Picnic lunch in the Wild Masai Mara
Tropical Wild Expeditions
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a lifetime
We had an absolutely amazing 8 day safari with tropical wild expeditions, in an almost new land cruiser with a safe and experienced driver and budget accommodation that far exceeded our expectations.
I also have a few tips for anyone looking for a budget Kenya safari....
All of the companies mix and match clients to get their tours to fit in with their schedules with shared tours., so it's always possible you will change from one vehicle to another depending on your itinerary or have people come and go from your vehicle. Sometimes leading to delays and frustrations... I really can't see anyway of avoiding this besides having a private tour.
On the first day of the tour you drive all the way to the Masai mara and then have lunch and go on an afternoon game drive around 4/4:30. Only problem is the park closes at 6 and you still have to pay full game park fee for that day(same day only passes now instead of old 24 hours passes) so maybe consider what we did adding another day in the mara but not doing a game drive on the first day to reduce the cost and maximise value. In the afternoon of the first day we paid a nominal fee to a Masai working at our camp to take us on a nature walk, were we learnt about how they use all the plants/trees and saw lots of animals walking along the river in the park.
Lots of the roads in and between parks are dirt/gravel and during rain periods can be flooded I think the land cruiser is worth the extra price over the van.
Most of the camps the budget share safaris stay at are all near each other just outside the park. I can't recommend enough flair camp experience, every meal at the camp is a 4 course meal and was levels above anything else at the other camps and the Masai staff were absolutely amazing.
The drive day to Amboseli after doing hell's gate is pretty brutal and Im on the fence if it was worth it to me. Amboseli is great for seeing elephants and the view of Kili is amazing if your lucky to get it on a clear day but it can also be a bit of an anticlimax compared to the all action of watching hunts and spotting far more animals in the mara.
If you do make it to Amboseli I highly recommend the Manjaro camp if your looking for more of a natural low key experience. Small camp with basic amenities but has wildlife from the park walking through the camp, sounds from animals at night including hyena calls and heaps of bird life. Camp fire in the evening and walking paths around the camp.
Email Richard Stark | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good professional service
After nearly booking with the wrong agent I found TWE very professional. I booked a budget 7 day safari.There was a driver waiting to pick me up from the airport at 6am. I shared a Landcruiser with a mix of Europeans from other agencies and we had a great time together. Our driver John was a nice guy and only gave us early pick up times when needed. Also when another tourist complained that her tour Company had changed her Hotel without telling her he immediately corrected it. Ivwad on a budget holiday, but the only difference in the price was the quality of the Hotel you stayed in. That being said all accommodation was clean and comfortable - tented acc in Masai Mara was the roughest but some Hotels were 4 star with swimming pools and rooftop restaurants. Tbh the Game Parks would be ruined if 5 star Hotels were built right next to them, and the accommodation we stayed in blended in with the surroundings.
Can definitely recommend Tropical Wild.
Email Rob | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very well organised
I had a superb time! Susan from Tropical Wild did such a great job organising my trip & was excellent with communications throughout.
A couple of things to be aware of:
1) If travelling solo in off-peak season then you are likely to be in a 4x4 with people who booked through other companies, so you might not be staying in the same accommodation as them. They also might be on a shorter trip, so the people in the car may change (& even the driver/guide!). It all worked out well for me though as the changes spiced things up.
2) My first tented camp didn’t have any soap in the bathroom, so remember to pack your own!
ES
Email David Sorribes | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Efficient organization and lovely dedication that allows to discover and enjoy the beauty of Kenia
I had the luck of having James Gichina and Johnny Jackson as drivers of this amazing trip through 4 Reserves and Natural Parks. You notice how relentless they were in the pursuit of finding the big 5 five and the best possible shot and educating you about the natural live and its mysteries.
Even that, the nature has its own ways in the games and it was not possible to spot all of them, specially the leopard although all efforts. I hope for it at my return.
IT
Email Valentina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They have been very professional and helpful since the very beginning
I did the low budget 6 day group safari tour from Masai Mara to Amboseli NP. It was amazing! The tour was very well organized and we had plenty of game drives. We got to see the big five in Masai Mara, which I highly recommend. Accomodation in tented camps was basic, but you could surely find anything you needed. Moreover, the campsites were really close to the entrance of the NPs, which was really convenient. Staff were super friendly and food was great, definitely beyond our expectations. The highlight of the tour was the driver, Albert, who would do his best to show you the wildlife and tell you everything about it. It was good value for money
CA
Email Surabhi Mohanty | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari and hospitality Experience in Kenya and Tanzania
We planned our amazing trip in detail with Susan from TWE for our East Africa trip (7 days in Kenya and 7 days in Tanzania). She was very informative and flexible to curate a plan according to our need and requirements. The communication was one on one for the most part and hence we were able to better prepare for our trip.
