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
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Email shenzi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5-star experience & service
This was our first-time safari in Kenya planned in the middle of the pandemic and we did not know what to expect. Like some other reviewers, I have also exchanged 100+ emails with Tiago, our journey designer, and he always had a prompt, detailed and kind reply to every question or concern. This was in stark contrast to other operators I contacted who either took several days to reply or provided incomplete or ambiguous answers. Moreover, during our trip it also turned out that each of Tiago's answers was truthful and accurate. Tiago is really fantastic at his job and we are so grateful for his help with the planning.
We have selected a modified 6-day Into the Wild safari in Kenya. We have visited Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. This was a well-planned but intensive itinerary with fantastic sights and experiences. Our guide, Karasha, was fabulous. He was very experienced, knowledgeable and kind. Even though we did not have high expectations regarding the animal sightings, he showed us all animals we could have dreamed of seeing. Often, we were the only one or one of the few vehicles during a sighting.
Karasha has also told us a lot about the Kenyan history, tribal relations, politics, education system, environmental issues and so on. He showed a very high level of education and awareness of various issues. Even when speaking about controversial or problematic issues he spoke in a neutral and empathetic way. He was kind to everyone we met on the way, waving to children in villages, laughing with guards and other guides and was also very patient and friendly with us. Karasha is such a talented guide with a wonderful character and I cannot recommend him strongly enough!
Last but not least, Karasha is a very skilled and safe driver! We travelled many hours on the country roads with young children and we felt very safe.
We felt very fortunate to have found Spirit of Kenya. They allowed us to build a custom private safari at prices similar to big package companies. They have recommended only 2-3 accommodation options for each park and they were truly fantastic. Ilkeliani camp in Masai Mara was the most incredible and intimate place with the most amazing 5-star service I have ever experienced. I would not have found it without Spirit.
Spirit of Kenya truly provides a high quality service across all areas and does not save money at the expense of travelers. You will get great planning advice, a very good vehicle, an amazing guide, high-end binoculars, great accommodation options, great food and so on. They know everything and know how to offer the best experience to their clients. I cannot recommend them highly enough!
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Email Beth | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience from start to finish!
We had an amazing safari trip thanks to Spirit of Kenya! Because of my work, I only had about a little over a month or so to plan this trip from the time I decided I wanted to go to the time we landed in Nairobi. It wouldn't have been possible without the amazing help from Vanessa, our main contact and trip consultant. She made it super easy for me to customize our trip and made sure everything was taken care of before we arrived in Nairobi (and very promptly answered every silly question that I had!).
Vanessa gave an excellent selection of options for each area that we stayed in (Amboseli, Naivasha, Nakuru, and Maasai Mara) at different price points, which made it easy to try to get the most out of my budget for the trip. We stayed at a nice mix of mid-range and luxury accomodations which all had slightly different vibes, and we were extremely happy with all of them - Kibo Safari Camp in Amboseli, Naivasha Sopa Lodge in Naivasha, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp in Nakuru, and finally Amani Mara in Maasai Mara (absolutely worth splurging on!). It was also easy to book add-ons with her -- we opted for the open sided 4x4 jeep (absolutely would recommend this), as well as a hot air balloon ride and Maasai Village tour while we were in Maasai Mara (both of which were definitely worth it). We were very grateful to have Vanessa as our consultant!
Our guide for our trip was Shumo, and he was fantastic! He was super knowledgeable about all the parks we visited, and knew the best places to look for animals. We easily saw the Big 5 (and then some) with him! He also suggested good last minute edits to our game drive schedule that were excellent and obviously well informed - after a long and bumpy drive to Maasai Mara, he suggested we do the nature walk hosted by Amani Mara instead of an afternoon game drive (which we loved -- it was so nice to get out and walk around after the long drive). He also mentioned that Amani Mara did night safaris, so we did a long morning game drive instead of an all-day game drive one day in order to make sure we had enough down time before our night safari! (which was an excellent suggestion -- we loved it!) He was always super communicative about our planned schedule each day. We really enjoyed our time chatting with him as well. Thank you, Shumo!
