Budget Africa Safari
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- IATA, TRA, Ministry of Kenya Tourism, AMREF & Kenya Wildlife Services
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $115 to $190 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Newton | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great personalized service and value with trusted staff and reliable partners
We just got home from a 11 day safari thru Kenya and Tanzania arranged by Budget Africa Safaris. This was our second safari with Budget Africa Safaris (2016 & 2019). This time we took other family members. GREAT TRIP.
The Budget Africa staff and management went well out of their way to make our trip as comfortable and efficient as possible at a reasonable cost. Edward, the manager, took a personal interest in tailoring our safaris to meet our needs and budget, He met us on arrival and departure, he helped with currency conversion, joined us for dinner on departure and advised on a number of extras during our trips. Notable —this included arranging the partnering up with a great Tanzania Safari operator, Tambare Safaris(sp?) for the Tanzania portion of our trip.
Peter, our guide on our first trip and who we requested on our second safari, is fantastic. He knows the animals, he loves his country and culture. He was too regularly went well out of his way to be personable, helpful including helping us go thru the Kenya-Tanzania border crossing. It also to be noted that Peter is very well respected by the other guides, lodge and park staff so they too went out of their way to help Peter make our two trips very memorable.
Michael, Peter’s nephew, and another Budget Africa driver, drove us around Nairobi a couple of times. Like his uncle, Michael is VERY good, knows the roads, has a great sense of humor and has great language and emotional intelligence skills.
In short, we heartily recommend Budget Africa!
US
Email Lisa, NYC | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Masai Mara/Serengeti Safari and Lake Elementaita Tour with My 11 Year Old
I found this excellent tour company online based on strong reviews and was not disappointed. Edward runs an extremely professional and efficient operation and operates with the highest integrity. Every part of our trip ran like clockwork from transfers to our excellent guides. While the company is called "Budget," Edward was happy to provide custom services, upgrades and recommendations when we wanted them, though he was also very respectful of my attempts to economize where we could. Edward also met us in Nairobi both before and after the trip for a nice personal touch. Based on our interests, he put together a great itinerary that combined game drives, activities and sightseeing. He's very knowledgeable about Kenya, as well as other popular tours in Tanzania and Rwanda. Edward was great on communication and exchanged dozens of emails with me over the past year, from when I first started planning.
My 11 year old son has always had an interest in animals and the safari experience truly enchanted him. Eleven is a great age for safari because he could fully participate in wildlife spotting and could handle the longer game drives. He also loved the tented camps. We did game drives in both Masai Mara and Serengeti and got to see the migration. While getting to the Serengeti was a challenge, it was worth it to see so many lions. We loved watching the lionesses hunt!
After the game drives, we arranged to rest and see some other areas. Edward recommended the Lake Elementaita area 2-4 hours north of Nairobi depending on traffic. From our lovely resort hotel with pool (Pelican Lodge), we were easily able to enjoy horseback riding around Lake Elementaita (flamingos!), a boat ride on Lake Naivasha (great bird watching) and a surprise biking safari and beautiful gorge hike/scramble in Hell's Gate National Park. It was also good to have some activities for my son after a week of game drives. I highly recommend Edward's company and exploring more of Kenya!
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019Thank you.
Warm greetings from Budget Africa safari.
Its was a great honor and privilege to host you for safari experience both Kenya and Tanzania.
We all happy to hear your successful satisfactions and completed of safaris with us with great memories of Africa adventure.
we would like to welcome you in the future again to Kenya.
many thanks.
Budget Africa safari.
US
Email Newton Chase | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great, personalized services!!!
My adult daughter, my wife and I highly recommend Budget Africa Safari re: touring Kenya (Maria Mara, Amsoleli) . They are a smaller, younger, aspiring company that worked hard to meet our very need. Edward Thionga took the time to tailor his packages to our needs including some of the places we wanted to see and places we wanted to stay in. His drivers Edward and Maury were extremely nice, accommodating and very attentive.My wife, daughter and I highly recommend Budget Africa Safari to Kenyan tours (Maria Mara, Amboseli). We highly recommend Budget Africa Safaris.
We were much less impressed with Sandland Tours who handled our Tanzania portion (Serengeti, Ngoro Goro, Lake Manyara). Sandland is much bigger and more established but was not as open and communicative as Budget Africa Safaris.
(If you have to coordinate between companies -make sure the companies and then the drivers talk and coordinate the handover very closely and well including bags, money exchanges, lodging places etc.)
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019Thank you.
Warm greetings from Budget Africa safari. You are most welcome again for the great wildlife adventures.
many thanks.
Budget Africa safari.
AE
Email Prasad Mangalore, Dubai | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic arrangement from Mr. Edward. Really liked his organisation skill. Very supportive guy.
I had visited Kenya city and Masai Mara b/n 9th - 13th Aug. The arrangements from Mr. Edward of Budget Safari was superb. Really enjoyed Masai mara tour. All well planned and properly managed by the gentlelan Edward. Masai Mara and Kenya city are very nice place to visit. There are many wildlifes can be seen throught the day. Driver James Bond was superb and dedicated. Because of his initiation, we could able to see all Big 5's. In Kenya I have visited to BAPS temples, Park lands - Hindus areas, Diomand Plaza, Sky Mall etc..
