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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
NL
Email Ben | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A reliable touroperator for a wunderfull safari
We did a 10 day safari/beach holiday with Apodiformes Adventures in August 2024. Communication has been almost perfect from the start of our plans. there was always a quick response to a question. Everything went as planned except for two pick-up times. In particular, the pick-up in Mombasa and Nairobi before and after the train journey was not well organised. Everything turned out fine after all. A taxi driver on site took us to our hotel. The safari itself was beautiful. Duncan, a very friendly driver, gave us a lot of information about Kenya and the animal life. The downside perhaps was the car, not a safari car as we know it, but a fairly old van with an opening roof. The safari itself was beautiful, we saw the big five within 2 days. Driving through Kenya is a story in itself. One hole in the road is deeper than the other. Some roads shouldn't actually be called roads, some roads were that bad. And often 50 km long!! Respect for Duncan for doing that for us every day. I wouldn't imitate him. Perhaps a real safari car would have been a bit more comfortable. All lodges were beautiful, food was well prepared. The Sopa lodge and the Kibo lodge really stood out. Was great there. The ending at the Leopard resort in Diana beach was also great. We had a large room with a beautiful sea view. In short, everything was well arranged by Silas. If I can give a point, it would be a nice 9.
US
Email Jorge Troncoso | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic!!!
I strongly recommend Apodiformes Adventures and their outstanding agent, Syprose, to anyone planning a trip to Kenya. Syprose organized an unforgettable ten-day safari for my brother and me, covering the breathtaking Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Hell's Gate, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru National Parks.
What impressed us the most was Syprose's ability to craft a personalized itinerary on very short notice, accommodating our specific needs and adjusting it as our priorities shifted—all while maintaining a high level of professionalism, patience, and perseverance. Due to the short lead time, many camps were fully booked, but Syprose worked miracles, finding us upgraded accommodations at no additional cost. Her resourcefulness and dedication ensured that we were always comfortable and happy.
She also connected us with Justus Wildlife Safaris, our fantastic guide who made the ten-day safari one of the most thrilling and awe-inspiring adventures of our lives. Syprose stayed in constant contact with us and Justus, checking in daily to ensure we were safe, comfortable, and enjoying every moment. Even when we decided to make a spontaneous visit to the historic Karen Blixen Museum, Syprose and Justus seamlessly worked it into the itinerary without disrupting our overall schedule. Her flexibility and quick thinking were remarkable.
Syprose also made navigating the logistics a breeze, helping us with everything from visa applications to vaccination requirements, ensuring that our entire journey went smoothly from start to finish.
Thanks to Syprose and Apodiformes Adventures, we experienced the trip of a lifetime. Syprose's professionalism, deep knowledge, unwavering patience, and warm, friendly demeanor made working with her an absolute pleasure. If you're planning to explore Kenya, I highly recommend Apodiformes Adventures and the exceptional Syprose for an unforgettable, perfectly curated travel experience.
NL
Email Kay | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An excellent tour organiser and even more wonderful guide!
I just returned from a lovely trip to Kenya. We were there for 10 days out of which 4 were arranged with the help of Apodiformes Tours. Our journey included visiting Kenya's most stunning destination: the Masai Mara.
A big shout out to Fred as a tour operator. We had numerous concerns/ questions prior to the booking and he was patient yet prompt to clarify everything. Even after booking, he was personally there to pick us up and had arranged the travel and put us up a wonderful lodge in the park, called Sentrim Mara.
What made the whole experience even better was our guide and driver, Kim. Kim has an immaculate eye-sight and understanding of the reserve. He always ensured we had the best views of the animals while understanding their behaviour. He was always before time and excited to show us around the park. Thanks to him we were able to spot 4 out of the Big 5, namely Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes and Rhino. From driving along the Tanzania border to bushes of the savannah, we left no area uncovered.
The experience of being a spectator and watching all the lovely animals in their natural habitat was surreal. Would highly recommend doing it at least once and that too with Apodiformes Adventures (more specifically, with the fire combo of Fred and Kim).
