65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
12 Days Accessible Safari Tour in Kenya: A Journey Beyond Expectation
A month ago, I took part in a twelve-day accessible safari group tour to Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli, arranged through Judy at Lorna Safaris, an accessible tour company, traveling alongside a group that included both people with and without disabilities. As a wheelchair user, I had wondered just how accessible the tour would truly be, and whether it could accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. However, those concerns were quickly dispelled — thanks to the well-arranged accessible rest-stop facilities during the five- to six-hour journeys from Nairobi to each national park (most participants chose to fly, but I deliberately chose to travel by jeep instead), the thoughtful transportation, and the accessible lodging along the way.
The wildlife itself exceeded every expectation. We witnessed a lion feeding on a zebra, and after waiting quietly for a full hour for a cheetah to stir, we were rewarded with the sight of it in motion — a moment our guide assured us was a genuine stroke of luck. Just as memorable, though, were the long-distance jeep rides between Nairobi and parks. Being jolted along unpaved roads for hours — what's often wryly called an "African massage" — was far from comfortable, yet I found myself captivated by the chaotic, vivid scenes passing by the window: scattered villages, children waving and calling out from the roadside, vehicles and pedestrians weaving together, and vendors selling their wares amid the flow of traffic. It was through these long drives, more than anything, that I felt I truly experienced Kenya's communities and its magnificent scenery.
If you really want to see the real Kenya, try traveling to the parks by jeep. It's a long drive — five to six hours from Nairobi, with bumpy roads for the last stretch — but it's absolutely worth it.
I hold nothing but heartfelt gratitude for Judy and her team of drivers and guides — Jimmy, Don, Anthony, and Teddy — who provided us with truly exceptional service throughout our journey. Their skillful driving, expert guiding, deep knowledge of the wildlife, remarkably keen eyesight for spotting animals from a distance, and thoughtful attentiveness to accessibility needs left a lasting impression on me — as did their unfailing kindness, warmth, and sense of humor.
When the Amboseli lodge's entrance proved inaccessible, Judy and her team of guides/drivers worked with the hotel to address it, and by the very next day it had been flawlessly renovated — a level of responsiveness I can hardly imagine back home in the U.S. or Japan.
By journey's end, I had grown genuinely close to this team, as though they were family, and saying goodbye was surprisingly difficult. As someone who navigates life from a wheelchair, being able to travel to Africa once again and have such a remarkable experience is something I owe entirely to Judy and Lorna Safaris. I am truly, deeply grateful, and I hope they continue crafting many more extraordinary tours — and go on offering services that allow so many individuals with disabilities to realize the items on their own bucket lists.
I highly recommend Lorna Safaris, whether you have a disability or not. And if you go, be sure to ask for Jimmy, Don, Anthony, or Teddy — they're some of the best guides/drivers around.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable experience
We spent four truly unforgettable days on safari, and a huge part of what made this experience so special was our guide, Mike.
From the very beginning, Mike was incredibly friendly, helpful and professional. He told us that he is passionate about nature and wildlife, and throughout the entire four-day safari he truly showed us just how much he loves what he does. He was extremely knowledgeable about every animal we encountered and, beyond simply identifying the different species, he always shared interesting facts, characteristics and little curiosities that made every sighting even more fascinating.
The safari itself was absolutely top-notch: dynamic, engaging and never boring. We even had some “study moments” and fun little quizzes created by Mike to see if we had been paying attention and remembered what he had taught us. It was a fun and original way to involve us and made the whole experience feel much more interactive.
We were lucky enough to see all the animals we had hoped for, and we are extremely satisfied with the experience. Mike’s passion, knowledge and enthusiasm definitely made these four days even more memorable.
If we could mention one small area for improvement at the agency level, it would be the availability of replacement vehicles. If a vehicle breaks down, having to wait for the same vehicle to be repaired can unfortunately cause some inconvenience for both the guide and the clients, and during a safari this can mean losing valuable time. Having a backup vehicle available could therefore make an already great service even more efficient and reassuring.
Overall, an amazing experience that we would absolutely recommend. A special thank you to Mike for making these four days so enjoyable, educational and unforgettable!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect
My 4-day safari in Tanzania was simply unforgettable! 🐘🦁❤️ We were lucky enough to visit wonderful parks, immersing ourselves fully in nature and experiencing moments we will cherish forever. We saw so many spectacular animals up close and witnessed breathtaking landscapes. But what made this experience truly special was Elli herself: with her friendly nature, helpfulness, and deep knowledge, she guided us every step of the way—explaining the wildlife and nature, and helping us discover Tanzania with a sense of wonder. She was a fantastic guide, always attentive to our needs and able to turn every day into a new adventure. Thanks to her, we didn't just visit Tanzania—we truly experienced it. 🇹🇿✨ Thank you so much, Elli, for making these four days so special. We’re taking home not just photos, but—above all—the memories and emotions of a trip we will never forget.
IT
Magical places and an experience made unforgettable by Elli, the guide who accompanied me and my family.
