Bison Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Tour Types:
- Budget tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $90 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
AE
Email Sarath Kallayil | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent professional service that gives you moments to cherish forever !!
Jambo (Hi/Hello in Kenyan local language) !! My first African safari !! I never expected it to be such an incredible one. A big thanks to Maggie (our point of contact at Bison Safaris) and James (our tour guide & driver). James was waiting for us at the airport and no confusions to spot him. Hence a good start. We headed straight to our accommodation at Rhino Camp at Masai Mara. Rhino camp gives you a feeling of living in the woods. The staffs, especially the cooks are very friendly. Second was a full day safari. James proved he is the best in the business. Exceptional knowledge about every animals and birds in the park. We lucky to spot 4 out of the BIG 5 category on day 2 itself. We did Hot air balloon ride on day 3 which was the best of the tour. Peter, the pilot, who left America for his of nature and has been living in Kenya for the last 24 years made the flight so special with his incredible commentary. We visited Lake Nakuru on the last day and spotted white Rhino (5th of the BIG 5) and lot of Hippos at Lake Naivasha. I recommend Matfarm resort, where we stayed in Nakuru. Overall, the trip gave me moments that I will cherish forever. A trip that changed my perspective about Kenya and the people of Kenya. Asanti sana (Thank you somuch) Maggie, James and Bison Safaris Team. You guys rock !!
AE
Email Aashish | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised trip
The trip was excellent and a once in a lifetime experience , game drive was very good, saw all the animals from a very close distance. James filed us with enough information about the animals. Its better to take a LandRover than a safari van. Very friendly staff at the Rhino camp as well. Good cook at the camp. Mutfarm Breakfast was too good! Balloon Ride was even better our Pilot (Peter the Pilot) flew balloon close to ground so that we could see the animals clearly. Balloon ride is a must.
Things NOT to do.
Don't buy a lion tooth from the Masai Tribe, (they will tell you it wont be a problem at the airport and this money will go to their school and you will feel obliged to help for the school, If you wanna help the school donate some amount don't buy any animal part.) as you will be jailed if caught in the airport.
US
Email Alan Graham | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Easy,Relaxed,Well organised Mara Safari
Booking process was easy as we also connected on Whats App and Maggie replied our many questions even at wee hours of the night. Expectations exceeded. Great safari, We saw lots of animals and a lion hunting down an impala. Great driver we had James who knows animals at his fingertips and was a plus for us as he spoke amazing Spanish which we really enjoyed.And our balloon flight was our safari highlight. Its an out of this world experience.
Accommodation at Sarova Mara Camp was Luxury and attention to details was given to our whole stay. Great food and everything was super -No complain at all.
Hopefully to come back for migration in August with our families and sample Bison Safaris services again.
Email Jonathan Harris | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Service was worth what we paid for and our expectations exceeded
I must admit that we were a group of 15 young people and we looked for safari from many companies and settled on Bison Safaris because Maggie really engaged us one and one and we felt very comfortable . She also gave us an option of paying on arrival in Kshs and we felt safe and more convinced that this was the company to go for.
We were never disappointed at all as we stayed at Lenchada camp which is basic camp and very clean. Great food and amazing staff .
Most of all we had an amazing safari driver Patrick who was able to make us see all the big 5 and many more animals .The Game drives were spectacular something we will never forget. He has vast knowledge of the park which was a big plus for us as we saw many animals many people from other companies never saw.
I would recommend Bison safaris any day as they offer what you book and pay for .
Ooh yes and the Masai Village was exceptional -i fell in love with the Masai people .Must see when in Mara.
Maggie and Bison team-Kudos and keep up the good job guys . We shall be back .
US
Email gerald.mcdougal | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
These people are completely dishonest. Both Maggie and driver Patrick are not honest or truthful.
The first 3 days of the safari was excellent. I thought our driver was excellent.
Then, the driver, Patrick, cancelled the last game drive on the last morning, cheating us out of the last game drive on the last day of the safari. The schedule called for a total of five game drives, we got four. I thought we had another game drive, but I never had a printed hard copy. I had the schedule on my computer, but internet access was bad at the lodge and the schedule was inaccessable.
I calculated the value of each of the drives at $220 each.
Patrick was in a bad mood on the last day. I could not get my seat belt fastened, and he impatiently got out and finally got it fastened. I then unfastened it to make sure it would reopen properly, and then I could not refasten it. He angrily asked why I had unfastened it. I said I wanted to make certain that it would open. I do not want to be stuck in a wrecked van and unable to get out. FIRE?? He could not get it working and I moved to another seat.
Also on that last day, he refused to stop and allow me to take a photo I wanted. He said no, that the locals did not want their picture taken, and wanted to be paid for it. I said ok, I will pay. He still would not stop.The photo I wanted was of a donkey pulling a very heavy loaded wagon.
It turned out to be an deadly silent return trip to Nairobi. Patrick had previously told us he was tired of the job. This day was totally unlike the first days.
I talked to Maggie about the trip and asked for a refund for the missed last game drive. She offered $20.00. I declined that offer.