Note that it might appear expensive but in our opinion was worth every penny.
CN
Email Shan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari trip in 7 days
We had a 7 days safari trip with this company.
We contact to the company fluently before our trip. The company representative Fridrick reply WhatsApp quickly.
And our guide Sebastian is a great safari guide. He can speak good English, so we can communicate clearly. And Seba have lots of knowledge about nature and wild animals. We not only see big five and other animals, but also know a lot of knowledge in our trip. Seba also has good drive skill, so he can found a good place for us to see the animals. For our requirements, we can directly told him. Seba discusses the feasibility of our requirements with us, and try to meet them. We recommend him to other travelers.
CN
Email JL | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional
My trip to Kenya in September was nothing short of extraordinary, and a huge part of that was thanks to the incredible travel agency that organized everything seamlessly. From the moment I made my inquiry, their team was quick to respond and highly professional, ensuring every detail of the trip was perfectly tailored to my needs. The highlight was undoubtedly witnessing the Big Five, including the unforgettable moment of seeing a cheetah on the hunt. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and knew exactly where to be for the best wildlife viewing. The agency’s attention to detail and expertise made the experience smooth and stress-free. I couldn’t have asked for a better adventure, and I highly recommend them for anyone looking to explore Kenya’s natural beauty!
DK
Email Line | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari trip with apodiformes adventures.
Our Safari trip with apodiformes adventures.
We, 3 adults and 3 children (aged 4, 4 and 6 years), recently had the most incredible safari experience with apodiformes adventures. From start to finish, the entire trip was seamless and exceeded our expectations.
The owner, Silas, was very helpful and accommodating in answering all our questions during the booking and customizing the itinerary to our preferences at a very reasonable price.
We started with a full day sightseeing tour of Nairobi before leaving for a 6 days safari trip.
We stayed at Sopa Lodges in the Masa Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. All hotels were high-end, clean and comfortable with polite and friendly staff.
Our guide and driver, Sebastian, was truly a star. His knowledge of the wildlife and the area was impressive, and he had a knack for spotting the animals. Sebastian was also incredibly patient and friendly, especially with our children who are normally a bit shy. He quickly put them at ease and made them feel comfortable.
We were particularly impressed with Sebastian's ability to tailor the experience to our interests and needs on the way. He also provided us with valuable recommendations for activities and connections in Mombasa, to make the rest of our trip easy and enjoyable.
Overall, we give apodiformes adventures our highest recommendations. If you're looking for a memorable and authentic safari experience, look no further. Silas and Sebastian will make sure you have an unforgettable adventure.
IN
Email Nilanjana Banerjee | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nice , helpful, honest and always responded to the query.
It was a great experience. The tour operator Frederick and the driver Ken were very good....we spotted big five a number of times.
LT
Email Neringa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Everything was super!!!
Everything was exellent. Our driver Dickson was very intelligent. All lodges and a beach hotel The Maji were formidable.
HU
Email Mark | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Luxury price, budget experience with plenty of lies and excuses (AVOID!)
I want to share my disappointing experience with the 5-day Kenyan safari my wife and I went on. To put it bluntly, it was far from the “luxury” experience we were promised. I’m sharing this to hopefully save others from the frustration we went through.
0. Lies and Excuses: I first shared my review back in September, and we eventually reached an agreement with the agency for compensation. They claimed to have transferred the funds, but guess what? It never arrived. For nearly a month, we were strung along with endless excuses. Safe to say, our trust in them evaporated.
1. Guide (or rather, driver): We had a “driver-guide” who seemed to only focus on the “driver” part. We expected a knowledgeable guide for the price we paid, but instead, we got someone who could barely tell us the names of animals. We learned more from Google and ChatGPT than from him. His English was poor, and he couldn’t answer basic questions. To top it off, on the first day, he was 20 minutes late, and the vehicle’s fuel tank was empty, so we had to stop for gas. Water for the trip? Had to pick that up, too. Not the best start to a “luxury” safari.
