AMS Directors and Tour Guides
Amazing Memories Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- ASTA, KATO, AMREF & Eco Tourism
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $130 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Rick | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A holiday to remember, a truly memorable experience
Our 13 days trip to Kenya was our first experience in Africa, Kenya and on Safari. As we didn’t know what to expect we did research and found Amazing Memories Safaris to be the best choice for our holiday (based on client reviews, proposed programs, flexibility in adjusting proposed programs based on our requirements and general level of professionalism).
We did our trip in September 2016
Anne was really helpful in configuring our holiday. We ended up with a program making it possible to visit all top rated parks in Kenya spanning over 13 days. During our trip we visited Tsavo West, Amboseli, Aberdare, Samburu, Lake Naivasha, Nakuru and Maasai Mara. On paper this looks like a great trip, actually doing the trip is an experience of a lifetime.
A big part of this experience is dependent on the guide you get. Joseph, our guide for the 13 days, was amazing (which is important as you spent a lot of time in a car with this person). He did everything he could to make us comfortable, feel safe and make sure we got the most out of this experience. The fact that he knows Kenya, is a good driver and knows the parks, animal behavior and movement was perfect. We managed to see all of the big 5 (including both white and black rhino’s), cheetah’s hunt (2 times), pride of lions hunt, wildebeest crossing of the Mara (and a crocodile just missing the opportunity to grab one) and an Impala being born.
Tips: As a starting photographer I didn’t take a lens cleaning kit, this is a must due to the high amount of dust. Take warm clothes, it cools down in the evening. Make sure you have the local currency (Schilling), preferably in small denominators, to tip all the people that help you in the lodges.
Travel tip: Most of the main roads in Kenya are fine (decent tarmac), however to reach the parks you will have to leave them, which means you will find yourself on dirt roads. Dirt roads greatly increase travel-time, however we took this in account when configuring our program (we left out 2 parks and decided to spent more time at others (Samburu and Maasai Mara were our choices) to avoid driving every day). The only really bad (and long…..) dirt road was on our way to Maasai Mara, but…. it is all worth it when you get there.
All in all probably our best and most special trip ever and, on a sad note, it made us realize that our kids are probably not able to see the same animals in 20 or 30 years.
US
Email Al Vardya | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Amazing Safari Experience
I started interviewing tour operators in January and chose Amazing Safaris based on their level of communication, pricing, as well as feedback from past clients. I started planning the trip with Anne in February. Amazing Safaris has a number of package tours but I chose to customize the trip based on our criteria. Throughout the entire process Anne was extremely responsive, flexible, friendly & communicative despite the time zone difference.
We ended up with a 7-night flying safari covering multiple parks in Kenya & Tanzania flying between the parks as opposed to driving. With Anne I worked out a balanced diverse itinerary that included lodges of different sizes, a luxury tented option in the Masai Mara conservancy, as well as large and small national parks.
The lodging options as well as drivers/guides suggested by Anne turned out to be excellent. Our Kenya-based driver stayed with us for 4 nights throughout the Kenya portion. As a guide he was very reliable, knowledgeable & friendly. The Tanzania Masai Mara driver was provided by our lodge. That guide was super excellent because he knew the land well and could go off road since private conservancies don't need to follow public park rules.
I could go on about the great experience we had but the critical thing is this. We had to pay up front for the entire safari so you need to have some trust even after doing a lot of due diligence. Anne and the Amazing Safaris team made us feel secure, planned a great trip, took care of attention to detail before AND during the trip, had great follow through and all at a relatively good price.
I would highly recommend Amazing Safaris to plan your African safari! I would recommend them over non Africa based operators because they provide personal service in Nairobi and can assist with travel logistics locally while in Africa.
AE
Email Tett | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What an amazing experience
I recently traveled to Maasai Mara and Lake Naivasha with Amazing Memories
Safaris and i could not be more pleased .The accommodations they offered
were 1st class, the guide Moses was knowledgeable, experienced and
informative. Transportation came off without a hitch. We toured the two
parks together with a friend and it could not have been better.
