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
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.
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!
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!!!
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!
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.
CA
Email Rod T. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our family of four was given excellent service, knowledgeable staff and always willing to help.
We used Ancient Wild for a 10 day safari to visit National parks in Kenya including Masai, Nakuru, Hells Gate, and Amboselli. With two small children, they always accommodated our needs, let us change our plans according to children schedules, and we saw everything on our list. Our guide Joseph was very knowledgeable, good with kids, and always ready to help with whatever we needed and at any time. Michael made all the arrangements and was very instrumental in planning the trip to meet our needs and budget. We would recommend them and use them again.
US
Email Lia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic trip!
My husband and I used Ancient Wild Safaris for our trip to Kenya this fall. We were lucky enough to stu,ble across a recommendation on a lonely planet forum. They were fantastic! They were patient and accommodating during the planning process and always responded to our questions and concerns promptly. By the time we arrived, I felt like we were meeting friends, not strangers. Our safari was excellent. We were with Joseph for over 10 days. We really got to know him and learned so much about Kenyan culture, the people, animals, parks, everything! Our itinerary was exactly as it had been presented to us, which was nice. We visited Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Samburu, Lake Boringo, Lake Borgoria as well as Masai Mara. we did the budget option and our accomadations were more than adequate. We knew beforehand most of the lodges and camps we would be at and were very comfortable everywhere. We hope to return to Kenya sooner rather than later and will defiantly use Ancient Wild Safaris next time we go!
Mount Snowdon to Mount Kenya, (and back again)
Michael is a great negotiator, he knows the value of his assets; Paul (transport), Wilson, (sherpa), Joseph, (mobile chef). My experience was so great that I wrote a book about it, as above. Thanks and best wishes, knowing that when you walk through the valleys the higher ground will meet you in good time.
We were very happy and extremely content seeing so many different animals with our patient driver!
Our driver was very experienced and found a lot of animals, so our expectations were more than fulfilled. Also the communication with Ancient Wild Safari was more than reliable, very prompt and agreeable. All our demands and wishes were taken seriously and again fulfilled. We highly recommend Ancient Wild Safaris and surely we'll book a new safari with them!
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic holiday with very nice staff
We had a very good time with Ancient Wild Safaris ! Masai Mara ! Nakuru and Amboseli game.
We did 6 days Masai Mara L. Nakuru and Amboseli parks. They were amazing and offered the best, lucky we saw the BIG FIVE.
Mr. Michael is very professional and answered quickly to our emails and questions which was very good quality.
The staff (Joseph as guide, and John as cook) was very kind to us and very helpful ! Our guide was very patient, letting us taking picture for long time, teaching us many things about nature and African local culture and the way of living. The staff were very punctual and timely.
We had an unforgettable time ! The country is wonderful with friendly people whom helped us to discover it in very good conditions! We can't wait to visit again next year.