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
AE
Email Amy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour guide called James, he was so patient and really directed the tour to our taste.
The communication was great- they were very quick to reply to any question or messages we had before we arrived and then as soon as we met James on the first day, we knew we were in safe hands. The service was excellent, we had loads of space and did as much as we could have done within the few days. He really tried to ensure we saw all the animals and listened to us when we asked to go somewhere/any questions/ if we had enough for the day.
Email Dominic | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
"Great life experience safari" with karibu safaris in kenya.
we booked a 3 days and 2 nights safari to maasai Mara with karibu safari in kenya. our driver was Mr. Raymond and it was planned and arranged by Derrick mailu.thier prices and flexibility are good as compared to other operators.the drive was nice from the pick at utawala though the morning was rainy. after a pleasant drive we ended up in maasai mara and went for evening park drive.we stayed at mara elephant spring- tented camp which provided Delicious meals and good staff(cooks).the full day park drive ,after a night of heavy rain brought us wonderful view of animals(different species) at close range. Raymond our tour guide was knowledgeable and kind. had a good feeling when to stop for a photo and even for special request. we managed to see 4 of the big five. (didn't see rhino).i would definitely recommend karibu safari for any experience.
LT
Email Arvydas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliably and in time. Friendly and helpful personnel.
Everything was great! Very good impressions! Raymond is really very experienced driver. Secured drive under extremely challenging conditions. In general, service satisfied the price. However, more telling about the animals while being in Masai Mara would be desirable.
NL
Email Lar Nie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience
Edward was a great tourguide with a lot of knowledge. We booked a 7 day safari in low season, so it was not crowded at all. We changed cars and scedule a couple of times, but in the end we did everything we wanted, even though we skipped a few hours of safari due to the changes. Accomodation and food were better than expected. Overall a great experience. Would definately recommend.
LV
Email Ieva Kilevica | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari with Karibu!
Thanks Karibu Safari for great organsation, kind and quick answers - thats why we chose them because of professional comunication! Also because they were helpful about our final destination to finish not in Nairobi, but Mombasa and they aranged for free that Luxury public bus pick up us in Emaly and get to Mombasa.
We were 5 in a car and that was OK. We really enjoy safari itself, despite of long distance driving between the parks.
Our driver Aron is the Best and very experienced guide! Because of comunication, knowledges, attention to everyone and humor.
Camps was OK, food - tourism standart. Animals were fantastic - we enjoy watching them, but may be it is better to came in season during migration period - July to November, however there will be 10 times more tourists too. We manage to see all BIG 5 !
Thanks KARIBU Safari
Email Abdirahman | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I like to enjoy may life
They always communicated very well and helps more to get experience life and even it's can change your life
NL
Email Nelleke Priem | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good value for money on this budget safari
Like I said, good value for money for a budget safari. The game drives were well executed, saw a lot of game and the driver did his best to show us The Big 5 in Masai Mara NP and the other parks. Accommodation was basic but very fine, same with the food. Vehicle is a bit tight to sit in but was good enough and worked miracles for showing us the wildlife through the rooftop and for not dying on us on the very very rocky and rough roads of Masai M.
Few tips: on the Masai Mara trip we could use more bathroom breaks (or bush toilet breaks). You can't expect people to hold their bladders from 6.30am-2pm. Also, if anything changes from the initial itinerary we got before we left, such as change of accommodation, please inform us. People will complain when not informed. Communication from the driver could be a little better, like for instance about distances, how long before lunch/washrooms/back at camp etc. Also a little more information on the wildlife would be nice.
All in all, I had the best of experiences and absolutely loved every minute of this African experience. Will recommend Karibu Safaris to friends and tell them the trip was absolutely fantastic! Thanks for everything!
IN
Email Valentine Mendanha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Could be Better if.....
We booked our Safari through Karibu Safari here is my frank opinion of the overall tour...
1) Vehicle.... I am 6ft 2 in tall, and the only place I could fit in was the center seat in the last row. We were told we would be a total of 6 people, and we were happy. Anything more, the vehicle is very cramped with no place to keep our backpacks/napsacks. But then, on the first day, we were only 2 of us to Naivasha, the next day, we had to wait for 2 hours 30 minutes for 4 more to Join in, the 3rd and 4th day we were 8, and on the last day 8 till someplace midway for Lunch, and from there to Nairobi 1 hour we were 3.... so for the most important part that is the massai, and on very bad roads, we were cramped with 8 of us + driver + an assistant.... it was absolutely uncomfortable
2)The Driver - Raymond... doesnt talk much, but an Excellent Driver, even though he was driving at great speed and sometimes on very bad roads, there was literally NO roads for almost 100kms and inside the masai reserve too, we felt very safe with him. Good Guy !
3) The Airport Pick up was on time, friendly driver, waited with a placard, easy to Indentify, and I hope the driver for our drop would be on time too.
4) Our Tour - We did a walking tour on the 5th Feb, good guide, and absolutely worth it for USD 10 per person.
5) Our Hotels on the Karibu tour....
