Director Mpairo Ole Kiyapi explaining about herbs
Namayiana Safaris and Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Elisabeth | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic agency, experience of a lifetime
I spent a week in the Maasai Mara and had the trip of a lifetime. Corinna and Mpairo offer the perfect balance of true, unadultered Maasai life and a few western amenities that make life a little easier. The entire family is warm and welcoming, I felt truly immersed in the culture and their life and got to witness things you can't usually experience - for instance, visiting the medicine man and trying to figure out the proper Maasai greeting for the entire week, with plenty of help from everyone. I highly, highly recommend booking the Maasai Village Homestay for this - the only way you will eat true a true Maasai BBQ, spend the night in a traditional house (although one modified for comfort - there's good coffee, and they have electricity, you can charge your electronics!) and hang out with Mpairo's adoreable nieces and nephews.
Our game drive was one of the best days of my whole three-month-journey across Africa. Mpairo grew up there and it really shows, he seems to know where there will be lions long before any of the other guides. Also worth noting, his English is very good and both he and Corinna are very knowledgeable when it comes to the wildlife, they could answer every question I had. I didn't get to see all of the big five (although Mpairo truly didn't want to give up the search, the man is determined to show you the absolute best time you could possibly have), but that's just how it is sometimes and it didn't lessen the experience in the slightest.
They also showed me around the other villages, introduced me to a lot of other people, and showed me the way to get a cold beer. Mpairo also seems to know everyone everywhere, can solve any problem in minutes, and makes sure you will never get ripped off no matter where you buy something, and Namayiana themselves and the family never ask for any additional donations or money that wasn't agreed upon, and don't pressure you into buying anything anywhere - from what I hear this is not always the case and I felt very safe with them. Additionally, Mpairo, Corinna, Mpairo's brother, uncle, the women and kids are just genuinely very nice people who are excited to share their culture with you.
Communication beforehand while booking was easy and prompt, and they send me on my way with plenty of very helpful tips for the rest of my trip. All in all, I loved my time with them and hope I can go back sometime! Next time I wanna do a balloon ride, too!
Thank you, Corinna and Mpairo, and say hi to everyone!
DE
Email Jon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful experience of the Masai Mara
I did a 3 day Safari trip to the Masai Mara with Namayiana Safaris.
Mpairo and his team were very professional in organizing my Safari. They were in touch with me all along the way to support any requests which I might have.
I also enjoyed meeting Mpairo's (John) brother, Moses, when staying at the camp site and he showed us around the Masai village near by, which was a fantastic experience as well.
The Masai Mara, of course, was stunning with many wildebeest and zebra herds still around, despite it being late in August.
I would certainly recommend organizing your trip to Masai Mara through Namayiana Safaris. Especially since it is a company run by members of the Masai community themselves.
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Email Trevor Blaise | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
John is the best tour guide you will ever find!
Our safari could not have been better in anyway! John being of the Maasai tribe knew the park better than anyone else and knew exactly where to take us for the best views of wildlife. Our stay was so great, right near the park staying in permanent tents and good local food for breakfast and dinner. I cant thank John enough for the personal and exciting experience. I don't think anyone could show you a better safari than Namayian! Meeting the Maasai on the last day was also one of the highlights of the whole experience. I cant wait to return and visit again. Thank you John for inviting us to visit your home. Aloha my friend
DE
Email Judith | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of a kind agency - incredibly knowledgable, welcoming and devoted hosts and tourguides
Mpairo (John) and Corinna were extremely professional in organising our Kenya trip. While planing the tour, it was always very easy to get a hold of them. They had an answer for every question (even the ones I wasn't even aware of having) , were open to any wishes, were full of recommendations and, knowing our budged, literarily customised our tour just for us.
Both picked us up from the Airport in Nairobi. We turned the corner and there they were, smiling and waiting for us. Communication was easy as John speaks english very well (so does Corinna) and since she is german - no problems there.
We started our trip at Lake Naivasha (loved the lodge there) and visited crescent island Game Sanctuary, a peninsula where you can literarily just walk on your own past Zebras, Giraffes, antilopes all of which just freely roam around there and are not shy at all. I even saw pelicans (they are huge!)- so a lot of firsts on that very first day. Next day, we also went to hells gate, rented some bikes to cycle through the park and then went on a guided hike through the canyon (must do!! but sound shoes are a must). The great thing about traveling with these two is that everything is so very relaxed. They simply know everything and everyone, explain lot's and lot's, about the culture and the animals - we simply fell into rhythm with each other. Especially, when we arrived at "their" Maasai Village.
We had decided to stay in their guest house throughout the rest of the stay (10 days). Best decision ever, as we got to experience the Maasai culture from within. Everyone, from Johns grandmother to his small nieces and nephews were just great.
Friendly, helpful, welcoming and curious - I still see this little girl (4) asking John to translate whether she can touch my (many) birthmarks and after having been given the permission by me, hopping with here tiny finger from dot to dot, giggling all the while. The guest house is very cosy and nice. It offers a little more comfort than the traditional maasai houses that are surrounding it (matress, couch, a terrace, a basic bathroom) - and there is the possibility of charging your electronics.
