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Apodiformes Adventures
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority, AFRICA TOURISM ASSOCIATION & FRIENDS OF NAIROBI NATIONAL WILDILIFE CONSERVATION
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $75 to $250 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
DE
Email Alex | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Isaiah is very experienced, funny and knows exactly how to respond to the wishes of his guests.
This was our first safari ever so we were suitably excited when we landed in Nairobi in the middle of the night. Fortunately, Silas prepared everything so well that we could get in the car directly with our guide and the journey began! We spent a total of 11 days with Isaiah and we rightly claim that we could not have had a better companion on our journey. Isaiah was very experienced and knew a lot about the country, the people and especially the animals. Because we were alone with him, we were able to express our wishes without any problems and Isaiah always did his best to fulfill them. Even with the 100th elephant, he gave us the time to take the 1000th picture as well. He was always friendly and incredibly funny and made us feel like part of his family!
All we can say about our trip is that we saw everything that could have been seen (including rhinos and leopards).
The lodges booked were all great and can be highly recommended.
In our opinion, the price-performance ratio was great and we have already started recommending Apodiformes and Isaiah to our family and friends.
We would still do two things differently if we were to start our next safari:
1.) Do not buy overpriced things in the street shops where short breaks are taken (usually there are small shops in the lodges that offer the same products at a fair price)
2.) Do not take shampoo or towels with you
Thank you again for probably one of the greatest experiences we have ever had!
ES
Email Fabio | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good price and good experience overall in Kenya, but not a professional and kind service
In general, I give Apodiformes a 3/5 because the trip through Kenya as a whole has been a spectacular experience, and all the hotels included in the package and the drivers and guides were very professional, friendly, punctual and helpful.
Also, I found the total price for the package to be very good, beating many competitors' offerings, so if you want to save money, Apodiformes might be worth it.
But I have to reduce the score because all the interactions with Silas -responsible for Apodiformes- during the trip were rather a disaster, showing little professionalism and little kindness at all times. Although he was always very efficient before the trip, answering quickly via WhatsApp and adapting the schedule to our different requests, everything changed as soon as we arrived in Kenya:
Things already started badly with our arrival at Nairobi International Airport at 4:00 am, when there was no one to pick us up at the arrivals gate. Silas did not answer the phone, so after half an hour of waiting in the cold and with a 3 year old we had to take a taxi on our own to the booked hotel. When we arrived at the hotel, where we were very well received, we were finally able to contact him and he arrived minutes later. There were no apologies, just bad excuses that he was waiting “at the wrong terminal” (so why was his phone turned off?).
The next day we were going on safari. We had agreed with Silas to have a guide who spoke Spanish, but when we met the assigned guide he barely knew a few words. In the end it wasn't a problem because we were able to communicate well in English (and the guide -Leroy- was otherwise a fantastic person and a very professional and concerned guide that took very good care of us), but this lack of compliance with what was committed in the case of a client who didn't speak English would have been a big problem.
On the other hand, we had requested a child seat in the car that we would use to travel to Nakuru and Masai Mara and carry out the safari. The child seat was there, but it couldn't be attached to the car seat belts. We solved the ballot by buying a rope in a shopping center and tying the child seat with it. A messy solution that of course made us travel through the dangerous roads in Kenia feeling constantly anxious for the safety of our three-year-old.
In addition, that same day Silas told us he had unilaterally changed our accommodation on the Naivasha stage (from Sopa Naivasha Lodge to Simba) because at the Sopa lodge "there had been complaints of food poisoning". In the end it was not a problem because the Simba turned out to be very good but it seemed unprofessional to inform us of this at the last moment and base the change on a reason that sounded like an invention (no one else mentioned these problems in the hotel's opinions on Internet) .
At the end of the Safari, when we had scheduled a visit to a Maasai village, they wanted to charge us again for the visit even though the agreed program specified that it was included. We had to advance the payment and then claim the refund from Silas.
At the end of the Safari and going to the beach, we arrived at the Baobab Resort hotel, finding a standard room booked, although a superior room was specified in the agreed plan. We had to speak with Silas to demand that he negotiate with the hotel for an upgrade as agreed in plan.
