MAASAI MARA
Balu Travel
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2022)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $200 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
MT
Email Daniel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Patient, accommodating and dedicated.
This was our first time visiting Kenya and taking a safari, so we had no idea where to start looking. We saw some great reviews of Balu Travel online so we got in contact with Morris, who was very nice and responsive, and catered to our many questions instantly. Everything from start to finish was impeccable. The van we used for the safari was spotless every single day. The pick up was always on time, the driving was very safe and fun, to the organization and hotel bookings, literally everything.
We cannot praise our guide Derrick enough for the views he managed to show us on our game drives. He was very patient with us and gave us ample time to take great pictures up close with the wildlife. He was very knowledgeable of the Maasai Mara and the vast wildlife that was present. For the duration of the Safari he was always available to us and attended to all of our needs. 10/10 would recommend! :)
ES
Email Riasat | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Balu Travels was disrespectful
I was trying to weigh my options for a 3-4 day safari and Balu Travels was one of the tour operators I requested a quotation from through Safari Bookings. After they shared the quotation, I had a call with them the next day and requested for some changes. They texted me the new quotation. I told them I would review and get back to them the next week.
In the meantime, I received a more affordable quotation from another operator and decided to go with them. I politely informed Balu Travels that I would have to pass on their offer, but in response I got an offensive remark. I am quoting it here verbatim: "You people are very interesting, why should you make request with unrealistic demands then skip it. It's unprofessional to just want to waste time."
I am not sure what they exactly meant by "you people", but it is hard not to tie it to ethnicity. I think they miserably failed in their customer communication.
(images removed for privacy reasons)
AZ
Email Elchin & Jey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Albert is a great guide with perfect navigation skills
We took 4 day tour for Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru. Our guide was Albert who had a good navigation of Masai Mara national park, thanks to what we could see almost all big inhabitant's of the park. A big thanks to Albert. The camp in Masai Mara was facilitated enough to accommodate you in 2-3 days. It was a tent with built in shower and toilet with hot water running all the time. Lucy and Gladyce were very welcoming and smiley hosts. Also big thanks to Morris who was in constant contact with me and took us from hotel in Nairobi to the meeting point. Overall, we had an amazing experience and recommend this tour if you want to experience safari in Kenya.
DE
Email Miri and Jessy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
We asked three companies for an offer - and Morris replied immediately. The communication was always professional, quick answers and he explained everything to us. Morris even helped us out on questions not concerning the safari tour itself (like hotels in Mombasa and ETA questions).
We felt safe and well from the first communication on, so we decided to go with Balu.
The price for our 5 Days, mid-range, private tour was more than fair.
The hotels Morris recommended were really nice and we felt safe and home everywhere we went.
Our guide was Peter. Honestly I can’t tell in words how much we miss Peter already! It was so much fun exploring Kenya with him. We learned so so much and laughed so hard. One of the best times in our life - and that is really thanks to Peter.
We were so lucky to have him as our tour guide! I recommend him highly.
We went to Lake Navisha, then to Lake Nakuru. Peter knew everything, recommended a really cool boat trip to us and made the best time out of the first two days even though we were a bit tired and overwhelmed from the long journey on the plane. On the second day we drove to our final Safari destination. The Maasai Mara is a stunning peace of earth.
We spent two full days in the Maasai Mara and we had so much fun!
Even though we had a bit of a struggle with flooded streets after heavy rain, there was not one second we felt unsafe. Peter is honestly the best driver in the world and knows exactly which road/ way he can take and when to turn around. Also he is a walking lexicon - he can answer every question regarding the animals, the landscape, the culture.
On the first day we saw 4/5, just the leopard was missing. And it’s not so easy to find them. So Peters mission on Day 2 was “finding the leopard” - and if that guy is on a mission, you can be pretty sure that he will accomplish it!
And what should I say… of course we found a leopard.
Besides these amazing days in the car, spotting animals, we had so much fun and karaoke in the car with Peter.
Also the long drive back to Nairobi was just like a road trip of really good friends enjoying every moment together.
So… thank you Morris for organizing the whole tour and making things so easy for us. And thank you for choosing Peter as our guide. We found a friend!
And Peter - thank you for being you. You know how much we appreciate you and how happy we are that we met you!
Best days ever. Even the singing hahaha
Email Han | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good.
The trip was good. I and my friend saw many animals with help of the guide. I think the cost of the service provided was reasonable.
Email J. Dilshan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Value for money- over delivered
It was an amazing experience with all expectations exceeded.
Saw all of the Big - 5
Accommodation was very good
Morris delivered on his promises as well as the exceptional Driver Guide - Jeremy
IN
Email Ashwin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Service & Hospitality... Worth It...!!!
Morris was extremely patient & courteous to assist with all information & questions related to our choices regarding Game Drive options.
Jeremy & Peter (our guides) at Masai Mara & Amboseli were extremely knowledgeable, polite & made our trip experience extremely engaging.
Email AJ & Mei | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5* agent, one of the most professional and best tours we’ve been on
Wow, what can we say! We trawled the internet for tour operators and landed on Balu, our agent was Morris. From beginning to end, Morris was FANTASTIC. We admittedly were not the easiest of clients, we had trust issues parting with so much money for a Maasai Mara Safari package and a lot of questions with it being our first time in Kenya but Morris dealt with us with professionalism, reassurance and knowledge - just brilliant. He organised extra things we required such as transfers from remote locations and had brilliant communication throughout, consistent and thorough.
The tour exceeded all our expectations!! It was AMAZING!! Absolutely worth it and presented as such value for money from all the research we did. Our driver was Solomon who had the BEST knowledge of the Maasai and incredible driving skills. We are so happy we booked with Balu and had Morris as our rep. We’ve already recommended him to all family and friends thinking of coming to Kenya for Safari. Thank you to Morris and Balu for the most unforgettable trip.
CN
Email jing | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
good
It was a good trip. The accommodation was good, the food was good, and the driver was experienced enough to see all the animals I wanted to see.
Email Brady | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect experience
The safari through Balu was great. Morris was incredibly easy to communicate with. And Solomon was such a great guide with so much knowledge about the area.
I did the budget option and the camp had everything you need for a budget safari lodge!