Gamewatchers Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 1989)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, APTA, KATO & Ecotourism Kenya
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $950 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Jaye | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
When it went well it went well but when it didn't....
I know people rave about this company. And, I guess, if you didn't have any problems with them then they were good. But if you do experience a problem with them, they don't really want to hear from you with the what the issue was. I had a 6 day safari booked with them and it was good until I got to the Masai Mara and then things went off the rails. They gave me an incorrect park permit which the rangers would not honor. I contacted the person in the US who did my booking and she wanted to know why I was calling her about this. I mean, she did take my money for the trip so I thought she could quickly contact the Nairobi office for me and get this straightened out but no. After spending over an hour on a desolate air strip in the Masai Mara arguing with park officials and in order not to be sent back to Nairobi on the next plane, I had to pay the entrance fees again even though it was included in my safari payment. When I did speak with the head of customer service for Gamewatchers, she wouldn't confirm to me that I would be refunded for something I had paid for twice (ultimately about a week later I did get a refund). But then, because of this debacle at the park entrance, I missed a game drive which the hotel blames on me for not showing up for (because I couldn't get in to the park due the Gamewatchers giving me an incorrect permit) and neither the hotel, Mara Serena, or Gamewatchers will refund that. As a matter of fact on this issue, Gamewatchers has gone completely silent. So no, this is not a tour operator I would recommend.
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Email Robyn | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exquisite!
Gamewatchers are THE best safari experience. Hot showers, plush beds and chef cooked meals. All inclusive with Maasai guides to take you to see the wildlife. All we dreamed and hoped for.
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Email Toni | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gamewatchers staff went above and beyond to make our trip exceptional.
From my first conversation with Rick regarding the planning of our trip, to the final pickup at the airport in Nairobi, our experience with Gamewatchers surpassed our expectations. The accommodations at each Elewana property were uniquely beautiful with outstanding service. When my husband had a medical emergency at one of the camps, Jackie was tremendously helpful in helping to organize medical transportation and acquiring medications at the end of our trip. Overall, our experience with Gamewatchers was perfect.
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Email Debra | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gamewatchers in Botswana
We didn't want to go on a standard group "tour" of southern Africa so we hooked up with Gamewatchers, who created a bespoke safari for my wife and I, my daughter, and her boyfriend. Our agent, Wayne Hammond, who is himself a seasoned African safari photographer, patiently assessed our needs and booked us into four venues__Ilala lodge in Vic Falls to start, then off to the bush and flood plains at Chobe Elephant Camp, Rra Dinare, and Splash Camp, the latter two in the Okavanga Delta. Everything was set up perfectly and each camp had its unique charms and terrain. The small aircraft transfers were right on schedule and we were expected, welcomed, and well cared-for in each camp. A lot of trust is required in booking these trips, and Gamewatchers delivered 100 percent. We felt the warm embrace of May in Botswana, an experience we will never forget.
I don't think you need to spend a ton of cash for five-star luxury. We went for mostly the mid-level camps which were comfortable, charming, and intimate, and which placed us very close to the environment we were seeking. The open-air vehicles were awesome and our guides and trackers, all local villagers, were incredibly skilled and knowledgeable and showed a genuine love for the world we were exploring. We were blown away by all the game we saw, the amazing stars, the vast terrain of the delta and Chobe national park, and the wonderful people who hosted us. In short, we wouldn't have changed a thing.
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Email Pilar | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb customer service, reliable, and knowledgable.
Game Watchers was our in-country travel coordinator and our entire trip went flawlessly! From pick up to the airport, to recommendations on where to shop, to getting us to our in-country flights on time and much more. Anything we could have needed in-country they were there for. And everyone we needed to contact was on whatsapp and responded to questions quickly. Our Nairobi driver, Paul, was so kind and knowledgable. Was able to get us to the elephant orphanage and giraffe sanctuary at a time were crowds were minimal. Took us to multiple shopping centers that were all unique and different and most importantly--got us everywhere we needed to be safely. All of our guides on Safari were coordinated by GameWatchers and they were so knowledgable! We had the best African Safari experience in Kenya and would recommend GameWatchers to anyone who wants a hassle free vacation of a lifetime.
