Our Team with guests
Lenchada Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Annelise | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome animal experiences, budget safari!
The first thing I would say is if you’re open minded and have a go with the flow flexible persona, then I think you will have a nice time on this safari! And thanks to our guide WILSON for making this an easy solo travel experience that I will remember and always getting us the best view of the animals.
Here’s what I wish I knew before I came:
-We saw so many amazing animals (4/5 of the big five!) and Wilson always helped us to get a good shot of the animals. I was truly blown away with seeing the elephants up close and also so many cute baby animals.
-Wilson was a very skilled driver (which you will come to super appreciate once you fully take in Kenyan roads). We did not get stuck once (writing this on the 5th night so I’ll cross my fingers for the last day haha) while Wilson was receiving calls/radio that other drivers were stuck frequently. I was particularly impressed with his driving in the dark skills and his driving on the Maasai Mara roads which are incredibly bumpy and rough it’s hard to explain you’ll have to see. Wilson was a hard worker and always went above to make the experience memorable and a bit more relaxing for example we stopped a lot for snack/drink or toilet which helped break up the really long drives. (As an aside if you’re wondering if you need to bring toilet paper in your purse I would say no although I always did just in case no matter where I travel, but definitley hand sanitizer as not all bathrooms had water or soap). Also the car was comfortable and I liked that you could stand up because the roof came up)
-Everyone I interacted with was so friendly and welcoming so you will feel at ease even if you’re there alone you’ll have plenty of time to socialize with others
-Depending on the tour you book you might be camping, if you don’t mind camping then you will be fine. Just a consideration if you have a really bad back or are just a bit picky about where you stay, this is definitely budget accommodations. Usually you’d get your own tent but one night I shared with another woman since there was too many people in the camp. This was fine since it was a big tent with toilet/shower. The car will contain not just Lenchada Safari passengers but from various different tours so keep that in mind (several times one person was staying at a different place/food than everyone else due to what they booked but we all did the same agenda). I mention this just to say I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this tour for an extremely important once in a lifetime situation like your honeymoon or if you are older and expect things a certain way, it felt more of a go with the flow and we’ll see what happens, backpacking kind of vibe.
-Bring binoculars because they really made all the difference! Also shampoo and conditioner, sunscreen, good sunglasses, charger and charger converter if you need it and don’t worry too much about exchanging KSH immediately because you can go to an ATM (or at least Wilson took us to one so shout out to Wilson for saving the day when I had no KSH). You’ll need quite a bit of KSH for tipping and misc for example Wilson ended up bringing us to see Lake Naivasha for $50 which I didn’t expect so it was good to take out shillings at the ATM. Try to break your 1000 KSH bills on the way because once you get to smaller places it’s harder to break the 1000 and get change back and you need the smaller bills to tip
-Here are some things I brought but didn’t use: Tide stain remover, Insect Repellent, Travel Size Wipes, Travel Size Tissues, quick dry towel big size ( I did use a smaller size towel to put on my pillow so I didn’t get my pillow wet after the shower though), swimsuit, granola bars/snacks (no need there is plenty of food and can frequently stop at store and get a snack), diarrhea pills (phew), a second power bank (one was definitely enough because you can charge your stuff every night even while camping)
-Regarding the optional Maasai village tour, I have to say it’s the one part of the tour I regret doing and that’s because I felt harassed in their pressure to buy something and spend more money. I read the reviews and thought it would be like a you should buy something but it was a lot more intense than that and really bummed me out. I would be happy to donate more money but I just felt like the atmosphere of the way they applied pressure to you killed the mood for me and I left feeling upset. If you want to go, the best thing is to decide beforehand what you want to spend and put only that bill in your purse in a separate pocket from all else and to pick out just one item that would be reasonable for the price you want to spend (they say to take various and they’ll figure out which to get and the price later but then they’ll try to get you to buy all for a high price which in retrospect is obvious) and just be firm in your decision. Also try to insist on not being separated by yourself out of the group because if you are alone then you will obviously be in a more vulnerable place to pressure tactics. I don’t say this to fearmonger but so that you can make an informed decision about the tour
-I think it was quite a long week with all the driving. If you’re not too social like me or just unsure how many days is good for you I think 4 is probably good although seeing the elephants in Amboselli is really cool (you can also see elephants in other parks but in Amboselli we got close to a big herd and with the mountain in the back got such pretty photos). On days 1-2 I thought no way 6 days is enough but by day 3-4 I was like oh actually this has been a lot haha so just to take into consideration you can very likely always extend your tour as the company was very flexible to trying to accommodate everyone where needed for example being dropped off at boarder with TZ, go to Nairobi go to airport at the end etc.
-Try to be flexible with regards to communication because you might not receive complete or super quick communication about details from the office they are very busy, but this is a legit safari and you will make it to your destination rest assured haha, so try to just wake up a bit earlier and get ready so you can navigate what the situation might be timing wise, and try to be flexible and remember everything will work out in the end!
