Tekko Staff Group picture
Tekko Tours and Travel
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1998)
- Member Of:
- KATO, Eco Tourism Kenya & JATA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
FR
Email Patrick | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible experience with the guide Stephen !!!
On the day of our arrival in Nairobi, the guide was over 1.5 hours late at the airport. Then we had to walk and wait another time 20 minutes because he had parked his car outside the airport parking lot.
Barely on the road leaving for our safari he stopped to fill up with gasoline (couldn't he do it before picking us up when we had 12 hours of theft in our legs?).
On the way he said to us "why are you coming when it is raining?" January is not a good time to come (contrary to what we can read on the net).
Are we responsible for the weather? He replied that we had to call before coming! How then to organize a 15-day trip with hotels planes...
Finally at the arrival of the 1st park (Tsavo) before doing our 1st game drive, he asks us if we can take 4 people (Poles I believe) with us because they have a problem with their Jeep. To that we answer no because a little tired of his attitude and not to mention that we had arranged a private safari just for the 2 of us. Suddenly he does not like much and it was the climbing ...
He didn't like to repeat himself (we are not specialists in the animal world and even less English speakers) and allowed himself to think about us or downright hikes of your "I already told you!" Style. or "Close the open roof now and don't discuss!"
I forgot ... We had a problem with the police because he had not updated his car insurance (3 hours to wait at the police station)
His Jeep did not have the 4 * 4 system either (supposedly broken on the way) and he had lent his tools (shovel and bars) which would have helped us to get out of a stuck in the mud instead. we had to clear it by hand. After getting dirty, no thank you from him ... In short, a horrible experience with this guide probably close to retirement age and who did not want to take this tour but are we responsible for it?
No compensation or commercial gesture on the part of Tekko tour despite the kindness of Carole with whom I was in contact for the organization.
Finally one thing shocked me: the guide lied about the number of game-drives made by his replacement (a freelance massai) who was not paid as he should. I learned about it a few months later and I made a complaint by mail and the problem was resolved without Tekko Tour ever acknowledging their fault.
Lamentable...
Reply from Tekko Tours and Travel
Posted on Mar 24, 2021I would like to apologize in writing even though I had already apologized to you in person. What you went through with the driver is unacceptable. The issues you raised were thoroughly looked into and the driver was finally let go.
US
Email Michele | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience and a great driver
We had a fantastic time on our safari. It was well thought out and Risper helped us customize the tour with the places we wanted to spend the most time. Our driver Stephen was knowledgeable about the animals and also how to handle muddy roads. I would 100% recommend this tour to a friend. Be sure to ask about customization options and picking your own lodging!
An amazing and pleasant experience!
Everything was perfectly planned, the selection of hotels and lodges was great, the food offered was of excellent quality and the places visited were incredible. The staff in TekkoTours were very kind and understanding at all times and willing to show us the best of Kenya. We would definitely recommend this travel agency!
Email Shalini | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best safari
I have just been on the most amazing safari around Kenya with Tekko Tours and William.
I initially searched for tours that would accommodate what I was looking for, I emailed a few and only Carol from TT promptly got back to me. I had several email conversations with her about the trip, I think I exhausted her with my constant questions but she was so patient with every email.
I made a change to the itiniery she had suggested which wasn't too much trouble for her at all. I was convinced I wanted to go with them.
I was slightly apprehensive at first if they were a genuine company and looked them up everywhere but I was reassured.
So with my trip booked I was ready to go, Carol kept in contact keeping me informed all the way.
On arrival in Kenya there was a slight mishap where instead of the driver collecting me I went with the hotel transport. The driver said he was there maybe I just missed him.
Anyway, I met William the next day and let me tell you he is amazing. Yes I was slightly weary at first as I was a single female alone on this trip but William soon put me at ease.
On our trip he did his upmost to show me everything he could, on the long road trips he would point things out and let me about the area. Now, I'm not much of a talker, ( I like to look and observe everything) and maybe William is but we made conversation so our journey wasn't that dull or full of non stop chatter....we had some laughs.
One thing I praise William on is he is always client focused, he did his upmost to make sure I saw each and every animal there was to see. He even went beyond and raced to catch a lion as we hadn't seen one that particular day.
Carol called me half way through to check everything was ok and that William and I were getting along, she needened worried at all.
We went in the landcruser, which to be honest was fine as it had the open roof. The only issues were the seatbelt didnt work properly, fixed that with a bit of paper and in the front seat by your feet it tends to get quite hot even with the windows open. We did make stops along the way for toilet breaks, however I just found with all these stops there are gift shop attached to it and they really persist in trying to get you to buy something. On the first stop I think I was duped into buying something, which was way over priced. After a few stops I just didnt bother go in. I did say to William i would rather stop at markets or places where local people are selling things at a more reasonable price.
I had to then leave William after the landcruser broke down, but William was ever the professional.
I then spent 4 nights in Mombassa, then returning to Kenya. At my surprise William was there to collect me.
