A must do trip
I recommend without hesitation. Mr. Otieno of Safari Walking is highly and promptly responsive to inquiries. It all went well. Ask to have Benson as a driver if you can. Benson is a safe driver, he is polite, patient, dedicated and will get you to see all the animals, some in action. I got to see an entire hunt from start to finish. I just returned from a safari with them. Though I was alone, they proceeded and I had the car and the guide, Benson, to myself for 9 days. That was great. Not all companies proceed when they only have one participant.
There was a hiccup though and I do not doubt Mr. Otieno will see to it this never happens again. I got food poisening in Naivasha in a lodge. I recovered fast as I had no plan to let this incident curtail my trip. However, if you are going to be in a lodge without telephone and the possibility to go out at night because of the possibility of wildlife encounter, make sure issues such as seeking assistance at night if needed are addressed. Annoying things could happen, so...be prepared just in case. In my case, the issue was not addressed beforehand and I am just glad I was able to get through a bad night due to food poisening without needing assistance from the lodge reception (closed at night on top of it all). This most important issue must be addressed. This said, look out for your safety and make sure to ask whether the ice is from purified water, and only eat fruits served with a peel or that do not easily harbor bacteria and that look crisp fresh (pineapples), avoid salads unless they are served with vinaigre on the side, and send back food that is warm but not cooked to death and that is not sizzling hot if cooked (right off the cooking pan). Basic stuff and you will be just fine. On another note, the food was always good, balanced and varied.
FYI, I think 3 nights in Naivasha is a bit long. Once you have seen the lake and done your drive at Hell's Gate, there is not much more to do and see. All this can be done in one day. Naivasha is a good rest stop driving from Masai Mara to Amboseli but that's all. Visit the market of Naivasha and mingle with the people. I liked going where the regular folks go. An hour at the market should suffice. All in all, I am happy with Walking Safari Survivors and I recommend without hesitation despite the hiccup that I am sure will be addressed. If you want to see how it went, I kept a journal/ blog of it on my Instagramaccount daleelah2018. You will see clips I made of conversations I had with Benson (you will love Benson) and a hunt and kill Benson got me to watch from beginning to end so knowledgeable and persistent he is in finding animals.
Another suggestion: for extra activities that are not included in the safari price, the travel agency should pre-negotiate the prices for us. I was left having to bargain the prices. They try to get the highest price first and you should discuss to lower the price. It would be better if that part was taken care of by the guide for a fair result for all. I find it a bit annoying to haggle each time. It can be pretty expensive, like US prices, which, in my opinion is not always justified in Kenya.
Benson dropped me off at the train station at Emali after visiting Amboseli Park and I continued my journey solo to Mombasa, Diani Beach, Wasini Island then Nairobi for 3 days. Kenya is a special country and it's people are beautiful, gentle and welcoming. I can't wait to go back there and when I do, Safari Bookings and Walking Safaries will be my first choice to arrange a safari. Do not let my suggestions or the hiccup I experienced interfere with what will otherwise be an amazing experience with Safari Bookinks and Walking. Safari.
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Email Nikhil Arora | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The overall your was really good.
The weather was really good at that time. We had visited Masai mara National park. It was hell of an experience. The night we stayed there, the silence of nature and its beauty. What we feel can't be described in words here.
IT
Email Peter Miozzo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome places and lovely people bring you to discover the wild life!
The drivers, the places and al the others things was awesome. I had it 6 days of nice trip and I saw beautiful things. 100% recommend
DE
Email Christiane Saar | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wunderful very impressive adventure
Kenia is a wunderful country, whit impressive nature and wildlife. We meet very friedly people and get always nice accommodations. The food was very good and ouer driver was perfekt, we enjoed our holiday very much.
Email Judith | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most amazing experience of our lives!
If there's only one comment that we could say about our experience "Africa is not a place it's a feeling". Kenya is the most beautiful place we have travelled to, the hospitality and kindness from everyone we met when travelling through Kenya was something we'll never forget. We stayed in the Tribe Hotel in Nairobi when we arrived for two nights, staff and the hotel 5* an amazing stay. We then went on our adventure to the Masai Mara arranged through Spirit of Kenya, Charles our guide that met us within meeting him we felt at home immediately,. We stayed in Base Camp, I can't even put into words how amazing this was, the food unbelievable, accommodation, scenery and more importantly how the Masai Mara tribe looked after us was so special. Charles our guide, again I can't put into words how amazing (apologies for using the same word amazing) an experience he gave us seeing the most beautiful animals close up. Transportation with Spirit of Kenya was the safest I have ever felt. We then went to Mombasa and stayed in Tequila Sunrise for nine nights, oh my unbelievable, I would recommend anyone going to Mombasa to stay here, We then went to Sands at Chale Island, again I fell in love and were looked after so well. We have travelled many countries and truly Kenya is always going to be in our hearts, We'll be back Kenya.xx
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Email Racheal | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing! This was once in a lifetime experience.
The wildlife was just so magnificent. I have not seen such wild animals anywhere upclose in the world! Its just an experience everyone should wish to have with nature. The weather was just perfect for the short duration i was there. I enjoyed the accomodations and loved loved the food. It was a new experience for me and i loved the tour guide. I will be visiting Kenya again, thats for sure. And this time, with some more friends!
BS
Email Robert Stamm | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Adventure
This company was absolutely excellent to deal with! From the time we landed until we left Kenya, this company took care of us and made sure we had what was needed. The camps were outstanding as was the service within them. The follow-ups, customer support and overall experience with Somak was a welcome surprise and I cannot recommend them enough! We will be back!
DE
Email Jan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience! Visit Kenya and book with kenyawalking. Special thanks to our guide David!
Accomadations, wildlife and the service have been excellent. Our guide David made the trip extra special.
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Email Jennifer | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing experience!
It was incredibly easy to book the safari from the USA. The communication was quick and easy, as well as making the payment. It really was a stress-free booking for us. Our guides were very informative and we felt completely at ease during the whole experience. Our lunch was a delicious buffet full of so much food! Overall, I would recommend Samson's Safaris to anyone interested in a great safari with great people.
IT
Email Nam Le | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
wonderful
I took the 6 days 5 nights Maasai Mara - Nakuru - Amoboseli. The service was perfect, me and Karibu (Robert) kept in touch before and during. All my questions about were answered within 15-30 minutes via email, I'm quite impressed. Though it was the low season in Kenya but with the enthusiasm and patience of Joseph, the driver, I saw all the big 5 in the first 2 days. Everything went great and smooth, the bed was comfortable enough, the food was delicious, though there were not many options. He even sent me to the border and arranged me the connection to Arusha, Tanzania after the trip, what else I could ask for.