Thanks Edward / James Bond. Hope to see you again in Kenya.
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019many thanks and was great to read from you.
best regards.
Budget Africa safari
DE
Email Adrian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari tour
My wife and I (fresh married) had a wonderful 7-day Safari tour organized by Edward. We visited Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro with two different guides, one in Kenya and another one in Tanzania.
First of all, Edward organized the trip for us as a private tour, which allowed us to take it in our desired pace and to stop as many time as we wanted (for photos or other purposes). We had three different accommodations, 2 lodges and one hotel in Arusha on the way back. We had an amazing lodge in the national park Serengeti, the lodge in Masai Mara and hotel in Arusha were less great, but decent and clean.
Ephraim - our guide in Kenya was very kind and tried his best to provide us with the best positions to take photos and had a good knowledge of the roads in Kenya. I forgot my charger in the car and he gave his best to bring it to the airport before we departed from Nairobi.
Steven - our guide in Kenya was less enthusiastic, but full of knowledge about the wild life.
All in all it is my impression that the whole tour had a high value for money.
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019many thanks and was great to read from you.we welcome you in the coming future for safaris
best regards.
Budget Africa safari
SG
Email Marine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A tailor made safari within our budget. We're glad we found Edward !
We first asked Edward to arrange our safari week and we had specific requests : we wanted to see Masai Mara in Kenya, then cross the border (which we realized after is not easy to do) to reach Serengetti Park and finish at Ngorongoro crater. Everything went perfectly : Edward understood our budget constraint but he also managed to book the accommodation we requested (mid range tented camp).
I really want to highlight the importance of the driver on a safari ! I highly recommend Joseph to anyone going to Masai Mara. He was our driver there and he literally tracked animals for us. He is not only very experienced but he's also passionate about wildlife : he knows every corner of Masai Mara, the animal's habits, their favorite spots... He also avoided the crowds of cars filled with tourists which we very much appreciated!
If you are going to Serengetti, we recommend a night at beautiful Kati Kati. Amazing a place in the heart of the park !
If you are staying a few days in Kenya : Hell's gate is a great first experience to walk in a park free of predators. And lake Nakuru is a must to see the rhinos. Note that a van is necessary for a better experience there.
In a word : big thumbs up for budget Africa safari !
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019many thanks and was great to read from you.
best regards.
Budget Africa safari
TR
Email Okan Akcay | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
7 Days Masai Mara-Serengeti-Ngorongoro Tour
We just finished our 7 days trip with Edward.. Eating dinner in Carnivore Restaurant till our flight..
Everything was well organized by Edward and his staff.. Never delayed, no problems.. Food and camps were nice for a budget trip.. Thanks for everything.. Btw we saw the migration and the big 5!!! And a lot more.. Listen Toto-Africa on the top of Ngorongoro under the stars for us..
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019Thank for your feedback was a nice experiences to hear from you.
many thanks,
Budget Africa safari
RO
Email Cosmin Andron | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mount Kenya - logistics by "Budget Africa Safari"
I work as Mountain Guide and I visit Africa quite often helping clients reach the summits they pursue. I have used Budget Africa Safari's services to help with the logistics in Kenya and I am most please with the way Edward handled the tasks given. As I was not in for a "canned" experience but had very specific requirements from dates, locations to staff and menu and all with high probability of change on short notice I was impressed with the way Edward and the staff from Budget Africa Safari helped me set up my trip. This is an outfit I will surely use again to handle my logistics on the trips to come.
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019Thank for your feedback was a nice experiences to hear from you. hope to see again in the coming future endeavor.
many thanks,
Budget Africa safari
DK
Email Barkin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful time without bad surprises
Edward was very open and helpful from the beginning. The driver/guide John was on time to pick up from and drop off. We had a safe trip and everything was according to the itinerary - no bad surprises. The guide introduced all the animals in the park and took our preferences into account. Finally I was taken to the airport after a dinner in Carnivore restaurant, which was organized by Edward. Overall, wonderful time at Masai Mara and very good experience with Budget Africa Safari. Thanks!
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019many thanks for your writing we are grateful to hear from you.
From Budget Africa safari team
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible trip
Edward and the team did a wonderful job of arranging our trip. We only had a week to see the some of the highlights of Kenya and Tanzania - Lakes Naivasha and Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorogoro Crater. The Masai Mara was my favourite park. We saw many gazelles and antelope, giraffes (my favourite!), lions, a cheetah and elephants along with ostriches and other birds. Our guide, Ephraim, was wonderful - he had so much knowledge to share about the area and its wildlife; he even helped me learn a few words of Swahili!
Reply from Budget Africa Safari
Posted on Sep 9, 2019Thank you.
many thanks for your writing we are grateful to hear from you.
From Budget Africa safari team