A few notes on the camps I stayed at:
Sweetwater camp
Nice camp with views of zebras coming to drink water.
Food was plentiful and nice
Staff very friendly and helpful
Room very spacious
Flamingo hotel was not the best.
No water in room
The food was terrible
No buffet, had to order dinner at lunch and even then the vegetables were hard.
The wifi only available in reception and bar area.
The rooms were very nice though.
Savoro camp
Lovely camp and staff
Tent was too low
Lots of bugs in room bathroom
Food great
All staff friendly helpful
Got my bag fixed for only $5
Naivasha camp
Horrible camp
Room dingy and dark
Shower was dripping hot water, tap had no hot water, although they fixed it 2 hours later.
Food is terrible, no real variety.
Staff are mainly nice apart from evening reception when I went to report the water issue she said 'he will come with you and fix it, GO'
Rooms outdated with holes in nets
The swimming pool, well!
No animals to see unless you pay to have boat ride to see hippos.
Amboseli - oltukai lodge
Lovely camp
Lovely room with no issues
Staff all very friendly
Food ok, set menu at times but that was ok as was very nice.
Tsavo East national park - ashnil aruba lodge
Room, shower with spiders and webs and other creatures.
Nets with holes
Not cabin as shown on website
Staff all very friendly
Fans in rooms, one which doesn't move.
Toilet didn't flush properly - needed a few times.
Not that many animals as grass and trees cover them and they are too far away to access.
I would highly recommend Tekko Tours and would consider booking with them again.
DE
Email Sandra | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A wonderfully organised safari and holiday, it was just perfect
I would like to thank especially Carol at Tekko Tours for helping to plan the perfect 8 day safari, the suggested tented camps and lodges were excellent and also the 5 days at the beach in the Baobab Hotel were perfect. We also had a fantastic driver and Tour Guide in Jackson, who really did his utmost to give us the true safari experience. We were lucky to see the 'big five' and many other animals as well.
For my grandson, it was his first trip to Africa, and myself it was a trip that we will never forget and I hope that we can do this again in the future.
Once again thanks to Carol and Jackson the true safari experience, absolutely perfect
An incredible tour that exceeded expectations
Had an amazing time with the company! My girlfriend and I were given the name of Tikko from friends who used them for their honeymoon and highly recommended them. They had so many positive things to say about their experience we had to give them a try. Tekko did not disappoint at all. We were able to book a custom tour to see everything we wanted quick easily and efficiently. Credit to Risper who was our booking contact who was helpful and responsive and patient with our ever changing itinerary. Our driver was Steven and he was incredible, knowledgeable, friendly and ever patient explaining everything to us and waiting until we were satisfied watching the animals. As far as what we saw, there was never a shortage of animals, we saw everything we wanted, except for a leopard, which no one saw due to weather. I cannot recommend this company and Steven enough!!
US
Email Michele | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour and driver!
We had a fantastic time on our safari thanks in large part to our knowledgeable driver, Stephen. Risper was helpful when we were planning our customized tour and offered a variety of price points and recommendations for lodging/route. I would absolutely recommend using tekko tours to help plan your tour and be sure to ask about different lodging options and ways to fit in all of the places that you want to see. Stephen was an excellent driver even in some tough road conditions. We also appreciated that he worked well with other guides to find the big cats for us!
PL
Email Tomek Chudzik | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Animals and the space around
If you remember the animals in Zoos, they are different in the parks. Healthy, agile, with shining furs and eyes. We did 5 day drive around Amboseli, Nakuru and Masai Mara. All went perfect. Thank you Jackson and Carol for your services.
SE
Email Bengt Ryd | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional
Tekko responded quickly upon planning and questions about the safari.
The driver was experienced and easy to communicate with and gave us the opportunity to experience four of the big five including 4 observations of lions and 5 observations of cheetahs.
The drawback of a tour like this is the long distances between the different parks. Next time I think we will concentrate on one park.
DE
Email Florian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding - Ask for Jackson
Asante for this incredible safari!
We arrived at Jomo Kenyatta airport at 6:45 am and our driver Jackson was already waiting for us. Everything was so uncomplicated, even though we did not prepare well for the 5-day-trip.
We started at lake Nakuru and then spent a day at lake Naivasha, before visiting the must-do Masai Mara for 3 days.
Jackson is a very skilled and save driver, both in Kenyan traffic and the muddy routes of the national parks. He has perfect knowledge about the national parks and animals there.
We visited Kenya during a rainy season, though thanks to Jackson we still had a perfect stay. He adjusted our plans spontaneously, even if this meant more work for him. With his outgoing and kind nature we felt at home immediately. He also received a lot of hints from other tourguides considering animal sightings.
Our accommodations "The Cliff" and "Entim Mara" are amazing locations.
We absolutely recommend Tekko Tours. Just tell them what you want, and they (Carol) will arrange everything for you in the perfect way.
We saw all of the big 5 thanks to Jackson, however we know that we were extremely lucky.