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
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 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.
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!
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!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great!
Very good cost-benfit ratio.
Pleasant and knowledgable guide.
Comfortable vehicle.
All you need.
Great trip – would recommend unarguably and unreserved.
Email katie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 day Maasai Mara
My mum, my sisters and I did the four day safari. We were all really pleased with it even my sister who usually books the most expensive tours. My opinion was everything was brilliant and as Steve had said it should be. My sister said the safari itself was better than more expensive ones she had previously been on the only difference was the food an accommodation was a little more basic. The driver Ambrose was an amazing driver and we always seemed to be first on the scene then he radioed it through to other cars. If you want a budget, good quality safari with no putting tents up I recommend this one. Also it is a shame the last reviewer had a problem with food- we always found there was way more than we could eat and there was meat in every meal- they also catered for me as im vegetarian. No complaints from anywhere for me!
RU
Email Maria | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Must choose another company
I had 4 days safary (lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro).
"Pole-pole" you'll heard all the time (means slowly). Did you thought you'll start at 8:30 just because they told it? No way, pole-pole, you'll have to wait till 10 o'clock. Do you think the way from Arusha to Lake Manyara just 1,5 hours? Pole-pole and akuna matata (means no problem) 4 hours way.
In Tanzania they calls cooker "Stomach engineer", but they got stomach user. First, it's really small size of food (1 egg for breakfast isn't enought for me), second they prepare everything with bouillon cube. Soup with bouillon cubes, rice with cubes, potato with cubes. Remember, cooker and driver will eat first, the rest for you. "I'm so hungry" told driver after I saw him eating meat (by the way, there was no meat for us).
Better pay 100$ for better company. You don't go to Tanzania every day.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Overall good but some problems
The trip was for five days (manyara, tarangire, ngorogoro and serengeti). We joined a group so in total we were five people paying different prices. from 760- 960$. the drives were excellent but five days is a little too long.
When we arrived in serengeti for camping one sleeping bag was missing.
The car stopped working a few times.
Drivers good and chefs all right but they expect big tips, which we didn't like, Tip should be something you earn or feel like you want to give because you appreciated the service, not because its mandatory... They were angry when i didnt give tip...?
Email Anne | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very organized
They were in communications with us the clients continuously, the driver was great
The services were wonderful,food preparation, accommodation
Expectations were met
Will use them again.
Excellent Safari!
Really enjoyed our safari. Stanley was an excellent guide who helped us interface with animals, culture, and history; Buri not only fed us delicious traditional dishes (loved the machalari) but also was great company. Camping was a lot of fun, and our group was great too.