JOCKY TOURS TEAM
Jocky Tours and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- AMREF & KWS
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CZ
Email Tomas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable experience!
We have booked 6 days tour to Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. This trip has exceeded all our expectations. Jeep, Guide, Accommodations and the group everything was just perfect!
First two night we were staying in in Lenchada camp in Masai Mara, tents were spacious, bathroom facilities were in each tent. Given the very remote location we were very surprised that we could take hot shower and also the food was great.
Third night we were staying in very nice hotel with rooftop bar, service here was great too!
Last two night we were just outside of Amboseli park in Camp called Manjaro tented. I need to say that this is the best camp I have ever been to! They do amazing job, it was even really hard to say goodbye and we only stayed 2 nights. Food was excellent, rooms were beautiful and the sunrise with Mt. Kilimanjaro was breathtaking. Thank you to Henry and his team for this exceptional service.
The whole trip has been organized really well and we were in really good hands of Kikitu and James. Our guides knew so much about all the animals that we have seen, they got us some fruites and corn from the local seller. They also did for us much more than what we would usually expect from a good guide. It is also incredible to see someone so passionate about the animals even though they are coming to those parks so often. Very positive and funny even at 5:30 in the morning when you start your morning game drive.
We have decided to book with Jocky tours because they had so many good reviews, and I'm glad to be the one who is writing next 5 star review because they really deserve them. Thank you again for making our Kenyan trip unforgettable!
US
Email Michael | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded all expectations
A lot of safari comes down to luck, and thankfully we had a lot of it when searching for animals. But regardless of whatever you may see out in the Bush, you can rest assured that Jocky Tours will have you covered. My wife, her sister, and I booked the 6 day trip from Nairobi to Masai Mara, then Lake Nakuru & Naivasha, then on to Amboseli. Our guide, Alex, picked us up promptly when we had arranged. For the next 6 days, Alex was an outstanding guide, answering all of our questions and sharing lots of insightful information and great stories about his experience being a guide. We always felt safe, never hungry, and "the good kind of tired" you get after effectively doing a cross-country Kenyan road trip for 6 days. We saw the each Big 5 multiple times over (yes, plural Leopard), and never got sick or had any major disruptions to our itinerary. The rate came out to about $300/day for lodging, food, water, and private, non-group transport, and the quality of our accommodations were incredible value for the money and felt like luxury. Mind you, every single time I travel internationally, I'm praying to the porcelain god at some point, so this is a glowing review of the quality of our dining and lodging.
I would strongly recommend anyone to take this safari. However I would advise bringing lots of small-mid size bills of Kenyan shillings for tips. Regardless of whatever operator you pick, the lodging will have people asking to carry bags or buy small souvenirs, and it's nice to show some love to the locals. Yes, I am an American.
EE
Email Julia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super trip that exceeded all our expectations, mostly thanks for the super guide Stanley
We have just returned from a 6-day safari with Jocky Tours, and our guide was STANLEY KANYA. Everything was very well organized; the process of choosing and booking the tour was excellent. The staff responded quickly and in detail to all our emails, and we had quite a few changes in the booking process, including dates, routes, and the number of people. In the Nairobi office, all the registrations were handled quickly and efficiently. We took the private Extravaganza tour, visiting Masai Mara, Nakuru, and Amboseli. The quality of the vehicle was very decent, and all the hotels were fantastic—no complaints whatsoever. Honestly, we didn’t expect such great organization and accommodations.
Now, the most important part: I believe that only half of a safari's success (if not less) depends on the organization and route; the rest is thanks to the guide’s work. Most of our positive impressions are directly due to Stanley. His sense of humor, proficiency in English, professionalism, love for his country and its nature, and his deep knowledge of the animal world sometimes amazed us. There are no words to express our gratitude to Stanley. Jocky Tours should be very proud to have such a guide as him. His driving on challenging urban roads and safari trails was impeccable, smooth, and safe.
A couple of times, we had issues with the tires that needed to be changed or repaired, which is typical for safari roads, but he handled it all very quickly. On safari, all vehicles from different companies communicate via radio to share locations of animal sightings. Stanley was always where we needed to be, and his skill in positioning us in the best spots, even among other vehicles, was phenomenal. We were always at the right place with the best vantage point.
When we simply asked to see some crocodiles, he said "no problem" and took us to the exact spot on the river where they were. He knows each park like the back of his hand. Need a break? No problem. Want to see a giraffe up close again? No problem. We saw the entire "Big Five" thanks to Stanley. All three parks were amazing; we even had the chance to ride a hot air balloon over the savanna and photograph Kilimanjaro at sunrise.
Thank you, Jocky, and a huge thank-you to Stanley.
CZ
Email Patricia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour was great, Very good driver, good food, good acomodation and saw a lot of animals!
The comunication before trip was nice. The booking was easy. Pacient via MPESA. The driver pick us on time, then we met the rest of the group and out driver Denis. Denis was really nice and said us a lot of information About the animals, safari etc. Food at our accomodation was good and accomodation was great. Hot water and electricity 😁 we enjoyed it at all.
