TH
Email Nipon Voramethkul | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
when I recalled the tour, I recognized this is a dangerous country.
the capital Nairobi is a city full of gang of robbers. be careful! better skip the capital or other big city.
CZ
Email Radana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I recommend to combine safari and hiking (and maybe some relax :) )
The nature in Kenya is beautiful and its goods to do some trekking in the mountains and cross many vegatation belts and to participate in some safari.
CA
Email Dan K. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A unique, unforgettable and worry-free Christmas adventure
Around a year ago we planned a ten-day trip from Canada to Kenya for the Christmas holidays. We hoped to spend some time relaxing on a beach as well as visiting a couple of national parks. Lucy collaborated with us to put together a ambitious itinerary which fulfilled all of our objectives, despite our time constraints and distance.
The overland drives across the Rift Valley from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru, then along the Mau Escarpment to Masai Mara were fascinating, with some amazing views. Covering that distance on the ground gave us an appreciation for the diversity of Kenya's geography and people. Kenyans drive on the opposite side of the road than what we are used to and the roads can be challenging, so we were grateful to have friendly and professional drivers to safely and efficiently transfer us from place to place.
The lodges that Lucy booked for us were outstanding – spacious, comfortable and well appointed – and the staff were warm, calm and solicitous without being overbearing. Being greeted with a refreshing warm washcloth on a tray everywhere was delightful! The game drives were fantastic, and the incredible guides helped us see over 30 different species of African wildlife. These professional naturalists helped us appreciate not only the animals’ beauty but their complex social interactions as well.
Lucy also arranged a quick turboprop flight from an airstrip just outside of our lodge in Masai Mara to Ukunda Airport in Diani Beach, enabling us to spend a restful couple of days at a resort on the Indian Ocean, complete with beautiful white sand beaches and ocean swimming. We concluded our visit with a full day in Nairobi with a car and driver, and visits to a number of local attractions, including the Giraffe Center and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to visit baby elephants.
We were well taken care of from our arrival in Nairobi onwards. The overall trip, while ambitious, was worry-free for us. We've already started thinking about plans for another visit and are very happy to have worked with Lucy and her team for a unique and unforgettable Christmas trip!
Email Rosa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
We would recommend Zippy and Australken very highly, they are a great company. We had a 7 day trip in Kenya which was absolutely fantastic. Our tour guide Albanas was so informative and genuinely enthusiastic about seeing all the animals which meant we had a good time, he was very patient too rather than chasing animals around like some of the tours do not stopping to watch all the interesting moments take place. He also knew hundreds of birds off by heart to tell us about. The cook Daniel also made us tasty vegetarian food and the places we stayed were all great.
Zippy is very well organised and thinks of every detail, she made it simple to book and ask any questions we had before our trip, she met us at the airport and checked in with us during the safari, she even kindly helped us book another trip we wanted to do in Tanzania even though it was a separate company. Thanks Zippy for being so helpful and accomodating and making our holiday so enjoyable.
RS
Email Mihail Petreski | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience, the devil lies in the details
We took a three days safari in Tsavo East and Amboseli National parks, starting from Diani Beach. Seeing the wildlife in their natural habitat is really great experience which could have been even better if we took care of some details.
During these three days, we spent approx. 24 hours in the van, either traveling from one place to the other or within the national parks. It is very important to rent a good car, with good suspension and air conditioning. The air conditioning is not going to help much in the national parks, since the roof is open for watching the wildlife, but it is essential on the way back from Amboseli to Diani Beach (11hours in the car). Make sure the car is in good shape since we had two car problems which required us to leave the vehicle (in the national park) and stay on the road in the middle of the day. The people were very friendly and helpful. Our guide/driver was doing his best to fix the problem, even colleagues from other agencies stopped and helped. But we could have been much better without that experience.