The worst part? The guide didn’t even know the way around. He managed to get us lost in the Maasai Mara on Day 1, and we arrived at our hotel over two hours late. He wasn’t particularly attentive either—no door-opening, lots of time on his phone (without a headset, mind you), and some reckless moves, like speeding through a busy market.
2. Dietary Disregard: Both my wife and I are vegan, and I also need to avoid gluten. I made this clear to Silas multiple times on WhatsApp. He assured us everything was in order. But of course, neither the guide nor the hotel staff had a clue. We had to re-explain at every meal. For three days, we ended up searching shopping malls for vegan food to eat on the go. The “picnic” lunch we got on the last day? A random assortment from a supermarket that cost them maybe $3 per person. Luxury, indeed.
3. Ignored Anniversary Request: I’d told Silas several times that our wedding anniversary would be during the trip, and we’d like a special dinner. He promised to set it up, but the lodge staff had no idea when we arrived. We eventually arranged a bush dinner ourselves, costing us an extra $180.
4. Payment Surprises: Initially, we planned to pay the balance with a card, only to be told there would be an extra 4% fee—something that wasn’t mentioned when we paid the deposit. We ended up doing a bank transfer instead, but the lack of transparency was frustrating.
5. Lack of Pre-Trip Info: There was no pre-trip info about the country, packing tips, or what to expect. While it might seem minor on its own, given the other issues, it was just another sign of how little they cared.
There were other smaller annoyances, but these were the main issues. Right from Day 1, it was clear things were going downhill. I messaged Silas immediately, requesting a different guide. His response? The guide “knew the park” and “breakfast wasn’t typically provided on Day 1” (so why was it on the itinerary?).
All in all, this was a complete letdown. The agency is responsible for hiring competent guides and ensuring dietary requests are communicated, especially when they’ve been assured in advance. My advice? Avoid this agency. Find a reputable company that delivers on its promises.
The cherry on top? We’re still waiting on that “compensation” that never arrived.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Nov 5, 2024Dear Lucia,
Apologies for the hiccups during your trip. The challenge you had with our guide Nicholas is quite unfortunate. Nicholas has been a tour guide for 8 years now and we are surprised he could not even trace the correct routes in Masai Mara. I can confirm to you that we have already initiated internal investigations into his conduct. Meanwhile he remains suspended from work.
The only issue I would want to clarify is regarding your special Anniversary dinner which you feel you were overcharged by the camp - AMANI MARA CAMP.
From the onset I informed you that a SPECIAL anniversary dinner and a sundowner are never part of the package we sell to clients - and that we can only include that in the cost upon request. These are extras meaning that they can ONLY be arranged upon the client's request. I initially made you aware of all this important information and that is why I requested to have it booked by us on your behalf.
Now I have reached AMANI MARA CAMP( the camp where you stayed) and they have informed me they NOT only arranged for you a special bush dinner but combined it with a sundowner where special drinks (wines etc ) and meals were served. For this you were charged 180$. The Hotel (AMANI MARA CAMP) have categorically stated that you were charged 45$ per person for the bush dinner and another 45$ per person for the sundowner.
I am sorry . We take your review seriously and will work on the issues raised for a prosperous future.
Apodiformes Adventures Team
HU
Email Lucía | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor Service, Unprofessional guide, and lies about compensation
I would like to share my experience with the 5-day Kenyan safari my husband and I went on. Unfortunately, we were both extremely disappointed with the services, and I feel it’s important to share this feedback so others can avoid similar issues.
0. Lies all around: First of all, I shared my review in September. After writing this review on September 1st, we reached an agreement with the agency for compensation. They claimed to have sent the money, but it never arrived, and they continued to give us excuses for almost another month. This only deepened our disappointment and frustration, and we find the entire situation outrageous.
1. Guide: The driver-guide we had throughout the safari did not meet our expectations at all. He acted mostly as a driver, which was disappointing given the price we paid for this trip. He barely provided any information, and when he did, it was limited to just naming animals. We didn’t receive any insights into their behavior, reproduction, or diet, nor did we learn anything about Kenya’s cultural or natural highlights. At one point, we resorted to using Google and ChatGPT for information. I asked many questions, but the guide often couldn’t answer, and sometimes he didn’t even understand due to his poor English skills. We were also left in the dark regarding the itinerary and how to prepare for the next day.
