests. He did his very best to help us find as many animals as possible.
The only downside is that he spends quite a lot of time on his phone when talking with someone. Nevertheless, whenever an explanation was needed, he gave us detailed and informative explanations.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
Everything is good! Only thing to maybe to complain was that i was thinking we woudld have a full day in the park every day but it was a morning or an afternoon safari. I did 5 days and all the 4 national parks near Arusha.
Communciation, service and value for money are good
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very good
highly recommend
warm service considerate staff and helpful guide
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
good experience worth coming
Did not see the crossing though, however the guides are trying their best to find animals.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Andrew Kamau was a very thoughtful and funny guide for our group, he did his best.
I had a very good time with the group during these 2 days Safari. The car and the driver (Andrew Kamau) were both very good and I saw basically everything I expected from a Safari. Andrew is a very experienced, funny and caring person, I would definitely suggest to take a safari with him.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worth the price and a good memory in first Africa trip
We were upset when there was no brochure sent after the reservation confirmation. However it turned out a good one-week safari trip. First of all I like the efforts they help us arrange the routine while we want to go Hell’s Gate for a walk instead of watching the rhinos. And the traffic was tough and took longer time than I was expected, but washroom, lunch hours were secure. James was the driver and guide, I think he tried best to let us see the big5 such as lions and elephants both in masai and Amboseli while not disturbing those animals too much like some of the drivers kept turning on the engine when animals was so close. It will be more than better if the staff could prepare a brochure with more detailed schedule and locations - actually I cannot well remember some of the specific names of locations or animals.
TW
Straight forward and clear
Special shout-out to Moses, who helped me book the whole trip — fast responses and great value for money!
The only thing I would have hoped for was a clearer itinerary throughout the trip. Information about the following day, including the starting time and schedule, was often only announced the night before when we were being dropped off at the hotel, which honestly felt a little uncomfortable and uncertain.
Especially when it came to the safaris, things sometimes seemed to end quite randomly, which made me wonder whether the schedule was really the best setup — for example, entering the park after 9:30 a.m., leaving before dawn, or doing game drives during the hottest hours of the day when even the zebras seemed to be hiding!
That said, I would definitely recommend this trip to my friends. It was such a lovely experience, and we saw everything we could have dreamed of! A special thanks as well to our reliable guide, James, who always made sure we were okay and well taken care of throughout the trip.
MO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A nice caring guy
For every safari drive, Nickson tries to find something for us to look at, he points to every wildlife that newly and oldly seen.
He is caring too, two of our companions are not feeling well with eyes and the stomach, he correspondingly drive to the pharmacy , take us there and buy the medicine which is pretty kind.
He will negotiate with the hotel with our concern of security( Staff going in the room for cleaning or putting down the net without telling).
He will adjust the problem at once when he knows them.
However, his briefing can be clearer. He will talk about what will we go tomorrow, for some schedule adjustments , it will be better if he can talk about precisely in advance and talk about why we are changing it. ( like there is misunderstanding when going to Tsavo taita hill wildlife sanctuary and Tsavo west national park).
And his campanion( according to him is his relative). As being told it is a private trip with only the guide and us. It is ok for us to to have someone helping with moving the luggages at the beginning of the trip( that is what he is always doing throughout the whole trip), but we should know it IN ADVANCE. We only know the man is going with us the whole trip when initiatively asked, having a feeling of encroaching of personal boundary, especially he took my potato chips and ate them all without asking(not sure whether he knows it is my potato chips). We told Nickson about the potato chips issue and it did not happen ever after.
In short , we care about the clearness on the details of schedules, which is the person following, the schedule adjustments.