Email Halee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Speed Date: Kenya Edition
Kenya is a great East Africa experience. Being my first time on that side of the continent I found it’s diversity made it easy to indulge in everything. From the beautiful non tourist filled beaches in Mombasa to the vast rolling landscapes of the Maasai Mara and the nightlife of Nairobi. Whether you’re into ecotourism, cultural encounters or the highlife, there’s something for everyone. My next trip will be much more curated and quiet but if you’re a first time traveler to Kenya, I suggest try everything once, stay for a minimum of 10days then return again for what you enjoyed most.
DE
Email Sonja | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super nice country, lots of animals, nice open people
Three days wildlife in Masai Mara were great, easy booking and reliable with Axis Africa Safaris. Lake Naivasha and nearby volcano also very nice. Diani Beach top! We reached it comfortable with train from Nairobi to Mombasa and Uber to Diani. Everywhere upper range hotels but also budget. Travelling by busses is easy. People are always helpful and like to talk. There are many sights left to visit. We have to come back.
PT
Email Elisabete Cristina Pereira Coelho | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wildlife and culture
Perfect for wildlife Safari, multicultural full of life cities, really nice people.
You really can feel and see how climate changes are affecting the world.
You can really get to know kenians and reflect on how basic is not always warranted.
Email Troy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Massai mara 3day safari and lake navaisha
We did a three day safari with meektrails and our guide antony.
We were picked up and dropped off at Nairobi airport all included in the price.
Our guide was antony who was excellent throughout in being flexible and getting us to see all the big amimals and the small ones aswell!
Game drives in the massai mara are an incredible experience and would recommend to anyone, especially worth getting up early for the dawn drives as this is when the animals are most active.
Lake navaisha was good but less spectacular although worth the visit if you have time. We stayed at AA lodge which was functional and reasonable but not luxurious.
DE
Email Claus | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenia is a beautiful country with friendly people
Douglas is a good Scout a driver! ....................................................................................................................
US
Email Karen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya has a very friendly and ambitious service industry struggling to overcome societal blight
Wildlife viewing is fabulous, whether in the famed Maasai Mari preserve or in less well-known places like Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, or Amboseli. Neither the roads leading to the major national parks nor the parks themselves have smooth roads or driving paths, which sort of adds to the adventure. We enjoyed many a "free" full-body African massage while on the road, and the question of what would happen if the vehicle somehow broke down--in the wildlife areas-- was indeed answered: friendly tour operators from other orgs pitch in and take in whatever passengers they have room for. While our expectations for the accommodations at the budget tent camps were low to begin with, we were actually pleasantly surprised by what was offered. Yes, it was simple, but we slept well, the camps were quiet at night, and the food was ample. The night sky, away from light pollution, was spectacular. Two things were a bit disturbing: 1) the amount of litter strewn everywhere (except in the national parks themselves)--what would it take to institute a national clean-up campaign? and 2) the constant bombardment to purchase this or that trinket by folks peddling their wares. I guess that's the natural response from a people who have learned that tourism is one of the most profitable ventures going (one of our safari drivers was a mechanical engineer who saw that the income from tourism far outstripped the income from practicing his profession).
US
Email Jin Su | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent for observing wild animal life.
We are group of ten persons from US did 9 days Kenya/Tanzania combined tour arranged by RightChoice Safaris. The tour was amazing with seeing a lot of animals, all Africa big five animals, big wildebeest migration and Mara River crossing. The food was surprisingly good to everyone’s satisfaction. Safety was no issue. Stay in lodge or tent, there were people outside whole night to guard for your safety. George of RightChoice is very good to work with and response to your question timely. We were in two land-cruiser. Our driver Jacob and Max in Kenya, Stwel and Achille in Tanzania were the key that we had this unforgivable journey. Specially Jacob not only find animals and explain things details and also can pick good scenes and angle stopping the car for your photo.
Only thing that bothered us is George didn’t tell us Kenya only take newer $100 bill, which make ran into a lot of troubles.
DE
Email Christian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lovely people, tasty food, great safari experience.