Email Johanna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic!! Our guide Fidel made the trip simply great!
We did a 3 day masai mara tour with budget tented camp. Super smooth pickup from Nairobi, fantastic food and great to share the jeep with others. Our safari was simply amazing thanks to Fidel our guide who was super lovely and knowledgeable. We saw so many animals and had lovely lunch on savanah. Thank you!
ES
Email Laura and Martin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The tour operator provided an unforgettable experience, with exceptional service and a knowledgeable
Fidel has been an outstanding driver for our safari. Not only is he kind, polite, and fun, but he's also highly organized and incredibly knowledgeable about the wildlife.
- We saw all the animals in Masai Mara except for rhinos, which are quite rare. Fidel brought us so close to lions and cheetahs, and even a leopard and her cub, which we saw from less than one meter away. His deep understanding of animal behavior allowed us to witness incredible moments, like a leopard and her cub crossing right in front of us—a truly life-changing experience.
- He also prepared a wonderful picnic for us, making sure we had everything we needed and more at all time. Truly a 5-star experience.
This was my second time in a Masai Mara safari and having such a passionate and thoughtful driver made all the difference.
Thanks, Fidel for this great experience, we’re extremely grateful - we’ll recommend you to all our friends!
Email Hellen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sadaam is marvelous, kudos to him.
I have no words to describe how I enjoyed my safari to Masai mara especially our tour guide Sadaam was amazing. I will book my safari again with Nicky. Sadaam needs to be promoted now.
FR
Email Simon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good
Good tour with Steve, our driver. We have done the 7 days tour in Masai up to Emboseli. Good organisation, without bad surprise. Top hotel, especially in Emboseli park, with very good tents and a view on the Kilimandjaro.
It is what you expect when you want to do a safari : seeing nice landscapes and lots of animals. Big five completed.
CA
Email Candice | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Budget customer service is what you should expect
Day 1 of the 7 day Safari with Jockey Tours my husband and I were picked up from our hotel on time where we were then taken to the head office which is downtown Nairobi, very busy and no parking. My husband told the driver (Peter) that I had medical issues with my back and then he was then pushed off to pay the remainder of the safari, leaving me at the 4x4 with our luggage. I was immediately told that one of my suitcases would not be accommodated and needed to be left behind. I was then forced to make fast decisions on my luggage and had no room for my special order pillow and my TENS machine (all needed for my medical conditions) settling on my much smaller heating pad and blister packs of medications that I absolutely needed for my back/neck issues. We then head out with Peter and the 7 others ( although all Jockey Tours advertising we read for the 7 day tour said MAXiMUM 6 ppl on tour) maybe if it was only 6 I could of brought all my needed medical equipment……..
Peter and the 7 tourists continue onto the roughest road I have ever been on while driven in a 30plus year old 4x4 Land Cruiser that the seat my husband and I sat in had metal springs which was felt through the worn out padding, my lap belt buckle would only 1-10 times properly latch and the truck had no shocks anywhere on the vehicle as we witnessed the driver on 3 occasions pull over in an attempt to fix the back shocks that completely broke and were dragging. We then proceeded to the night safari at Masai Mara park were during the drive thru the park, Peter who was told about my medical issues managed to hit a bump so hard that it bounced me out of my seat to the floor of the truck where I hit my left hip. Finally making our way to the tent camp, we noticed Peter to be constantly on his cellphone talking to various callers like mama and luv as I was sitting directly behind him and could see which were work and others that clearly weren’t. I only bring this up because on the drive back to the camp he almost had a head on collision with a motorcyclist, narrowly missing a fatal collision and this was the first day. Day 2 I had to miss the village walk to rest my bruised hip and sore back, I could go on about numerous other things but I want to focus on the main issues. It only got worse from here and we left the safari on the morning of day 3 after another hideous road was taken as a “short cut “ as Peter described to us because the tarmac was too long to take. This was only revealed after yet again he was reminded of my back issues and that we were done. He tried at first to say the roads to Amboseli were bad but then when he realized we were serious about leaving the tour he then tried to convince us that the roads would be that bad. Fool me once and I was in so much pain that we knew I was done. After staying in bed from the time we were dropped at 1100 until the next morning at 0630 and still unable to walk without bawling, my husband was told we would have to pay $85 USD to take us back to Nairobi to pick up our suitcase then go to a hotel that we also had to pay out of pocket since all the office offered us was a “sorry”. When we got to the hotel we went to pay with a $50 that Peter had given us that morning for a park fee he supposedly had issues getting into and my husband being nice volunteered to put on his credit card and then given cash from Peter instead. The driver (Daniel) hired by Peter and supposedly associated with Jockey Tours said he would not take that specific and only $50USD we had as he didn’t think the bank would take it…. Like I said just bad customer service on every level.
IE
Email JF | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy, stress free
The tour was stress free, the tour guide Jimmy got us so close to the animals and the lion was right outside the window, he made sure we found all the animals we were looking to see.
Just to note - there was an extra fee for cycling at hells gate, but my itinerary didnt mention this and it sounded like it was included in my trip.