Taphe Guest House - Naivasha - Wish, hope and Pray Karibu safaris would choose another property. In the middle of no where, no tv, no sockets working, tiny rooms, changed rooms twice, the second room was big, but nothing in there worked, no tv, no socket, the bathroom was large ( room 204), but if you sit on the potty, the thing shook, the bathtub hand shover leaked, the main shower only pelted out boiling hot water. The sink - if the geyser was on gave only hot water, no cold water came out, asked for a bucket and mug but got a bucket and a large plastic Jar, funny they never used mugs... Food was set and very average, you had no options to choose, no mugs in room, only one chair, and No free water, you have to pay for everything including water. Please, find another property, this one badly sucks !
The Lenchada Resort - Masai Mara - We were told we would be given the Mara Springs Elephant Camp, but instead got the Lenchada. It was Ok. The best part was the Toilet - spacious, good shower and hot water from 6.30pm - 10pm and from 5.30 am- 7 am. Food too was limited but good. The bed however was very very low, and the matress curved in. Uncomfortable but we were so tired, we managed. The room could do with a small side table and two glasses, but there was nothing. Everything had to be on the floor. Only thing in the room was the bed and mosquito net. Not even a chair and table to sit outside. Went to the restaurant and got a couple of chairs which we placed outside our tent to sit. We cant be sleeping on the bed all the time. The Lenchada would do if it had a wooden table to place our luggage, a small side table with a pair of glasses to drink our water or have a drink in, and outside a couple of chairs. Otherwise, its OK for a budget property.
The City Max Hotel - Lake Nakuru..... Well, we were given the 3rd floor rooms... dont know why. Someone took our luggage up, but we had to bring it down ourselves... 3 floors down ! Room had a twin bed and a single bed.... It was stuffy, no fan. We had to open the windows to get in some air but along with it came the mosquitos and spoiled our sleep. If we put down the mosquito nets the place would be suffocating. The TV worked, the internet worked, The Bathroom had a hand shower with NO force at all and the water just trickled. The tap however worked fine but with no bucket and mug to collect water, we had to wait a long time for the water to do its job.... Overall, a fan in the room, a bucket and mug in the bathroom and some more pressure in the handshower would have made the place worthwhile... Food was set, but tasty, just your plate of food, no water, no dessert, no fruits. Breakfast was much better..... But Put a fan in the rooms please....
About My hotel in Nairobi - I booked the Best Western Meridian Plus hotel and cannot be happier. Lovely room, great rain shower, fabulous breakfast, in the heart of the center surrounded by shopping, supermarkets and even a wine shop behind the hotel which is truly a blessing. The food in the Hotel is very very expensive but lots of cheap shopping and eating options around. You will never regret stay here !
and finally.....
About Robert..... I have never heard of Karibu Safaris..... it was Roberts prompt replies that made Karibu earn its trust. Well done Robert. If it wasnt for Robert's prompt replies to over 2 dozen or more mails of mine, I would NEVER have chosen Karibu Safaris. Thank you Robert and keep up the good work !
Will I recommend Karibu Safaris? Ofcourse I would, but Please change the Hotel in Lake Naivasha !
Email Jim | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very Good Budget Tour
Karibu Safaris was very prompt in responding by email to any questions that we had beforehand.
Our driver/guide, Arony, was excellent. He was friendly, experienced, and very knowledgeable about the game and where to find them. When one of the tourists on our trip became ill on the last night, he took the initiative to find a good doctor and see that he received proper treatment.
In most ways, the safari was as advertised. There were four minor ways that differed: 1) At Masai Mara, we did not stay at the Mara Springs Tent Camp, but instead stayed at Miti Mingi Eco Camp, which is probably equivalent. The camp was close to the park entrance, and we had warm water for showers, and a private bathroom with flush toilet, shower, and sink. It was not luxurious, but fits a budget tour. 2) We did not go for a game drive on our last morning at Masai Mara, but instead visited a nearby Masai village. This was interesting, but does involve some extra costs ($15 pp entrance, money for souvenirs). 3) On our way from Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru, we stopped at Lake Naivasha and went for a boat ride ($20 pp). There we saw a number of birds and got very close to some hippos. We could also see some game on an island, but were not close. 4) One small complaint - we were provided with some water at Masai Mara, but needed to buy our own for the trips to Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru.
Even though it was not high season, we saw a large variety of animals. At Masai Mara, we saw many wildebeast, impalas, gazelles, buffalo, elephants, zebras, warthogs, baboons, and hippos. We also saw giraffes, waterbucks, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, a few crocodiles, and a rare leopard. We also got to see a pride of 7 lions hunt a family of warthogs and bring down a young warthog. I was surprised at how close we could come to many of the animals. At Lake Nakuru, we saw many impalas, buffalo, baboons, gazelle, and some elands. We also 7 white rhinos, including one with a baby. We saw one giraffe (which was different than those at Masai Mara), a python, and a large number of flamingos and pelicans. There are apparently not as many flamingos as there used to be, since the lake flooded about 3 years ago with heavy rainfall, and the saltiness of the lake was decreased.
I recommend bringing a camera with a telephoto lens, or good zoom capabilities. I had a video camera with 80x zoom, and was able to get much better pictures than others in the group who only had their cell phones. Though for many of the animals (including lions and cheetahs) we were able to get right next to them.
NL
Email Flora | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice orginized safari with a enthousiastic guide!
in general good communications. Accomodation and food is basic and good. Safari was worth the trip with this enthousiastic guide who provided valuable additional information about the wildlife. all was up to expectation.
