.......life is a safari, let's conquer it together
Mwema Africa Safaris
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $65 to $250 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Mixed Experience
I booked with Charles from Mwema Africa Safaris since his response time was great and he was easy to communicate with. He answered all my questions and was upfront what was included and what was excluded. I did a 3 day safari to Masai Mara with a visit to a Masai community and then onward to Lake Naivasha instead of returning to Nairobi.
Since I booked on short notice Charles met me at my hotel on time and took me to his office to complete our paperwork seamlessly and then onward to meet the Safari van. The van was old and a little worn but appeared serviceable. Charles had me join a group that various agents had booked and assured me that we were all staying at the Sopa Hotel in Masai Mara. We ended up going all over Nairobi to pick up various people which was fine since we were getting an early start. We ended up leaving one couple who were not ready on time and they joined us later.
The road into the Mara is terrible and unfortunately the safari van had holes in the floor boards so the dust just wallowed into the van which was worse than when It rained and the water ran down the windows and doors inside the van. It was pretty miserable since we kept the windows rolled up and no AC. When we got into the Mara there was a huge dispute since half the group had been unknowingly booked into a backpackers tent camp while the rest of us were staying at the Sopa Hotel. We all felt bad and while we were together during game drives it was a bit uncomfortable to have part of us staying at a different place. Our evening game drive was delayed while sorting out the accommodations, so some of us were not able to wipe the dust off or get a cold drink prior to the evening drive but the vote was to go on the evening game drive and it was well worth it. Amazing variety of animals and a magnificent sunset. We got back to the Sopa after dark and were greeted with hot towel and a glass of juice as we checked in. Nice accommodations with plenty of hot water, great buffet dinner and staff were wonderful.
The next morning we were to leave at 7:30 AM for an early all day game drive. Our driver was picking up the other group first and was 1 hour and 20 minutes late picking us up. Evidently one of the couples was not ready on time. Not OK and while his apology was sincere it was a loss of our only early morning time out in the Mara. I called Charles who apologized but frankly not much he could do. While our driver was fine he did not know any of the animals and really didn't know his way around the Mara. Since the drivers all have shortwave radios they are in constant communication and can get to where the animals are fairly quickly. We saw cheetahs hunting and a pride of female lions going out for the hunt . It was an amazing day with a picnic lunch under a tree while zebras and giraffes grazed nearby. It was surreal, animals everywhere! the wildebeest migration was just starting and from the overlook we could imagine what it must be like during the main part of the migration.
The next day I was to trade vehicles and meet up with a group going onto Lake Naivasha while the van I had been riding in returned to Nairobi. Unfortunately the van to Naivasha had brake problems so we waited a few hours while they were fixed and off we went over the hills and again with brake problems and another long delay. Finally arrived at Lake Naivasha Sopa hours late, just before sundown. The cottage at Lake Naivasha was great, staff were friendly and the hippos on the grounds in the evening and early morning hours were unreal. Who knew hippos make noises.
If I had to do it again. I would make sure that the agent owns their own van and employs the driver. While Charles was great once I was in the van he had no control . Being placed in a group is the luck of the draw, in regards to driver knowledge and van condition. While Charles assured me we were all staying at the Sopa hotel the other agents who booked clients on our van had obviously lied and told their clients they were staying at the Sopa hotel and when we arrived were told they were actually booked at a backpackers tent camp. I would skip the visit to the Masai community, very uncomfortable and certainly not culturally appropriate. Also our driver dropped two of us off in the village and told us we would be walking back with the Masai, when I protested he said it would be fine. I didn't feel unsafe and was tired of arguing. Unfortunately no one wanted to walk us back until we had bought the required amount of goods from community members.
Overall an amazing experience and I would go again. Hope someone else can benefit from my experience.
Reply from Mwema Africa Safaris
Posted on Jun 24, 2014I would like to appreciate the review given above by Maria, i am glad she had an amazing Safari Experience and also ready to visit again....!