Altogether, it was challenging and unforgettable. :-)
AR
Email Betiana Malzone | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most incredible experience of my life
I went on a 6 day safari to Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli parks and what I lived around there is just extraordinary. Since the moment zero, when we've been picked up in Nairobi the vibes of the guide, the people I've been sharing it with and the things I saw were just amazing. I thought that I may get to see an animal far away but instead I found myself 2 metres away from the big five while they were looking at me so friendly. It's an experience I would do again for sure. I went on December and the wheather was good, some rains but not too much, just refresh the air so makes it perfect. The food and accommodations in the tended camp were very good and decent. Jocky Tours gave us everything we need and the timing was perfect. Kikitu, our guide couldn't be better. His energy, good mood, and knowledge made from our trip the most especial ever. I totally recomend it!! Karibu Kenia Hakuna Matata!
SUPERB LIFE CHANGEING ADVENTURE
Dellago Tours organized the trip very well. Our driver, Joshua was exceptional. Juliette, the tour organizer was very wonderful, flexible and easy to contact. This was by far the best trip of my life to date. So many wonderful memories. We saw so many animals with their babies. We came home optimistic, happy and overwhelmed with the beauty of the world.
IN
Email Asif Rahman | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lived Simba's dream!
Kenya was one of the best holidays we had. My wife Nikki and I love to travel and we have always been to the mountains and beaches. Masai Mara was a whole new experience and we loved every bit of it, the bushes, savannah, animal planet, travel, tent stay and hotels, food, hospitality, friendly people and best of all.. our "game master" - driver - guide: Khalifa from Jocky Tours!
Everything was perfectly organized, time-watched over, food and water in plenty, clean and comfortable-safe accomodation.
The weather in Kenya is perfect, if you thought Africa is hot and dry, you're in for a treat in Kenya. Nairobi has the perfect weather to walk around wearing your jacket, be greeted "Jambo" or "Habari" by friendly people!!
The game drives are amazing if you're a nature lover, have watched Nat Geo, Animal Planet as a kid. The experienced and professional drivers will take you in the "newly created" routes in the bushes and show you a magical world. We were lucky to get Khalifa's service as he's very passionate about the wildlife and knowledgable about their life. Also the group tours were a great time to meet interesting people, make new friends and have a great time. Kenya/Masai Mara is a lifetime experience one shouldn't miss.
Email Amélie Daubresse | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Alright but too touristic
Our guide did not even introduced himself when we met him. Basically I would say that he was a driver more than a guide. We didn't lean anything about the wildlife of the reserve and the communication was very poor.
the guides went out of the road to see the lions closer, which is forbidden. We didn't appreciate that at all since it was very disrespectful of the wildlife and of the animals.
The food was alright.
A bit disappointed to do the same as all the tourists in the reserve.
Email Francesca Holmes | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
6 day tour of Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha
Considering we booked a ‘budget safari’ and were a little sceptical about how it would be; it was absolutely fantastic! The communication beforehand with Robert (the email correspondent) was great, he gave fast and thorough replies. Our guide for the 6 days was Aruni and he was amazing; so good that we were able to see all of the big 5 in two days! He was a great guy, very experienced, with a great sense of humour and his knowledge of all the animals was incredible .
The accommodation was basic but clean and fully fitted with mosquito nets; the staff in all places we stayed were very friendly and helpful.
The food, although nice, was often the same and after a while got a little boring, lots of rice, beef and spinach.
My recommendation would be to bring lots of snacks, as some days we would have breakfast at 6:00 and then lunch was not until 14:00.
Another great thing about the safari was that as we booked in advance and are a family of 5, we were able to get a private tour for no extra cost! This was really great especially as talking to other travellers through different companies, they said that often the logistics with van sharing was complicated and meant time was wasted helping people to swap vans.
Thought it was worth a mention, currently you cannot enter the gorge at Hell’s Gate, Lake Navaisha. However we thought the boat trip on the lake was amazing and a fantastic way to spend Christmas Day morning.
