ready to serve
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
BE
Email Mathieu | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible vehicle for a luxury safari
We booked a 8 day luxury private safari. They sent an old land cruiser, dirty, no air bags, no operational seat belts, no air conditioning and a wild driver. We spent about 60 hours in that véhicule of which about 30 hours on dangerous roads between the 4 parks. Horrible, no value for money!
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Nov 6, 2024Dear Mathieu,
Many thanks for your detailed feedback. This helps us improve our services at Apodiformes Adventures.
I want to apologize for the challenges faced during your trip with us.
We wish you all the best and promise better services in 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
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
DE
Email Rohit Singh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible experience with Apodiformes Adventures, can't recommend
We had a very bad experience with Apodiformes Adventures.
The communication and booking process prior to the tour was very smooth, up until it was time to pay the second part of the tour price in cash at pickup. After that, everything changed drastically. First of all, the game drive vehicle they provided was very different from what was promised. It was much much older and extremely uncomfortable. All other game drive jeeps we saw were much more modern & comfortable so we felt that the company tried to save money here, even though their tour is advertised as a luxury tour.
I asked Apodiformes Adventures about this but they ignored my messages!
Our safari guides (which were arranged by Apodiformes Adventures) told us that they only received our booking a day before our arrival, despite us booking several months before with Apodiformes Adventures, which is why they were not prepared for us. Also, our safari guides picked us up in Nairobi & had no idea how to get out of the city, which lead us to drive around for hours within Nairobi, before I had to give them my phone, as their Google Maps did not work properly. I contacted Apodiformes Adventures several times during this & they did not reply.
Also, we were sold a masai village tour through Apodiformes, which felt extremely unethical and like a scam to us. We paid 90 USD for being shown around a village for 10 minutes and later harrased to buy little magnets for 25 USD per piece. Once again, when we contacted our tour operator about this, they did not reply. It again seemed to us that everything goes very smooth up until you've paid the second part of the payment in person at the start of the tour.
The "luxury" lodge they booked for us had no idea we would be 3 people, since apparentely the tour operator failed to communicate this to them, which lead to another problem at room configuration at check-in, which took nearly one hour to resolve in order for us to get the extra bed in an already tiny room, since they had no other rooms available. I've taken 3 safaris in Africa, this one was by far the worst & I can only warn people against wasting your precious vacation with a tour operator that is quite seemingly not taking bookings seriously anymore.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Sep 8, 2024Dear Rohit,
Many thanks for your detailed feedback. This helps us improve our services at Apodiformes Adventures.
I want to apologize for the challenges faced during your trip with us.
The only 2 clarifications I would want to make and which I believe will help our future customers are as follows;
1.Masai Village is 30$ per person and normally paid on site. This is an extra activity which is paid directly to the Masai Community who have set up a village to educate and inform tourists everything about their unique culture.
2. We always advise our clients to remain steadfast when visiting the Masai Village. Yes you will be met by many local Masai selling their merchandise but only buy when interested. Never be forced or coerced to buy their souvenirs unless you need it.
kind regards
SILAS
ES
Email AlanB | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good & Bad
I booked a safari with my wife with Apodiformes for our 50th anniversary. I arranged it with Frederick who worked with me to organise a 4 days Masai Mara trip at a cost of about $3600, Frederick was very efficient & booked everything & communicated with me very well. Our driver as arranged collected us from our hotel 7-30am prompt. On our drive to the Masai Mara it became obvious that the land cruiser was very underpowered when it came to large hills & had to climb I second gear. The driver/guide Tom was excellent throughout our trip. We stayed as recommended at Jambo Mara Safari camp & everything was very good however I would not liked to have stayed in the wood cabins in hotter weather as there was no air conditioning only a fan.
As the safari progressed into the second day it became apparent that the vehicle had a number of problems, some windows didn't open properly, the seats behind the driver were so well worn that passengers were constantly sliding forward & having to sit themselves up regularly, the suspension on the vehicle was very hard, some electrics were not working & some seat belts missing. Far from ideal when on a 8 to 10 hour safari.
On our last day the driver said that we would need to set off for Nairobi at 6-30 am so we could make it to Nairobi to catch our flight to Diani Beach. ( As arranged by Frederick). This meant that we did not have the morning safari as was on the itinerary that Frederick had promised & we had paid for. $400 dollars for park fees plus fees for safari. The day after we arrived at Diani I emailed Frederick with my complaints & he said that he would have to talk to the driver, I told him that I expected compensation for the missed safari & the fees for entry to the Masai Mari that we did not get. In total I had to contact him 4 times over a week to be finally told by Frederick that he couldn't refund me until November at the end of there season as they didn't have the money.
I would not recommend dealing with this company as they are not interested in the customer service in fact they are thieves. Don't deal with Frederick or Apodiformes (Nairobbery)
****
In answer to Silas comments regard my earlier review.
Please find time to look at the itinerary supplied by Apodiformes, it clearly says it includes a morning game drive on the last day, there is no mention of complimentary. I don't know any other tour operator that gives complimentary game drives when it costs $200 per person to enter the Masai Mara.
My flight to Diani Beach was at 14-45 & it was arranged by Fredrick as part of the package, not noon as you stayed.
I think you are a professional excuse maker, look at the facts.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Sep 8, 2024Halo Alan,
Thanks for your detailed review. We dont take it for granted.
Most importantly receive my apologies for the challenges faced.
I am happy our driver Tom took care of you nicely until the end of the trip.
