SafariBook Evolution
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Professional Safari Guide Assoication
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Natasha & Abdel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Onesmus is the man!!!
My husband and I are in our early thirties and pretty much got hooked on Africa in 2014. We visited Zambia, South Africa and Botswana. We always tried to support local ventures and booking with Safaribook Evolution to Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara was a great choice. Steve the owner is a Kenyan and I communicated with him via email. He was always very polite, very efficient and prompt in his responses. His tours are operated by his own people (driver/guide/chef). He is not an agent like so many. His pricing is extremely competitive and he offered us excellent value for money. We did a 4 day trip with him toward the end of March. Because this was technically low season we got a great price. All meals are included and he thoughtfully provided water for the entire trip.
The best thing about the entire trip though was our tracker/guide and friend, Onesmus. Onesmus is a Masai and grew up in Masai Mara and boy did he find those animals. There were times were were in stretches when we were the only vehicle and we were surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of animals. We left Nairobi around 8am. It just so happened that we were the only two people on the trip. We joked that we were VIPs. We left Nairobi, no traffic which is always a blessing as you can just never tell. Great weather and scenic drive to Lake Nakuru. As we were passing Lake Naivasha, I had asked Steve via email if we could stop over and do a boat tour, he said no problem. He arranged everything for us. We did the tour. If you are fond of birds and hippos, please do this. Lake Naivasha is home to many species and the setting is magnificent. After Naivasha and lunch we headed, up to Lake Nakuru. Upon entering we saw the elusive black rhino. Zebra, wildebest, all types of antelope, buffalo and flamingos in the hundreds. We saw a family of lions sleeping, baboons playing and several animals on the water's edge.
The safari vehicles in Kenya are small mini buses in which the entire roof pops open, in my opinion these are much better than the open land rovers used in South Africa etc. Although we were technically in the time of the long rains, the weather held out enough so the roads were dry and we could cover any terrain.
We overnighted in a local basic hotel. Dinner was provided and it was delicious. Although it was basic, we were comfortable and safe, what more could you want? We headed to Masai Mara the next day and that was an adventure. The road as Onesmus said is a glimpse into the real Kenya. We settled in at our camp which we loved. It was tented in serene surroundings, cool in the evening with the sound of thousands of animals. We did a game drive that evening and again saw soo many animals. Onesmus asked us if we would mind waking up early to do a full day game drive. He really went above and beyond to find us animals. Since he grew up there he knew all the locals, was in contact with the rangers. My friends, we saw lions mating, cheetahs kill a wildesbeest, a lion and two cubs kill an ostrich, lions hunting, crocodile eating a dead hippo and we went through the entire park seeing thousands and thousands of animals and again this was in low season. Imagine if we came during the migration?? Now I think it is worth to say that a real live safari is nothing like Disney, you cannot arrange for animals to be somewhere performing activity for your pleasure. You just have to be lucky and have a skilled tracker. We were blessed enough to have both! Everyone should go in with no expectations and just savour the entire experience.
Having been to Chobe, Kruger and several game reserves, I can safely say there is no place like Masai Mara and majestic does not even come close to describe the sight of thousands of animals on the plains... It is ideal for viewing as the land is so gently undulating.
Dinner on the evenings were provided by our personal chef Simba. The food was plentiful, delicious and filling. Packed lunches were provided and I simply cannot find a fault or have a regret. We had our packed lunch under a tree in the open savanah.. AMAZING!
I would wholeheartedly recommend Steve (Safaribook evolution) and encourage everyone to support local small businessmen. They provide the best service and always aim to please. Hopefully you will be lucky like us to get Onesmus. We are already planning our next safari to Tanzania with Steve and the gang!
Thanks guys... Asante!
Email Aleksandra | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience and service
SafariBookEvolution is a professional company that organises safari from scratch, not an agent.
They have a lot of experience in what they do and they are locals. They have their own people too who are equally experienced and dedicated.
The communication between us was by email and, I must say, answers were received promptly.
The prices they offer are very competitive. Everything we were promised, has been delivered, or even more.
They give you advise and help when needed.
In terms of actual conditions: we went to Maasai Mara and Naivasha Lake. Everything was punctual and well organised. Lodge was exactly as described. Food (plenty and tasty) was provided throughout all tour as well as water. Our safari vehicle was a mini bus (much more popular in Kenya than jeep) - comfortable and giving great view.
Our driver - Ambrus did everything he could in his power to show us as much as possible.
We saw vultures eating a wildbeest or lion cubs consuming zebra. We saw big 5 and tens of thousands of other animals. It required a lot of patience, focus and dedication from his side to show us as much as he did.
I think it is crucial to keep in mind that supporting local communities is so important. I can highly recommend this company. There is also no downside I could possibly think about.