We specifically would like to appreciate our tour planner Joseph, he was
very
helpful throughout the planning process on helping us with the choice of
accommodations.…This outfit can more than fulfill your Kenyan dream Tour..
their attention to detail sets them apart from the ordinary tour
companies.We would Highly Recommend them to those planing to visit Kenya.
CN
Email Yang | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Memories were just Amazing... We had fun in Kenya
The trip was amazing, Kenya is beautiful and fun. I loved Maasai mara very much and the operator handled us very well, beyond our expectations.
CH
Email Matias | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Memories indeed
Our flights were booked to Nairobi but were not sure what to do within the 10 days we had there.
After reading a number of reviews we contacted Amazingmemoriessafaris and we were positively surprised by the great service. We had a reply within a few hours and after a few e-mails we had our itinerary.
We were warmly welcomed by four staff members where we met our Guide for the next couple of days, “Josef”. They dropped us off at the hotel “the Kenya Comport Hotel Suites”. Outside the hotel a group was having party until late but the hotel was reasonable and what we expected from the reviews.
Day 2: We were picked up by our driver Josef and drove to Amboseli where we were staying at Amboseli AA Lodge. On our way there we had our first game drive and saw already a lot of animals. The lodge is very classy and we enjoyed one night there.
The next day we drove to Mount Kenya where we were staying at Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp. We arrived there for a late lunch and went for a game drive in the afternoon. The camp is within the park and next to the camp there is a waterhole where we could see a lot of animals in the evening.
Early the next day we made our way to Lake Nakuru to the Lake Nakuru Flamingo Hill Luxury Camp. We were one of the only guests and we were treated like kings. They set up our dinner table in front of the big fire and the food was exquisite. Staffs were extremely hospitable and we can highly recommend this place. In the afternoon we went for a drive and really enjoyed this park because of the lake.
We had to leave very early the next day because we had a long drive to Maasai Mara where we were staying at Sentrim Mara Camp. The difference to the staff at Lake Nakuru was extreme as these Maasai did not seem to care much about us. The camp was clean and nice but apart from that we can’t recommend it because of the staff. We stayed there 2 nights and had great drives at Maasai Mara.
We then drove back to Nairobi to get a 2pm flight to Mombasa. There was a lot of traffic but thanks to Josef we made it on time. We however had to wait for someone from amazingmeories to hand us our flight tickets and we got a bit nervous to miss our flight as it took him quite long to get to the airport. That was probably the only not so amazing experience about amazingmemoriessafaris.
We got to Mombasa Airport where someone picked us up and drove us to Diani Beach to Southern Palms Beach Resort. We left and he told us that it can only take 45 minutes to get to the hotel.
In the end it took us almost 3 hours so we were quite unhappy as we had been traveling since 5am. I advised him not to tell customers about the 45 minutes.
We then arrived at Southern Palms Beach Resort and had a great few days there. It was all inclusive and staff was great there and very friendly. Food was tasty (probably because we love Indian food).
The only two things we did not enjoy about the hotel were the following:
- Firstly, there were a lot of annoying beach sellers and you could not go to the beach as they would not stop talking to you. We therefore stayed mostly inside the resort which was okay as the resort and its pool area are great.
- Secondly, my wife and I both had a massage but the ladies working there apparently did not have much of a clue about it. We would never return for a massage.
On the day of our journey back we were picked up from the hotel and then via Nairobi we flew back.
We can highly recommend amazingmemoriessafari and do ask for Josef as guide. He was indeed amazing! Thanks again.
Email Emmanuel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Lifetime Experience with Amazing Memories Safaris
In september I have been on a wonderful safari with my parents using Amazing Memories Safaris.
We stayed 3 nights at Base Camp in Masai Mara, a very quiet and comfortable camp. They really do their level best to give their guests a comfortable stay. The food was good and the tents are clean with a neat bathroom.
During the game drives we were quite lucky to spot the big five, except for the rhino that is.
The whole trip was very well planned, the driver guide Joseph had years of experience and could inform us about basically anything and everything. The Tour van was clean and well maintained. We all had a great experience and we would highly recommend Amazing Memories Safaris.