On the first day, the guide arrived 20 minutes late, and the vehicle had an empty fuel tank, so we had to stop for gas and even had to pick up water for the tour. These could have been arranged beforehand, and it felt unprofessional to have our experience delayed this way.
The guide also wasn’t familiar with the locations, which resulted in us getting lost in the Maasai Mara on the first day, causing us to arrive more than two hours late at the hotel. His inexperience was further evident in his driving—he didn’t open the door for us, spent too much time on his phone without a headset, and even made dangerous maneuvers, like cutting through a crowded market.
2. Ignoring Dietary Requests: Both my husband and I are vegan, and I also follow a gluten-free diet. I informed Silas multiple times via WhatsApp about our dietary needs, and he assured me there would be no issues. However, neither the guide nor the hotel staff were aware of these requests. We had to explain our preferences at every meal, catching them off guard. For three days, we had to spend hours looking for vegan options in shopping malls for our "picnic" lunch, only to end up eating in the car. On the last day, we were given ham sandwiches, eggs, and milk, which the driver later replaced with supermarket food costing only $3 per person. This was far below what we expected for a "luxury" trip.
3. Ignoring Anniversary Dinner Request: I had informed Silas several times that our wedding anniversary would take place during the trip, and we wanted a special dinner at the lodge. Silas assured us it would be arranged, but when we arrived, the lodge knew nothing about it. We ended up organizing a bush dinner ourselves, which cost $180.
4. Payment Issue: We initially planned to pay the balance of the trip by card, but Silas informed us of a 4% card fee, which was not mentioned or charged when we paid the deposit. This hidden fee only became apparent when we had no other option, and we felt this was unfair. Instead, we opted for a bank transfer, but this situation further eroded our trust in the agency.
5. Lack of Pre-Trip Information: We received no information or briefing about the country, what to pack, or other important details before the trip. While this might not seem like a major issue on its own, given all the other problems we encountered, it reflected the overall lack of care from the agency.
There are many other small details I could mention, but what was most disappointing was that these issues were evident from the very first day. I immediately informed Silas and requested a different guide. Unfortunately, his response was minimal—he simply stated that the guide was familiar with the national park and that breakfast is typically not provided on the first day (so why was it included in the itinerary?).
Overall, we are incredibly disappointed with the service. It is the agency’s responsibility to provide a competent guide and at the very least communicate special dietary needs to the accommodations, especially when these have been promised in advance. I strongly recommend that others avoid this agency and find a more reliable and established travel company.
The "cherry on top" is the we were scammed about receiving a compensation which never happened.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Nov 5, 2024Dear Lucia,
Apologies for the hiccups during your trip. The challenge you had with our guide Nicholas is quite unfortunate. Nicholas has been a tour guide for 8 years now and we are surprised he could not even trace the correct routes in Masai Mara. I can confirm to you that we have already initiated internal investigations into his conduct. Meanwhile he remains suspended from work.
The only issue I would want to clarify is regarding your special Anniversary dinner which you feel you were overcharged by the camp - Amani Mara Camp.
From the onset I informed you that a special anniversary dinner and a sundowner are never part of the package we sell to clients - and that we can only include that in the cost upon request. These are extras meaning that they can only be arranged upon the client's request. I initially made you aware of all this important information and that is why I requested to have it booked by us on your behalf.
Now I have reached Amani Mara Camp (the camp where you stayed) and they have informed me they not only arranged for you a special bush dinner but combined it with a sundowner where special drinks (wines etc) and meals were served. For this you were charged 180$. The Hotel (Amani Mara Camp) have categorically stated that you were charged 45$ per person for the bush dinner and another 45$ per person for the sundowner.
I am sorry. We take your review seriously and will work on the issues raised for a prosperous future.
Apodiformes Adventures Team