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Email Marianne | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari
We went on a Gamewatchers Safari to the OI Kinyei Conservancy, Mara in September. It was our first safari and first visit to Kenya. I cannot say enough good things about our experience with Gamewatchers (Porini Camps). Everything was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! There was not one detail of our stay that Gamewatchers had not thought through, making it such a wonderful experience. Here I will just point out a couple of things that made the stay so perfect. Our Maasai guides, Jackson and Joshua, went out of their way to show us wildlife on each of our safaris, ensure we were comfortable, well taken care of and prepared for our safaris each day. Even on our last morning, unplanned, they rushed to our tent and urged us to move quickly to come and see something really special. We ran to the jeep, jumped in and they drove us to see a pride of lions eating a newly killed wildebeest. It was incredible to be just a few metres away from lions growling and devouring their kill. Also, I cannot state this strongly enough, Jackson and Joshua were wonderful engaging with our 16 year old son. They included him in our conversations, talked with him, and got him interested in everything we were experiencing. We stayed in a tent at the Ol Kinyei Conservancy and everything was beautiful. The staff think of every little detail to make your stay perfect, from the glass bottled water in the bathrooms, to hot water bottles under your bed covers at night, to the gorgeous decor and design within the tent, etc. The food was perfect and we loved sitting outside having our afternoon lunch watching gazelles and other animals grazing right near to us. After this safari, we did a budget safari with another company. The experiences between the two companies were like night and day. If you can afford it, do go with Gamewatchers, knowing that the money you pay will provide you with an unforgettably wonderful experience, but also support conservation efforts in Kenya, as well as support local Maasai communities.
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Email Elena and Barb | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding!! Out of this world!
We had visited South Africa a few years back and while it was nice, nothing can compare with this trip. Our tour guide, Saruni, was awesome. He knew where to look, the names of the animals, the sounds that they make. He was extremely professional, funny and we had a great time together. Accommodations were very good. Everyone was pleasant, He made the trip a perfect one. accommodating and extremely nice. We will go back. I give Gamewatchers a 10. We particularly love Porini Rhino Camp with David being a tremendous host. The food was a surprise and it was delicious. The Trive Hotel and the ark were superb. Actually we loved every resort where we stayed. Booking and planning this trip was made easy with the help of both Wayne and Brad. We visited a tribe and that was an amazing experience too
Email Rex | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgable guide,comfortable vechile, professional operation, on time and very accommodating
Beyond expectation up close and personal with a wide variety of animals and birds
Email Matt Caldwell | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wow, superb, efficient, helpful, wonderful
We really cannot express in words how superb Gamewatchers are. Nothing is ever too much trouble and they are there any time you need them, day and night, via their emergency numbers.............. not that we have had need to call these.
Everything from JKIA arrival to departure runs so smoothly and there is always a smile on hand.
The Porini camps are wonderful, set in private conservancies where wildlife is plentiful and jeeps are not.
If you are going to Kenya just once then choose to book with Gamewatchers and stay at their camps,
Email Rus | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safari of a lifetime
I have been going to Kenya for safari holidays for some years now and I would not book with anyone other than Gamewatchers.
It's very re-assuring knowing that you are going to be taken care of, from the moment you leave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, to the moment you are dropped off for your flight home. I like the attention to detail and consideration that they show, with the team in Nairobi working hard behind the scenes to keep your safari superb no matter what is thrown at you. Over the years they've:
1. Kept a vehicle on the other side of the river so we could cross on a footbridge in anticipation of it being too high to drive through safely (it was!)
2. Communicating with the airline to have a flight back to Nairobi wait for us
3. Lent me an SD card when my own one was full
There are also little things, like the guides staying at the airstrip to wave you off as your flight lifts off rather than drive away as soon as you are on the plane.
I wouldn't go anywhere else