Experience the Wildlife remains at Mara Masai
Ancient Wild Safaris
- Located In:
-
India
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2000)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $480 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IE
Email Bernie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
9 day trip - 5 days in Kenya, 4 in Tanzania
We travelled from Ireland in December 2017.
We would be keen to stress that this is a review of the booking company - African Adventure Safari, not of the safari itself.
The safari was, for the most part, brilliant. It would be hard to travel to the Masai Mara and Serengeti and not be impressed.
It appeared to us (and several others we met) that essentially, for the budget trips you paid a tour company who booked your place on a safari trip. Safari guides/drivers seemed to receive their assigned tourists each trip or each day. So, whilst the drivers (who seemed to work for several various companies) were very good, we couldn't credit this to the tour companies as there seemed to be little relationship between the two.
So, onto reviewing the booking company;
It was arranged and confirmed that they would collect us from the airport in Nairobi around 7pm. Upon arrival, there was no sign of anyone. We waited and eventually opted to use the mobile phone of a taxi driver. We rang Mike, who we had been dealing with us over email. He advised us that he was parking the car and would be with us in five minutes. After ten minutes, the random taxi driver came over and told us that Mike had called back and had asked us to wait by the road. Another twenty minutes passed, with the taxi driver waving to us every so often to indicate that it would be another five minutes.
Nairobi has a reputation and we were growing increasingly uneasy.
Eventually the taxi driver came back with the phone and handed it to me. It was Mike advising us that his driver had gotten stuck in traffic (odd, given that Mike said he was parking the car) and told us the taxi driver would take us. Given that I had just been handed the phone, I made sure to make him confirm a few of our details before we hung up. We were very clear with the taxi driver that we wouldn't be paying him for the journey as the transfer was already paid for. He wasn't very happy about this and made another call to make sure he would get paid.
The taxi driver asked us to wait while he got his car. Two cars pulled up (neither particularly looked like a taxi), he sent the first car away and the driver of the second one got out and our "taxi driver" got in. The route we took (presumably to avoid traffic) went through some very rough areas, with several fires burning by the roadside, through the outskirts of the city. We have travelled a lot (including countries like Venezuela, Colombia and Indonesia) but this was the most uneasy we have ever felt whilst travelling. The combination of being unsure about the taxi driver and the route we had taken had made us feel very apprehensive. This wasn't the start to our trip we had hoped for. As it was our honeymoon, we had booked through a tour company in order to avoid these specific issues.
After 40 minutes we pulled up at our hotel. Mike was there to meet us, with one of the safari guides. He wasn't very apologetic, but seemed friendly enough and gave us his mobile number to contact him through Whatsapp. We had booked the hotel through Mike and he asked for cash to pay for the room. We handed over the cash and it was only when we went up to our room and was able to check my emails that I realised that it was double the price we were expecting to pay. We checked the price on booking.com (which was also cheaper than the price we had been quoted). We texted Mike and he told us that the price he had quoted was per night, so was double what we were expecting and double the cost on booking.com. We were unhappy but there was little we could do.
After our trip to the Masai Mara and Hells Gate, which were both brilliant, we were taken back to Nairobi for a transfer to Arusha (Tanzania). We missed our bus, but that wasn't a problem because we just caught another one. We were met in Arusha by a taxi driver and taken to our hotel, which all went well.
The next morning we were starting a trip to Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We met the 'boss' and who asked us what our itinerary was (he didn't seem to know what we had planned). He asked about water, we told him it was included in our trip, he asked about our transfer to the airport at the end of our trip, we told him that was also included. We found out later that the 'boss' is the boss of all of the drivers/guides in Arusha, so manages all of the trips that leave from there.
There was clearly very little coordination between the tour companies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The first night of our trip we stayed in a really nice lodge, but one of the other groups (all of the vehicles will stop to eat and sleep in the same places, so you will see a lot of each other) had to stay somewhere else because there had been a mix up and the lodge was overbooked. The next morning, everyone was moved to different vehicles because there had been a mix up with the bookings. This wasn't really a problem for us, but did take a while to be sorted out and a couple of groups had to wait longer than us because people from Arusha were joining them.
Once on the trip, again it was amazing and the driver/guide in Tanzania (Estome) was brilliant. Estome had a couple of different books on the animals and answered every single question we had. He stopped when we wanted to take photos, spotted more animals and birds than you could imagine, and was a really nice guy. Overall we enjoyed the experience in Tanzania more than Kenya, although we saw more animals in Kenya.