Planning:
The Safari guides, accommodations, and food arranged were top notch. The planning and transfer between accommodations and national parks were very well organized. At the end of the Kenya part of our trip, TWE helped us with the border crossing formalities(it was a very smooth crossing without ant issues.)
Tanzania part of our Safari was also indirectly catered by TWE with the help of another tour operator in Tanzania. We had more personalized itinerary (which included a few internal flights). The planning and communication was very good between different guides in different areas for us. Any request from our end reg either accommodations or itinerary was very well responded to.
Safari:
We saw so many animals on our first day in Masai Mara, Kenya itself. That set the tone for the rest of our trip. We really had the best co-passengers and safari guide for the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru part of our Safari! Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania is something you don't see anywhere else in the world. Our different guides in different parts of Tanzania were very warm, friendly and professional. It was amazing to see people at work who really love their jobs! Highly recommend chimpanzee trekking in Gombe National Park. It was surreal.
Food:
We were pleasantly surprised with both Kenyan and Tanzanian food. We even enjoyed a 4 course meal at our first 2 days of camp stay in Kenya. In Tanzania, the dedicated cook Erica, who travelled with us during our camp days prepared all types of top-notch cuisines. In Tanzania the lunch at Materuni village was one of the best food we have ever eaten.
Accommodations:
The camps in Kenya are really luxury camps with spacious rooms and cleanest bathrooms. There in electricity, hot water and you can literally stay there for weeks without any hassle. In Tanzania our stay at Chemka Paradise Eco Lodge was very peaceful, We wish we had planned to stay longer there. Be mindful though the camping in Tanzania is actual back-country type of camping with shared bathrooms, which was very different from Kenya. The views make up for the comfort there.
Overall we had a fantastic time! Hope to return one day with more family members!
US
Email Jeni | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect safari for what we wanted
This safari was exactly what we hoped it would be- to see as many things and places as possible with down to earth accommodations on a budget (as we’re a family of 8).
Major pros & highlights:
The animals. We saw so much! And David was always willing to stop for even the smallest of birds.
The food, especially at the Lake Naivasha accommodations (Apex Leisure).
David knows how to get you in the perfect spot for the best photos and experiences. We felt like we always had the best view!!
The final stop at Manjaro tented camp had the friendliest hospitality. Extra props to Jonathan for always being available.
Timeliness- David was always ready on time.
Susan is quick to reply to our emails which gave us a lot of peace of mind. It was ultimately the reason we went with this company.
Cons:
There were some miscommunications with the cost of the extra experiences. I’m not sure where the problem landed- us, guide or vendor but it happened twice. I’d recommend making sure it’s VERY clear and agreed on by everyone prior to starting. It’d be nice if you knew the prices prior to the trip.
While petty, the pillow situation was tough- if you’re pillow picky, I’d recommend bringing a small one just in case.
The time in the car driving from one location to another can be quite long (7+ hours) so be prepared. I’m not sure there is another way to see so much but if you have smaller kids or don’t enjoy very long road trips, consider few parks.
Overall, we would do this again! Thank you!!
ES
Email JIAPING | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice people and pretty good organization
Pretty good organization and nice people. Susan organized me 10 days Kenya & Tanzania Trip and helped my to cross de border from Kenya to Tanzania.
A unforgettable trip and really had a good experience. I am so sure I will going back soon.
NO
Email Gunnar | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceded my expectations, w/hot Air Baloon trip, Masaii village, and big 5‼️
Dear Susan,
My Safaritrip with Tropical surpassed all my expectations.
Starting with the service provided from Susan, solving my travel irregularity challenge, further with selection of an excellent guide, the exiting Hot Air Balloon trip, Masai village tour, abundance of animals, and the trip to the Crescent Island, all during one wonderful week. I will recommend you to my friends.
Please send me the book "A Field Guide to the Animals&Birds of Kenya/Tanzania", I will send you the payment in $ when you provide payment details.
Best regards. Gunnar
CA
Email Brenda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Susan and David were very professional, attentive and helpful
Susan and I corresponded daily to organize my 9 day safari to Masai Mara (3 full days of game drives), Nakuru, Naivasha, Hell's Gate and Amboseli. She always answered all my questions in a very prompt, helpful and courteous manner. When an unexpected wrinkle arose with an accommodation, she quickly arranged a swap. From start to end, everything was amazing! I'd highly recommend this company.