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Email Cecilie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely amazing tailor made safari !
Are you looking for the very best
company to organize your dream come true safari - look no further! SPIRIT OF KENYA is what you are looking for!
From the very first email (André ) we received from them, we were convinced that this was the right agency/safari company to book with! Oh boy, were we right! Spirit of Kenya have been absolutely fantastic to us, they have swiftly responded to all our questions and emails with a combo of excellent professionalism, knowledge and warmth.
Therefore - we had very high expectations when we arrived in Kenya - and we were NOT disappointed- to the contrary!!!
We were greeted by George - our driver. What a wonderful person he is! A fantastic gentle, smooth comfortable and safe driver!! (he made the 5-6 hour car transfer from Nairobi to Masai Mara a very pleasant journey.( And he took so good care of my 78 year old mother who has some walking issues)
And then - when we entered the national park - George was such a great and experienced guide!! He knew his way through the national park - and he seemed to have a sixth sense when it came down to know exactly where to spot the different animals. Wow!! We got to see all the animals we dreamt on seeing - and even more. (Cheetahs, lions, buffalos, wildebeests, elephants, a leopard, sebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, thousands of different deer, warthogs and many more species
And then our accommodation in Ilkeliani camp! Absolutely amazing! The staff, the family tent (suite) OMG! The entire crew that works there; Diana, Simon, Rubin, Sera, Joseph, Geoffrey, and many more. Absolutely fantastic people. You have got to love them!
Email Richard W | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exactly what you need for a perfect safari!
This was our first experience at a safari after meaning to go for a number of years. There is quite a wide variety of operators and countries to pick from but we decided upon Spirit of Kenya and went to visit both Kenya and Tanzania in one trip. From the moment we got in touch with Spirit of Kenya there was a wealth of information passed on to us via email, a special thanks to Andre for his patience, knowledge and super quick response time!
All transactions were easy and gave us confidence that once we arrived in Kenya we wouldn't have any issues. Needless to say the whole trip was fantastic from start to finish. Both our guides listened to what we had to say and gave us the opportunity to see any animals of our choice. Thank you Micheal & Gabriel for being such amazing guides. In Kenya we managed to see the big 5 so by the time we arrived in Tanzania we could slow down a little and just take it as it came as to what animals we saw. All the accommodations we stayed at were of high quality, there is a great range of styles and budgets which were given as options for us to choose from.
We would recommend travelling from Masai Mara to Serengeti as although the route is long you do get to see all different kinds of villages and towns which add to the experience. All in all, the trip was incredible and has given us memories to last a lifetime, so thank you Spirit of Kenya for the experience. We will be back and wouldn't hesitate to use you again and recommend you to anyone else who would like to go on safari.
Regards
Richard & Maria
Email Clive | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don’t look any further than Spirit of Kenya
I booked with Spirit of Kenya (SOK), as their reviews were exemplary and I wanted our safari to be an unforgettable experience. It soon became evident that I had done the right thing.
From my early contact with Tiago, I was helped through the whole planning process. Nothing seemed too much trouble and my questions were answered quickly.
We decided on the “Big Kenya” 9 day safari, in order to maximise our experience and were certainly glad we did.
I arranged a further 6 night stay in Mombasa afterwards and Tiago was able to assist with taxi transfers. We could have booked this through SOK too but I prefer to plan my holidays independently, if/when I can.
On the first morning of our safari we were met promptly at our hotel by our driver/guide Shuma. You could immediately tell that we had booked with the right company as he presented professional in safari attire and the Logo’d Toyota Landcruiser was certainly the perfect vehicle for what lay ahead.
We had a good start when we asked Shuma whether we could make a quick stop to grab some breakfast to go and find an ATM to withdraw some cash for tips etc. He was willing to do this. This willingness was a theme that continued throughout our safari.