Some people from the other groups had problems with their itineraries not being followed and accommodation not being what was expected (this seemed to be people who has asked for an additional stopover or to not be in a tent or a shared tent). When they were booking, they were told it was ok, but once they were on the trip, they were sent along with the rest of us. A vegetarian in our group had to remind them a few times. We hadn't made any special requests, so we didn't have any of these issues.
In Arusha, we had been booked in to the Cloud View Hotel for our last night. Our diver had asked us where we were staying and had been speaking to the 'boss' through the day. When we arrived at the hotel there was no booking for us. Apparently the 'boss' hadn't received the information or money from Mike so no booking was made (this hadn't been mentioned until we were at the hotel's check in desk though). We were taken back to Arusha Tourist Inn and stayed there for the night (this hotel seems to owned by the 'boss' so a booking wasn't needed).
We text Mike about this straight away, but didn't get a response until the following afternoon, by which time we were in Zanzibar. Again, there was no apology and Mike's response was that they are looking for a new partner in Tanzania.
Overall, the trip was amazing and the guides, particularly in Tanzania, were brilliant. The issues we had were with the organisation and, with the exception of the pick up from the airport, were annoying but had no lasting effect on us.
Whichever company you book with, our advice would be to reconfirm everything before you travel (dietary requirements, transfers etc), take printed copies of your itinerary, be prepared to stand your ground on what is already paid for and included as part of your trip, and unless you are booking a bespoke trip, stick to the basic itineraries because people who had special requests didn't seem to get them. And have a great trip.
Excellent trip with Ancient Wild Safaris
Our family tour to Kenya on this September-October was really a lifetime experience. Travelling through the wild grasslands of East Africa was like a fantasy. But dreams come true sometimes. Lion, giraffe, zebra, ostrich, cheetah, rhino, elephant, buffalo, deer, wildebeest- thus, the list continues. Actually, it can't be expressed after roaming through a wonderland.
And all this happened with a hassle free experience and 'Ancient Wild Safaris' is entirely responsible for that. Nice arrangements were made for us at Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha, Amboseli and Nairobi. The choice of hotels, resorts and tents were very comfortable as well as the car. And this combined with the friendly attitude of our friends from 'Ancient Wild Safaris'. Before our tour, Mike tirelessly helped us by answering all the detailed questions. He planned a fine itinerary for us. That made the tour. Along our tour Paul and Patrick guided us. They are so nice, that it could not be better.
So, I recommended 'Ancient Wild Safaris' to my friends. And, if next time to Africa, my choice will be definitely the same.
Jeep got stuck several times - no compensation
We did a 3 day Safari in Masai Mara with Ancient Safaris at the beginning of September.
Our jeep already got stuck on the first day because of some mechanical problems, so we couldn't get into the park this day. Furthermore they didn't replace the jeep. Our driver promised that they repaired the jeep and that everything is ready for the next day, unfortunately we got stuck again for several times on the next day .
We spent a lot of time waiting till the car cooled down again. It was really annoying, also because nobody told us what was going on.
And we didn't get any refund or compensation.
All in all we are really disappointed. Our Safari with Ancient Safaris was definitely not worth the price and we can't recommend it!
CZ
Email Milan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya and Tanzania safari
We booked an 11-day continuous safari trip in Kenya (Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha) and Tanzania (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro) from Ancient Wild Safari. Our guides (Patrick in Kenya and Estomi in Tanzania) followed the plan exactly as it was was agreed before, they were very friendly, had a good knowledge about wildlife, and did their best to show us as much as possible. We saw probably all big mammals that are living in these areas and many different species of birds, some small mammals and some reptiles. A visit in a Masai village was also very interesting. Accommodation and catering was in camps and hotels, relatively modest but reasonable given the price. If you go there, you have to be prepared that some roads can be very dusty, not everything is really clean and you will be camping in field conditions, but it is what the camping safari is about. The guides do care about our safety. Actually we felt much safer among lions and hyenas than in downtown Nairobi. I would recommend to take your own sleeping bag with you even if you receive an information that you do not need it, to prevent a disappointment from being given a small or not totally clean local sleeping bag. If you camp at Ngorongoro, be prepared that nights can be very cold because of the high altitude. In August mosquitoes are very few, but there are some. At the accommodations sites beds had mosquito nets or tents could be closed with no gap left for mosquitoes to enter. There were hardly any mosquitoes during the daytime. We were taking antimalarics to be on the safe side, but looking back, I think it was probably not necessary. Vaccination against yellow fever is necessary and officers at the Kenya-Tanzania border require this to be confirmed in you Vaccination Certificate. In general, this trip was a great experience: I would recommend it to everybody who is interested in nature and likes camping. And I can also recommend Ancient Wild Safaris - they are reliable and do a good job.