On our return from Diani Beach to Nairobi, despite our flight being late, we had to wait almost an hour in the Wilson airport exit car park for Silas to show up to pick us up. It seems there was "traffic" but no other drivers who came to pick up the dozens of people who arrived on that flight had any trouble getting there on time.
Anyway, despite all these messes the thing could be forgiven if there had been sincere apologies and explanations in each case, but Silas did not consider to apologize for any of these inconveniences even once. He even did not ask us how the safari and other experiences had gone at any time, nor did he write to us to ask how the return home was, being unfriendly and showing total disinterest. A pity that our main contact and organizer of the trip was the least kind and considerate person that we have encountered in our trip to Kenya, otherwise fantastic.
ES
Email Raquel Dotes | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best choice we could have made
I traveled to Kenya for 21 days in September 2022 with a friend from Spain, booking the 6 days/5 nights Safari (Masai-Mara 3, Nakuru 1, Amboselli 2) one month before the start of the trip.
From the beginning Silas explained everything to me, we agreed to pick up the Nairobi airport-hotel (on our own) and the next morning they would pick us up from the starting point of the adventure. He accompanied us to be able to exchange local currency and he took care of my lost luggage on the scale in Amsterdam when it appeared in Kenya) Because yes, they lost my checked luggage in Holland and the airport management was also great (helped by Silas).
Our drivers were Winston for the first 3 days, and then Boniface (coinciding with a passenger change). The van was completed with other "solo" travelers each with their respective Safari plan. Both were magnificent guides, they made an effort to make our game 100% productive, allowing us to see practically all the inhabitants of the parks. Without worrying about food, or water, or tickets to the parks, everything is included and very well managed.
They also gave us essential advice to continue our journey through Kenya, explaining first-hand part of the history and society of this beautiful and welcoming country.
Mention that my luggage was taken to the Amboselli park, all managed by Silas in a wonderful way and I suppose by all the people involved in the logistics.
I really do not know of other Safari companies first hand in Kenya (if in South Africa) but I can assure you that it is difficult to find another company that improves the value for money and the treatment and management by the entire team, so if I hope I can repeat the experience again, without a doubt I would repeat with them, in addition to openly recommending it.
(automatic translation from Spanish)
US
Email Billy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical
We used Apodiformes to organize our 4 night 5 day trip to Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru. From the moment planning began Silas was responsive, communicative, and worked tirelessly to make sure every detail was considered. This was our first trip to Kenya so it was understandably nice to have peace of mind! I could not recommend Silas and his team more. If you have the opportunity to request Peter as your driver, I could not suggest this more! He is wonderful and you will leave being part of his family!
LU
Email Gerald | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional and experienced safari operation
Very professionally run safari operation. Right from the start we were very impressed by the responsiveness of Silas who somehow managed to respond to any and all of our requests literally within minutes. Nelson was our guide on the safari and he did a great job finding and maneuvering us in the best positions to view all animals up close. We travelled in a well maintained Toyota Landcruiser and Nelson was also very accommodating to last minute changes we requested to our itinerary. Unfortunately he was not able to finish the safari with us as he had to attend to a family emergency and Apodiformes clearly struggled to find a replacement for him on short notice for the last day of our safari (1 day hike in Mt Kenya Nationalpark). We ended up travelling a distance of 3 hours (1 way) in a worn out and unsafe (e.g. Seat belts and lights only partially working) beaten up salon car. Our driver Samuel was very attentive and nice but the last day of our safari unfortunately was not up to our expectations. Generally a 1-day visit to Mt Kenya we found is not worth it especially when travelling all the way from Nairobi. Overall we had a great time though and would like to thank Apodiformes for the nice experience!
HU
Email Gyula and Maria | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A reliable, fair, honest travel agency that delivers what it promises.