We found the “Big Kenya” safari, that we had booked, to be perfect for our requirements. All the safari parks were different and gave us different experiences of landscapes, wildlife and accommodation.
Our first night in Tsavo West was at the Severin park lodge. This was to be an unforgettable one as we retired to the sounds of Hyenas and were captivated by Impala and Giraffes walking past our (Glamping) tent.
The food served at our accommodations varied between a la carte menus and buffets, all of which were of very good standard.
At Tsavo West we were fortunate to see a leopard at close quarters, who was feasting on a zebra carcass.
Amboseli was probably my favourite park due to the variety of wildlife, particularly in the marshes. Hippos, elephants, giraffes, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest etc grazing in perfect harmony.
Our boat trip in Lake Navaisha was another highlight, especially with the diversity of birds that we were able to see.
Finally, at the Masai Mara, we were fortunate to see a pride of lions that had just killed a buffalo and calf. Shuma was able to skilfully manoeuvre our vehicle into a position that maximised our view and photo opportunities.
All in all our SOK safari was an unforgettable experience that will stay with us forever.
Thank you.
Email Nisha Padayachee and family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Playing stuck-in-the-mud
My family and I just returned from the Taste Of Kenya trip - a phenomenal experience that left us wanting more. We were fortunate to have Johnstone Kioko our designated driver and tour guide. Johnstone obviously has a vast understanding of the region, its wildlife migratory patterns and the reason why human communities and wildlife are able to peacefully coexist. As a result, we were blessed to track lion prides and rhino crashes in Lake Nakuru, elephant herds in Masai Mara and cheetah sightings near our Losokwan camp.
However, an unforgettable experience was playing stuck-in-the-mud with a male lion and its fresh kill. Whilst viewing this majestic male lion after feeding off its kill, our vehicle was rendered immobile, stuck in sticky mud and deep bush. Sunset in the Masai Mara was quickly approaching and we were obviously concerned about being in such a vulnerable position and in the dark of the night Mara sky. However, Johnstone reassured us and remained calm and jovial, confident that everything will work out. We were terribly concerned to see him jump off our vehicle, and attach a tow cable to another tourist vehicle. Although this resulted in our release from a very sticky situation, it did place Johnstone in a very precarious situation with a wild animal stationed only a few meters away. A very brave act from a true and genuine person.
The Taste Of Kenya trip not only provided us with an opportunity to admire Kenya's natural beauty and wildlife, but it also allowed us to nurture friendships with people in both Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. It was truly a privilege visiting Kenya, meeting her people and admiring the conservation efforts put in place to protect wildlife and their habitats.
If I were to suggest two points that should be considered, it will be the following:
1. All tour guides should be supported with 4x4 vehicles that are best suited for this terrain, and
2. An unspoken code of ethics should apply to all tour vehicles and tour guides regarding offering assistance to vehicles in need. The first on-site vehicle should be obligated to remain in close proximity to the compromised vehicle, until such time a rescue mission has been deemed successful.
Asanta SOK, Asante sana Johnstone Kioko
Email Katbamna Family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reassuring, Professional and Elite
Pre-Booking:
Upon our initial enquiry, we were greeted via email by Vanessa (personal journey designer at Spirit of Kenya), who proved to be extremely helpful, patient, informative, kind and reassuring throughout every step. Communication was fast and efficient without feeling rushed or pressured. As this was a significant deal of money being handed over to a person or a company of whom we had never heard of before, trust was paramount and this was immediately gained through the official proceedings. By the end of the booking stage, we were incredibly satisfied and excited about the itinerary.
