Kenya's great for an organised safari. If you are self-driving Southern Africa is much cheaper and easier, as are Uganda and Rwanda.
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!
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
Really good, but too short
Accommodations, food, transportation was fine, compaired to the price. Your guide was really good, very friendly, and a good driver. I just wished I have had longer time out in Masai Mara, comparied to the time we spend driving there. We arrived at 3:30pm on the first day and left at 1pm the 3. day.
I did not see the rhino or leopard, and only one buffalo. But I saw the migration of the zebras and wild beasts, and came close to e.g. lions, giraffes, elephants, different gazelle species, hippos, cheetah, some birds and we visited the Masai village on the last day, for 1000KES.
The Scenic beauty was good, but the most was yellow. Weather was good, not to hot or cold, luckly, the chance for rain was 50/50, but it only rained for 2h when we where there.
In total: It was worth it, but I wish, that I have had more time out in Masai Mara.
IE
Email Patrick C | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Overpriced Destination
Safari was great. Guide was knowledgeable. Balloon was a rip off. Way overpriced at a ridiculous 400 USD/per person for an hour flight. Then poor quality photos were an optional extra 40 USD. Kenya would be great if they didn't automatically screw you and charge you double/triple on everything just because you're white or a westerner. Also there is a sense of entitlement among those providing services, like they deserve to screw tourists, or that you must tip as they feel owed!!