Regarding your concern: For the last day in Masai Mara , we normally have an optional early morning game drive. This is never paid for but a complimentary service to our customers especially to those that normally have late night outbound flights from Nairobi. We prefer to extend this complimentary game drive so that they dont arrive in Nairobi early and stay idle/bored at the airport.
In your case we had to take a pre-caution since your flight from Nairobi to Diani Beach was leaving at noon hence any time wasted would have resulted into you missing the domestic flight . This is why we advised your driver to leave Masai Mara early enough since the roads are normally unpredictable.
Thanks and Have a wonderful time at the Kenyan Beach. We look forward to meeting you in Nairobi before you fly back Home.
SILAS
US
Email Ian | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I got scammed out of my deposit by this company.
DO NOT BOOK. "Silas" scammed me. I communicated via the email initiated on safaribookings.com . He told me his credit card machine was down and to wire the money (not uncommon for African safaris to wire money). I double checked other people were satisfied with his safaris, everything seemed extremely legit (they also wired money)
When I wired it he said he never received it then said I should have sent it via credit card on his website. When I showed him the email thread, he confirmed that was indeed his email, but said the invoice never came from him. Yet he denied his email has been hacked.
I'm not sure what's going on with this company and I'm hoping my bank can stop the wire. I'm happy to share the screenshots of my conversation back and forth so you can protect yourself.
When I asked what had happened he immediately shut me down and told me he doesn't want my business. It seems odd to me that a legitimate business isn't concerned that their email has been hacked.
I will update this review once I have reached conclusion on this event. But I wanted this warning published ASAP so other people don't get scammed.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Apr 13, 2023I want to bring to your attention the issue of Mr. IAN SEWELL
Ian sent a direct enquiry regarding a tour he was interested in booking with us. We shared all the information until it reached a point he was to pay.
We receive all our payments through the website where payments are made through the link below:
https://apodiformesadventures.com/pay/
We shared this link with Ian but he purports to have received another email instructing him to pay through some funny bank account . The Bank whose account number he claims to have paid through is in Nigeria while we are based in Nairobi, Kenya.
I have asked Ian several times where he found the invoice but he cannot answer amicably. Ian claims our emails were hacked of which I have requested him to cooperate with our IT SPECIALISTS to find the source of the hack. This has been in vain since IAN doesnt want to cooperate . He nolonger responds to whatsapp messages and emails, a clear indication that he has not taken this issue seriously.
From our own preliminary investigations where we involved highly trained IT personell, It is clear our emails were never hacked.
We value our clients so much and for this reason we take issues raised by IAN seriously. We will continue digging deep into the issue and still urge IAN to cooperate with us in the investigations if it is true he was genuine in his allegations.
SILAS OWITI - DIRECTOR APODIFORMES ADVENTURES LTD
AE
Email Carlos | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Chased by Armed Park Rangers with kids inside the Jeep
Be very careful, Silas’ tour driver, lied to my an my family about the Jeep being broke down. He stole the money I payed to entered the Masai Mara Park & left us stranded at the hotel instead of taking us to the National Reserve. Silas made excuses not to refund the money stolen and never payed back. The day before, this driver Peter didn’t stop at a Ranger security checkpoint, and the rangers chased our Jeep with guns while I had 3 small kids & 1 baby inside the car. After raising a formal complaint to Silas about his driver, He never reimbursed the money stolen and the time we lost. Be very careful with this company, don’t be fooled. Awful experience in a Africa with kids, being robbed and chased with family when we just wanted to have fun at the Masai Mara Park. I will never come back to that place and never would consider using this thieves’ company.
Reply from Apodiformes Adventures
Posted on Feb 24, 2020Halo Carlos,
We are surprised that you have extended your threats to this end!
I want to state as follows;
1. You did not book this safari through safaribookings.
You were referred by a client who had booked a succesful safari with us through Tourist Link. His good experience with us made you book this safari!
2. We organized for you a 2 night safari to Mara Mara of which I personally picked you from the airport and handed you to our driver who was to be your tour guide.
3. You went for safari and came back a happy man with your family and Upon being dropped to the airport to take your flight home, you gave the tour guide some good tip , an indication that you were so much satisfied by our services. You did not express any dissatisfaction
4. Two days later I got a whatsapp message from you complaining that the same tour guide you tipped some good money did not deliver to you . You have come up with so much allegations that the driver did not take you to all the game drives as required .
For this reason, you have kept demanding and threatening the Company to refund you half of the money you paid ( that is half of 1500USD which 750USD).
When we saw this review on safribookings this morning , we realized that indeed you are not genuine and consider you as someone who is out to destroy and bring down our Company as you have severally indicated in your past whatsapp messages . You have repeatedly made it clear to us that you will bring down this Company by all means.
5. You have gone ahead to say in your allegations that you were chased around by game rangers at the park and that you missed game drives . Now brings me back to my question : Before departing to Masai Mara I briefed you about the tour and made it clear that your tour guide who was your driver had all the money for your park fees. I gave the guide all the money in broad day light with you sitted and watching.
Masai Mara Game Reserve has specific entries where all vehicles use. You cannot get into the park with tourists without paying. I find it hard to belive that you entered the park and the rangers kept chasing you around.
6. Finally despite having two nights in Masai Mara, you never bothered to call me informing me about the problems you were facing. Why did you tip the guide after all this bad experience? Why did you wait to reach home and start threatening me while you had my phone number and email during safari ? If indeed you were genuine you could have called or even informed the lodge to call me following all these problems you were experiencing . You have severally threatened and insisted that you will make sure our Company is bankrupt or closed! Is this the right way to solve issues?
We are a professional Tour Company in Kenya which operates on strict ethical guidlines .
kind regards