The team
Karibu Safaris In Kenya
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1986)
- Member Of:
- KATO, Tourism Regulatory Authority & Eco Toursm Kenya
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $80 to $280 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Exellent and well-organized safari.
I thoroughly enjoyed the service provided by Karibu Safaris. We got to see all the Big 5 and many more animals. The tented camp we stayed aｔ ,"Elephant Springs", was well kept and very comfortable. The meals provided throughout the experience were excellent.
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was due to our driver. He was friendly enough and tried his best - driving over 100kms on our second day - but lacked the ability to interact with the clients on a scale that I have experienced on other safaris - this may have been due to an insufficient English language skills. It may also have been because we were in the back of a large mini-van and hearing was sometimes difficult. He also had a habit of driving close to other cars which meant 'eating' a lot of dust. It would have been easy to pull back a bit (say 50 metres) and avoid the dust. I understand he was sometimes in a hurry to get to rare animals (eg, rhino, cheetahs) when it was radioed through and I appreciate this. Also, he tended to drive off before we had finished photographing and on other safaris I have done the driver always made sure that we were ready to go.
The van we used had 8 people in it despite being promised that there would only be 7, with a window each. I suspect this was done to enhance profits. Admittedly I did change my dates a few times so maybe they had a good reason for this. This did not affect our safari so much as there were a couple of older ladies who had been on various safaris before and they were mostly happy to view from the windows. Make sure you are promised only 7 as it could get crowded at the top of the pop-up-top.
I think Karibu Safaris has a lot of promise. The driver we had just needs a few training tips and he will be fine. I would not hesitate to book them again.
IT
Email fabio | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 days in the wildlife of Masai Mara
The safari booking process was clear and the price fair. The driver came to pick us up at the hotel and was excellent in driving along the unpaved road leading to the park. The three days were nice, and so was the tented camp. The bottled water was not present in the jeep in the quantity agreed.
Very positive experience.
FI
Email Katy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 days safari Maasai Mara
In advance it was easy to communicate with Karibu Safaris, Robert answered all my questions and very quickly by email. And overall their customer service was very friendly and helpful. They picked me up from bus station before safari started and storaged my stuff during the trip. When we get back they drove me to my place and brought all my stuff there!
The Safari was great and we had a lot of time to see animals. Accommodation was very nice and enjoyable. Atmosphere at the camping area was so nice and it was great to meet those maasai guys! So nice experience!
ES
Email Carla | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
striiking experience
During 3 days and one night, myself and other six guys went to Massai Mara. The experience was absolute incredible. Accomodation was in Rhino Tourist Tented Camp, good option, clean, nice food, gentle staff... our driver Isaac knew very well the area and his knowledge about the park helped us in order to ejoy the trip.
AE
Email shanawaj khan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
excelent services and cordination
i went for 3 days safari right frol pick up from hotel to going to masai mara and cmg back every thing was well organised .. very suportive .. and all services loke hotel camp stay and transportation where good
SK
Email Tatiana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
dream come true
For us- doing the safari was a dream come true. We saw pretty much everything we ever wanted. Of course- the communication, the car or the accommodation could have been better, but well- we chose the budget option. For those considering Karibu Safaris- go for it but choose the mid-range option, it is worth it.
EG
Email Lucero Mex. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience with karibu excellent service.
We had a wonderful six day safari in Kenya¡ Robert is an excellent trip advisor, he answered all our questions about visa, itinerary, price, optional trips and what was included. Since we arrived at the airport they were waiting for us, drivers Gibson and Jackson were very formal and kind on their duties, food was enough and good. Masai Mara, Amboseli,Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha were marvelous¡¡
Great time in Masaai Mara with a few flaws
Overall, Our visit to Masaai Mara has been incredibly enjoyable. But a few things just got a bit annoying after a while:
- Robert told us there would be 7 people in the van, however there were 8. It was a VERY crowded van and during game drives, it got quite hectic
- We were told by the operators that seeing the great migration was a guarantee. We almost cancelled because we saw online that great migration already passed, but he assured us that great migration was happening. Sure enough, there were no wilder beasts... We could've saved it for Tanzania. I highly encourage everyone to do their own independent research... because at the end of the day, its a business for these tour operators.
- The Masaai village tour is NOT free. Its 1000 shillings to enter, which was not clearly communicated by the tour operators. There were a few shocked faces in our group when this was communicated.
However, overall, the people in our group made it worth while. We've met some great friends during the trip and don't regret the decision to visit masaai mara :)
Reply from Karibu Safaris In Kenya
Posted on Sep 29, 2016
Hi Jay,
On the emails we listed to you well what was included and not included, kindly recheck well and you will see that the Masai village entrance fee was not included and was on the extra activities paid direct to the masai chief elder.
About the group number, you were 7 clients with one kenyan (a guide in training) making it 8 and he was seated in front with the driver but we apologize for that and it will not happen again, the company offers/sponsors free field training for the less fortunate wannabe guides who have the passion for safari guiding.
We apologize about that and we will find an alternative way to train them on the field.
Regards
Msafiri
KR
Email hajin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If you want to do short safari, This is a reasonable price.
This is not bad and not good. I have arranged pick up service in the airport. But, They didn't pick me up.
This is a not good point.
But, I enjoyed this package.
As you know, This package is most cheapest price among the package.
And they tried to endeavor a lot.
I think they did best.
This is a not bad point.
Nomally i was enjoyed.
Reply from Karibu Safaris In Kenya
Posted on Sep 27, 2016Hi Hajin,
Sorry about the airport pick up delay, The driver had gone to the wrong arrival terminal as Fast Jet usually arrives in terminal 1D and this time round you arrived from domestic arrivals terminal 2, when the driver was noted of the arrival changes before the driver had arrived at the domestic terminal 2 to pick you when you, you had already boarded a taxi which brought you to the city center and we paid for it.
Sorry ones again.
Regards
Msafiri
ES
Email Jimena | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
good service
I organized my safari with Karibu Safaris, Robert answer to my emails right away which was great because organizing that trip and finding the right safari with a fair price is quit difficult, he gave me all the information i needed and it was easy and fast. I had to cancel my trip at the end for work reasons but if i get to go again i will contact them for sure.