Safari:
A once in a lifetime experience in the sense that this was the first time we had embarked on such an adventure. Our driver and expert guide Steve aka Stevo, was polite, warm and welcoming from the very moment he'd picked us up from our apartment in Nairobi. From Amboseli to Lake Nakuru and finally Maasai Mara, Steve provided what can only be described as a top-tier experience. His ability to stay composed, friendly and energised were easy for him because as we had discovered, this is the kind of human being he was and is. We got to know each other on a personal level and treated the other like family (having dinner together, too). We mentioned on a number of occasions to Steve how fortunate we were to have him as our guide/driver on this 5-day (almost non-stop) trip across Kenya. The long drives in between felt at times like bonus additions as we could still see other parts of Kenya, of which Steve was just as knowledgeable about. It was the best of both worlds.
As for the safari itself, luck was truly on our side. I believe we saw, photographed and videoed most of the animals (expect the rare leopard). Highlights included the abundance of buffalos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, antelopes as well as the wide rhinos, lions, ostriches, cheetah and her cubs (Steve's favourite), warthogs, baboons, flamingos and an array of other birds like the waders, peafowls, eagles, starlings, barbets etc. Words can't describe the visual splendour of it all. It was a scenic meditation where we'd stop, watch and admire these beautiful beings in their natural state, even if it included the humbling ecosystem food chain of live hunts.
Steve had no problem stopping for us throughout the reserve and even encouraged it. He, too, found himself documenting moments on his phone adding to the fact that as many times as he had embarked on safaris, neither one was ever the same. There was always a different experience each time.
In terms of the lodges, all three were above expectation. Food was phenomenal including the staff and the head chefs. Each of whom, were so accommodating due to our dietary needs, fixing up off-menu dishes in no time at all. They really helped to hold our transitory periods between the game drives together with their kind hearts and humour.
Conclusion:
A professionally-handled and client-friendly experience, which we may in the future look to experience again. Thank you to Spirit of Kenya and all of the staff at each one of the lodges, where we stayed at. It was great to be in the country where many of our family were born and the safari was an immeasurable addition to our trip back in the birthland.
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Email Chris Chrisman Travel Adventures | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari Tour Company
I run a travel adventure YouTube channel and travel a lot. Spirit of Kenya is one of the best, well-run companies I've worked with. Jorge, our trip organizer, was fantastic! He was super responsive and answered dozens and dozens of questions for us. Jorge priced many different options for us and gave us great recommendations. Everything he recommended like where to go and where to stay was accurate and worked out great. I had a of couple of special requests, I wanted some photography bean bags for example, and Jorge made sure they were loaded in the vehicle. Spirit of Kenya was very organized and provided everything we needed from the time we landed at the airport until our guide dropped us off at the airport at the end of our trip. Our guide, Rufus, was also fantastic! He worked tirelessly to make sure we saw the animals we really wanted to see. He was also very knowledgeable on animal habits and where and when to see them. We spent 9 days with Rufus on various game drives across Amboseli and the Masai Mara. He was very patient with us and we made plans every night for the following day. He let us decide on the type of game drives we wanted to do and when to go. A good guide is a must for a successful Safari. See my photos for just a small sample of all the animals Rufus helped us find. I found Spirit of Kenya also to be extremely affordable compared to other options. I've heard of safari companies going out of business after you have paid your money so picking the right company is the biggest and most important decision you will make. I can't recommend this company enough. They are the best! Check out my YouTube channel to see exactly how great our experiences were.
CN
Email 33 | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best and most unique trip
Thanks to Spirit of Kenya, It was the best and most unique trip I've ever had. Also thanks to our guides, who were very professional and enthusiastic, introducing and helping us understand animals better, at the same time inspiring us to feel deep down inside by the nature.
Looking forward to coming back to Africa and experiencing again the elephants of Amboseli, the great migration of Serengeti, and the Garden of Eden in Ngorongoro.
Email Joe and Christine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great introduction to Kenya and its wildlife
We had an 8 day safari tour taking in the Masai Mara, Lake Nokuru, Amboseli and Tsavo West. Our guide Thomas was very knowledgeable about the wildlife, a great driver, very adaptable to our requirements and a pleasure to be with. All the accomodation was great especially in the MM which had open access.