This was our first African safari and the company Apodiformes Adventures made our trip unforgettable. We chose an 11-day safari and 3 days of rest at the end of the trip on the ocean coast, Diani beach. Silas, the owner, responded to our letter immediately and any questions we had, he always wrote within minutes. We discussed the route, the accommodations, the food and Silas said a very reasonable price for it all. Much better than any domestic Hungarian travel agency. 40% had to be paid as an advance. The payment option on the website worked well, there was nothing wrong with the transfer. Visa, vaccinations, preparations, and then it was time to leave. Everything worked perfectly. Silas waited for us at the airport and took us to our accommodation, which was great after the tiring flight. The next day we met our driver, Samuel, who at first sight was a very nice person. He was our driver, guide and friend for 11 days. He is a very conscientious, caring and friendly person, with whom we felt safe the whole time. We visited 6 national parks and saw a lot of things. Samuel arranged everything, we really didn't have to deal with anything. Diani beach can only be spoken of in superlatives. All accommodation was excellent with buffet meals three times a day. The agreed transfers were accurate to the minute. We kept in touch with Silas on WhatsApp. In a word, I recommend the Apodiformes travel agency to everyone and I would also like to express my thanks to Silas and our driver Samuel.
MX
Email Ennio Gonzalez | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best vacations of my life.
The company's staff gives you an excellent experience, you feel safe, they are always aware of what you need.
The tour in general is fantastic, at an affordable price and with very good hotels, with varied and appetizing food. we were able to see all the animals that we were told at a very short distance, some of them in front of the jeep. The guide has a lot of knowledge about the animals as well as the parks we visit. All the time we were very excited and expectant of what we would see in the following moments.
Thank you very much for an unforgettable vacation.
ES
Email Micaela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip of our lives
Best experience ever!!
We booked a 6-day Safari tour through Apodiformes Adventure and had the best experience thanks to our guide/driver Sebastian. We couldn’t have had a better guide: he was kind, patient and very knowledgeable about wildlife and the Kenyan/Masai culture. Thanks to his expertise we saw the big 5 within the first 3 days, plus two cheetahs and baby lions and baby elephants. All of them were very close as he knows how to drive his van the best. We felt really safe with him and trusted him immediately. We already miss Sebastian and were very sad to end this magnificent trip.
CN
Email Rock Yi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Wonderful Tour Experience in Kenya
Overall it was a very pleasant trip with Apodiformes Adventures in Kenya. They provided a professional service to me and the tour guide Leroy and Edward were experienced and super funny, I enjoyed and joked with them all day on my travels. They also consider me one of the most interesting Chinese tourists they have ever met.
East Africa is a magical place, I would definitely miss the people and scenery that happened here every minute.
US
Email Tyler | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Silas was always very quick to respond and helped customize our trip to get all we wanted!
Overall we certainly enjoyed our trip throughout Kenya and Tanzania with Apodiformes Adventures. Silas was always very responsive to our questions while leading up to the trip, and helped us customize the tour so that we were able to get the itinerary we were hoping for. We did an 11 day Safari starting in Nairobi, heading to Lake Nakuru and then down to Masai Mara. We then crossed the border over into Serengeti National Park, and to Ngorongoro Crater after that. From there we visited Tarangerie NP and finished back in Kenya at Amboseli NP before flying back out of Nairobi. We felt like this was a good way of seeing as much as possible within 11 days, but probably underestimated just how much driving on dirt roads would be involved. Be prepared for some long drives if you are trying to fit in the Kenya and Tanzania parks, the drives from Masai to Serengeti and Serengeti to Ngorongoro were the toughest due to poor road conditions. Still worth it overall though! Kevin was our guide while in Kenya, and he did a great job. His motto was “If you’re happy, I’m happy,” and he definitely strived to make sure we saw all the animals we wanted to. Benjamin was our guide in Tanzania, and he was an excellent guide as well. We appreciated how he always answered our questions with additional info and it was clear he was passionate about showing us a good time while on Safari with him. Apodiformes is not as big of company as others in Kenya/Tanzania and it maybe felt like the van and 4x4 we drove in were not as new/nice as others we saw, but we were able to see more while staying within our price range by booking with them, and overall would recommend them if you’re looking for a tour company for your trip!