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
MX
Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
The communication before the trip was borderline bad. I never got a description of what the safari would look like or more details about the company or experience as a whole so I was pretty much betting on the descriptions in this site. I also got really worried because they never asked for my phone number or anything to contact me for pick up except the name of my hotel.
Regardless of the unclear communication at the beginning of the trip the Safari itself was amazing! The lodges where we stayed the first two nights were incredible and very comfortable. Given that I was traveling solo I shared with someone else who was also traveling solo (another girl). The cabin was very spacious, each bed had it’s own very well set mosquito net and we even had a nice shower and toilet inside the lodge with warm water! The food was good, the drives were the best. Our driver was James and he went above and beyond to make our Safari an unforgettable experience. On the first day alone we were able to spot Lions, Cheetah, elephants and giraffes along other animals. On the second day we say a leopard as well which he mentioned was a rare sight.
Our van broke on the third day on our way back to Lake Nakuru and be speedily arranged for us to be driven by someone else to our lunch area so we wouldn’t waste time while he fixed it.
As promised, he picked us up after lunch and we were back on our way to lake Nakuru. So tip here: there is the possibility to do Naivasha on the way to Nakuru. I think he insisted on it because one of the new passengers had it included in his tour, he didn’t force it on us though. I do not recommend doing Naivasha unless you are into birds a lot. It’s very plain and the boat tour lasts nothing and is pricey (20usd). The main reason we agreed to it was because there is nothing planned for the afternoon of the third day. This was very very lame. We initially thought we would be doing an evening game drive as we had on Masai Mara but apparently the ticket is not good for two days in Nakuru. I would recommend changing the departure time from Masai Mara so that it doesn’t feel like the afternoon is wasted. I would recommend booking with them but definitely think something should be added to the afternoon on the third day for those doing the 4 day safari as it ends up feeling more like a 3 day safari than a 4 day safari.
BH
Email Jim | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was awesome!
It was good. I will recommend it to my friends who wants to do safari tour especially Boniface who tirelessly did all his effort to make our adventure a remarkable one
CY
Email Vassilis | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice experience for a budget safari (6 days Amboseli, Nakuru lake, Masai Mara)
Group of 3 (2 adults and a 13 year old girl)
Αlthough we had to reverse the route starting from Amboseli instead of Masai Mara as was the plan it was a very good experience. ΅ We saw many animals in Amboseli and Masai Mara (4 out of Big5, no Leopard) but not much of the lake Nakuru because of the heavy rain.
Edward (our driver) is a great tourguide with a lot of knowledge. Very kind and he told us interesting information about the animals as well as their habits. He had a good feeling when to stop for some photos and even when we had a special stopping request he always stopped for us.
We had great time in the parks, but be prepared to sit in a car for a long especially when moving from one park to another.
The food was ok but almost the same every day
This safari is not for anyone expecting comfort and luxury, but if your goal is to see amazing animals at an affordable price then do the tour
We recommend safari experience with Karibu and especially Edward as a driver.
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.
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 !
NL
Email Lise | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We had a great time, and it was well organized!
Communication upfront and during the trip was smooth, and Castro was very helpful throughout. The trip and activities were great. Would highly recommend Karibu safaris!
US
Email Andy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent budget safari
Overall the safari was great. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable and we saw so many animals. We were picked up from our Airbnb outside of Nairobi and driven to the office the morning we departed. The amenities at the camps outside the parks were not luxurious, but certainly adequate. The food was substantive and lunch was provided each day, as promised, while on game drives or driving between parks. Communicating with Robert was very easy as he was very responsive. One thing to be aware of is that if you’re doing a multi-day safari visiting different parks then one day may not include a game drive, but just driving between parks. We did a 5 day safari to Masai Mara and Amboseli, which actually was 1.5 day drives in each park. The morning of first (6 HRs) and all day of third day was driving (11.5 hrs). That’s inevitable because of the distance - but whereas some safaris may fly you into the parks, this safari route is all driving. Also, with these types of safaris you may be picking up and dropping off group members as not everyone is on the same schedule. We did encounter one miscommunication where our transportation to Mombasa wasn’t as we expected. We actually had to backtrack a few hours and pick up an intercity bus for 8 hours to get to our destination, where as we thought the Safari van or transport associated with the safari would bring us there. It was a bit of an added stressor and if we had known it was a public bus we may have arranged other transportation for that last day. All in all it was a great adventure, and a great deal for what you get, but just make sure to be clear on transportation and your agenda!
