Serene East Africa Ltd. management staff
Serene East Africa Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $495 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Unforgettable safari experience!!
Serene is the best company I believe for travelling to Kenya. Though I requested several tour companies for quotes, Lucy, a tour arranger, was by far the quickest to get back to us and she provided accurate answers to any questions we had. I wanted a homestay at Masai village as an addition to my safari tour. When I consulted Lucy about this, she immediately contacted the agent to see if it was possible and put it into our itinerary, which was a completely different response from other safari companies which simply refused. Thanks to this, we not only went on a normal safari, but also took a walk with Masai people and my children played with Masai children, which was a very irreplaceable time for us.
Linus was a great safari guide and driver. We were able to travel with peace of mind because Linus was always with us from the airport to the safari. Linus has been a safari guide for over 20 years, and we often saw that he was admired by other safari guides during the tour. It seemed timing is important to see rare animals, we were impressed Linus was able to take us to exactly where the animals were based on his years of experience. My little son came down with a high fever during the trip, Linus was worried and bought us medicine, which was a big help. Also, we forgot my camera lens at the last sightseeing spot, but while we were on our way to the airport and didn't have much time, he worked with company staff and staff at the sightseeing spot to deliver the lens to the safari van. Really appreciated.
There are various things if I write it down in detail, but the Kenya trip was very rich and deep to us. If anyone is travelling to Kenya, I definitely would recommend Serene.
CA
Email Sandy Christie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and friendly service and follow up. I highly recommend Serene East Africa Safaris.
We decided earlier this summer that we wanted to do a safari to Kenya and after looking at many safari outfitters and contacting several, I settled on Serene East Africa Safaris and am so very glad that I did.
When I first contacted Lucy I explained to her that my wife has advanced Alzheimer's and is in a wheelchair with limited mobility and asked if she would be able to put a safari together for us. She said it would be absolutely no problem and she would make sure that any lodges she suggested would all have wheelchair accessible facilities and would make sure that everything else was also tailored to my wife's needs.
Lucy was an absolute pleasure to do business with and right from the get go she took care of everything in a low key manner, suggesting an itinerary but at the same time being very open to any changes I preferred. For example, she initially put Lake Naivasha on the itinerary as well as Lake Nakuru but I preferred to pass on this and stay an extra day at Masai Mara. Staying at Fairmont lodge the extra day and omitting Naivasha meant one less travel day for my wife and we also wanted to make sure we spent enough time in the Mara. I received an email back within minutes saying that was no problem whatsoever and to consider it done.
Everything from booking, to choosing lodge options and paying online went very smoothly as did the pick up at the airport. Lucy put together an amazing trip for us that was filled with awe and excitement. The photos and videos we took will hopefully help my wife to remember things about the trip long after the actual events have faded from her memory.
After our flight from London the night before our two daughters, along with my wife and I, opted to fly from Nairobi to Masai Mara instead of driving. It worked well for us and I recommend it as an option to anyone considering it. We arrived at the lodge very fresh which may not have been the case if we had driven down with our guide Linus. Linus took us to the airport then drove to the lodge with our luggage and we met with him later that afternoon. Linus was the most helpful, knowledgeable and interesting guide anyone could hope for and we struck an instant rapport with him. For the four days that we spent at Fairmont Masa we were also accompanied by James, our Masai assistant guide and spotter. What a wonderful addition he was to our tour and his sense of humor and knowledge were a joy to be around. When we left the Masai Mara, saying goodbye to him was like saying goodbye to an old friend. We may never meet again but we will forever remember him and the knowledge of his country that he shared with us.
I feel I should make special mention of the staff at the Fairmont. Absolutely splendid people who went out of their way to make sure everything was good and to offer help with my wife. A special shout out to Phillip who was assigned to help transport my wife in her wheelchair to and from our accommodation for the duration of our stay. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him and everything was always done with a smile and a friendly word. We spent a lot of time in conversation and I appreciate him teaching me a lot about Kenya, its people and its customs.
After the Mara we visited Lake Nakuru with its pink flamingos and stayed at Sopa Lodge for just one night, another great recommendation by Lucy. From there we spent a night in Nairobi to allow my wife to relax before going to Amboseli. Ole Tukai Lodge truly enchanted us. It was probably the oldest of the three lodges we stayed at but the ambience along with elephants outside the grounds and magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro made it almost feel like a setting for an Ernest Hemmingway novel.
