Guide Ken with one of our 4x4 Land Cruisers
Spirit of Kenya
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $300 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
RO
Email Roxana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We loved it!
Although we had some communication problems just before arriving in Kenya, all our requirements and needs were satisfied in the end. The car broke down on the first day, but it was repaired by our driver and guide, Charles. The airport transfer was also troubled, but resolved eventually. If you are traveling in Africa, you need to get used to the "pole pole" style :))
Special thanks to Helder for arrangements and suggestions, he was really helpful. Also, our driver and guide, Charles, was very professional and friendly too. Thank you, Charles!
Overall, the safari was a memorable experience that we want to repeat. Kenya is an amazing country with warm and welcoming people. They are always smiling and transmit the joy of living, even if they are poor.
Wildlife was far beyond expectations, I'll attach here the album with pictures taken in Kenya (in safari and on the coast).
I hope to see you again very soon :)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1191001804279292.1073741919.100001084500830&type=1&l=a2eeb5f58d
Email Thomas and Elaine | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded expectations
Okay from the start, we booked our honeymoon with it started in Africa after a fair bit of research. Felt this company offered the best deal for us. They were great at responding to emails and answering our questions. before we went. All our pick ups and drop offs were punctual and friendly. The safari itself was fantastic. Our guide Martin was great, really friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We stayed in tented camps which were all really nice, different and friendly. Hearing lions roaring as we lay in bed in the middle of the Serengeti is something We will never forget. The camps are not five star luxury but a safari is for seeing animals and landscapes, not fluffy towels and slippers. Be prepared for a fair bit of driving. We did the 6 day safari on the northern circuit. All the parks are a bit different but with animals a plenty. It started in Africa are a great little company who will go out of their way to look after you.
AE
Email Armando | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Masai Mara tour 3 days Safari
The tour was amazing it was a great experience and the service from the agency and our guide Joseph was oustanding, the culture of Kenya people is admirable the respect the nature and give so much importance to kids education, we felt secure all the time the tour was tailor made for us, thx for everything, we hope come back some day.
SA
Email Chandrasekhar KP | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Amazing Safari with memories for a life time
Overall, the trip was fantastic and has left with us some good memories of the African wild life, nature as well as the people. My family and myself enjoyed every moment of our stay at Amboselli, Naivasha & Masai Mara.
Helder, your quick response on emails while planning the trip has been exemplary. Your team's support has been very good from the time we landed at Nairobi. Special mention of our tour guide and driver, David who has been of great help all the time.
The drive time between places was quite long especially the roads to Mara was quite bumpy. In retrospective, taking domestic flights would have been an option had we known it before. No regrets though.
We had a full blown safari which has left an indelible impression in our minds.
US
Email Caitlin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience beyond expectations
I cannot fully explain how wonderful my experience was with It Started in Africa, especially with our guide Salehe. I was on a 4 day safari with 4 friends and we all agree it significantly exceeded our expectations on all fronts. The lodging was wonderful and worth the money, as well as the food. The star was definitely our guide who was knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. We encountered some rain and he not only made us feel safe, but also stopped to help others who had gotten stuck. I would highly recommend the company and Salehe to anyone looking to explore the parks.
Email Vicki | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful lifetime experience
"It Started in Africa" were true professionals from the first email(there were many) to the final airport drop off!
Together we put together an amazing tour starting with the gorillas in Rwanda and travelling through Kenya and Tanzania on Safari. The itinerary was our own and we chose exactly where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go and the level of accommodation that we wanted.
The office staff are very responsive to all questions and are happy to accommodate every request. The drivers are knowledgeable, competent and fun.
I found that we go so much more for our money than we would have if we'd booked though a company here in Australia. It's important to support this local business and cut out the middle man.
I fully recommend It Started in Africa. You will not be disappointed.
US
Email Barbara Grupinska | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family trip of three (with daughter and son in-law)
Words cannot describe how wonderful our trip ended up to be. From the very first moment of reaching out to the It Started in Africa crew to the last moment before our trip the relationship was simply fabulous. Mr. Helder responded to my first email. He is very very kind, polite and knowledgable. He knew I was on the budget so he made few suggestions for us. Our entire trip was 9 days. Two nights in Tsavo West Rhino Valley Lodge, two nights in Amboseli Kibo Lodge, one night in Lake Nakuru, two nights in Masai Mara and last day/night in Lake Naivasha.