AE
Email Sarah | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not book with Ancient Wild Safaris
What was meant to be an amazing experience was tainted by our experience with Ancient Wild Safaris.
Fortunately we didn’t let the complete lack of management ruin our trip however it added an immense amount of stress to what was meant to be a relaxing break from work.
There was not a day that went by that I wasn’t worried about the next part of the journey and spent my time trying to get in contact with you or information from you.
I had started to get concerned before we left when I had to continually chase up the details and request copies of tickets and bookings. We were assured everything was in place and that a file of the printouts would be provided in Nairobi. It wasn’t.
1. Our 1st driver thought he was taking us back to Nairobi and it wasn’t until he asked how many days we were staying in Nairobi after Amboseli that he called and was made aware he was driving us to Lake Nakuru
2. After chasing and chasing on the booking receipts we needed one of your team met us before we flew to Mara and promised that we would get a copy of the remaining documents we needed at Neptune. I made it clear at this time that I was not happy and that you should be making sure I had them emailed to me
3. Our 2nd driver who was meant to pick us up from the airstrip didn’t show up - he had been sent to a different airstrip
4. The Masai village experience was terrible. We paid the 100 USD each and then they tried to charge us 450 USD for souvenirs. They then also asked for money for their school. All in all it was a 600 USD excursion and not worth it one bit.
5. Our 3rd driver was not aware of when we were flying out to Zanzibar and neither were we as we still didn’t have any flight details
6. I called and emailed a number of times once we reach Ngorongoro as again there were not details as to our flight the next day
7. Your manager on the ground in Tanzania said he would meet us before we got to the airport. He didn’t. He then asked us to come to the office. He then called and said he would send someone to the airport. 20 mins later still no one. The driver called again and he then said he would send ticket numbers through. Another 20 mins and no ticket numbers. The driver then called back again and was told to take us inside even though we had no tickets to show the security.
8. We then arrive in Zanzibar and there is no driver - we have to pay 60 USD on top of what we had paid you for the transfer and arrange a driver ourselves
9. We then get to the hotel and they ask for our booking voucher which we didn’t have as we still had not been provided any details in paper or email form
10. The new contact in Zanizbar, Kondo, then called and was at that time the 1st person who had actually apologised for any of this - there had been no apology from Mike and his team at Ancient Wild Safaris only excuses and blame pointed to the Tanzania operations
11. Kondo again apologised as he was not able to get us the VIP seats that should have been booked for us on the Ferry on the way back - if this had been organised properly and booked when we paid our deposit then we would have had the VIP seats we wanted
12. Thank fully there was a man with a sign to meet us in Dar es Salam which was a relief……this was no thanks to Ancient Wild Safaris but to Kondo and his company who had taken over managing the last part of our trip.
RU
Email Mira | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Kenya
It was my first safari experience but I think that I made a good choice by choosing Ancient Wild Safaris. Mike was on-line since my first minutes in airport in Kenya and it was as a friendly support for a lonely stranger in an unfamiliar country )) Except safari he organized for me a lovely tour to a tea farm for less money. Cyrus - my safari-guide was polite and well mannered man with sincere love for animals (sometimes it looks like he admires of wildlife more than I do)). Safari was well organized, with a good choice of hotels, in one of which I saw a leopard coming to the hotel for feeding, and in another hotel - a sweet couple of lions coming to the watering place or just for a romantic walk )) For 3 days we visited Amboseli and Tsavo East and West. I did not see only a rhino, but for this I had to go to Masai Mara.
Maybe other time ))! And I sure with Mike and his excellent team!
ES
Email Pedro | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safe and precise. Everybody knew our timing and planning. Enjoyable! Very friendly people :-)
We started preparing the safari around two months in advance. Communication was very clear and quick.