In total we went on two Game Drives with John and Corinna. You couldn't wish for a better driver and guide than John, as he is a Massai himself and simply knows the Mara like the back of his hand. He seems to have this gut feeling were to find the most extraordinary sights and always found all the animals, we wanted to see. We saw the big five and the ugly five and - to my ever lasting delight - lot's and lot's of animals in between, crocodiles, giraffes and even came across a cheetah with her three babies. John even made it his mission to find some more meercat for me, as he saw my fondness of them.
During the days that we didn't enter the national park, we went hiking, visited other villages, made BBQs in front of the huts and learned a lot about the every day workings of the massai culture and how every member is valued and an important part of the community.
I for one left Kenya with wonderful impressions, the feeling that every cent was worth spending and in awe of how immeasurable beautiful the Maasai Mara and the people living there are.
Thanks again, Corinna and John, for these incredible two weeks. It was a pleasure and a gift traveling with two people who are both so fun and genuinely excited to share their life and surroundings. I'll be back ! Next on my list - a ballon ride. I can only imagine how the Mara must look from above, at sunrise, bathed in gold.
I can only recommend Namayiana, you won't regret it for a second!
DE
Email Yashas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent choice. Absolutely recommend them
We were recommended to Namayiana Safaris through a friend and I think it was the best choice we did. Mpairo was amazing. Planned all the aspects of the safari very well. Loved their choice of camps for accommodation. The safaris were excellent. Jimmy and Moses were great. They took enough pain in trying to spot Big 5 in the wilderness. They had absolute patience and eagerness to make sure we spot the Big 5. During one of the game drives, they patiently searched for 2 hours to spot a leopard and another 2 hours to spot a lion pride. Thanks to their efforts, we were blessed to witness a lion go for a hunt.
I would absolutely recommend Namayiana for best safaris in Masai Mara
NL
Email www.teamimpactjourneys.com | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was a magnificent, trustworthy, warmhearted, rural, authentic and grounded experience. Aho!
It was a great joy to travel with Namayiana Safaris. We had a good glimp of the Masai Mara, the Masai Culture en living in the Mara at community level, meeting and staying with them. For me it was an easy decision to decide to start doing business with these authentic, intelligent and most friendly men, people. They were open and transparent to us, we trust them for what they say and do. We felt very close to their tradition moving around touristic facilities, the communities and the Mara itself. We can´t wait to be back. Highly recommended thus.
Email Michael A. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We made the right choice
There are hundrends of companies out there that offer pretty much the same product or service. It's hard to find the value for money one.
I am more than satisfied with the whole experience that I had with Namayiana safaris. Communication from start to finish was excellent with Mpairo, who was more than helpful and answered all my questions before even making the booking.
Accomodation in Sopa Lodge not only met, but exceeded our expectations. Everyone was professional there and we had a quality stay.
The one though that I would like to specially thank, is our driver Sammy. This guy not only took the extra mile, but he did whatever he could do to keep us happy and spot all the action that was going on Masai Mara park. I could see the other drivers around and I can compare. We definitely had the best driver.
Overall a very positive and well organised experience.
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Email Kyle Norris | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most Amazing Adventure
It’s been a dream to visit Kenya since I was a kid. I of course wanted to see the animals but I also wanted to experience the culture. Namayiana Safaris was one of the few companies that offered that experience. His company also offered the most affordable private tour without having to join a bunch of strangers. John provided the best experience from the first time I reached out. Everything was perfectly planned and all my questions were promptly answered. The actual experience was everything I had dreamed of and more. Everywhere we stayed was very nice and welcoming. I couldn’t believe all the animals we saw and how close we got. John and his company made sure we experienced everything! My favorite day was the cultural day and learning the Maasai Mara way of life. They took me on amazing hike at sunset and hanging out with the kids was a highlight of my life. They had the most genuine smiles and laughs. It was such a rewarding experience. I’ve traveled all around the world and this was the most amazing trip! Highly recommend using John and Namayiana Safaris.
Email Pia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Authdntic experience with dedicated people
We had a 3 day Tour at Masai Mara staying at Enkorok Camp and were able to enjoy a perfectly organized, authentic safari experience for people who really care for nature, culture and last but not least their clients. Ideal fot those who search for relaxation, a dive into culture of the place they are visiting and professional safari knowledge of course (organized by a perfect combination of Masai and German knowledge ;)). Thanks to everybody engaged into this trip and especially to our driver Samy who was awesome!
An absolutely amazing, inspiring experience with one of the last great culture on planet earth.
I have to say that I could not recommend these guys enough!!! Mpairo is an exceptional host with such a love and respect for people, the wildlife, nature and most importantly his community.
It was and is such a pleasure having met some of the worlds most beautiful people and experiencing their culture.
I highly recommend putting this on your bucket list!!! You will not regret it!!