Office Staffs
Pride of Africa Adventures
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Rob | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Enjoyable but didn't get full itinerary!
Positives.
Good communication whilst booking safari.
Good friendly guide"jacktone"who got us to the major sightings in the parks and safely transported around in his clean safari van.
Overall the accommodation was good for a budget safari
Enjoyable safari overall.
Negatives.(minor)
Offering transport on our free day in Nairobi for $260 which we did by uber for $30!!
Telling us enroute that our naivasha boat ride was optional (included in itinerary),which we got a day late after sorting things out.
Not stopping at suitable picnic area on way back to Nairobi.
Cold breakfast at miti mingi camp,and no hot water for over an hour one morning,plus tough meat in stew in evening.
Towels taken from our tent by staff at kimana camp(you have to provide your own), on morning we were leaving so unable to shower,and tent in poor condition.
Family tents not adjacent in spite of booking months ahead and safari company promising to secure good tents for us.
All the above are acceptable by us as part of travelling on a budget.
Negative(major)
However this was not,
The itinerary we had agreed and paid for said we would get a full afternoon game drive upon arrival at nakuru,and a short one the following morning before departure,with possibly one on arrival at amboseli later the same day.
Due to rescheduled boat ride we arrived later than expected at nakuru and were told we would have a longer game drive in nakuru the following morning (which meant no chance of getting to amboseli in time for one same day),but no game drive at nakuru on arrival.Upon pointing out what itinerary said I was informed that the itinerary was inaccurate and that it should have said only one game drive in nakuru,I made it clear that I was unhappy about this,and was assured that something would be arranged to make up for it.
Nothing was done to make up for it,in spite of us having a spare day in Nairobi after end of safari.
Stephen has since informed me (in one email),that nakuru game drives were 2hr upon arrival and another 2hr before departure,so 4hr morning of departure should have been enough.
Stephen has also by email agreed with staff member telling me at the time that we were only supposed to have one game drive!.
The fact that emails conflict and neither agrees with our itinerary (which he admits was cut and pasted from elsewhere) means we still feel short-changed.
We received an apology after returning from Kenya but that was too late.we expected something (at the very least an apology whilst still in Nairobi.
Reply from Pride of Africa Adventures
Posted on Sep 3, 2019Thanks for client review with positive and negatives, we like giving our story on the negative points.
- About the 260USD the client is talking about, yes we charged him 260USD for Nairobi full day excursion including all the entrance fee and transport with a tour van for his family of 5 people and we were considering the hotel he was staying which was outside Nairobi county 20km away from the city center. We didn't do this with him so we don't see why this is an issue now.
- In general I think the client is not honest because everything agreed in the itinerary were offered as we agreed and all the time wasted were compensated in the next day to avoid any complain.
This is the client who booked for a group joining safari and we decided to give him a private safari for only his family as a surprise and we did this because of his young child who was 6 years so we are surprised to see all this because he had one free day after safari and he never raised this complain with us before we drove him back to the airport. He only said everything was good and after two days we saw his email complaining about Lake Nakuru
RU
Email Shante | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
6 days Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli
We as young couple decided to look for a tour company which can organize for us a vacation in East Africa. As we were doing our research we came across Pride of Africa Adventures we contacted them and they they advice us that if we want to enjoying our vacation we take a private safari for only 2 of us.
This company organize everything as per our budget and plan. We enjoyed our 6 days Safari and we are really greaful for what they did
CA
Email Daphne Valcin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
Pride of Africa is real. I was able to enjoy my safari after booking tour with them . At first I was not sure if they could deliver but the did beyond my expectation. I will recommend them to any traveler. I was able to be pick in good time and the transport and accommodation was ok. Thank Odero and Stephen
Email Rael | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly pride of Africa (20 days Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia)
We had a nice time with this safari Pride of Africa Adventures in 3 African countries where by we started with Tanzania, Kenya then Ethiopia. The guides were amazing more so Lawi of Kenya, was amazing. He was kind, knowledgeable, and kept us safe. We saw all of the big five except the leopard, but we spent extra time trying to find one and Lawi asked every other guide to try to help. We stayed at the lodges and they highly recommend luxury accommodation in these countries. My best friend and I did the 20 days safari at Nakuru, Naivasha, Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Serengeti and both Southern and Northern Ethiopia. We loved the Masai village, the different attractions and many other things including the service.
I do recommend this company for African Safaris as I saw before I booked in some of the reviews. THEY ARE HONEST PEOPLE AND GIVE WHAT THEY PROMISE
CL
Email Roberto | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good experience and recommendable but not liked expected and with many objections
We are a couple that booked a group joining safari of 11 days in Kenia and Tanzania with Pride o Africa. We booked it in advance from our country. Below I describe first all the positive things of our experience with this company and then all the negatives:
Positives:
- All the staff is very friendly and are nice persons.
- Stephen was very fast in reply all our inquiries before and during the safari. He was very attentive and was always concerned about us and our satisfaction.