When we got back to Nairobi we spent a night there and next day went to the giraffe center, did a bit of souvenir shopping and then had a delicious lunch with Linus, Lucy and her nephew.
I couldn't complete this review without another comment about Linus. What a wonderful addition he is to Serene East Africa. He was so incredibly helpful and patient with my wife and helping her in and out of the Toyota Landcruiser several times a day and loading/unloading her wheelchair. I realise it is a part of his job to do this but he always went the extra mile and couldn't do enough to help. As I told Lucy, if ever we are lucky enough to return to Kenya on another safari, we want Linus as our guide. He also got us up close to lions, cheetahs, rhinos, a leopard and many elephants so we felt incredibly lucky to see all the big five. He put us into position to get the dream photos of elephants in the foreground with Kilimanjaro behind and showed us such a number of animals that I never thought I'd see except on National Geographic.
Thanks to Lucy. Ann, Linus and James for everything they did to create and put into practice such a memorable safari for us. I do not hesitate to recommend their company and services to friends and/or anyone who is inquiring about doing a Kenya safari. If I'm lucky enough to ever visit Kenya again I won't have to do any research as we will definitely be going with Serene East Africa Safaris
Sandy Christie
BE
Email Sara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Up to my expectations
Housing was very nice and food was good. The organisation of the Safari was very well done. The service was good, we lacked of nothing and the communication with the organizers was good so we were aware of everything. We had Simon as driver and I recommend him a lot ! He was doing his best for us to see animals as close as possible and to make us the most enjoyed. We had a lot of fun with him. He a good driver even when we was stuck in the mug !
CA
Email Dan K. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding and worry-free Kenyan safari!
Around a year ago we planned a ten-day trip from Canada to Kenya for the Christmas holidays. We hoped to spend some time relaxing on a beach as well as visiting a couple of national parks. Lucy collaborated with us to put together a ambitious itinerary which fulfilled all of our objectives, despite our time constraints and distance.
The overland drives across the Rift Valley from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru, then along the Mau Escarpment to Masai Mara were fascinating, with some amazing views. Covering that distance on the ground gave us an appreciation for the diversity of Kenya's geography and people. Kenyans drive on the opposite side of the road than what we are used to and the roads can be challenging, so we were grateful to have friendly and professional drivers to safely and efficiently transfer us from place to place.
The lodges that Lucy booked for us were outstanding – spacious, comfortable and well appointed – and the staff were warm, calm and solicitous without being overbearing. Being greeted with a refreshing warm washcloth on a tray everywhere was delightful! The game drives were fantastic, and the incredible guides helped us see over 30 different species of African wildlife. These professional naturalists helped us appreciate not only the animals’ beauty but their complex social interactions as well.
Lucy also arranged a quick turboprop flight from an airstrip just outside of our lodge in Masai Mara to Ukunda Airport in Diani Beach, enabling us to spend a restful couple of days at a resort on the Indian Ocean, complete with beautiful white sand beaches and ocean swimming. We concluded our visit with a full day in Nairobi with a car and driver, and visits to a number of local attractions, including the Giraffe Center and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to visit baby elephants.
We were well taken care of from our arrival in Nairobi onwards. The overall trip, while ambitious, was worry-free for us. We've already started thinking about plans for another visit and are very happy to have worked with Lucy and her team for a unique and unforgettable Christmas trip!
CN
Email MA ZHILING | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It too good to be true
It was a perfect trip. Thank Serene East Africa Safaris for its integrity and meticulous arrangements.Special thanks to Lucy and Linus .Most people in China travel to Africa will not choose "www.SafariBookings ",because of poor English and too much worry .We're also trying for the first time .We sent our trip to more than a dozen local agencies.we choose Serene East Africa Safari company,Because it's cheap And vehicles use land cruisers .But because it's Christmas, 70% of the money is paid in advance ,And by electronic wire-transfer.This is not used to Chinese people ,After all, it's the first time we've been Cooperation with a completely new company. But Lucy always responds to her emails quickly，We believe in the sincerity of the company.
Our flight is so early ,But when we get out of the airport, Lucy is already waiting.We were moved and all concerns are gone .Guide and driver Linus is funny and sincere.Our English is very poor,Along the way Linus patiently explained animals and local culture to us.Laughter accompanied the journey.The whole trip was well planned.The hotel is nice and clean，All meals are carefully arranged，The vehicle is also our favorite "Land cruiser".We have a long journey,There are 12 days. From Kenya to Tanzania, back to Kenya, but all the connections were perfect.There are no fees other than visas and tips in the whole trip .Everything was so much better than we thought.It was the most memorable trip of our lives.Thanks again Serene East Africa Safari for making the trip perfect.