Working over email with Mike we defined a safari schedule that included everything we wanted withing our available budget. Ancient did take care to book everything, and even they upgrade one of the hotels on their account, as the one we had originally defined was full book.
Once we got to Nairobi, a driver was waiting for us with a label that displayed our names for clear identification! :-)
Next day the safari started. Masai mare is amazing and you can get really close to animals. Balloon trip is really expensive, but i think it's a must do!! It's a superb experience to flout on the air with no engine noise around. Magical!
In Serengeti we had more chances to see animals, but you can not leave the road! So, a good zoom is mandatory if you want to have good pictures.
Hotels along the safari were good, and hotel in Zanzibar was excellent!!! Just as we need it to be in order to end the trip with a good rest :-)
I think Ancient Safaris people (Mike and is team) did a great job! So we could just enjoy the experience, he animals, and the great people we have meet along the way.
All in all, I'm very happy!!! I wish we could repeat it at some point!!!
AR
Email Roberto | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderfull experience
From day one Mike was helpfull and set up a 2 days visit to Amboselli and a 3 days visit to Masai Mara for us. I travelled with my wife on a private tour with Ancient. First transportation was quire old. We asked a different car for the second safari and Mike acceded kindly. Our driver found the best spot for watching the animals and gave useful explanations. Mike was allways in touch via whatsapp and responded promptly to our requests. Advisable company to hire.
Email Brenda Turakira | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was amazing!!
The tour was great. Our guide Joshua was particularly helpful in ensuring that we were comfortable and enjoyed our Safari. Everything was up to my expectations as agreed with Ancient Wild Safaris.
Well, who knew one could experience so much at such an affordable amount. Thank you Ancient Wild Safaris. Looking forward to more adventures with you.
God bless you!
US
Email TJ | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari
10 out of 5 stars. Literally.
As a ridiculously seasoned traveler, and someone who had already been to Kenya, I'm still mesmerized about how I could still be thrilled by a trip that I have already done years ago. (although nothing years ago was as good as this trip--not even close).
I wish I had done my first trip with Ancient Wild Safaris. My heart is so happy that I brought my 10-year-old daughter and my husband on this trip.
As a pediatrician in New York City who talks to hundreds of families every few months,
I have told everyone in New York City about this trip because so many people defer to me for travel because of my experience --and I must say that I am still so indebted to this group because of the seamless experience, comfort and most importantly, first class service that AWS has given us.
I heard about this group from another seasoned traveler and now I understand how Important a personal connection is. Take this review seriously. I can't recommend them more whole-heartedly than I am now.
Our guide was named Joseph and my daughter still wants to send him pictures and letters to his children. I feel like he is part of our family now.
Josphat, the lead travel plan administrator who set up our trip, made everything so easy that I felt like I had nothing to do other than show up at the airport in Nairobi. But before we showed up at the airport, he made sure that he attended to every detail from immunizations to passports and travel details that you would never even think of. He answered all of our questions and made any anxieties before the trip become something as simple as going down the street to your friends house. He treated us like family.
We were met at the airport, and then we didn't have to think about anything. It was perfectly planned and if we wanted to make a change, it would've been done but their ideas were so much better than ours. We saw that clearly. We are all idiots in comparison to their experience. Don't rely on Google, rely on their wonderful experience. Human experience is much more important than the Internet as seasoned travelers understand.
I am a planner and it is the first time in my life I actually relinquished my duties because I felt like someone had me beautifully in their hands the entire time. That is something I have never felt comfortable with and I felt like I had finally found the perfect travel group ever.
Our guide Joseph, was never at a loss of information, history--he was never stumped by any question we had and we are history freaks. When we had Wi-Fi at our base camp, we tried to stump him with other questions and he always beat us. It became a funny joke and he gave more information to us than anything.
Our accommodations were top notch and unbelievably accommodating and Masai Mara tribal visit made our trip.
AWS recommended the Masai Mara balloon ride and we were initially resistant at first because it was a little bit expensive and to this day it is the BEST part of our entire trip. We are jaded New Yorkers and we still can't believe it was the best thing we did. Do it!!!
So basically, I packed my bags, showed up, had amazing trip and then went back to New York City feeling completely fulfilled and amazed by our trip. You can do all the research you want but it will never compare to the amazing intellect this group can offer you.
Thank you ancient wild safaris.