Our Kenya and Tanzania guides smiling to a photo
Oakland Tours and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) & Kenya Tourism Board (KTB)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $320 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
Email John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great SafariExperience, despite the accommodations
We booked this private Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari online although it was a bit more expensive than others exactly like it, thinking the increase in price would upscale the experience just a little. But we had the same accommodation as others we talked to at our two overnight stops who paid less. The first, Manhattan Camp, in the Masai Mara, was very run down. Maybe thirty years ago when it was built it was a great place. All that left of ‘great’ is the gardens. The zipper on out tent did not work. The mosquito netting had holes in it. The bathroom was a shower I did not want to step in, a shelf mhammered together from old wood was hanging on the wall, and a toilet that had a lid but no seat! The camp entry/reception was a mud pit. This place has simply given up. The food was as basic as possible: either spaghetti, rice, mashed potatoes at every meal all served with the same ‘beef’ sauce. Over and over. The dining hall was big and uninteresting. It did however have a massive tv in the bar section which, when the electricity was on (rarely) was blaring soccer games. Pleasant-not! Hardly ‘dining’ experience. A safari camping experience is one thing but this camp has deceptive older photos and dares to call itself a ‘resort.’ Online it states that each tent has a kitchen. Not ours!
The second was a hotel at Lake Nakuru (City Max) in a very very sketchy neighbourhood. Secure but you don’t want to walk around here at night. Grumpy daytime front desk staff and manager. Night front desk was good. Restaurant with maître de and two uniformed wait staff. But, again, the food was miserable. I pushed away the dinner after a few bites as did a few of the other four couples in the restaurant. The room was good. The beds were good. But this neighbourhood is noisy, way into the night. Our room was directly above the kitchen early, so early mornings there was banging pits and pans, etc. I complained about this to the manager but all I got was a blank stare. As for the wifi, although this place claims to have it throughout - forget that. We just gave up on it. It does work sort of in the dining hall.
So, as far as accommodations are concerned, this safari is not just budget but very very budget.
The best part of the safari was Robert, our driver/guide. We had a safari van with openable roof all to ourselves. Robert was a great driver and an informative guide. He was sensitive to what we wanted and made sure we were always having a positive animal viewing experience. We saw almost every savannah animal you could think of . So that made up for the questionable acccommodation. Ask for him if you are still going to book after reading this review.
The owner of the tour company, Felistus, was quick to respond to our emails and even got us onward train tickets to Mombasa. So she is good. I am not sure however that she has recently or ever visited the two places we overnighted in. She and all others who use them should think again.
‘Budget’ does not have to mean ‘inadequate’!
US
Email Ephraim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Safari Experience
My family and I really appreciated our 9 days Bush and Beach Safari with Oakland Tours and Edward our driver/guide. We went to Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli and then went for the Beach Holiday at Diani. We saw an amazing variety of wildlife — cats, elephants, hippos— and the hotels and lodges were all well selected. An experience like no other, I would like to thank Felistusi the office team leader for putting together an excellent package for my family - it was trully destination management to the letter
Email Wambua | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Service
I am always happy to be back home in Kenya but this time it was a 5 Day safari with my British friends at the Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. The tour operator did an excellent service because i wanted to impress my friends who had never been to Africa - we got a very good choice of hotels and lodges, the driver/guide was very professional and I was happy to have consulted Felistus who was very patient with our queries and emails - she is outstanding!
Do trust Oakland Tours and Safaris to deliver - and sure my friends were very impressed with Kenya thanks to Oakland Tours.
US
Email Ronald | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Memorable safari experience
We had such an amazing time at Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and the Amboseli. If you are going on a first time safari, not knowing what to expect I would refer Oakland Tours any time. Our guide Edward was excellent and gave us plenty of time to stop and experience what interested us all. He was very knowledgable and made it very interesting for my family. We were very lucky to see so many different animals and birds, it was beyond our expectations. I would highly recommend Oakland Tours and Safaris, they are very professional and the driver/guide was very well versed with the terrain and logistics. It was a really magical experience.
US
Email Nancy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Far exceeded my expectations - excellent service and unforgettable safari
I do not have one complaint about Oakland Tours or the Safari!!! Felistus answered all my questions with extensive info and always very quickly. She took care of every detail!! Mara Intrepids was perfect!! The staff was so friendly and helpful, the food was amazing, the surroundings were beautiful and our tent was fabulous!! And, what made it even better, was our guide, John!! The staff said he was the BEST and we know why - he has an impressive knowledge of the land and the animals, he is a terrific driver, he is so sensitive to the needs of the clients and he finds all the animals!! We enjoyed him so very much!!! Thank You Oakland Tours for creating so many once in a lifetime memories for my son and me!!! I have already recommended you to a good friend of mine!!
IN
Email Royston | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good Services
Good Services offered to our clients. Look forward to send more clients form India nepal and china markets
NP
Email sushiel Joshi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya tour with Oakland Tours and Safaris was excellent. Throughly enjoyed the Kenya experience.
we had no problem with language. Everybody could speak english. The service was excellent where ever we went. The safari was amazing. It was once in a life time experience. Edward our guide and driver did a great job. We really enjoyed his company.
US
Email Vina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful experience!
Oakland tour and safaris organised a splendid budget safari for us. Our safari guide was most enthusiastic, and the company was very responsive to my email queries.
Email Eric Mwazo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very professional in their service delivery and exceeded my expectations
Prompt on communication and provided great alternatives on destinations to pick from. The driver provided was very well conversant with the Mara and that boosted my confidence in Oakland Tours and Safaris.
CZ
Email Milan Severa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Profesionals
Very good. Everything was fine, communications fast and without problems.