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Email Dina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya is a Magical Place
Kenya is beautiful. The vast savannas with wildlife were more than what I imagined. We visited the Masai Mara in January, it had rained the week before, and for a couple of hours overnight while we were there, so it was very green.
Our accommodations were excellent and most importantly, all the people we met were friendly and helpful. We felt they all wanted to be of service. The food was good. Our guide from Spirit of Africa was very knowledgeable, competent at driving us on difficult dirt roads and aware of where to go to see animals. He was patient with us allowing us time to take photos when we let him know we wanted to stay. He also had a good relationship with all the people we came in contact with along the way.
The animals on the safari were a highlight - a lioness guarding her cubs, elephants traveling together with their young, a giraffe walking with 2 young ones a seated giraffe - wow, plus lots of gazelles and a variety of other animals. It was really quite exciting to be there.
IE
Email Olga | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great variety - wildlife, scenery, history and natural history
I spent a week on holidays in Kenya. This was not a typical safari, as I booked my own accommodation and went on a range of day safaris, with different companies. I started and finished in Nairobi, and in between stayed a few nights in Nakuru and Naivasha. My first safari was to Nairobi National Park, where I was amazed to see so many animals within the first couple of hours of entering the Park. This included getting very, very, close to a lion, thanks to my great guide. I went to Lake Nakuru National Park and again saw lots of wildlife, and my guides looked after me well, including helping me when I arrived at my next accommodation and making sure I had transport to my next destinations. At Lake Baringo my guide showed an impressive knowledge of the local birds. I really enjoyed the opportunity to walk around Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha, including getting very close to giraffes.
In addition to these organised safaris, I also enjoyed walking around Hell's Gate National Park, visiting various places in Nairobi such as Nairobi National Museum and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, eating some tasty fish, and swimming in the sunshine! A great adventure all round.
Email Helen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Breathtaking views and wildlife sightings - one of the best experiences of my life!
I booked a 3 day, 2 night safari in the Maasai Mara for myself, my husband and two friends to travel in late December. All staff members were very helpful and informative, from Alex who answered all my questions via email, to Joseph who transported us from Nairobi to Naroc and told us lots of interesting facts along the way. We were collected in Naroc by Evans in a 4x4 Land Cruiser (definitely choose that option when booking - you won't regret it!) and enjoyed the beautiful and bumpy ride to the Maasai Mara. We went on an afternoon/evening game drive, then were taken back to our accommodation, Sopa Lodge, for a delicious buffet-style evening meal. As we walked back to our bungalows for the night, our security guard told us to stop and listen - in the forest surrounding our lodge was a family of elephants eating trees and bushes! We couldn't see them as it was so dark, but listening to them eating, breathing and communicating was magical. We were up early the next morning for a full day in the park, and were lucky enough to see the Big 5, as well as lots of other animals such as cheetahs, hippos, ostriches, zebras, giraffes, jackals etc. Evans was a fantastic guide, and made sure we were successful in finding even the most elusive of animals such as a leopard and a black rhino. We had fantastic weather throughout our trip, and loved having a chance to have a picnic on the plains of the Maasai Mara! Thank you to everyone involved in making our holiday one of the best experiences of our lives!
NL
Email Olga Aarts | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Impressive
We want on a 3 Day joined safari to marsai mara very beautiful. Good staff our driver guide ' BEN.' And the staff in the camp. Price was Good.
Email Catharina | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect holiday!
This was one of the most perfect holidays we had so far with our family. We've seen so many wildlife, the big five, beautiful birds and the scenery was just lovely. Our guide was very professional but built a quick and great relationship with the whole family. He went out of the way to make us feel comfortable and we always felt save. Highlights - definitely the hot air balloon ride with a fantastic champagne breakfast over the Masai Mara and then Kilimanjaro ! We were very impressed with all the lodges but the favourite was Osero Lodge - tents were beautiful, staff GREAT! Next time we would stay in tents every where! Kenya will definitely see ua again AND we shall choose "Kenya Walking Safaris" again!
SG
Email Sanchu Kesavamurthy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Experience
The roads to the various safari's could be better, esp the one going to the Masai Mara.
US
Email Mira | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelivable experience
All was great, operator, accommodation, service, and communication.
AE
Email Trine Bossen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Something to remember.
Whole thing was well planed, staff was super friendly.
Email Trad Hatton | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great experience with kids visiting Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru
Masai Mara is glorious. The Eco Camp chosen by Pride of Kenya Safari is really nice as was the visit to Masai Village which is authentic in its own way. The Masai are very aware of the interest in their culture and so they have arranged a very nice visit. I was happy that our fees to visit the village will contribute in whatever way.
Lake Nakuru is not what is used to be in terms of the flamingos, which are now mostly gone. I don't think I would visit again. But Masai Mara is a truly wonderful place
AR
Email Andrea Meroi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience with Alliance Destinations
We chose Alliance Destinations because James was who first answered us, very willing to accommodate the trip to our needs: specifically, to begin in Nairobi and end it in Mombasa (rather than return to Nairobi) and quickly search an international flight that would allow us to get to Nairobi and back from Mombasa. In turn, that would allow to travel along the coast on our own, that was the intention.
James was always attentive, quickly answering our e-mails. We were able to book without any inconvenience.
He and our guide and driver in the safari which was to begin in just two days, Gerard, were waiting for us at the airport in Nairobi. They took us to our hotel and there we close not only the balance of our safari but we decided to contract with them a day at Nairobi National Park, visit to the orphanage for elephants and Giraffes Center. It was an unforgettable day, already with Gerard, and we highly recommend this tour.
And what about Safari in itself? Everything was perfect and far beyond our expectations. We stayed 2 nights in Masai Mara, 1 night at Lake Nakuru and 2 nights in Amboseli. Masai Mara camp is spectacular (Ashnil Camp); other accommodation, not so much, but very well, particularly comfortable, clean and with very good food.
Masai Mara is not to be missed. Gerard was always willing, our tastes and interests. He seems to maintain the enthusiasm of a first day. Loves his country and his work, knows a lot of animals and the places you visit. It is a very careful driver (in fact, he was excellent in two dangerous situations created by other truck drivers).
I don’t think we can remember the number of animals we saw: Lions, Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes (many!), wildebeests, gazelles of various types, topis, zebras and elephants (thousands of elephants in Amboseli), buffaloes, ostriches, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, birds of all kinds... Gerard was always attentive and did everything supremely well.
Don’t miss the balloon flight... a unique experience that is well worth the big bucks it costs. Excellent Casey, the pilot of a Hot Air Safaris.
The parks are long and strenuous, but very instructive. If you want to learn about Africa and its people there is no best way to go observing their villages, their inhabitants, their routes, the places where they live and how they live... Spectacular.
Lake Nakuru is slightly decadent since flood deprived of its most important attraction, the flamingos. However, it was there where we saw more and better zebras and where we could get off, well guarded by rangers, and closer to zebras and flamingos themselves remaining in the Lake. Beautiful.
Amboseli is the paradise for elephants’ lovers. There are thousands (literally). It is not to be missed. Here James joined us to the safari, with good reviews and his good company.
In the end, two surprises bonus track: a visit to a masai community, touching and unforgettable, and another to the elephant with largest tusks...
We have no words to thank the efficiency, work and love Gerard and James. We strongly recommend Alliance Destinations.