I conveyed my sincere apologies for the inconveniences caused (on the transport side) and took the appropriate action as this went beyond control, however for clarification
A) Joining Safaris offered by a different operators (3rd party) may not fully meet our demands but we always try our very best to enhance client(s) comfort & satisfaction
B) All the safari(s) requirement on SafariBookings is minimum of two persons, any other arrangements are done between the client and the agent on a mutual understanding not withstanding the quality of service
C) We ( Mwema Africa Safaris) use qualified driver guides on all our Safaris (with bronze / silver medals) we promote excellence on all our operations, if client(s) purchase our package either as a single traveller / small medium sized group, we will definitely offer our own transport
Thank you so much and promise always to offer my very best....."A true adventure beyond imagination"
Regards
Charles
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond our expectations
Fantastic
A must see & experience
Beautiful
Great kind people that care for your needs
Email Benson Katua | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wellorganized, customer oriented to provide full satisfaction beyond expectations.
Though I gave Muema Africa Safaris my itenerary for vacation within a short period of less than 12 hours at the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, all was arranged on time from hotel bookings, excursions arrangements for specific tour destinations at reasonable rates, with tour guides ready to receive us , and constant email followups and updates from Muema Africa Safaris, thus, my family holiday for 3 days was full of wonders and surprises all well co-ordinated courtesy of Muema Africa Safaris. I am considering a christmas vacation again, with Muema Africa Safaris.
Email Annastacia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent…! You are the best Charles (Mwema Africa Safari)
Mwema Africa Safaris made my family trip to the great Rift Valley a memorable life time event, being our first trip to this place we found Charles and his team knowledgeable, accurate to details and well organized, we had tried other operators for the same request but Mwema Africa Safaris came out the best after another friend introduced us to you guys, Charles offered us a nice package in less than 2 days, his responses were timely and honestly we couldn’t resist taking his nice offer, we appreciate the excursions to Lake Naivasha, Hells gate and the nice views of Aberdares, the hotel accomodation was superb, nice food and accomodation, the staff were friendly this was wonderful. We promise to travel again with Mwema Africa Safaris, I have no doubt to refer any of my friends to you because your services are excellent, we truly appreciate your hospitality and now will be planning to visit Amboseli National Park / Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara any time next year
Will keep in touch.
Happy Holidays…..
the best holiday ever...thumbs up muema Africa safaris
Charles,, I have no words to thank you for the great holiday package you offered me and my family.Thank you for your reliability and honesty.we are truly grateful for the holiday at lake naivasha sawela lodge and everything was great-the food ,the staff,the location,the excursions-everything.keep up the good work Charles . I would recommend mwema Africa safaris to anyone .
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First Class Experience!!!
Mwema Africa Safari was my first Safari experience. It more than exceeded my expectations. This company was very accommodating and professional. They were available to assist with travel arrangements and even picked me up from my hotel! The owner personally greeted me at the begining of the journey which gave a good first impression. From there, the experience got better and better. The guide was knowledgable and friendly, as he not only was an excellent driver able to navigate the terrain, but also able to explain everything that we saw. Looking forward to doing it again. Definitley "2 thumbs up"!!
Email lilian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
the service provider knew exactly what I wanted-a place to unwind.
Excellent. The communication and service was top knotch.
An excellent adventure...
I wish to thank Mwema Africa Safaris director Mr. Charles Muema for his hospitality, he helped us a great deal to plan our trip, his correspondence and details were up to standard. i really appreciated
Our 4 days trip to Mombasa was a real adventure and we really had a lot of fun with my daughter and would wish to visit once more
I would recommend the tour operator to any traveler wishing to travel within East Africa
Best Regards
Joyce
US
Email Brian Rose | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya Up Close & Personal
My safari with Mwema Africa Safaris started with a prompt, on time pick up at my hotel in Nairobi. Charles & Hassan who was my driver were very friendly & I felt immediately at home with them. Even though I was the only passenger, I was treated excellently. Both Hassan & I toured Amboseli, West & East Tsavo National Parks for 6 days. The accomodation was great, I especially enjoyed the tent accomodation at the Kobi Camp in Amboseli as it was quite different. My tent faced directly into the park. Both lodges in both Tsavo parks were first class, with my room looking over the waterholes where I could watch the animals. What an experience to see the huge elephants etc., coming in to drink. Hassan was very knowledgable both in his descriptions of the wildlife, the parks & best places to see the wildlife. I must say the whole Kenya experience with Mwema Africa Safaris was great & I would not hesitate in joining them when next I go to Kenya.
Saw the big 5
Showed up to Africa hoping to see the big 5. My guide managed to show me the big 5, including the leopard which is apparently quite elusive. Nothing more I can ask for really.