Magical places and an unforgettable experience made even more special by Elli, the guide who accompanied me and my friends on this safari\. 🐘🦁🌿
Elli showed us the most beautiful animals of the savannah and gave us smiles and memories that I will cherish in my heart forever\. ❤️
Thank you, Elli, for making this journey truly unforgettable\. ✨
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari Experience
9-day great migration safari
safari guide: Frank Cheddy
Sales: Renata
In general, me and my husband have a very pleasant experience with Safari Soles and their guides. Detail comments below for reference:
A. Itnerary
We booked the tour with Safari soles. Renata from sales team is super efficient in response and helped us arrange everything, from initial planning to lateron hotel late check out arrangement. Despite we have changed quite a number of times on the itnerary, Renata is very patient to accommodate our needs. Safari Soles respond the best out of my other 5 quotations made from other companies. The plan went exactly the same as what has agreed.
Way to improve: We have informed well before that we wish to join the night safari but was told that we could discuss and pay when we arrive. Turn out we were told on day 1 that our hotel is not near to the night safari place and it would not be cost and time effective to do the night safari. Of course we are very happy this honest conversation, otherwise we would be spending long hours on the traffic. But if this arrangement could be planned ahead, we have one more experience to add on our bucket list.
B. Safari
Our guide Frank Cheddy is so experienced and perfect. He has good eyes and communicates constantly on walkie talkie to obtain latest animal news from peers. We saw all we want to see: the crossing for 3 times in an afternoon, the big 5 (except the leopard which Frank has been trying hard to find for 3 days, but ya.. we just have no luck on that this time), the ugly 5 and many other interesting scenes like lion eating a buffalo, lion mating, hyenas attacking baby buffalo, etc. Frank knows exactly what tourists want to see and brought us to the right place at the right time. We just love Frank to be our safari guide.
C. Food
Dont expect too much especially when you are in the national parks, and Safari Soles has remembered our dietary requirements and communicated to the guides, which you can see their attention to details.
Way to improve: Maybe to at least provide 2 choices to clients, like western or Eastern so that at least there is a variety out of limitation in rural areas.
D. Accomodation
We chose a mid-range package and all come to/ out of our expectation.
- We are impressed by the stars we can see from Safari Haven Migration Camp.
- One surprising moment was at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, where at night we heard the sound of lion roaring, and then the painful screaming from the buffalo!! We hardly had the courage to go out to the balcony (and anyway we are unable to see anything in dark). Next morning we saw from our balcony, just 40m away 5 lions were eating 2 buffalos!!! What a breath taking moment!!! The view at Kubu Kubu is also spectacular that we so wish that we have booked 2 nights instead of just 1!!
- The view of Mount Kilimanjaro is also fabulous from Gran Melia Arusha.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A True Warrior
We took the mountain warriors up Kilimanjaro, and we were very happy with the team - a group of true warriors that helped us in every moment. We successfully climbed up the mountain.
CN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent trip
We chose this travel agency to arrange our trip because we wanted to combine both Mount Kilimanjaro trekking and a safari—and they delivered perfectly. The itinerary was well-designed, and all transportation throughout the trip was smooth and reliable.
During the trekking portion, our guide Living was highly professional. He conducted daily health checks, planned each day's schedule, and gave us clear advice on what to wear. He even helped carry our backpacks during the climb and kept our spirits high with songs along the way. The tents provided were top-notch, complete with a private flush toilet. The three meals a day were plentiful and delicious. Thanks to his support, we successfully reached Stella Point.
On the safari, our guide Festo was equally enthusiastic and responsible. He went out of his way to ensure we spotted the Big Five, and we were lucky enough to see them all! The lodge accommodations were luxurious, and both breakfast and dinner were served with great ceremony and style.
All in all, it was a truly wonderful trip!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Perfect Experience
From pickup to drop-off, my experience with Porcupine Expeditions was absolutely amazing. Everyone was kind, helpful, communicated well, and seemed really committed to making sure I was happy and comfortable. I was particularly impressed with the food provided and the arrangements that were made for me before and after the safari, including a 4am ride to the airport. I didn't have to worry about anything at all, leaving me free to enjoy the really stunning landscapes of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. I would recommend this company to anyone. Don't waste your money on the really expensive tours. Just use Porcupine.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing service 👏 highly recommend . Loved the hospitality and arrangement!!!!!
I loved the kilimanjaro trek conducted by the 21Africa!!!! Loved it so much . The experience , the hospitality . Everything was super perfect 👌. Everything was just perfect great job . Kilimanjaro hiking was arranged and everything was perfect . Food to stay to coordination. Elliot is an awesome host and great person. He will take care of everything ❤️. Thank you so much for an amazing stay and hospitality.
Unforgettable Safari Experience with Safari Souls & Simon!
Unforgettable Safari Experience with Safari Souls & Simon!
Safari Souls organized the trip of a lifetime, perfecting every detail from seamless planning and top-tier hotels to a brand-new, ultra-comfortable safari vehicle. Their dedication is unmatched—when our return flight was unexpectedly canceled, they stepped in immediately and worked tirelessly to get us home safely, even though we hadn't booked flights through them.
The highlight of our trip was our driver and guide, Simon. Exceptionally safe and skilled behind the wheel, he was remarkably patient, warm, and flexible with our kids. His incredible wildlife-spotting expertise helped us see every animal on our wish list, and it was clear other guides relied on his knowledge. Deeply respectful, thoughtful, and professional, Simon felt like family. We would book with Safari Souls and request Simon again in a heartbeat!