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
Email Eduardo R | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience from beginning to end!
We just came back from a week in Kenya in a Safari with Serene East Africa Safaris. We were 2 couples and it was our first approach to Africa and safaris so we wanted to make sure we chose the right operator. We definitively did, the booking process was easy and it was quick to reach an agreement on the cost and parks to visit. The payment process gave some problems in the beginning but Peter sorted it out in 1-2 days. They also reply fast to the e-mails and when you raise any problems they make sure you feel good and relaxed that it will be sorted out. I was vert strict to settle what was included and what not, and some special requests. It was all settled and we were never asked for extra costs, a totally different experience to what we had in other countries. Here, they really just want you to enjoy your stay in Africa and come back.
Peter visited us to welcome us to Nairobi and we were introduced to our driver, Danson. He was very close and friendly the whole time, always had water and soft drinks for us, made some jokes and informed us about the animals we were watching. I would totally recommend him as your driver. He is contact with other drivers in the area to know when Lions, Cheetahs and other animals are spotted…The 4x4 jeep was really good and comfortable during the safari. The last day in Nairobi we used a Van to visit the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe centre, and even though it is not bad, I would 100% recommend upgrading to a jeep for your safari.
In our safari we spent a week in Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli national Park. I would 100% recommend to everybody to visit Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara, they are amazing places and we had the opportunity to see Rhinos and a leopard in Lake Nakuru, and many Lions, Cheetahs, hyenas, Jackal , etc… in Masai Mara. Lake Naivasha was an intermediate point in our trip to relax and watch hippos in the lake, as well as a short visit outside the fence to see them at night, arranged in our hotel, but I don’t think it is a must for a Kenyan safari. Amboseli is great if you are an elephant lover, you will never see so many together and so close, and experience how they interact with each others. We also saw some Hyenas, cheetahs and lions, although not as close as in Masai Mara. Definitively the Leopard, the 5 cheetahs we saw together and the rhinos were the highlight.
We stayed at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, and it has an amazing location and views, the food is great and the service is really good. In Masai Mara we stayed at Mara Simba Lodge, it was really good too, I think the accommodation selection in Masai Mara is generally worse compared to the other national parks for all the safari operators , but I can say I was totally satisfied with this one, the staff was really nice and we didn’t see many mosquitoes, the room was big and comfortable too, we also saw a bush baby at night in the dining area. In Lake Naivasha we stayed in Simba Lodge too, it was cleaner that in Masai Mara, the location is spectacular, and the food service and bar is great too, you have waterbucks and zebras in the garden and Giraffes just outside the fence and Hippos at night that you can ask security to take you see safely. In Amboseli we stayed in Kibo Safari Camp, this is the only tented camp we used, and it was clean and comfortable, I thought it was a bit dark inside the tent at night , and in the morning it was a bit cold and we had to wait a bit for the solar panels to bring some hot water, it is obviously a less comfortable experience to the previous lodges, but I think it was a good stay and would recommend it too, the food is also a bit more limited than the previous lodges.
All in all, Serene East Africa safaris helped us have an amazing safari, it was comfortable , the guide was great and we always felt safe and were treated respectfully everywhere we went, even the last day we went to try typical African food in Nairobi city centre, and our guide from that day was different, but he made sure we felt safe and the food was great, and also took us to a very good place to buy souvenirs at a good price.
It has been one of the best holidays in our lives, and I can’t wait to go back on a safari to Africa.
Personally me and my partner have travelled to Asia or south America a lot, to many unique wildlife destinations and this experience is up there with them as one of the best and I would totally recommend this safari operator.
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Email Jerry | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience
We just got back from a 4 day safari tour covering Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. Peter was able to customize the tour according to our preference and schedule, and answered all our questions in a timely manor. Our driver/guide Danson was knowledgeable and experienced. He was prompt and always kept the vehicle clean. We have seen a lot more wild animals than we had expected to see on our tour. This is truly a once in a life time experience for us and we are glad that everything went well. Thanks to Serene Safaris we had a wonderful experience we'll never forget.
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Email Kimberley S | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari that exceeded expectations
Our 6 night safari covering Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and Diani Beach was a dream come true. From the initial quote to our sad goodbye at the end of the trip everything went very smoothly. Lucy was very easy to communicate with and answered all of my questions quickly making the booking process a very easy one. The personalized service you get with Serene including being greeted at the airport by Lucy herself was greatly appreciated. We booked a private tour and had Symon as our driver. He was amazing. He has so much knowledge about the animals, Kenya, current events or anything else you want to talk about. He never led us astray and with his guidance we had some perfect safari moments such as a lion crossing right beside our van or elephants crossing in front of Mt Kilimanjaro. Since our safari was private Symon was able to make amendments to the schedule as we went along if we wanted to stay longer in one place to contemplate the animals, or change activities around a bit. November was an excellent time to go as well, we saw so many animals out grazing (particularly in Masai Mara) or just hanging out on the side of the road. The budget accommodations included with our tour were all very nice and clean with various charms. Kenya overall was a wonderful country. The people are exceedingly friendly and the food was generally very good. The roads, however, are often dirt roads and can be very bumpy and dusty, and the stretches of paved roads between cities are filled with trucks and the emissions can be very bad. That being said we loved our safari and know we definitely made the right choice booking with Serene East Africa Safaris. I highly recommend them.