Email Justus Wambua | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The great amazing memories safaris
Over the 2016 Easter holiday i happened to book a safari for me and my family with amazing memories safaris. The safari was comfortable with friendly and steadfast staff who had the willingness to respond to clients questions anytime, a well informed driver guide, great hospitality and above all their prices were Reasonable.
I would like to thank the whole team that made our safari a success and recommend Amazing memories safaris to whoever is planning a safari.
DE
Email Joy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We were a group of 10 people from Germany looking for a memorable trip through Kenya and we got that
Hello
Im Joy. I was on a 4 day safari(Mara, Naivasha, Amboseli) + 4 day Mombasa trip (28.03.2016 - 04.04.2016) with a group of 9 people from Germany. This trip was organised by Amazing Memories Safaris in Nairobi.
As this was a big group I was in constant contact with Anne and Joseph because of various topics. I always got a reply on the same day or latest on the next day.
Before i decided to consider Amazing Memories for my group, i wrote other safari organisers just to compare itineraries and rates being offered. I decide on Amazing Memories because i got the best rates and because i generally got the feeling that they did their best to adjust the itinerary according to our wishes via the correspondence through the various emails and phone calls. They are very professional and flexible and always came through to our various requests regarding itinerary and pricing.
We were all satisfied with the choice of hotels and the organisation for the whole trip except one.
(Mara- Maasai Mara Nalepo Lodge;
Naivasha- Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp;
Amboseli- Amboseli AA Lodge;
Mombasa- Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort )
The only hotel which didn't meet our expectations was Mara Nalepo Lodge. They were friendly and the food was great but the facilities weren't all to good and up to the standards expected by us. I was told that there was a change in management and thats why things weren't up to standard. From our experince we would give the hotel a rating of 2 out of 5.
As for the 3 other hotels we would rate 5 out of 5. Everything was according to our expectations. My friends said these are hotels they would glady visit again.
As for our tour guide, his name was Joseph. We were completely and uterly satisfied with his competence and his information regarding all animals we saw. He was very friendly and we were lucky enough to see 4 of the big 5 amongst other animals. We would recommend him as a tour guide for anyone interested in taking a safari.
We were very pleased with our 8 day trip. All my friends had a memorable trip through Kenya. I would gladly recommend Amazing Memories Safaris as a safari organiser anytime. Should we plan another safari in the future, we would definitely organise this via Amazing Memories.
Email Linda Sheryl | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
My Amazing Trip to Maasai Mara with Amazing Memories Safaris
Last year, I went on an 8-day safari in Kenya with my 14-year-old son, who was visiting the country for the first time. After identifying three tour operators and corresponding with them, we chose Amazing Memories Safaris. Our itinerary was: Samburu-the Aberdares (The Ark)-Nakuru-Maasai Mara. The company owner and director, Joseph, was very helpful in answering all our questions and, unlike the other operators that we contacted, he was most willing to organize the trip in accordance with our wishes. When the day of the safari came, we were met by Anne one of the Consultants who welcomed us officially for the safari. She was very welcoming and professional, which reassured us even more! Our accommodation – was very good: the rooms were spacious and clean, the food was fresh and delicious, and staff made us feel very much at home. The tour guide/driver, Joseph, with whom we spent most of the time, was always punctual, professional and helpful. He is a good storyteller and shared his deep knowledge of the wildlife, geography and people of the areas that we visited, and answered our many questions patiently. We saw the "big five" and many other creatures great and small. And in the parks, he did not always follow the well-trodden path, so we often spotted an animal or situation that everyone was hoping for. Joseph would then radio the information to his fellow tour guides/drivers to share it with the other tourists. We are thankful to Amazing Memories Safaris for enabling us to experience a most amazing safari! For my son, it was a life-changing introduction to the wild: from being extremely scared as we walked to our cottage from our lodge's dining area on our first evening in Samburu, to struggling to get back to his routine several weeks after the safari – because of all the wonderful memories! We are pleased to recommend this company to anyone wanting to go on a meaningful safari in Kenya.
Linda.