MX
Email Karla | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our first safari experience, good relation price-services.
Comunication could be better. On the beginning we are little lost, cause we don't know how was the restrictions. Edward is very good person, we felt very safe with him, but in the begging he don't speak so much, I think that is part of your personality. We tell him that please explain us and he change his attitude. For the rest very good company, we forgot our computer in one of the camps and they help us to take it back. I think was necessary that the company can mantein the comunication with the client. The safari was perfect, food and luch good, transport very good.
ES
Email Marta | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was a good experience.
This was just what they proposed. The communication was easy and fast. The driver (Edward) was attentive and we could see many animals!
NG
Email Olugbenga (Gbenga for short) Olatunji | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memorable prep into the wild beasts of the maasai mara
My wife and I had a wonderful outing into the maasai anchored by Karibu Safari. We're picked up very early in the morning from our accommodation.
We also had a nice drive to the maasai (safe for the part of the road that is very bad-- this is government responsibility though). We got to the maasai a bit late on the first day because Sammy, our great driver, had to fix something in the bus while we ate lunch.
Regarding our game experience, Sammy was no doubt a very experienced driver and tour guide. Because we got there late on day 1, we could only see very few animals. However, his experience as a tour person and wildlife 'hunter' came to fore on the second day. We saw many of the important animals: lion, buffalo, leopard, elephants, hyena, antelope, zebras, and several others. My wife and I really enjoyed the search for animals and the whole maasai mara experience.
Lunch and dinner are great. It's a buffet arrangement where you have to serve yourself (except for the lunch on the second day which is packed because we have to eat inside the reserve).
Accommodation is also acceptable and represent a good value for money paid. Light is on from around 6-6.30pm and goes off by 10pm. It is on again in the morning around 5-5.30am and off around 7am. This is not so bad for us. The only reservation I had is that the link sent to me by the Karibu Safari indicated that we'd be staying at MaraSpring safari camp. Information on the link also stated that there would be solar-powered 24 hours electricity. See http://www.mountainrockkenya.com/marasprings/ But like I said, this did not in any way reduce the fun that we had. The organisers can be more specific in the future though.
Going forward, Karibu Safari's organisers should provide adequate information and advice in certain areas before the commencement of the trip. Two areas affected my wife and I. First, we didn't have sufficient advice about exchanging money. One of the reviews I read about KS on tripadvisor is that if you're paying in dollars and you don't have the exact change, you might be made to pay more than necessary. This was the reason I asked the KS organisers of I could pay in Kenyan shillings. For the sake of next time, kindly advise your clients that money exchanging facility will be available at the park before driving to the destination. In order to pay the exact amount, I exchanged the money with me at one of the malls. However, I was told that I was given a lower exchange rate at that mall (ksh 98/$1 instead of ksh 100. Even though, the exchange rate by the time we went elsewhere was ksh 99.3 to $1). So, I had to pay more than necessary. A clear information that exchange facility will be available at the take off point will guide against this.
Secondly, since we're picked up from our accommodation on Monday, I was thinking we'd also be dropped off at our accommodation. Unfortunately, no one said anything about this. I was going to Langata area but I was eventually dropped off around the city centre. It took us over 2 hours to return to Langata. For future trips, kindly advise clients/tourists on return transportation to their destination. My expectation was that the driver would ask us for our destinations so that he could drop us off at the closest points. This was not done. I didn't know the right place to come down. It turned out eventually that we had already passed somewhere very close to Langata before going to the city centre. We practically had to take a cab back to where the bus already took us through. Please, try to avoid this in the future.
Overall, we had a nice experience on this safari. Thank to Sammy and thank you KS.