IT
Email Diego e Laura | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enjoyment, pampering and satisfaction!
We are very satisfied and happy with our honeymoon.
The agency “Serene East Africa Safaris”, in the person of Lucy especially, has turned out to be a serious, professional and above all careful agency and ready to satisfy our needs and expectations. Lucy organized an exclusive and detailed honeymoon, leaving nothing to chance.
We spent 15 days in Kenya doing three safaris and staying in different lodges, where both the rooms and bathrooms were functional and clean; the service and staff are friendly and welcoming, the food is good and plentiful.
Our guide/driver, Linus, who accompanied us during the safaris by a private minivan reserved just for us is a brilliant person, protective, attentive, safely adventurous. In addition to providing us with various information about animals and plants that populate the savannah, it really wanted us to have an experience in Africa to be unforgettable and succeeded! Bravo Linus!
We spent the last few days at the Diani Sea Resort where the staff was attentive and willing to accommodate our requests and always kind; the room, the restaurants, the pool and the food really excellent and excellent enough to feel pampered and relaxed at all times.
We highly recommend the agency “Serene East Africa Safaris” to organize your trip in kenya and not only and Thanks again to Lucy and Linus!
An indescribable honeymoon!
You can see the best view all over the world
All things gonna perfect.
the tour guide simon was really kindful and he told us a lot of information about animals so it was awesome.
If you join this safari tour, you could see beautiful view you cant everywhere.
And if you decide to participate safari
U must find out simon's number kkkkk
And if you have a plan to go Kenya, you must join this tour and even you dont have a plan, U should buy a ticket for Kenya^^
Email Anthony K | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good experience all the way - Amboseli, Tsavo West/East, Diani Beach
My wife and I had a wonderful 6 nights private safari organised by Serene East Africa Safaris. We visited Amboseli (AA Lodge), Tsavo West (Kilaguni Lodge), Tsavo East (Ashnil Aruba Lodge) and Diani Beach (Diani Sea Resort, 3 nights). All the accommodation was superb with Kilaguni Lodge outstanding. The Diani Sea Resort all-inclusive package was also outstanding. While at Diani, we went on a day trip to Wasini Island where we saw dolphins and went snorkelling in the coral reef, and also visited the Shimoni slave caves. This was all included in the package, including our flight back from Diani to Nairobi!
Lucy and her team were superb throughout, from the moment of initial contact to our departure. Everything was seamlessly organised with no surprises or disappointments. There was constant communication on WhatsApp or email and questions are answered quickly. We had a superb guide, Kennedy, who was patient and easy going. We were received and dropped at the airport. I liked the all-inclusive nature of the safari, you barely need to spend any more money again.
On the parks themselves, Amboseli was beautiful especially with the imposing Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, with plenty of elephants, loads of different species of birds, some lions, etc. Tsavo East/West are really vast and consequently sparsely populated, although still boasting plenty of elephants, giraffes, zebras. Diani beach was beautiful with a warm sea!
I would definitely recommend Serene East Africa and I would use them again.
PT
Email Pedro and Daniela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Experience
Hello,
Me and my girlfriend searched the web for a reliable safari company in Kenya. The serene east africa safaris is just that.
I sent an email with what we wanted and Lucy quickly answered all our doubts and organized a travel plan within our preferences and availability.
From the arrival to the airport where Lucy herself came to greet us until the departure, we felt that they were always concern to provide us an unforgettable experience of supreme quality.
The trip surpassed our expectations.
Our guides, Robert (hope you're already better) and Linus were amazing. They speak very good English. And always very explanatory about the fauna and flora we found, and also the customs and traditions of the places we visited.
It was a very hospitable country.
The lodgings and meals were great.
I would wholeheartedly recommend anyone who wants to have a unique experience to book with Serene East Africa Safaris.
Pedro and Daniela
PT
Email Daniela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
wonderful experience!!!
Lucy and her team are extremely professional and attentive! security is constant. the guides explain curiosities about the animals and the parla! the hotels were wonderful! Thank you to our guides: robert and linus! an experience to be repeated briefly