DK
Email Steen Jeberg | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Intense safari but poor accomodation
We had booked a 3 day safari in Masai Mara. We were picked up and dropped off in Nairobi. That means a very long drive for about 8 hours each way to get to and from Masai Mara. When we arrived at Masai Mara we were accommodated in a smaller lodge than payed for. It was not what we had ordered, but a lodge of very poor quality. The people at the lodge was extreme kindly and friendly. On the day of arrival we reached a short trip of about 2 hours before the sun went down. Next day we started early and had almost 10 hours of safari. We saw all animals. But it's hard to sit in a car where the bumping is going for hours. Our guide did a great job finding all the animals. The Masai Mara itself is exciting to drive around and it is amazing with the big scene and big flocks of animals. But the trip to and from Nairobi, the poor accommodation and the high price mean that we do not generally can recommend that kind of safari.
LK
Email Rajiva Wijesinha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very pleasant and I am glad that Safai Bookings gave me a wide choice of programmes and prices.
I travelled with Lenchada which offered a varied tour at a very reasonable cost, including all transportation, accommodation and food. We had a full day, plus an evening and a morning, in Masai Mara, and long mornings at Lake Nakuru and Hell's Gate Reserves. I also had a delightful boat ride on Lake Naivasha.
Rhino Camp just outside Masai Mara was a delight, and young Pixie set up a campfire early to relax before dinner. The other two lodges were also comfortable, and the food good though the general menu was very much the same everywhere.
The only drawback was a terrible vehicle for the first two days, and an inexperienced driver which made it worse, though we still saw lots of lions and elephant and giraffe. And Joshua who took over with another van for Lake Nakuru was excellent. And the flamingoes there were fantastic, as were the plentiful white rhinos.
The safari itself was wonderful but the organisation was poor.
The wildlife was truly wonderful, I have to admit. The organisation and communication by the tour operator Hyrax Safary could be a lot better. On the first day to Maasai Mara we had a breakdown on one of our cars. I know it can happen, thats not the problem. But the cars could be in better condition and in a situation like that the communication is important so that all guests are informed at any whats going on. So we couldnt go on the game drive on day one as we booked it. We arrived too late at the camp. There was the next problem. There werent enough rooms for all the incoming guests; some ppl of the group had to share the room although they booked an own one. The other things were good and the driver tried his best to show us all the animals. But again his communication level was poor and he only spoke to us when he was asked something.
PH
Email Isabel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brace 6 hours of rough road
Transportation
All or mostly rough roads.advance info should be given.not for the elderly or disabled people
NO
Email Rolf | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exellent
The wildlife was impressive. Accomondation was good, but the mosquito nets in two of the hotels were full of holes. Our guide and driver was exellent (respect for the animals, reliable driver, and knowledgeable)
AE
Email Manish kashyap | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
In the nature
The wildlife and landscape is great and beyond my expectation. Felt like staying more there and didn't feel like coming out from there.
Met many Kenya people who are not honest, always try to swindle money out of visitors
1.Wildlife is great.
2.No smog control on vehicles, therefore, air pollution is serious especially in big cities.
3. Met many Kenya people (people on street, Guide/ Driver, Park security) who are not honest, always try to fool you and swindle money or taking advantage of visitors. (Some women asked me to take ONE picture for them, then asked for US$20. Tour Guide said he has no money to buy me food/water after I had paid meals/water/tour to the tour company. Security at Masai Mara asked a tip of US$ 50 for a 5 minutes walk. etc.)--I have travelled many places around the world, and I have never met so many greedy people in one place!
Kenya's great for an organised safari. If you are self-driving Southern Africa is much cheaper and easier, as are Uganda and Rwanda.
IT
Email Daniele Fabio | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not safe
Amboseli was good with a lot of Animals, but tswo East e west are not good. 2 days driving and we saw few or not Animals.
On the beach, beachboys are so boring and you can't live your Sea experience in peace. I cant suggest Kenya Just for this reason. Sea and beach are Maldive level for me
Email Meg | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amzing wildlife
I enjoyed my trip, but there are few things I must say.
Safaris are overbooked. We had 10 people in the van ( including driver). For people sitting in the back or front sit (next to the driver) it was difficult to enjoy the experience. It was too crowded, sometimes I couldn't even turn or stand up for the view. Missed quite a lot because of that. Bare in mind people in the van won't just let you see.They want to enjoy as well and they won't just sit and say 'your turn now'. Vans should be bigger or less crowded.
People here will give you a price after looking at you and judging how much money you have. Prices are visible only in supermarkets.
Be careful what you buy. Souvenirs often contain bone, skin or plant fragments that are illegal to bring back home.
If you decide to stay in Nairoibi, avoid city centre. It's overcrowded, easy to get mugged. I alsao have beed sexually harrased and called names for no reason. Racist.
Rubbish everywhere. It was heartbreaking to see so much plastic and other stuff along the road. Very bad for environment.
Avoid raw fruits and vegetables, eat only what's been cooked. You never know what kind of water they used to wash.
Food was often cold. We stopped for lunches on our way from one park to another and never had a hot meal. Easy to get food poisoning.
Be prepared to spend a lot of money for tipping people. Every little thing they do for you they will expect you to tip them, some will even tell you how much.
On the good side wildlife is amazing.
You see the same animal many times and still don't have enough.
Most of the parks are really big. You just keep driving.
I liked the fact that they are kept as natural as possible (no modern roads, few stops with actual toilets etc.) Gives you real wild experience.