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Email Richard | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari in Amboselli and Masai Mara
Our driver, Simon, with his many years of experience as a tour driver, knew his way around the parks and we saw the Big 5. We had a fantastic time. Lucy (office) was very easy to work with and this trip exceeded our expectations. The 5 day trip was just the right amount of time to be on safari. Accommodations and meals were superb.
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Email Isabel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Trip!
Lucy was amazing to coordinate the trip with and was so accommodating of a few changes we made during the process. My four friends and I planned for a six day safari and ended up adding on a three day Diani Beach extension and it was so worth it. The trip was pretty much seamless. Lucy picked us up from the airport and we were with our wonderful driver Simon or at one of the camps/hotel the rest of the time. The game drives were wonderful (we saw every kind of animal out there besides a leopard) and all but one of the accommodations wildly exceeded our expectations. The food was fantastic but do be warned at if you order any drink (including water) at a restaurant, it is not covered in the sum you pay to Serene East Africa Safaris. If you want a wonderful experience in Kenya you will not be disappointed with this company.
Email Susan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding budget safari to Masai Mara for two with transfer on to the Serengeti
Excellent, reliable company to organise a safari with and very highly recommended. We wanted something a bit different (a land transfer into Tanzania at the Sirare border on the western side of Masai Mara) and Serene East Africa Safaris coped wonderfully with this, providing us with good options for a private safari (just the two of us) that were within our budget-level price range. The accommodation chosen was amazing given our budget (Mara Base Camp - highly recommended). Vehicle comfortable and reliable (minivan which is typical for here and much cheaper than land cruisers), driver helpful and capable. The wildlife viewing was exceptional (the wildebeest migration had crossed into Masai Mara from the Serengeti). Transfer from the MM to the Sirare border does not seem to be common so I provide some detail here. It is a 4 hour, really pleasant scenic drive - not a main roads so on dirt roads but not a problem. There was a fuss free handover directly to our Tanzanian safari driver at the border; the two safari vehicles just parked beside each other. The border passport controls (the Tanzanian side is a new building) and paperwork took just 15 minutes. You absolutely MUST have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to cross the border (although theoretically I think this is not required - depending on where you have traveled - you will still be asked for it). Taking vehicles across the border can be a big headache so we had a Tanzanian reistered vehicle and driver waiting for us for our Serengeti part of the trip. The two drivers were in good communication so this all went smoothly. This way of getting around to the Serengeti is a good budget alternative to going back to Nairobi, flying from there or going via the main land crossing. Be aware that it is still a few hours drive from this border before you get into the Serengeti National Park. Thanks Lucy and Serene East Africa Safaris for helping make our trip a fantastic experience.
Email Melanie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb trip. We saw so many animals and the whole experience was amazing
This trip exceeded our expectations. The organisation and communications were excellent (Lucy) Our guide(Peter) was extremely knowledgeable and worked so hard to make sure we saw as much as possible. It was a family trip of a lifetime and one we'll never forget
Exiting safari time in Masai Mara
Ti was a exiting experience in Masai Mara. Driver excellent, good camping, a lot of wild animals at a short distanze, we could organized time, like our need. Thankyou Serene
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Email Michelle | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best travel experience ever
At first, it was very hard to select a reliable agency to make sure the trip would be smooth. I was lucky that I found Serene, Lucy always replied E-mail very quickly and for the program arrangement, she gave her professional advises for the sceneries and accommodations. All the accommodations are perfect and her recommendation saved us a lot time, gave us the best spot to see the view and support us have the wonderful experience in Kenya.
Our driver Simon is the best as well, he knows everything about the animals, for all the questions he could give us the best answers! Simon is also a very good driver, he is familiar with all the pathways and could drive us to the best spots to see the animals and he always kept the vehicle very very clean, we felt very comfortable during all the program.
The services and arrangement could not be even better! Serene gave me a wonderful experience in Kenya. Thanks to Lucy and Simon, if it's possible, I want to recommend everyone who want to go to Kenya Serene East Africa Safaris, because they are the best!
Email Sue | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a fantastic safari, Lucy tailor made an experience to suit our requests.
I arranged my trip independently from the UK, travelling with my daughter and felt very nervous not using a big firm. Lucy from Serene is a very organised business woman and quickly put me at ease, She answered all my questions and tailor made our safari to suit our budget, schedule and requests. All correspondence was answered promptly and Lucy was able to recommend a hotel in Nairobi to start our trip. We were collected by Lucy and our driver Dansom from the hotel to start the adventure. The safari bus was clean and well maintained with a plentiful supply of bottled water and we had it to ourselves so plenty of room for all our stuff. The massi mara was magical, we saw 4 of the big five including my particular favourite Elephants and so much more. April was a great time to visit seeing young animals and very green because of rain just before we travelled. Our trip was all inclusive (except for drinks) so no worries and the food provided was excellent. Dansom was knowledgeable about the wildlife and able to answer our questions. We travelled in the low season and Lucy was able to negotiate some luxury accommodation at a reduced price for our mara camp. We then travelled to Lake Nivasha to see fish eagles and explore the volcanic landscape at Hell's gate national park. It was a magical 4 days. We were returned back to our hotel in Nairobi to continue the rest of our holiday. It is worth mentioning that our bus did fail to start one evening ( not surprising given the terrain), Dansom was able to quickly arrange alternative transport and Guides for our evening safari and a mechanic to ensure our safari bus was up and running for our next trip. I was very impressed with the way the problem was handled with no noticeable disturbance to our schedule.