- Jacktone and Deo, our drivers in Kenia and Tanzania respectively, were very good guides, they knew good the visited parks and made a big effort for giving us a great time.
-We could see the big fives (but leopard just one time and it was the last today and from afar).
-Both drivers cleaned the vehicules everyday.
-In general good organization (except the problems mentioned below)
In general I think the people of Pride of Africa is serious and very reliable.
Negatives:
-As soon as we arrived at Nairobi and were picked up by the people of Pride of Africa (the managers), they persuaded us to change our group joining safari for a private safari (only for the Kenia’s part). We agreed because they recommended it strongly and we didn’t have much time to decide (we were under pressure). They said that the only way to keep the original accommodations was making the private tour. We had to pay an important extra cost not considered in our original budget. It would much better if people of Pride of Africa had talken about this before arriving there, so we would have time to think about it without pressure. Besides the group joining safari in Tanzania was as good as the private option in Kenya, we were only three persons in total, and finally we didn’t see real advantages to make the private safari in Kenya, specially considering we like to share with other people.
- We didn’t all the game drives indicated on the original program. I think this happened because the program was very optimistic. Is not possible to do all the game drives offered because of the timings.
-We were cheated in a shop where we stopped for resting on the way to Masai Mara. I think that the guide should not stop on bad reputation places or at least he or/and the company should aware the tourists of this bad practices.
-In Tanzania the Safari was made by another company from that country (I think that they are partners of Pride of Africa, but we were not informed in advance). They changed an important part of our program without asking or telling us. Luckly and casually we realized this the day before thanks to a conversation with the driver. We were just at time to talk the managers of both companies and claim for maintaining the original program. They solved it quickly, but if we didn’t see this the day before we would loss an important time in Seregenti.
-We liked all the lodges and campsites we stayed, except one because it was a campsite in a town and not in a park or in the wildlife as expected (Jambo Lodge, Lake Manyara). Also the staff there were not very friendly and we were almost the unique tourists there. We didn’t feel comfortable in that place. Unfortunately we spent three nights there(more than in all the other places).
- Again, without asking us, they changed 1 night in Nogrongoro for 1 night in Lake Manyara (Jambo Lodge, the place we didn’t like)
-The Land Cruiser in Tanzania didn’t have radio (important tool for communication between guides and to find animals). This was offered in the original program. The vehicle had also the windshield broken and seat belts were not very good working.
In brief we still recommend this company, but we suggest to be aware checking everyday the program in advance to have time to claim is anything is changed or wrong. Take care with the shops where you will stop for resting. If you visit Lake Manyara, ask to not say in Jambo Lodge, is not a comfortable place. Is better to stay on campsites inside the parks with the wildlife and sharing with more tourists.
Reply from Pride of Africa Adventures
Posted on Feb 18, 2019Thank you very much for taking safari with us and for the review, concerning the negative comments they are very important to us so that we can improve in our services. By answering the comments
1: Concerning the pressure his saying we put on him to take a private a safari, this was a discussion between us and we gave the advantages and disadvantages of both private safari and group joining safari . We gave them time to way between the two options then before they agree to take a private safari, they gave us condition of the driver they want for the private safari in Kenya side and we both agreed on him and the departure date we deliver the driver we agreed on. So to me I don't think we forced them to take a private safari because we both agreed.
2: Concerning the Shop they stopped, that one was not even in the program and when they stop to buy the carvings he confirmed to me that the driver remains in the car, on this I don't know how they agree to buy carvings.
3: Concerning the game drives, due to the fact that this was a private safari the number of game drives were to be agreed between the driver and them because in group joining safaris we do have fixed game drives for the group.
4: Concerning the Tanzania part I am really sorry for what took place and we discuss that before with the client and we both agreed.
NB: We will improve in the problems indicated and promise to other tourist this will not take place again and don't get worried, people do learn by mistakes and this will not repeat again
US
Email Paolo Andres | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
pride of africa exceeded our expectations! excellent customer service!
Tour was well-organized from pick up to drop off. Our driver maxwell was excellent, made sure we saw the big 5. i highly recommend this company as staff seemed family oriented with customer service as its highest priority.
DE
Email Jun | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice tour
I could see the Big 5 during 4 days.
The driver is so nice. I could see many animals closely.
Day 3, I did not go to Nakuru lake in the plan.
There were some problems. But finally I could see many animals and go back to the airport.
US
Email becca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent options for a budget safari outing
With this review, my aim is to provide a realistic picture of the outing. First, let me be clear: this was an incredible experience for SO many reasons, and it fully earns its five stars. There were a few minor things I wish I'd known coming in, so I'm sharing them here. In no way would I have changed anything -- the trip, the safari, and the people were all absolutely wonderful!
Booking: Stephen is an excellent communicator and provides lots of details during the booking process and leading up to the trip. He answered all questions, and was available with very quick response times in the weeks prior.