Then, Maggie said she finally talked to Patrick. She said that he told her that I called him "shit" the entire trip. That was ridiculous. She also said something very strange, that I was "drinking" something. I hardly ever drink, and when I do, I am country western dancing and my natural limit is two, and there was no alcohol in the van. That was a very far out claim.
DO NOT PAY THESE PEOPLE CASH- THERE IS SOMETHING VERY BAD ABOUT THESE PEOPLE.
ALL THE SAFARI PEOPLE WANT CASH UP FRONT, WHERE IS THE PROTECTION FOR THE CUSTOMERS??
By all means, go on a safari! The animals are great! Just don't risk it on these people!
Reply from Bison Safaris
Posted on Feb 15, 2018Thanks for this review
First of all i would wish to thank you for booking with Bison Safaris for your Mara experience , Tsavo and Amboseli Experiences.
I would also wish to apologize for any misgiving from the driver Patrick to you either in omission or commission.
You called me from your hotel room to make the booking which i really appreciated as you left many companies to chose us.
The first part of safari to Maasai Mara went very well with no complain and so is the second part of safari which was Tsavo and Amboseli which by your confession you say Patrick and you had an excellent safari and you say things changed on the last day.
What happened on last day is quite unfortunate as that confrontation ruined the whole safari experience for you and this made you get another bad perspective of me as Maggie and i feel is really unfair .I have never stolen any clients money and the condemnation you are portraying is not fair at all.
You told me you would write a bad review that would ruin my business but i fell bad that you have turned the confrontation you had with Patrick to a personal ridicule towards me .
let me say on wanting to take pictures on the road of the donkey ,Patrick must have been careful as it was at the middle of the road and as there was nowhere to pull aside being a highway he had to be careful as he could cause an accident which would lead to more problems later on and he should have explained this to you.
If at all Patrick raised his voice in the regard of safety belt i apologized and i apologize once again and i had a talk with him that no matter what he has to keep his cool . No matter what provocation he has to give my clients the space to express themselves fully with no fear at all .
I have never heard any other client complain about our driver guide Patrick , many clients have wrote great reviews about him and always recommend him and as you say he was an excellent driver till the last day.
The refund i offered you of 20USD per person for the last day was ok since all park fees in Amboseli were
paid and you had already exhausted one full day and also park fees are paid at usd 60 Per person so i also felt asking me USD 220 was not fair and i agree no amount of refund can repair any damage caused
whatsover.
I always hold my clients in high regard and i do sincerely hope you accept our apologies as i have passed on
With all that said am grateful one again for choosing us .
With kind Regards
Maggie Githae
Managing Director
Bison Safaris-Kenya.
US
Email Elena David | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable Kenya Safari with Bison safaris
Amazing is all we can say. Everything went well smoothly and being a group of 20 people Bison safaris made the arrangements in a perfect way. Nothing was a miss.
We saw all big 5 and in Masai Mara and the Masai village visit was so emotional for us
Our driver James was a super guy. So much knowledge of the parks and animals.
Great food in the budget camps we stayed at.
We can only say thanks to Bison Safaris team for a great safari and we will surely be back with you.
MX
Email Pablo Esteban & Family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our 5 Days memorable Kenya safari
We didn't hesitate to make the booking after chatting with Maggie who is very professional. We had easy time clarifying all details and we knew after the chat that this was the company to go for and we dont regret a bit
Great service from driver to accommodation and food and they took care of our dietary needs as requested .
Overall it was an excellent safari for us and we hope to be back soon with Bison Safaris.
US
Email James Ingrid | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
5 Days Kenya Safari.
Easy communication with the booking office thus make arrangements very easy. Great Service and our expectations were exceeded.
We saw all big 5 and the flamingos in Nakuru. Hells gate was amazing and we loved every bit of the walk we had there.
We highly recommend Bison Safaris to anyone thinking of taking a safari to Kenya.
IT
Email Stefano Lorenzetto | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
How to make your first Kenya safari unforgettable
Our first experience in Africa and everything went well.
First of all thanks to Maggie who was unsurpassed in helping us to organize our trip in the best possible way, with precious advice and continuous support.
In the end we spent 6 days: 2 nights in Amboseli, 1 night in Nakuru and 3 nights in Masai Mara, all the accomodations were great.
Nicholas picked us up at 5 am at the airport with a Land Cruiser all for us 4 and took us all the way to the last day in Nairobi. I think it's impossible to find a better guide than Nicholas!
He has been very good to take us around to see the animals, to answer with competence to all our questions and to advise on the best things to do.
We have get early morning game drives, late afternoon game drives and full day game drives.
Thanks to him we saw everything we expected to see, and maybe even more. Thanks again Nicholas.
We highly recommend Bison Safaris.
Stefano, Daniela, Alessandro, Arianna
Email Anna Zoe and Family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya 4 Days Masai Mara and Nakuru Safari
Waooo is the word to describe our Safari . Our driver Nicholus was great . Lucky to see all big 5 .. We were elated indeed.
The accommodation we stayed in were basic but very great with high level of service .
Maggie made our booking process very easy and we felt safe from the word go . Thank you Maggie.
For an amazing experience chose Bison Safaris and if you need further details feel free to write to us .