Origins Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 1963)
- Member Of:
- African Travel & Tourism Association
- Destinations:
- Website:
- www.originsafaris.com
Reviews
US
Email tom | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing. 1 st class. Lowland gorillas!!!!
Awesome. Professional. Can't wait to come back. We enjoyed the adventure. Great guides. Our tour leader Richard Turner is so professional. I highly recommend this group.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For Photographers and Ornithologists this is the best Choice!
Origins Safaris was founded by Donald Turner and is run today by his son, Steve. Formerly known as East African Ornithological Safaris it was Founded in 1963. This family has been one of the pioneers of the Eco-Tourism and Photo Safari industry in East Africa and, at one time one of the premier Camps in the Masai Mara (the Mara River Camp) belonged to them. Steve works with many of the larger "names" in the safari and photo-safari business as the "on the ground" provider and organizer of many companies.
I've been to East Africa four times and each time I have used Origins; everything ran smoothly and ALL of the staff/contractors and accomodations selected ran so smoothly an seamlessly that they were un-noticed in their efficiency. This is most assuredly NOT the norm in most 3rd world nations and is far more difficult to pull off than the uninitiated migh suspect.
All of the Guides used by Origins in Kenya are KATO certified, many are Silver and some are even Gold level certified. Most other safari "guides" employed by lesser companies are not even certified at all. Generally after each Safari I've come back with new friends and my family has expanded. I have extremely high expectations when it comes to finding and setting up a photo on an animal/bird or landscape and on each tour I was able to count on the Guides to be helpful and suggest new/different/interesting angles/themes and or perspectives.
I have many friends who use this operator exclusively; many are big names in the business. Steve Turner's name is not as well known nor is his company but they are giants behind the scenes where it counts.
Give them a try; they are not cheap but the experience that they offer is well worth it!
Extremely Enthusiastically Recommended!!!
Grover Larkins