All in all I feel good recommending this safari to those who are looking for their next interesting animal adventure!
Email Matankiso | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dickson was enthusiastic, considerate and well experienced
My friend and I went on the 3 day Safari and Village tour
Started in Nairobi and visited Masai Village- Day 1
Full day Safari with picnic - Day 2
Morning Safari & drive back to Nairobi - Day 3
Dickson, our guide was enthusiastic, and considerate. With him we saw 3 out of the big 5, but to no fault of his.
FR
Email Chris et JP | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
serious, punctual and well-organized travel agency
we took a budget Safari around 858 USD per person for 6 days 5 nights. the first camp at the Massai Mara, named Lenchada camp, is very dilapidated. It would be necessary to improve certain things, notably access to hot water at any time without asking reception or even access to lighting which was also faulty. To allow customers to better choose the type of housing desired, the agency should offer different types of prices depending on the different types of housing desired before purchasing.
Otherwise, the visits went well. Meals remain quite simple, especially for picnics. Our guide driver, Richard, was very good, he was able to share with us his knowledge of animals and exchange with Kenyan culture.
AR
Email Sandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very reliable, great experience and helpful with my questions
The booking was very good, very helpful in the process and all questions asked. The guide Moses was amazing! He's an excellent driver, who took us to the best spots even through mud and rain to get the best pictures, he knows a lot and gave us good information. He was also reliable, flexible with everyone's schedule but knowing the main timing needs, helped with everything needed, took us to local places and he's known and respected by local communities so this is always a green flag for me. He managed the weather amazingly well in rainy season and my experience was amazing thanks to him and John. Super nice people, friendly and professional.
The price was higher than with other agencies for the exact same package so I found that a bit discouraging when I found out but other than that every service was very good quality and no suprises: everything that was not included was clear since the start. Accommodation was great, food was good and overall I'm 100% satisfied and happy to have done it.
NL
Email Ron | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari is budget; experience is exclusive.
Booked via Trip Advisor. Went smooth and all was planned perfect. We were picked up at our hotel in downtown Nairobi and droppen at our car and driver. What I can say about our driver. Steve was a very good guide and an experienced driver. We had to return early and he showed flexibility and delivered us a the airport on time.
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Email Carol | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic tour guide!
Post
Overall, my safari experience was a mix of highs and lows, sprinkled with valuable lessons for future travelers. Here's my detailed review:
Before delving into the adventure, a vital tip: When booking through TripAdvisor, be aware that there are both luxury and budget options available. I mistakenly chose the budget option without realizing there was another tier. For those seeking a more lavish experience, it's advisable to book directly through Lenchada.
Here's what I wish I knew beforehand:
* During the safari, you'll rarely leave the vehicle, so there's no need for specialized "safari" clothing or hiking shoes.
Day 1:
Positives:
* Promptly picked up from our hotel at 7:00 AM, we arrived at the Lenchada tented camp around 2:45 PM, making a single stop for sightseeing, souvenirs, and restroom use along the way.
* The evening game drive in Maasai Mara was a highlight, lasting about 2.5-3 hours and offering sightings of three of the "Big 5" animals.
* Despite the long drive, the abundance of wildlife and stunning photos made it worthwhile.
Negatives:
* The camp's electricity was only available from 5:30 - 7:00 AM & 6:30 - 10:00 PM in the dining hall via a generator, making charging inconvenient. No outlets in room and lights only work during generator operating hours.
* Hot water in the tent's bathroom was inconsistent, despite assurances of continuous availability.
Day 2:
Positives:
* Full-day safari in Maasai Mara, lasting about 10 hours.
* Unique a sighting of a pride of lions (17!)
Negatives:
* Woke up at 5:30 to charge camera/phones but generator had issues and didn’t work until 6:00 am when we had to leave for the day.
* Lunch consisted of unrefrigerated items (6+ hrs - lunch meat, yogurt & chicken), leading to concerns about food safety as a non local. Limited restroom availability also influenced the decision to not partake.
* Some periods of the safari felt slow, with minimal wildlife sightings as we hunted for specific game or travel from location to location; no one’s fault - nature provides and can’t be rushed.
Day 3:
Positives:
* We had the option to visit a Maasai Village before departing for a travel day ($20 per person), providing unique cultural insights and experiences.
* Interaction with the locals and participation in traditional activities added depth to the safari experience.
Negatives:
* The visit to the Maasai Village included high pressure sales tactics to purchase goods from villagers. Instead of enhancing the experience, I felt swindled and disheartened detracting from the positive aspects of the trip.
* Discomfort from flies and cow manure was unavoidable at the village site.
Day 4:
Positives:
* An early start at 6:30 AM took us to Lake Nakuru, where we completed the "Big 5" sightings with memorable encounters with rhinos, flamingos, and a RARE leopard sighting!