We, two adults (49y, 43y) and two children (12y, 9y), had a great time in Mombasa (Bamburi beach) and a 4 day safari (Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli and Mzima Springs). In total we stayed 13 nights.
The beach is beautiful, however the beach boys are annoying, you really do not feel comfortable to try a walk at the beach.
The hotel had great swimming pool and entertainment during the whole day, with all-inclusive you really have excellent food, drinks and service.
The 4 day safari was for sure a highlight: it is a long drive during the first and last day, but it is worth. Safari means that you need to wake up earlier every day as during the morning is the best time to see the animals. Late in the afternoon as well. Amboseli has lot of people doing safari, but you see a lot of animals and birds. Mzima springs is unique, it is a place to visit if you want to see a lot of hippos. Tsavo West and Tsavo East are very different, the first you might not see as many animals as in Tsavo East, however only in Tsavo West you might see the Rhino.
At the end we saw all Big 5.
Tips: do not buy souvenir at the Curios during the safari, it is way too expensive. All items are not priced, thus it is a matter of price negotiation. If you still want to buy something, ask for the price and offer maximum 1/3 of the asked price.
Please make sure to have the local currency with you (Kenia Schilling), the locals prefers the Schilling when you give small amount of money to them. Coins (Euro, Dollar, etc) are really not welcome.
CH
Email Rudolf Stüssi | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rich in landscapes, wildlife, cultures, hospitality, but suffers poverty, drought, and corruption.
As a four-member family we booked 2 weeks safari and one week Diani Beach south of Mombasa. Both my wife and I had been in Kenya before, decades ago. Kenya has changed, but not as much as we had expected. True, Nairobi is much bigger and more dangerous, but the countryside, the towns don't seem so different. The tour operators, Best Memory, were very friendly and professional, met us at the airport to take us to the hotel.
It was surprisingly cool throughout our safari, it being technically 'winter' there, but quite a bit warmer near Mombasa.
The safari, conducted by the very sympathetic and knowledgeable driver Patrick, went through the most notable parks and a stimulating change of scenery and lodges/camps. Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru were great, Amboseli and Tsavo East a bit disappointing because there were few animals due to the bad drought there. On the whole there seemed to be fewer animals, which is not surprising. Still, we saw almost everything there was to see, except for a leopard. And we were exposed particularly to the fascinating Masai culture. We did learn to check the exchange rates carefully and haggle at the souvenir shops along the way.
The final week at the Baobab resort at Diani Beach was all-inclusive, very nice, we were spoiled. The monkeys were a constant interest for the children but they could quickly grab a sandwich out of your hand. Water and pools were a nice temperature and the food good. There was nightly live entertainment in an amphitheatre by a well-trained troupe called the Jambo Team.
We left on election day. Campaigns were obviously well-funded. Everyone was hoping there would be no violence but they didn't believe a change in leadership would bring about any meaningful change to widespread poverty and corruption. It is a fascinating country with great but yet unrealised potential. well worth a visit.
Email MD | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya Safari- Masai Mara and Amboseli- January 2020
Went on two 3 day safari's in Kenya, first to the Masai Mara and the second to Amboseli. All in all the two trips were good value given the low price, I've listed the pros and cons below.
Pro's-
-Amazing scenery and wildlife, you cannot get any wilder than the Masai Mara! You will more or less be guaranteed to see at least 3/4 of the big 5!
-Amboseli is one of the most scenic safari parks in the world with the Kilimanjaro backdrop! It really is a photographers dream!
-Food is good given the facilities (used to cook the food)- have a broad mind and enjoy the flavours!
Con's-
-For 3 days there is just too much driving from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and back. Amboseli and back is manageable because the distance is considerably less. And the roads are absolutely terrible in places, choose a more expensive vehicle- anything other than a 4x4 is not suitable!
-Wildlife is heavily dependent on the season- better in the dry season. We saw lots of wildlife in the Mara, but didn't see hardly any wildlife in Amboseli except lots of elephants and the general assortment of other smaller animals like antelope etc.
-Be prepared to eat the food, it wont be what you are used to at home!