Steve (owner) went an extra mile with us and I am sure he does it with each of his customers. He is polite, friendly and straightforward.
Steve thank you very much for everything and best of luck for the future!
US
Email Ralf | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really good experience!
I really liked Safari Book Evolution. We managed to see all wild animals and the service was great. It was an excellent option in terms of value for money.
Definitely recommended - good for the price
I had a 4 day safari of Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru and enjoyed it very much. Our guide was a pro and enabled us to see the big five. The accommodation 'tented camps' were much better than I expected. I had a great time and would definitely recommend it for the price!
US
Email Fancy Spaulding | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Quality Safari providers.
Travelling with a newborn baby was always a name nightmare for,not until I booked for an African safari with Safaribook evolution.
The first thing I give them credit for is the punctuality and that was a big deal for me having a newborn,a cranky teenage and a tired husband.
The driver Cyrus was his name. He was greeted us with a wide smile and helped load our luggage in the trunk.
The safari Mini van was clean and spacious that's a big deal for me as well. (Call me a clean freak)
Being a private Safari just for my family and i,the 7days safari kept getting bettet. These guys know exactly what a safari should feel like. From the scenic views to wild life,they are on point. I was amazed about how well connected they were to have known all the dynamics of safari in Zanzibar given that they were from kenya. At the end of it I forgot I had a newborn,she was ok the whole time. If you have a baby and wondering how you're ever gonna get that vacation,wonder no more. I can confidently recommend Safari book evolution to fix you just right. I am definitely coming back to Africa. Maybe this time I will explore kenya a bit and not Tanzania. Good job guys keep us coming :)
PL
Email Kamil | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely well communication and pleasant safari experience
We booked our Safari trip half a year in advance via safaribookings.com
We're very delighted with communication and responsiveness. Replies were coming from Steve - Senior Tour Operator and we'd like to give him special thanks for taking great care. Replies were quick (up to 24h and almost immediate once we arrived to Africa). All questions were always answered. He also provided some tips for us before arrival and he helped to sync with the driver when we needed. One more thing that needs to be pointed out is great honesty - Steve returned us excess money we left for hotel owner to book bus tickets for us but we hadn't chance to get the change before departure.
As for Safari itself is was great experience. Eric - our driver and a guide in one person did his best to show us big five and he made it. He's very good driver, also quite fast but we were totally fine with this. Also he always stopped when we asked him to. He was flexible and kind.
One thing I would like to see more is some description of animal life and safari stories from our guide. We were asking some questions, but most of the time his answers were rather short.
Food was very basic but fine and we weren't starving.
In our opinion overall price was very good and experience for that price was totally worth it.
UA
Email Vika | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari experience
Driver was really professional. I think, thanks to him we saw "Big 5" and a lot of other animals. he has stopped the car in good places, that is why photoshoots were perfect.
Food was well prepared, and our table was served the first amog other ones.
Tent was not perfect, but I think such experience was usefull and interesting.
thanks for the organization, help and you professionalism!
ES
Email César Arévalo Lozano | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good Safari, bad personal treatment
I personally don't recommend this Company to make a safari. I did 4 days safari and they changed my planning because I wanted to do only 3. The person in charge of taking you to the car, get the money and arange everything treated me as if i were only money and he lied to me several times. On the other hand the safari was fine and the driver and the cook were really friendly.
PL
Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good service and experienced guides
We (a couple) had a great 4-day tour in Tanzania (Lake Manyara - Ngoro - Serengheti). I can recommend SBE strongly, in details: great contact with office before and afer the tour, very good and commited guide and chef willing to give you something additional on the trip (for us it was small change in the route for migration watching), everything on time. Accomodation a bit basic, esp. in Serengeti. Good food.
US
Email Yasmine | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fun trip and true adventure
First of all I'd like to thank Steve Sr. Manager of safari booking. He is really good experienced manager. He helped me to going through step by step booking my trip even he helped me to search for my domestic flights and hotels etc... He was really careful about if anyone vegetarian or any food allergies in our group. That was a huge plus for me before start our trip to Tanzania.
Once we arrived to Arusha they picked us up from the airport as promised to our hotel. Next morning driver picked us up from our hotel on time and we met our game driver James and our stomach doc.
James is very experienced driver and a guide. I cant even ask more than his unlimited good mood and smiley face friendship and did not take time how he blended into our group :-)
During Safari he gave us all the information about where we are and the animals that we have questioned. He played very well. Knows where to stop for good view that we can take pictures clearly.
We had all the safari experiences that we can in 4 days.
Our cook (stomach doc) had feed us very well with a lot of food... He was careful about vegetarian (me) and cook separately. In the morning our coffee and tea was ready at the table. Food always ready at the time he told us with least 3 courses meal and dessert.
Thank you Safari booking and Thank you James from bottom of my heart.