* Brief hippo boat ride allowed for unique photos not available in the previous parks visited.
Negatives:
* The shortage of meat during lunch due to multiple groups converging at the same time was disappointing, impacting the overall dining experience.
* The presence of mosquitoes at Chambai Safari Hotel posed a problem, affecting the comfort of our stay - leave windows closed if at all possible (no a/c in room).
* Staff advised dinner at 7pm at arrival but then woke us in our rooms at 5pm to get our order and advise that dinner would be at 8 pm - dinner did not arrive until roughly 8:30 while we sat and waited as the only diners.
Day 5:
Positives:
* We enjoyed a scenic walk in Hell’s Gate with sightings of zebras and giraffes along the way.
* Visited geothermal generation station which I found very interesting!
* A quick but satisfying lunch capped off our safari adventure before being dropped off at the hotel around 2:30 PM.
In conclusion, while the safari experience was fantastic and filled with unforgettable moments, there were notable drawbacks. Positives: Staff throughout all of our stays were kind and helpful. The vehicle was in fantastic condition, immaculate, and had one window for every person which was great (especially for those of us who get car sick). During the safari, there were no constraints to getting the perfect photo, I always felt like I was right in the action either by looking out the window or over the pop up top! Our guide did everything to get us into the position to see the best animals and was in constant communication with other guides via radio and cellphone to ensure the best experience for every group. The relationships between guides was impressive and enhanced the experience, we would have missed the pride of lions and leopard otherwise! As far as drawbacks, the food was repetitive and very limited in selection, accommodations (specifically the hotels) lacked basic amenities such as functional TVs. Additionally, better communication regarding restroom breaks, lunch times, drive times, arrival times, etc. would have made for a better experience but truly, I couldn’t have asked for a better guide to get us right into the action of it all!
Guide: 4.5/5
Animal Sightings: 10/5
Accommodations: 3/5
Food: 2/5
DE
Email Dominique | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour
I did the 3 day budget safari to Maasai Mara and had David as my guide. It was my first safari and an amazing experience. David was a great driver / guide who was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The only thing I would say that could be improved is communication- what the plan is for the day, when we will be eating etc.
The parks had an abundance of wildlife (saw many of the big 5 apart from a rhino and leopard). The vehicle was in good condition (Land Cruiser) and the accommodation was really comfortable - I wad expecting a lot worse for the budget option. The passengers of our car had been spread across 3 accommodations which where quite far apart. Due to the bad roads it took approx. 45 min. to pick up/drop off everyone. Thus, one thing I had wished for is that the people you are in an accommodation with are also the ones in your car - to avoid unnecessar in the morning and evening (loosing precious time to see the wildlife). Alternatively a meeting point just outside the national reserve could be introduced where passengers of the car could be swapped according to the tour operators/accomodations.
If you want a more detailed description, then you can read my travel blog entry for this safari: https://findpenguins.com/6jjjgruit3szw/footprint/65c92fec1d1a40-06088084
CA
Email James B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Decent company and good safari (for budget)
We did the 4 day budget safari to Maasai Mara, and Nakuru and had David as our guide. It was our first safari and an amazing experience. David was a great driver / guide who was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The only thing I would say that could be improved is communication- what the plan is for the day, when we will be eating etc.
The parks had an abundance of wildlife (saw all the big 5 apart from a leopard). The vehicle was in good condition (Land Cruiser) and the accommodation was really comfortable- we were expecting a lot worse considering we opted for the budget option. One thing to remember is the driving required to get to the places as we had a 4 day safari but in reality only did 1 full day and 2 half days of animal viewing.
Something to note is the vehicles essentially fill up with people from many different companies so if you’re booking a group tour, I would recommend just trying to get the best deal. We had done the research and chose this company due to good reviews however in our car of 7 people, there were people from 3 different companies. This was a bit disappointing. Also the communication with the owner wasn't great (we only got sent the pre safari info the night before (after having to ask for it to be sent) which didn't leave time to get any items we were missing.
Our guide David was nice and friendly. Once area for improvement would be communicating the plans a bit more (we would often drive for a few hours in the morning before being told what we were doing / when we would stop that day).
Also, I would recommend going in dry season as it is a lot easier to see animals (we struggled at times as it had rained a lot).
IT
Email Simone | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!!
Our tour included 2 days in Masai Mara, 1 in Nakuru and 2 in Amboseli.
All the trip was well organised in every services. 4 stars only because when we arrived at agency departur they changed our lodge without any previous advice. Despite this inconveniente the new camp/lodges were nice too.
Denis was the best driver that we could have. He’s kind and avaibale for everythings you need. With him we saw the big 5 and other more animals without any problems to the jeep.
I recommend him!!
Email Anonymous | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari but....
Well organized Safari, saw the Big 5 with Moses. Great guide but kept talking about how many women he has , how he uses them , some of us understand the language so to hear that was absolutely terrible.