Travel: Stephen and his colleague Elias picked the two of us up from our hotel in Nairobi early on the morning of our departure. They transported us to Nairobi's downtown area to meet our vehicle (a good safari van), where we met with the other people who were part of our group. We were a group of seven total, plus the tour guide from the partner safari company. Together we drove in our safari van from Nairobi to the Mara, which was about 6-7 hours of travel, including the stops. You could see LOTS of country side during the drive, so I actually quite enjoyed it. (There is an option to fly in to the reserve, which is good if you have limited time or if you're particularly averse to driving; I am glad we drove.)
Helpful hints on travel: I wouldn't recommend traveling with all your luggage; a smaller bag is easier in the vehicle.
You will have several places to buy souvenirs during stops on the way up, during the safari and during a stop on the way back to Nairobi; don't feel rushed to make all your purchases.
You'll want cash for any purchases, including drinks at the camp, etc.
Accomodations: We arrived at the Miti Mingi Eco Camp late in the afternoon on the day of travel. The Eco Camp is located just outside the gates to the reserve, and it's a good African experience. The food is nice (I never went hungry!), and they've got a bar for beer/cocktail/extra water purchases. To be clear, though, this is a budget safari experience and the camp reflects that. You are effectively camping (with a toilet and a shower in each of the tents), so go in with that expectation. Also, these are shared tents, and so you will likely be paired with people from your own or other groups.
Helpful hints on accommodations: Bring a towel; this is something I wish I'd known. There are showers, but they do not provide towels. They do provide sheets and mosquito nets.
Definitely bring and use mosquito repellent. There are some persistent mosquitos in the Mara.
Game drive: Our guide, Mansoor, was WONDERFUL. He was super accommodating and friendly to our group, and he was able to share a vast amount of knowledge about the animals, the culture, and pretty much anything else we asked. I'm sure many of his colleagues are up to his standard. Many of the guides out on game drives will communicate with each other by radio, which allows them to alert each other of big finds. With a signal from another guide, we'd take off on a speeding chase across the reserve to see a leopard eating an impala, or a band of cheetah brothers, or a pride of lions, or a rare sighting of a rhino. During our outings, we saw ALL of the big five, along with everything else on our list. Mansoor was happy to stop whenever we asked, and he maintained his patience with all seven people wanting different pictures of different things. The top of the safari van pops up, so you're able to stand up and watch with a great vantage point.
Helpful hints for game drives: A good camera is of course wonderful for documenting the experience; a good zoom lens makes it even better. You'll see some incredible things, but often they're a few meters away and/or in shade.
It's super dry and gets warm during the day, so I'd recommend you pack extra water. Pride of Africa provides you one big bottle for each day, but be prepared to buy extras for the outings.
Following the trip: The tour guide dropped us off at our hotel in Nairobi. A few hours later, Elias came to the hotel to make sure we'd arrived safely and to hear all about the trip. Pride of Africa's level of service and attention to detail is REMARKABLE. They are dedicated to ensuring you have a good outing. So much so that my friend left her hat in the van, and they even delivered it to us the next day.
I absolutely enjoyed the outing and would recommend Pride of Africa to anyone looking for a good adventure.
US
Email Neb | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome!
We booked safari tour with pride of Africa couple of months ago. Steven helped us create a type of safari we had in mind. We did 2 nights and 3 days @ Masai Mara Sopa Lodge. Steven was always communicating with us thru emails and whatsup to make sure the process was going well. When we arrived at Nairobi airport, we were warmly greeted by the team and had lunch at a nice cafe in Nairobi. Although the roads to the lodge were bad, they took all the appropriate care and precautions to get us there safely. We had a great driver, Jacktone, who took us out for game drive next day and surprisingly we were able to see more than 20 animals including the big five and atleast 6 species of birds during the 1st 6 hrs of our game drive!!! Impressive!! We only did one day of game drive and we returned back to Nairobi on our 3rd day of our trip. Great team of people at pride of Africa! I will consider coming back w kids in the future.
Btw, Mara sopa lodge was great!!
FYI: you may need to take with you a picnic blanket to eat lunch when u go out on a game drive.
AE
Email Veera | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good and cooperative
Stephen and the big boss Elias are very nice I took a 3 days safari to Masai mara but kindly take atleast 5 days tour b coz 2 Full days goes in travelling itself...
Few tips for travellers
Take a 4*4 veichle instead of van b coz ground clearance very low and can’t reach in many routes
Ensure your veichle has an Air conditioning and operative b coz your whole body will be covered by dust road from Masai from narok is very poor
They have a free pick up but ensure it’s within their radius from airport other wise u should pay extra
Our camp was good but was outside jungle still try to stay inside the jungle if you are with family for night safaris
Take a camera with night vision big lens to spot animals, binocular,and snacks and some emergency medicines
Take drinking water with u only 1 liter
free per day
Enjoy your trips