The entire crew of it Started in Africa went their way above and beyond of our expectation. I need to mention my friend, Simon, who switched with Mr. Helder the handling of my trip. I cannot and I repeat, I cannot express my gratitude for Simon who absolutely outdid himself. I mentioned in our correspondence that my daughter, Maja and her husband, Jerry will be celebrating their 5th year wedding anniversary while on Safari. I also mentioned my Mom's passing last November and the loss of my very first grand child. So this trip was very very special to all three of us. When we arrived in Masai Mara and went to Masai Village we did not know what was waiting for us upon return to the lodge. We came for dinner and suddenly we see the Masai villages dressed up arriving at the lodge. They came to dance for Maja and Jerry and the chef of our lodge prepared a cake for them. All arranged by my very good friend Simon, even I did not know about it. I was so touched, I had to hold my tears even thought there were happy tears. Thank you Simon, you are now our family and a friend for life. Now... let's talk about tour guide. We chose Carlos. Awwh how great choice we made. Carlos was a treasure to have on this safari. Funny, knowledgeable, never asked for anything, always determent to show us all big 5 and he did and more. Punctual, respectful, did I mention so hilarious.... He made this trip the trip of our dream. We will be back Carlos, and you are the only guide/friend/ family member who will travel with us. Thank you It Started in Africa for everything you have done. You have put up with my insecurities as I was constantly confirming and reconfirming every detail of our trip. You are simply the only team that I will ever use in my future safaris. I left Kenya with great memories. But I did not say goodbye to Kenya. I left saying, See you later and see you soon. Thank you so so much.
Email Sue | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nine days in Kenya
We had a wonderful trip organised by It Started in Africa. I think we were especially lucky to have had Martin as our driver/guide. He was always polite, informative and did a fantastic job in driving us around. As you know we booked to cover a great deal of Kenya in a short time!
All the places you suggested that we stay, were lovely. Especially Tumbili Lodge and our last camp outside the Masai Mara, Basecamp. They were both very special places.
It was interesting to travel from Tsavo West, to Amboseli and then up the Rift Valley and then back down to the Masai Mara and definitely worth the trip to the North to see the flamingos on Lake Baringo.
I guess the highlights were seeing a leopard in Tsavo West who allowed us to study him close up very early in the morning for 15 minutes, and then the lovely mixture of non aggressive animals in Amboseli. The Masai Mara allowed us to see lion, cheetah, elephant, rhino, and so many other animals too many to mention.
We have already recommended your company to our friends and I shall send through a few photos.
CA
Email Jean Gagnon | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It couldn't have been better!
We have just completed a 7-day safari in Tanzania with It Started in Africa covering the Tarangire National park, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. We were a family group of 15 from Canada, USA and Scotland. It is hard to know where to start in reviewing this experience. Everything from the first day to the last was just an incredible adventure. Travelling in 3 Land Cruisers with our excellent driver/guides, we seemed to have just one adventure after another. We danced with Masai tribespeople, survived an elephant charge, had a late night encounter with hippos, shot arrows with the Hadzabe tribe and had the best New Year's party ever in a tent in the middle of nowhere in the Serengeti. And , of course , we saw lots and lots of animals - the BIg Five plus the now quite hard to find Black Rhino. We chose to stay in a mix of fairly elegant lodges (Sopa in the Tarangire) and Serena in Ngorongoro) and tented camps. Both kinds of accommodations were excellent and provided incredibly varied and tasty meals. We particularly enjoyed our tent camp experience at Kati Kati where the accommodation was simple and the food really excellent. One interesting feature of the camp is how you take a shower. The staff bring a bucket of nice warm water to your tent and - from the outside - empty it into a cistern. You then pull a chain and enjoy a warm - though short - shower. Our family had fun with that experience. It Started in Africa were a superb safari company. From the time we first contacted them until we were all heading home, their customer service was outstanding. They were extremely responsive to all our emails and questions and we would have no hesitation recommending them. We chose to move on to a different destination each night which was good but quite tiring after 7 days. I would recommend staying in some spots for two nights. Otherwise, just go. You won't regret it.
Visited January 2017
Email Danny, Kathryn Bryant, Terry and Dot Goulding | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Magic of Safaris
Now safely back at home we have had time to reflect on our recent Safari with you. We can safely say without any doubt that we had a great time, your organisation of our holiday was perfect. The two drivers, firstly Joseph and later Chicho worked their socks off on our behalf to ensure that we got the most from each day; in fact the final piece fell into place at the very final day, the Rhino! We saw two which made our sighting of the big five complete.
Our accommodation be it a camp or lodge location all came up to our expectations-and beyond. Our friend Terry will be visiting Trip Adisor for each location as well as for yourselves-with very favourable remarks.
Once again thank you so very much for organising our trip to both Kenya and Tanzania.